The Main Family Is About to Die Out, so I, from a Branch Family, Am a Seed Provider (WN): Chapter 47

 

Episode 47: One Pride of Me and the Young Lady

"Reconsider... what in the world are you saying Ritia?"

 Lady Ritia suddenly appeared in this sweltering place full of men. While everyone was taken aback by her outlandish behavior, Prince Lim asked her a question with his eyebrows slightly twisted in displeasure.

"I demand an apology from you for ordering him to join the rear unit and, on a personal note, from the nobleman there who insulted him."

 Pointing her finger at the head of the Bajirian family, Lady Ritia exclaims in a high voice.

"Reason?"

"I felt that it would be offensive to His Highness' reputation if we were to execute the person who has done the most to help us in this retreat."

 Asked by Prince Lim, the answer immediately and without hesitation comes out of the young lady's mouth.

"Other than that, is it for personal reasons?"

"Yes!"

 Although she claims that her attempt for the head of the Bajirian family to apologize was for personal reasons, her voice was so dignified that the prince flinched slightly.

"May I have a moment? Your Highness."

"Hmm?"

 But the head of the Bajirian family was different.

 As usual, his vulgar smile never ceases, and on the contrary, he seemed to be somewhat amused by the young lady's intrusion, as if a child had found a new toy, and his whole body was awestruck.

"The stallion's achievement was essentially only the successful defeat of the empire in Gruve City, and had nothing to do with the retreat that is now underway. No, it is also true that there is a large negative aspect if it can be considered together."

 So, the head of the Bajirian family adds.

"His blunder is obvious and not a reason for me to apologize. And it is not the behavior of a noble to bow down to someone who is so adamant about the opportunity to clear his name, is it?"

 Apparently, the man wants me to cut off the lizard's tail, as he puts it, on the theory that this current crisis situation is solely my fault.

"There is."

 But Lady Ritia brushes away a handful of blonde hair that clings to her neck.

"You say that he has declined the opportunity to clear his name, but the reason why we lost our way to the castle in the first place is entirely due to your underling's violent behavior in the city."

"I am sure that the matter has already been cleared by his highness. How can you make accusations about it now?  Having said that, I would like to say that it is highly regrettable that he has slain one of my men, even though he did not have the authority to do so."

 The head of the Bajirian family, who said that with a more or less stern tone in his voice, looks pleased as he gazes alternately at me and the young lady, and it is clear that he thinks nothing of the death of at least one of his subordinates.

 The implication is that if they dig up that case, they would charge me with a crime, too. Since the number of crimes has increased, he is probably planning to put me in charge of the rear unit.

"He certainly doesn't have the authority to do that."

"Eh?"

 The young lady nodded easily in pursuit. No, I mean, wouldn't it be a bad idea for our side to admit that? The young lady's jade green eyes are still fixed on the head of the Bajirian family without losing their brilliance.

"But if it's your highness' decision, then it was your highness who decided on this retreat in the first place, right? Then he is not responsible for everything. Besides, the worst thing that could happen is that your men broke the prohibition against violence."

"Therefore, I am quietly keeping this anger in my heart that my subordinate was killed. If it is argued that this is the same as the fault of the stallion, it will not help those who died."

 We did a bad thing, but we are the victims because one of my subordinates is killed! The head of the Bajirian family said. I don't think such a quibble is acceptable, but it's also true that the only people in the room are the nobles who tolerate it, so it's hard to deal with.

"Violating military discipline is a crime. Not only does it dishonor the name of his highness, it is the same as dishonoring the name of the kingdom itself. Even if he is at fault, what your subordinate did is a bigger sin."

"......"

 But the young lady erases the atmosphere with such a clichéd argument with stronger words and questions.

 If it was decided that it was a mortal sin in itself that it had polluted the kingdom itself, all the words she has said to me would come back to me with a debt that I could not bear.

 The head of the Bajirian family, who had been smiling with a lowly smile, changed. Although he was smiling, the intensity of his smile was obvious to anyone who saw him, and his forehead was covered with a light sheen of greasy sweat.

"B-but that's not the same thing as entrusting the troops to the stallion. I believe that only the most heroic one would serve the army."

 Hey, you were saying earlier that I am responsible for the killing. What are you doing pretending it didn't happen?

 The young lady sighed loudly as she lifted her hips from her chair.

"I don't like your attitude of putting one person in charge and trying to save yourself. Are you still a proud nobleman of the kingdom?"

"N-no, I only have the important task of protecting his highness while your stallion is serving the army."

 He glanced at Prince Lim as he add at the end that that is exactly how I am going to clear my name. I feel sorry for the prince, being glanced at by such an old man.

 But if the prince nods his head with a single word, "Yes", that will be that man's job. To be honest, being the prince's bodyguard is probably the position with the most responsibility, but with the easiest and best chance of survival. Don't be lazy, work.

"You, you should rethink your words."

"What?"

 But before he can say anything, the young lady makes the first move and told him so.

"You said 'It was his fault because he didn't know his place and got in the way.'. A third-rate noble like you would get in the way of escorting his highness without knowing your place."

"...You."

 The smile that had been on the head of the Bajirian family's face completely vanished at the harsh, noble snide remark, which even I could understand. His dirty lips were shuddering, and his puckered eyes were burning with anger.

"The Fregrance family will be responsible for his highness. Isn't that right, father?"

"U-umu, Ritia-ta...... as my daughter said, we, the Fregrances, will protect you at all costs."

 The head of the Fregrance family flinched when it was suddenly pointed at him. You're the one who's supposed to be doing this. Why do you look so reluctant?

"...Gununu."

 For the head of the Bajirian family, who is concerned about the hierarchy, it seems that if the head of one of the five great noble families were to take that role, he would not come forward without regard to the order.

 With his face tense with anger, he is groaning and looking bitter as well.

"B-but..."

"But it's no good. If you call yourself a nobleman of the kingdom, you should clear your own name before entrusting it to someone with an achievement!"

 The head of the Bajirian family, perhaps at a loss for words, hangs his head, as the young lady cut off his words and declares so majestically.

 And the silence came to the area so much that it hurt my ears.

 In a kingdom that is essentially male-dominated, it would be considered insane and shameful for a woman to barge in during war...... especially at a military meeting, and the young lady's behavior is something that should be condemned if true.

 As an exception, women who are given the status of knights in the name of escorting them can be present, but even then, they almost never express their opinions.

 However, the imposing behavior of Lady Ritia leaves everyone speechless, and instead of trying to kick her out of the room, they listen to what she has to say.

 And above all, the expectant eyes that had been directed at the head of the Bajirian family, who had been denounced, had somehow fizzled out.

"……Don't mess with me."

 No, only the head of the Bajirian family himself would not admit it.

 The words were muttered so softly in a vindictive tone of voice. What followed was words of accusation.

"If you call yourself a nobleman of the kingdom? Ha! Then let me ask you! Why is that man sitting in the main camp like this? Why is a nobleman of a frontier noble family, a branch family, here?"

"That's not what you said. You think he's good enough to get us through this difficult situation because of his achievement in Gruve City, right? That's exactly what we're discussing right now......"

"It's a problem before that, Lady Fregrance Ritia!"

 The head of the Bajirian family glared at me.

 The face, which was disgusting, stared at me and the young lady alternately and said.

"Do you forget why this man is called "Stallion" in the first place, and got a lot of attention!? The cause is none other than this! Lady Ritia, who was to become his highness' wife, decided to break off her engagement and slept with a man because of a personal family crisis. That is exactly what has brought about this current situation."

""Haa!? ""

 The head of the Bajirian family, while the young lady and I exclaimed at almost the same time, spoke out the rest without a care in the world.

"This man was originally a frontier nobleman who was not in a position to offer his opinion to his highness, but merely wielded a spear in the front line. However, he was chosen as a stallion for the survival of the Fregrance family, and that is the only reason he grew in stature and foolishly proposed his opinions to his highness, thus bringing about the current crisis!"

 In short, he is trying to say that if I and the young lady had never met, we wouldn't be in this situation.

 That would be like saying that it is the responsibility of Lady Ritia...... or even the Fregrance family in a roundabout way.

 On the other hand, the head of the Fregrance family, who is supposed to be the one who is being told, is staring at the scene and not opening his mouth at all. In fact, I sense that he is even willing to let the flow of events take its course.

"You've got to be kidding me! Even so, the decision was ultimately made by his highness! This has nothing to do with him and me!"

 So Lady Ritia bit the head of the Bajirian family with her angry voice instead, but she can't stop the momentum of that man who was angry.

"Even if it is! You have no right to tell me how to behave as a nobleman of the kingdom by a filthy daughter of the Fregrance family, who has brought shame on the royal family!"

 It seems that it is not good to let a poor argument, which is not even a discussion at this point, continue in front of Prince Lim.

 A nobleman sitting on either side of the head of the Bajirian family put his hand on his shoulder and said, "That's enough," and "Calm down".

 The young lady also calmed down as I walked up to her side and put my hand on her shoulder, which was rising and falling violently, as though to soothe the horse that was getting restless.

 However, the silent pressure and sharp gaze of the young lady seemed to say, "Are you okay being told by such words!?".

 No, you don't have to get so angry for my sake, and it's bad for the baby if you're too stressed out, right?

 As much as I would like to tell her so, I have to say this or that, so I'll put it off for now.

"May I ask one thing?"

"U-umu."

 I told Prince Lim, and with permission to speak, I turn my attention to the head of the Bajirian family, who is being held back by the nobles on either side of him.

"What?"

 Rough breathing, bloodshot eyes. He has completely lost his mind about the fact that he is in the presence of the prince.

 Well, in a kingdom where men are the dominant ones, no matter how much the young lady of the Fregrance family, one of the five great noble families, may have said to him, it may be no wonder that his blood rushes to his head when he is mocked as a nobleman.

 But there is one thing I cannot forgive.

"If I was told to command the troops, I would do it? To be honest, I wouldn't entrust my back on the people here, if that's the case, I'll do it myself."

 The place is buzzing.

 Not a few noblemen's faces clouded over when I implicitly called all of them incompetent. Or, they look at me reproachfully, as though to say, "Don't let the atmosphere, which has just settled down, heat up again".

 And above all, Lady Ritia, who was standing beside me, crushed my toe with her heel. It hurts so much. I feel like I'm going to cry.

 But she is right to be angry, and she came to help me so that I wouldn't be ordered and sacrificed, so I'll just put up with her stepping on my toes. It hurts like hell though.

 But in fact, if I think about it with a cool head, I can easily imagine a future in which I will have to step forward and get in trouble if I leave it in the hands of these people here.

"That's why I'll take charge of the rear unit. That's fine for you, right?"

"Ah, of course! What are you so haughty about..."

"Yes, but I do have one favor to ask of you before I accept the position."

"What?"

 To my words, Prince Lim, who sits on his chair, replies.

"You made fun of Ojousama, calling her filthy, didn't you? Can you take that back?"

 I thought I sounded perfectly calm, but I found myself feeling a bit angrier than I thought, and before I knew it, my clenched fists were tightening. In terms of family, if I and the head of the Bajirian family are of the same faction, I'm definitely like a servant, and it was extremely rude, but I didn't feel like mending it.

 It doesn't matter if you think of me as a stallion or a frontier noble, I don't care. In fact, I was able to have sex with an Ojousama, and I have nothing to lose no matter what is said about me.

 But the young lady is different.

"Ojousama also had to do it with a guy like me for the sake of her family's survival, and the fact that she's here is half my fault. So can you take that back?"

"S-she must have been willing to open her legs for that kind of thing anyway......"

 Before the head of the Bajirian family, who was about to spout off wild speculation, I stated the facts as they were.

"I don't think so. The first time...... she thought it wouldn't hurt if she used lotion!"

"You don't have to say that!"

 I'm elbowed in the side by a blushing, angry young lady as I suddenly reveal the story of the first time we did it. No, but I have to better her reputation here, and above all, I'm embarrassed too, so please give me a break with that one.

"......Nhh, ugh. And, well, she was actually looking forward to marrying his highness, and she sacrificed her body for the family, even though she didn't want to. So――."

 I'm sure I am the only one who can say that, having spent so much time with the young lady.

 Because I have seen her situation more closely than anyone else, I will never forgive anyone who makes fun of Lady Ritia Fregrance.

"Would you please quickly apologize to Ojousama and take it back? Viscount Bajirian Lebron."

 So I step forward, uttering the formal name of the prick in front of me, with murderous intent in every word. It's the first time I've learned the exact name since Viscount Fabian, even though I wasn't taught it by anyone. Good for me.

"......"

 Then I heard someone's voice clearly gasp for air.

 Everyone is watching with bated breath to see how the exchange between me and the head of the Bajirian family goes, while I can clearly catch every movement and even the accompanying noise.

 Even the man himself, who had been interrupted by me, was staring at me with his eyes averted and his mouth agape.

"...Bajirian."

"H-ha!"

 In the midst of all this, Prince Lim calls out the name of the head of the Bajirian family, followed by a glance in my direction.

"Stallion-dono is right. Ritia was only doing what she had to do for her family. And I think this matter is already over. It would be a shame for me if it were to be rehashed."

 I could hear the trembling in his voice, but I was glad to hear that my point had been made.

 Besides, as the prince said, this story would be a cuckolding of the prince if you look at it differently, which would be a terrible story for a virgin prince. I feel a little sorry for him when I think about it...... but, well, he was cornering the young lady in Royal Capital, so I guess we can call it even now.

"I-I'm sorry."

 Anyway, if Prince Lim, the royal family, said so directly, he had no choice but to bow his head, and the head of the Bajirian family bowed his head to me and the young lady with a look of reluctance on his face. I thought about killing him in the confusion of this war, but I have no time to think about the future, so I decided not to do that now.

"......It seems we've come to a decision."

 As if to break the ice, the head of the Fregrance family, whose presence was small, finally opened his mouth.

"Then I would like to examine the information carefully and discuss the retreat procedure again and the assignment of the troops. May I have your permission, Your highness......?"

"Umu."

 The head of the house of Fragrance implicitly says let's take a break now. But we don't have much time left. You know that we don't have the luxury of taking our time, so why do you suggest such a thing?

"......!"

 But when I tried to argue with him, I couldn't even take a step forward because of the look in his eyes, which was staring right back at me.

"I understand. We'll give it some time, then adjourn for the time being."

 Prince Lim's proclamation marked the end of the meeting.