Baroness Vold, Charlotte-san’s mother who was now the honorary Baroness, was the third daughter of Viscount Packard’s house.
The name of Charlotte’s mother was Elizabeth von Vold. She was apparently only slightly over 30 years old.
It’s apparently a normal age to marry for a noble daughter, but my personal feelings about it is that she was a bit young to have a big daughter like Charlotte.
Actually, I’d be surprised by her youth even if we meet. The commoners of this world do not marry young. I suppose it was distinctive of nobles.
The sons and daughters of nobles often get engaged in early in their life, and Charlotte-san’s mother Elizabeth-san was also betrothed before she had turned ten.
Her husband, a baron, seemed like a nice and gentle person, timid, not physically built, and he was a natural-borne civil servant.
Her father, who was innately good, had probably never even suspected that there was someone among his subordinates was committing a crime. He wasn’t mentally strong, so when he was accused of a crime and was deprived of his rank and lost his territory, he collapsed from the shock and died then and there.
Elizabeth-san, who lost her home, lost her husband, and had her daughter taken away from her as a criminal, had also collapsed from the shock, but perhaps because women were mentally and physically stronger, Elizabeth-san returned to her parents’ home and slowly regained her physical strength, thinking of ways of how to prove her husband and daughter’s innocence.
And right before me, Elizabeth-san and Charlotte-san embraced each other as they cried tears of joy. Depending on how you see it, they looked like sisters.
The territory of Viscount Packard was located a short distance south of the Rockford Earldom, and upon making contact by way of Lord Simon, we visited with Charlotte.
Sophia and I watched the mother and daughter’s touching reunion a slight distance away when a well-dressed middle aged man spoke to us.
「You are Iruma-dono, are you not? I am Packard, conferred the title of Viscount and governor of this fief. I thank you for your help with the matters regarding my granddaughter, and the matter of the Vold Barony.」
「It’s an honor to meet you. My name is Takumi Iruma. The matter today wasn’t solely by my doing. His Majesty, Prime Minister Simon, and Moulin-san also helped.」
「You are far too humble. This is simply the gratitude of a grandfather for his cute granddaughter. Could you find it in you to accept?」
Viscount Packard must know that the Valkyra Kingdom was moving behind the scenes. Thinking about it, of course he would. Viscount Packard was similarly a Royalist, and an in-law to Baron Vold. He must have thoroughly investigated the circumstances behind the entrapment of his son in law, and the true reason why his title was revoked and why he lost his territory. They even targeted his cute granddaughter. It would be strange if he didn’t look into it.
「Iruma-dono, this is between you and me. Right now, the relationship between the Royalists and Noblists is quite delicate. Though it isn’t an explosive situation quite yet, there are many who would sabotage the other, just . This time, His Majesty and Lord Portfort had fallen behind those people who do as they please, but they have not given up yet. That’s why, Iruma-dono, could you also safeguard Elizabeth for the time being?」
Viscount Packard spoke in a hushed voiced, wanting me to protect Elizabeth under absolute secrecy for a while. Updates are released by 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵※𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮※𝓷𝓮𝓽
「As an Honorary Baroness, it is not necessary for Elizabeth to stay in her mansion in the Capital because she has no official posting.」
「……if I am not mistaken, the culprit behind the dilution of wine in the Vold Barony has yet to be caught. His Majesty and Lord Simon had decided that nothing happened on paper, but for caution’s sake, it would be better to be mindful of Madam Elizabeth’s safety.」
It was announced that Baron Vold had died from an illness, and because Baron Vold has no heir, Madam Elizabeth was made to be the successor. That way, the number of Royalist nobles would not decrease, and as for the people who schemed behind the scenes, Lord Simon made the Shadows investigate them, so the Noblists would decrease by one or two.
I don’t think it would happen, but Madam Elizabeth might be resented in return.
「Very well, Viscount Packard. I will take custody of Lady Charlotte and Madam Elizabeth in the Sanctuary for the time being.」
「Ohh! I appreciate that, Iruma-dono!」
Viscount Packard shook my hand with both of his in delight. He must not be able to help it, since his daughter and granddaughter were cute.
I may as well invite Viscount Packard to the Sanctuary lodging. There, he could relax with Madam Elizabeth and Lady Charlotte.