LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 174
Side Story 4
Recently, the Balua Duchy had been very busy.
This was because the youngest princess, Beatrice, was celebrating her ninth birthday.
This birthday was particularly special, and the reason was…
“We can’t keep the title of Marquess of Saxon vacant any longer, can we?”
Surprisingly, this suggestion had come from the Emperor himself.
“The Marquess of Saxon is a historically significant noble family in the Empire.”
The Emperor had begun his proposal while subtly gauging Alexei’s reaction.
“It seems appropriate to pass on the title to the princess now. What do you think, Duke?”
Recently, the Emperor had lost much of his influence compared to the past.
There were several reasons for this, the first being that Crown Prince Frederick had taken over most of the administrative duties.
The Emperor had grown older, and Frederick was exceptionally skilled in management.
Furthermore, Frederick had a very good relationship with the Balua family, representing the nobility.
Everyone welcomed Frederick taking over the responsibilities.
On the other hand, it seemed the Emperor felt a sense of crisis regarding this situation.
As evidence, he had been making various efforts to improve relations with the Balua family.
One of those efforts was the title of Marquess of Saxon.
By bestowing the title on Beatrice, the Emperor thought he could improve his relationship with the Duke, who cared deeply for his wife and children.
However, the Balua family’s response was somewhat lukewarm.
“But Bella is only nine years old.”
Anriche couldn’t hide her subtle expression.
“Wouldn’t it be a bit burdensome for her?”
“I initially thought the same and declined the proposal.”
Alexei replied with a sigh.
“The Crown Prince also secretly hopes that Bella will inherit the title.”
“Even the Crown Prince?”
“Yes. After all, he is the Emperor’s son.”
Alexei narrowed his eyes slightly.
“He wouldn’t want to strain his relationship with the Emperor.”
“Well…”
Anriche found that reasoning somewhat convincing.
Currently, the Balua family was supporting the Crown Prince.
It must be burdensome for a father to subtly check his son’s power.
In contrast, the succession of the title itself wasn’t a significant issue.
Aside from Beatrice’s young age making it a bit burdensome, it was just a matter of receiving a title a little earlier.
“Then how about we first ask Bella for her opinion?”
Anriche suggested.
“If she finds it burdensome, she can decline, and if she’s okay with it, we can proceed.”
“Let’s do that.”
The couple agreed on this.
Later, when they approached Beatrice to ask her opinion,
“Wow, does that mean people will call me the Marquess of Saxon?”*
Beatrice’s eyes sparkled like stars.
…Somehow, she seemed overly excited about it.
Anriche looked down at her young daughter with a peculiar expression.
Beatrice then clenched her fists excitedly.
“Then Mom, that means my brother has to use honorifics when speaking to me, right?”
“Uh, yes?”
Anriche blinked in surprise.
Beatrice exclaimed with great enthusiasm,
“Exactly! My brother is still a duke, but I’m a marquess!”
“Um… technically, yes…”
Usually, nobles with titles would engage in formalities.
Moreover, if Beatrice were to inherit the marquisate,
Elliot would only be the heir to the duke’s title, making him technically subordinate to Beatrice.
“…Bella, what you said…”
Anriche narrowed her eyes.
“Are you saying you want to inherit the title just so you can hear your brother speak to you with honorifics?”
She asked her daughter with a skeptical tone.
Beatrice hesitated for a moment before exclaiming,
“No, that’s not it at all!”
She vigorously shook her head.
“Is that so?”
“Really, it’s not!”
Beatrice emphasized her sincerity by stomping her feet.
However, excessive denial often implies a hidden truth.
“Oh dear, really.”
Anriche shook her head internally.
After some back and forth, Beatrice decided to inherit the title of Marquess of Saxon.
***
Beatrice’s title succession was set to take place at the imperial palace.
“Wait, does this mean I’m entering the palace this time?”
Seeing her daughter filled with anticipation, Anriche couldn’t help but smile.
“Is it that great?”
“Of course!”
Beatrice nodded fervently.
Then she pouted and mumbled,
“Elliot has always teased me about it.”
“Elliot? What did he say?”
“He said he’s been to the palace, but I still haven’t!”
Beatrice clenched her fists tightly.
Then, in a dark voice, she muttered to herself,
“Just wait until I become the Marquess of Saxon. I’ll make Elliot call me ‘Marquess!’”
“…Didn’t you just say you weren’t inheriting the title just to hear honorifics from him?”
“Oh no.”
Caught off guard, Beatrice stiffened.
A moment later, she laughed awkwardly,
“Haha…”
Seeing her daughter in a bit of a predicament, Anriche clicked her tongue.
It seemed that if Beatrice became the Marquess, Elliot would be in for quite a ride.
Just then,
“Lady.”
“Huh?”
At the voice calling her, Anriche turned around.
The butler was looking at her with a perplexed expression.
“Um… a guest has arrived.”
“A guest?”
Anriche couldn’t hide her bewilderment.
“I didn’t have any appointments today. Who is it?”
“Well…”
The butler hesitated to answer.
He closed his eyes tightly and finally responded,
“It’s the former Marquess of Saxon and the former Marquessess.”
“…What?”
Anriche’s face hardened.
***
Denis and the former Marquessess were reportedly waiting at the townhouse entrance.
The guards stationed at the entrance had not allowed them to enter.
This was understandable.
Everyone among the duke’s household knew how complicated the relationship was between Anriche and her birth family.
“Honestly, even if that’s the case, I’m still Anriche’s mother!”
“Why would you not allow a sister to see her sister? What kind of nonsense is this?!”
As the two were fuming, a lady appeared in the distance.
It was Anriche.
“Anriche!”
“Sister!”
The two were delighted to see her.
Anriche met their gazes with a blank expression.
“Can you believe these people are blocking our way?!”
The former Marquessess pointed angrily at the guards.
“What kind of rudeness is this, preventing a mother from seeing her daughter?!”
“I told them to do that.”
A chilling reply rang out.
The two looked at Anriche with shocked expressions.
Anriche continued calmly,
“I don’t want the children to meet you and Denis.”
“No, Riche.”
The former Marquessess called out to Anriche with a bewildered look.
“What do you mean by that?”
“Just what I said.”
A chill seeped into Anriche’s voice.
“I’m concerned that you two might have a bad influence on the children, so I ordered that you not be allowed to set foot in the townhouse.”
“How could you say something so harsh?”
The former Marquessess dramatically touched her forehead, pretending to stumble at that moment.
Denis widened his eyes as he supported his mother.
“Sister, did you really have to say it like that?!”
“Sister, huh?”
Anriche coldly smiled at the thought.
“I think this is the first time I’ve heard you use such a polite term like ‘sister.’”
“……”
“I mean, even when you’ve used honorifics.”
Denis winced at the pointed remark.
That was true.
During Elliot’s engagement party and when they had been in court over the former emperor’s gambling problem,
Denis and the former Marquessess had never shown Anriche any respect.
Anriche coldly asked,
“So, what brings you here?”