Now then, half a year has passed since that event. In other words, since I regained the memory of my previous life, almost two years has gone by.

The profit of Azura Conglomerate is the same as always, excellent. Although competitors have started to appear, in just one short year, I wondered if our conglomerate has gotten so big that it is now considered as a brand.

The reformation of the fief is happening little by little. The bank has become more widespread, and the road maintenance will be done soon.

The High School division of the educational institution has started its operation, and I heard that a lot of students had gathered. As for the Medical department, the local healers are also actively participating, while in the Accounting department, just as planned, the children of merchants came to learn double-entry bookkeeping and economic theory.

I heard that people have been enrolling to the Farming department little by little. After that, Primary School division was opened. Children from the institute are also attending, and when I went there to play the other day, they asked me to read some picture books.

By the way, the people who were arrested in that incident were sentenced to forced labor, so I used them without reservation. They were just arrested because taxes cannot afford to jail them.

As time progresses, a lot of various different things happened.

Thats right, time had passed by. Nevertheless, for some reason, mother and grandfather are still here in the mansion. No, its all good and well, you know?

I mean, mother has really good sense, and she has given various advises and proposals to the development department of Azura Conglomerate, which really helps.

On the other hand, thanks to grandfathers training, the proficiency of our guards has increased. Although its fine It makes me think, are the both of you doing all right?

Besides, the both of them have their own associates to socialize with, and they also have their own individual lives, right? While thinking of such things, it wasnt as though I can tell them to go home with those reasons, all things considered Well, if the people involved are fine with this, then Ill just leave it alone.

Like that, a certain incident occurred one day.

Mother! Exactly what on earth are you doing?

While I was having a pleasant tea time with mother in the garden, an intruder suddenly appeared. It was my younger brother, Berne. He hasnt changed one bit ever since the last time I saw him.

How boisterous. Please escort him out.

Mother didnt even take one look at Berne, she just treated him coldly. Ah, her tone of voice has changed and cold sweat trickled down my back.

While the employees were urged by mothers intensity, they were also lost on what they should do because the other party was the heir. Among them, only Tanya began to move to carry out mothers order.

However, before she was able to approach him, he looked at our direction angrily and asked.

Dont dodge the question, please tell me the reason.

If youre asking for the reason, I have already written it in the letter. Because I am currently in poor physical condition, I will be resting in the fief and will not be attending.

Hmph Youre having a cup of tea as usual, so who exactly is in poor physical condition? In addition, it was an invitation from the royal family did you want to plunge MY Ducal House into a predicament?

Surely, right now Berne thinks that he has complete predominance over mother and has a triumphant expression. But how regrettable. Mother is not someone who will stand for being talked to that way. My evidence appeared when mother put her cup down and gave Berne an icy glare.

You talk too much. YOUR Ducal House? What a thing to say for someone who has yet to inherit the title.

It was a strong and intense punch. Nevertheless, it was a sound argument. Berne probably never expected her to say something like that and in an instant, his expression broke.

As the person who will be succeeding it sooner or later, and my statement earlier was said in consideration of the Ducal House.

Silence. In consideration of the Ducal House? Hmmm In that case, there must be a really good reason why you did not return home to during the long vacation to study how to properly govern the fief under my husband?

Surely the reason isnt because you wanted to be together with the Second Prince and that Barons daughter or something like that that you have completely disregarded your responsibilities.

That is

First things first, I have received permission from the Queen Dowager to be absent from that party. You, have you become so great to the extent that you can dispute the decision made by a royal?

.Tsk.

Un, this situation has completely fallen into the hands of mother thanks to her tactics. To begin with, even though it is a party sponsored by the royal family, absence is chargeless.

However, it is done rather rarely. Moreover, the Queen Dowager has given mother her approval So even if its the royal family, they cannot say this and that.

In the first place, to invite the mother of the girl whom he had his engagement annulled, to an engagement party to get engaged to another girl, their motives are suspicious.

In addition, it was only a little over a year since the engagement was annulled. The Queen Dowager as well, she is grieving about it. Since thats the case, my husband who is the Prime Minister might not want to go as well.

However Because your father has an official position, he will likely attend. And thus, this will be enough to represent our Ducal House.

Ah So it was finally the engagement between the Barons daughter and Ed-sama. It has almost been two years since that time Before, I was thinking that the two people who have always been lovey-dovey to have waited for two years sure had a lot of patience.

Exactly what is it you want. You show your face here and then immediately started raging. I doubt your dignity. After all, theres a saying that those who hang around people with no dignity will be dyed the same color.

Bernes face rapidly turned red. Ah, he got angry~ I wonder if it was because mother was referring to the Barons daughter, Yuri.

Mother. Even if it mother, its not a good thing to say bad things no matter how much you think about it?

Hmph Right here and now, would you like to denounce your mother? Just like what you did to your older sister?

Although Berne tried as best he could to counterattack, but it had no effect on mother. If he denounced mother, it will not be possible for him to remain part of the Second Princes entourage. In the first place, the Queen Dowager will not be silent about it.

I am disappointed with you these days. Of course, my husband is also of the same opinion. If you do not clear up your act, we do not mind disinheriting you. And besides, with your older sister governing the fief impeccably well, we have nothing to worry about.

For the first time in this conversation, she looked at Berne and smiled. Ah, but the smile she has now is scary.

Im glad for you. You can stay together with the Barons daughter whom you love forever. Ah, however since you have no charm, after taking your position away from you, youll probably be thrown away.

Such a thing, its impossible In the first place, why did that older sister became the fief Lords proxy? She committed a rude act towards someone who is soon to become part of the royal family. Other than losing her social position, she should be exiled immediately.

I dont know about the future, but right now, shes a Barons daughter. In the first place, It is outrageous for a daughter of just a Baron to bare her fangs towards a daughter of a Duke.

If it wasnt for the Second Prince who is part of the royal family, and you, the black stain of our House, being at that place, our Ducal House would have immediately crushed the House of that Barons daughter.

Un Other than holding back because of the Second Prince, Berne was also taken into consideration. I guess thats true. Although its unpleasant, when one fights, they are representing their individual Houses. When a person from your own House condemns another person in your House, it will be too embarrassing to retaliate.

The fief Lords proxy has the same authority as the Lord of the fief. In other words, you, who is unrelated to the fief politics, even if you complain, it will not amount to anything.

In the first place, someone who discriminated against his own family does not benefit the Ducal House and is thus unnecessary.

I will not accept this! Please let me meet with older sister.

Even though he said he wants to meet with me Ive always been sitting right before his eyes. I thought that my presence has been disregarded since a while ago, it looks like I wasnt wrong. Eh, has he already forgotten how I look like?

What will you do after meeting her? Ask her to pass the position of being the fief Lords proxy? You do not have that authority. To begin with, you dont have the qualification to call Iris your older sister.

Mother exhaled a whiff and resumed drinking tea. It looks like she has cooled down a little. Lets ask Tanya to serve more.

When I casually looked at Tanya, there was a color of doubt reflected in her eyes. She is probably wondering why my younger brother asked to meet me when I was right in front of him.

And the reason he came flying in here in a rage is because of the engagement party of the person whom I was engaged to is probably what she was thinking.

When I see him face to face, I thought I would tell him off and beat him up At least I thought thats what I would do. However, now that hes actually in front of me I dont feel anything.

If I were to put it in a single word: nonexistent. Right now, his existence is similar to a pebble by the roadside. At that time, Berne and I became strangers, and I have already erased his existence in my mind.

Ah, however, I have this bitter thought in my mind from time to time wishing that he would not want to return from that flower garden and succeed in governing the fief.

* * *