fluvia 88: Fluvia in Front of the Ministry Buildings 3

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Chapter 88: Fluvia in Front of the Ministry Buildings 3

After analyzing the situation carefully, I just can’t be bothered to waste my energy reacting to this overly pompous and misguided man, but it seems that Edgar and Alwin have gotten somewhat… no, quite angry?

Alwin’s even clenching the reins in his hand so tightly it looks like he’s hurting his hands, and his ‘background character’ aura is being slightly displaced with anger.

And then on the other hand we have Edgar, who becomes even more cool-headed when he’s angry.

“I’m not sure who I have the pleasure of addressing?”

Despite his broad smile and sweet voice, Edgar’s mannerism is making shivers run down my spine a little.

Ah.

Target locked on.

This guy is completely blacklisted.

Although I have to as, it’s an impressive feat for some small-fry that couldn’t even recognize the currently most famous Steward in Valed or the Dellarose Daughter.

As if he was waiting for us to ask, the man puffed up his chest and said,

“Me? Hehemph, I’m Millen Jorsen, and my son is the husband of Baron Fountelein’s daughter!”

…Eh.

Really?

The father-in-law of a Margot Baron’s son … it might be enough to impress the ordinary civilian, but barging into the Palace with that sort of identity is a little weak…

Edgar’s eyes glinted.

“I see… so you are on of Baron Fountelein’s men…”

He said somewhat ominously, but before Edgar could say anything else, another carriage pulled up behind Millen Jorsen’s carriage.

This one was larger than Millen Jorsen’s and made of luxurious onyxstone ebony, trimmed with gold and mithril and being pulled by a single dusky-grey unicorn.

This … is most likely the carriage of Earl Margot, from the rumors.

“… It would probably be helpful if nobles started putting their crests on the carriage.”

I muttered to Edgar, feeling like this mess with Millen Jorsen could have all been avoided.

“That… is probably not a bad idea.”

Edgar sighed a bit before he readjusted his slightly, disconcertingly pleasant smile in order to properly receive the people from the other carriage.

As expected, the people who came down from this black carriage were Earl Margot, his steward Sir Steward Ricket Harrison, and a few servants and officials.

Earl Margot is quite a bit older, nearing retirement age honestly, so I think it’s understandable that he’s a bit miffed that there was a previous carriage that had yet to vacate directly in front of the building, but he’s a man who refuses to part with his dignity.

Instead of throwing a fit, Earl Margot merely stifled a sniff and moved towards the Ministry building, giving a cursory glance towards our group.

To be fair, our ‘group’ is more like two separate groups, since Millen Jorsen didn’t bother to walk closer to us to talk.

I’m a little relieved for that.

Although the current economic boom and the subsequent necessary cooperation between our Earldoms have vastly improved our relations, the Margot Earldom and Dellarose Earldom used to have something of a hostile rivalry, and I can’t imagine that all negative feelings have been washed clean through these past three years.

It’s better to avoid appearing to antagonize Earl Margot.

Earl Margot was just about to give a quick nod and ‘Good Morning,’ but upon recognizing Edgar and me standing there, he changed his mind and decided to come over to give his greetings.

No doubt he’s also curious about why I am here.

On seeing Earl Margot coming over, Millen Jorsen appeared to be delighted, no doubt assuming he was coming over for him, but naturally Earl Margot had no idea who he was and passed by Millen Jorsen without much of a glance.

So much for being the father of the man who married a Baron’s daughter.

Although rejoice, you weren’t completely ignored, or to be specific the girl you’re with has effectively caught the attentions of every single one of Earl Margot’s company, the Earl, the Stewards, the servants and officials, all of them, as they passed you by.

I can’t exactly say it’s good attention, though.

Earl Margot magnanimously decides to ignore the sight, though, and his servants are well-trained enough to do the same.

Sir Ricket, though, did a double-take.

“Good morning, Earl Margot, Steward Ricket.”

Edgar made the first move to step forward and greet the party coming this way graciously by placing his palm over his heart and bowing slightly, the formal Valed bow.

Naturally, I followed his cue and curtsied with a, “Greetings.”

Embarrassed by being passed over by the Earl despite having gone to greet him, Millen Jorsen turned to scold the ‘lowly staff member,’ but was stopped when Earl Margot smiled and nodded his head as he returned the greeting, giving a much slighter bow than Edgar.

I wonder if Earl Margot’s back is stiff or hurting; well, he is almost 60 years old.

“Greetings, Sir Edgar, Young Lady Fluvia – ah, it will soon be Lady Fluvia, won’t it?”

“Ufufu, that’s so, but even Young Lord Kasen will soon be Lord Kasen, will he not?”

I respond delicately.

“If it isn’t Sir Steward Edgar Henry and Young Lady Fluvia Dellarose. Good morning to you, and might I ask what you’re here so early for? And just the two of you?”

Sir Ricket doesn’t mince words and directly asks why we’re here, although it’s somewhat commendable for him to not have asked, ‘Are you aiming for the Prince’s escort position too?’ straight out.

It would be better if he was less blunt about things, but he’s still a competent Steward that gets things done, even if he takes the ‘bulldoze’ route instead of the negotiation route.

“Brother Fedor and I have come to return Prince Anthony, Prince Alexander, Princess Alette, and Queen Henrietta’s visit from yesterday, although Father and Brother have gone to visit the Guards’ training grounds for the moment.”

Earl Margot bust into light laughter.

“Fufufu, it seems that Young Lord Fedor is as energetic as they say. I’ve also heard rumors that the two of you are quite familiar with the Princes, as well as Young Sir Mattias. It is an enviable position to be in.”

“Yes, I feel that Brother and I are very fortunate, but we would be more fortunate if we could get to know Young Lord Kasen and Young Lady Janis as well. By all means, please let us know about his availability so that we could have him join us next time.”

It’s never a bad idea to sound ingratiating, even if it’s most likely going to be an empty promise.

Well, it really wouldn’t be a bad idea to get to know Earl Margot’s grandson who’s in the line of succession, Kasen, or his granddaughter who’s the most likely candidate for the Prince’s escort, Janis.

Edgar is speaking to Sir Ricket as Earl Margot and I exchange pleasantries.

The two black-hearted guys are exchanging information… kind of.

“Although the Summit is still quite a time away, as you can see, we’ve come early to escort the Young Lord and Lady. And you?”

“We’ve come to discuss the current mining situation with Sir Noris’ office.”

“Ah… I see. Regarding the new iron mine? Or is it about the jasper lodes?”

“… I do wonder how you’re always able to know so much about our business.”

Meanwhile, Millen Jorsen is standing there completely dumbfounded with his eyes bulging.

As if just noticing him, Earl Margot asks,

“By the way, have we interrupted your business with this man?”

Although Earl Margot had averted his eyes before, now he allows himself to look questioningly at the girl next to Millen Jorsen.

“Hahaha…”

I don’t know how to begin to explain.

Edgar coughs, giving Millen Jorsen a bit of an evil look as he responds,

“Ahem, not at all. We were just introduced.”

Reading the atmosphere, Earl Margot’s eyebrows quirked.

“Greetings to this Sir.”

“G-greetings, Lord Earl, I am Millen Jorsen, and my son is Baron Fontelein’s daughter’s husband.”

“… I see.”

Earl Margot may recognize his own Earldom’s Baron, but it doesn’t seem like he has any knowledge of Millen Jorsen himself.

“Baron Fontelein’s … ah, the owner of the Matricarian Mines Company.”

After Sir Ricket has said that much, I can’t help but glance at Edgar, who’s making a, ‘Oh, so that’s where I’ve heard the name before.’

The Matricarian Mines Company owns the Matricarian Mines, which are understandably mines in the Matricaria Mountain Range.

It’s the fourth largest mining company in Margot Earldom, and most likely the largest in Baron Fontelein’s territory.

If that’s the case… I can see why the man had so much confidence in himself.

Extremely wealthy and now connected to nobility… well, it’s still doesn’t explain why he’s here at the Ministry of Domestic Affairs or why he’s brought the girl over there.

“Baron Fontelein asked us to allow Mister Jorsen to speak at the meeting with Sir Noris, I believe, Sir Steward.”

One of the officials that had been quietly standing nearby informed Sir Ricket about the situation in a somewhat hushed voice.

“I see… then… who is this?”

Sir Ricket asked pointedly while staring directly at the girl next to Millen Jorsen.

“She’s… she’s my youngest daughter.”

Millen Jorsen is acting a lot more humble now.

Disgust crossed Sir Ricket’s face as he said,

“Bringing a daughter of your household dressed like this will invite a lot of misunderstandings. Surely you’re not thinking about forcing her to accompany some old men.”

Horror crosses Millen Jorsen’s face.

“No, no! Of course not! I was hoping they would take in interest in my daughter for their sons, tho-! I mean, I was just…”

Disapproval is written all over Earl Margot’s face, and he doesn’t even bother saying anything as Sir Ricket’s eyebrows furrow and, characteristic of the Margot Steward, speaks his mind.

“I say, Mister Jorsen, the Ministry is neither the time nor place for this kind of interaction. It’s an extremely distasteful thought that an assistant of our Earldom displays such flagrant disregard of the sanctity of the Ministries’ business as to bring a child, not to mention dolling her up so excessively as to display clear departure from the Virtues. This is not a social event, Mister Jorsen, so do act accordingly and don’t squander the chance Baron Fontelein gave you.”

“Y-yes, you are absolutely right… Millia, dear, Daddy made a mistake, so you’ll have to go home…”

Bright red in the face, Millen Jorsen quickly sent his daughter home in his carriage.

…It seems I was wrong.

I thought that he had brought his daughter to try to secure her as the Prince’s escort partner, but it seems he was just hoping to make some connections with some officials or lower nobles by trying to appeal his daughter as a match to their sons.

In retrospect, that does make a lot more sense, yes.

And although I think he’s an idiot, I’m a little relieved that he’s not so far gone that he thought of making connections by appealing to old perverts, as Sir Ricket had implied.

“Oh? If it isn’t Earl Margot. Good morning to you, and you too, Sir Ricket. Come on, Fedor, give your greetings as well.”

“Good morning everyone, Earl Margot, Sir Ricket, and the misters over there!”

With impeccable timing, Father and Brother came ambling up the walk.

Haa… Brother needs to work on his formal greetings.

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<a/n: Changed the titles, since this dragged out a little longer than I expected.>