Atelier Tanaka Volume 4 Chapter 5 part9

FitzClarence Family

The venue had not changed. A ballroom inside the home of the FitzClarence family in the capital city of Kalis. It was at this party that I encountered a merchant that I had only just met a few weeks prior. Apparently, this merchant isn't actually a merchant at all and the name he gave me is fake as well.

Ester-chan was panicking while speaking to this man.

"W-Why did you call him H-H-Hegel…. Wh-Wh-Wh-What is going on!?"

"I owe Baron Tanaka an apology for my deception."

"An apology? Papa, I-I don't understand what's going on!"

Good, lolibitch, keep talking.

I feel like I've got a full understanding of the situation.

"I apologize, Baron Tanaka, the man from the Manson Group known as Hegel is nothing more than a false identity I created. My real name is Richard FitzClarence. You may already know this, but I am Elizabeth's father."

He was speaking with the same smile as always.

When I took a moment to look around, the other partygoers were confirming his story. The atmosphere in the room had changed entirely after he made his appearance.

Then who is that jacked old man that I met in the entry hall?

I can't afford to worry about that now. I need to focus entirely on my interaction with the fake Hegel. If this goes poorly, I may be forced out of the country.

What am I supposed to do? 

I'm not used to dealing with the nobility and I have no clue where to even start with a guy like this.

"Count FitzClarence, I'd like to offer my humble apology if I offended you in any way during our dealings last month. I'm more than willing to accept any punishment you deem fitting for my insolence."

I took on the same attitude as if I were speaking with the King.

Why is the big boss casually introducing himself to me at the party? Shouldn't he be watching over the party from some private room?

Alarm bells were going off in my mind that was raised as a corporate slave.

This man is dangerous.

"You don't owe me any apologies. I'm not the one you've pledged your service to."

"No, I serve Viscount FitzClarence. The master of my master is also my master."

"Are you saying that my opinion on the issue don't matter?"

"I didn't mean to offend you. As a former commoner, I understand my position in life. I may be unfamiliar with the customs of this country, but I believe my seniors here should have the opportunity to introduce themselves to the host of the party before a new baron like me."

"Is that really how you feel?"

"It is."

"A little piece of advice, Baron Tanaka, a coward has no hopes of advancing in this world."

"I'm sorry for repeating myself, but I feel like I need to make myself clear. Be it a large mansion, a powerful title, or a vast amount of land, I have no desire for any of it."

"Oh, really?"

"Yes."

I have to be careful that he doesn't confuse my caution with cowardice.

This man has been following my actions for the past month while I know almost nothing about him. It's best if I proceed with caution. I'd like to get out of here without saying another word to him if possible so that I can consult with Ester-chan.

Oh no. He already knows about the meeting with Earl Bitch too.

After a few seconds of silence, Papsan's eyes turned to Ester-chan.

"What do you think about this, Liz?"

"…."

The lolibitch's shoulders trembled under his intense glare.

Maybe there was some kind of hidden meaning in his words.

"If that is your wish, Baron Tanaka, than I will take my leave."

"Thank you. I'm sorry for causing any inconvenience to you."

"I'll send a servant to fetch you when dinner starts so we may speak some more. I'll have a room prepared for you to stay the night as well."

"…."

I'm staying the night?

***

I left the ballroom and was guided by a servant to a guest room.

Inside the room where I was supposed to spend the night, Ester-chan and I were holding a mini-strategy meeting. In the corner of the spacious room, we both took a seat on the sofa and began the discussions.

"Ester-san, there is something that I really need to know."

"Y-Yeah, me too. This is the first I've heard of you being acquainted with my dad. What exactly was that business about 'Hegel-san?'"

"Yes, I suppose I should be the one to start…."

I could tell how nervous the blonde loli was.

I described my first encounter with Hegel in my city. From when he first arrived in Dragon City up to our negotiations and the eventual exchange of my money for goods. 

I told her everything.

"…and then I met him today."

"All of that happened!? Without me even noticing…."

"Now it's my turn. Ester-san, is that person really your…."

"…yes, that's correct. He's my papa."

"I see…."

It's just as I feared.

But there was another man that was there when we were in the entry hall.

"Sorry, but who was that older gentleman that greeted us when we first arrived?"

"That's my grandpa!"

No wonder he looked so old.

I just assumed he married at a late age, but it turns out it's the exact opposite. Hegel, or rather Richard, could easily pass for Ester-chan's older brother.

"So, that person is the head of the FitzClarence family?"

"No, Grandpa has retired so the full power of the FitzClarence family rests in Papa's hands. I've seen people consult Grandpa on several occasions before, but Papa has final say on any decisions made in the family."

"Of course."

In other words, my main concern should be Richard.

That reminds me, The noble mage always referred to Ester-chan as 'Richard's daughter.' That magic lunatic never bothered to tell me anything about Ester-chan's father.

"But I think he must like you. Papa is incredibly shy around strangers….."

"He's shy?"

He never gave off that impression to me.

He felt like a professional salesman that could talk me into buying something I don't need.

"He gets nervous and imitates people in an attempt to hide this."

"…."

He was just playing a character?

I'm glad nothing bad happened in our original discussions.

No, the danger still hasn't passed.

He invited me to dinner.

And we're going to be staying in the same building tonight.

My stomach is already starting to hurt. I just want to leave and go heal my soul in Sophichan's warm breasts. I don't want to spend the night somewhere where I'm constantly feeling nervous. If I could get a special 'service' tonight, that might make me sleep better.

I wonder what's going to happen after the dinner. Mom and Dad have I already gone to bed, do you want to sleep with onii-chan on the futon tonight? I've always wanted to say something like that.

"Where is Allen?"

"Allen was taking somewhere by a group of aristocratic girls. I think I saw the three daughters of the Cecil family, the second daughter from the Stuart family, and I might have seen the four daughters of the Drummond family as well. Oh, I also saw Nancy, the wife of the lord of the Neville family."

"Seriously…."

That ikemen has already started another harem.

And he's involved a married woman.

It's regrettable and makes my heart hurt. I don't think I can look at him as the same man as before.

Why didn't he invite me?

"U-Umm, can I say something?"

"Go ahead."

I really didn't want you two to meet yet. Papa's has a very merit-based way of thinking of people. He sees things in black and white. But I'm not saying your achievements aren't amazing! I-It's just that I'm not sure what he'll do to you…."

"…."

Ester-chan turned her eyes to the floor as she said this.

I guess the lolibitch's plan was to continue growing my power so that her father would have no choice but to accept me. As a virgin, imagining this form of marriage introduction excites me but only with a woman I love as well.

"Is there something you should tell me about your father?"

I asked this without expecting much of an answer.

But Ester-chan hesitated for only a brief moment before speaking.

"This happened a few years ago. There was a merchant that achieved the rank of baron just as you have. He ended up joining on faction and attended the party as you did. That day, when he met my father at the party, he was killed on the spot."

"Excuse me?"

"They had a similar exchange to you and Father before my father killed him right then and there."

"I guess I'm having trouble understanding the full situation…."

"Papa approached the merchant under the name of Hegel and continued interacting with him under that name until the day of the party. They met each other here just as you met my father today. They had a similar conversation as you did today, but when the merchant found out who my father was, his head was removed from his shoulders before he could even comprehend what was happening."

"…but why?"

Does Ester-chan's father have a similar temperament as the loligon?

I was scared that he might actually launch an attack similar to the loligon's but not give me the same amount of warning as she does.

"I'm sorry. I should have told you earlier."

"No, everything turned out okay."

"I-It did, didn't it!? Papa, was in an unusually good mood today."

"Eh? Y-You think so?"

I didn't see it like that at all.

Since the day I met him he's had that same unsettling smile on his face.

"Definitely. This is the first time in years that he's invited someone to dinner. I think the last time was five years ago when he invited Earl Bitch."

"…."

He likes me?

Really?

I don't know about that.

I remember hearing that her parents spoil her. Would that type of man be willing to allow his precious daughter to be married off after only meeting the man a handful of times. I can't help but feel suspicious about this dinner. Even if he's had people monitoring me while in Dragon City, I can't believe he'd trust me so completely.

The only reason I can think of for the difference in treatment between that merchant and me is it's possible that her father thought it would be better to kill me in private rather than in the middle of a party.

This man is the reason Ester-chan has literally been able to get away with murder. He holds as much power as any one man in this country. I'm not sure what kind of future I have if this person wants me dead.

"D-Do you think we'll be able to announce our engagement tomorrow!?"

"I think it's a little early to be making that assumption."

This girl is only expecting good things to come from me meeting her father.

I'm only feeling anxious.

There's only one thing I can think to do.

"I'm sorry. I think I need some time to think. Would you mind if I step out for a little fresh air?"

"Eh? C-Can I come with?"

"I'm sorry, but I want to be alone."

"…right, I understand. Just be careful."

"Thank you."

I don't like it, but I'll have to go back to the ballroom.

***

Chapter end