Since When Did You Have The Illusion That You Don't Have Magical Powers?! Chapter 66

Published at 23rd of May 2023 05:35:44 PM

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Adeline, Margravine of Vanderwall, Percival's mother

Evelyn, Adeline's younger sister

Cornelius, Earl Miller, Evelyn's husband

Juluth, Evelyn's 1st daughter, Percival's maternal cousin

Flavia, Evelyn's 2nd daughter, Percival's maternal cousin

“Pardon me, madam. The Earl Miller is here to see you.”

“Well, is it Cornelius? What is he doing here without warning?”

A sudden visit to me, who had invited excellent confectioners to the castle to hear their opinions, wondering if it was possible to make sweets that would last for a long time using lemon.

Cornelius and my family of birth have a long association, and he and I have been childhood friends, so to speak. However, it's a bit troubling because even after I married into the Belisario, he still has exactly the same relationship with me as he did back then.　

However, there is also the matter of the tea party the other day. I suppose he has come to apologise for Flavia's misbehaviour, so let's meet in person for the time being. We have gathered all the time, but let's have all the artisans come back at a later date.

“……Take him to the salon. I'll be right there. I am very sorry, but that's all for today. I will call you again later.”

I left Susanna in charge of seeing the artisans off and went to the salon, where Cornelius was waiting for me without sitting down.

“It's been a long time, Cornelius. Why don't you sit down first?”

“Sister-in-law, what on earth do you mean?”

I wondered what he would say without even saying hello as soon as he sat on the sofa. Far from apologising, asking what do I mean, I'm the one who wants to ask what do you mean. It's a real insight into who Flavia has become like.

“……What are you talking about?”

Without an apology, I can roughly imagine what he he has come to say.

“Didn't Flavia get scolded at her sister-in-law's tea party? Even though she said she was really looking forward to the tea party, she pitifully came home crying. Sister-in-law seems to be a bit strict with Flavia, but isn't she lovely?”

Oh my, oh my, Flavia. You told Cornelius that for your own convenience.

“Of course Juluth and Flavia are my lovely nieces. Didn't Cornelius hear from Evelyn what Flavia did?”

“Yes, I heard about it. Didn't she say something rude to a commoner boy? On top of that, I heard that Sister-in-law said that she had no intention of making Flavia Percival-dono's fiancée. Why? Flavia has a high level of ability as a magician. She has the talent to become a member of the Belisario family, the shield and sword of the kingdom, you know?”

Oh dear, what an astonishment. Surely that's not all Evelyn said. I'm sure he also heard that Flavia had behaved in a way that made her an unworthy guest, but all the inconvenient things just flowed in from the right ear and out the left.

Cornelius is not a bad person, but he is a bit presumptuous. That has always worried me.

I think that presumptuousness became even worse when he found out that Flavia had the qualities of a magician. Cornelius has very little magical power himself, so he probably expects a lot from Flavia, who has a lot of magical power. Even though a person's value is not just that.

The marriage between Cornelius and Evelyn was decided by father, who was worried that the frail and quiet Evelyn would not get on well if she married into a family she did not know at all. He thought that she would be safe in a family she had known since she was a child. Sure, it was a good idea, but with Cornelius at this rate, wouldn't Evelyn's troubles be considerable?

“Cornelius, did you listen to Evelyn? Flavia came to the tea party, didn't even give a proper greeting, and was very rude to an important guest of the Belisario family. And to top it off, she used attack magic at the venue. That person cancelled the magic, so it didn't turn into a big problem. What do you think would have happened if someone had been injured at the tea party I hosted?”

“But it was a tea party for relatives, and no one was actually injured. I'm sure everyone didn't make a fuss, did they?”

“Yes, fortunately. However, just because it's relatives doesn't mean it's okay. How would you feel if Flavia came home injured at the tea party she was invited to?”

“Th-that's…….”

Cornelius hesitates at the mention of Flavia.

“He admonished Flavia for her misbehaviour, but instead of being grateful, he was humiliated……and he is a very good magician, even if he is a commoner.”

“Flavia is also excellent!”

“Yes, but compared to children of the same age, right?”

“Flavia will undoubtedly become the most excellent magician of all if she continues to study at the academy, and she will be a good companion to Percival-dono after graduation.”

You really want a direct connection with the Vanderwall Margrave, don't you? It would certainly be a good thing for the Miller family to have a daughter married into the Vanderwall Margrave family.

“……I have only one condition for the partner I welcome into the Belisario family. It is not that he or she must have magical powers and be able to use magic.”

“What else is there besides magic?”

“That they are not a threat to the lives of my sons.”

“Sister-in-law, isn't that obvious? Where is a wife who threatens the life of her husband, setting aside if she has married into his family from an enemy country?”

Cornelius, who started laughing, must have thought I was joking. You don't understand anything at all, do you? The continent has been at peace for so long that the threat of another country doesn't even register. Considering that it's because the successive heads of Vanderwall have worked hard, I feel proud.

“You are right, my family is the shield and sword of this country. Nowadays, the area around the kingdom is calm, but it is impossible to say that one day this land will not suddenly become the scene of a battle. And when you have a forest of magical beasts, you never know what might happen. At such times, it is of the utmost importance to assess the situation calmly without getting upset, judge your position and what you should do, and act in a way that does not leave you at the foot of your husband's feet. If you get emotional and make a fuss at a critical moment, or lose your cool and don't listen to others, you could endanger not only your husband but also the lives of the soldiers and the people in your domain. Those who become the companion of a legitimate son are expected to be more than that. Fortunately, both Theo and Curty were able to marry very fine daughters, but……so, what about Flavia? Will she be able to keep her cool when the time comes?”

Cornelius was completely silent and hung his head.

I know you love your daughter, but it's not good for her to spoil her.

“If she enters the academy as she is now, she may cause a terrible problem. Juluth, who is studying at the academy, should not be hindered.”

“……Is Juluth lovelier than Flavia to Sister-in-law?”

Flavia, Flavia, aren't you the one who doesn't find Juluth lovely?

“No, that's wrong. I'm being harsh with Flavia because of her behaviour. It's Flavia who will be in trouble in the future. Pampering is not affection.

“……Yes.”

Cornelius looked down as he finally understood what I was saying as he left. I can't help but wonder what Evelyn has been through.

“Madam, I have received a letter from the Marquess Jermaine, along with a family chart and personal history1fun fact, this thing is called 釣り書き (tsurigaki) which literally translates to fishing papers. What do you think?”

“Please refuse.”

“Yes, certainly.”

The discretion in the castle is left to me, so naturally I make these decisions. My family has to protect the frontier, so I can't welcome any unwary people, and my sons have already have good matches, so I'm just in time.

Besides, the eldest son of the Marquess Jermaine should already have a fiancée. So you have sent me the second son's family chart and personal history. I think he was in the same year as Percy and the others.

Really, what the hell is Percy doing? I guess this is where I come in.

“Jacob. How's the tricorn wand coming?”

“Yes, it should be ready in a few days.”

“Right. Then get ready to leave for the royal capital immediately. We will leave as soon as the wand arrives.”

“You will deliver it personally, Madam?”

Yes. I'm going to set up a bit of a perimeter around Percy so a spear can't get in. Besides, I think it's an opportunity to impress upon him that our Belisario family has nothing to do with that child.”

I reminded the magic craftsmen that it is a special wand. I'm sure I'll get a wonderful one. If I take the wand directly, no matter how thickheaded, they will realise what it means.

I wonder what souvenirs would be nice? The tailor must have a measurement chart. He doesn't seem to like luxury, so let's make some simple everyday clothes for him.

Ufufu, it's been a while since I've been to the royal capital, but I'm really looking forward to it.

melon: omg ok so the whole novel has been withdrawn from Syosetsuka. Good news is that it is still available on another website that the author publishes on but this website doesn't allow copying.

Chapter end