Chapter Text
"Eckhart, Justus. I have to suddenly attend a meeting with Ahrensbach. I'm sorry, but I need you to get ready right away."
"Understood."
Even though he was supposed to stay at home during the lord's conference, Ferdinand was called to the Noble Academy.
Ferdinand took Eckhart and Justus into the teleportation circle and arrived at the Noble Academy dormitory. As they left the teleportation circle, Karstedt and Sylvester's entourage were waiting for them.
"I have come here on the orders of Lord Ehrenfest. What is going on, Karstedt?"
"This has become a hassle. Ahrensbach has said that he wants either you or Wilfried as his son-in-law."
"Either...?"
"Sylvester has refused, but he is not giving in at all."
Ferdinand recalls the territory competition.
At that time, Ferdinand was the only one he said he wanted as a son-in-law. Ferdinand flatly refused Lord Ahrensbach, saying, "My Geduldh is Ehrenfest."
...Is this Georgine's strategy?
If asked to give either Ferdinand or Wilfried, Sylvester would refuse without hesitation. It's annoying that he has to make a choice between the two.
Ferdinand hurried off to the tea party room.
Sylvester, Florencia, Aub Ahrensbach, and Georgine are in the tea room.
Ferdinand gives the noble greeting and sits down.
...How should he respond?
If it was just Ferdinand's request, he would have simply refused. But this time Wilfried is also involved.
"Aub Ahrensbach, I'm afraid neither Ferdinand nor Wilfried are suitable to be Lady Dietlinde's husband."
It seems that Sylvester has a policy of not taking either of them seriously. Ferdinand follows suit.
"My answer will remain the same as it was during the lord competition."
Ferdinand then goes on to explain why he cannot leave Ehrenfest, including the fact that there are few adult lord candidates in Ehrenfest and that he is Rozemyne's guardian.
"Ferdinand, are you sure?"
Isn't Sylvester forcing you to do troublesome work? Even if I serve Sylvester, there will be no reward, right?
If I stay with Sylvester, I will only be exploited, right?
In that case, I should become the lord of a large territory.
Georgine, with the easy-going nature of a sister, criticizes Sylvester in a roundabout way in an aristocratic manner.
Ferdinand is serving Ehrenfest voluntarily, not being exploited.
Behind the thin veil, Georgine's red lips form a smile.
The meeting ends, and Sylvester expresses his anger. Now they are alone in the lord's room. "I will not give either you or Wilfried to Ahrensbach as a husband!"
That is typical of Sylvester.
Ferdinand knows. Sylvester is the type who tries to choose both and ends up with neither.
"I understand your intentions. However, if you cannot refuse, send me to Ahrensbach as a son-in-law, not Wilfried."
"What are you talking about!?"
Ferdinand continues, ignoring Sylvester's cries. "I will get information about Ahrensbach and stop Georgine's actions."
"Don't say stupid things. Why are you trying to take on the trouble?"
"So what will you do? Send Wilfried to enemy territory? Your son, who can't even lie properly?"
Sylvester frowned.
Wilfried's education is behind. He is also obedient and easily deceived.
If he becomes a son-in-law to Ahrensbach, he will easily become Georgine's pawn. This will be Sylvester's greatest weakness. It's obvious as day.
"Order me to go to Ahrensbach and take control of Ahrensbach."
"Don't be ridiculous! I don't want you to suffer any more!" Sylvester shouts.
"So what will you do?"
"I refuse both marriage proposals. Of course."
"I'll say it again, if you can't refuse...choose me."
"Not possible. Before I'm Lord Ehrenfest, I'm your brother."
And that's the end of it.
The marriage of a candidate for lord is basically decided by the lord.
Ferdinand thinks about Georgine's plan. The two brides who came from Ahrensbach last year were probably a setup to get a husband from Ehrenfest.
Will Sylvester be able to refuse this offer to marry?
Ferdinand's mind is filled with memories of the past.
--Ferdinand, you take control of the temple.
Sylvester laughed and encouraged Ferdinand to enter the temple. Becoming a priest would mean giving up one's noble status. Both were important, Sylvester said. But it was clear that Ferdinand had chosen his mother over his half-brother.
He predicted the worst.
--Ferdinand, you take control of Ahrensbach.
He thought that's what he would say. He laughed as he imagined it. He would surely choose his son over his half-brother.
That might be a good thing. Taking control of Ahrensbach from the inside would be to Ehrenfest's advantage.
Sylvester could use Ferdinand as a pawn to Ehrenfest's advantage.
--I leave Ehrenfest and Sylvester to you, guided by the Goddess of Time.
Suddenly, his father's final words came back to him.
Ferdinand looked up at the sky. The sky there was the same as it had been when he attended the Aristocratic Academy.