--On this day, Risha Raytheft, accompanied by her father Joshua and mother Celine, was visiting a nobleman's mansion.


　It's a huge mansion in a corner of the high district of King's Landing.
　It is a four-story mansion on a vast site with a tower. The garden of the mansion was as large as the central square of the capital.
　The Raytheft family is also a venerable family with a long history in the kingdom, but when you see the majesty of this house, you can't help but feel the difference in financial power.


　--The Marquis of Carlow Gaston.


　That's the name of the master of this house. He is an aristocrat with a high rank in the kingdom's finance department.
　As I gaze up in amazement, overwhelmed by the majesty of the mansion, my father Joshua calls out to me.


It's big, isn't it? This is the mansion of His Royal Highness the Marquis, who is said to have the greatest fortune among the nobles of the kingdom.

Yes.

Study hard today.


　Study. That's what my father often says to me when I visit other families.
　This is a reminder from my father to not only study magic, but also to study the ways of the nobility on a regular basis.


　...... Recently, I have been visiting other families in this way much more often.
　My father, Joshua, says it is a way to meet and greet people.
　He says it is to let the nobles of the faction to which House Raytheft belongs know that he is the rightful heir.
　The reason why my father is doing this is because he has an older brother, Arx.


　--Why does he choose his sister to be the heir when he has an elder son?
　Even though he disinherited her, it does not mean that there is no interference from other families. It is said that there is a movement to make a disinherited child a legitimate legitimate child again from various considerations. It is said that they are laying the groundwork to silence such voices.
　Attending soirées held by noblemen of the same faction, visiting the mansions of noblemen who are close to them, attending magical salons hosted by senior noblemen, and so on. The idea is to take her to such places and make it an established fact.


　Today's visit to the Marquess's residence is part of that.
　The Marquis is not a member of the faction to which the House of Raytheft belongs, but he has a territory in the vicinity.
　Therefore, they decided to communicate with each other frequently from now on.
　Taking advantage of the fact that he was invited to participate in a large evening party, my father wanted to use this opportunity to make himself known as the heir.


　Now, I am dressed in a high quality dress that I wear when I go to other houses or salons, and I am made to dress up more elaborately than usual.
　My father is also dressed in formal attire (jacket), and my mother is also present on this day. According to my father, it was so important that the whole family had to go and greet him.


　Of course, my brother is not among them.


............


　Suddenly, I turned around to follow my brother.
　Tonight, he's still in the house, an outcast.
　Yes, my father and mother have always been kind to only me. From the day the decision was made to disinherit my brother, he became the target of my parents' hatred, and I became the target of even more attention than before.


　The attacks on my brother became more and more intense day by day, and on the flip side, he became kinder to me.
　It always makes me feel sorry for him. I'm sure he would have liked to be treated as kindly as before. Whenever my father or mother tells me that I am the heir, I feel as if I have taken it away from my brother.


　As I apologize to my brother in my heart, my father calls out to me again.


"Lisha, come here.

"Yes, Father. Father.

Many people with close ties to our family will be there today. I'll do my best. Make sure you know their faces.

I will.


　I nodded and my father smiled gently.
　I wish I could bring this smile to my brother, if only for a moment.


"Lisha. You are the eldest child of the House of Raytheft. You are the eldest child of the Raytheft family, and as the next head of the family, you should behave with the utmost respect.

"Yes, .......


　My mother's words were harsh, but her voice was much gentler. However, it is still assumed that he does not have an older brother.


　Eventually, the steward who greeted me led me to the hall where the evening party was to be held.
　All the carpets are embroidered with gold threads, and hanging from the ceiling is a huge chandelier made of [shimmering glass]. A number of paintings by famous painters adorned the room, and on the table was a mountain of rare and unusual dishes.


　It's so extravagant that it makes you wonder if ...... any other high aristocrat could be so extravagant.
　It's so glittering it hurts my eyes. The hall was so shining that it made me think so.


　Many noblemen were already in the hall, engaged in conversation.


Joshua.


　Suddenly, I hear a voice calling out for my father.
　When he turned around, he saw a man with black hair mixed with gray.
　He was slender but well-built, and his gait was so shuffling that it was hard to believe he was approaching old age. He wore a white jacket with a number of glittering medals on his chest. At his waist is a very expensive looking fine sword.


"This is Count .......


　I'm not sure what to make of this. He is one of the kingdom's military families, and is my father Joshua's direct superior. He is also one of the generals who lead the national army.


　The Count of Cremeria is the standard-bearer of the nobility in the eastern part of the kingdom, and when there is an emergency in the eastern part of the kingdom, he will lead his nobles to take action. The Raytheft family also has territory in the east of the kingdom, so they are under the control of the Count of Perth-Cremelia, a senior nobleman who is the leader of this eastern faction, and my father is one of the three Viscounts who assist him.


　I bowed with my mother as Joshua greeted her.
　The Count, with a friendly smile on his face, approached us. He rattles off rhetorical flourishes such as "beautiful as a flower" and "like a jewel," but they are modest and minimal for the social etiquette of a nobleman. This is typical of a count of a military family who is a man of substance and sturdiness.




"My Lord, is the Marquis still here?

Apparently. Apparently, he's got an agenda. And so I'm stuck here with my daughter.


　From the side of the room appeared Charlotte Cremeria, a girl with the dignity of a princess. Her milk-tea colored hair and well-developed eyes and nose looked like a doll made by a famous craftsman. She is dressed in a white dress, perhaps to match the Count.


　She pinched the ends of her skirt and made a graceful bow.
　After greeting her father, she approached me.


　We each said "Good day" to each other.
　Charlotte and I were already familiar with each other. I have met her when I visited the Count of Clemellia's residence in the capital and when I attended the Magical Salon, so we talk often. Since Charlotte's status is higher than mine, I have to call her by her name, while she has to use honorific titles.


　Charlotte suddenly looks around as if she is looking for someone.


"...... Lisha. Well, where's Mr. Arx?

Your brother's not here.

I knew that rumor was .........

Yes.


　The more I hear about it, the more I hate it. The more you hear about it, the more disgusting it sounds, but in aristocratic society, these things are treated as a matter of course. It is common in aristocratic society to exclude incompetent people from being heirs. Eventually, a legitimate son will become the patriarch who leads the family and even the territory. You have to have talent to do that.


　I don't think my hard-working and talented brother is incompetent...


Sir, if I may?

"Hmm. Joshua. How can I help you?

I would like you to formally dissolve the marriage between my son and your daughter this evening.

...... Is this about an engagement?

Yes.


　Father Joshua affirms.
　Yes, Charlotte and my brother are engaged to be married. When my brother was born, it was decided between Perth and Joshua.
　They have never met, though, because the decision to disinherit was made before the meeting.


　Then, Perth's expression turned slightly sullen.


It's not too early to talk about his son's disinheritance?　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. I'm sure you've got a lot to learn.

I'm not sure. It is a disgrace to the Raytheft family to have less than the prescribed amount of magic.

...... I assume this is in accordance with family tradition.

And... The House of Raytheft is a military family, and incompetence is not an option. Besides, I don't want to cause you any trouble.


　The Earl let out a small sigh at his father's words.


I remember hearing something like that before.

"Well, that's ......

No, you misspoke. You've done well. Not many people in the history of Raytheft have done as much good as you. You've helped me a lot in the Battle of the Jarl and the subjugation of the Han.

"Thank you for your kind words, .......


　My father thanked the Count for his compliments, but he was still adamant about the disinheritance and dissolution of the engagement.


My father thanked the Count for his compliments, but he was still adamant about the disinheritance and dissolution of the engagement. I'm not going to cause any trouble for you or your daughter.

"M......


　Perhaps because of his father's stubborn attitude, the Count was at a loss for words.
　My father and mother told me that this incompetence is contagious.


　It's not incompetence at all, my brother simply didn't have enough magic power, and since the capacity of magic in humans never changes, there's no such thing as infection. I sometimes wondered if they couldn't understand such a simple thing, but my father and mother were stubborn.


　My brother told me that my father's mind is like ■■■■■. He even said, "If you don't like it so much, put up a barrier all the time, you idiot.


　Recently, my brother has become a bit more outspoken.


"Father. I think that ...... you can follow the Viscount's lead on this story.

Char .......

　Charlotte wanted to accept the proposal to end the engagement.
　But it is not unreasonable. It's hard to accept that you can decide who your mate will be. Even if this is the way of the aristocracy, she wants to avoid it if she can.


　Especially if it is someone who is rumored to be incompetent.
　With Charlotte's offer as a tailwind, my father gave chase again.


"It was a decision between you and me. I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one.

...... Indeed, I would rather marry my daughter to a man of talent than to a man of no talent. But I've heard that the son is being trained directly by Crave?

That is ............ my brother's whim, sir.

Is that so?

Is that so? He only took pity on you because you had no magical powers to begin with. You have no talent.



Hmm. ......


　The Count's narrowed gaze showed a hint of suspicion.
　He must have sensed the strangeness in his father's overly stubborn attitude.
　At any rate, he was enjoying the delicate atmosphere.


"Well, well, well. It looks like everyone is here.


　Suddenly, a voice called out from a higher place.
　The voice of a middle-aged man came from the back of the hall, on the stage above the stairs.
　When I turned toward the voice, all the people present shouted in surprise.


　The owner of the voice was the Marquis of Gaston, the host of this evening party. He was over six feet tall, wrapped in a fine jacket, and wore many gold ornaments on his arms, legs, and body.
　Every part of him seemed to be full of confidence. He walked among the aristocrats with a showy gesture, stroking his neat kaiser beard.


　However, what surprised the people in the hall was not the dignity of the Marquis, nor his money-grubbing appearance.
　It was the huge black cat that the Marquis was carrying.
　No, it was so big that I don't even know if I can call it a cat, but it was a beast with hair as black as the dark night of a new moon day.


Is everyone surprised?　This is an animal called Heifuu, imported from the east, even farther east than Bai Liang Bang.


　The buzz became even louder. The superpower in the east, further east of Bai Liang Bang, is an untouched land. I don't know how much money I spent to bring in the animals that live in such a place.
　My father was also surprised by the majesty of the [Heifuu], but it was only for a moment. The Raytheft family is a military family, so they are not people who would be frightened by a mere animal.


　The same goes for Count Cremeria. The Cremeria family is the head of the kingdom's fine swordsmanship and is in a position to lead the national army. As the Count himself is one of the generals, he is not so easily swayed.
　The Count himself is one of the generals, so he doesn't make much of a fuss about it. ......" He growls for a moment, and then takes a closer look at the animal.
　This is what the Count was referring to as the Marquis's taste. He is trying to show off his wealth by showing off an animal that no one else can get.


　The Marquis of Gaston greeted the nobles along the way, and eventually arrived here as well.


"Marquis Gaston. "Marquis Gaston, thank you for inviting me to such a wonderful soiree this evening.

"Hahaha, this is Lord Clemelia. What do you think of my pet? My pet is quite magnificent, isn't it?


　The Marquis proudly trimmed his kaiser beard and held his heifers out in front of him.
　Heifuu makes a low growling sound in his throat. It's like a cat's gesture multiplied several times, so it's hard to tell if it's sweetness or intimidation.


　The Count, on the other hand, remains quiet.


"Yes, sir. The Marquis is the only person in the world who can handle such a thing.

"I'm sure you're right. Would you like me to pet him?　Oh, don't worry, it won't bite.


　When the Count stroked his head after hearing the Marquis's recommendation, [Heifuu] narrowed his eyes as if he was uncomfortable.
　It seems that the animal is more gentle than it looks.


　This time, my father greeted the Marquis.


"Your Excellency. It's a pleasure to have you here this evening.

No, no. I've always wanted to get to know the Eastern Faction. Viscount, I hope you have a good evening.

"Yes.


　My father bowed to the Marquis' words.
　Then it occurred to me. My father seems to be afraid of the Marquis, while Count Cremeria seems to be in a somewhat cold mood.


　As I was wondering about this, Charlotte whispered to me.


I've heard nothing but good things about you, Marquis.

"...... Is that so?

...... Yes. I've heard that he's been cheating on his money, that he's been tightening up on his people.


　It's a common story. In the event that you've got a lot of money, you'll be able to take advantage of it.


It's a good idea to take a look at the website and see if you can find any useful information.

......But still, you have to come to the soiree.

...... I hear socializing is important.


　I'm not sure what to make of this. It's not easy being a member of a noble family.


You ladies get along very well, don't you?


　The Marquis smiles at her, and she and Charlotte bows to him with smiles on their faces.