The Alway Ducal Family head, Harald Alway, was in his private chambers with his main wife, Hannelore, and one of his consorts, Therese.
“I apologize for gathering you both at a time like this. Hannelore, how are you feeling?”
“I am perfectly fine. I trust my sons-in-law. I’m sure they will bring Olivier back safely.”
“…Lady Hannelore.”
“I see… That’s right. Let’s trust Jared and the others.”
While Hannelore acted with fortitude, Therese teared up, and Harald agreed.
He had heard the details from Jared the other day.
While worrying about the boy who looked so pale he seemed on the verge of death, Jared recounted the story of the Progenitor, Cassandra, and Olivier, who had been caught up in it.
As a father and as the head of the Alway Ducal Family, Harald felt a strong sense of indignation.
Of course, it was not directed at Jared.
It was directed at Cassandra Hagedorff, Rasmus Lowood, and the Progenitor.
Towards the first two, he was angry that they had involved unrelated individuals without hesitation to achieve their own goals.
Towards the latter, he was angry that a ghost from the past was interfering in the present.
Harald felt deeply apologetic towards Jared, who had also been unwillingly involved.
He had already burdened Jared with repeated hardships by forcing him to become his daughter’s fiancé.
As a parent, he was delighted and grateful that Jared truly loved Olivier.
However, he could only offer an apology for causing him so much pain.
Therefore, Harald, and indeed no one else, intended to blame Jared.
Yet, Jared himself was blaming himself.
Harald understood the feeling of helplessness that came from being unable to save the one you loved.
For years, Hannelore had been targeted, and as head of the family and as her husband, he had been unable to do anything.
Olivier and Jared had led them to a resolution, so they could be together again now, but until just a few months ago, he couldn’t even see her face.
Even that had been painful, so the despair would be immeasurable if, like Jared, the one he loved might have been lost.
“My lord, what is it you wished to discuss with us so early in the morning?”
“To tell you the truth, this incident has led me to think about many things.”
“It’s about Olivier, isn’t it? What have you been thinking?”
“I must convey what needs to be said. I was never a good father to Olivier. But I loved her. I’m unsure if I properly conveyed that feeling.”
“That’s not true. She also admired you, my lord.”
Hannelore offered a comforting word to her husband, who had a dark expression.
However, Harald’s expression did not change.
“No, I apologize. In other words, I believe I should convey what needs to be conveyed. So that I will not regret later that I didn’t go and say it.”
“—So that’s why. That’s why you asked Therese to be here.”
“Lady Hannelore?”
Hannelore, who had quickly discerned her husband’s intentions, spoke.
However, Therese still tilted her head, wondering why Harald had summoned her.
“Hannelore, I believe you’ve already guessed, but do you have any objections?”
“No, I do not. I believe it is a good decision.”
“I see. If you say so, I am happy. Well then, Therese.”
“Y-Yes.”
“The next head of the Alway Ducal Family will be Conrad.”
Therese couldn’t comprehend what her husband had said.
“W-What do you mean? Conrad will be the successor?”
“It may seem sudden, but it is not so for me. I had been considering making either Conrad or Olivier the head of the family for some time.”
“Then wouldn’t Olivier be more suited?”
“Olivier is currently in a dangerous situation, so I have removed her from the candidate pool for the head of the family. More importantly, I want her to live a peaceful life with Jared. She has already suffered more than enough.”
“But why Conrad? No, I am very happy that you have recognized him, my lord. However, I am more surprised.”
In fact, Therese and Conrad themselves had distanced themselves from the brothers vying for leadership and had declared they had no intention of becoming the next head of the family.
For that reason, even though her son had been harassed, they had not been targeted for assassination like Hannelore.
The Alway Ducal Family was currently at peace.
Cornelia, who had controlled the other consorts from the shadows and attempted to assassonate Hannelore and Olivier, had all her crimes exposed and was now under house arrest.
Her son had declared he had no intention of becoming the head of the family and was currently studying to become a teacher under Hannelore’s protection.
Her daughter was also under protection and living with them.
Harald had punished Cornelia and her family as an example.
Seeing this, the other consorts, frightened, had become well-behaved.
The effect had spread to the children, and the bullying towards Conrad had also stopped.
“Conrad had always followed my instructions and strived to become a knight. The other children only thought about what they would do after becoming the head of the family and focused solely on studying domain management. I don’t fault them for studying, but I wanted them to first strive to become the head of the family. In my eyes, only Conrad was diligently accumulating efforts. That alone is significant enough to make him the next head of the family.”
Although Harald did not say it aloud, he knew that Conrad had been bullied by the other children.
He had no intention of making the next head of the family someone who would bully their younger siblings, especially those younger than themselves.
The trigger might have been Cornelia, or perhaps the influence of his mother.
Nevertheless, the other children had relentlessly harassed Conrad to an extent that could not be dismissed as a mere mistake.
Of course, there would be opposition if Conrad were officially named the next head of the family.
Therefore, he intended to make his stance clear.
“Those who persistently bully their own siblings cannot become the head of the family.”
He was prepared to sever ties with them if they still complained.
He could not afford to make a second Cornelia by showing leniency.
“Before speaking to Conrad, I wanted to convey this directly to you, Therese and Hannelore. What do you say, will you agree?”
“I agree. Conrad is a hard-working and good child. He is still young, but I believe he will become a wonderful head of the family one day.”
“…Lady Hannelore.”
“I concur. What do you say, Therese?”
“I am honored that you have chosen Conrad as your successor. My son will surely be delighted.”
As Therese said this, tears of joy streaming down her face, Hannelore gently offered her a handkerchief.
As his wife wiped away her tears, Harald declared.
“Then, today, Conrad will officially be named the next head of the family.”
