“Oh my, as a father, I rather think eavesdropping is a bit uncalled for?”
Olivier left the room at Emilia’s request, wishing for a little time alone. With some free time, she decided to check on Conrad and found her father standing by the room, so she called out to him.
“Don’t say that. I was worried about my daughter, you see.”
Harald, looking embarrassed at being chided by his daughter, scratched his cheek and approached her.
She knew her father had taken Cornelia to a suitable place and returned. The father she had just met yesterday seemed a little older, and it was surely not her imagination.
“What happened to Lady Cornelia?”
“She will never appear before you again—I promise.”
“…Then it’s fine. I’ll try to forget about her.”
Olivier felt sorry for Tobias and Emilia, but she held no good memories of Cornelia, not even a sliver. If she thought about it, all she could recall were bitter and painful experiences that made her want to bite her lip.
Forgetting her would be for the best. That’s what she thought. Instead of running from her, she would simply no longer concern herself with her. If her father’s words were true, there would be no problem forgetting her. Cornelia Alway would not be necessary in her future life.
“I want you to do that. I am sorry for causing trouble for you and the Children.”
“It’s alright. It’s not that our Ducal Family is unusual; succession disputes or quarrels between consorts and the main wife are not uncommon for any noble family, to a greater or lesser extent.”
It wasn’t just nobles. In merchant families and even among commoners, if someone were to inherit the family business, there would be brothers and relatives. This didn’t change based on aristocratic titles, and it was the same in the Royal Palace.
This time, it was an event within the Ducal Family, but if the Royal Palace were to have a dispute over royal succession, the country would fracture. Not just the nobles, but all the citizens would have to decide who to obey. And beyond that, civil war would await. If that were to happen, the damage to the country would be immense, and if things went badly, it could even provide a reason for other countries to attack.
“Speaking of which, how is Tobias? I believe he had a Fiancé, but surely this incident…”
“No, it should be called a stroke of luck. He was not subject to a broken engagement.”
Olivier felt relieved by her father’s words.
“For a while, he might face a lot of scrutiny, both inside and outside the mansion, but with Cornelia gone, he’s become free. From now on, I will wholeheartedly support him as his father.”
The mother who had wanted to control her son at will was no longer present. If that were the case, Harald would simply have to support Tobias as his father.
He was already an adult, so there might not be much he could do, but he was still family, and a parent’s desire is to do everything they can.
“I’m so glad his engagement wasn’t called off.”
“I think so too. To be honest, I was prepared for it. However, they are in love, and the other party is very fond of Tobias…”
Despite his words, his father’s complexion was not good.
“Father?”
“Actually, Tobias is going to be married into their family.”
“Really?”
“His fiancée is from the family of one of my subordinates, and they have wished for a son-in-law for a long time. They did have an eldest son, but he died in an accident. While not a replacement, it’s natural for them to want a son-in-law rather than their only daughter getting married and leaving.”
However, it was not a common occurrence for the eldest son of a Ducal Family to marry into another family.
“Because of me, Tobias was a strong candidate to be the next head of the family. Because of that, the other party seemed to have given up hope. But now that Tobias has been officially removed from the candidate list and occupies a complex position within the mansion, it might be nothing but painful for him to stay here.”
“And Tobias?”
“I’ve already spoken to him. Tobias accepted. It’s the family of Tobias’s former teacher, after all. He is much more attached to them than to me. I know his future father-in-law is a very capable, kind, and serious person, so I have no reservations about entrusting my dear son to him.”
Even so, it must be lonely to have his eldest son leave his side. Olivier couldn’t claim to understand all of her father’s feelings, but she could discern a little from his expression.
“He has endured unnecessary hardships. Not as much as you, but he has also gone through painful experiences. Therefore, I want him to get married soon and find happiness in his new family, without being bound by expectations from the Ducal Family.”
“…Father.”
“While it’s a bit disappointing for me, it’s not a bad deal for Tobias. They are a family of scholars. They have also told me they could support his dream of becoming a teacher.”
To that end, Tobias is apparently already teaching Conrad as a practice partner.
Conrad is genuinely happy to have more time with his estranged older brother. Therese might have mixed feelings as she didn’t think favorably of Cornelia, but Tobias seems to have avoided earning her ill will by treating her with courtesy.
Olivier wondered if this was effectively signaling that the eldest son sided with the youngest son.
Perhaps she was overthinking it, Olivier thought with a wry smile.
If, as Olivier’s prediction suggested, the eldest son Tobias were to look after the youngest son Conrad and treat their mother Therese well, what would the household staff and other consorts think? They might think that Conrad was indeed the father’s successor.
But then, she was probably overthinking it. Even if her father had some underlying motive, it might be to provide an ally for the disadvantaged Conrad. No, perhaps he simply wanted to have the unreserved Conrad by his side, for the sake of Tobias, who was facing a harsh environment.
“I guess I’ve been thinking up strange things because I’ve spent so long suspecting people.”
Olivier, in her heart, knew she needed to fix her habit of overthinking.
