Published: September 6, 2025
“I’ve been told this all along… that Rosemine is superior no matter where I go, that Rosemine is more suitable as the next Aub.”
Wilfried slowly exhaled as he said this, shifting his gaze from grandfather to Foster Father. His hand resting on the table was clenched tightly into a fist, visibly trembling with small shakes.
I could tell that Wilfried, sitting here, was swallowing a variety of emotions. But unlike grandfather earlier, Wilfried didn’t lose his composure or raise his voice; he spoke calmly.
“I’m the only lord candidate who can keep Rosemine tied to Ehrenfest. Continuing this engagement is my duty as the lord candidate of Ehrenfest. So, this engagement is being dissolved…”
From Wilfried’s matter-of-fact tone, I thought maybe the engagement with me was a duty for him as well. Perhaps he wanted to end it himself, but the Aub and those around him had stopped him.
…If that’s the case, then this royal decree might be a godsend for Brother Wilfried?
If the royal decree allows the engagement to be dissolved without hurting Wilfried too much, that would be best. I thought that simplistically and quietly let out a sigh of relief.
“So, Father, what happens with the next Aub of Ehrenfest?”
“The decision on the next Aub will come later. It is not a matter for now.”
Foster Father, catching Wilfried’s gaze, returned it steadily and spoke quietly. Despite their calm words, the tension between the two was so taut it felt like it could snap at any moment. This was not a simple atmosphere of ‘good that the engagement can be broken by royal decree as it was desired.’ I painfully felt Wilfried desperately holding back his emotions, and my stomach twisted.
“Charlotte may marry a lord candidate from another territory, or Melchior may aim to be the next Aub. Florentia’s unborn child might become it, or after dissolving the engagement with Rosemine, she could set her sights on it.”
“Father, that is…”
Charlotte’s indigo eyes widened in disbelief as she looked between Wilfried and Foster Father. Until then silent, Foster Mother smiled gently and slowly spoke.
“Charlotte, you have endured a great deal. To save Wilfried, to secure Rosemine’s position, the engagement was decided, and as a lord candidate, your chance to aim for Aub was taken away. Yet, without voicing complaints openly, you willingly supported the two, always assisting them, haven’t you? How much effort you have made to unite Ehrenfest…”
Charlotte’s eyes glistened from Foster Mother’s words. Seeing her happy that her efforts and struggles were understood and appreciated made me realize I had not been thankful enough to Charlotte. She was thoughtful, comforting and supporting me, but I felt I hadn’t properly repaid her.
…I’m a terrible older sister.
Men take precedence as Aub, Wilfried is one rank above, and I myself am not interested in becoming Aub, so I never considered the possibility that Charlotte might want to be Aub.
…The engagement was decided by Foster Father, but to Charlotte, what am I…?
If Charlotte had been striving to become Aub, then I, who saved Wilfried, became engaged to him, and secured his position as next Aub, might have been a very troublesome and annoying presence.
I watched Charlotte’s expression. She kept staring at Foster Mother, not looking this way.
“If the engagement between Wilfried and Rosemine is dissolved by royal decree, I want to give Charlotte options. If Charlotte wishes to be the next Aub, she must, within five years of the marriage restriction, make up for her shortcomings and find a suitable gentleman to be the spouse of Aub Ehrenfest. If Rosemine goes to the capital, the environment around Ehrenfest will change greatly. Watch those changes carefully, and choose the option you think is best for yourself.”
Foster Mother opened many paths for Charlotte: she could aim to be Aub; she could marry a high-ranking noble to support the future Ehrenfest; or if marrying outside the territory is better for Ehrenfest, she could do that after five years. Charlotte smiled happily and nodded, listening.