Betrothed to My Sister's Ex

Granado Castle was located in the southernmost part of the royal capital.

While the royal palace was larger as a residence, the castle walls that surrounded Granado Castle were high and thick.

Looking up at that white castle through the small window of the carriage, I couldn’t help but whisper to myself.

“...It’s my first time here, but... it does feel kind of formidable...”

“That’s only natural. This place was originally a fortress.”

Sitting with his arms and legs crossed, Brother Richard said, snorting proudly for some reason.

“Nowadays, it’s on the outskirts of the royal capital. Even the land further south from here belongs to the kingdom, but when it was built, this was the border and the front line of the war. Granado Castle serves both as a shield and a spear for Dilz, protecting the royal capital while acting as a base for invasion. Of course it’s going to seem formidable.”

Oh, Brother Ricky is unusually talkative today, I thought as I tilted my head.

“But, isn’t the lord of the castle, Duke Granado, the king’s younger brother? If so, shouldn’t his residence be as splendid and comfortable as the royal palace?”

I wanted to add that otherwise I would have a hard time living here in the future, but Brother immediately latched onto a completely irrelevant point.

“Siegfried Granado, Margrave of Dilz. He’ll be granted the title of Duke Granado after the war.”

“...Ah, I see. And since the margrave is of royal blood—”

“In the Dilz royal family, it’s an ancient custom that the eldest son becomes king, and the younger sons become military commanders. Siegfried Granado has been a genuine warrior from the time he was aware of the world, spending his days training in the knights’ barracks. He probably has never lived a glamorous life.”

“...Then even after the war, the idea of adorably remodeling the castle is—”

“Hah!? What are you saying, Reimia? That’s impossible! Granado Castle is simple, sturdy, and pursues military practicality—functional beauty! Such a wasteful idea is out of the question!”

Suddenly, Brother’s voice grew loud. My eardrums tingled and I instinctively covered both ears. But even then, Brother Ricky’s loud lecture didn’t stop. He rambled on about materials, corridor widths, ceiling heights—in a loud and fast-paced voice that was noisy even with ears covered—and didn’t wait for me to respond at all.

“B-Brother?!”

“Dilz is a military nation, after all! Since ancient times, it has had overwhelming combat ability, becoming prosperous by occupying agricultural countries rather than cultivating its own land!”

“Yes, yes, I understand already—”

“The two-hundred-year war happened because they controlled the largest eastern noble family, the Shadelan Family, securing stable food supplies. By delegating dairy farming to manors, Dilz was able to concentrate its taxes on military power. In other words, the manors supported the army, and the sword of Count Granado, the king’s younger brother, forged this kingdom’s territory—”

“Take that!”

“Gyaa!”

I jabbed a knife hand into Brother Ricky’s side. He screamed and curled up. Finally quiet, I gave him a nod.

“I wasn’t listening to that much.”

“...Ouch...”

“My eardrums hurt.”

Ah, my ears really sting.

Rubbing my earlobes, I opened the door of the carriage compartment.

Right in front of the castle gate stood a man. Not the royal palace’s coachman, but the gatekeeper of Granado Castle.

“Hello. Welcome to Granado Castle.”

He looked about my age, with sun-kissed hair and a simple face, lightly armed. More like a receptionist than a guard, he greeted us with a smile.

I pinched the hem of my dress to spread it in a simple greeting.

“Hello, Gatekeeper of Granado Castle. I wish to see the count. Please let us through.”

“The master is not here.”

“Eh, no way! Why!?”

I shouted, and the gatekeeper tilted his head in puzzlement.

“Count Kyros Granado is not only the lord of this castle but also the head of the Granado Trading Company. He’s more often away on business. Did you have an appointment?”