Raised the Villainous Daughter and Ran Away

180. The Long Time.

Barenberg has been safely liberated, and I am now at the government office in the territory I was granted.

Originally, it was an area where the people of Barenberg lived, but when it was transferred from the empire’s ownership to my territory, work poured in like a waterfall, leaving me with no time to rest.

The only silver lining is that there are many former Barenberg bureaucrats who can help with the work.

“Your Majesty, shouldn’t we still build a mansion?”

Lagcia, an official from Barenberg, asked. She was under my direct control, so I couldn’t tell you how happy I was to see her after such a long time.

“I plan to reside in the Duke of Descartes’ house, so there is no need to build a mansion. Instead, use the money and materials to build another house for you to stay in.”

I don’t mind building it later when I need to. I won’t be coming here much anyway.

“But Your Majesty… … ”

“Lagcia.”

I cut off Lagcia.

“From now on, please call me Marquis, not Your Highness.”

“… Yes, I… … Your Majesty.”

Lagcia exhaled heavily and twisted her lips. Didn’t she like the fact that she couldn’t call you Your Majesty?

Talking to her was also brief. Refrena, who was Lagcia’s classmate, returned to the government office after finishing work.

“Your Majesty, I have brought in some help to manage the territory. They are all people who worked in the royal government offices.”

Then the miscellaneous administrative work of the estate will be okay.

“Since this is a place where demons appear, we need someone to guard the territory. Are there any people who were soldiers or knights?”

“Yes. Before this place became the Margrave of Barenberg, I was in charge of security management together with the Imperial Army.”

Even though I wasn’t there, you somehow managed to live well without giving up.

“That’s great. How many people are there?”

“Not that much.”

“Then we’ll have to recruit personnel from outside.”

Slowly nodding her head, Refrena handed me a document.

“I have organized the essential tasks for managing the territory. I have also recruited the necessary positions accordingly. Personal information and everything else is written in the documents, so please check them.”

You’re so damn good at your job. You can’t even tell me to organize things like this.

“Let me check.”

Falak. I flipped through the documents and checked the data Refrena had organized.

The positions required for management and operation were neatly organized, and information on those who had worked in related fields was included, including recommended people.

“Hmm.”

Resource management and trade to maintain the territory are fine. With the support of the Empire and Descartes, there will be no shortage of supplies.

“Yes, I will put Refrena in charge of the overall management of the territory.”

After looking at this information, I think she is the right person. I think there is no one who can run the organization of the territory as well as she does.

“To me…?”

Then Refrena blinked and asked.

“Yes. You will be the ultimate decision maker for all administrative matters. I will entrust you with the management of the estate.”

I would like to make decisions about running the estate as much as possible, but since I have to be at the Duke’s house, I am slow in processing work and have to receive information, which makes it inefficient.

On the other hand, since Refrena, who will be living here, is good at her job and has a lot of experience, it would be better to leave the government office to her.

“And Lagcia.”

“Yes, I… Marquis.”

“I will entrust you with the role of the lord’s representative.”

“Are you talking about the permanent representative…?”

“okay.”

If she remained under my direct control and did not run away until the day the country was destroyed, I can trust and leave her to her.

“I am supposed to be at the Duke’s house, so you and Refrena will run and rule the Margraviate of Varenberg in my stead.”

Lagcia hesitated, biting her lips, as if she was not happy with the position of lord’s representative.

“I just trust you and give you a role, so don’t feel pressured and just do as you always have.”

It’s a bit irresponsible of me to be leaving the work that should normally be my own to them… … .

I have other things to do.

“Management of personnel, security of the territory, construction and maintenance of facilities. I leave all of these to you. The taxes are used for you and the territory.”

I’m not taking a single penny from here. I don’t need it, and I don’t want it.

“I’ll take care of trade and resources, so just worry about internal affairs in your territory.”

This concludes the notice.

Even though Refrena’s expression was unreadable, Lagcia had a very displeased expression on her face.

‘… Did I pass on too much work?’

I also have a conscience, so I asked cautiously.

“Lagcia. I will respect all opinions, so if there is something you don’t like, tell me now.”

Only then did Lagcia open her pursed lips.

“I… Is it not possible for Your Majesty to remain in the territory…? We have finally met again… … .”

Her sobbing voice lingered in my ears. Was her expression unpleasant because she couldn’t be with me?

“… I’m sorry, but that’s impossible.”

Unfortunately, the place I should be is not by their side, but by France’s side.

Because Jean Barenberg is no longer royalty.

And you don’t deserve to be called that.

“You don’t have to worry too much. With Descartes and the Empire’s assistance, the Barenberg estate will be enriched.”

I continued with a smile.

“That’s what I said, but once you get past the first time, there won’t be much work to do. I hope Lagcia and Refrena can enjoy the rest of their lives with the people of Barenberg.”

Providing them with a comfortable life. This is all I can do for them now, and this is the last thing I can do for them.

“… You sacrificed yourself for us.”

Huh? What are you talking about all of a sudden?

“You swear allegiance to the Emperor of the Empire, who is like your enemy, for the sake of the rest of us, and proceed with marrying the Duke. I simply cannot… … .”

Lagcia continued speaking with transparent tears in her eyes.

“Your Majesty… no, Marquis. I, Lagcia Lindeleff, wish to be by your side. It is not I who will rule the people of Barenberg, but Your Majesty… the Marquis.”

I think there’s some misunderstanding.

“That’s right! I also want to work by your side, Marquis! Could you please stay in the territory?”

Refrena also joined.

What the heck. I think they’re misunderstanding something.

“Wait a minute, I don’t quite understand what you’re talking about. Can you tell me what you’re thinking right now?”

When I asked, “Can’t keep up?” Lagcia answered.

“Your Majesty… The Marquis sacrificed himself for us from the beginning to the end. In fact, the liberation of Barenberg was also possible thanks to the Marquis’s blood, sweat, and toil… Keuheup…!”

Finally, Lagcia covered her mouth. Her breathing was rough. Hyperventilation came from excessive emotions.

“But… oh my! You’re going to marry Duke Descartes for us until the end…! I’m so sorry, I… I can’t look you in the eye!”

Where should I start explaining this… … .

“… Lagcia, Refrena. I am not being forced to marry Duke Descartes.”

First of all, I denied it.

“That can’t be! You’re trying to get rid of our guilt until the end…!”

“How much are you willing to sacrifice, Your Majesty…!”

I guess I’ll need a long explanation for these guys.

I’m not that responsible of a royal.

That I am not a person who deserves everyone’s respect.

* * *

After finishing the basic work of the Barenberg estate and clearing up the misunderstanding, I immediately got into the carriage and returned to Descartes.

“jin!”

Frances was waiting at the main gate of the duke’s residence on time. I got out of the carriage and hugged her.

“Have you been waiting?”

“Yeah. A lot.”

A hug, followed by a light kiss. This has become Frances and I’s default greeting.

“Tomorrow is the wedding we’ve been waiting for.”

“That’s right.”

It felt like an incredibly long week, perhaps because I wanted to become formally involved with her as soon as possible.

“Let’s go in first. Everyone is waiting.”

I nodded and entered the duke’s residence with her.

When we arrived at the restaurant, everyone was waiting with dinner prepared.

This time, the rare Viscount Elvan and Andrea were also present.

“It’s been a long time, Margrave of Barenberg.”

“Escort knight… no, Marquis, it’s been a while!”

Count Elvan and Andrea greet each other politely.

“It’s been a while, Viscount Elvan. And Andrea.”

He greeted me briefly and then sat down.

Frances at the top. Me to her right. And everyone else filling the long table.

The previously cold Duke’s dining room was more crowded than ever.

Oh, by the way, Seldas hasn’t come yet. I think he’s probably drinking alone right now.

“Now that everyone is here, let’s start eating. It’s thanks to everyone here that we were able to have this day. We prepared it with special care, so eat plenty!”

As Frances smiled and picked up her silverware, the pre-wedding dinner began.

“But the wedding is already tomorrow?”

“Do they serve good alcohol at the wedding?”

“… Was there alcohol served at the wedding?”

“Usually, they come to the banquet held after the wedding.”

Sisters Kale, Ladea, and Laia chatting lightly.

“Your Majesty, how can I participate tomorrow?”

“Um… I guess I’ll have to put on some camouflage.”

“Can I hide my head and eyes?”

“It seems difficult. It’s too noticeable.”

“Then I should be wearing a robe… … .”

Dahlia is anxious and worried that her identity might be revealed.

“Miss Dahlia, do you know about gender reassignment magic?”

“Is there such a magic?”

“Yes. It’s unusual, isn’t it? You can’t use attribute magic, but you can definitely use camouflage. What do you think?”

“… I’m just going to hide like this.”

“It’s a shame. If Dahlia turned into a man, she would be a real handsome man.”

“I’m the attending physician. If I can’t use sacred magic, there’s no reason for me to be here.”

Kazar sells medicine and recommends strange magic to her.

It was a leisurely and peaceful dream, as if I was in a meadow with a breeze blowing.

“What are you thinking about?”

Frances asked with a bashful smile. Her face was lit with happiness.

An expression completely different from when I first saw her.

The eyes that were always filled with boredom became lively.

Her cold heart became warm, and the loneliness and solitude that had been hovering around her became colorful.

Everything changed for Frances because of me.

“jin?”

When there was no answer, Frances tilted her head and met my gaze. I chuckled.

“I feel like I’m just dreaming.”

“dream?”

“Yes. It’s a dream I never want to wake up from.”

Frances, who heard what I said, raised the corners of her lips slightly.

“It’s not a dream. It’s all real.”

Then she looked at me with her sparkling emerald eyes.

“I am here because of you.”

He caressed my cheek with a warm hand.

“Thanks to you, I learned what happiness is.”

He looked at me with a bright smile.

“Thank you and I love you, Jin.”

When Frances smiled and whispered her love, my heart melted as if I was being rewarded for everything that had happened up until then.

“I love you too.”

I laughed.

Brighter than ever.

Tomorrow, this unrequited love will officially come to an end.

It’s been a long life.

really.