Survival 45

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“Sigh.”

Luciana’s sigh sank deeply to the floor. 

I whispered to her quietly, “Are you nervous?”

“…Nervous? What’s there to be nervous about? Attending the vassal meeting is a duty I must bear as a member of the family.”

Indeed. 

Today was the day of the regular quarterly vassal meeting. 

It was a day to deal with important family affairs. 

From the head of the family and his administrators to the servants, everyone who played a significant role in the family had to attend this meeting.

And with Luciana’s recent birthday, she too had gained the right and duty to attend this meeting. 

And as her personal servant, I was to accompany her.

“Miss Luciana, you will do well without making any mistakes.”

Despite my customary encouragement, her expression did not brighten. 

Observing the master’s mood is a servant’s duty.

“Is there something in particular you’re worried about?”

“Well, if I had to point something out, it would be that not everyone in the family is on my side. There’s always some tension over the succession, isn’t there?”

At my question, she gave a bitter smile. But succession strife? 

That was an unexpected topic.

“Isn’t Lord Darius Speda already designated as the next Duke?”

Moreover, Luciana was already engaged to the crown prince. 

She wouldn’t pose a threat to the succession scheme. 

I had never encountered such an episode or hint in games.

‘Could there really be conflict?’

As I looked at her questioningly, Luciana slightly relaxed her distorted face and smiled gently.

“Even someone with your political acumen seems quite perplexed by the current situation.”

“Um. What can I say? It’s really a worry about everything,” I remarked sharply.

She nodded at my harsh assessment. 

“My brother also does not believe I pose a threat to the succession. Rather, it’s the lower vassals who are causing a stir.”

Luciana’s gaze then moved to the ancestral sword prominently displayed in the room.

“Aha.”

The symbol of the family that Luciana had rightfully obtained. 

The signs of the once-sturdy succession structure shaking were all because of that.

“Looking back, Hans, you always had a keen eye for political currents.”

“What are you talking about…”

“Let’s skip the modesty. So, if you were me, how would you handle it?”

How, indeed. 

The concerns of the vassals were not entirely without merit. In the north, power is influence. 

Luciana had already made a name for herself among her peers and the lord’s subjects with her exceptional swordsmanship. 

And she had even drawn the ancestral sword, the symbol of the family.

‘If she really wanted to, securing the position of successor would be possible.’

Luciana Speda as the future Duchess. 

Just the sound of it was pleasing to the ear. 

And if she ascended to the duchy, the engagement that had pushed her into the abyss of downfall with the crown prince would be nullified.

However, I knew well.

“What would you like to do, Lady Luciana?”

“Honestly, it’s burdensome.” 

I knew Luciana would not choose that path. 

A faint sadness lay beneath her cool voice.

“My brother is a good sparring partner, and along with my father, he’s one of the only two blood relatives I have. I don’t particularly want to compete.”

She must have known too. 

That if they fought over the dukedom, one of them could not avoid death. 

And her affectionate nature couldn’t make that choice.

“It won’t be easy. As long as that sword exists, the power-hungry will continue to swarm.”

“That’s why I’m asking for your advice. And just so you know, don’t ever suggest I give up the sword. It’s already mine.”

Even amidst this, she was determined to secure the sword. 

It was typical of the warrior-like Luciana.

“Hmm. How about this approach?”

When I offered my suggestion that came to mind on the spot, she showed a fierce smile. 

The darkness that had filled her face was swept away in an instant.

“That’s a good strategy. Let’s see, I’ll try your advice.”

***

A grand tapestry adorned with ice-covered mountains, dignified though not flamboyant. 

Chairs around a table marked with the passage of time, in the middle of a majestic meeting room.

“We’re short on military supplies! Recruitment of soldiers is slow, and at least the supplies should be adequate!”

“But where will the money to acquire those supplies come from? You have to consider the finances too. Tsk, this is why field positions are…”

“At least those guarding our borders shouldn’t starve..!”

“How much has already been drained by relief policies after the last blizzard…!”

The room was filled with noisy disputes. 

It reminded me of the markets I read about in books, filled with common folk. 

Luciana, experiencing her first vassal meeting, was momentarily overwhelmed by the scene before her.

The knight commander, who had silently honed his sword in the training ground and occasionally offered teachings, and the steward, known for his meticulous work, though personally unacquainted, according to the chatter of the maids. 

Seeing them drop all pretense of dignity to snarl at each other was a sight to behold.

But,

“Let’s end this discussion here.”

The confrontation between two representatives of the family ended unexpectedly blandly. 

As soon as the voice of the father, seated at the head of the table, filled the meeting room, silence fell.

“I’ve heard reports that demon incursions have become more frequent lately. Military replenishment is unavoidable.”

“Then we’ll find a way to allocate the budget from other areas.”

The steward conceded defeat. 

Though he shot a disdainful glance at the knight commander, he verbally acknowledged the decision.

Luciana was inwardly impressed. 

This is the head of the family. 

The father’s opinion immediately shifted the mood of the meeting towards realizing his suggestions.

However,

“But even so, it’s not easy to find where to cut the budget from.”

“Taking from the public welfare budget is one way.”

“What are you talking about! Why not touch the food research and development sector? Since it’s a long-term goal anyway, cutting a little budget from there won’t make much difference.”

The problem, if it was a problem, was the lengthy and inconclusive discussions among the vassals about specific solutions. 

The father, the head of the family, seemed reluctant to add his own comments.

This reminded her of something from a political class. 

Was it called ‘the monarch who reigns but does not govern’?

“Watch the flow of the meeting closely. It’s best to agree with the lord or the young duke’s opinions.”

Luciana recalled Hans’s advice and glanced at her brother. 

He remained expressionless, silently observing the meeting.

It seemed he had no intention of speaking until a conclusion was reached.

But,

Whether it’s public welfare or food research, both are directly related to the livelihood of the people in the North. 

Delaying any one of them would be like pulling out the lower stone to place it on top; although it might secure the immediate budget, it would destabilize the foundation. 

After pondering, she quietly raised her hand.

“Luciana?”

The steward’s eyes sharpened as they met hers. 

The eyes that had been diligently searching for a budget solution now bore into her with the sharpness of a blade.

“I know of a most suitable place where the budget could come from.”

“Oh? Is that so? A suitable place.”

A flicker of interest crossed the steward, Dobriev’s eyes, as Luciana felt a slight hostility emanating from him. 

It was a look ready to pounce at any sign of vulnerability.

“I am curious about your wisdom, my lady. We’ve been discussing without finding a solution, and your stepping forward seems like it could provide a breakthrough.”

Not used to social rhetoric, but the steward’s words were blatantly obvious to her.

-Intervening in the meeting. You must have something valuable to say, right?

“Steward! Please watch your words!”

“That’s right! Isn’t this Lady Luciana’s first meeting?”

She understood. 

To him, who takes the principle of primogeniture for granted, She, who recently destabilized the succession structure, must seem unreliable.

Of course, there were those who stood up for Luciana.

However, she looked at them with a cold gaze. 

Their sweet words had a clear intent. 

Those who disturb the order of the family, merely wanting to use a lady as a puppet to grasp for power.

‘Here and now, they are my true enemies.’

Luciana once again recalled Hans’s strategy. 

To completely defeat. 

From those openly revealing themselves now to potential supporters.

Everyone who wished to support her cause had to be cut off.

“Let’s hear it.”

Then, the steward received appropriate support from the head of the family.

“Thank you, my lord. Then let me ask again. Lady, where do you propose we find the budget?”

Indeed. Those eyes were menacing. 

The family’s old fox wouldn’t miss this perfect opportunity to turn the opinion of the vassals against her.

In reality, siding with either would not solve the problem. 

If it’s public welfare, it would bring the wrath of the northern people; if it’s diplomacy or cultivation, it would incur the resentment of those departments’ managers.

However,

“Isn’t it simple? Just cut from my ceremonial expenses.”

The unexpected response from Luciana left not only steward Dobriev but most of those who understood her words momentarily unable to hide their surprise.

“What? What did you just say?”

“My dresses, my jewelry, even these shoes. In the face of war against the demons, it feels not just luxurious but wasteful.”

She had not made enemies with anyone. 

At the same time, it was a masterstroke to expand her standing through self-sacrifice.

Luciana quietly observed everyone’s faces after speaking.

-Those who were hesitant will take the bait and leap at it. You must keep a close eye on them.

It was as if Hans, quietly observing from a distance, was whispering in her ear.

“Indeed, Lady Luciana! To sacrifice even your own ceremonial needs!”

“Truly an action befitting a noble of the North!”

One by one, those flattering her began to raise their voices.

Then,

“Quiet.”

The room fell silent at the lord’s command, his hand raised to halt the conversation. 

In the deep silence that felt almost heavy, the lord looked at Luciana with a contemplative gaze.

“Lucy, you must take responsibility for your words. Giving up your ceremonial rights isn’t just about a few pieces of clothing.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

Her attitude remained unchanged, even in front of the lord.

Luciana, with her head held high, confidently expressed her opinion. 

“Clothing, food, environment. Everything I enjoy is made possible by the blood and sweat of the people of the North. It pricks my conscience to continue enjoying these luxuries in such a critical situation as war.”

“To think you have such thoughts. I’m proud of you.” 

While saying this, Duke Speda glanced at Hans behind her. 

It seemed that shallow tricks were insufficient to deceive a ruler.

“However, as your father and as a duke, I’m a bit worried since I don’t know what intentions you harbor.”

This was added dryly. 

Though it might seem like an interrogation at first glance, what father would want to see his children tearing each other apart for power? 

In his steely, profound gaze was a concern only a family could detect.

“What intentions could there be? I simply wish to contribute to the security of the North with my abilities before I leave to become the wife of the most noble person.”

Thus, Luciana gladly met his expectations. 

The atmosphere instantly froze. 

The nobles, who had been maintaining their dignity, turned their heads sharply. 

Silent debates exchanged between every pair of eyes filled the air.

The father blinked at her declaration of having no interest in the succession. 

“…Noble words should be taken seriously. There’s no falsehood in what you just said, right?”

“Of course.”

“Wait a moment! Lady Luciana, now is not the time…!” 

Luciana glanced indifferently to the side. 

An official who had been on her side against the steward was trying to interrupt urgently. 

To the official, her existence was a lifeline of power. 

Now that it was being severed, he had no choice but to try to stop it desperately. 

Even just now, hadn’t he explicitly opposed the steward?

‘How amusing.’ 

Their professed loyalty was only that much.

At that moment, when disdain was about to frost over her serene blue eyes, “What are you doing?” 

The official attempting to intervene was blocked by someone who rebuked him. 

“How dare you interrupt Lady Luciana’s statement. Can you even call yourself a vassal of the Speda ducal family?”

Yes. This was a stark contrast to those who truly served her loyally, like that servant. 

Luciana’s eyes softened slightly. 

“How dare a mere servant! Watch your mouth!”

“Who are you to speak? It seems the name of Speda means very little to you. Lady Luciana is not your tool.”

The servant, dressed in servant’s attire, did not back down an inch against a noble wrapped in silks from the east. 

‘Only for me.’ 

Again. A tickling sensation in her heart. 

To suppress it. And lest others see. Luciana bowed her head deeply, hiding her face.

‘…Huh. Did he calculate all this as well?’ 

Luciana’s subtle yet clear stance. Followed by the servant’s rebuke. 

Surely a bold attitude for a servant. But at this moment, when his master was being disregarded, Hans’s actions appeared as a brave defense of his master’s authority, also posing a threat to the opponent. Luciana, naturally, had moved out of the line of fire.

Luciana surely had been given the best education with great care, but such tact wasn’t just the result of education alone. 

Unless someone had advised her. 

‘I thought I was just filling my daughter with foolish dreams.’ 

Even his daughter, who seemed to have poured all her talent into martial prowess, was somewhat… awkward in politics.

Duke Speda looked again at Hans Byron, who had just engaged in a dispute with the official. 

Not with the same lethal gaze as before, but with a look that saw something reliable in him. 

“Stop this quarrel.”

The Duke’s gaze swept over a few desperate faces. 

Likely, this official and a few other fools would weed themselves out now that Luciana had stepped back from the succession fight. 

For him, who did not wish for familial bloodshed, it was a more than satisfactory outcome. 

Yet, among those involved in the fight, Hans was different. 

He would continue to protect Luciana by her side, even if it meant going to battle.

However, “Hans Byron.” 

“Yes, Your Grace.” 

“Since Luciana has given up her ceremonial rights, she no longer needs an attendant. From this moment, you are no longer Luciana’s personal servant.” 

“…What?”

In the North, words spoken are as precious as gold. The Duke decided to teach his growing daughter about their weight. 

Moreover, ‘Remember this moment, Luciana.’ 

No strategy is perfect without flaws. Just as history is written by the victors, the moment you lose momentum, you have no chance to recover.

It was time to teach her, more akin to a knight than a young noble lady, about the filthy social circles of the capital and the life of the nobility.

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