TVS 89

Chapter 89…

Is it really that powerful?

Lady Leticia placed her cup on the saucer.

“Lady Yuliana, how much do you know about the Grandtild Empire?”

I don’t know the details, but I know a fair amount. It’s a country that often appears in the history books of Anrilil.

“I’ve heard it’s a large empire located beyond the rugged mountains to the south of our country. Unlike the inland nation of Anrilil, it has a coastline, which is a major feature. Seafood is probably one of their trade goods.”
“And your relationship with Anrilil?”
“Outwardly, it appears to be a friendly and equal relationship, but in reality, Grandtild is the superior power. Considering the results of the war that occurred decades ago, the difference in strength is obvious.”

It’s only a matter of time before they attack.

―――But Grandtild won’t attack. Because if they did, the other nations would absolutely protect Anrilil.

If Anrilil falls to Grandtild, the invasion and collapse of neighboring countries would follow.
That’s why Anrilil, with the Kingdom of Frisia maintaining military power comparable to Grandtild, serves as a bastion for its own peace.
If Grandtild recklessly invaded, they would be outnumbered by the combined forces of Anrilil and surrounding nations, leading to defeat.
If Grandtild tried to expand its influence now, it would be self-destructive.
They maintain a polite exterior toward each other to avoid provoking other countries.
This is by no means a friendship game.

―――Lady Liz has it tough.

The motives of both sides are probably like this:
Anrilil aims to send its bloodline into Grandtild by marrying off Lady Liz, hoping to prevent future wars.
Grandtild, in times of war, intends to take Lady Liz as a hostage to gain a slight advantage.
I’ve heard the phrase “women are tools,” and it’s truly accurate.
Depending on Lady Liz, one could say the relationship between Anrilil and Grandtild is determined.

“Lord Ramao is the third prince, right? I recall he is also ten years old, the same as Lady Liz.”
“Yes.”
“It takes quite a while to travel from Anrilil to Grandtild. You’ve met him, haven’t you?”
“…Yes. Only once, though.”
―――What! They got engaged after meeting just once…!?

I was shocked in my mind, but thinking about it, I also first met Lord Arthur when I went to the Chevalier territory for the marriage arrangement.
The only difference is distance; everything else is the same.
Maybe this is normal.

“…Hmm? Then can you talk about love stories?”
“Spending time together isn’t the only way to nurture love. Some fall in love through occasional letters as well.”

That’s what in my previous life was called correspondence.

“You get anxious wondering when it will arrive, imagining from the writing and handwriting… Letters can make feelings grow even more than meeting directly, Lady Yuliana.”
“…Is that so, Lady Liz?”
“Eh!? Uh, yes…”

Lady Liz’s cheeks turned rosy. She’s completely a love-struck maiden.

“What kind of letters do you receive?”
“….”

In a faint voice, Lady Liz murmured something. I strained my ears to hear carefully.

“‘I want to see you again,’ or ‘I want to touch you once more,’ and also, ‘I can’t forget your lovely figure’…”
“~~!!”
―――Wow, how romantic.

However, these are formulaic phrases.
Why is this exciting?
If it were me, I’d think, “Ah, they’re just using standard phrases because writing letters is bothersome. But since we’re engaged, I guess it can’t be helped,” and that would be the end.
Maybe it’s because I’m less interested in romance or marriage than others.

“Y-Yuliana, what about you!?”
“Huh? With Lord Arthur?”

Lady Liz nodded vigorously. This is about letter exchanges, right?
Hmm…

―――There’s the seasonal greeting at the start and a standard closing at the end. A normal letter.

Nothing particularly unusual.

“It’s normal.”
“That’s a lie!”
―――No, it’s not a lie.

Lady Liz leaned forward.

“You received that hair ornament; it can’t be normal!”
―――Is the hair ornament that important?

No, it’s probably not about the ornament itself. What matters more is that he gave her a gift.
Regardless, the letter exchanges with Lord Arthur are still normal.

“It’s normal.”
“It can’t be normal!”
“It really is normal.”
“Impossible!”

Isn’t this conversation pointless…?

“Then, how can I make you understand that it’s normal?”
“Well… Ah! Tell me the content of the letters!”
―――The content of the letters, huh…

Nothing private is written, so it’s fine.

“Will seeing them satisfy you?”
“Yes!”

This seems easier than arguing fruitlessly.

―――[Spatial Specification][Transfer]
“!”

Several letters were [spatially specified] and [transferred] out.

“Here you go.”

Lady Leticia and Eliana also seemed curious, and when I said, “You can look as you like,” they hesitated slightly but opened them. And―――

―――Is it really that powerful?

I was overwhelmed. Lady Liz buried her face in the table while holding the letters, Lady Leticia’s cheeks were faintly flushed, and Eliana’s eyes sparkled as she read.
Have there ever been words so sweet to cause this reaction?

“…Lady Yuliana?”
“? Yes.”

Lady Leticia handed me a letter from Lord Arthur.

“Read it aloud yourself.”
“Huh? Here?”

Lady Leticia nodded. I didn’t fully understand, but apparently, I had to read it.

“…Understood.

――――――
To Lady Yuliana Lindor,
Autumn has arrived. Receiving your letter just now filled my heart with joy.
Thank you for using the bath salts made from the white roses of my Chevalier territory. Knowing that you enjoy them makes me feel fulfilled, imagining that you and I are enveloped in the same fragrance as you read this letter.
I also long to hear your voice soon. Your voice, somehow, is calming to listen to.

A cold wind has begun to blow.
If you were here, I would surely embrace you from behind, seeking warmth.
I apologize for the lengthy letter. Please take care of yourself.
Arthur Chevalier
――――――

…That’s all.

I read it aloud as Lady Leticia instructed, but it felt like “So what?”
Yes, that’s what I thought, but―――

“‘That’s all’…isn’t it, Lady Yuliana? How can this be normal?”
“Huh? Well, it has the seasonal greeting and a nice metaphor; it’s a normal letter.”
“…”

Silence enveloped the room.

―――Am I misunderstanding something?

Lady Leticia said, “Lady Yuliana, we were asking if it was a letter of normal content. This is not a letter with normal content.”
―――Oh, that’s it…

Even so, isn’t it normal? It’s a letter from a colored-character. Words like this should be common―――or so I thought…

“First, here. ‘Imagining that you and I share the same fragrance as you read this letter, I feel fulfilled’—do you understand what this implies?”
“Hmm… Maybe it’s expressing that ‘I feel you belong to me, as Lord Arthur’s fiancée’?”
“Correct.”

It’s like ownership, similar to a book. Though you shouldn’t call people possessions, that’s probably the sense. Maybe also possessiveness? Perhaps Lord Arthur feels it too.
But I can’t imagine that it’s directed at me.

“Then, ‘If you were here, I would surely embrace you from behind, seeking warmth’—what do you think it conveys?”
“Well… If we see the cold wind as future hardships, it could mean ‘I want to support each other.’”
“That’s not wrong, but thinking of Lord Arthur, it also implies ‘You are my sunshine.’”
“I see.”
“‘I see’ is not sufficient… Do you really not understand?”

I didn’t understand what Lady Leticia meant. I nodded lightly, and Liz and Eliana sighed in disappointment together.

―――Did I do something wrong?

And in unison, they said:

“Poor Lord Arthur.”

Supplement:
Yuliana has no romantic experience. She has read romance novels, so she can understand what letters express, but she doesn’t believe it’s truly directed at her. She thinks, “Colored characters are good at love letters.”
However, the main reason Arthur decided to engage to Yuliana is that he fell in love with her. Yuliana still doesn’t know. Despite his efforts in letters, it’s really sad for Lord Arthur… (Though romance novels are more fun until they come together).

World Setting:

Kingdom of Anrilil:

• North: Kingdom of Frisia; South: Grandtild Empire; West: “Divine Realm,” home to spirits. River borders Frisia; mountains border Grandtild.

• Summers: dry and cool due to southern mountains. Winters: cold with snow from humid winds from the northern river. About 2-month winter break.

Grandtild:

• Arab-like country with rainy and dry seasons. Vast territory, desert center, some northern trees, sea in the south.

• Famous for gemstones. Large wealth disparity. Beautiful women may be employed or enter the harem.

• Polygamy is normal. Third wife exists. Lord Ramao’s principal wife is Cloris; secondary wives are chosen from the harem. Harem has women from mature to very young.

Kingdom of Frisia:

• Beastmen nation. Mild climate year-round, spring and autumn repeatedly. Not cold despite northern location due to hot springs and westerlies.

• Strong due to battle-capable beastmen (some non-combatant species exist). Current king: fox beastman.

• Two major factions: wolf and fox. Beastmen recognize the strongest as king. Political power is unstable, but no purely titular kings. During succession, representatives compete in strength.