ルドルフ・ローレン・ドートリシュといえば、エルメイア皇国一の切れ者宰相として有名な人物だ。だが、一見して彼がそうだと分かる者はいないだろう。
初対面の人は、全員が全員、あんな穏やかで頼りなさそうな人が――と言うに違いない。
「ああ、アイリーン。よくきたね。朝早くからごめんね、今しか時間がなくて」
書斎に入るなり、にこにこ父親が手招きする。黒檀の執務机の前にある応接ソファに、アイリーンは腰を下ろして、父親が向かいに座るのを待った。
「セドリック様の件は残念だったね」
「申し訳ございません、お父様」
セドリックとの婚約は政略結婚――政治的駆け引きに関わることだった。ドートリシュ公爵家をより盤石にするための大事な一手だったはずだ。しかも婚約破棄に関する醜聞は、宰相である父親の周囲にも影響が出ているだろう。
――この父親に影響があるかどうかはさておき。
「仕方がないよね。お前は明らかにセドリック様の好みからはずれていっていたから」
悲しそうに告げられて、アイリーンは真顔になる。そしてもう一度謝った。
「......本当に申し訳御座いませんでした」
「それでも、ドートリシュの名前があればもつかもと思っていたんだけれどもね。いやはや若者の愛は強い。お前も『セドリック様が分かってくれるからいいの』が口癖で」
「本当に本当に申し訳御座いませんでした」
「さすがに落ち込んでいるのかと思っていたんだけどね。引きこもっていると聞いたし」
ふう、と父親はそこでため息を吐いた。
「なのに思ったよりお前が元気で、父様はがっかりだ......」
心底残念そうに言われて、アイリーンは頬を引きつらせた。
(相変わらずのドS! 娘が婚約破棄されたっていうのに!)
優しい父親は他人の不幸を見るのが大好きという、非常に厄介な性格の持ち主である。それは家族でも例外ではない。むしろ家族の方が、愛をもって隠さない分、ひどい。
分からない問題があると言えば喜んで横で観察され、何かに負けて悔しがっていれば楽しげに敗因を分析される。おかげでアイリーンは並大抵の中傷と挫折に膝を突かないたくましさを手に入れたが、泣くよりも解決策を提示し、落ち込むよりも戦うことを選ぶかわいげのない性格に育ってしまった。
そう考えると、セドリックにふられた原因はこの父親にあるような気がしないでもない。
「父様はもう、いつお前がフラれるかと毎日毎日楽しみにしていたのに」
「......わたくしがフラれると毎日毎日確信を得てらしたんですね」
「これ以上はあまりないなっていうくらい、みじめなフラれ方をしたのに......ああ、なんて可哀想なんだ、アイリーン......泣き濡れるお前はきっと世界一可愛かっただろうに......!」
「そういう妄想をして楽しんでらしたんですね?」
「なのにお前ときたら、すっかり元気そうで。使用人達が止めるから諦めたんだけど......やっぱり部屋に突撃すればよかった」
優秀な使用人達に感謝しながら、アイリーンはできるだけ平常心をもって答える。
「わたくし、すっぱりセドリック様のことは忘れることに致しましたから」
「そうかい。まあ、それがいいね。まさかあそこまで愚かだとは思わなかった」
薄い笑みを浮かべて、ルドルフがあっさり切り捨てた。
その躊躇のなさに、娘でありながらぞっとする。
「でもアイリーン。かといってお前の立場が正当化されるわけでも、家の名誉が回復するわけでもないんだよ」
「......分かっております。ドートリシュ公爵家に恥をかかせたことは、反省しています」
「じゃあ、本題に入ろう」
にこやかに父親が指を組んだ。楽しそうだ。
つまり、アイリーンにとって面白くない話が今から始まる。背筋を正した。
「お前、事業を立ち上げようとしていたね。薬の開発と販売、あと販路のための運送業、道路の整備のための土木業」
「? はい。ドートリシュ公爵領を産地とすることで原材料をおさえ、流通を工夫し利益を上げる形にすればいいと、お兄様に教えていただいて......」
ドートリシュ公爵領は広く豊かだ。だがその豊かさは平均値であり、土地が広い分の地方に格差が生じている。そのため、豊かではない地域――要は土地があるだけのだだっ広い田舎だ――を豊かにすべく、兄達はその土地に生息する植物の活用方法を考えたり、特産物を作ることで領民の生活水準を上げるべく奮闘している。そこへアイリーンも一枚噛ませてもらった。
公爵令嬢、しかも皇太子の婚約者が商売だ。当然、批判は出た。だが薬の開発は公共性が高いという理屈で周囲を黙らせた。扱いの難しい薬品より先に、石鹸や軟膏、消毒液といった気軽に使える安いものを市民に普及させることで利益も見こめた。
実はエルメイア皇室の財政は見た目ほど豊かではない。だからせめて自分が嫁ぐ際に莫大な持参金を持てるよう、セドリックのために――とそこまで思い出して頭を切り替えた。
「お父様にも了解いただけたはずですが、それがどうかなさいましたか」
「それらはすべてセドリック様に引き継がれることになった。公共事業になったと言い換えてもいい」
「は......?」
ぽかんとしたアイリーンに、皮肉な笑みを浮かべて、ルドルフが告げた。
「お前、事業のために設立した商会をセドリック様との共同名義にしていたね。薬というのは毒物でもある。国の管轄におくのが妥当だと言われたら反論できないだろう?」
流通の確保、販売路から薬の処方箋まで準備し、試薬の評判は上々だった。つまり。
「売上げだけ横取りですか!?」
愕然としたアイリーンの声に、ルドルフは楽しそうに笑った。
「リリア嬢がお前に任せっぱなしではいけないと進言なさったらしくてね。セドリック様がやる気になられたそうだ。セドリック様も商売をすることで庶民目線や金銭感覚を学べるかもしれないし、ま、よいことだよね」
「いえいえいえいえ、横取りですよね!? いいところだけとっていったってお話では!?」
「これはお前の落ち度だよ、アイリーン」
柔らかく言われて、はっとアイリーンは口をつぐんだ。
父親の目が笑っていない。
「本来なら一方的な婚約破棄というのは、王族相手でも批判の口実になるんだよ? なのに婚約破棄されて当然という空気を作られたせいで、うちは慰謝料どころか、事業への投資を回収する前に持っていかれたじゃないか」
「い、いたらなくてすみません......!」
「本当にお前は母様そっくりで男を見る目がないうえに、可愛いのに媚の一つや二つ売れないなんて」
非難の響きがまったくない、ただの事実の指摘にぐうの音も出ない。
苦悶しているアイリーンに、ルドルフは嬉しそうに眼を細めている。それが愛だとわかっているがもう少し自粛してほしい。
「しかもね」
「まだあるんですか」
「あるんだよそれが」
半ば睨み返すように父親を見ていると、ルドルフは文鎮の下に重ねてあった封書の束から一つだけ、すでに開封されているものを差し出した。
「招待状を昨日、頂いたんだよ。二ヶ月後に夜会がある」
When speaking about Rudolph Loren D'Austriche, he was the famous Prime Minister and the sharpest man in the Elmeier Kingdom. But, at first glance, he didn't look like someone who fits the criteria.
When people met him the first time, everyone, I repeat everyone, will unmistakably describe him as a calm and trustworthy person.
[Ah, Irene. You're here. I apologize for calling you here this early in the morning, but I only have this time to spare] 
When I entered the study, my father beckoned me with a grin on his face. Irene sat down on the reception sofa in front of her father's ebony work desk while waiting for her father to sit at the opposite of her.
[What happened with Cedric-sama was unfortunate] 
[I am very sorry, Father] 
The engagement with Cedric was under the premise of political marriage---- it was influenced by a political bargain. It was supposed to be an important move made to secure a more solid foundation for the D'Austriche Ducal House. Moreover, I'm sure the scandal concerning the engagement annulment would have an influence over my father surrounding as the Prime Minister.
----I wonder if there was an impact to this father of mine.
[There's nothing we can do about it. Since you're obviously not Cedric-sama's type] 
Irene made a serious face when she was being told those words with her father's seemingly sad face. And then, she once again apologized to her father.
[......I am truly sorry] 
[Still, I had thought that we might have able to secure the D'Austriche name properly. Well, well... I see that youngsters love are strong. You as well, wasn't your favorite phrase was {it's okay as long as Cedric-sama understand me} ?] 
[I am truly, truly, sorry] 
[I thought that you would've been quite depressed over this matter. I even heard that you shut yourself in your room, after all] 
Fuuu, at that, my father let out a sigh.
[Yet, you're looking better than I expected. Father is disappointed......] 
When she was told in a regrettable manner that seemingly came from the bottom of her father's heart, Irene's cheek muscle stiffened.
(It's the usual sadism! Just when his daughter had her engagement annuled!)
Her kind father was the owner of an extraordinary troublesome personality; he was the kind of person who loves to see the misery of others. The family is not an exception when it comes to this troublesome personality of his. In fact, his personality is way terrible when it comes to us because he doesn't hold back his love for his family members.
If there were some problems she's having trouble with, he will gladly observe from the side. If she felt frustrated when losing over something, he will happily a.n.a.lyze why she had lost. Thanks to that, Irene had grown up to be a character that got the strength not to fall down on the average slander and setback; rather than crying, she'll try to find some solutions to her problem instead; rather than feeling depressed, she'll choose to fight instead.
Now that I think about it, it was not unreasonable to say that it was this father of mine fault I was dumped by Cedric.
[Father had every day looking forward to the day you are going to be dumped] 
[......I see. So, every day you are confident that I'll be dumped soon] 
[Even though you can't be dumped in a way that could not be more worse than this but......Ah, my poor, Irene......if you have grieved over it, you would have been the cutest girl in the world......!] 
[You're extremely happy with that kind of wild delusions?] 
[Yet, just when the moment I've been waiting for came to be, you seemed to be completely fine. I gave up because the servants stopped me but......as I thought, maybe I should have just charged into your room] 
While feeling grateful to the excellent servants, Irene replied back as calmly as she could.
[Because I have decided to forget everything about Cedric-sama] 
[I see. Well, that way is fine. I didn't think that he would be so stupid to that extent] 
With a thin smile, Rudolph easily cut her off.
He took his daughter off guard at the absence of respect towards the Prince in his tone.
[But Irene. Even if your position is justified, that doesn't mean that it can restore our house's honor] 
[......I understand. I've properly reflected on the fact that I've brought disgrace to the D'Austriche Ducal Family.
[Now, onto the main subject] 
Her father grinned while weaving his fingers together. He looks like he's having fun.
In other words, it would not be an amusing talk for Irene from now onwards. She sat straighter.
[You, were trying to launch a business, weren't you? Developing medicine and selling it, the transportation industry for the after sales channels, and the civil engineering industry for the road maintenance.
[? Yes. The D'Austriche Ducal Family control the raw materials for production, thus it would be better if we could increase profits by devising distributions, that's what Onii-sama's had taught me......] 
D'Austriche Ducal House properties were wide and abundant. But that richness was just an average value as there was a disparity in the rural area where the land is vast. For that reason, to enrich the land that wasn't abundant----in short, there was only land in the vast region of countryside----, my brothers were thinking of a way to make use of the plants inhibiting that region to raise the standard of living of the struggling local people there, by making special products from those plants. I was allowed to get involved in that kind of project.
It was a business for a duke's daughter as well as the Crown Prince fiancee. Naturally, there were some criticisms. But, I made them shut up by making the theory of the drug development highly public. Prior to the medicine that was difficult to handle, we also saw benefits by promoting the use of cheap, easy-to-use antiseptic solutions such as soap and ointment to the public.
The truth was, the Elmeier Royal Family's was not as rich as they had appeared to be. That's why, at least, for Cedric's sake I want to bring a huge amount of dowry when I get married----I stopped thinking when I reached those memories and quickly switched my thoughts to something else.
[You should have understood it as well Father, but is there any problem?] 
[It has been decided that Cedric-sama will continue all of those projects. We can say it has become the public business] 
[Huh......?] 
Rudolph showed a cynical smile at Irene who was struck silly and told her about what had happened.
[You signed a joint signature with Cedric-sama for the business. Medicine could also be a poison. If it said that it was appropriate to be placed in the country's jurisdiction, I can't object to it, right?] 
Securing the distribution, from sales channels to the prescription of medicine preparation, that would certainly lift up the reagent's reputation. In other words...
[He's going to take the revenue!?] 
Rudolph laughed happily at the sound of Irene's dumbfounded voice.
[It seems like there was a story that Lilisama had suggested that he shouldn't leave them to you. And, Cedric-sama's seems motivated to do it as well. By doing business, maybe Cedric-sama can learn such as the common people common sense and their sense of money, well, I think it was a good thing] 
[nononono, that's just a usurpation right!? Isn't that just a story of them taking the good parts for their own, right!?] 
[This is all your fault, Irene] 
Taken aback by the words that were said ever so softly, Irene immediately shut her mouth.
Her father's eyes were not laughing.
[Even if the other side is the royal family, they also can become an excuse for criticism as it was basically a one-sided engagement, right? However, because they manage to make the atmosphere of making the engagement annulment a natural thing, far from an apology, they even manage to take away our business before we manage to recover our investment] 
[I, I'm sorry that it has come to that result......!] 
[You and your Mother are so similar when it comes to your terrible taste in men. Just because someone is cute, it doesn't mean you should be easily swayed by one or two flatteries by him] 
Irene did not let a sound because what he said was not a criticism by any means; he was simply pointing out the facts.
Rudolph's eyes narrowed in a happy manner at Irene's suffering. She understood that it was his way of showing love, but she wished for him to restrain himself a little.
[Furthermore] 
[There's more?] 
[There is] 
Irene looked back at her father giving him somewhat a half glare. Rudolph then took out a letter that had been opened underneath the paperweight amongst the stack of a bundle of sealed letters and gave it to her.
[I got this invitation yesterday. There's a banquet in two months]
Villainous Daughter Aims for the Last Boss
悪役令嬢なのでラスボスを飼ってみました
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/villainous-daughter-aims-for-the-last-boss/
Drama Fantasy Romance School Life Shoujo
Adapted to Anime Adapted to Manga Aristocracy Beautiful Female Lead Bloodlines Broken Engagement Business Management Businessmen Calm Protagonist Demon Lord Demons Female Protagonist Handsome Male Lead Hated Protagonist Kuudere Multiple Reincarnated Individuals Nobles Otome Game Politics Reincarnated in a Game World Royalty Saints Sword And Magic Villainess Noble Girls
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2766dz/
永瀬さらさ