第9話 ブールという土地
勘当ですって......?
「それって、どういうこと?」
「どういうことも何も、そのままの意味」
未開の地というのがどういうものかわからなかったが、北に続く土地が森なら樹木の伐採でもできないかと考えた程度だ。
以前植物学の教授に聞いて知った、痩せた土地に向く作物の種も持参してきた。
それはそれとして、なぜ勘当?
聞こうかどうしようか迷っていると、荷物を運び終わったフレデリクが二人の前に戻ってきた。
「お嬢様、全て運び終えました」
「ありがとう、フレデリク。みんなも、ありがとう」
「アンジェリク様......」
悲しそうな顔をするフレデリクと侍女たちに、アンジェリクは「大丈夫よ」と笑ってみせた。
「お父様とマリーヌとフランシーヌによろしくね。結婚式の準備が整ったら......」
整うのか?
一瞬、不安になった。
セルジュが後を引き取った。
「準備が整ったらご連絡します。今、少し立て込んでいることがありまして、多少お時間をいただくかもしれませんが......」
「わかりました。そのようにお伝えします。アンジェリク様をよろしくお願いいたします」
今夜は城下に滞在できるよう用意はしてあるとセルジュは言った。だが、まだ日があるので、ヴィニョアまで戻って休むとフレデリクが言い、侍女たちを伴って城を去っていった。
小型の馬車一台と白い馬を二頭残して、一行が門を出ていく。
さすがのアンジェリクも目と鼻のあたりが熱くなるのを感じた。
「お茶にしようか」
一緒に馬車を見送ったセルジュが、アンジェリクの肩を抱いた。
トクンと心臓が音を立てた。
「大丈夫よ。ちょっと感傷的になっただけ」
悲しいわけではないのだと笑ってみせる。
「お茶を飲みながら、家の者を紹介しよう。それから、一階があんなことになっている事情も含めて、いろいろと話したいことがある」
「私も聞きたいことがあるわ」
「何でも聞いて」
たとえ勘当されても伯爵の地位と領地をもらえたなら、ほかにも候補はあっただろうに。
Chapter 9: Land Called Bourg|Read translated stories and daily updates at: Awebstories.com
Disowned?
"What exactly does that mean?"
"What does it mean? It means exactly what it says."
She had no idea what it was like to live on pristine land like Bourg, but if the land to the north was forest, maybe she could cut down a few trees.
She had also brought some seeds of a plant suitable for the barren land, which she had learned from the academy's botany professor. Originally, she had ordered that these seeds be planted in the barren land of the Montan Territory because there was some barren land there.
But why did they disown him?
She was about to ask that question when Frederick, the family's butler, came back to stand in front of her. He had just finished carrying her bags.
"I'm done with everything, Ojo-sama."
"Thank you, Frederick, and thank you all for your hard work."
"Angelique-sama..."
Angelique smiled and said, "It's okay." as Frederick and the ladies-in-waiting looked sad.
"Please give my regards to Oto-sama, Marine and Francine. And when the day of the wedding comes..."
Will it be ready on time?
For a brief moment, she felt uneasy.
But Serge took charge.
"We'll contact you once everything is completed. I'm very busy right now, so it may take some time..."
"...All right. I will tell them that. Please take care of Angelique-sama."
Serge informed them that he had arranged for them to spend the night at the castle. But there was still some daylight left, so Frederick said he would go back to Vignoa to rest and left the castle.
The group left the gate, leaving behind a small carriage and two white horses.
Angelique's eyes and nose grew hot, as was to be expected. Angelique is no longer the Angelique of the Montan.
"Shall we have tea?"
Serge, watching the carriage leave with Angelique, hugged her shoulder. "You can cry if you want," he said softly as he wrapped her arms around her.
Her heart beat faster.
"It's all right. I'm just a little sentimental."
She smiled at him and said she wasn't sad.
"Let's have a cup of tea and I'll introduce you to some of the residents. Then we'll talk about whatever I want to talk about, including how things got so bad on the second floor."
"I'd also like to ask you a few questions."
"Ask me anything you want."
Even though he had been disowned and given the title of count and a fief, there should have been better places for him to settle down.
I’m Going to Marry a Poor Count in the Middle of Nowhere and I’m Going to Work Hard to Reform My Territory
【ノベル3巻発売＆コミカライズ２巻まで発売中】辺境の貧乏伯爵に嫁ぐことになったので領地改革に励みます
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/im-going-to-marry-a-poor-count-in-the-middle-of-nowhere-and-im-going-to-work-hard-to-reform-my-territory/
Comedy Drama Fantasy Romance Shoujo
Adapted to Manga Arranged Marriage Broken Engagement Domestic Affairs Doting Love Interests Doting Older Siblings Dragon Riders Dragons Early Romance European Ambience Female Protagonist Management Nobles Pregnancy Royalty Time Skip Tomboyish Female Lead
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n5996gy/
花波薫歩