アンジェリクは城の東側にある妹たちの部屋に向かった。
アンジェリクには十四歳のマリーヌと十歳のフランシーヌという二人の妹がいた。
マリーヌは母親譲りの金色の髪と青い目を持ち、フランシーヌはアンジェリクと同じ栗色の髪とはしばみ色の目をしていた。
六年前に流行り病で母を亡くしてから、アンジェリクが母親代わりに面倒を見てきた可愛い妹たちだ。
母は元々身体が弱く、子どもたちの世話は侍女が全て取り仕切っていた。だから、母が亡くなっても暮らしが大きく変わることはなかった。
それでも、やはり悲しいし寂しい。
ちょっとした相談事や悩み事を打ち明ける相手が欲しい時もある。
アンジェリクは二人の話し相手になる時は、母のことを思い出して、なるべくゆったりした気持ちで丁寧に相手をするよう心掛けていた。
「マリーヌ、フランシーヌ。落ち着いて聞いてね」
ちょうど三時が近かったので、お茶の用意をしてもらって二人と向かい合った。
「お姉様、さっきシャルロットからおかしな話を聞いたの」
「お姉様がみんなに意地悪をしたって、シャルロットが言うの」
シャルロットは父の弟バラボー子爵の第二令嬢で、アンジェリクたちにとっては従姉妹に当たる。年はアンジェリクと同じ十八だ。
アンジェリクと同じように今年で学園を卒業するが、まだ誰とも婚約していなかった。
中央地区にはドレスや扇を扱う店が多く集まる。そこで買い物をするのに、いちいち城に戻るのは時間も無駄だというのがシャルロットの言い分だった。
だが、ついでに代金の支払いをモンタン公爵家に回していることをアンジェリクは知っていた。
一度父にも話したが、四人目の娘のようなものだと思えばいいと笑っただけだった。
豊かな領地を持ち、農産物や酪農品だけでなく、その加工品の販売も領民たちに指導しているモンタン公爵家は、はっきりいって抜群の経済力を持っている。
アンジェリクやマリーヌ、フランシーヌでさえ、領民のために必要な病院や保育施設の慰問を欠かさないのに、シャルロットはそういったことは何もしていない。
やるべきことをやらないのに、使うものは使うというのは納得がいかなかった。
「シャルロットは、お姉様とエルネスト様の婚約も中止になったって言ってたわ」
「嘘よね。エルネスト様をお婿さんに迎えて、これからもお姉様はお城にいるのよね」
「マリーヌ、フランシーヌ。聞いてほしいのはそのことなの」
「私は明日、ブールにあるボルテール伯爵のところへ行きます」
「明日? それでいつ帰ってくるの?」
「当分、帰ってこないわ」
フランシーヌの顔が不安そうに歪んだ。
「私がいなくてもしっかりするのよ、フランシーヌ」
「お姉様......」
「マリーヌも、フランシーヌをお願いね。二人でいれば、きっと大丈夫」
何かあったら手紙を書くようにと、優しく言い含めた。
ブールの近くにもモンタン公爵の領地はあり、馬車便で手紙のやり取りをすることが可能だった。
それに、緊急の場合にはフクロウ便もある。
「オウルの使い方はわかるわね?」
二人は頷く。
領地を国のあちこちに持つモンタン公爵家では、よくしつけたフクロウを使って書簡のやり取りをしていた。主に自分たちの仕事のための伝達手段だが、料金を取って客の手紙を届ける商売もしていた。
それぞれの中継地に専門の飼育員を置いているので、費用はそれなりに高い。それでも伝達の早さは群を抜くので、バカにできないくらいの需要があった。
アンジェリクたちが使うには父の許可が必要だ。
アンジェリクはそれを二人に確認したのだ。
「ふだんの手紙は、馬車便で出したらいいわ。時間はかかるけど、モンタン家の馬車便なら途中で届かなくなることはないから」
「お姉様も手紙を書いてね」
Angelique went to her sisters' room on the east side of the castle.
Angelique had two younger sisters, Marlene, 14, and Francine, 10.
Marlene had golden hair and blue eyes like their mother, and Francine had chestnut hair and hazel eyes like Angelique.
They are the sweet sisters Angelique has cared for since their mother died in an epidemic six years ago.
Since their mother was naturally frail, the maids had taken care of all her children. Therefore, their lives have remained relatively unchanged despite their mother's death.
However, they still feel sad and lonely.
They needed someone to talk to from time to time about their problems and worries.
Angelique remembered her mother and tried to be as relaxed and polite as possible when she talked to them. This is because Angelique's friends and ladies-in-waiting often complained to her that she was too quick and brash.
"Francine, Marlene. Calm down and listen."
It was just about three o'clock, so she had her tea ready and stood in front of them.
"Onee-sama, Charlotte just told me something funny."
"Charlotte said you were mean to everyone."
Charlotte is the second daughter of Viscount Barabou, her father's brother, and Angelique's cousin. She is the same age as Angelique, 18.
Like Angelique, she is graduating from high school this year, but she is not yet engaged. She is in the minority among the ladies of the school.
And in the central district there were many stores selling clothes and fans. Charlotte argued that it would be a waste of time to return to her family's castle every time she wanted to shop.
Angelique, on the other hand, was aware that she was passing the bill to the Dukes of Montana while she was at it.
She told her father once, but he just laughed and told her to think of her as a fourth daughter.
The Dukes of Montan clearly have a strong financial position, not only for their produce and dairy products, but also for teaching people how to sell their processed goods. It also doesn't hurt that they spend extra money on a dress or fans. But Angelique still thinks there's a difference between that and this.
Angelique and her sisters Marlene and Francine constantly make necessary visits to hospitals and nursing homes for the common people, while Charlotte does not.
It was not acceptable to use what was available but not do what was necessary for the people. Still, it's pointless to complain. She didn't want to blame anyone, so she just stated the facts and left the rest to her father.
"Charlotte told me that Onee-sama has broken off her engagement to Ernest-sama."
"That's not true. I know that Onee-sama will stay in the castle with Ernest-sama as her son-in-law from now on."
"That is what I want to tell you, Marlene and Francine."
"I'm going to see Count Voltaire in Bourg tomorrow."
"Tomorrow? When will you be back?"
"I won't be back for a while..."
Francine's face contorted with worry.
"Francine, you have to be strong without me."
"Onee-sama..."
"Marlene, take care of Francine too. You will make it together."
She gently reminded them that if they had any questions, they should contact her.
There was a part of the state of the Dukes of Montan that was also near Bourg, and letters could be sent and received by horse-drawn carriage.
There is also an owl service for emergencies.
"Don't you know how to use an owl?"
They both nodded.
The Dukes of Montan, whose lands were spread all over the country, exchanged letters with well-trained owls. They were primarily a means of communication for their own business, but for a fee they also delivered letters for their clients.
Since each intermediate station had its own specialized keeper, the cost of this service was high. Nevertheless, the speed of transmission was so high that the demand was absurdly high.
Angelique and the others had to get their father's permission before using it. In emergencies that can't wait for permission, they pay as customers.
Angelique confirmed to them.
"As often as possible, send only standard letters by horse-drawn carriage. It takes longer, but they won't get lost with the Montan family's horse-drawn mail service."
"Will Onee-sama write too?"
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