Only one day remained until the Selection Ceremony that would determine the successor to the throne.
Despite the monumental importance of the coming day, morning in the Razgrim domain began as it always did.
The gates opened at dawn, and carts destined for the new domain lined up in the courtyard. Soldiers double-checked their shift rotations, craftsmen grumbled about the thickness of the delivered timber, and servants discussed their upcoming tasks while clearing away the remnants of breakfast.
Lydia stood against the wall of the office, watching Vain as he worked at his desk.
The documents he was currently poring over were not letters from the royal capital. Instead, he was reviewing the count of iron nails being sent to the new domain and the repair estimates for a barracks that had leaked during last night's rain.
"We’re two crates short on iron nails. They were supposed to be ready yesterday."
"I heard one of the furnaces at the forge broke down, which delayed the finishing process," the man delivering the report replied. "They said the rest would arrive by noon today."
Vain jotted a note in the margin of his ledger.
"Then send the timber out first. Don't let the carts sit idle waiting for nails. Just have them loaded onto the return trip."
As the man left, a soldier entered to report that the roof of the western barracks was leaking. Vain immediately ordered the roofing boards replaced and the wet straw bedding discarded.
The soldier suggested the straw could be dried and reused, but Vain dismissed the idea, stating that it was cheaper to replace straw than to treat a sick soldier.
Throughout the entire morning, the topic of the royal selection didn't come up once.
Unable to contain herself any longer, Lydia spoke up as soon as the soldier left the room.
"The Selection Ceremony is tomorrow. The Second Princess’s entire future is about to be decided, so why are you so preoccupied with barracks roofs?"
Vain didn't even lift his head.
"If the leak isn't fixed today, the soldiers get wet again tonight. The Selection Ceremony is tomorrow. I’m just taking things in order."
"Shouldn't you be back in the royal capital, seeing if there are any noble houses left to sway? There might still be a chance to do something."
"I’ve already moved the houses that could be moved. I set the terms for those who would return to our side based on contract, and I left the houses I couldn't influence to Alecia. I even met with your Stubborn Old Man, just to be sure. If I go to the capital now just to pace around the palace hallways, do you think our support will magically increase?"
"Stop calling my father a 'Stubborn Old Man'!"
"Don't get distracted by the details. I’m telling you, I’ve done everything I can."
Vain finally looked up and tapped the stack of reports on his desk.
"The rest is down to the passage of time, luck, and Alecia herself. If she can't move people with her own words, it won't matter what I whisper from the sidelines."
"Even so, isn't it irresponsible to return to your domain and just carry on with business as usual? The future of the entire country is at stake."
"To me, the most important thing is this domain."
His answer was immediate and devoid of hesitation.
"I think it would be better for everyone if Alecia becomes Queen, and I believe she’s worth more than Regnard. But I have no intention of halting work here or abandoning the people of this domain to go loiter in the capital. Is it truly 'noble' to make your own people suffer just so you can say you're acting for the sake of the country?"
"That’s not what I meant..."
"The nobles at the selection will decide tomorrow’s King. But I’m the one who decides whether today’s carts go out, and whether my men sleep in a wet barracks. I have to focus on the things only I can do."
He hadn't left things to chance out of apathy.
He had played every card in his hand and then returned to the domain that was currently relying on his judgment. It would have been easy to call him cold-hearted, but as a lord, his logic was hard to fault.
Vain stood up, announcing that he was going to inspect the road leading to the new domain.
"I’ll be back by noon. If any more reports come in, leave them on the desk."
"...I am not your secretary."
"I know that. You're an observer, right? Then consider this 'observing' the proof that I'm actually doing my job."
With that parting shot, Vain grabbed his coat and stepped out into the muddy courtyard.
He was an infuriating man to the very end.
◇
Once Vain had left the manor, Lydia sought out Mylene.
The white-haired head maid paused in her duties and gave a polite, practiced bow.
"Lady Lydia. Is there something you require?"
In this house, Vain was the only one who failed to show proper respect to a duke’s daughter. Everyone else was impeccable in their speech and manner, which only served to make the lord’s own rudeness more glaring.
"I have a few questions. Is there somewhere we can speak privately?"
"Of course. This way, please."
Mylene led her to a small guest room. Lydia watched her closely; the maid didn't seem intimidated, nor did she look like she was forcing a smile to cover for her master.
"Tell me... has Count Razgrim ever demanded anything of you that wasn't in your contract?"
"Something not in your contract?" Mylene echoed.
"Being summoned to his room at night. Being touched. Being given orders that would cost you your job or your home if you refused... that sort of thing."
Mylene blinked, her expression neutral.
"No, never. I have never received such a request from the Master, nor have I heard of anything of the sort from the other staff."
"But I’ve heard the Count wishes to live a life of decadence, surrounded by wine and women. He didn't even deny it when I asked him..."
"He mentions that quite often himself, so I believe it is indeed his dream."
"So it is true..."
Lydia felt like rubbing her temples. That was the one part no one seemed to deny.
"However, his dreams and his conduct within this manor are entirely separate matters," Mylene continued. "The Master hired us as professionals. He provided written promises regarding our medical care, meals, and wages. He has never once gone back on those promises."
"Is it possible you simply feel too indebted to him to speak the truth?"
"I do feel indebted to him. But that is no reason to twist the facts."
The maid’s voice was quiet, yet firm.
"So, you have no complaints at all?"
Mylene’s eyes widened slightly, and she tucked a stray lock of white hair behind her ear.
"Well... there are times when I wish the Master would be a bit more observant of the feelings of those around him."
"You mean professional oversights?"
"...No. Please, forget I said anything, Lady Lydia."
She gave a polite bow, and Lydia realized she wouldn't get anything more out of her.
◇
The next person Lydia questioned was Clarice.
The blonde aide was going over a ledger in the office, but she stood up and offered Lydia a chair with a proper greeting.
"It’s rare for you to seek me out, Lady Lydia. Did Vain do something offensive again?"
"He’s offensive every time he opens his mouth. But aside from that, I wanted to ask about the women working here."
"...I see. You’ve heard the rumors about his 'life of decadence'."
Given how quickly she guessed the topic, it was clearly common knowledge.
"I can't deny his personal ambitions. I’ve heard him say countless times that he wants to be rich, never work another day in his life, and be surrounded by fine wine and beautiful women."
"He really says it that openly?"
"Yes. Without a shred of shame. He actually looks quite happy when he talks about it."
Lydia couldn't begin to understand his mindset.
However, Clarice also confirmed that Vain had never forced himself on her or any of the other staff.
"The fact that he only hires young women is technically the result of hiring based on ability. Though... if you're asking if ability was the only factor, I suppose that isn't entirely true."
"So he does choose based on looks?"
"Vain makes no secret of it. He says that if two people are equally capable, he’d much rather have a beautiful face around the manor. He won't hire someone who can't do the job, but being attractive is definitely part of his criteria."
"...Isn't that despicable?"
"I won't defend it. However... it’s actually more annoying that he hires based on looks and then does absolutely nothing afterward."
"Why is that annoying?"
"...Never mind. It’s a personal grievance. Please don't worry about it."
Clarice turned back to her ledger, but Lydia noticed the tips of her ears were slightly red.
Just then, there were two sharp knocks on the door.
"Excuse me."
A maid with short blue hair entered the room.
She moved with a silent, feline grace, handing a report to Clarice before bowing deeply to Lydia.
"Lady Lydia. My apologies for the late introduction. I am Serena."
"Are you also one of the Count's hires?"
"Yes. The Master took me in."
The phrase 'took me in' struck a chord with Lydia.
The girl’s posture was that of a maid, but the way she positioned her feet and her constant awareness of the door and windows were far from ordinary. Even without a weapon, it was obvious she could react instantly to any threat.
"Has the Count ever made any inappropriate demands of you?"
"Never. The Master knows everything about my past and my true identity. Despite that, he didn't discard me. He gave me a contract and a place to belong."
"Is that enough to make you this loyal?"
"To me, it isn't 'just' that."
Serena’s voice was calm, but it held an unshakable weight.
"As long as the Master has need of me, I will be here. If he ordered me to give my life, I would not hesitate."
"Has he ever given you such an order?"
"No... quite the opposite. He scolded me for being willing to throw my life away."
Clarice let out an exasperated sigh.
"Serena... saying it like that is only going to make Lady Lydia more suspicious."
"I am only stating the facts."
This wasn't the face of someone serving out of fear.
Her loyalty to Vain was a choice, born of a gratitude so deep that 'indebtedness' seemed too small a word for it.
"...He’s very different from the man in the rumors, isn't he?"
"The Master is not a man who can be accurately measured by rumors alone."
There was no malice in Serena's tone, but she clearly wouldn't tolerate anyone disparaging Vain. That much was perfectly clear.
◇
At sunset, Vain returned with mud caking the hem of his coat and his boots.
Apparently, a section of the road to the new domain had turned into a quagmire, making it difficult for carts to pass. He was barking orders at a soldier to start laying stones at first light when he passed by Lydia.
"Wait... I have one more thing I need to confirm."
"What now? I’ve had enough lectures for one day."
"You... you truly do desire a life of decadence, don't you?"
Vain stopped.
"Where is this coming from?...Well, I won't deny it. It’s my dream."
He was brazenly honest about it.
"And you gathered all these young, beautiful women here for the sake of that dream, didn't you?"
"I hired people who could do the work. And if two people can do the same job, obviously I'm going to pick the one with the better face."
"So you are hiring based on appearance!"
"What's wrong with having a preference? I didn't hire them only for their looks, and I've never laid a finger on any of them."
"That is hardly something to be proud of."
"I'll be damned if I'm not allowed to appreciate a face I like!"
He was completely unrepentant.
"Then why... why don't you make a move on them? You have a title and a domain. If you wanted to, you could easily pressure those who can't refuse."
"That's exactly why I don't."
Vain looked at her as if she were asking why the sky was blue.
"If I press an employee, they might not feel like they can say no, even if they want to. What's the point of surrounding myself with women like that? I’d never know if they were smiling because they were afraid of losing their jobs or if they actually liked me."
"...Then what exactly is your ideal 'life of decadence'?"
"A life of decadence where women who actually like me choose to stay of their own accord! If I have to keep women around who are there against their will, I'd rather just drink my wine alone."
Lydia was stunned into silence. The dream itself was still impossible to praise, and his hiring criteria were hardly noble.
Yet, despite knowing he had the power to coerce them, he refused to use it.
"...You have more principles than I gave you credit for."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It’s a compliment... albeit a small one."
"Your compliments are just as annoying as that Stubborn Old Man’s."
"For the last time, stop calling my father that!"
As Lydia’s voice echoed through the manor, Mylene paused in the hallway. Clarice peeked out from the office, and Serena stood by the wall to see what the commotion was.
But once they realized it was just the two of them bickering again, all three quietly returned to their work. Apparently, this was already becoming a routine occurrence in the Razgrim household.
◇
That night, Lydia sat down to write a letter to her father.
Despite it being the eve of the royal selection, Vain Razgrim hadn't stopped working for a single moment. He had done everything he could and left the rest to Alecia and fate.
There was no evidence of him making improper demands of his female staff, and he pointedly avoided using his position to pressure them. Mylene trusted in his word, Clarice respected his competence, and Serena was loyal enough to die for him.
However, it is a fact that he desires a life of decadence and that he takes physical appearance into account during the hiring process...
She wrote that part in slightly larger script to ensure it wouldn't be missed.
—Tomorrow, the King will be decided...
And yet, Vain Razgrim was more concerned with the soldiers sleeping tonight and the carts departing tomorrow morning than he was with tomorrow’s King.
Lydia paused, her quill hovering over the parchment. Should she call him irresponsible? Or should she say he was exactly the kind of lord a domain needed? Unable to decide, she left that final sentence blank and sealed the letter.