Hard Work Will Never Betray Me

After a very tasty lunch and a cup of tea,  father  opened his mouth.

"Eberhard."

"What is it?"

　Even though he didn't seem to be angry, I felt a little nervous when he called out to me in such a formal manner.

"There's someone I want you to meet."

"Someone you want me to meet?"

"Yeah. I want you to meet ......, or rather, I want you to be her friend.

"Her friend, ......?"

　In my previous life, I didn't have anyone that close to me, so the word "friend" has a certain amount of longing in it. It's not that I don't want to have friends. It's not that , it's just that I didn't have the time to make them in my previous life.

"As you know, the Farenheit Frontier Count family is a prestigious noble family that is responsible for the protection of the northern part of the empire."

"Yes,  i know it.""

　In addition to the five usual titles of baron, viscount, count, marquis, and duke, there is another a  title frontier count in the empire (strictly speaking, there are two more titles, knight and quarter-baron, but these have a slightly different character from the usual nobility, so I will skip them for now). The Count of the Frontier is treated as the same rank as the Marquis, but as the name suggests,  our role is somewhat different from other nobles.

　The territory of the frontier count family is literally on the frontier of the empire. we are  prestigious military noble family that is trusted by the emperor, who has entrusted us  with the defense of the empire on the front lines against threats from all directions, east, west, north, south, and south. That is the origin of the title of Count of the Frontier.

　The Farrenheide Frontier Counts are responsible for the defense of the northern part of the country, and we  hold the position of "Northern General," the strongest of the four Frontier Counts. From the northwest to the north, there is a large mountain range, from the foot of the northern mountain range to the northeast, there is a dangerous area called the Demon Forest, and to the east, there is the border line with the Principality Federation.

　As such, our frontier count family is in the upper echelon of the imperial aristocracy. So we have many relationships and business dealings with them. In addition to being a military officer, we also have to act as a civil servant. In that sense, the nobility is also quite a challenge.

"You seem to have some idea of what I'm talking about, but let me tell you something. The person you're going to meet this time is the person who may become your future wife ."

"My future wife?

　I hadn't expected that. I had thought that it would be a hostage situation like the relationship between Nobunaga and Ieyasu, but it seems that this is not the case. In fact, if you think about it calmly, the political situation in the Imperial Kingdom is quite stable, so there is no reason for hostage negotiations to occur frequently. The situation is completely different from that of Japan during the Warring States Period.

"The other party was a duke. Although they don't have the right to inherit the throne, they are part of the royal family. The eldest daughter of the family is the same age as you. I'm happy to announce that we are negotiating for your marriage."

　The scale is huge. In Japan, it's like being told that you will become a relative of the royal family.

"Well, don't worry. His Excellency the Duke is a mild-mannered man. I heard that the girl you are going to marry is a good girl and pretty, though she is a bit of a tomboy. I'm sure you'll like her."

"Ha, ha."

What, are you nervous?"

　I am!　After all, I've never had a girlfriend in my life, including my previous life. I'. The fact that I have memories of my previous life makes me feel sad and painful. You can't expect a virgin to have communication skills, can you?

"Even if i am rude to a girl and she doesn't like me , please don't disown me."

"That's unusual. I'm surprised you're so reticent."

Hal, you'll be fine. you are very handsome, just like  your father."

"Mom: ......"

　This lovey-dovey couple doesn't care if they're in front of the kids or not, they just want to make out with each other. It's not good for their emotional education!　It's not that there are not aspects of ...... that can help build a rich personality by maintaining good marital relations and showing an example of honest expression of love and affection,......, but it's not something that can be denied in general. . It's just that it's a little too sweet for my mentally young sisters and brothers and sisters, but for me, who is almost an adult, it gives me heartburn. It's not bad. But in moderation!

"When is the girl coming?`"

"Tomorrow."

"That's too sudden. ......"

No, the schedule itself was decided a long time ago, but it's not finalized yet, so it's not clear when it will happen. I can't let you get your hopes up in such a situation.

　I" appreciate your concern, but I needed a little more time to prepare my mind."

I've prepared a dress that will suit you, master  Hal- so we can try it on afterwards.

　Just in time, Alisa, who was standing behind me, intervened. I'm not going to let you get away with it, no matter what.

""Mm, come to the salon when you're dressed. Show them off to your sisters and brothers."

"I'm looking forward to it too!"

　As usual, my mother was very caring about her children, and I was taken to the salon by Alisa to change my clothes.

　By the way, the clothes that Alisa and  other servants had bought were in excellent taste, and I liked them very much. This is certainly a handsome boy. It was inevitable that he would be popular. It was very well received by my sisters and brothers.

　　　　　✳︎

　The next day. After eating breakfast and getting ready with Alisa's help, I was waiting at the front door. It was about 10 a.m. If I had left the neighboring inn town early in the morning, I should have arrived at the castle town by now.

"Well, it looks like they here.

　Father standing next to   me muttered. I could see an elegant carriage pulled by a fine horse slowly approaching from the gate in front of the vast garden.

"It was a duke, albeit a friendly one. Be sure not to be rude to him. I'm sure you'll be fine, though.'

"I'll be careful.

　I've already mastered detailed etiquette as part of my education in the noble family, and my mental age is mature enough to handle attentiveness without any problems. It's difficult for  ME to handle the divine like a professional customer service person, but I can handle the ritualistic interpersonal skills.

　The carriage came to a stop in front of us.  THEY got off first and opened the carriage door. First, a gentleman in his late thirties got out of the carriage, and then a girl about my age (actually, she seemed to be the same age as me) got out.

　I was shocked. What can I say, I get shocked often, but I don't think I've had this many shocks in my life. 

　An elegantly designed dress with white ruffles. Light brown leather shoes. Her skin was white and porcelain like a bisque doll. Her blonde hair was gently curved and shone golden in the sunlight. Eyes like glass beads, clear and blue.

　I stood there like an idiot, vaguely thinking that this was probably what a fateful encounter would be like, but the greeting I had prepared had completely blown my mind.

"Hello. Good day to you.'

　You're  like a  real princess, ....... I was thinking about that in my foggy head.