Using Blair’s independence to establish a new household could be an excellent option. It would prevent him from wasting his time under Hermann, and they’d have a stable environment—far better than struggling out in the world without any resources.
“But all of a sudden…” Blair hesitated.
“Think it over carefully. If you’re going to prepare, you should start now,” Odelliana urged. “Staying here… unpleasant things will keep happening, and we’ll both be miserable.”
Odelliana suppressed a bitter smile as she spoke, trying to soothe him like a child. It felt a bit like brainwashing, and she didn’t enjoy the idea of pushing him like this. Thankfully, that uncomfortable feeling didn’t last long.
The thought of guiding Blair to make better choices this time, unlike in their previous lives, brought her a sense of peace. Yes, she was offering him a future far more promising than before. That was the privilege of someone who knew the future, wasn’t it?
“You’re not someone who should rot away here,” she insisted.
In the end, it was a selfish act done for her own sake, but if he also gained something from it, wouldn’t that be mutually beneficial?
“Odelliana, are you unhappy?” Blair asked, his voice tinged with concern.
She remained silent, contemplating her response.
“Is the family you longed for so much making you unhappy?” he pressed.
Blair tensed up, and despite being the one asking the question, he appeared fearful of the answer. In response, Odelliana spoke calmly.
“Family… I don’t know. Am I really a family member here? All they do is provide a place to sleep and feed me when the time comes. What’s the difference between me and the livestock they raise? Even that care comes from the lower servants.”
As she held his hand, trying to persuade him, her mind, which she thought was not in a good place, surprisingly sharpened. She quickly recalled fragments of memories that flitted through her mind about what had happened around this time.
“Adolf Schaller,” she said suddenly.
“…Huh?” Blair replied, his brow furrowing in confusion.
“Your friend. What do you think about asking him for advice on independence?”
“…Adolf has been busy dealing with a recent scandal.”
Right, that makes sense. Around this time, a significant issue had arisen in the city of Eisenwald in the Duchy of Schaller.
“Then it’s a good time for the young duke to need your advice and comfort,” Odelliana said. “Talk to your friend and think it over carefully.”
“…I’ll consider it,” he finally replied, though the unexpected proposal for independence seemed to confuse him. However, he didn’t appear to view it entirely negatively.
“I’ll wait for a positive answer. By the way, how’s Matthias’s preparation for the knight exam?” Odelliana asked.
“I’ve taken care of everything,” Blair assured her.
“Thanks for looking after it.”
“But Odelliana, even if Matthias passes the knight exam, whether you can keep him by your side depends on our father’s wishes. Once he becomes a knight, he must belong to a knight order. And once he’s in a knight order, he won’t be your personal squire anymore. You know that, right?”
“I know,” she replied, a shadow passing over her face.
“Our parents… they won’t want to keep that boy by your side once he becomes a knight. He won’t even be able to join the knight order led by our family. If he chooses to serve another knight order, you won’t be able to come and go freely or spend all day together like you do now. Do you really want to make him a knight knowing this?”
“Yes,” she said firmly.
“Do you think Matthias will dedicate his knighthood to you?” Blair asked, a hint of skepticism in his voice.
At his question, Odelliana burst into laughter, as if she had heard something absurd. “There’s no way Matthias would do something so crazy!”
“If not, then why…?” Blair pressed, his brow furrowing in confusion.
“Exactly. That’s why I’m suggesting you consult with young Duke Adolf,” she replied, her tone serious.
As Blair slowly contemplated Odelliana’s words, his pupils dilated in surprise. “You don’t mean…?”
“He can provide a lot of help regarding independence. And the issue of Matthias’s affiliation can be easily resolved if you become independent and take me with you,” she explained.
He remained silent, considering her suggestion.
“Wouldn’t the young Duke Schaller, who is set to become the next head of the Duchy of Schaller, be able to take care of the needs of a mere knight?” Odelliana pressed.
Blair blinked rapidly, rubbing his forehead as a sigh escaped him, a mix of admiration and disbelief written across his face. He gazed at Odelliana, struggling to believe what he was hearing, and let out a chuckle. “…So that’s why you encouraged me to be independent and suggested meeting Adolf.”
“I don’t think it’s a bad proposal for you either,” she replied, her expression earnest.
Blair stared at her with a peculiar look, momentarily at a loss for words. His lovely little sister, who had always felt different from others, now seemed even more so. What on earth was she envisioning? Just a glimpse of the picture she was trying to draw sent a thrilling shiver through him.
“You feel so unfamiliar, Odelliana.”
“I told you, everyone changes,” she said, a hint of determination in her voice.
He smiled sadly at her strange answer, standing up in agreement. It wasn’t just Odelliana who had changed; even his unwavering sense of right and loyalty to family was beginning to shift.
“I’ll decide soon and let you know,” he promised.
