In Between Chapters M – Jealosy and Hatred are Close Neighbors
章の間M・嫉妬と憎しみは隣人
A short story just before the wolf attack incident in Amarante. The town Elder conspire the downfall of the Romaria couple.
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Amarante is situated not in the farthest but also not in the middle of dukedom of Fritz a mid-sized town that did not have any redeeming quality. Albeit an impoverished town, live three Noble families: House Rothall, House Mesner and House Amarante.
It was then that a devastating famine wiped most of its citizens. During this trying times, house Rothall fled for another town. Both Mesner and Amarante houses stayed and tried to save the remaining citizens. After a few years, both also renounced their statuses as nobles and continued to lived with the citizens they had failed to protect.
More years later, House Amarante naturally died out, living the Mesners. Left without a noble, the town urged its masses to elect an Elder who would take charge of its governmental functions. As a noble house who had stayed in the most trying times of Amarante, the Mesners was then elected for the function.
The Mesners was always elected for 50 years that became our birthright.
10 years ago, Monbius Mesner, my grandfather had converted the desolated town into an entertainment town where not just nobles but also commoners can enjoy. This should have been the saving grace for the town, and yet we were replaced by an upstart who had married in with a small-time merchant.
They were just an upstart, but in just 5 years as Elder, this small-time merchant received the grace from the king and ascended into peerage. What was rightfully mine was taken off by an unknown merchant.
But no matter… the house Savil, a viscount house in the rise has appointed the Mesner house Eldership. Giving us a seemingly hereditary position in Amarante…. And now, the same small-time merchant’s granddaughter and her husband is trying to threaten my authority.
The Romaria’s diner was getting more and more popularity from the people. I was in constant stress on how to ensure that the Eldership will remain in my grasps.
“Molba Mesner, are you listening!” while thinking up ways to proceed with my own plans a voice instantly put me back to my senses.
As the Town Elder of Amarante, I should be the one with the most authority here, and yet I am cowering in fear before this measly messenger.
Well, the pale akin to a corpse in front of me is no ordinary messenger, after all he is sent by none other Viscount Glimour Savil. He is a huge Anti-Arthuria Faction member known for his inhumane iron claw rule. The one who had given the title of Eldership to the Mesner House.
“You mustn’t forget that it was Viscount Savil who had granted you Eldership of Amarante through his power and influence after the Seviles went to the capital.”
“Yes, everything is as you say.” of course I remember, how could I forget when you basically remind me every time you come here. “All I have to do is get rid of the Romarias, right?”
Easier said than done, why are they so adamant in getting rid of an ex-noble who has no more power? I mean, the guy is just back water noble and the girl is nothing but a conferred noble. I must agree she is a beauty though. If I would have all the power, I would definitely make her my mistress. hehehe
“Why do you think The Viscount is so fixated with the Romarias?” my query seemed to have slipped through my mouth, damn I am gonna be killed…
“Hmm, of course you are curious.” The messenger sips strongly on his wine. “Well, you are aware of the rumors of King Arc Argus’s friendship with Heid von Alyster Romaria, correct?”
“Yes, that rumor was talk of the town after all.” How can I forget about the rumor which caused a capital punishment of death or at the least exile to be lowered taking away only the guy’s peerage. “Everyone laughed at that joke.”
“Unfortunately, it is the truth.”
What? The king and a small-time baron became friends.
“And a friendship that transcended to brotherhood, it is said that Heid once offered an advice and the king, prince then, followed it.”
To think that something like that has happened, that must be the reason why the Anti-Arthuria wants to get rid of the Romarias. They feel that if Heid talks and somehow changes the King back to his former self, the Anti-Arthuria Faction will lose its standing.
“Let’s get back on the topic. Are you going to let the Seviles reclaim this town from you?”
“There’s no way…!” there is no way I would let them get what I have now. The reason for my absentmindedness earlier was due to this.
The Mesner family should have been the Elder of Amarante. However, the Seviles who were greatly favored by people back then received the Eldership and was even honored by the King.
The Mesner family lost its standing, but we never lost faith that one day we would reclaim the power that was once ours.
“What do you want me to do!?” now that it is back in my hands, I will never give it to the Seviles. “The men you lent me to rob and kill them on their way here was easily wiped, though.”
“That was a little short sight on our end.” the messenger then sneers and flicks his fingers. “This time around we will loan you a capable tool.”
*Grrrrr
As soon as his fingers were flicked, a cage was brought in. Inside the cage, almost 5-meter monster growled.
“This place is farther area. Anything could come out in the forest and attack the town, right? Here this whistle will let you control the beast.”
My hands were shaking as it reached for the whistle… with this I can become the true ruler of this town…