Didn't Plan to Become a Companion (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 67

“Are you saying you intend to elevate Fennel’s daughter to the rank of Saintess?”

“Undoubtedly, yes. Count Sparrow.”

A sharp intake of breath swept through the crowd.

“Has Duke Rochester also permitted this?”

The Duke, who had remained silent until now, rose to his feet, lifting the goblet before him. He smiled with an air of perfect composure—the very image of Ricardo.

“A man who ignores his wife’s words does not live long.”

With those light words, the Duke gently clinked his goblet against the Duchess’s. The clear, ringing chime of glass echoed crisply through the open forest.

“Now then, since the matter of the Saintess of Rochester shall be handled by Rochester itself, you may all attend to your own affairs.”

The Duke raised his goblet toward the Emperor and drained it in one swift motion. Holding the empty goblet aloft, he laughed brilliantly.

“Is it not true that the beasts of the forest grow fiercer once the sun sets?”

At this dismissal, the Duke’s retainers moved first. Though they might grumble endlessly within the household walls, outside they obeyed their lord without question.

True to their status as heads of the Rochester vassal houses, they stepped forward as the vanguard of the hunt.

“Let’s go too.”

Ricardo, who had been holding my gaze until now, slowly closed his eyes and reopened them. Like a frog released from a spell, I instinctively bounced slightly in my saddle.

“Yes….”

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