23 — Pressed for Answers

Time had frozen inside the living room of the ducal villa. As it happened, Mr. Fisalis had, in fact, been aware of how dreadful his past behavior really was. To think he’d acknowledge exactly what a fool he’d been— Ah, was I going overboard there?

It was definitely a yikes moment... or rather, it was a portent of a cataclysm to come! Well, maybe that was a bit much. You didn’t hit your head at some point, did you, Mr. Fisalis? Wait—maybe that actually did happen during today’s scuffle!

Ahem. I mean, looks like they’re not the only ones who are all shaken. Honestly, with the exception of the Captain and Stellaria, I’m the one who’s suffered the least from his indiscretions out of all of us, and yet I’m still this shocked. I can only imagine what a mind-blowing turn this is for all of the servants, who have had to deal with him for far longer! Ah, Mr. Fennel, sir, make sure your soul doesn’t escape through your mouth!! Maybe the shock was too much for an elderly man like him.

Mr. Fisalis was staring at the frozen specimens that used to be his servants. He coughed and cleared his throat, his expression turning serious. “In any case, discuss the matter of the community watch with your men at the guard post. I’m going to work out the details from my end as well, so let’s meet again at a later date. Today’s talk is over; you may leave,” he said, providing the Captain an escape from the off-putting mood hanging over the room. It had nothing to do with him, after all.

“Yes, sir, and thank you. I shall be going.”

Nice call, Mr. Fisalis. I mean, it wouldn’t do to give people outside the family any more information that they could use to figure out all our private affairs.

Upon seeing the Captain rise from the sofa, Rohtas wasted no time moving to open the door. He may have gotten the shock of his life nary a moment ago, but that’s Rohtas for you! With the Captain now safely ushered out, only the ducal family and its staff were left. A peculiar silence fell over the room—everybody was watching Mr. Fisalis closely, waiting to see what he’d do next. And it probably fell on either him or me to break that silence.

Welp, guess it’s time to be brave and cut straight to the heart of the matter! “Um, Mr. Fisalis? Do you really plan on implementing the community watch project?”

I was more than aware of all the “that’s what you’re bringing up!?” being silently directed at me by the shocked servants. But being overly straightforward is a dicey proposition. I’ll get to the crux of all this, I promise, but please let me chip in slowly from the periphery.

“Yep, I sure do. And later, I’d like to ask you more about it. On that thought, I ought to talk to your father about it, too. Might I be allowed to pay the count’s manor a visit after we return to Rozhe?” The project was beginning to take shape in his mind.

“I’m sure my father will be okay with that. And we can talk about anything you like, if you don’t mind that you’ll be talking to little old me about it.” Given that it seemed he truly intended to get the community watch up and running, I was quite willing to pitch in however I could. It was gratifying to see him concerned for the welfare of his territory! No more doubting him, definitely.

“Much obliged. Your idea is fantastic,” he said, his expression cheerful.

Okay, time to get to the real essence of all this. “...On a more important note, Mr. Fisalis, can you really afford to expend so much effort on the territory when you’re so busy with your knightly duties?”

...How’s that? Did I get closer to the crux? I glanced at Rohtas, and he nodded slightly. Good, looks like I’m on the right track.

So far, the reason he’d supposedly been neglecting the governance of the territory was because he was just too busy with his other work. At the very least, that was what the residents of the territory believed.

...That is what they think, right? Please let that be what they think!!

Ahem, sorry about screaming internally.

In reality, the only thing their lord had been busy with was gallivanting around with his mistress. If the people of this land came to know he’d abandoned his responsibilities towards them like that, it would throw a wrench in his efforts to govern going forward.

“I know that I can’t realistically go at it full force so suddenly, but I must at least go at it a little at a time. If I deferred my duties to Father indefinitely because ‘I’m busy with my work in Rozhe,’ I would never grow as a person.”

His facial features look so firm. This must be “work mode,” or, I guess, “serious mode.” It’s different from his usual sweet smile, but it’s just as wonderful.

...Wait, what did he just say!?

“Huh? HUH?”

Did I just, like, mishear him? But, but those dignified eyes! M-Mr. Fisalis! He’s being for real right now!!

“As I said before, I will be demonstrating how much I’ve changed through my actions, not my words. The timing is perfect, as governing the territory will serve as a starting point. I do have work to do in Rozhe, so I won’t be able to make it here too often, but that might work to my advantage. It will allow me to drop in unannounced to inspect goings-on.”

I know I’m not just hearing things now! From his lips to our ears, those words came in loud and clear! Like, whoa though. He really isn’t playing!!

“That... that sounds great!” I said.

“Young Master...!”

“Sir!”

The eyes of the servants, who had at first been struck dumb by Mr. Fisalis’ sudden earnestness about this whole territory business, were now all a-sparkle.

Has he found salvation through acceptance of his lot in life?

Fennel’s eyes were choked with emotion as he stared at Mr. Fisalis.

The whole villa was deeply moved, wrapped in a slightly odd but wonderful sense of catharsis.

Mr. Fisalis finally broke the silence, steering back to the topic of governing the territory. “It takes half a day’s travel to reach Le Pied from Rozhe. Please, Viola—accompany me, and lend me your wisdom.”

“Huh? My wisdom?”

“Precisely. When it comes to managing a territory, you seem far more well-informed than me.”

“Huh? But my wisdom is just the wisdom of the poor, nothing more.” Sure, I did have a little experience handling various things with my parents back home, but it was all in service to my grand plan to escape from the pit of poverty. I didn’t know whether my experience administering a destitute countdom would prove all that useful.

Mr. Fisalis saw the dubious look on my face and chuckled. “It’s not as though throwing money at every problem is necessarily good governance. Am I wrong?”

Is he pressing me for answers!? I cannot believe the words coming out of his mouth right now! I mean, didn’t he used to think that money could make anybody happy!? I could feel my eyes shoot open as wide as they could possibly go in my surprise, and I stared at him, but his face was extremely no-nonsense. Wait, hold up a minute. This is too much for me to keep up with. I’m getting battered by wave after shocking wave. I need to calm down. Oh yeah, Rohtas! Rohtas, save me!!

I snuck a glance at Rohtas, eyes pleading, but even the typically calm and collected Rohtas’ eyes were just as wide as mine. I was glad Rohtas was standing behind Mr. Fisalis. If Mr. Fisalis had been able to see him, he would for sure say something like, “What’s with that reaction?” and get all sulky.

The maids were teary-eyed. The most senior among them was actually weeping, and Stellaria (the most calm and collected among them) was consoling her. The servants were usually so perfect and professional, but what had happened today had broken their composure.

And who could blame them? Ever since he had inherited the title of duke—or maybe even since before then—he’d been wrapped around his lover’s little finger, and he’d dispensed with everything apart from the barest trappings of his public office. Moreover, he’d always been a spoiled silver spoon type who believed he could resolve any issue by tossing some coins from his eye-wateringly massive coffers at it! One could only wonder how much anxiety had dwelt in the hearts of all the servants... Anybody in their position would start crying if that kind of man suddenly started saying things like, “From now on, I’ll do my best to govern the territory, too” and “Throwing money at everything isn’t the way to go.” It was like he’d had a complete change of heart.

“That’s how it’s going to be now, Viola, so let me thank you in advance.”

Mr. Fisalis actually bowed his head slightly! What the heck was going on here? Once again I looked at Rohtas, as though pleading with him to save me, but he simply nodded up and down, as though he agreed with Mr. Fisalis’ statement.

Augh! Are you telling me to accompany him on his territory inspections?

...Rohtas must really be a Mr. Fisalis fan today.

The other servants were looking at me, their hands balled into fists. The looks in their eyes were intense, to say the least. I guess you could say I couldn’t resist the pressure.

“If you’re okay having the likes of me around... I’ll join you.” Everybody’s expectations were starting to pile up on my shoulders, so I had no choice but to say yes. But I really wasn’t super confident I’d be of any use.

At my affirmative response, Mr. Fisalis smiled in visible relief. “Excellent! As of now, I’d be inadequate in numerous ways if I tried going it alone, so having you by my side is quite reassuring. Eventually, I hope you and I can take on all the things Rohtas used to do for me, but I’m sure that I lack all of the necessary skills for that as of yet. I’ve truly given Rohtas so much trouble, and for that I apologize,” he told him, staring at him with a slightly raised eyebrow.

M-Mr. Fisalis!? ...That’s the second “M-Mr. Fisalis” today! But he totally just apologized! To Rohtas!! The poor man had only just reverted to business-as-usual mode, only to find himself staring open-mouthed at Mr. Fisalis once again.

So is today, like, Repentance Day for Mr. Fisalis or what!? And is he using this as a chance to air his true feelings while he’s at it!?

That was more or less what we were all thinking as we stared, gobsmacked, at him.

“Of course, it’s not just Rohtas who’s had to suffer so much worry over the years because of me. I must apologize to Mother and Father, and to the other servants as well.” He cast down his eyes, and even started to tear up.

Self-reflection, repentance, whatever you called it... we were receiving it. Wow, he’s not just saying that, is he?

The villa living room was absurdly quiet now. Nobody uttered a peep, let alone stirred from their spots.

“From now on, I will get my act together as a proper lord— No, a proper head of the ducal house... Excuse me, have I said something peculiar?” he huffed, having picked up on the silence. But he was just getting indignant to distract from his embarrassment.

None of the servants spoke up, so I chose to speak for them. “You didn’t say anything peculiar at all. It’s just that suddenly you’re confessing your innermost feelings like this. Everyone’s just surprised. If you showed your change of heart through your actions, then those feelings would be obvious, right? Ah, but I do think if you use your words in addition to your actions, it’ll be easier for everyone to understand where you’re coming from.”

“You’re right.”

“Yes, I am. Words plus actions. Then your feelings can’t possibly fail to come through!”

“Thank you,” said Mr. Fisalis, smiling. “Argh, can you believe this? I feel as though I’ve been talking too much. I’m going to get some fresh air.” Mr. Fisalis got to his feet—he must have been feeling quite embarrassed. He put his hand on the door and looked my way. “I’ll be back by supper time...”

Okay. Everyone’s sneaking glances at me. Why’s everyone doing that, Mr. Fisalis? Of course, the sun’s about to go down, so I mean sure, there’s some time before supper. It ought to be enough time for the servants to pull themselves together again.

Rohtas covertly glanced my way, and mouthed, “Why don’t you go too?”

No, I couldn’t possibly. He wants to be alone right now, doesn’t he? You’re just misreading the situation, Rohtas. But then I looked at Stellaria, who mouthed, “Please go after him.”

You too, Stellaria? All right then. Guess he must want me to go follow him, after all.

...Though honestly, if that’s the case, he should have just told me that.

“May I go with you?” I asked.

“Yes! Yes, of course!”

And they were right. Mr. Fisalis smiled enthusiastically, cheerfully doubling back to escort me.

...You seriously should have just told me, though.