Dumped After My Engagement: Becoming a Military Noblewoman

Chapter 106

Walking through the familiar fortress, I ascend the stairs to the top floor where the guest rooms are located.

Even though it's inside the fortress, we're not heading to typical places like the training ground, drill ground, armory, archive room, or conference room. Instead, our destination is the residential area. There's nothing particularly new in the building, and the interior isn't much different from the military school, yet Sil and Severi are looking around with curiosity.

"It's just a staircase. What's so interesting about it? It's not much different from the academy or the dorms, right?"

"But this is Ransheen Fortress, you know? It's rare to get a chance to come inside, so I have to take a good look at every corner."

"It's not like you're using this as a reference for when you attack this fortress... oof!"

"Hey, Severi. Even as a joke, you shouldn't say things like that inside the fortress, okay?"

"Ugh... ngh..."

I wondered what they were doing, suddenly stopping on the stairs, only to see Sil covering Severi's mouth with both hands and scolding him. Indeed, if someone overheard and misinterpreted Severi's words, it could cause trouble, so I was impressed by Sil's quick response.

"Otherwise, you'll get an extra scolding from my brother."

"...Mmph... ugh, mmph..."

"He can't breathe, so at least free up his nose."

While I was exasperated at Sil for that being the reason for the reprimand, I urged the two playful boys forward. As we reached the hallway with the guest rooms on the top floor, I saw Uncle Ruget, an unfamiliar middle-aged man in a military uniform, and Finn.

Finn, who had said he gets nervous talking to people he's not close with due to his strong wariness, was laughing carefree while the middle-aged man patted his head.

"Huh...? Didn't Finn say he had something to do and went to the fortress ahead of us?"

Sil, who had switched gears as if playtime was over upon seeing Uncle Ruget and the others, muttered in confusion upon noticing Finn chatting amicably with the man at the end of the hallway.

"He should have left the military school with Snow and Hale, who went ahead to the fortress for preparations."

"Did you hear what business he had?"

"No."

"That person talking with Finn, no matter how you look at it, he's a soldier, right...?"

As I compared the middle-aged man in the military uniform with Finn, Uncle Ruget noticed Roberto and Renato. He took them to the end of the hallway and began discussing something in a low voice while flipping through documents.

Watching this from the corner of my eye, we decided to wait there for the time being, and our attention naturally turned to the middle-aged man and Finn.

"That person has a lot of badges on his shoulders and chest. Does that mean he has a high rank?"

"Judging by the uniform, I think he's a colonel."

"A colonel... Wait, but why is Finn so friendly with a colonel?"

"Don't ask me why..."

"Didn't Instructor Harrison mention that Finn's father is a soldier?"

"Ah...!"

"Ah...!"

Realizing this at Severi's words, I was startled and carefully observed the middle-aged man.

"Are they... father and son...?"

The middle-aged man, with a muscular, sturdy build evident even through his uniform, exuded the rigid air of a soldier. In contrast, Finn, who struggles to gain muscle or weight and has a gentle, reserved personality, looks nothing like him. No matter how much Finn grows in the future, I can't imagine him becoming like this man. In fact, I can confidently say he won't.

As Sil, Severi, and I exchanged glances and nodded, likely thinking the same thing, a voice called out "Celestia" from right beside me, making my shoulders jolt in surprise.

"...Ah, sorry, I didn't mean to startle you... What's wrong with you three? You're making some intense faces."

Next to Finn, who had a puzzled expression, stood the very person we were just talking about. I thought he was tall, but tall doesn't even begin to describe it. He's a head or two taller than Grandfather or Uncle Ruget, and his rolled-up sleeves revealed arms like tree trunks.

"Are these the friends you were talking about?"

"Yeah. They're my friends... right?"

For a moment, Finn seemed unsure and sought confirmation if we were friends. I gave a wry smile and nodded to affirm it, and Finn visibly relaxed, looking up at the man and repeating "friends."

"Nice to meet you. I'm Tzio, Finn's father. My usual post is at the eastern fortress, but I was called over here by old man Fielde."

Tzio grinned, extending his hand with a "nice to meet you." Stunned, I shook his hand, only to have it vigorously shaken up and down.

"So, you're Finn's father..."

"Father, huh? That's a bit ticklish to be called, but I don't mind it. You two over there, come on, shake hands. Take good care of my son."

"...Ah, yes."

"Father and son..."

I completely understand Sil and Severi's confusion as they repeatedly glanced between Finn and Tzio. But that wasn't the only thing that surprised me.

"Old man Fielde...?"

"Hm? You're old man Fielde's granddaughter, right? I could tell right away because you look just like him. To think that old geezer has such a cute granddaughter... and one with talent and grit, no less. For a military family, that's something to be proud of."

I thought I might have misheard, but the "old man Fielde" Tzio mentioned is undoubtedly Grandfather. Even among the soldiers in this fortress, or even family and relatives, no one calls Grandfather like Tzio does. Uncle Ruget got yelled at for treating him like an old man.

I was dumbfounded, thinking he probably calls him that even to his face, when Finn, seemingly flustered, started tapping Tzio's arm.

"D-Dad!"

"Huh? What's wrong?"

"Don't call him 'old man.' To Celestia, he's her grandfather, so find another way to say it."

"Another way? Old man is old man, isn't it?"

"That's rude, I'm telling you. Ugh, sorry, Celestia. My dad is a purebred soldier, so he's a bit rough—whoa!?"

"Who are you calling rough?"

Tzio ruffled Finn's hair with one hand as Finn hung his head, causing him to cry out. Perhaps because his voice was loud, Renato, who was at a distance, looked over with wide eyes, so I shook my head to signal that everything was fine.

"Did Grandfather call you here for the meeting, Tzio?"

"Ah, no. It's unrelated to that. I just came here for some military business. It wasn't a big deal, so there was no need for me to come personally, but old man Fielde probably pulled some strings to assign me. I had prepared myself to some extent when I enrolled my son in military school, but that doesn't mean I don't worry. To see him safe and sound... just that alone is hard in the military..."

"Dad..."

"I'm glad to see you safe. That old geezer isn't just strict; he has kindness too, so I can't compete with him... even though he's an old geezer."

"Dad!"

"I complimented him, and it's still wrong?"

"It's the way you say it!"

Noticing Tzio call him an old geezer in such a gentle tone, I felt happy realizing how much Grandfather is admired. Strict but kind, my Grandfather is someone I'm proud of.

"Will you become a soldier in the future, young lady?"

"Ah, no, I plan to return to my territory after graduating from military school."

"That's why, Dad. Celestia is a noble daughter, so..."

"Being a noble daughter doesn't mean you can't become a soldier, does it?"

"Is that... so?"

"Old man Fielde and Ruget are nobles too, aren't they? But being a soldier isn't such a great thing... even men cry and run away from this kind of job, so there's no need to choose it on purpose."

Indeed, I entered military school to avoid my stepsister's prophecy, not because I intended to become a soldier.

When I first came to the fortress, everything was new to me, and just getting used to life here took all my effort. My only goal was to enter military school, so I gritted my teeth and worked hard.

Thanks to the thorough training from the basics, I didn't struggle much after entering military school. That said, there's still a lot to learn, and every day is tough, but it's interesting in its own way.

Just as Uncle Ruget had said, it's dirty and you get injured, but I've never thought of it as unpleasant. Maybe I've just gotten used to it...

After graduating from military school, I plan to learn the duties of a lord from Father in my territory, and when the time is right, marry my fiancé, Floyd...

"Will I... really?"

In this ambiguous relationship? Even though I have no plans to make a move until he breaks off the engagement, will I really marry him?

"...les?"

"..."

"...les?"

"..."

"Celes!"

"Ah, Renato...?"

"I called you several times."

I must have been so caught up in my swirling thoughts and overthinking that I didn't notice Renato calling me repeatedly right in front of me. Having finished the discussion, Uncle Ruget beckoned with a "come here."

"Celes, is something wrong?"

"No..."

"Really?"

Smiling to reassure Renato, who was peering at my face with concern, I shook off the thoughts swirling in my head and headed toward Uncle Ruget.

"Let's confirm before entering the room."

Those entering the guest room where the envoy from Sleiran is are Uncle Ruget, Renato, myself, Finn, Sil, and Severi. Grandfather and Renato's aides, Snow and Hale, are already inside.

"Fielde and the Second Prince will handle the envoy. Celes and Finn, if the envoy speaks to you, choose your words carefully to avoid giving them any leverage. Even if you feel you've made a mistake, don't show it on your face. Signal to Fielde or me with a glance."

Placing his hand on the doorknob of the guest room, Uncle Ruget pressed, "Understood?" and I nodded.

"Sil and Severi, I know it's been a while since you've seen each other, but I'll make time for you later, so bear with it for now."

"We'll behave so as not to cause trouble for my brother or anyone here."

"Thank you for your consideration."

Uncle Ruget nodded at Sil and Severi's words and opened the door with a "let's go."

In the back of the guest room, furnished for His Majesty the King himself, on a sofa placed in the center of the spacious room, sat Grandfather and someone with their back turned to us.

"...!"

Noticing the door open, the person turned around, and without realizing it, I held my breath.