Common Sense of a Duke’s Daughter

A nobleman

(Letty talking with Bern…)

Suddenly, I feel strange about his attitude and words from a while ago.

“… Wait … your words so far are a joke not?”

To my question, he doesn’t show any discomfort at all.

“What are you talking about? you asked my opinion about my sister’s engagement, I just replied.”

He just calmly answered.

Such a reaction is funny and makes me want to laugh.

…… He has really changed from before.

I still remember how he looked in the past when he was following Yuri everywhere…

“I am sad, Bern, have not we talked over this before, do you still not recognize me as you future wife? my most important confidant’s subordinate?”

Bern and me stare at each other.

Like to read the true intent behind that sentence.

… Soon, the one who broke the staring contest was Bern.

“This is my personal opinion. But please listen to my this one wish. I wish for my sister to be happy.”

I nodded at his words.

After seeing my reaction, Bern opened his mouth again.

“Your Highness Leticia, I told you earlier, -I’ve seen the hell-“

“Oh, was that so?”

“It was a noble who created that scene. Your Highness, the nobility of the past instead of collecting and protecting the people and fulfilling their duties, they took advantage of their position to oppress the ones they should have protected. That’s the result of their duties and meaning of existence being forgotten with lapse of time. They ended up becoming an arrogant weight to oppresses the people.”

“I know that, so why did you decide to punish those aristocrats so hard. So that no similar aristocrat will appear in a future?”

To that question, Bern smiled weakly.

“… I said earlier that the meaning of aristocracy was forgotten with the lapse of time, is not this case the same?”

“…… That’s right, that’s why it is urgent to set up a new regime. Without forgetting this injury, further reform so it doesn’t happen again.”

“It is a half-right …… but your Highness Leticia, I think, If people’s thoughts doesn’t change, nothing will change after all.”

“……What does it mean?”

“Before answering, your Highness Leticia, would you please answer me one question?”

“What?”

“What is the difference between nobles and commoners?”

“It is a quite ambiguous question … originally, both are people. But their financial power is different, and that’s a superficial value. The difference lays in the foundation of their meaning and the difference in values?”

“I also agree…. And I think like this too, if this gets thorough their minds, maybe something will start to change.”

“……What does it mean?”

“It is a difference that only depends on the place where one is born, the environment, and our duties. Currently, it has nothing to do with the person’s temperament and talent. But.. in my opinion, it should depend on talent and temperament and it also should be the same for men and women. Because gender is not related to our abilities. “

Bern embarrassed uttered those words.

It’s as if he’s facing himself and putting his thoughts together.

“The nobles were decided by birth and due to the difference in their identity and gender … At first glance this is efficient, because everything is predefined so there’s no doubts. Nevertheless, being the son of a lord is not necessarily a qualification that you’ll be a good lord. The son of a merchant is not necessarily a business man. Even so, for a good lord to be born, it should be only necessary to select the one with the talent and by the power of effort… How many people will need to suffer before the promised future? Of course, I want this as soon as possible so no more people has to suffer…. That’s why I started this change with me. “

At Bern’s words, I open my eyes.

I understand the real intention of his words.

It was a terrible debate.

However, it can not be ignored.

“When the future is set from the beginning, I think that there is little room for growth, I think that currently, we are unaware of the talented people, who is more fit for the position. Whatever political system is built, in a closed and limited environment will eventually rot away someday. “

“…In other words, do you mean that you are doubtful about the status system … especially you being a nobleman?”

“It was an aristocrat who built that hell, I think that it happened, because there were a lot of those rotten people who had a chance because of this system.”

Those were his words to deny the existing status system.

It seems like reversing the country from the roots.

“But Bern, if you say to the people, -you decide the future on your own from now on. Work hard and your temperament and talent will be rewarded-. In short, if you change this society… new people as the rotten ones that caused this mess will arise. A new system implicates new risks and disadvantages. “

“Yes, as I said… I do not deny all of the aristocracy system. All systems have good and bad side respectively. When successors to a position are predetermined, it is useless to give your best to obtain it. It is true that there is a good aspect that there is no dispute and smooth inheritance. But the risk of bad people sitting in that position is too high.”

“… Then, what system would you like to build?”

“If the values of a person don’t change, nothing will change after all. Your highness, what I told you beforehand is crazy… even I can’t argue about that. But that’s… the only solution… “

“What does it mean?”

“Even the possibility of this system is not thought in the current population, sticking to the idea of -if he’s a noble’s son, the position should be for him- There is no choice for the common people, which can’t engage in national affairs at all, to select who should rule them. Why women shouldn’t work in society? The situation of my sister is the same, if she were a man, this country would never let go of her … But as a woman …. It is already known her talent. If you look at the Duke of Almeria, her talent as ruler is indisputable. Although the profit from the marriage with a country across the sea is immeasurable … I personally think that the loss of my sister, is a bigger problem than the benefit of the alliance. The common sense for marriage doesn’t allow women to continue with their usual lives. The woman must protect the house. The woman must nurture the child. Because there is such an idea as a premise, nobody opposes it. Caught in the shackles of common sense, we have decided to accept a great loss to the country. “

“…Oh!, my head hurts… So… I am caught in the shackles of common sense….”

“Although the talk has diverted, Letizia, the answer to the question of whether my words were true or not is the same, even the feeling of disappointment to this country’s system. I feel a sense of incongruity. My elder sister is the firstborn, The fact that her ability is superior to mine is a fact .. Although I feel bad about the present situation where my ability is inferior to my older sister, I still feel that this position belongs rightfully to her and not me. As my idea is so, I would like my sister to remain as a Duke of Almeria and in this country “

I smiled fully at Bern’s words.

“Oh, how I wish for my older brother, to tell me the same exact words as you did Bern.”

“…what?”

“Well, have you forgotten? I came to tell you that I want to become king.”

At my words, Bern opened his eyes wide as if surprised.

“…… Half of this country’s population are women, but the only persons engaged in national affairs are men …With this, the policy will be biased towards a unilateral perspective. When grandmother was Queen Dowager, even if my father was king, the true was that my father was just a puppet. Women were always the ones managing from behind the scenes. That is why I would like to openly be king. A female incorporates policies from a new perspective. I will create opportunities for the talented people in this country and create new values. “

I firmly told Bern with a clear tone.

“As I said, my older brother has already broken the governance structure of this country. It has been broken once, can be broken twice. As for practical management of this country, I would not only take over the work of my elder brother, but also build many ministries to hand the work over. My ability at ruling is no less than my older brother, you know? “

He laughed after I said those words.

“Ha ha ha … No way that I did not notice your thoughts at all”

“Hehe he … did I do good?”

We both laugh together.

“Indeed, I see, your work experience has already been much better than that of the prime minister. I’m afraid that, there is no problem with your ability, and there is also your grandmother as backing and consultant. It’s not a dream, you have fully grasp of this country to complete the duty of Prince Alfred and Prince Edward. That’s something that I can affirm confidently. “

“That’s right, so it’s a coup d’etat.”

Bern, seems confused again.

“Your idea is excellent, but Letty. That’s only possible in your head right now. Soon you’ll face the reality and be denied to do so. Are you still planning to bring that plan to light even if that happens?”

“Bern. If there is no ideal, it is the same as wandering without a destination.When I become king, I will not be able to do what I want no matter how much I want it. Let’s continue dreaming for now. Keep on looking ahead. I am prepared for the time being, such is my way. “

I’m serious. I’m prepared in advance for that.

“…If you are determined so far, Letty. Did you said this to him?”

“Yes, of course”

I muttered what I said to my him into Bern’s ears, just a couple of words.

He nods and says.

“That’s why prince Alfred went to the war with peace of mind.”

………….

I still remember my brother’s reaction back then…

“…I do not want that for you, sister, so far … but … knowing that you want that, I think I can go to the north with confidence”

“Yes, even if something happens, I will manage immediately, so please concentrate on the war … I wish you return safe.”

The bell rang. Its tone is solemn and grim.

He heard it and got up.

“I’ll be back”

“Please go ahead”

“I pray for your safe return.”

And while feeling my eyes on his back, he left to the war.

…………….

I only wish… he follows his heart after his return…