After Retirement, Living a Stud Life in Another World - 15
Chapter 15: Her Majesty the Queen
“Yes, since I usually engage in magic practice, I need clothing that doesn’t mind getting dirty.”
Mature in spirit, my sister effortlessly brushes off Constanze’s provocations. For her, it’s probably “the usual”… inwardly, she responds with a light smile.
“That’s true. Miss Annaliese spends her days digging wells and maintaining waterways… getting muddy, living a life no different from a peasant. It can’t be helped.”
However, taking advantage of my sister not strongly retaliating, this woman continues to belittle her. Indeed, the most important task for a water magic user is to find water veins for the people, efficiently dig wells, and secure water for agriculture. From my perspective, it’s a constructive job that benefits the country more than burning enemies in battle. But for aristocratic magic users, it might be seen as “peasant-like.”
“By the way, after graduation, you’re returning to your territory, aren’t you? In the countryside, there must be plenty of muddy work suitable for Miss Annaliese. As for me, I can’t possibly imitate that.”
As the young lady utters these words, the man standing next to her echoes.
“Constanze, it can’t be helped. Miss with the esteemed fire attribute, said to be the best in combat, will be warmly welcomed by the national army. On the other hand, that lady over there… unfortunately, a water attribute without any particular job in the military or government. It’s better for her to peacefully live in the countryside.”
Hey, why is this unpleasant Marquis’s daughter not only envying my sister but also bringing a man along to disrespect her? Look, he’s in his forties or something, probably a stallion pulled from the studbook.
“So, after this event, you won’t be able to show your face at the royal social events for a while… if you think about it, pretending so hard would be quite impossible.”
I got fed up with this stallion, who was spewing unpleasant words with a judicious face.
“Hey, old man, supporting your daughters’ childish quarrel and adding fuel to the fire. Is that something a decent adult does?”
Some nearby people couldn’t help but burst into laughter. Surely, many people must think that this old man’s behavior is shameful.
“Old man? How rude! Do you know who I am? I am Johannes Golzen, certified as A-rank by the Bloodline Association. An upstart not listed in the studbook dares to…”
“Who you are and who I am is irrelevant. I’m saying what you’re doing is not beautiful. Trying to curry favor with a seed-bearing partner and throwing insulting words at a talented graduate? Quite a daring move.”
“You insolent…”
This stallion, who was flattering the young ladies until now, suddenly adopts an intimidating attitude when facing a man, especially a lower-ranking one. This guy is scared if you stand up to him. When he tried to take a step toward me, a beautiful mezzo-soprano rang out.
“Now, promising top and second-ranking students, please share your aspirations for the future.”
There, with luxurious golden hair and emerald eyes… Her Majesty the Queen appeared. The young ladies, the stallion, and I all saluted at once.
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“I see… Jonas, the top of the Estate Management Department, is marrying into the Rottenburg Count’s family.”
“Yes, fortunately, they recognized my financial skills and welcomed me. However, it seems that my abilities as a stallion are ordinary, so I can’t contribute to producing a good heir for the Count’s family. I’ll have to ask another stallion for that.”
The seventeen-year-old young man answers earnestly, and the Queen casts a slightly sympathetic gaze toward him. While many nobles bring in excellent students and bureaucrats as their spouse’s heirs to entrust them with managing their territories and businesses, the term “marriage” doesn’t necessarily mean exclusive possession of the female head of the household for the aristocrat. For nobles, it is a sacred duty to produce an excellent successor as a magician, and a “husband” with a low evaluation as a stallion must entrust his wife to a more capable stallion to protect the family.
“I hope you’ll have a good daughter for your first child.”
Indeed, even a husband with a low stallion rating has multiple chances in families that give him a chance. If the firstborn is a daughter and her magical power is above average, he can maintain the position of the “sole consort” to the head of the household. The success rate is not necessarily high, but considering the system of this country, it’s unavoidable. The Queen momentarily clouded her face but returned to a smile, now turning to my sister.
“Now then, this year’s top student in the Magic Department is the daughter of the hero Hildegarde, isn’t she? Miss Annaliese, I’ve heard that you plan to dedicate yourself to managing your territory…”
Even though official language is used in this formal setting, my mother and Her Majesty are close in age and were comrades who protected each other’s backs in the previous war. That’s why Her Majesty has been affectionately calling my sister “Liese-chan” since her childhood, and she seems quite concerned about my sister’s decision to “return to the countryside” this time.
“Yes, Your Majesty. Since water attribute magic has a high affinity with agriculture, I wish to closely support the lives of the residents in my territory.”
My sister also responds with proper etiquette. Her Majesty lowers her eyebrows slightly and speaks to her as if advising her own child.
“Hey, Miss Annaliese. Returning to your territory can be done at any time. Utilizing your exceptional magical power for the sake of the country…”
“Your Majesty! It’s futile to expect such things from a water magic user!”
The voice that forcefully interrupted carried a tone of arrogance, causing those around to freeze simultaneously.