The Protagonist's Party is Too Diligent

The interior decoration of this era was incredibly extravagant, no matter where you went.

Even the newly built houses were like that. This was likely a faithful reflection of the original setting. When thinking of the Belle Époque era, one immediately associates the distinctive Victorian-style interior decorations, and that's exactly what was being used here. In the game, even though the decor was like this, it didn’t seem all that extravagant because the graphics weren’t advanced enough to fully showcase it.

But my experience in this world, actually seeing such things in person... was refreshing.

It was because, in the world I came from, the Victorian-era artifacts I encountered were mostly "old." No matter how grand and vintage something looked, when the object itself was aged, the feeling of newness was largely gone. This was something I noticed even in the historic palaces of long-standing systems.

However, here, it was different. Even though this place had been a colony for a long time, new houses and farms were being built everywhere, and the mansion on this farm didn’t seem to have been built that long ago.

It was a curious feeling to be surrounded by interior decor that was a little too flashy. At the same time, though, it didn’t give off the feeling of being newly wealthy or tasteless, which made me realize how skilled the interior designers of this era must be.

“Your Highness,”

The Duke bowed his head slightly, putting extra emphasis on his manners considering the age gap between us.

“I hear you have something you wish to discuss.”

“Indeed.”

Perhaps he had heard of my personality somewhere. Or maybe he had gathered a rough idea during the last banquet. The Duke didn’t seem bothered by my direct approach to the conversation, cutting to the chase without much pleasantry.

He gently gestured toward a chair, and I took a seat. As we sat across from each other, a maid quickly served us both a cup of tea. After placing the teapot on the table, she hurriedly left the room.

The maid was also white.

“What is it that you wish to discuss?”

“I heard that Your Highness is fond of Roti.”

Hmm.

It wasn’t exactly wrong to say I was “fond” of her. While we weren’t exactly soulmates, I did want to protect Roti, just as she was one of the people I wanted to save.

In fact, Roti herself was unlikely to die. Depending on the choices made, Jake might be the one to save her and die in the process.

Jake might not be the heroine, but I didn’t want to see a pure love couple ruined by death.

“I owe her a great debt.”

“Then, is it really possible to bestow that knight’s title?”

The Duke asked bluntly again. Well, it’s better than beating around the bush.

Still, even though his words were direct, they carried an implication. Inside that question was a subtext of, “Is it really possible to give a title to someone from the colonies?”

“It’s not impossible.”

I answered decisively.

“First of all, His Majesty trusts me. He is not the type of person who would ignore someone who has helped me.”

The Duke nodded seriously at my words.

“Also, my older brother, Prince Jaden Fangryphon, is the commander of the Imperial Knights. He cares for me deeply, so he isn’t the kind of person who would refuse my request.”

I observed the Duke’s expression carefully after hearing this.

If the Duke was simply a character who was trying to suppress the colonists, he would likely have shown displeasure at my words. However, if he leaned more toward opportunism, he might take the bait.

In the game, the protagonist’s "parents’ generation" didn’t play a central role in the story. Sometimes they were portrayed as supporters of the regime, sometimes as obstacles to love, and sometimes as reliable allies. They appeared occasionally, but the focus was always on the protagonist’s group.

I had read the text of the original setting and remembered it.

The Duke was a racist and an imperialist, but at the same time—

“I see.”

The Duke smiled.

—Yes, the Duke was also an opportunist driven by power.

He stood up from his chair, walking toward the large window, and gazed out quietly.

The farm was now dimly lit. There were scattered lights, but it was unclear if they were meant to ward off intruders or if they were simply from workers still toiling away.

“Your Highness, do you know how long this system will last?”

“It can’t last forever.”

“That’s right.”

I widened my eyes slightly at his unexpected words, but fortunately, I don’t think he noticed, as he was still looking out the window.

“Some people say that because there are so many people in the colonies, it’s easy to buy raw materials cheaply and sell them for a high price. But the reality is different. There is a limit to the wealth any group can amass. If you keep draining it, even a gold mine that seemed endless will eventually dry up.”

The Duke turned around.

“And I’ve started feeling that recently.”

“Are you saying there might be a rebellion?”

“Not exactly.”

At my question, the Duke smiled bitterly.

“Do you know? People in the homeland seem to think of the colonists as something akin to slaves, but legally, they are not.”

I didn’t respond.

“The Empire abolished slavery a long time ago. The slaves' skin might have been the same color as ours, or different, but legally, there are no slaves anymore.”

“Are you claiming that colonists are free people?”

“That’s not it either. Legally, they are legitimate subjects of the Empire, but that’s all. They can’t move freely, and they don’t have the right to vote. What I’m trying to say is that we’ve missed our chance to truly enslave them.”

The Duke looked back out the window.

“Before we came here, they were divided into multiple nations. There were different classes, and because of that, they couldn’t form a single identity. Even now, that atmosphere hasn’t completely disappeared. But it doesn’t mean there’s no sense of shared understanding.”

The oppressors and the oppressed.

People of different skin colors.

“There was once a great empire here, though. It split hundreds of years ago, but at one point, there was an empire that ruled the entire continent, an empire that flourished in culture. And now, they are slowly starting to collect that history again. Though it’s only a small portion, the idea of ‘same culture, same race’ is beginning to take root.”

This world was just beginning to form the concept of ‘ethnicity.’

“They are legally free, can refuse to work if they choose, and within the scope of judicial authority, they are starting to form groups with shared understanding. When that happens...”

“...”

“I am trying to control it, though. If I pay them enough to get by, they won’t have the luxury to think of anything else. After all, they need to survive, right? If I instill the idea that striking will mean starving to death, it might delay things a little.”

“Eventually, they will rise up.”

At my words, the Duke nodded.

“Then, Your Highness, what you’re doing is truly remarkable. ‘Even someone from the colonies can rise if they do something remarkable,’ wouldn’t you say?”

...

Well...

No, I didn’t think it would go that far.

“If everything goes according to Your Highness’s calculations, Roti might become an iconic figure. Her name might even be in textbooks one day.”

Would that happen...?

I was just trying to set up some minimum conditions for her to marry into the Duke’s family.

“Do you wish for my son to marry Roti?”

Well... yes?

I nodded, and the Duke smiled knowingly.

“I think I have a rough idea of what you’re thinking.”

What exactly does he think I’m thinking?

No, I just wanted the awkward couple to finally get together and flaunt it around already.

“But honestly, the idea of my son marrying someone of a different race... I must admit, it does make me uneasy.”

The Duke said this with a warm smile on his face.

“However, my son does care deeply for Roti. If the conditions are right, as a father who loves his son, I won’t refuse.”

“And those conditions would be something more than just a title, wouldn’t they?”

“It’s been quite some time since we moved here, but that doesn’t mean we have no affection for our homeland. Still, I can’t demand too much as a vassal of the throne.”

The Duke bent slightly at the waist.

“We seek a ‘true’ friendship with the royal family. I hope Roti can be the witness to that.”