"I''m ready to get married somewhere else in a political marriage."


    I looked into Altia''s eyes. Gone was the sickly, frail girl who would melt at the mere touch.


    She was the Count''s sister, who would not be ashamed to show it anywhere.


    She could now have such strong eyes.


    "Actually, I was just thinking about your wedding..."


    "The Lentlands in the province of Nagouri?　The head of the family''s legitimate son must be about 30 years old."


    I don''t know what to tell you here, but it''s not something I have to hide.


    "I don''t think so. It''s possible that one day I will invade the province of Nagouri."


    Basically, wives from enemy countries are separated from their wives, but sometimes they join the war effort together with their husbands and children. Some of them would have continued to share the same fate.


    Sending Altia would certainly catch the Nagouri Province off guard, but we do not want to use her sister as a tool of deceit.


    "And that would be Serafina''s family?"


    "Yes. One can think of it as a way to further strengthen the alliance, but in terms of development, it''s not very promising. At this point in time, both sides are building trust."


    But then, Altia is also well aware of the surrounding situation.


    "Then ...... the Nahams of Olbia province?　I hear there is a nobleman named Brand Nahum."


    "Bingo. I was wondering if you were worth it."


    Althea seemed to ponder for a while, and then he clapped his left hand with his racket,


    "You can''t tell if it''s a good ball or not until you hit it."


    He said something like a riddle.


    "You should call him up and see if he is worth marrying."


    "Blood is no contest, and you are just like your husband, Altia.


    Serafina said half in disgust and half in appreciation, but I understand what she meant.


    "So, what''s your reason for calling me?　I can''t tell them to come here because I''m going to check out their wares. There are lands of different lords in between, even though we are not at war."


    "What about the air ball as the Count''s sister?"


    Altia picked up the ball, pointed it at me and hit it lightly with her racket.


    I catch it with my right hand. The ball is quite heavy.


    "I''m good with the airball," she says.


    I laughed out loud.


    "Okay. I''ll take Altia''s idea!　Let''s call Brand Nahum."


    That''s right. Why should I marry someone who doesn''t have the guts to come all the way here for Altia? Let him show us that he is prepared to do so.


    "The Master''s strategy is cold-blooded, but he has a soft spot for you, doesn''t he?


    "Men are sweet on pretty women. Men who don''t should become priests or something. No matter what profession they are sentenced to in the temple.


    ●


    I sent a letter to Brand Nahum and received word that I would be there soon.


    On the way, we paid a considerable toll to the lords we passed, and they entered our territory peacefully.


    They were to meet in a temporary castle in the hills of Maust.


    "How do you do, my name is Brand Nerham, Viscount of Nerham and two other counties.


    As rumors say, Brando had a good eye.


    He was very shrewd and one could tell just by looking at each other that he was clever. However, he is more of a general than a heroic man.


    "What exactly did they say in the temple that the viscount was doing?"


    "They say they are bandits. I have sent my men to places where the enemy''s defenses were thin and won many times."


    It is said that a bandit has 30 percent better situational judgment and 50 percent greater speed than a normal person. No wonder they are so resourceful.


    However, even before he was called a bandit, this man must have already made his mark. His age suggests that he must have been at war as the head of the family even before he was given his occupation.


    "I see. It may sound insulting to say that being a bandit suits a nobleman, but I think it is your calling."


    "I think so, too. So where is your sister?"


    "They are waiting for you in the garden, and I will show you the way now."


    The airball game between Altier and Brand Nurham ended in Brand Nurham''s victory. Judging by sports is a bit arrogant, but there is no doubt that Brand Nerham is very quick.


    He must have used this mobility to defeat his opponents.


    After the match, Brando came up to me and bowed.


    "Please, my sister, I would like to take you as my wife. Such a beautiful woman does not exist in the province of Olbia. She also has a dignified expression, worthy of being the wife of a lord.


    I didn''t expect him to tell me. You''re so perceptive that you know what you want from the start.


    He took one look at Altia''s face.


    It seemed that he had already made up his mind.


    "I understand. But I will not lend you my troops just for your sister''s sake. You will always try to prepare food that will please me.


    "Thank you very much!"


    "And don''t do anything that will make Altia cry. Althea has already suffered more than most people. I want to make it easier for her.


    "Yes!　I promise!"


    We''ll send her back to you at a later date. Don''t worry."


    Thus, the alliance with the house of Nahum was established.


    --That man Brando is a young warlord like Nagamasa Asai. The size of his domain is on the borderline of what we should call a feudal lord or not. Oichi seemed to be happy, too.


    Oda Nobunaga was somewhat sentimental this time.


    You gave your sister in marriage too. Is that natural for a feudal lord?


    --But you were betrayed by Asai Nagamasa and you found yourself in a tight spot. I almost lost my home. I destroyed him later.


    What happened to your sister then? .......


    --I rescued her and her daughter. But she was grieving the whole time.


    I''ll make sure that never happens to you.


    --Well, you take care.


    That night I was with Altia watching the moon.


    We had a tea at the table we had set up in the garden.


    "It really is a beautiful night with a beautiful moon, isn''t it brother?


    Altia opened her mouth slightly and seemed to sigh.


    "Yes, I know I should be happy that you are getting married, but I just can''t seem to do it honestly. Maybe I''m a bad brother."


    "No, that can''t be true."


    Althea said in a strong voice.


    "If your brother had not broken my heart, I think I would be dead already. I''ve only gotten better since we moved to a house on higher ground."


    "I wouldn''t have defended the fort at the behest of my brother Geisel if it weren''t for you. I''d probably have fallen on Mineria''s side and led a squadron there by now at best."


    Yes, if it had not been for Altia, I would not have risked my life to defend the fort and I would have had a completely different life. It is thanks to Althea that I am a count.


    If I were not your sister, I would have married you.


    Althea laughed in a joking voice.


    "I would have married a woman like you, too," he said.


    "Thank you for raising me all these years, brother."


    "You''d better be happy for me, or I''ll never forgive you."


    Afterwards, when I walked Altia back to her room, she hugged me to her chest.


    I could see that Altia was crying.


    "You can cry all you want."


    We are both lonely, brother and sister.


    I silently wished her a happy future.


    You''re going to be the king''s sister someday. You just wait and see.