The Duty of the Noble

I am greatly blessed.

Born and raised within the imperial nobility.

A father and mother who care for me with gentleness and affection.

Three elder brothers who spoil me beyond measure.

A healthy body.

A greater than average amount of holy power, even among nobles.

A face often praised for its beauty.

Education and refinement, with tutors assigned to me.

None of these things are ordinary. When did I first realize they were all extraordinary?

"Listen, Spica. A person is like a mirror. Kindness returns kindness, malice returns malice. So never do to another what you yourself would dislike. But in turn, do many things for others that made you happy when they were done for you."

It was my father who spoke these words to me, while I sat upon his knee.

That’s right. One must not do to others what one finds unpleasant oneself! But… have I ever truly felt that way? There have been times, I suppose…

I recall the distress I felt when asked to choose which gift from my family to open first, or when my brothers argued over whose dress to wear.

Straining to remember something truly unpleasant, I recall the time Fret Elder’s younger sister visited. She treated me coldly from the moment she arrived.

“Do not presume to speak so casually, a foundling of common birth,” she said, when I had come to her chamber to play with her. I remember feeling deeply hurt and bitter.

I felt as though I had been told I was not truly a member of the family, and I was hurt by it. I did not understand why I should be lied to, when I was not of common birth. The truth about my real parents—something I had only ever asked of my adoptive parents—shook me deeply. More than anything, the nearness of my first rejection left me uncertain how to respond, and I wept.

Certainly, rejection and falsehood are painful things. I vowed in my heart never to inflict such pain upon another. I did not wish any family to endure such sorrow again.

Now I tried to recall something joyful. There were many such moments. I remember how pleased I was when Father would quietly let me sit upon his lap while he worked.

I remember how happy I was when Mother praised me in the dressing room, saying, “My little fairy is truly lovely.”

I was happy when Cain Elder read me a book, when he showed me magic, when Alex Elder sang or played the piano, and when, at the tea gathering, Fret Elder gave me the last cookie.

I have only ever received happiness from my family.

"Yes! Father. I will do many happy things and never do anything unpleasant!"

In my young heart, I made a vow to make many happy things for everyone from now on.

To begin, I tried hugging Father and saying, "I love you so much!"

Father, half-laughing, half-crying, hugged me back and said, "Never give that to some other man—never, ever!"

Mother was a wonderful woman, the one who bore you. Therefore, you must not belittle yourself. To regard yourself as beneath is to diminish the family who loves you. Always hold your chest high, live honestly and boldly. It is in the strength of your core that essence reveals itself. Remember this as a lady’s proper manner.

It was Mother who said so.

There were difficult words I did not fully understand,

“Does it mean we must not be sad when Spica is sad?” Mother asks, her expression thoughtful for a moment.

It is, of course, unacceptable for Spica to be sad—but not quite right, either. What if Mother were told by a stranger, 'You are a failure as a mother,' and believed it, then sank into gloom? How would you feel then?

I don’t want to hear that! That’s a lie! My Mother is the most wonderful mother in the world!

I answered reflexively without hesitation.

Ah, thank you. That is the truth. I wish to be your greatest Mother, and I believe you are my greatest children. Therefore, I do not wish for either of us to be hurt by words such as 'in any case' or 'I am useless'—words that bring sorrow.

Mother spoke softly, her hand gently brushing my hair.

A noble without pride is no noble at all. That is precisely why I wish for you to remain dignified. There will surely come a time when someone, by virtue of lineage, seeks to wound you with words. But remember this: you are a precious treasure to our family.

I did not yet fully understand everything, but I nodded firmly.

“Yes, Mother. Both the mother who bore me and the mother who raised me are wonderful mothers, so no matter what anyone says, I will always answer that way. My treasures—my father, my mother, my elder brother, and everyone in Emmental—will all live with pride!”

Mother smiled, saying, “Ah, you’ve grown so large,” and gently stroked my head once more.

“Listen well, Spica. When you say ‘thank you,’ say it clearly. Gratitude is not easily conveyed, you know.”

It was Cain Elder who spoke these words.

Indeed, the words “thank you” are important.

“Yes! Elder Brother! When I wish to express my gratitude, I will clearly share those words with everyone. Thank you for teaching me.”

Elder Brother lifted me with a bright smile, settling me onto his lap, and placed a single kiss upon my forehead. “I am the one who should thank you, my sister. Thank you for becoming mine.”

“I am glad, too, that you are my elder brother, Cain Elder. Thank you for becoming my brother.”

The servants and maids of the manor watched the two of us, a graceful pair of siblings, with warm regard.

For some time afterward, I made it my task to convey my gratitude to each servant in detail. The servants were bewildered, even flustered. “I only wish to express my thanks,” I insisted, making a promise with my parents not to do so in front of guests. Still, I continue to offer my thanks to this day.

“Spica,” Alex Elder asked, “I think it is a wonderful thing to be able to say sorry honestly. What do you think?”

“Is saying sorry a wonderful thing?” I did not understand why it could be wonderful to apologize.

“That’s right. But not just any apology. To admit one’s fault honestly is a virtue—this is what makes it wonderful. An apology offered without believing oneself at fault holds no meaning. That is why both gratitude and apology must be given with sincerity.”

My Elder Brother’s words were difficult to grasp, yet I knew he spoke the truth. An apology without remorse is not an apology at all. I resolved to be honest with myself and to apologize immediately when I knew I had erred.

“Alex Elder, I shall become a lady who can say sorry with true heart!”

He smiled and said, “I look forward to it,” lifting me high into the air.

And indeed, even now, I still keep the promise I made: to never apologize before guests, even when I feel I have done wrong, no matter how small.

"Listen, Spica! A noble must never torment the weak!" Fret Elder declared, chest puffed with conviction.

"What exactly is tormenting?"

Fret Elder shifted his gaze.

"Well… tormenting means doing or saying many unpleasant things, or using violence… I suppose. Nobles have noble duties. We must protect those who are weak. That is why we must not harm those we are meant to protect!"

He likely repeated something he had heard from another.

Still, those words struck deep.

"Yes! Fret Elder! I shall be kind to the weak. I will never torment anyone!"

Fret Elder smiled, eyes crinkling. "Well then, Spica, leave it to me to protect you. No need to worry."

From that day on, I etched it into my heart: the weak must be protected.

I was gradually taught by my family the proper way of being a noble.

Later, I learned more thoroughly from a steadfast tutor about the nature of nobility.

"The duty of the noble (noblesse oblige)."

This is the principle that defines a noble. A noble who holds land must manage it, and is permitted to collect taxes, only so that in times of crisis they may protect commoners, their household, and ultimately the nation. When crisis arises, they must be the first to act in resolving it.

Even nobles without land are bound to remain loyal to the Emperor, and in times of national peril, must come at great personal cost—selling their own wealth—to defend the people.

We nobles do not grow our own wheat or milk our own cows. We live by collecting taxes from the common folk in exchange for their protection. Therefore, we must never flee when the moment comes. I was taught that the instant one accepts only the rights of nobility while abandoning its duties, that person is no longer a noble.

I became deeply devoted to this belief.

Therefore, I have decided.

To be pure in heart, pure in conduct.

To never utter falsehood.

To always show gratitude and remorse.

To aid the weak and stand beside them.

To become a person worthy of my family and my people…