The Cattleya marquisate, located in the northern reaches of the Kingdom of Aiwood.
Ruling over that territory—close to the domain of the foreign tribes on the continent's north—was Iljas Cattleya, marquis, one half of the king's twin wings.
A knight commander, and the man known as the kingdom's greatest warrior.
Those who admired him and aspired to become swordsmen or knights naturally gathered in the Cattleya marquisate.
For that reason, the vassal forces possessed by House Cattleya boasted combat power that could rival even the Royal Guard or the magician corps of House Rosemary.
"...It's been a while, hasn't it, my wife?"
The kingdom's mightiest pillar—the Marquis Cattleya—was visiting a particular place.
From the sky, snow fell deep and heavy, and with every step he took on the ground, it crunched softly beneath his feet.
True winter was fast approaching, and it seemed the early snow had begun to fall in the northern Cattleya marquisate.
"You crossed the rainbow bridge on a snowy day just like this, too..."
The Marquis Cattleya murmured, wistful. He was standing in a cemetery.
The ground was paved with stone. Countless gravestones stood all around him.
Before the marquis stood a single mausoleum, quiet and still as it received the snowfall.
It was the ancestral tomb of House Cattleya.
His parents, his grandparents, and his beloved wife all rested there.
That day was the death anniversary of the Marquis Cattleya's wife.
No matter how busy he was, the Marquis Cattleya always returned to his domain on that day to visit his wife's grave.
"Your eldest son has been doing well. He's being raised to be my successor, and today he's guarding the royal capital in my stead as regent. He'll probably take a leave and come visit soon. I'm looking forward to it."
In front of the empty mausoleum, the Marquis Cattleya spoke, heedless of the snow piling on his head and shoulders.
"My second son doesn't seem to be very skilled in martial arts. He's always been weaker than his brothers, and it seems he truly lacks the talent for the sword or spear. Instead, he studies military science and works hard as a military strategist. That one is also a Cattleya. Even setting aside a parent's fondness, he has talent. As for my third son... lately he's become completely lovestruck. He does nothing but chase after women. Honestly, it's a headache. I must have a proper talk with him next time."
The Marquis Cattleya was thought of as a man of few words, stoic as rock... but apparently, when visiting his wife's grave, he became remarkably loquacious in reporting to her.
He spoke at length about his children's growth, interspersed with complaints.
"And then... there's the matter you're most concerned about, Yuri."
The Marquis Cattleya's expression clouded over, and he let out a deep sigh.
"I raised that child carefully, trying to keep her from leaving the mansion as much as possible because she suffers from the demonic-kin disease... but recently, she ran away from home. It seems she grew tired of the stifling life here. On top of that..."
The Marquis Cattleya's expression grew even more pained.
"...lately, it seems she's been getting close to a certain man. And that man is already engaged to someone else. What a dreadful situation. Ah, truly... I must bring her back at once."
"I refuse."
"Umu, you refuse? That's a problem...!?"
The Marquis Cattleya hurriedly looked up.
He heard his wife's voice... his wife in the mausoleum had answered him.
That was what he thought for a few seconds, before he realized the person was behind him and turned around.
"You are...!"
And then... he caught his breath.
Standing there was a woman who was his wife... no, a girl with a striking resemblance to her.
Yuri Cattleya. The beloved daughter of the Marquis Cattleya stood in the snow, holding an umbrella.
"Yuri... you came back!?"
"I haven't come back — I came to visit Mother's grave. I'm never going back into that cage again."
"Don't be absurd! How dare you call the house you were born in a 'cage'!"
Marquis Cattleya's brow twitched upward slightly, but his expression quickly softened into one used to soothe a frightened animal.
"You've had your fill of the outside world by now, haven't you? Come home — to our home... to the family estate."
"I'm not going back."
Yuri declared flatly.
Her face — so like her mother's — was set with unwavering resolve, unmistakable rejection radiating from every feature.
"Yuri...!"
"To tell the truth... I didn't only come here to pay respects to Mother. I came to see you, Father. To settle things once and for all."
"Settle... what, exactly?"
Even as he spoke, Yuri planted her feet wide and raised both fists.
"I can't keep running forever — so I'll say it plainly. Father, I have decided to leave House Cattleya."
"...!"
Leave the house.
That was no mere threat to run away. It was a declaration that she intended to sever herself from the lineage of House Cattleya entirely.
"Yuri...!"
"I've made up my mind. He really was my destined partner after all... I had a feeling from the very first time we met, but now it's become a certainty."
"What? Destined partner...?"
Those were words he could not afford to let slide.
If anything, they were even more alarming than her earlier declaration about leaving the marquis household.
"What does this mean! So that brat from House Rosemary really did…!"
"That's why I want you to acknowledge it. If you won't, then we settle this with fists."
"Wha—!"
Without answering his father's question, Yuri begins shadow-boxing right there on the spot.
"The strong are right. The victor is justice… That's the creed of House Cattleya, isn't it?"
"Yuri… you…!"
"So let's decide it by fighting. If I win, I leave the marquis household. And then… I'll go to the man I've fallen for."
"————!!"
Marquis Cattleya lets out an inarticulate shriek, his expression cycling through a hundred different faces.
"Hah…"
Yuri flashed his father a smile of startling allure and raised his clenched fists.