Tori Transmigrated Chapter 118: Responsibility is Overrated

If Tori could flip a table, she wouldve flipped a table.

The first thing she thought of was that Alessas succession had to do with Adrien going to Chetterswickshire. Kasens people did say that he was staying at the Hart Manor and now Tori knew why.

Her jaw clenched and a dark smile graced her lips. That halo of hers is stronger than I thought.... She muttered in a trembling voice.

Tori was prepared for Alessa to inherit her fathers title one day, but in the distant, post-ga future. Nowhere in the wiki-article did it ntion Alessa becoming a baroness in the ga. The only title changes she had were if she succeeded in Gideons route and beca a princess and eventual empress.

How the fuck did we get here?

Piers, Tori. Take this to the tent. A scraping sound was heard as Sebastian pushed his chair back and stood up. There are guests.

He didnt look across the restaurant, where a few couples were seated and looking curiously over at the newly arrived prince, but Tori assud thats what he ant. She looked towards her friends.

Looks like there is so governnt stuff that needs to be disclosed, Tori said with a forced smile. Ill talk to you about this tomorrow.

Her friends nodded in silence and Tori could see the concern, disbelief, and irritation on their faces.

Dont overthink it too much, Ilyana said, extending her hand to grab on to hers. Youre a countess now.

Tori squeezed her hand and gave her a small nod, before directing the knight to hand her over to Piers. Her father, mother, and brothers stood up to follow and before Piers could get ahold of Toris wheelchair, Kasen grabbed on and pushed her forward.

The next ti you bring such news, at least make sure you announce it in a suitable location, Kasen said in a low voice as he gave Piers a small glare.

Piers kept his head lowered, but nodded. Toris hands squeezed the arm rests of her chair as her brother pushed her back to her tent. Her expression only eased when they passed villagers and Tori smiled and accepted their greetings.

However, her mind was spinning.

She didnt know what Alessas new title would an. There was no problem with outranking her. A baron was a low ranking noble, and Tori was mid-level. In addition, her territory was larger than Chetterswickshire.

But did becoming a baroness give Alessa any advantages?

That thought was most prevalent. As the villain of the ga, any advantage Alessa had was an obvious disadvantage for Tori. Alessas safe return to Chetterswickshire after running away and causing a bunch of problems was already irritating to think about. Alessa got what she wanted and suffered no significant punishnt, and now she was also a baroness. What kind of ga logic was this?

Wait, no. This never happened in the ga...is it self-correcting to give her an advantage? Is this an advantage?

They entered Toris tent and once the tent flap closed behind them, Sebastian crossed his arms over his chest and glowered at Piers. Tell us what you know.

Chamber representative Evans, who represents Baron Hart in the Chamber, was speaking to his peers before the eting. He said that Baron Hart has retired from his position and his daughter has succeeded him. He said that the Baron wanted to marry a commoner and his daughter protested. This was their compromise.

Are you fucking kidding ? Tori spoke out before she could control herself. Her parents looked at her surprised while her brothers raised their brows. A compromise? After everything that happened? After an innocent person was killed, this was a compromise? Who instigated it?

I dont know. I checked with the Office of Noble Authority and the formal docunts giving the title, land, and power through succession have not yet been filed nor received, Piers told her.

Then it mightve just happened, and the docunts are still on their way to be filed, Sebastian said with a frown.

But Evans would know as soon as the decision is made, Kasen replied. Noble representatives are selected by the noble themselves. If the noble in power changes, they can select and install a new representative.

Sebastian nodded. Evans could lose his position. He looked at his brother. How long has he represented Baron Hart?

While Common Chamber mbers were elected every five years based on when their region was incorporated, noble representatives could hold their position if the noble who selected them willed it. This could be as little as a few days to as long as a lifeti. The marches periodically checked the efficacy of their representatives and if one was deed ineffective or no longer representative of them in the manner they wanted, that person was replaced.

Fifteen years, Kasen answered. I dont believe the representative for Baron Hart has changed since he took over.

He must be very worried about his job, Antonia said from the bench. She crossed her legs and leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees as she looked at her children and husband attentively. Hed have to move back to Chetterswickshire. If he has a family, they will also have to move back. Their temporary residence is invalid without the position.

There is no news of a replacent, yet, Piers said in a quiet voice. It is uncertain when he will be replaced.

But the new Baroness will replace him. If she is new to the position, she is at a disadvantage if a seasoned representative doesnt agree with her plans. She needs soone who wont fight against her. She will select a new representative before the end of the year. Kasens prediction was too generous for Tori.

She could see Alessa replacing the representative before the end of the sumr. There were three requirents necessary for a selected noble representative. Obviously, the first was that they were permanent residents of the land their noble governed. Second, they needed to be at least twenty-two years old. Third, they needed at least the minimum education set by the empire.

That was it. They were incredibly old requirents and most nobles had more.

Tori was discussing her own noble representative, and possible Common Chamber mber candidates, with the village leads, so she was familiar. Her own requirents were much stricter.

How will this change affect Chetterswickshire and her education at Lyce? Tori asked. Chetterswickshire is about a week away from Horizon. How will she govern, especially imdiately after succession?

Her father is still alive, Gregorio said as he took a seat next to Antonia. He let out a heavy sigh and leaned back on the bench. Although the title holder has changed, Baron Hart is still there and would be able to guide his daughter. Things like budgets, high level legal work, and governing changes would require her approval, but as far as day-to-day work, it can be handed off.

If there are no large changes planned for Chetterswickshire, then the new baroness can still attend Lyce while her father maintains the status quo back ho, Antonia added.

Tori pursed her already frowning lips. She couldnt even count on Alessa changing schools so she could attend in peace. There was no winning in this situation.

Adrien Rosiek was seen staying at Hart Manor. Is there a chance that he was involved in this, possibly to have more influence on the comrce of Chetterswickshire? Love interests always got involved to try to make things better for the protagonist. The town isnt doing well financially, and he may want to take advantage of this as he has people making clothing for his cow store there.

She looked up and saw her brothers exchanging looks. They thought it was possible as well. Kasen looked back at her. Ill have my people keep watching.

Tori nodded and Sebastian patted her head. You still outrank her, Tori. You neednt worry about her trying to use her title to bully you.

She almost wanted to snort. Direct bullying by Alessa was unlikely to happen when Alessa was the heroine. The pure heroine type Alessa was would not go down that route. What Tori wanted to watch out for was a shifting undercurrent that could put her in a perilous position. This was sothing she had to watch out for when there were leadership changes at work in her original world. Alessa could instigate sothing, but it was a love interest who would move.

Constantine was one of her people, so she didnt worry about him.

Gideon wouldnt touch her because Piers would simply cut off ties with him. Hed also been behaving recently.

Fabian had no real power outside of being a swordsman and Tori had no problem tackling him herself.

Tom was still under careful watch at a print shop in Presidio. He didnt have sufficient power to do much, either.

Montan had his own problems to deal with. Tori was also confident enough with her charms and crystals that she could counter Montan if needed, or at the very least slow him down.

Dimitri wouldnt do anything so soon after the poachers. His parents were watching his every move, and he was restricted financially.

Adrien was her biggest threat now. If he raced all the way to Chetterswickshire to see Alessa, and helped her beco a baroness, there was no telling what else he would do.

Tori took a deep breath. Thank you for telling us, Piers. Im not too worried about Hart, but I am suspicious about Rosiek.

Our people will continue to watch him and any changes in Chetterswickshire, Kasen told her. He looked back at Piers with disapproval. And this couldve been a call.

You neednt have co in person, Sebastian said in a dull voice. Piers looked away, but didnt bother defending himself.

I suppose I should get back to work on my business proposals, Tori said. With the belief that Adrien participated in Alessas succession, a sense of urgency arose. Before he could gain any more influence, wealth, or backing, she needed to disrupt his plans. Piers, Im going to need your help. Id like to contact so ambassadors and your Aunt Celine.

Celine? Gregorios voice sounded tired. He tilted his head back and shook it as Antonia patted his arm. Tori, you want to do business with her?

She has sothing I need.

What do you need? her father said. If we have it, its yours.

Property in the Central District. As far as she knew, her family didnt have property there, as when she was looking for a storefront for Lions Gate, they had nothing available in the Second District. If they didnt have anything in the Second District, how could they have anything in the Central District?

As expected, her fathers face fell.

Does it need to be in the Central District? he asked, almost looking pained. Tori nodded. She wanted her foray into alcohol sales to target a wealthy demographic that spent obscene amounts of money for what was essentially bragging rights. The best place to go fishing for them was the Central District.

Call Maria de Sophos. Her mothers voice filled the tent and several sets of eyes turned towards her. Antonia remained leaning back against the bench, looking casual but with a firm look on her face. Her comcry was in her hand and it was pulsing.

Big Sis! A womans bubbly voice answered after a few monts. How are you? You hardly call recently, have you been busy? I miss you; I should visit!

Maria, do you still have the property in the Central District from your godmother? Antonia asked, without any pleasantries.

Yes, but its not very well kept. She didnt sound at all put off by Antonias straightforward words. The woman gasped and then sounded excited. Do you need it?

I will pay for it.

You dont need to pay for it, the woman said affectionately. I dont need it. I wanted to sell it off ages ago and bring the money into the abbey, but Father insisted I keep it. Why do you need it? Gueveras have plenty of property.

Its not for , Antonia said. Its for your niece.

...Oh no, its not Aquilla is it? I told Fabiana that she could have my Horizon flat for Aquilla and the storefront beneath it for Andreas, but not to covet the rest of my property. Just because Im a nun and live in an abbey doesnt an Im going to hand her children everything. Dom never asks for land, you know. He even rejected the Tres Arcos flat for Artemisia. However, shes still on my will for it. Dom cant stop .

Tori furrowed her brows as her Auntie Maria went on a tirade about her other siblings. Aside from Grandpa and Grandma Sophos, Tori didnt have much contact with her mothers imdiate family. The Sophos family was a scholarly family from Presidio, but aside from Antonia, the rest of Grandpa Sophos children lived elsewhere.

Fabiana, the second daughter a year younger than her mother, married and lived sowhere in Horizon. She and Antonia werent close, so Tori and her brothers never had contact with her. Auntie Lucia said that Fabiana was always jealous of their mother. Fabiana didnt get accepted into Lyce and her husband was one of Antonias early admirers. They had two children, a son and a daughter who were both older than Tori.

Dominico, the third child and only son, taught at a research university along the coast in Sur. Tres Arcos was the nearest city. He and his wife had one daughter also older than Tori.

The youngest of her mothers siblings was Maria, who was a nun at an abbey near to Temple Mountain. The age gap between her and Antonia was thirteen years and Maria loved Antonia the most out of their siblings. She was also Antonias favorite sibling. Antonia was the only one in the family who supported Maria becoming a nun.

Its not for Aquilla or Artemisia. Its for Tori, Antonia said in a deadpan voice.

There was a bit of a pause and then a confused voice. Tori? Victoria? Tori squinted. Did her aunt forget she existed? Why does she need property? Shes a Guevera.

We dont have anything in the Central District, Antonia said. You know that landowners in the Central District wont sell unless theyre desperate. Tori was considering asking Princess Celine, but dealing with imperial family mbers is troubleso, so I thought Id ask you if youre willing to sell.

If its within the family, I dont mind, Maria replied. But since Ive set aside property for Fabiana and Doms children, I can give this to Tori. She just turned sixteen; it would be a fitting gift.

Sebastian stood up straight. She didnt gift us anything.... he whispered as he looked at Kasen, who furrowed his brows. Tori rolled her eyes. As if her brothers needed property.

No, we will pay for it, Antonia said in a firm voice. Consider it money for the abbey. Besides, if we accept it as a gift, Fabiana will complain.

Maria sighed, resigned. Youre right. Shes so annoying.... Let get an estimate on the propertys worth, not counting the structure on it. I warn you; it will be expensive.

Its fine.

I will get back to you soon! Maria sounded cheerful. Or I can visit Presidio and see you! I do have a sabbatical coming up.

Auntie Maria. Tori piped up as she steered herself towards her mother. Its Tori.

Tori! I havent heard your voice in so long. Are you still dancing? Maria asked warmly.

Yes, but Im currently in a wheelchair-

In what? Marias voice imdiately dropped. Why are you in a wheelchair? What happened?

Its temporary. No need to worry, Tori said, brushing it off. If you have a sabbatical, do you want to visit the Cosora Delta?

The Cosora Delta? Isnt that where the popes boy is working? Maria asked.

Tori was a bit surprised that she knew, but figured Constantine was a popular figure in the religious world. Yes, hes collaborating with .

Maria, your niece was awarded a peerage and land, Gregorio said. His sharp eyes glared at Piers. Shes now Countess of Cosora.