11

Because there was something accepted, the engagement period was extended to six months.

Originally, he tried to set conditions for Shion to act freely, but Hanette’s tendency was similar to him, so it was only moderately passed.

“Even if you’re sure, you shouldn’t proceed right away. We need to think about why we extended our engagement period.”

The nobles considered engagement as a promise between each other and a symbol of trust.

When an arranged marriage takes place, the two families are connected indirectly through the children.

This also meant that they clearly recognized the value of each other and would form an alliance and exchange periodically.

In other words, since it was such an important matter, they checked each other’s families and children to the end over the engagement period.

“It takes time for a child to enter the womb. If it doesn’t work out, it could take longer.”

“… it’s not unusual. He seems to be thinking deeply.”

Yenid completely changed his evaluation of Shion after that day.

I heard that he was obviously an ordinary person, but looking at his words and actions, he seemed to have something special.

Even now, that quality could be manifested, but if it went to the bad side, it had to be kicked out at once.

“The Marquis of Reggiard did take good care of their children. Doesn’t the eldest son use a sword?”

“They said he was a rare talent. There are rumors that the Royal Knights are showing interest.”

Nobles usually choose one of three methods to maintain and expand their power and base.

Becoming a royal palace official, establishing commercial power using titles and wealth, and contributing to the kingdom of Alain by founding knights.

Mostly, nobles with vested interests became palace officials, and accumulated wealth by inheriting commercial power.

In other words, since there was no opportunity for other nobles, they had to struggle to pioneer commercial areas or lead knights to be recognized for their contributions.

“If it’s the Royal Knights, you might be able to form a relationship with the royal family.”

“If you’re a marquis, you’ll be able to satisfy your opponent as well.”

“If you connect with the direct royal family, you can become the king’s son-in-law. There is nothing to lose even if another royal family succeeds to the throne.”

The current king had two princes and a princess under his care.

Of those three, only one would become the heir to the throne, and that would change the game of power again.

Robbins had to make a choice in order to prosper his family.

“If it’s an aristocratic daughter, it might be possible to connect with either of them, but a nobleman’s offspring should only aim for the princess.”

“Can the Marquis of Reggiard do it?”

“It won’t be easy. Aren’t there other nobles?”

“The Duke of Ternane is pushing his daughters there?”

“right. If you lose to Ternane, you and I will have a hard time.”

Duke of Ternane.

It was a noble family with strong power within the kingdom of Allain and a family standing at the opposite end of the duchy of Adelaira.

There were only two ducal titles in the kingdom of Alain.

That’s why the two duchy couldn’t get closer, and they tried to expand their influence by constantly checking each other.

Former kings knew this fact, so they implicitly prohibited arranged marriages with the direct royal family only for the duke’s family.

“Does the king allow an arranged marriage with the duchy?”

“I usually don’t. If the balance is broken, it will be difficult not only for us but also for the king. The Ternane know that, but they are trying to have an arranged marriage.”

“Isn’t there a corner to believe in something?”

“It could be. Or maybe I’m mistaken.”

Roberns periodically monitored the Duke of Ternane’s movements, but did not directly step forward.

As a rule, the duke’s family could not connect with the immediate royal family no matter what.

There was no need to react sensitively, and the Duke of Adelaira was still sticking to the old way.

“The head of the family should come out with a direct connection to the royal family.”

“Isn’t that why you are recruiting the marquis family? It would have made you feel a bit sick if you went over to the Marquis of Reggiard.”

Roberns was attracting all the families who could have arranged marriages with the direct royal family to his subordinates.

The Marquis of Regiard was one of them, and negotiations had already been concluded with the Marquis and several counts.

Of course, the dukes of Ternane were also using a similar strategy, so they had to manage it periodically so that the subsumed family would not pass over.

“If the marriage breaks up, will it be completely over with the Marquis of Regiard?”

“It will be almost like that. Ternane will have another ally.”

“I could have treated the Marquis of Reggiard like other families.”

“… no. It shouldn’t be like that. As with the eldest son, isn’t the second son a palace administrator?

It’s too wasteful to treat them like other families.”

For Robbins, the Marquis of Reggiard was close to being able to connect with the immediate royal family.

The second son was already performing the duties of a palace administrator, and the eldest son would join the royal knights later.

That’s why he tried to hold on to the Marquis of Reggieard while leading the arranged marriage with Hanette.

“You must have also had the Ternane duchy in mind, right?”

“It is better for me to take it than to hand it over to Ternane. This way, Harnet can also be solved.”

Every family will have at least one or two talented children.

Each family tries to match its children with a noble family with a similar title if possible.

A higher title could have been taken advantage of, and a lower title was not taken advantage of.

That’s why Robbins negotiated with Fried and tied Shion and Hanette together.

“I know what you mean. I think marriage is a bit early though. How about watching a little longer?”

“Hmm… why don’t you check it out and think again? I have no intention of getting married in a hurry.”

“I know. I will check it myself.”

Yenid was also hoping for the two of them to get married, but he didn’t want to mess things up.

Because it was better to get married with a crush than to be anxious about each other.

The engagement period was not fixed at three months for no reason.

‘I’ll have to start with Hanet…’

* * *

The mansion of the Duke of Adelaira, Hanette’s room.

Harnette slowly opened her eyes and got up.

I must have fallen asleep drunk, but it seemed that my mind was clear.

As I stared blankly at the empty space, the things that happened yesterday came to my mind.

“Ah… ruined.”

Harnette lets out a sigh and combs her hair.

He was drunk at the time, but he remembered clearly what he had done.

He made useless noises in front of Zion, and even brought up the story of his successor.

Fortunately, he didn’t say anything about running away before getting married.

‘I drank something poisonous for no reason.’

I usually bought several kinds of alcohol and drank them alternately.

That will confuse the escort drivers and make it look like you’re wasting money on alcohol.

But at that time, since he had come with Zion, he had emptied half a bottle of expensive alcohol to show off his bluff.

“Wow… I… ha…”

Hannette stomps her feet while covering her face with both hands.

The things I did here were imprinted in my mind.

Saying that he would deceive his parents and not allowing him to leave Zion, throwing off his clothes on his own, asking if he was excited and asking if he would check it out.

I was so ashamed I couldn’t lift my face.

‘What should I do? Oh really…’

Even in the midst of that, I remembered what Shion had said.

When you wake up, you will regret it.

As he said, he regretted it, and wanted to erase all the memories of yesterday.

‘Should I pretend not to know? tell me you don’t remember Ha… but I can’t not see it…’

Hannette ponders over and over again, but soon gets out of bed.

Having been doing this, nothing has changed.

Shouldn’t I change my clothes and meet Xion?

‘things will work out.’

* * *

The residence of the Duke of Adelaira, Zion’s room.

Shion had finished breakfast and was getting ready to go out.

I got a letter saying that I had saved Lymphy Machina, so I thought I’d go and check it myself.

If you couldn’t get the item you wanted among them, you had to collect the Limpi Machina again.

‘It takes a lot of time here. Others can be obtained with money, but this is too small.’

It wasn’t easy to even get the Limpi Machina, even though it wasn’t particularly useful.

Because Lymphi Machina grows wild in places that are out of reach of humans, it is obtained by chance while digging for other herbs.

There were many things that were abandoned because there was no one looking for them, and there were cases where they were found but not dug up.

However, because it has high viability, it does not wither easily even if it is pulled out, so it was possible to store it for a long time.

‘I need more money to buy holy water.’

Shion had already received a considerable amount of money from Freed, and there were also funds saved in advance.

But he might have had to get more limpi machinas, and the other stuff wasn’t cheap either.

I wondered if I should get more support from Fried.

‘Let’s use Hanette as an excuse to ask for more money. I need a lot of money to hang out with the crazy…’

There was a knock on the door from outside.

Harnette cautiously opens the door and peers inside.

Shion just stares at him, recalling what happened yesterday.

“What… What is it? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Your sister should know better.”

“I… I can’t remember.”

“yes? Then you should have checked the inside. That way, you can calm your heart…”

“stop! Stop because I was wrong!”

Harnette waved her hands and screamed.

Shion laughs and approaches Hanette.

“Why? You say you don’t remember? You took off your clothes well.”

“Hey! I only took off my coat!”

“If I had left him alone, he would have taken off his shirt and even his pants. Who took off your clothes like that for good?”

“I made a mistake because I was drunk, so just move on!”

“You didn’t reveal your true nature when you were drunk?”

“Oh, no!”

Hannette lowered her gaze with her face flushed.

Shion enjoys the reaction, but soon ends up laughing.

“I’m busy today, so I’ll finish it here. Don’t do that next time.”

“…where are you going?”

“I want to go to my hometown. I have work to do.”

“Are you going alone?”

“Then go alone or go with your sister?”

“great. I’ll go with you.”

“…?”

Shion is puzzled and cannot bear to speak.

Hannette doesn’t understand that gaze and frowns.

“You want to match each other? Then shouldn’t it look like you’re doing well?”

“No… that’s right…”

“Won’t the Marquis Reggiard think it’s strange if you go alone? Would you rather go with me?”

“…”

Shion pondered for a moment, then nodded.

It wasn’t entirely wrong.

I just had a little doubt because Hannett had suggested it first.

‘It’s better than nothing. The Duke of Adelaira would like it too.’

* * *

The residence and office of the Marquis of Reggiard.

Fried was looking out the window, lost in thought.

I heard that Zion would stop by, but I wasn’t very happy.

It’s been quite a while since the engagement ceremony, but why did he say he would come alone?

‘As expected, I couldn’t get close to Hanette.’

It was a forced engagement, but I couldn’t help but be a little disappointed.

Before the wedding, they had to get even a little closer so that there would be no discord.

Of course, there were cases of falling in love after marriage, but it was not common.

‘To satisfy the duke’s daughter…’

A carriage was coming through the front door.

The carriage stopped in front of the mansion, and Shion appeared from the inside.

And beyond that, another person was coming out.

“Well? Why is Hannet…”

Fried opened his eyes wide and stared at the two of them.

We were talking and looking at each other.

They seemed quite friendly, and it felt like they were married.

‘To solidify that relationship, Zion must come out strong. I’ll have to pay more for that.’