“Want to sleep here?”

What does that mean?

Simply telling me to sleep and leave tomorrow? Or does it mean he wants to have a relationship again?

“…What do you mean?”

“It’s up to interpretation.”

“You want to do it with me?”

“That’s not exactly what I meant, but if you want to, I can’t say no.”

Do it or not. Is he telling me to do whatever I want?

Riley stared intently at the frisky younger man. Even though he made a suggestive remark, he seemed to have no particular thoughts.

What could he be thinking behind that serene mask? Is he teasing me? Or is it really a remark with no special meaning? Or does it have some other meaning?

‘He’s skilled.’

She thought he was very skilled at manipulating people.

He seems to have an excellent ability to grasp the situation, take the initiative, and lead. Just one question makes me have so many thoughts.

‘…I don’t want to go.’

Honestly, she didn’t want to return to Roofla.

Even though they only met a few times, Riley didn’t dislike the man in front of her.

It definitely wasn’t affection, but she was clearly attracted to him. When she thought about it, there was no reason to dislike him. Even though there were some happenings, he was the one who broke off the hellish marriage, no matter what.

Moreover, he was a person who aroused curiosity in those who saw him.

She was curious about him. Anyway, since they were getting married, she wanted to know more about what kind of person he was.

“Well, look who it is.”

At that moment, when she was lost in thought, someone interrupted the conversation.

Both Riley and Givnen turned their gaze to the owner of the voice at the same time.

“Fancy meeting you here.”

“Ah.”

A slightly annoyed expression briefly crossed Givnen’s face. However, it was only for a fleeting moment, and he quickly adjusted his expression and transformed into a brilliant hospitality genius.

“It’s been a while, Count Peltro.”

The person he greeted was a middle-aged noble man.

The man named Peltro stroked his beard and showed a pleased expression.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t attend the reception despite your invitation. My return was later than planned.”

“Did you return today?”

“Yes, oh right. I have a meeting with a buyer here. Why don’t you come too? It’s the buyer you asked me to introduce to you before.”

“No, I have an important appointment right now. I hope there will be another opportunity next time.”

“Ah, is that so? That’s too bad, as you know, he’s connected to Count Tenkas, known as the mining king of Forenco. Hasn’t the demand for steel drastically increased recently due to the mass production of magical tools? They’ve raised the price ridiculously high. So there are many people trying to secure a deal with Count Tenkas. Now is the opportunity…”

The middle-aged man glanced at Riley standing next to Givnen. He seemed to think the urgent matter was a woman issue. At this, Riley tactfully opened her mouth.

“Count Givnen, it sounds like an important business discussion, so why don’t you go?”

“You’re more important.”

“I have to go back anyway. I don’t think I’ll be staying here for another day. I want to go back and rest comfortably. It’ll be more comfortable to rest at home than in an unfamiliar place.”

“Yes, do that. It’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Givnen seemed lost in thought without saying a word.

After pondering for a moment, he held Riley’s hand.

“…Alright, go up first. I’ll escort the lady and come back, the night streets are dangerous these days.”

“Still romantic, I see. Have a safe trip, I’ll be waiting.”

Count Peltro left, and Givnen narrowed his eyes.

“I wanted to be with you a little longer.”

“…Anyway, once we’re married, you’ll see me so much you’ll get sick of it.”

“Because it’ll be hard to see you until then.”

Riley suddenly realized this conversation was strange.

Isn’t it a conversation lovers would have?

“This… feels too much like a lovers’ conversation.”

“There’s nothing strange about a conversation between a couple-to-be.”

Is that so?

“Be clear about everything. Even if it’s a marriage of convenience, for each other’s benefit, I have no intention of casually enjoying my married life. You’ll have to adjust to this part appropriately too. No matter what, we’re going to live as a real married couple. A very affectionate, loving couple.”

He seemed to be the type to make everything clear.

Is this perfectionist tendency showing up here too? Riley nodded as if she understood.

“I’ll escort you.”

“…Okay.”

He held out his hand. Riley hesitated for a moment before taking it.

It felt strange.

Coming here, meeting him, getting help from him, accidentally spending a night together… and now even a marriage promise.

It’s unbelievable that all of this happened in just 3 days. Moreover, casually speaking informally and casually going on a date in this situation.

Even though we’re not real lovers.

She thought they were in completely different worlds that could never be entangled or mixed.

Holding hands and walking side by side in this situation… Even though she recognized it was an act to show others, it felt strange.

Outwardly, they would become a married couple, but strictly speaking, their relationship would be closer to a guardian and ward, yet his perfectly refined appearance, as if treating her like a real lover, was so real that it was enough to be mistaken for reality.

She wondered if there was a need to go this far, but on the other hand, she didn’t dislike being treated this way.

Even if all these situations and conversations were contrived, at this moment, it felt like she had truly become a special person.

“Welcome, how many people are using the service?”

“One lady here.”

“What is the destination?”

Riley answered the teleporter attendant’s question instead.

“Soboster.”

“I’ll pay the fee with my mana.”

“Understood, we’ll prepare it.”

It’s really time to part now.

“I’ll get going.”

The teleportation preparations were complete. The teleporter began to operate.

Givnen waved his hand. As if responding, the moment Riley raised her hand, his figure disappeared from view and a grayish light engulfed her.

A remote mountain village, a small town filled with only darkness.

She was back.

The place she desperately struggled to escape from endlessly.

In fact, she wondered if all of this was a dream, the first outing that felt so unreal and ecstatic ended like that.

[This is the timeline separator]

After seeing Riley off, Givnen’s meeting with Count Peltro and the buyer he introduced also ended well.

The appointment with Tenkas, the mining king of Forenco, was also successful.

The reception was over, and having fully achieved his purpose of contacting Riley Eadalin, Givnen loosened his tie and laid his body on the bed, finally feeling at ease.

He prided himself on having a truly hectic schedule.

Closing his eyes, Givnen recalled the final moments of his teacher.

“No matter what, you must protect that child.”

“Why are you pushing your work onto me, Teacher?”

“Because it’s not something I can step up to. You’re more suited for it than me.”

“…Now you’re telling me to live my whole life taking care of others?”

“Be a good guardian.”

“And if I can’t be a good guardian? Picking up after others doesn’t suit me.”

“…Then you might as well kill her. With your own hands. That child must not fall into ‘their’ hands. Never.”

“Grumpy old man.”

Dying on his own accord, and not even dying peacefully, he left behind a bunch of things to pass on.

As a result, he was going to get married, which he hadn’t even considered, so should he be grateful for starting a family early, or should he lament a life where he has no choice but to be at the mercy of Riley Eadalin forever?

‘What a pain.’

He wasn’t the type to nurture and care for something.

Especially if it was a being that required a lot of delicate care, like a woman or child. Due to the things suddenly dumped on him after his teacher’s death, his life had become very tiring.

But it wouldn’t be right as a disciple to ignore the words his teacher left behind before he died.

There’s no choice but to do as he says.

“Ah, I almost forgot.”

He remembered there was one more thing left to do, feeling a subtle lingering discomfort.

Givnen sat up.

Then he hurriedly headed somewhere.

·

·

·

“I’m getting married.”

Givnen’s bombshell announcement stopped the movements of the two people enjoying their meal.

One was his father and head of the Ryanster family, Alton Ryanster. The other was his twin sister, Rivne Ryanster.

In particular, his twin sister Rivne glared at Givnen as if dumbfounded.

“Are you crazy? No matter how much of a troublemaker you are, you decided to get married without consulting the family? You’ve completely lost your mind. You’re going to run wild, is that it?”

“It’s my marriage, I’ll handle it myself, why are you making a fuss?”

“Marriage isn’t just your personal matter, it’s a major event for the family!”

“That’s why I picked a woman you’ll be very pleased with.”

Alton Ryanster, who had been silently listening to their conversation, asked in a gentle voice.

“Who is it?”

“You’ll like her too, Father.”

“So which family’s daughter is she?”

“She’s Lord Ryston’s daughter.”

Alton, who had been indifferent until now, flinched. He looked at Givnen, unusually agitated.

“…Ryston had a daughter?”

“Yes, well.”

“How did you find out?”

“My teacher informed me before he passed away.”

Alton stroked his beard with a serious expression.

“…This is troubling.”

“Do you not approve? I thought you would welcome this marriage more than anyone else, Father. According to my teacher, you two were inseparable friends.”

“…I didn’t know Ryston had a daughter. I didn’t even know that bastard was still alive. Of course, if it’s his daughter, I’d be pleased, but, well, I wonder if she’s a child you can handle with your capacity.”

“I’ve already met her, and she was a woman I could sufficiently handle at my level.”

“You’re saying that because you don’t know anything.”

Rivne interjected in the father-son conversation.

“Who’s Ryston?”

“Father’s friend.”

“I’m hearing about him for the first time?”

“Me too.”

“Is this a scam? Are you sure you verified it properly?”

“I’m not like you.”

“Hey!”

“Enough.”

Alton mediated between the two and smiled contentedly, patting Givnen’s shoulder.

“Anyway, if it’s Ryston’s daughter… Yes, there’s no better daughter-in-law. Although I have some concerns, Yung must have had a reason for entrusting that child to you. By the way, you’ve finally come to your senses, Givnen.”

He was genuinely happy.

He felt relieved thinking he wouldn’t have to see his troublemaker son going around with the names of all sorts of women and frequently making the front page of newspapers.

Especially when he recalled the time his scoundrel son rejected the proposal of the 9th Imperial Princess, it was truly terrible.

He had to go to the Emperor in his place and make a defense that wasn’t a defense for his son.

In a typical case, it would not be strange to face the destruction of the family for daring to reject an Imperial Princess’s proposal.

However, thanks to being a founding family, one of the most important strongholds of the current Empire, the owner of the Grand Magic Tower Horizon, and the Emperor’s own feelings that he didn’t find him appealing as a son-in-law due to all the scandals he dragged around, his life was spared.

Still, the 9th Imperial Princess was born to Empress Beanez, not the Empress Consort, so it was clear that he had fallen out of favor with the Empress.

Anyway, when Alton thought of that time, his teeth still chattered even now. Thanks to his scoundrel son, he was still at the mercy of the Emperor and Empress’s mood whenever he entered the Imperial Palace.

“So when will you bring her?”

“For now, I sent her back.”

“Why?”

“Her uncle said she couldn’t be sent right away.”

“Ryston had a blood relative?”

Givnen looked at his father as if dumbfounded.

“You were close friends, yet you know nothing at all?”

“He was such an oddball, that’s why. That bastard was a son of a bitch who disappeared without a word and never contacted me.”

“I see.”

“So what about her family?”

“It’s a hopeless family. They do small-scale charity work, but even at a glance, there are more than a few shady things. It’s a baron family in charge of a small estate, you probably don’t know them, Father.”

“Which territory do they belong to?”

“They said it’s called Roofla.”

“I’m hearing it for the first time.”

“It is a tiny territory attached to the frontier. It’s probably under the Kief Marquis Territory.”

Rivne, who had been silently listening to their conversation, stood up in horror.

“A baron family? Right now, not even a count, but a baron? Moreover, you’re going to establish a marriage tie with an unknown petty baron family from the frontier? The woman you’re going to marry after rejecting the 9th Imperial Princess is just the daughter of a humble family from the frontier?… Are you kidding me now?”

“What does the family matter? Anyway, our top priority is whether they can produce a pure-blooded mage offspring.”

“There are plenty of outstanding mages from prestigious families! And the 9th Imperial Princess is a mage too!”

“She had a pitiful amount of mana that’s embarrassing to even call her a mage.”

“What does that have to do with anything! The Ryanster family’s bloodline is a bit powerful? Whether she has a pitiful amount of mana or not, once you marry a mage, a mage successor will naturally be born, so what’s the problem?”

“If I’m getting married anyway, a woman with a lot of mana is better than a woman with a pitiful amount of mana.”

“No matter what, how can we… with a family without even a name… This is a disgrace to the Ryanster family, Father! No matter what, our levels don’t match!”

It is extremely natural for nobles to meet, interact, and marry within similar ranks.

The era when nobles only entered government positions to play and eat has passed. Now, the era has come when nobles not only enter government positions but also create their own businesses, expand them, and accumulate wealth.

The combination of families was an essential and indispensable process to fill each other’s shortcomings and further cooperate for the prosperity of both families.

For the Ryanster family, one of the three grand ducal families of the Empire, to establish a marriage tie with a baron family from the frontier without any standing was no different from lowering the family’s own status.

So Rivne thought Alton would also vehemently oppose this marriage.

However.

“I agree.”

“Father! Why on earth?”

“Because it’s Ryston’s child.”

“Who the hell is this Ryston or whoever for you to make such a fuss?”

“Ryston was a mage with qualities surpassing Yung. That bloodline is a talent that every mage considering succession would covet.”

“…A mage surpassing your teacher? I’ve never even heard the name before?”

Alton didn’t bother answering Rivne’s words. Instead, he spoke to Givnen in a resolute voice.

“Do others know about this?”

“No.”

“That’s a relief. Before it becomes known that it’s Ryston’s child… Try to hasten the marriage as much as possible and put her under protection.”

“That’s what I intend to do.”

Have father and son gone mad together?

Rivne glared at the two as if she couldn’t understand, and eventually stormed out of the dining room. At this, Alton clicked his tongue.

“When will she fix that temper of hers? Of course, your temper is an even bigger problem.”

Instead of answering, Givnen laughed. Then he put a well-cut piece of meat into his mouth and chewed it thoroughly. For a person with an eccentric temper who dropped a bombshell announcement, it was a very elegant knife work.

“I’m worried that the child might run away because of your foul temper.”

Alton worried in a completely different direction than Rivne. While Rivne was concerned about a blemish on the Ryanster family’s name, Alton was worried about whether Riley would be able to endure Givnen’s foul temper.

He thought that although Givnen was his son, he was truly a hopeless scoundrel. Especially when it came to women’s issues, even more so.

Of course, not all the numerous scandals he swept through were true, but it was a fact that his relationships with the opposite sex were endlessly casual.

He doesn’t stop those who come, and he doesn’t hold onto those who leave. He wasn’t the type to become greatly obsessed with others or to sincerely place his heart on someone.

To him, dating was just a ‘light thing to do,’ and the relationships formed that way were also far from sincerity. His human relationships were always like this. Especially his private relationships, even more so.

To put it nicely, one could say he was free, but in a way, it was a part where he couldn’t say anything even if he was denounced as trash.

Because not treating someone who treats you sincerely with sincerity is a betrayal towards them.

Alton was worried about this aspect.

“Treat her well.”

“I’m putting in as much effort as I can to the best of my ability.”

“…”

“I’ll manage her with devotion so that she can’t even think about wanting to run away.”

“That kind of thinking of yours is the problem. You lack sincerity in human relationships. You’re always calculative. Someday, a moment will come when you deeply regret it.”

Just expressing human relationships as ‘management’ fully revealed his lacking part.

Alton was concerned about this and gave sincere advice, but Givnen laughed indifferently and continued his meal.

There was no answer.

Realizing it was a silent action saying he would handle it himself, Alton let out a small sigh.