“You’re back early, I thought you’d stay the night there.”

At Sack’s words, Givnen sat down with a smirk.

“I wanted to, but I held back.”

“…Here are the documents you asked me to prepare.”

“Thanks for your hard work. What about the reporters?”

“I’ve taken measures to prevent any personal information about Riley Eadalin from leaking out.”

“You’re quick on your feet, well done.”

“I’d be grateful if you’d consider a raise for my good work.”

“I’ll think about it.”

“Thank you.”

“Leak to Count Ermeints’ side that I spent the night with her at the hotel. Well, he probably already guessed from the photos in the article, but wouldn’t it be good to confirm it for him?”

The shameless man who stole someone else’s fiancée instructed to deliver a big blow to the victim who lost his fiancée. He’s truly terrifying. Of course, I wonder if that victim is really a victim.

“Did you have a good talk with her?”

“We had a good talk. We got along well.”

“And did she accept your proposal?”

“Of course, am I someone who would be rejected anywhere? Though I’m not sure about the baron. I think he might negotiate with her. Just in case, I should prepare some threats in advance.”

He’s young but cunning. Clearly aware of his own excellence, he obviously never considered the possibility of rejection from the start.

It means he was confident about this deal. Confident that this deal would be successfully concluded.

“She’s the one you initially wanted to make your ward, right?”

“…”

“Did you change your plan to marriage because of the scandal?”

“You’re quite curious, aren’t you?”

“Of course, I’m not curious about just anyone. I believe that as the assistant to the Archmage, my interest in my master is the best mindset for serving him well.”

“You’re very reliable. I didn’t know you thought of me so attentively.”

“I’m glad you appreciate it. Of course, I hope you’ll consider this for a raise as well.”

Givnen leaned back in his chair. Then, twirling his quill pen deftly, he smirked.

“It was a choice for convenience.”

“…”

“I could go through the ward procedures, but I didn’t think that snake-like man would give her up easily.”

“What’s your purpose in marrying that lady?”

“First, protection.”

“…”

“And secondly, I suppose it’s to use her. Add curiosity to that as well.”

Riley Eadalin, whom he ended up taking on unexpectedly when what his master left behind became troublesome. She turned out to be more to his liking than he thought.

“She seems cute. I think we’ll get along well.”

“…How can you be so sure after spending just one day with her?”

“Chemistry doesn’t lie.”

…You crazy bastard!

Sack’s face turned bright red, and he almost dropped the documents he was holding.

“Why are you getting embarrassed?”

“I wonder, considering it was Master who made the embarrassing comment.”

“I’m going to keep the marriage to her strictly confidential. Make sure nothing leaks out.”

“Of course, but… have you told Lord Alton?”

“About what?”

“That you’re getting married.”

“No, I should tell him now.”

People started calling him crazy when he rejected the 7th Princess’s proposal, but now it’s marriage first, notification later?

Sack rubbed his forehead and turned away.

“I’ll be returning to my duties.”

“Alright.”

It’s only tiring if I try to understand. Only me.

Sack decided to boldly give up on trying to guess his superior’s thoughts. They say you’re not supposed to understand crazy people anyway. It seems it’s not entirely untrue that all the geniuses of the century were crazy.

Come to think of it… all the historically famous figures had a screw loose somewhere.

Just look at the current state of Count Ermeints…

“Good heavens.”

Sack was genuinely worried about Riley Eadalin. Marrying that unpredictable madman.

Suddenly, he felt very sorry for that young lady.

He hadn’t felt this way about the women his superior had dated before, but this time it felt especially so because he seemed to be sincere.

Run away. Please.

Muttering words that would never reach the person concerned, Sack fled from his office.

***

Perhaps a moment that will never come again in life.

A probability lower than that of a street beggar becoming a millionaire overnight. An opportunity to grasp wealth and honor at once, and of course, a chance to advance into the central circle. I believe without a doubt that it’s a moment when all my dreams will be grasped in an instant.

However…

“Why Riley of all people! Isn’t our Claire good enough?”

Why Riley of all people?

“I couldn’t even bring up Claire! He was so adamant about wanting to marry Riley…”

“No, I heard he was eccentric, but has he completely lost his mind? What’s so special about Riley of all people…”

Ryan rubbed his dry face.

“I don’t know what to do.”

“…Shouldn’t we allow it for now? If the scandal spreads… it’ll be difficult to marry her off elsewhere. Then she’ll become a burden, right? And the conditions offered by the Archmage’s side are so extraordinary…”

“Do you think that wench Riley will leave us alone if she gains power?”

“…Surely not, no matter what, she’s still family.”

“You didn’t see that wench’s eyes! Those vicious eyes. They were eyes that looked like they wanted to devour us.”

“…But she’s been obedient all this time. She’s kind-hearted, and if we treat her well from now on, she might forgive us.”

“Foolish talk. People change when they taste power.”

Ryan flared up at the baroness’s optimistic hope circuit.

“That wench! It’s not like she stabbed us in the back and brought us to this state. Do you still think Riley is a fool?”

“Then what should we do! How dare we reject a proposal from the Lianster family!”

The Lianster family was one of the three great dukes of the empire who were granted the title of duke despite not being of royal blood.

The Lianster family, which had produced many magicians for generations, was a founding contributor to the empire, and their influence was comparable to that of the royal family. Even just considering the family, it was an extraordinary one, but now that they had produced the head of the Great Magic Tower, their status was beyond words.

If a humble baronial family were to reject a proposal from the future head of such a family… it was obvious that they would face retribution for tarnishing the honor of the Lianster family, and they would be buried without even making it into high society.

Moreover, now they were completely at odds with Count Ermeints because of Riley… They didn’t know when that senile old man might seek revenge.

It was truly a dilemma.

If they allowed this marriage, it was obvious that ‘Riley’ would escape their control and become the biggest variable in the future, and if they refused, it was clear they would be headed for ruin.

“We should use this marriage too.”

“Use it?”

“Well, that’s right. Riley is a daughter registered in our family registry after all. No matter how much she wants to get married, what can she do if we don’t allow it?”

“Hmm.”

“If we oppose the marriage, she’ll know that she’s just someone who can’t be sold off to anyone else. She’s not a stupid child. She’s quick-witted and agreeable.”

“…”

“Besides, socially speaking, can Riley easily discard us? We’re still family outwardly, aren’t we? There’s no benefit for Riley in revealing discord with her family, right? It would only diminish her position.”

“That might be true for now, but looking to the future…”

“Oh my, dear. Are you saying you’ll just sit around and do nothing until then? Being too cautious is also a problem. We can build our own foundation sufficiently by then, can’t we? Let’s get a written agreement first. In exchange for allowing the marriage, she won’t cause us any disadvantage and will fulfill her role as a family member sufficiently.”

Ryan’s face lit up at the baroness’s suggestion.

“That’s a good idea. If we get a legally binding agreement, there’s no need to worry about future troubles.”

Delighted to have found a solution, Ryan shouted.

“Macdalin, go and call Riley.”

***

“Do you want to marry Givnen Lianster? I called you because I wanted to ask your thoughts.”

Riley stared blankly at Ryan.

This gentle demeanor, which she had never seen before, was really hard to get used to. It was hard to believe this was the same person who had been cursing and hitting her just yesterday.

“…I do want to.”

“Alright, that’s good. If that’s your wish… let’s proceed with this marriage. However.”

“…”

“I’d like you to write an agreement.”

“…An agreement?”

Ryan pushed a paper towards Riley.

“Read it and sign it.”

Riley began to read the contents written on the paper. To summarize the contents, it was like this:

1. Let go of old emotions about the past and do not hold each other accountable for any wrongdoings.
2. Continue to maintain outward family relations. Ensure that no discord is revealed.
3. As a member of the Eadalin family, do your best to maintain relationships and contribute to the family’s prosperity and development.

Riley let out a laugh. It was so ridiculous that she didn’t even try to hold back her laughter.

“If you just adhere to the contents written there, I will allow the marriage.”

“Uncle… are you afraid of me now?”

“…”

“When I tried so hard to be recognized as family, I was treated like a nuisance, but now you think of me as family?”

Ryan honestly admitted his mistake.

“I admit my wrongdoing.”

“…”

“To be honest, I didn’t want to take you in. When your father died in a carriage accident and you were left alone, I wasn’t well off enough to take you in. It’s not like you had any inheritance left by him either… But I couldn’t just ignore you since it was known that you were my niece. I admit it. You were a thorn in my side.”

“…”

“And to begin with, I wasn’t on good terms with your father. To be honest, we were worse than strangers, just sharing blood. In the midst of that, he left you to me… Yes, I was annoyed. I was in a position where I was struggling to feed myself and my children, so your very existence was a burden.”

Ryan, uncharacteristically, continued while watching Riley’s reaction.

“However, no matter what, we are family. You are an adopted daughter under my registry.”

“…”

“I admit that our relationship has gone wrong. I truly regret the terrible things I’ve done to you. But now that things have come to this, I and my family want to try to re-establish a good relationship with you.”

“Why? Because I’m becoming the mistress of the Lianster family? Do you need me now?”

“Yes, the conditions proposed by Lord Lianster are too… generous. Yet, the reason I hesitated to make a decision was purely because of you.”

“…”

“Because I was afraid you might harm me and my family in some way, harboring resentment.”

He really had a talent for choosing the most disappointing words until the very end.

“What if I don’t sign this?”

“Then the marriage will be called off.”

“…”

“Marriage is not a union between individuals. It’s a union between families. Even if it’s the Lianster family, you know well that they can’t proceed unilaterally without the permission of both families.”

“If you refuse the proposal, how do you plan to handle the disadvantages?”

“I will still oppose it. Even if it means ruin, it’s better than handing you the knife.”

It’s a funny thing. To think that the one who always reigned like a beast would show such a ridiculous side.

“I hope you can understand our circumstances that force us to do this.”

Riley silently stared at the agreement.

Seeing them go this far, it seemed they were really afraid of the current situation.

In fact, she hadn’t thought about revenge. Accepting Givnen Lianster’s proposal was more due to a desire to be free than a desire for revenge against them.

If they continued to torment her, she might consider revenge, but right now, rather than wanting to release old emotions towards them, she had a stronger desire to finally live ‘her life’ properly.

“You really make me miserable until the end.”

“…”

“I didn’t want much. I just wanted to cancel the engagement with Count Ermeints, that’s all. Personal revenge? I wasn’t even thinking about that to begin with. But… your attitude now makes me think about things I hadn’t considered.”

Riley picked up the quill pen and signed the signature line.

“I don’t want to try to get along like a real family either. I’ll play family as you wish, just as we’ve done so far. Because the fact that you took in someone like me who had nowhere to go doesn’t change, regardless.”

“…Thank you.”

“It’s not for you. It’s for my life. Don’t try to control me or interfere anymore. If you don’t bother me, I have no intention of seeking petty revenge.”

“Of course.”

“If you have nothing more to say, I’ll take my leave.”

“Alright, you may go.”

Not long after Riley left, the baroness came in.

“Darling, how did it go?”

“It ended well enough.”

“That’s a relief.”

“I don’t know how long the effect of this scrap of paper will last, but at least we’ve got one worry off our minds for now.”

“That’s right. But how are we going to appease her? My head already hurts thinking about it.”

“Try to get along with her as much as possible, she’s not a nuisance anymore.”

“Phew, I’ll try my best…”

A relationship that has become as twisted as it can be.

Now that the emotional rift has become so deep, it seems doubtful that trying to gain favor belatedly will change anything, but there’s no need to make ourselves look bad unnecessarily.

Ryan packed away the agreement with Riley’s signature and smiled with satisfaction. Then he ordered the servant:

“Send a letter to Lord Lianster right away saying we’d like to proceed with the marriage.”

***

“A letter has arrived from Baron Eadalin. He says he wants to proceed with the marriage as soon as possible.”

Givnen nodded at the expected answer as if there was nothing new about it.

“Are you going to proceed?”

“I have to. It would be troublesome if someone else took her, so as soon as possible.”

“I see. By the way, the Eadalin baronial family is returning to their territory.”

“When?”

“Today. It seems they’re leaving in the evening.”

Givnen stared at the pile of documents he had to process for a moment.

Right after the reception, there was particularly a lot to deal with, and he might have to pull an all-nighter, but after a brief deliberation, he stood up.

“Where are you going?”

“My wife is leaving, I should see her off.”

Excuse me. You’re not married yet.

Sack looked at Givnen as if he couldn’t believe it. Regardless, Givnen smiled and gathered his coat.

“I’m playing hooky today. I’ll leave the rest to you.”

Oh, my!

A shadow fell over Sack’s face as he suddenly found himself saddled with the work.