“…I hope the story of my flamboyant pilgrimage to women ends here.”
I thought it would be wiser to stop before Aria’s expressionless stare from the side grew even fiercer than it already was. The moment I stood up, I reminded myself that the reason I had put everything aside to search for my father was certainly not to listen to his nagging.
“Hmm, I don’t have much to say about your decision being straightened out. Anyway, if it’s Bianca, I’m in favor. That being said, what were you planning to do about the ceremony between the two of you? I heard that the engagement ceremony at the Marquis of Castana was interrupted midway. If you truly intend to marry that child, shouldn’t you hold a proper ceremony?”
At my father’s words, I gently shook my head.
“I’m sorry, but for the time being, I won’t be holding any kind of ceremony.”
“…Um, why is that? If you’re going to welcome her as your partner anyway, wouldn’t it be better to have a match ceremony? I don’t think Bianca would ask you to break off the engagement the way Sarah did.”
My father, as usual, added unnecessary comments, mentioning how wonderful it was that someone still liked me despite witnessing all my awkward moments from a very young age.
The reason I refused to hold a ceremony with Bianca was simple.
As long as the other women involved with me were keeping a watchful eye, proceeding with a ceremony for Bianca would be nothing short of declaring war against them.
If we traced things back, wasn’t the false engagement between Bianca and me the very reason why the princess and Ariel had taken residence in the Estel family in the first place?
Bianca, the princess, and Ariel weren’t merely staying at the Estel duchy while idly wasting food. On the contrary, they were getting along so well that they didn’t know what to do with themselves. Wasn’t it obvious how things would unfold if they ever learned the truth?
No matter how much I thought about it, all I could imagine was an ominous future where the entire Duchy of Estel lay in ruins ten years from now.
However, I couldn’t exactly confide in my father about all these internal circumstances. Instead, I decided to use the same excuse I had when I initially tried to shake off Bianca’s grasp and prolong the fake engagement.
“Well, I don’t think there are many people who would be happy if Bianca and I were formally connected. At the very least, I doubt many nobles in the north would welcome our relationship.”
Beyond the already turbulent relationship between the Duke of Estel and the Marquis of Castana, hundreds of years had passed since Estel had fallen in the north. The balance of power had long since shifted to Castana’s side, and now, a union between Bianca and me had the potential to shake the northern political landscape. Currently, there were no other official direct heirs in the Castana family apart from Bianca.
“Well, regardless of why you’re concerned about such things, you seem to be mistaken. As far as I know, there are very few nobles in the north who oppose your union.”
“…What? Why is that?”
Why would those greedy pigs, who only cared about their own interests, actually support my marriage with Bianca?
“…it’s truly absurd that you don’t realize it. Didn’t you already prove your worth in front of those self-serving b*stards who only knew how to protect themselves? If they take pride in their noble blood, then they had no choice but to acknowledge you. The fact that you, as a person, are qualified to reign over them.”
“…?”
I didn’t fully understand what my father was talking about, but it wasn’t relevant to the matter at hand, so I brushed it aside. The reason I had come to see him wasn’t to discuss such grim topics but to find a solution for my current predicament.
“…Well, let’s put that incomprehensible talk aside for now. However, if we are to proceed with the ceremony with Bianca as you wish, there are a few issues that must be resolved first.”
For example, a peaceful future would be impossible unless I somehow dealt with the various problems surrounding the princess, who roamed the Duchy of Estel like a dangerous force, as well as women like Ariel.
This time, I wanted to avoid falling into a dead-end situation as I had with Bianca.
Once in a lifetime was more than enough for rare experiences such as kidnapping, confinement, and amnesia. Going through something like that twice was an absolute no-go.
No matter how stunning a woman might be, being at the mercy of others was never to my taste.
…Then, what I had to do was quite simple. I needed to develop the strength to overcome any tricks or schemes thrown at me by the women around me. If I had the power to face them head-on, at the very least, I wouldn’t get caught up in a situation like I had with Bianca. (G: There ya go, character development.)
“In that sense, once I recover some of my strength, I would like to visit the Duke of Decaraznan.”
That was the conclusion I had reached after careful consideration.
“…..”
At my sudden remark, my father fell into deep contemplation, as though he was weighing something in his mind.
Meanwhile, Lucian, who had been standing beside me in silence, gave me a look of mild surprise.
“Cain von Estel. Do you believe the last key lies with the Duke of Decaraznan? Then, have you already ruled out the Duke of Crusel?”
To Lucian’s question, I nodded without hesitation and responded.
“The Crusel family is famous for producing civil servants generation after generation. More importantly, I heard that the Duke of Decaraznan possesses a unique swordsmanship that has been passed down within their lineage. If we’re considering possibilities, I’d say Decaraznan holds a much higher chance.”
“Certainly, that’s a reasonable conclusion.”
Lucian nodded calmly, seeming to understand my reasoning.
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