Chapter 5
It was a simple question, but it gave me a glimpse into the future.
If she were to marry Sion Laird, she would either stay with her family for the time being, or move over to his side of the family entirely.
She would be noticed wherever she was, but if she behaved carefully, she would not cause a scene.
‘I don’t have to drink or gamble. It’s not something I enjoy doing.’
Drinking and gambling were just ways to pass the time.
I was never a good drinker to begin with, and I would stop gambling as soon as I felt I was losing money.
I would sneak money out under the guise of throwing it in there.
‘Once I’m married, I won’t be interfered with…’
She was now the duke’s beloved daughter and living with her parents, but once she married, she would be treated as just another noblewoman.
Even if they were living together, the boundaries would be clearly drawn, and they would be given a small amount of financial support just for being there.
Above all, the feeling of independence from the family meant that she could move around more freely than before.
‘I won’t be questioned if I learn magic, because I’m already married.’
Killing monsters was just one reason to learn magic.
She had been curious about magic since she was a child, but her parents had forbidden her to read books on the subject.
Though she managed to learn magic in secret and reach a certain level, she wasn’t satisfied with it.
‘He won’t interfere. There’s no point in fighting me.’
Both Sion Laird and herself were not happy with this marriage.’
Even if they found themselves comfortable with each other, marriage was forced, and they couldn’t get any closer than that.
If they could agree to stay out of each other’s way, the marriage could be quite peaceful.
‘Just don’t have kids. Raising a child isn’t easy….’
There have been cases where nobles have married and not had children.
But I didn’t know if it was a deliberate choice or if it didn’t happen despite their efforts.
It was only gossiped about at social gatherings and through the maids.
‘We’d better split up quickly, otherwise it’ll be noisy on either side.’
Even if she could skip other things, she wouldn’t be able to neglect the issue of a successor for him.
Having children would establish a family, and no matter what, it wouldn’t be easy to tear them apart.
Maybe one side would insist on seeing their grandchildren.
‘It’s easier to break up when you don’t have kids.’
While it’s true that it’s easy to breakup when you’re just getting engaged, once you’re married, the process becomes quite complicated.
In addition, both families become entangled, and rumors are often spread by other nobles.
Even if you do manage to get a divorce, you’re already married, so your value is reduced and you’re completely cut off.
In other words, she could not be used as a marriage tool, and her family would completely abandon her.
‘It’s better for me to be abandoned, but… I feel sorry for him.’
If she gets a divorce, she can leave quietly and do as she pleases.
But there was no telling what the consequences would be for Sion Laird.
Conversely, the possibility of the damage could make him oppose a divorce.
‘Hmm… getting married is not a good thing. I need to think about it more.’
There was no guarantee that Sion Laird would give in to her demands in the first place.
He could show his true colors, or he might cause trouble.
In that case, it was better to run away before the wedding.
‘Did I hear six months? That’s plenty of time.’
From what I’ve heard, the engagement was extended at the Marquis’ request.
He was probably thinking about his future, but it wasn’t going to change my course of action.
She would simply use the time to secure the funds and prepare to flee.
‘I have to take advantage of that. Stay normal, so I don’t raise suspicion.’
His father had been keeping tabs on her through maids and bodyguards.
In case she should become displeased and attempt to escape from the mansion.
That’s why he permitted her to drink and gamble to keep her in check.
‘Should I at least pretend to get along with him? Perhaps he’ll feel generous and provide me with some extra money…’
Hanette pulled the blankets over herself.
She had to get some sleep and then go to the pub or the gambling house.
That way she could raise a little more money.
‘I hate myself for raising money like this… I hate it.’
***
Sion’s room, Marquis Laird’s mansion.
Sion, along with the maids, was packing the necessary things to take with him.
As a noble, he had a lot of stuff, and even if he only brought what he needed, a carriage would be needed.
Even if he didn’t have everything he needed, he hoped that Duke Adelaira would take care of it.
“What, you’re already getting ready?”
Karlz appeared through the open door.
Sion felt awkward, but walked right up to him.
“Yes, brother. It’s something I need to do anyway.”
“Isn’t it a bit soon? there’s still time.”
“Waiting is frustrating, and that’s why I’m preparing in advance.”
“Uh… Well…”
Karlz remains silent and avoids meeting Sion’s eyes.
Perhaps if he were in Sion’s shoes, he would feel the same way.
He wouldn’t want to marry a brat with a bad reputation.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t help you, but there’s nothing I can do.”
“I’m grateful that you care enough to say that.”
Shion smirks, saying something he doesn’t mean.
What was done was done, and no one could overrule the family’s head words.
Barchen was the first to object, but Fred stood by his decision.
Eventually, Barchen backed down, and Kaltz reluctantly accepted.
“Do you think you could spare a moment?”
“Do you have something to say?”
“Something like that. Leave that to the maids, and we’ll take a walk.”
“… Okay.”
Sion left the room with a word to the maids.
Kaltz turned and walked ahead of him.
“That… I don’t know what to say, but does it feel wrong?”
“I don’t think it’s a good feeling.”
“I know, getting married all of a sudden, well… You feel like you’re being dragged somewhere, right?”
Kaltz opens his mouth cautiously, trying to keep the conversation going.
It was an ordeal that Sion had to overcome, but as his brother, he couldn’t help but be concerned.
If Sion hadn’t been engaged to the crazy young lady, he or Barchen would have taken his place.
“Do you think I’m going to die there? I mean, it’ll be a little weird with all the new faces.”
“Not going to die. Ah, well. I think they’ll be rather nice to you. But your fiancé is a bit like that.”
“Cause she’s called an Crazy Young Lady?”
Most nobles didn’t refer to Hanette as Crazy Young Lady.
No matter what the circumstances, you couldn’t openly ridicule the eldest daughter of a duke.
A misplaced jibe would either enrage Duchess Adelaira greatly, or result in accusations from her entourage and connections.
“WOAH? Don’t let it come out of your mouth. What if someone overhears?”
“I don’t think anyone will, but I’ll be fine, I’m her fiancé, and I don’t think Duke Adelaira can do anything about it.”
“…You’re calm.”
Kaltz looks at Sion with sympathy in his eyes.
Despite his outward calm, he seemed to have a keen sense of awareness that hadn’t been there before.
It was almost as if he’d had a revelation, an epiphany, an acceptance of reality.
“So what are you going to do now?”
“Well, what could I do there?”
“Well… I didn’t mean that, I meant if you could get along with your fiancé.”
“You put it a little too bluntly.”
“Is that so? haha…”
Kaltz smiled awkwardly and covered his mouth.
Sion understood the behavior and didn’t press on further.
“If I had to guess, I don’t think we’d get along.”
“…Why?”
“Because she doesn’t like me.”
“Oh, that’s what you meant.”
Now he couldn’t even laugh.
This was going to be even worse than he expected.
But if he told his father, it would only get him in trouble.
“I hate her just as much, so we’re on even terms.”
“Are you going to hate her even after you get married?”
“We’ll have to wait and see.”
“Hmm… I have a few friends who are married, and they all had arranged marriages, just like you.”
“Are your friends happy in their marriages?”
“Not really happy… But they say it’s bearable. Once you have kids, you have responsibilities, you’re babysitting, it costs money…”
“Isn’t that just adjusting to reality and giving up on life?”
“…”
Kaltz scratched his head, at a loss for words.
What Sion said was correct, and even he couldn’t deny it.
They were married out of necessity, so they could only adapt to the situation by taking it less personally.
“I’m just making it up because I don’t know what else to say, and accepting it makes me feel easier.”
“You seem to know all too well? Have you ever been married behind our backs?”
“Hahaha, that’s a funny joke.”
Sion bursts out laughing and thinks about life in the modern world.
He had never dated a woman, let alone married one.
He never talked to women, and when he did, he treated them as strangers.
He lived his life alone, trusted no one, and experienced endless examples of human malice.
“Uh… but she’s beautiful, and my friends don’t have that.”
“I suppose that is reasonable; it’s better than being ugly, after all.”
“Right? I heard she’s really pretty. What do you think?”
“She’s pretty, I’ll agree.”
Even Sion had to admit it.
She was certainly striking, and a man would surely take a look or two.
Even royalty would have taken an interest in her if she hadn’t been called a crazy.
“So you’re admitting it, but… How would you match up with that quirky personality of hers?”
“That’s… Well… it won’t be easy.”
“Do you expect her to bend first? Or perhaps ignore her equally? Either that, or take a concubine…?”
“Ehehe! That’s not possible. My fiancé is a duke.”
“That’s right, that’s what I think too, even if we’re the same marquis, he’ll have eyes on you.”
Sion smiled wryly at the thought.
He’d never marry Hanette, but it was fun to play along with the assumption.
Perhaps other family members would think similarly to the Kalts, and perhaps other nobles would feel sorry for him.
As long as he didn’t act out of character, everyone would be sympathetic to him.
“Brother, I have no intention of bringing trouble to the family, and it would be better in many ways if I did as I was told.”
“I’ll be grateful if you think so.”
“So I’m going to have as much fun as I can before I get married, and with your help, I could have even more fun.”
Sion secretly turned to Kaltz and asked for his help.
He wanted to find a way to protect himself before he got the sword.
While the Demon Sword contained great power, it also put a strain on its wielder, and he needed to be sure he was prepared.
“How can I help you?”
“… I need you to get me something. Since you’re a palace administrator, it shouldn’t be too hard for you to get it.”
——
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