"What on earth did you do?"
Facing a sighing Baldoa, I asked hesitantly.
"Was it that bad?"
Baldoa's office was smaller than mine. Part of it might be the clutter, but perhaps my office was just exceptionally large to begin with. When I'd told Alette about the arranged marriage idea and then approached Baldoa, he'd looked utterly exasperated.
"No, forgive me. If it's a proposal from Lady Lyle, refusal is simply not an option. So, your prospective partner is the deputy leader of Rolfis? On a hierarchical level, the Landberg family are currently sworn knights to House Walt. It doesn't seem like a match, does it?"
"Huh? You're not refusing?"
While I was surprised, laughter came from inside the Jewel. The Third Generation said to me:
'Refusing a marriage proposal from one's lord is a pretty big deal, even in my era. If it's a house like Walt with a long-standing family precept, they might even consider your preferences or look for someone else. In my case, it helped that the Second Generation found someone for me.'
The Seventh Generation said something similar.
'You need a good reason to refuse. Still, it's strange not to have someone you like at your age. Lyle, listen well.'
Following the Seventh Generation's instruction, I asked Baldoa.
"Do you have someone else? Someone you like?"
Baldoa's gaze shifted slightly, but when he looked at me, he seemed to give up and spoke.
"Lady Lyle was under house arrest, wasn't she? You might know it theoretically, but perhaps not in practice... I do have someone I'm fond of. However, she's a village girl from a settlement we passed through during a bandit suppression mission. Obviously, marriage isn't an option."
What Baldoa said reminded me how meaningless free love was in noble marriages compared to the bonds between families. In my case, Novem was my fiancée, but Baldoa apparently had someone of a different social standing.
"What are you going to do?"
"I intend to accept. Truly, Rolfis's current position can't be ignored. For example, if Rolfis were to leave the alliance, sanctions would be necessary. Get the severity wrong and go too far, and other nations will grow anxious. Go too easy, and resentment will build. Reactions would vary by country too, so it's a problem we can't just leave alone."
Right. If Rolfis left, the possibility of sanctions would arise. If other countries weren't convinced, we couldn't just ignore it.
In the worst case, we might even have to consider destroying them within the alliance before they could ally with Banseim. But how would the other nations view that? I wouldn't lose. I had the power for that. However, even if I won, it would only be a victory on the spot.
Not wanting to pick a fight with Banseim, I didn't want to end up with some strange ticking time bomb on my hands.
"...Sorry about that. You're right — my adventurer days were the more intense period, so I've been starting to forget what it was like being a noble."
"I think that's only natural. There's a world of difference between knowing something from books and experiencing it firsthand. Still, as far as my conditions go, he made his move after the bandit subjugation, so I'd like you to at least consider accepting me as a lady-in-waiting. At the very least, our relationship needs to be officially recognized."
The Seventh Generation spoke in a slightly lowered voice.
"He really treasures her, doesn't he? More to the point, he's doing what needs to be done. I wish Riel had even half that much composure."
Then the Third Generation said to the Seventh.
"You're dealing with things on too large a scale to go around subduing bandits yourself, Seventh. Even if you did, you'd have your vassals swarming all around, wouldn't you? It's common enough for a village that's had bandits driven off to send out its finest maiden as a hospitality offering. Someone with a territory like Baldoa's should run into that sort of thing now and then... but from what you're describing, it sounds personal?"
I relayed the Third Generation's question.
"Personal? Or is it every woman you've ever been involved with?"
Baldoa looked at me with an unamused expression.
"...Lord Riel, please don't assume every man surrounds himself with women the way you do. It's personal. Personal. I was aided by her a few years back when I subjugated a bandit camp. At the time, I only knew about it in theory, and I was in a terrible panic afterward. Since then, I've tried my best not to stay overnight in villages whenever possible."
The Third Generation spoke in a serious tone.
"That sort of thing is troublesome for the other party too, you know. If you defeat the bandits and they try to thank you by offering, rejecting it makes them feel spurned. Well, I suppose Baldoa just wants to maintain his sense of principle."
Was his attachment because she had been his first? I couldn't really wrap my head around it. Baldoa let out a sigh.
"Well, there are feelings involved, and we've kept in touch since then. I'd at least like to look after her. So, I'm sorry to ask, but... if I were to die, would you be willing to arrange some form of compensation for that young woman as well?"
...That took an unpleasant turn rather suddenly. But with Baldoa wearing that serious expression, there was no room for jokes, so I decided to just confirm where she was.
—Alette was slumped over in the waiting room.
"...I should have brought more than just my knight's uniform. Why didn't I prepare a dress, you idiot?!"
Watching Alette like that was the knight who had guided her through the castle. He looked exasperated, or perhaps something between that and sympathy, as he gazed at her and tried to console her.
"Lord Baldoa doesn't have that many clothes either, you know. He rode in here and came straight through. As long as you're presentable on a basic level, there's no problem. Besides, wasn't this all decided rather suddenly?"
At that, the rookie knights turned to the knight with worried expressions.
"Um, is this really alright? Our original duty is—"
The knight shook his head.
"I know. But think about it, you lot... if you pass up this chance, do you think any of you could ever marry the Vice Commander? Good men are hard to come by. Even if you look for someone of comparable standing, almost all of them are already married. And if you miss this chance, things are already at a dangerous level as it is."
Officially, the purpose of Alette and her group was to elevate Rolfis's standing. In reality, however, they had been sent to secure an engagement between Princess Anneline and Laiel.
If they didn't do that, Rolfis's influence within the Four-Nation Alliance would dwindle. The other three nations all had ties to Laiel, but Rolfis was the only one that didn't... and they couldn't very well leave the alliance now.
The moment they did, they'd be surrounded by nothing but hostile nations.
The knight looked up at the ceiling, then turned his gaze toward Alette.
"Vice Commander, do you have your marriage documents on hand?"
Alette looked up and nodded.
"Hm? Oh, yes, I have them."
The rookie knights around them were stunned. The knight swept his gaze across them.
"See? That's the kind of person she is. There's no more chance. The Princess is still young. But the Vice Commander, while she's a wonderful person, has this sort of thing going on... As a Rolfis knight, I'd rather push forward with the marriage between Lord Laiel and the Princess. But personally, I want to root for the Vice Commander. And besides—"
"And besides?"
Alette was muttering to herself, running through simulations. She appeared to be preparing answers in advance for the questions she might be asked at a matchmaking meeting.
"'What do you do on your days off?'—'I train my body, drink at night, and go to sleep' was no good, apparently. I got scolded for that later. Then I should talk about something cute like knitting or other homemaking topics—wait, no! I've never learned to knit, not once! Fine then, I'll deflect by talking about admiring flowers or something—"
She was so desperate that the male knights around her were backing away in alarm.
"—And another thing. This match isn't bad at all. She's a top candidate whose market value is only going to climb from here. Right now she's just a retainer knight, but if Lord Laiel wins, he'll be granted a grand domain and made a Count. Or at the very least, he's certain to become a Court Noble and have her as his close advisor. For Rolfis—as a nation, this isn't a bad deal, is it?"
So the knight explained to the rookie knights that if they focused only on the official mission, it could be considered a success—
Several hours later.
With preparations complete, the formal meeting began at a round table arranged in the inner courtyard of the royal castle. Ludmilla and I sat across from each other, while Baldoa and Alette — the main candidates — sat facing one another.
Guards were posted nearby, but only the bare minimum.
Moreover, they were all female knights. Monica had prepared tea and such, but Alette was too nervous to touch any of it.
Several minutes passed with no one saying a word, until Ludmilla set down her cup. The ceramic gave a soft clink. The courtyard was so quiet you could hear sounds like that with perfect clarity.
But it was Alette who broke the equilibrium.
"U-Um! What are your hobbies?"
At that, Baldoa responded calmly.
"A bit of horseback riding. I've dabbled in painting and instruments as well, though I wouldn't say I'm skilled at any of them. Also — may I ask you something?"
"Y-Yes!"
The two were close in age, but Alette's nerves were terrible. She looked like she might misspeak at any moment. The Third Generation was watching with growing excitement.
"I wonder if he'll produce marriage documents right now. If he's already filled in his name, even Baldoa would be startled, don't you think?"
The Seventh Generation was impressed by Baldoa's composure.
"I can't tell what he's truly thinking. But this self-assurance... it comes from knowing women, no doubt. Laiel, you should take this seriously as well. A great battle approaches. It wouldn't hurt to understand women."
...The two of them inside the Jewel could hear everything, so there was no way I could make a move on a woman. More than that, I was a little shocked to learn Baldoa wasn't on our side. I'd been thinking we could have enjoyable conversations like I did with Damian and Maxim...
Baldoa leaned forward with his elbows on the table, hands clasped, regarding Alette with a serious expression.
"I understand that this marriage is extremely important. However, while my family does hold a town, it's only a small territory — baronet-level. What's more, we are retainers. As the heir to a Landed Nobility house, marriage would require you to come live with my family. And as the eldest son of a Landed Nobility family, even if I loved only you, I might still take other women."
It was the same old story — accepting the hospitality of a village he'd helped. I'd helped a village in Baim too, but nothing remotely like this romantic arrangement had ever come up. Was this a difference in customs?
"I-I'm from what you'd call a Court Noble family in Banseim. In casual conversation, I've heard all sorts of things about... about such matters..."
"That would be a problem."
Baldoa's voice grew slightly harder. His expression was completely serious.
"My family, House Landberg, has sworn loyalty to House Walt ever since becoming vassal knights. A family that has served for six generations now. I wish to fulfill that duty as well."
Alette looked just as desperate.
"I-I understand that. I have real combat experience too! And... my resolve is..."
Baldo nodded.
"I see. You're not just a woman holding the position of vice-commander for nothing. Then you must understand what I'm saying? There are other things a woman can do. Besides, I can't make Rolfis my top priority. And there's already a woman I'm involved with. Her status is too low for marriage, but I intend to take her into the estate as a maid. If that's acceptable, then I'll take you as my primary wife."
Without even a moment's thought, Alette—
"O-Okay! The maid part wasn't what I expected, but I've heard all sorts of stories like this. If I let this chance slip, next for me would be..."
—she agreed.
"Huh? You're fine with that?!"
He fully expected her to push back, but she even accepted a maid—no, a mistress.
"There's no point in refusing marriage just because a man's had one or two maids on the side! I'm being serious here, so just listen! I was expecting even worse conditions... In fact, I've been told things like that before..."
That made me feel strangely sad. Ludmilla, for her part—
"For Landed Nobility, that's about normal. You could die on the battlefield at any time. Keeping a few women around for the sake of leaving heirs is a common enough story. Well, there are plenty of cautionary tales too."
When I looked over at Alette, she was trying to pull documents out of her pocket. I snatched them away. Why was this woman always rushing to make a mistake?
"G-Give those back! B-But I have spares, so..."
"Stop it—this is exactly the kind of thing that creeps people out. I'll have everything properly prepared later. Now hand over the spare documents too. Hurry up!"
"Well, but... I'll be anxious if you don't fill them out quickly!"
"Realize that the weird one is you for carrying them around all the time! Your behavior is what makes people uneasy!"
Ludmilla glanced at the documents in my hands. Then her expression twisted slightly.
"You actually carry stuff like this around? Even a man would be put off by that."
I thought Ludmilla would probably also be put off by a normal man. As I was thinking that, Baldoa took the documents from my hands.
"Pardon me. I see... It's a little different from Banseim's paperwork, isn't it? Should I add something to the Rolfis side as well?"
Saying that, Baldoa took out a pen and wrote his own name on the document where Alette's name was written.
The Seventh Generation spoke.
*'Surprisingly unshaken, isn't he.'*
The Third Generation seemed a bit bored.
*'Ha, well, that's typical. It'd be nice if things go smoothly, but we could use a bit more excitement.'*
I looked at Baldoa.
"Hey, shouldn't you be a bit more conflicted about this? You know. After she grew up, Alette got so high-spirited she became impossible to handle."
Alette stood up and grabbed my shoulder.
"Would you please stop getting in the way of my happiness! I'm begging you!"
Seeing Alette plead so desperately, I leaned back slightly in my chair, putting some distance between us. Ludmilla looked a little disappointed.
"I had my eye on Lord Baldoa for Cartaphus as well... but well, this should make the Rolfis a bit more manageable too."
Baldoa stopped writing, and looked at my face—
"...Lord Laiel, please go look in the mirror."
—That's what he said.