The Big Catch (3)
The birth of a new Sword Master was apparently quite a big deal.
The moment the rumors spread, Duchess Stanashila Pitra swept into my quarters, accompanied by a whole flock of the Duke's Castle retainers.
Oh, for the record, Urtega didn't show up. He probably figured there was no need to double-check something he already knew.
"Haah... I haven't the faintest idea what this uproar is about, Aljen."
"It's nothing, really. Just my attendant becoming a Sword Master, that's all."
"...You're doing this on purpose, aren't you, Aljen?"
"Ah, you caught me."
When I offered a sly smirk, Pitra let out a deep, exasperated sigh.
"So, is the young lady standing there that very Sword Master?"
"That's right. You might already know her, but this is my attendant, Muriel."
At my casual introduction, Muriel stepped forward and offered a shallow bow.
"Ahem. I see... Sir Muriel. I have a few questions for you."
"Just Muriel is fine. Moreover, there is no need for formalities. At the end of the day, I am merely Master Aljen's attendant."
"...No. Still, treating someone of Master rank so casually is..."
"I insist."
"Mmm, well, if you say so."
Breathing a slight sigh of relief, Pitra let her shoulders relax. It was painfully obvious what had crossed her mind. Well, a brain drain would be a serious headache for any ducal house.
"When did you achieve the rank of Sword Master?"
"...That is somewhat difficult to explain. Going by real-world time, it would be yesterday, but..."
"Hmm? Is there some circumstance behind it?"
Pitra's gaze bounced between me and Muriel.
"...No. Let us simply say it was yesterday."
"Yesterday, you say... I'm curious, but very well. So, now that you're a Master... what are your plans for the future? If you don't have any particular goal in mind, our ducal house would be delighted if you'd work for us..."
"No. I must respectfully decline."
Pitra's face hardened slightly at Muriel's prompt refusal.
"Do you have other plans in mind?"
"Yes. I wish to remain by Master Aljen's side forever."
"Oho... Is that so?"
Pitra looked at me with an expression that seemed pleased yet conflicted.
"Then we'll have to hurry with wedding preparations."
"Wait, wait, hold on a second. Mother. What on earth are you talking about so out of nowhere?"
Having listened in silence until now, I cut in, thoroughly freaked out, prompting Pitra to tilt her head quizzically.
"Hm? What do you mean, 'what on earth'? Wanting to stay by your side means she wants to marry you."
"Muriel didn't mean it like that. Right, Muriel?"
"......"
"Muriel? Say something."
"......"
Despite my repeated prodding, Muriel merely shifted her gaze aside without a word.
"Fufu. Is it because you're in the early stages of dating? How fresh and innocent~ It warms my heart. I had days like that once, too..."
"No, Mother, I'm telling you that's really not it! Muriel is just messing around."
"Hmm...? Aljen. Why are you so against it? It's not like Muriel lacks in beauty or figure... Or do you happen to have another woman in mind?"
"No, that's not it, but... I'm not in any position to do that right now. I have zero thoughts of getting married anytime soon. And feeling like I'm being sold off like this is a bit..."
"Nonsense. Even if you've no mind for it, and even if being sold off is the truth, marriage is a duty! Do you even realize how old you are?"
"......"
The sheer abyss between our values struck me completely dumb.
"This actually works out splendidly. If you have a wife who can keep you grounded and manage the household, maybe you'll finally pull yourself together. I will arrange the wedding as swiftly as possible, so consider yourself informed."
"Wait! Mother! Calm down a bit! That's really not it! I said it's not like that!"
At this rate, I was going to be dragged off to the altar without a say, so I cried out while breaking into a cold sweat, but Pitra didn't seem to hear a single word.
"Muriel. That's fine with you, right? When should we set the date?"
"Ahem... Duchess Pitra. My apologies. As Master Aljen said, I was merely teasing a little."
"Mmm? Really...? But Muriel, you don't look all that displeased?"
"...Of course, I do desire it, but I have no wish to proceed against Master Aljen's wishes. For now, my only desire is to support Master Aljen by his side."
"My, how admirable."
After eyeing me and Muriel with a curious gaze, she flashed a gentle smile.
"Fufu, well, fine. When romance is in full bloom, dancing just out of reach is part of the fun. It seems quite certain you two will marry soon anyway, so let me know once your minds are made up."
"Just what makes you think we're going to get married..."
"I say so because you don't look like you genuinely dislike it either. Besides, anyone can see you'll end up wrapped around her finger. If Muriel pushes hard enough, you'll cave in and marry her reluctantly."
"Me? Wrapped around her finger? Reluctantly getting married? Ha."
I let out a scoff and lit a cigarette.
"Ffft... Pheeew... I think you misunderstand your son, Mother. Do I look like the type to live under a woman's thumb?"
"Yes. You certainly do."
"...Just why?"
"Think of your father. Do you think he lives under my thumb because he has a gentle personality or lacks strength?"
"......"
I had no comeback for that.
"In the end, whoever falls in love first loses. And looking at you, Aljen, you've already fallen quite—"
"Stop. Mother. Please stop."
"Fufu. Are you embarrassed?"
"Your business here is done, right? Then please, see yourself out."
"How cute... Fine, I understand. Muriel, please continue to take good care of my son."
"I shall do my utmost. Please leave him to me."
Exchanging a polite goodbye with Muriel, Pitra rose from her seat, stared intently at my face for a moment, and left the room alongside her retainers.
...Why did she even bring retainers who didn't open their mouths once?
"Phew... Hey, Muriel."
"Yes, darling."
"...Aren't you being a bit insolent?"
"Haven't I always been?"
"...Have you? Guess you have... Sigh."
Giving up on trying to set a stern mood, I puffed heavily on my cigarette and gestured for her to come over. At that, she sat primly beside me.
"Still, aren't you coming on way too blatantly these days?"
"Haven't I always?"
"...Have you? Huh, you're right."
In other words, Muriel hadn't changed at all; I was just interpreting it differently than before? Just why? Since when?
"......"
"Master Han-gil. An excessive volume of blood is rushing to your face."
"I know that, so could you shut up for a second?"
"Fufu. How cute."
"Try showing some shame yourself for once. Is your face plated with steel or something?... Just pour me a drink."
When I held out my cup, she filled it without a word of complaint.
"Phaaah..."
Holding the strong liquor on my tongue before gulping it down, a fiery warmth spread through my throat as if catching flame. As I surrendered myself to the pleasant buzz, Muriel, who had been sitting with her back straight, began inching closer and rubbed against me like a cat. I gently stroked her back.
"...Still, Muriel. What on earth is Pitra thinking?"
"Well. I cannot even begin to guess."
"......"
Pitra surely knew that I wasn't the real Stanashila Aljen. Even so, watching her eagerly try to arrange a marriage... honestly bordered on terrifying. For a woman who treasured family above all else, what kind of mental state must she be in to act so completely natural?
"......"
"......"
How long did that strange, faintly sultry silence linger? A firm knock shattered the quiet.
"Who is it?"
"It's Rebecca, Lord Aljen."
"Come in."
Rebecca stepped inside looking slightly awkward, but the moment she saw how closely Muriel and I were tangled together, her eyes narrowed sharply.
"Ahem. Um... Aljen... no, Lord Han-gil."
Yet she soon seemed to remember her purpose and called to me with a trace of hesitation.
"...What's up? Dressing up like that."
She was currently wearing a tight black dress with quite a bit of skin showing. My gaze was naturally drawn to the healthy glow of her deeply exposed cleavage and toned thighs.
"Ah, well... I heard you attended the banquet with Muriel. So, I wanted to join you as well..."
"...Is that so?"
Hearing her speak so candidly made it abundantly clear that she and Muriel were cut from entirely different cloth.
"Ah, but if you don't want to, it's fine. Honestly, I'm satisfied just having shown you this outfit..."
"...You look pretty. And hot."
"Excuse me?! H-Hot... ahem. Do I?"
Watching her fail to suppress a loose, giddy grin, an evil smirk crept onto my lips. The debut of a second Sword Master, no less... This was going to be wildly entertaining. Just imagining the nobles' reactions made my mouth water.
"Sounds good. Let's go to the banquet."
"R-Really? You don't mind?"
"Of course not. Oh, but just in case, grab your weapons."
"Weapons?... Is something about to happen?"
The aura of a bashful maiden vanished in an instant, replaced by the sharp, steely presence of a battle-hardened veteran commanding the room.
"No, nothing like that... Well, you'll see when we get there."
"Hmm...? Very well, I understand."
She swiftly retrieved her swords and returned, and I stood up to head toward the banquet hall with her.
"Muriel. You want to come too?"
"...No. I shall stay behind."
"Yeah? Suit yourself."
"Philanderer."
"What?"
I stared at her in disbelief, but she snapped her head away, sulking overtly.
"...Troublesome woman."
Glare!
A look as sharp as a dagger flew my way, so I hurriedly grabbed Rebecca's hand and pulled her along.
Unlike the morning, the atmosphere in the nighttime banquet hall was on an entirely different level of density. A bustling crowd, a cacophony of loud voices, and the rich aroma of overflowing food. Yet that vibrant clamor died down the instant Rebecca and I made our entrance.
"Mmh...?!"
Tensing at the abrupt shift, Rebecca instinctively rested her hand on the hilt of her sword. Having anticipated this, however, I chuckled and gave Rebecca's backside a firm squeeze.
"Hyaak...?! L-Lord Aljen? What are you—?!"
"Hold still. I'm showing everyone you're my woman."
"M-My woman... to say such a..."
Tucking her flushed, twitching figure snugly against my side, I strolled unhurriedly toward the food tables. As if I had no business with anyone else in the room.
The nobles, however, weren't about to just leave me alone.
"Ahem, Lord Aljen. I would like to hear about the rumored Sword Master... Could this be the one?"
"Lord Aljen! Is it true that winning a proxy duel will elevate one's realm of power?!"
"Rumor has it that you personally raised that maid, Lord Aljen! Is it true?! Did you turn a maid you took a liking to into a Sword Master yourself, just like you elevated the realm of the Stanasila knight?!"
"Is the woman beside you right now also someone you raised yourself?!"
"I wish to request a proxy duel! I want to receive counsel regarding my future!"
"Lord Aljen. Might I have a word with the rumored Sword Master? No ulterior motive, of course, simply a casual dinner if possible..."
A torrent of voices—some laying their intentions bare, others hinting circuitously, and still others wrapping their desires in polite pretense. Ignoring every last one of them, I leisurely sampled the food and wine, feeding morsels into Rebecca's mouth.
"Good?"
"Pardon? Ah... Y-Yes, it's delicious."
"Glad to hear it."
Rebecca moved stiffly out of sheer nervousness, but as I gently caressed her rump, arousal swiftly overtook tension; in no time, she was flushed with desire and clinging tight to my side. After keeping that up for a while, I looked at the nobles whose voices were growing louder with restless impatience, and spoke in a low voice.
"Anyone want to make a bet with me?"
Silence.
A few seconds later, an avalanche of requests poured down like wildfire.