Marriage? Absolutely Not
"What?"
"I said no."
I wasn't entirely sure what Father meant by bringing up marriage. But since he'd asked so bluntly, I figured I might as well answer the same way.
Marriage?
Wasn't that just a grave?
Not that I'd ever been married myself. But I'd watched plenty of seniors make the class change from single to married.
"Yeah, I'm happy."
"Haha, marriage… you should definitely try it too."
"Hahaha."
That look drifting somewhere in the empty air. Of course, they did seem genuinely happy. People who'd lived in a constant state of rage would turn gentle; the high-strung ones would find some kind of inner peace.
But one thing was certain.
That happiness… isn't the kind of happiness I'm thinking of.
And how old was I right now?
Fifteen.
And he wanted to discuss marriage with someone my age? If this were Korea, Father would be looking at summary execution. This wasn't just about my own well-being — for Father's sake as well, this was something I absolutely could not accept.
Marriage could wait until I was at least past twenty.
"May I… ask the reason?"
"I still have a lot to do."
I didn't, actually. But that was the correct answer in situations like this.
If anything, I was the one who wanted to ask questions.
"Might I ask what the reason is, then? Don't tell me you've come down with some terminal illness…"
"No. This father of yours is perfectly healthy."
"Then…?"
If it wasn't that, what possible reason was there to suddenly start talking about marriage?! Just look at Bilheim. He was twenty and free as a bird. As far as I knew, he wasn't even engaged. So what on earth was the reason?
"It seems… some house has caught wind of the magic stone mine."
Well, I'd expected that much. With the territory moving this aggressively, word was bound to leak out somehow. But why did that matter?
"We've received word from House Merlin. They're asking how we'd feel about a marriage alliance."
"Ah…"
House Merlin. I knew who they were.
The southern region of the Heorn Kingdom — where the Falaon Barony sat — was ruled by a mix of minor small-fry nobles and a handful of genuine heavyweights. And House Merlin ranked among the very top of those heavyweights.
No.
Since they're the closest to us, they're more than that.
The neighborhood boss, you could say. Though "neighborhood" might be underselling the scale. Either way, they were a national-level house.
"Is there… no way to just refuse?"
"They were quite direct about it. Said it looked like we were planning something, and that we should do it together. Offered to watch our backs."
"Hmm. That doesn't necessarily prove they've figured out about the magic stone vein."
"About that… well, try not to be too shocked."
What more was there to be shocked about?
…Or so I thought. Turns out Father had more of a gambler's streak than I'd given him credit for.
"I told them."
"Pardon?"
"That a magic stone vein had been discovered, and that the reserves were considerable."
"Pardon? Why would you…"
"Because a magic stone vein is the kind of thing that draws eyes whether it's House Merlin or anyone else. I was implying that if they harassed us, we could always attach ourselves elsewhere. At the time, I had no other choice."
Hold on. Let me think this through.
I, Khtun, had just spotted a contradiction.
House Merlin.
A house that went well beyond local power brokers… modern equivalent, a conglomerate, and in their own backyard, even more than that. Would people like that lead with a marriage alliance from the start?
No. Absolutely not.
"Father, please be honest with me. The marriage alliance… was that their demand from the beginning?"
"…"
"Father?"
When I pressed him again, Father answered hesitantly.
"At first… it was just, you know, let's maintain good relations. Bring us some of whatever you've got if you find anything good."
"And then?"
"What do you mean, 'and then'? What kind of house is Falaon? We are founding contributors of the Heorn Kingdom. These days nobody remembers, but we are not a house that goes under anyone. And House Merlin wants what?"
"You just said all they wanted was for us to bring them food if we found any."
"That's just how they phrased it! This was a straight demand to come in as a vassal house!"
I'd never seen Father this worked up before. But he wasn't the only one getting heated.
Wow. A dream team of lunatics.
"…Father, slightly different topic, but what sort of person was the first head of House Merlin? From my brief studies, it seemed he had some connection to our own founding head."
"A valiant knight, from what I've heard."
Around that point, I closed my ears.
Anyway, to summarize: Merlin had said, "Be my subordinate!" and Father had countered with, "Don't be ridiculous. We've got a magic stone mine." The implication being that if they treated us poorly, we could attach ourselves elsewhere — and Merlin had taken that suggestion a little too well.
Which led to…
"Oh, then let's form a marriage alliance!"
At this point, something occurred to me.
"Father, you said sharing the magic stone vein's yield would mean going under them, and you refused that, correct?"
"…? My son, this isn't a matter of liking or disliking. It's a matter of possible or impossible. Is Falaon a house that goes under anyone?"
Wait — you doubted that?
Anyway.
"But a marriage alliance is different?"
Getting married wouldn't put our house on equal footing with Merlin. When I asked that, Father answered with complete confidence.
"You're asking the obvious. Of course it's different."
"How so?"
"Once the other side is the one requesting a marriage alliance, we hold equal rights with them. Of course, the difference in power means we can't be completely equal — but at the very least, we have no need to submit."
"Isn't that the same th—"
The Ancestor roared.
Sir, you're already dead, and dirt has almost certainly filled your eyes by now.
Hoo. So what now?
I spun my brilliant mind into gear and found the optimal answer. Then I delivered it.
"But, Father."
"Speak."
"Would Merlin… really be satisfied with me?"
"What do you mean by that?"
"A marriage alliance is a matter of the utmost importance. And if it could secure the house's future, I'd do it in a heartbeat. But at the end of the day, I'm a bastard."
"What nonsense! I have never once—!"
"I know. Neither you, nor Mother, nor my brother think of me that way. But how would House Merlin see it?"
I admitted it freely. Father treated me well, and so did my stepmother. As for Bilheim… yes, I admitted that too. He treated me like a proper younger brother. In all my time living in this house, I had never once felt the bitterness of being a bastard.
But how would other houses see it?
How else? A bastard is a bastard.
Which was exactly why I was saying this. Not because I hated the idea of marriage — for purely practical reasons.
"In the eyes of other houses, I am nothing more than a bastard. In my heart, I would gladly throw my entire self into a matter this critical to the family… but my station simply does not permit it."
I'm not grieving.
Anyway.
"I don't believe it will work."
"Then…"
"With deepest regret, it seems this heavy burden must be entrusted to my most respected and beloved brother, Bilheim."
"But if that happens, the line of succession will solidify around Bilheim."
I answered.
"Yes. If that is the path that serves the house."
If anything, it was exactly what I'd been hoping for.
At my answer, Father's eyes grew red. So did the Ancestor's.
"My son, I've forced a difficult choice onto you!"
Oh, please. It was the natural thing to do.
"Father, so please don't worry about me."
"…I understand, my son!"
Father pulled me into a fierce embrace, tears streaming down his face.
Was that it? Success?
…Or so I thought, when he spoke again.
"There's a problem, however."
"What is it?"
"Bilheim is currently away on important business."
"Yes, I know."
Lately Bilheim had been touring the neighboring territories, negotiating peace agreements. Without disclosing anything about the magic stone vein, he was securing pacts along the lines of, "Anyway, let's not mess with each other for a while. Understood?" The other side would know we had some kind of scheme going, but what could they do about it?
If you've got a problem, come at us.
But without a clear pretext like the one Viscount Hadion had, picking a fight wouldn't be easy.
Anyway.
"But why is that a problem?"
"It is a problem. Merlin's third child arrived at the Hadion Viscounty yesterday, from what I hear."
"Pardon? Already?"
"I only received word this morning myself. It seems they sent their third child at the same time as the envoy…"
"Is that right? Without even waiting to hear whether we'd accept the marriage alliance?"
"They must be that urgent. In any case, since they've sent their young lady, we must offer a reception of equal measure. Ordinarily we'd simply hold a grand welcome banquet, but given the circumstances… someone will need to go out and meet her."
This… was the sorrow of a minor house. Having to send a welcoming party even when they showed up this abruptly.
"As you know, your brother is currently unavailable, so…"
"…Yes. I'll go."
"You will?!"
Well, it's not like there's anyone else who can go, is there?
Hoo. No choice.
This is an investment in the future.
"Yes."
"Thank you, my son."
Don't mention it. I'm not the one getting married. All I had to do was put on a decent show of effort.
"Then when should I leave?"
"Hmm, let's see. They're departing from the Hadion Viscounty tomorrow morning, so meeting them at… here, the first village in our territory, would be best. Which means… yes, you should set out around tomorrow morning."
"Understood."
As I nodded, Father tossed out one more line.
"I'm sorry."
"Suddenly?"
"This father of yours was so flustered he had no choice but to ask you this way."
"Well…"
I understood. Father wasn't a superhuman.
Still.
"I'm fine, but I'm worried about Brother Bilheim. Whether he'll be able to accept this marriage…"
"Indeed. But don't you worry. This father will handle that matter himself."
"Handle it how, exactly…?"
"I gave you a choice, so I must give Bilheim one as well. If he has no interest in marriage, I intend to call the whole thing off as if it never happened."
Hmm. Was that the right call?
I didn't know.
But.
Since the Ancestor approved, I simply nodded along.
"Then I'll take my leave."
"Go on. Rest."
The marriage issue was overcome, for now. What mattered was what came next…
Well, it'll work out somehow.
Still, even if Bilheim refused, I had not the slightest intention of resenting him. We were brothers — I ought to have his back.
And so, the next day.
"I'm off."
"Go safely."
I left the territory to meet my prospective sister-in-law.