Chapter 11: Saving the Best for Last (5)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 11: Saving the Best for Last (5)
I doubt there’s anyone in this world who actually wants an unwanted marriage, but in my case, it goes beyond mere dislike—I desperately want to avoid it.
If I get married, I’ll have to give up on my dream of building a milf harem.
It’s not just a matter of morality; in the worst-case scenario—say, if I were caught—the risks would become far too great.
The women I’m targeting might be able to use their status and backgrounds to gloss over things, but I’m different.
At the end of the day, I’m just the youngest son of a Count. I’m the kind of person those in power could bury in the shadows whenever they felt like it.
‘I want the thrill, but I don’t want to die… At this rate, I might end up founding a nation or something.’
A perfect nation where one could fully indulge in the pleasure of breaking taboos without bearing any of the accompanying risks or responsibilities.
I was in the middle of those ridiculous thoughts when—
Click, clack…
At the sound of heels that instinctively made my heart flutter, I turned around without thinking.
Under the light of the magnificent chandeliers, a woman in a red dress that looked like a rose in full bloom was slowly approaching me.
She was the Young Lady of the Bayern Marquisate, the other Margrave family that, alongside the Konstanz family, defended the Empire’s borders.
She was a woman who perfectly fit the description of a beauty possessing both talent and grace… but unfortunately, she didn't register as a woman to me at all.
Still, when you meet someone, you have to greet them.
“It is an honor to meet you, Lady Adeline Bayern. I am Leon of the Konstanz family.”
Upon receiving my polite, imperial noble-style greeting, Adeline lightly lifted the ends of her skirt and gave a small bow.
“I sincerely thank the Konstanz family for their hospitality.”
“You have traveled quite a distance to be here in person. I hardly know how to express my gratitude and joy.”
“It was a rather long journey, but I am also very pleased, as it seems it wasn't a wasted trip.”
“Hahaha, thank you.”
“Fufu…”
A wasted trip? Ha, look at her.
She’s subtly asserting her dominance, as expected of a child from a prestigious noble family.
Well… it’s not bad. In fact, it’s more than not bad; it’s actually better that she’s this smart and prideful.
It makes it easier to call off the marriage without damaging my reputation or the family’s standing.
Now then, shall we get down to the business of ruining this blind date?
“I’m not sure if it will be to your liking, Lady Adeline, but I have done my best to prepare this setting. If you don’t mind, shall we continue our conversation over dinner?”
“Since you have invited me so politely and with such etiquette, I shall accept with a joyful and grateful heart.”
“Haha, thank you. Then, please, have a seat here.”
Finally, the curtain rose on my first and last blind date.
Please, let that porcelain doll move exactly according to my script.
That was the only wish in my mind.
*
Just as Leon had heard of Adeline’s reputation, Adeline was already well-versed in the rumors and evaluations regarding Leon.
The Leon that Adeline knew was not just the second son of a prestigious family.
He was someone who possessed insight befitting his status, had perfectly mastered the appropriate etiquette and manners, and had been suspiciously intelligent since childhood.
Based on the information gathered by the Marquisate, this was the preliminary judgment Adeline had made about Leon.
Of course, opinions could change on the spot, so Adeline took a moment to gaze intently at Leon.
‘So far, there’s nothing to criticize. No… I’d say he’s even better than expected.’
Leon’s manners were perfect, and they remained so.
Leon’s appearance, which she had pretended to ignore, perfectly satisfied her aesthetic sense, which she considered quite demanding.
No matter what he said, the words flowed as naturally as running water, and even his voice was clear and refreshing.
As a result, Adeline found herself slowly leaning toward Leon.
‘This man—I must make him mine and my family’s.’
She thought the kind of thoughts a high-born, haughty young lady would typically have.
Watching Adeline as she daintily dabbed her mouth with a handkerchief, Leon also sank into thought for a moment.
‘We’ve exchanged enough small talk. Time to start dropping hints.’
Thinking of the future, he must never do anything that would lower his or his family’s reputation.
At the same time, he had to completely ruin this blind date.
Engraving those two conflicting premises into his mind once more, Leon opened his mouth with the solemnity of drawing a sword.
“Are the villa and the meal to your liking? The dishes are the work of a chef who has served our family for generations, and this villa is a place where my father and mother occasionally spend their leisure time.”
Leon’s question had a blatantly predetermined answer.
How could she possibly disparage a chef and a villa that had served the Konstanz family for generations?
Because his intention to seize the initiative was so clearly conveyed, Adeline looked Leon straight in the eye and smiled.
“Yes, I like it very much. The cuisine is not inferior to my own family’s, and the villa is just as impressive as ours.”
As expected, Leon smiled back at Adeline.
It was as if he were watching a puppet show where the puppet gave the exact reaction he expected and moved exactly as he intended.
Soon, Leon spoke again.
“Thank you. Hearing that from the young lady of one of the Empire’s most prestigious families gives me quite a bit of confidence.”
“Fufu, there’s no need to be so humble. Everyone acknowledges that the Konstanz family is one of the most prominent families in the Empire.”
The moment Adeline finished speaking, Leon’s eyes flashed sharply for an instant.
As if he had been waiting for those exact words.
“Everyone acknowledges it… Haha, indeed. No matter what anyone says, aren’t the Bayern Marquisate and the Konstanz Earldom the sword and shield of the Empire, protecting our sacred borders?”
“That is correct. Personally, I take immense pride in that fact.”
“As do I. Therefore… it might sound a bit premature, but I would like to continue seeing you, Lady Adeline.”
The gaze Leon directed at Adeline was so intense it was almost burning.
Even setting aside all other circumstances, Leon was a handsome man whose name every woman who knew him would yearnfully whisper at night.
Receiving such a passionate gaze from such a handsome man, Adeline instinctively covered her flushed cheeks with her hand.
“Oh my, to be so direct…”
“If I have made you uncomfortable, I sincerely apologize.”
“Ah… no, I wasn’t uncomfortable. So, there is no need to apologize.”
Seeing Leon’s face as he gave a silent, beaming smile, Adeline’s heart skipped another beat.
Before her pride or dignity as a noble, it was the human instinct of meeting someone she liked.
Perhaps because of that instinct… Adeline felt a sense of pure curiosity.
Just what is it about me that this man likes so much? It was a pure question more suited to a girl her age dreaming of romance than a noblewoman.
Ultimately unable to overcome that curiosity, Adeline asked the question Leon had been hoping for.
“…You seem like a very honest person, Mr. Leon. Seeing as you would say such things to me.”
“Haha, I’m not always like this. It’s just… I didn’t want to speak a single lie to you, Lady Adeline.”
“I, I see. If that is the case… may I ask why you wish to continue seeing me?”
“Of course.”
Leon didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he slowly reached out and grasped his teacup.
Then, with the graceful movements befitting a noble and the second son of a prestigious family, he took a sip of tea.
It was as if he were trying to melt away every bit of Adeline’s patience as she waited for his answer.
Finally, after a moment that felt like an eternity, the voice Adeline had been longing for reached her ears.
“Lady Adeline, you are truly the woman of my dreams. Your beauty is like a flower in full bloom, and you possess a natural, elegant grace… If you would allow it, I could compose a poem for you right here and now.”
“Oh my…”
While Leon’s stomach was screaming in agony at the insincere words he was spewing, Adeline’s cheeks were dyed a lovely shade of crimson.
Not missing that reaction, Leon pressed his advantage and dropped a meaningful remark.
“And… if our meeting should one day bear fruit, it wouldn't just be a great occasion for the two of us, but a momentous event for both our families, wouldn't it?”
The moment those words were spoken, Adeline’s slightly heated head cooled down instantly.
Whatever else she might be, she was a member of a prestigious noble family and its proud flower.
When faced with the word ‘family,’ she had no choice but to become cold-headed, whether she liked it or not.
“Yes, I suppose… so.”
“Haha, I’m truly glad you think so too, Lady Adeline. Hmm, but…”
“…What is it?”
“Ah, it’s nothing. I just had a sudden doubt: when that day comes, will everyone truly bless us? It’s just the suspicion of a man who is lacking in every way compared to you, Lady Adeline, so please, forget I said anything.”
In that instant, Adeline’s mind began to race furiously.
If a marriage between her and Leon were to take place, it would indeed be a momentous event for both families, just as Leon said.
It would mean the two great Margrave families that protected the Empire were becoming one.
And if there were someone who wouldn't bless such an occasion…
‘Wait…!’
The conclusion Adeline’s accelerating thoughts reached was a single person.
The one and only absolute ruler of the Empire—the Emperor.
Due to the overwhelming weight that single word carried, Adeline found herself thinking:
‘Would His Imperial Majesty truly look favorably upon a marriage between the Bayern Marquisate and the Konstanz Earldom?’
If the two Margrave families were joined by marriage, there was absolutely no reason for the Emperor or the Imperial Family to view it positively.
The two families, once united, would possess power that could rival the Imperial Family itself.
Even if the two families didn't intend it that way, everyone else would be forced to think so.
Even if no one else thought so, the Imperial Family would have no choice but to think so.
‘Thoughts become suspicion… and suspicion becomes an interrogation…’
The fingertips Adeline used to hold her teacup trembled slightly.
Leon merely watched her, laughing quietly to himself.
‘I never mentioned the Emperor, but she’s thinking it herself. After all, it’s an uncomfortable truth that everyone knows but tries to ignore.’
Leon wasn't the only one concerned about the Emperor’s gaze.
His father and mother, as well as Adeline and her parents right in front of him, had all considered the Emperor’s intentions.
They had considered them, but because of the noble instinct to pursue greater power, they had subtly looked the other way.
All Leon had done was peel back the thin veil covering that uncomfortable truth.
‘This should be enough. Politics is so predictable it’s almost boring.’
The once-harmonious blind date was now perfectly ruined.
It had begun with mutual attraction and passion, but it was ending stained with suspicion and fear.
Therefore, there wasn't a single second more to waste on a woman he didn't even like.
Having reached that conclusion, Leon spoke his final words.
“Hmm, you seem to be feeling a bit unwell. It seems the fatigue from your long journey has caught up with you.”
“…Yes, if I may be so bold, it seems fatigue has set in without me realizing it.”
“I see. It’s a pity, but perhaps we should part ways for today? Of course, I would love to talk with you more, Lady Adeline, but I am far more concerned about your well-being.”
“I sincerely thank you for your concern and consideration. Then, if you’ll excuse me…”
“Yes. I truly hope you get some rest and return home safely.”
“Thank you.”
The man and woman who had been exchanging smiles while looking at each other moved away in opposite directions.
Without exchanging a single word about meeting again.