Subjugating the Son-in-Law Is a Father-in-Law's Job - 1
The Ulken Duchy. One of the Empire's five duchies, situated in the east.
It was also the heart of the Empire's military industry, the place that shouldered the "Iron" in the Iron Blood Duke's moniker. The "Blood" had come from the former Iron Blood Duke pounding enemy generals the way one tenderizes meat.
Is this the Demon King's castle?
Standing before the magnificent ducal castle, that thought rose in me by pure instinct. A territory specialized in military industry, and its lord a war hero steeped in blood—no matter how I looked at it, I could not shake the impression of a Demon King's fortress.
That even led me to wonder whether Margeta was a princess kidnapped by the Demon King—but if the Iron Blood Duke ever learned of the thought, he would truly fly into a rage, so I kept it firmly behind my teeth. I possessed at least that much tact.
"This is my first time in Ulken."
While I stood blankly gazing up at the ducal castle, Luise—who had been dragged along on this sudden Ulken journey—murmured as she took in the surroundings. Irina, equally bewildered by the unexpected trip, stuck close to Luise's side and carefully surveyed the area.
I felt nothing but guilt toward the two of them. Because of Margeta's circumstances and mine, they had been forcibly escorted to Ulken, a fate that had never been written in their stars. Still, separate from their bewilderment, interest glimmered in their eyes, and that was a relief.
"It's livelier than you expected, isn't it?"
"Ah, w-well…"
Luise could not manage a proper answer to Margeta's sudden question. Ulken's public image was certainly a little peculiar.
In truth, the double lariat of being the Iron Blood Duke's territory and a military-industry hub left little room for anything else. Outsiders probably pictured Ulken as a colossal forge where molten iron flowed through the rivers and the ring of hammers never ceased for twenty-four hours a day.
Of course, no one would ever say to the young lady of that very forge, "I thought there was nothing to see, but it's better than expected!" Which was precisely why Luise was reacting the way she was.
"Hehe. You can speak honestly. It's true that Ulken's image is bleak and rigid."
Fortunately, Margeta was excellent at remaining objective, and she let the matter pass without the slightest offense.
"Even so, Ulken has many things you can see nowhere else. Since we've come all this way, why don't we tour together?"
At those words both Luise and Irina nodded vigorously.
A duchy tour guided by the young lady herself. It would become a precious memory one could experience nowhere else.
"Well then, let's go inside first. Even sightseeing starts with securing lodging, doesn't it?"
Smiling softly at the two of them, Margeta led us toward the main gate. In that instant the Demon King-like ducal castle was demoted to mere lodging—but Margeta had every right to do so.
Watching the scene with quiet fondness, I spoke up lightly.
"Mar, I'll come in later."
"What?"
Margeta, who had been walking in with light steps, blinked as though she could not believe what she had just heard.
"I'm sorry. I have something I must take care of first."
At that, Margeta tilted her head even further, utterly unable to understand.
A natural reaction. What business could I possibly have in a place I had been hauled to without warning?
"…Well, it can't be helped then. When do you think you'll return?"
Even so, she accepted it. The corners of her eyes drooped a little with disappointment, yet she understood and accommodated my words.
Grateful for that consideration, I smiled faintly and sank to one knee.
"When His Grace forgives me."
At the sudden eccentricity, not only Margeta but Luise and Irina as well looked thoroughly flustered.
But there was no other way. This was something I had to do.
If you don't kneel in front of my castle, I'll rip both your legs off.
The Iron Blood Duke's words—so old that even the original phrasing had grown hazy. He had never actually said it quite like that, yet my mind remembered his warning in exactly those terms.
So I knelt. For the sake of marrying Margeta. To earn my father-in-law's recognition.
The largest training ground in the ducal castle. A place that belonged to me alone; even the Valenti knight order could not approach without my leave. There I trained without pause from dawn until noon. The day before yesterday with a spear, yesterday with a sword, today with a mace.
It was the only activity I still repeated every day after handing virtually every authority over to my son. I had stepped back from official duties, yet I could not abandon the training of my body. For the head of House Valenti to cease training was no different from dying.
Not like the old days.
Yet the more I trained, the more bitterness welled up. No matter how hard one strove, the years could not be defeated. Endless training only slowed the pace of aging; it never stopped it.
But what was one to do? At my age this was a respectable showing. And there were plenty of heroes who would protect the Empire after me, so there was little cause for worry.
The Duke of Victory, the Minister of Special Affairs, and that bastard—
"Damn bastard."
The moment that damnable face rose in my mind, strength flooded the hand gripping the mace. I realized too late; the handle had already been crushed to powder, and the mace head dropped limply to the floor.
It had been a fairly serviceable piece, yet I had ruined it for nothing. This, too, was that damned fellow's fault.
Impudent cur.
No matter how I turned it over, I could not forgive him. To have Margeta—a finer bride than anyone could ask for—and still go around charming other women.
I was not faulting him for taking multiple wives. I myself had taken several; what possible problem could that be? For a noble, marriage was an extension of politics, a form of social intercourse, a display of capability.
But to keep collecting women without even marrying? To grant our Mar no position whatsoever?
How dare he.
Strength surged into my hand again. The handle that had already been pulverized was now nothing but dust scattering on the wind.
Had he married Mar properly and made her his first wife—or at the very least become engaged—I would not have paid it much mind. No matter how many wives he took, Mar's authority would never have changed.
But that was not the case, was it? While the Magic Lord was openly showing him favor, he and Mar had formed no official bond at all. Meaning the Magic Lord could suddenly become the first wife.
That cannot be allowed.
Ever since the Crown Princess's birthday banquet I had fretted without end. The rivalry between Mar and the Magic Lord. In that utterly unexpected confrontation, how was I—as father and as duke—supposed to move?
The conclusion had been simple. As Mar's father, as the Duke of Ulken, I would not yield. However formidable an opponent the Magic Lord might be, House Valenti did not retreat. What sort of duke feared a matter that concerned his own child's marriage?
So I had summoned Mar and that fellow. To forge a bond that could not be undone.
In the end it is a race of speed.
The one who moves first seizes the initiative on the battlefield. If the Magic Lord complained of underhanded tactics, I need only answer: then why didn't you do it first?
…Truth be told, it was genuinely puzzling. Until now the Magic Lord had been surprisingly quiet. Irritating rumors had drifted in from the capital of late, yet there had been no word of any official relationship forming between the two.
Of course the matter stopped at mere curiosity. If the other side did not move, it was only proper that I move first.
"Father."
Just as I was steeling myself to push through even if it meant clashing with the Magic Lord, Richard's voice sounded behind me.
"Oh my. Another one broken today?"
Seeing the mace head embedded in the floor, he smiled faintly.
"Things made these days have no strength in them at all."
"You speak as though the old ones were sturdy. I seem to recall they broke at the slightest provocation back then as well."
It was true, so I could not argue. Then as now, ordinary weapons never lasted long in my hands.
Only a carefully chosen masterpiece, or an item bestowed by His Majesty the Emperor, could endure without being destroyed.
At my silence Richard laughed for a moment, then continued.
"Mar has arrived. And two guests with her."
The visit had come sooner than expected; I quickened my steps at once. If Mar had brought guests, I ought to go out and welcome them myself.
"Treat the guests with every courtesy. I invited them on short notice, so they deserve that much consideration."
"Yes, Father."
"That aside, I shall see Mar again after so long."
At those words Richard's mouth closed.
Odd. Ordinarily when Mar was mentioned he would add a word or two of his own.
"Um, Father."
After an awkward silence Richard spoke again.
"What is it?"
"Besides the guests, the Audit Department Chief has also come."
Of course he had. Had he sent only Mar and stayed away himself, I had already been prepared to ride straight to the capital.
And though that fellow was a damnable bastard, he was not brainless. He would have known perfectly well what would follow if he ignored this summons.
"Naturally he should come. But why bring it up?"
"They say he is currently kneeling in front of the main gate."
Satisfaction flooded my chest. Yes—that fellow was not brainless after all.
I had told him again and again from the beginning. I would not simply hand a chance to the man who had once cast Mar aside. If he wanted to marry her, he would have to kneel and beg before my castle.
When he ignored my words and appeared at the Crown Princess's birthday banquet, it had been thoroughly impudent; yet this time he had properly gone down on his knees.
Damn fellow.
I had no particular hobby of making people kneel. Why would I bother with such a troublesome business?
But that man absolutely had to kneel.
"Waaaaaah! Daaaddy!"
"Ma-Mar, calm yourself."
"Hic… hiccup… Wh-what do I dooo… That pe-person, that person, I like him so muuuch…"
On the day Mar had been rejected by that fellow, she had wept so bitterly.
Therefore the man had to pay the price. He had to acknowledge the crime of making my daughter cry and kneel before House Valenti. Only then would Mar's tears not have been shed in vain.
"Pay it no mind. He's sturdy enough that three days won't hurt him."
Of course I had no intention of leaving him there for three full days. If he admitted his wrong, there was nothing I could not forgive. And once I forgave him, that fellow would become Valenti's son-in-law—one of our own.
So I could go at once and tell him to rise—
"…They say Mar is kneeling beside him as well."
"……."
At those words my mind went blank.
I sprinted for the main gate. If Mar was kneeling there with him, the entire gesture lost all meaning.
This was meant to cover Mar's shameful memory. Because Mar had cried, the man was to repay her with his knees. If Mar knelt as well, only she would suffer the loss.
"Hah."
And when I reached the main gate, the sight that met my eyes was catastrophic.
Two young ladies standing at a distance, fretting as they watched the gate. My daughters, who had clearly heard the news before me and raced over first.
"Your Grace."
The damnable fellow bowed his head the instant he saw me.
"Father…"
And last of all, Mar looking up at me with eyes brimming with tears.
Looking closer, they were even holding hands. A truly spectacular scene.
"…Come inside."
Unable to bear the sight any longer, I spoke shortly and turned away.
That damnable bastard—had he coaxed Mar into this? Thinking that if they knelt together it would all be over quickly?
Damn bastard.
Already using his pure-hearted wife. If he had truly planned it that way, I would never forgive him.