57. Proposal (3)
57. Proposal (3)
Before I knew it, the carriage had arrived in front of the Wiesent Mansion.
A mansion with tree-lined streets on both sides.
Ever since I possessed this body, I had been mostly staying inside this place.
'It feels like I've come home.'
I realize it anew, but it was a bit absurd that this place now felt like home to me.
I have a real home elsewhere.
"The mansion is magnificent."
Upon entering the mansion, Lucia opened her mouth and said.
Maybe saying 'magnificent' is putting it nicely; to put it badly, it might mean there's nothing worth seeing.
The entrance, which should have been decorated lavishly, held a desolate atmosphere.
The others seemed to agree, as if they felt the same.
As someone who had never been invited anywhere and had no places to go, I couldn't tell, but I didn't deny it.
"The front lines against the demon tribes are right nearby. In case of emergency, we need to use it as a shelter for the border people, so we cleared it out."
"Using the family mansion as a shelter, you say?"
"It seems the Margrave has made a big decision."
"Ah, I was the one who suggested it."
"Allen?"
After all, it was the mansion of a Margrave's family.
In my childhood, there was a beautiful garden and a huge fountain in the middle of the mansion.
And even when the world was chaotic, guests would come all the way here.
But in my eyes, these things seemed utterly useless.
"To make matters worse, if the front lines collapse, this place will become dangerous too, but I want to let them know there's still a place they can hold out."
"If people always have to live in anxiety, how can they go on living? We need to give the border people something they can feel safe about. Even if an earthquake or typhoon beyond human endurance strikes, the difference between having a shelter nearby and not having one is huge."
"So you changed it with defense in mind."
I made it as fortress-like as possible to maximize defensibility.
The storerooms have years' worth of provisions, and some areas have been turned into farmland for self-sufficiency.
"I think it's something we should emulate."
At Lily's words, everyone nodded in agreement.
Was it that much? I just did it because it seemed obvious to me, but somehow everyone's response made me feel embarrassed.
By the time we arrived at the entrance of the main building, people were already gathered there, as if waiting for our arrival.
"It is a great honor to meet Her Highness the Princess, the Saintess-nim, and the Grand Duchess-nim."
Among them, my father, who resembled me the most, bowed to Lucia in greeting, and all the household behind him followed suit.
"Margrave, please raise your head."
"How could I do that when facing royalty?"
My father was stubborn, as if he didn't want to make any mistake.
Then Lucia curled the corners of her mouth and suddenly turned around to look at me.
I didn't understand that gaze and wondered why she was doing that, but before I could ask, Lucia opened her mouth again.
"We have come here today not as people of rank, but as friends of Allen, so I hope the Margrave will not find us difficult."
"... Friends of that boy, you say?"
"That's right. We are all friends of Allen."
"That is correct, Margrave."
As soon as Lucia finished speaking, my father raised his head and sent a gaze toward me.
The others did the same.
Their eyes were full of suspicion, wondering how I had managed to make friends with such people.
Honestly, I too was in a situation where I wasn't sure how to explain.
"And also, we have come today to seek permission."
"Permission, you say?"
Ah, my father seemed to sense something off and seemed to want me to explain.
I tried to start speaking as well, but.
"Abeonim. Please grant us permission to marry."
Everyone was shocked at Lucia's words.
Aniel glared as if to say 'here we go again,' and Lily smiled benevolently, but something dark was felt from her.
Meanwhile, Iris was quietly watching.
"I can't accept this."
I thought I should step in and settle things, but then a voice came from behind me.
"I will never accept it, so know that."
A voice filled with anger.
"Mary?"
The owner of that voice was Mary Wiesent, my younger sister I was seeing after several weeks.
Surely Adrian had expected this.
He had anticipated the day when Allen would bring his future wife, saying he would marry.
Of course, there were many in the family who had different thoughts, but he had little interest in that.
It wasn't his place to say, since he had forcibly sent Allen to the Academy, but above all, what mattered was his son's will.
'I definitely expected him to bring the Grand Duchess.'
When he heard that Aniel had come, he wondered if today was already that day, but when he learned that others were with her, he thought otherwise.
While he was relieved, he then faced Princess Lucia.
A genius among geniuses. A woman treated as the next Emperor.
The fact that she had also formed friendships with the Saintess and the daughter of the Teira family was somewhat surprising, but the one who caught his eye most was Lucia.
He wondered if her coming to their family, which was considered a giant among the aristocrat faction, had some other intention.
But she proudly revealed the purpose of her visit.
"Explain the situation, Allen."
She was asking for permission to marry him, that is.
"Exactly as I said, Abeonim. I have come to receive approval to marry Adeunim..."
"Your Highness. I apologize, but may I hear my son's own intentions?"
At first he thought it was a joke, but Lucia continued to insist.
She said she would get approval for marriage. And before even getting approval, she was already calling him 'Abeonim'.
Adrian had experienced all sorts of things in his life, but he found this hard to accept.
"I've said it many times, but I cannot allow Orabeoni's marriage."
He had hoped Allen would answer, but another woman, who was tightly embracing that Allen, opened her mouth.
His own daughter, Mary Wiesent.
"Oh my, I knew the siblings were close, but I never expected this."
Even though they were exchanging only glances, the war of nerves between the two was no illusion.
"Abeoji. In truth, the marriage is a means."
"My beloved son is now talking nonsense."
"Isn't this because you forced me to go to the Academy? Have me process my withdrawal."
"Wait! Calm down!"
Allen tried to somehow resolve the situation.
But the two family members did not properly listen to Allen's words.
He sent a pleading look to Lucia, but for some reason, she remained still.
As if she was enjoying this misunderstanding.
"Margrave. Allen's words are correct."
"Grand Duchess-nim?"
"If you hear about the current situation within the Imperial Palace, you will understand everything."
The one who stepped forward calmly in this situation was none other than Aniel.
"It is still confidential, but the Imperial Palace intends to soon bind the First Prince and the Margrave's child."
"......."
"With me, you mean?"
As soon as she heard that, the atmosphere froze. Mary stared at Allen in apparent confusion.
It seemed she was asking if that was true.
Allen couldn't answer. What could he say when it was true?
A quiet silence fell over the reception room, but it didn't last long.
"Your Highness. I dare ask, but..."
Adrian looked at Lucia with a hardened expression.
"Surely the reason you propose marriage is not as compensation for the previous unfortunate incident, is it?"
Instead of speaking directly, Lucia simply nodded.
Thanks to that, Adrian, now understanding the situation, let out a sigh.
"Our family has devoted itself to the Empire for many years, but we have also received terrible suspicion and checks from the Imperial Family."
He recalled his memories. In the history of the Wiesent family, the greatest danger had been the enemy beyond the barrier, but paradoxically, the inside they sought to protect was also dangerous.
Because the Emperors would constantly pick faults and try to tear them down.
They kept a close watch on power that was stronger or could become stronger than themselves, and tried to kill it at every opportunity.
Knowing what Adrian was talking about, Lucia hurriedly tried to apologize.
She had been taught that royalty does not apologize to anyone, but that didn't apply in front of someone she needed to impress.
To Lucia, Adrian was someone she needed to impress.
"Margrave. Regarding that part, I represent the Imperial Family and apologize..."
"Your Highness does not need to apologize."
But Adrian shook his head.
She felt momentarily breathless as if her apology was refused,
"I know very well that all of this came from His Majesty and the Chancellor. After all, Your Highness is now at the Academy, are you not?"
Lucia felt relieved that Adrian acknowledged her innocence.
"Now, please explain everything without missing a single detail. How the entire situation stands, and why the two of you must marry."
Adrian said firmly.
That if he could help, he was ready to do anything.
Feeling that the real part was starting now, Allen opened his mouth.
"Before I speak, please remember that what I am about to say must never leave this room."