“……?”
Zion pondered for a moment before understanding what Robbenz meant. Just as he had suspected, Robbenz had misunderstood the situation. Seeing Zion and Hanette drinking and staying in the same room, Robbenz must have been worried.
“Yes, you’re right. Things are going well, and we can’t afford to mess it up.”
“Things have changed a lot now. I won’t stop you if you want, but I hope you’ll think it through.”
“Both Hanette and I still have a lot to do. We haven’t even married yet, and having children now would be a burden. As you said, we need to think about it more.”
“Thank you for understanding my intentions. I came because I was concerned, and I appreciate you understanding.”
“Yes, I will be more careful from now on.”
“No, I should apologize to you. Please convey my apologies to Hanette as well.”
Robbenz patted Zion on the shoulder before leaving the room. He saw Hanette immediately but couldn’t bring himself to say anything. Even though he had come because of her, it felt like he had repeated the same old mistake.
“I’ll take my leave now.”
Robbenz quickly walked past Hanette. Hanette watched him and the departing maids before approaching Zion.
“What did the head of the house say?”
“…I’ll explain inside.”
Zion looked around before entering Hanette’s room. Hanette, filled with curiosity, followed him.
“What’s going on?”
“I told you, people might misunderstand.”
“Did he come all the way here because of that?”
“He probably came to ensure the knight order isn’t disrupted.”
“Haha! Oh my, this is too funny.”
Hanette burst into laughter, covering her mouth. Previously, Robbenz had been eager to get them married, but now he was worried about them having children.
What if they had returned to the capital without any achievements? How would Robbenz have reacted then?
“You find this situation amusing, don’t you?”
“It’s just so strange! He was ready to marry me off, and now he’s stopping us from having kids… Hahaha!”
“…Sis.”
“I know, I know. It’s just uncomfortable. It makes me angry.”
Hanette’s eyes turned cold, a faint smile on her lips. The thought of leaving this mansion grew stronger. Everyone seemed to see her as a means to an end, except for Zion, who understood and sacrificed for her.
“I understand how you feel, but can’t you just let it go? You know how things are.”
“Don’t you think I’ve considered that? It’s because I know that I’m even angrier. The family won’t fall apart just because I’m not around.”
“Having a child now would be a big disadvantage for both of us. He said that for your sake.”
“Not for me, but for the family. They don’t care about me.”
“Phew…”
Zion sighed, feeling he couldn’t get through to her. He sat down, and Hanette immediately sat across from him, continuing the conversation.
“Do you think I’m wrong?”
“No, I understand. I’m in the same situation.”
“Then why are you siding with the head of the house? Do you dislike me?”
“It’s not because I dislike you. I’m just trying to see things from the Duke’s perspective.”
“Why are you speaking for the Duke? You should be on my side.”
“Phew… Sis, the Silenian Knights receive support from both families. We are the children of these families. How else can I explain this?”
Zion knew well the symbolic significance of the Silenian Knights. He was the captain, and Hanette was the vice-captain. Therefore, they couldn’t treat the heads of their families carelessly, and for Hanette’s sake, some compromise was necessary.
“What are we lacking? With our skills, we can do anything.”
“You need a solid foundation to achieve anything. Right now, it’s not enough.”
“You’re impossible…”
Hanette glared at Zion and turned her head. He was right, and she couldn’t argue. But he didn’t support her feelings, making her even more rebellious.
“Hey, didn’t you say you would marry me?”
“I did.”
“Do you plan on having kids?”
“…I’m not really thinking about that.”
“Whether we marry first or have kids first, it’s the same thing.”
Hanette spoke out of anger and frustration. Zion, noticing her mood, quickly understood.
“What are you thinking?”
“You know what.”
“…This isn’t something to be handled emotionally.”
“You said you’d marry me. Is sleeping together that hard?”
“We started wrong. This isn’t the right time. You know that.”
“We make the timing. No one else can interfere.”
“Sis!”
Zion raised his voice, his eyes sharp. Hanette flinched but soon calmed her breathing. Zion watched her and then softened his tone.
“Are you calm now?”
“…I’m not sure.”
“I’m sorry for shouting. I got frustrated.”
“It’s okay. I took it out on you.”
“I understand. It’s true I didn’t take your side. I would be upset too.”
Zion could have supported her with kind words, but he needed to convince her with reason. Reality and ideals differed, and not everything went as planned.
“Honestly… I’m not ready for marriage or children. I just said what came to mind.”
“It’s okay to talk about it. We all make mistakes sometimes.”
“I don’t want to live under constant scrutiny. That’s why I wanted to buy a house. I feel comfortable with you.”
“……”
Zion remembered his earlier response and fell silent. He had never felt scrutinized by Robbenz or Yenid, but he had to stay at Duke Adelaira’s mansion for now. He and Hanette had different conditions and ways of thinking.
Even though he knew this, he had inadvertently imposed his perspective on her.
“We could save up for a house, but hiring servants or guards would be tough.”
“That’s fine. As long as you’re with me.”
Zion’s resolve wavered for a moment, but he quickly grounded himself in reality. Living simply didn’t guarantee happiness. They needed to maintain their current environment, even if they sacrificed some conditions.
“…Sis, remember our time in the borderlands? Living on our own might be like that.”
“Even with a house?”
“Could you live without maids and servants? Guards are also better to have. Who would do the chores when we’re out? We need to acknowledge what we’re enjoying here.”
“That’s…”
Hanette thought for a moment before slumping her shoulders. She had only considered leaving Duke Adelaira’s mansion, not everyday life. If they weren’t well-prepared, they might end up struggling.
“We could rely on support from the heads of our families, but you don’t like that. Earning money on our own isn’t easy.”
“Sorry. I didn’t think it through.”
Hanette replied in a subdued voice. Zion sighed, glancing at her.
“If we have more time, we can try to save up. But it won’t be easy.”
“…I’ll ask the head for money. I must have some share.”
“I’d prefer you didn’t, but I understand. If you don’t take it, your siblings will.”
“I don’t mind giving it to Dain, but not to them.”
“Exactly. It’s better to take it if you can. You’d be at a loss otherwise.”
Zion continued to speak realistically, trying to persuade her. No matter how much they achieved, they couldn’t match the wealth and prestige built by noble families. If they could get even a fraction of that wealth, it would be beneficial.
“Will you take money from Marquis Laird?”
“He’ll probably give me some. I don’t know how much.”
“If you become the head, you’ll get more.”
“…Then we won’t need to buy a house. We’ll get an estate.”
“With servants and guards?”
“Probably.”
“No need for furniture?”
“We’d live there.”
“……”
Hanette envisioned a single future, looking intently at Zion. Zion felt the weight of her gaze.
“Sis, looking at me like that won’t make me the head.”
“It’s too late for me, but you can do it. None of your siblings are as capable.”
“Even if Kaltz isn’t a threat, I can’t compete with Barhen.”
“Barhen will live in the palace if he marries the third princess. He won’t be able to manage the family. Kaltz is average compared to you. No one else can be the head but you.”
“…Me? That’s not likely.”
Zion felt uneasy, tilting his head. He had never aimed to be the head, and Freed likely didn’t see him that way either. But Hanette’s words made sense, so he couldn’t deny it entirely.
‘Handling the knight order is already tough. Being the head too…’
Zion couldn’t shake the thought, considering Hanette’s desires. If he became the head of Marquis Laird, he could fulfill some of her wishes. But since the timing was uncertain, it remained just a plan.
‘As the head’s wife, Hanette would have more responsibilities. Could she handle it?’
**Capital of Alain Kingdom, near the castle gate.**
Carriages continued to pass through the castle gate, with many people moving among them. One woman, conscious of the guards, walked slowly. Fortunately, they glanced at her and let her in.
‘Maybe because I’m not wearing makeup or have my hair done…’
Oz Ternein, enjoying the novelty, looked around leisurely. It had been a long time since she returned to the capital, but she didn’t want to visit Duke Ternein’s estate. It was a place that had bound her, and she had always dreamed of escaping it.
‘There are five Magic Swords in the capital.’
Oz began to sense the direction of the Magic Swords. They weren’t all in one place and moved periodically, meaning someone was storing them or there were Magic Sword users.
‘I might have to fight. Should I kill?’