Although all the rebel hideouts in the capital had been eliminated, rebels were still hiding throughout Alain Kingdom. Their range of activity had been significantly reduced, but depending on the situation, they might still mobilize their forces. Most importantly, they might target Hanette again, so it was necessary to deal with them in advance.
‘The rebels aren’t the main issue.’
The protagonist would gain honor and trust from eliminating the rebels. It wouldn’t make him stronger or bring more allies. Besides, confronting the rebels was a mid-to-late story event, and by then, the protagonist’s knight order would be famous and have numerous achievements. For the protagonist, the rebels were just a brief phase.
‘I seem to be a variable…’
The rebels had attacked Hanette to use her against Zion, thinking he would act irrationally out of concern for her, disrupting the command structure. But instead, Zion had responded with cool-headed efficiency, preventing the rebels from ever entering the capital again.
‘Should I have let the attack happen?’
Zion still pondered whether the ambush that happened while he and Hanette were traveling to Kelidos should have occurred. Even though it was before the early part of the story, the original narrative never mentioned it. Given Hanette’s importance as a significant character, it should have been described somehow.
‘If the original content was altered and Hanette changed too…’
Zion could no longer ignore this hypothesis. Should Hanette have joined the protagonist’s knight order? Could the protagonist and his companions have progressed smoothly without her?
‘Could she have died before the story even began…?’
“What are you thinking about?”
“…Just wondering how Duke Ternein’s daughter disappeared.”
“Hmmm… really? What do you think happened?”
“I don’t know. Maybe she hid her skills, as you suggested?”
“You think she secretly learned swordsmanship or magic?”
“Probably swordsmanship. Could she escape using magic?”
“Except for the five elements… there’s not much she could use.”
“If her body was trained, she could move nimbly.”
Hanette nodded, momentarily showing an annoyed look. Why was Zion so interested in Duke Ternein’s daughter? He could have just brushed it off, but why ponder how she disappeared?
“You seem very interested in that Duke’s daughter?”
“…I’m not interested.”
Zion quickly denied it, sensing Hanette’s mood. He had given an excuse when asked what he was thinking about, but she was now fixating on it. Why was she so bothered about Oz Ternein?
“If you’re not interested, why think about it?”
“Because she’s a Duke’s daughter. There aren’t many nobles from Duke families.”
“Hmmm… If they said Duke Ternein’s child was missing, you’d just move on, right?”
“Then you’d be the one showing interest, wouldn’t you?”
“Why would I?”
“You know why you’d ask.”
Hanette narrowed her eyes, glaring at Zion, who did not avoid her gaze but met it directly.
“Do you think I’m the same as you?”
“How are we different?”
“Ha! I wouldn’t look at another woman with my fiancée right here.”
“That’s what I should be saying.”
“You’ve already done it once.”
“I told you, I was looking at Duke Ternein.”
Zion lied smoothly, his expression twisted in frustration. He had indeed looked at Oz Ternein, but only as someone he needed to ally with. He had no other thoughts, but Hanette kept harping on that one point.
“Fine, I won’t bring it up again. Better than you following me around saying you’ll only look at me.”
“I was doing what you wanted, so why is it my fault?”
“I never told you to look only at me.”
“I didn’t look at the Duke’s daughter.”
“Are you going to keep this up?”
“You started it.”
“Sigh…”
Hanette finally fell silent, turning her head away. It was frustrating, but she didn’t want to dwell on it. She was reacting sensitively, but she always trusted Zion.
‘Why am I like this? It’s not like looking at a girl is a problem…’
Marquis Laird’s estate, Head’s Room.
Freed glanced through some documents and then set them on the table. With two of his three children away from the estate, the atmosphere was peaceful. Though he was content with the results, he couldn’t help but worry.
“Darling, could you pour me a drink?”
“…Is something bothering you?”
“What would be wrong? It just feels a bit empty with two children away.”
“I’ll get it for you right away.”
Rien left the room, returning with a tray holding a chilled drink, glasses, and snacks. Freed quietly opened the bottle and poured himself a drink.
“Are you worried about them?”
“They can take care of themselves, can’t they? Barhen must be finishing his training about now…”
Freed took a sip, quenching his thirst. Everything was going well, except for the incident where Hanette was attacked. Their family’s businesses were flourishing, and there were talks of marriage with Kaltz. Some nobles seemed interested because of Barhen and Zion.
“Are you considering arranging a marriage with a royal?”
“It’s too early. Barhen hasn’t become an official knight yet. Kaltz is still here, so we can wait and see.”
“If you had a daughter, you could wait longer, but you only have sons. If you wait too long, other nobles might take the opportunity.”
“…Are you referring to Ternein?”
Currently, Duke Ternein was attempting various ways to arrange a strategic marriage with the royal family. Although such actions were implicitly forbidden, the current king seemed to be waiting for the right moment to intervene or find a favorable negotiating point.
“Ternein is busy searching for their daughter. I thought now would be a good time to proceed.”
“Even so… it’s not the right time to act. We need to wait for stability.”
“You mean the rebels who attacked Hanette?”
“I understand the king ordered their eradication. We should wait for now.”
There’s a vast difference between bureaucrats handling a matter and a king issuing a direct order. Bureaucrats must follow given procedures, while the king can push through without those constraints. If there were battles in the capital, the bureaucrats would likely petition first.
“Zion destroyed the rebels’ hideout. The king must view our family favorably.”
“…You’re not wrong. Zion’s achievements have likely impressed the king.”
Zion had likely taken action for Hanette’s sake. By chance, he had eliminated the hideout, and even the capital’s guard commander acknowledged his contribution. This raised the Marquis Laird family’s prestige, drawing attention from the king and other nobles.
“It was right to choose Adelaira. It would have been troublesome with Ternein.”
“There were talks with Ternein too.”
Freed recalled those days while finishing his drink. He had debated which side to align his children with for a strategic marriage. Duke Ternein wanted his eldest or second son, while Duke Adelaira was open to their youngest son. After much deliberation, Freed chose Adelaira, pairing Zion with Hanette.
“Darling, do you still dislike Hanette?”
“…Not anymore. She gets along well with Zion, doesn’t she?”
Her response was based on the current situation. After meeting Hanette, Zion had mastered his sword aura and achieved significant deeds recently. Hanette had quit drinking and gambling and revealed her talent for magic after meeting Zion. They had developed deep feelings for each other, leading to many changes.
“Some at social gatherings say Zion is too good for her, and Hanette is lucky. Do you agree?”
“Hanette gained a lot. Zion rose from the middle, but Hanette came up from below.”
“Think again. Would Zion have risen without Hanette?”
“……”
Rien remained silent, unable to refute. The distinction between upper, middle, and lower status was meaningless. Their engagement allowed them to support each other, reaching their potential. Without each other, they might have remained in their respective positions.
“Zion’s reputation may have boosted Hanette’s, but Zion also benefited from Hanette. Do you disagree?”
“No, you’re right.”
“I hope they do well. It would’ve been better without a strategic marriage…”
Freed smiled wistfully as he sipped his drink. Although they were now harmonious, their beginning was flawed. Their union was for the benefit of both families, and Zion and Hanette had to be paired as a means to that end. If they had continued to dislike each other, he would have felt guilty.
“When I first arranged this, it pained me. It felt like I was sacrificing Zion for the Duke’s power. But Zion adapted well and fell in love with Hanette. How do you think I feel now?”
“…Sad yet happy, I suppose.”
“I regret my choice, but I’m satisfied with the outcome. It was a forced connection, but love grew over time, like with you and me.”
Freed looked warmly at Rien, who smiled back. They had married a month after their engagement, forced into a lifetime together with a stranger. Despite initial fear and distance, they grew to understand each other, filling their lives with deep affection and shared memories.
“I forced Zion into marriage. Hanette was likely pressured by Duke Adelaira. Now it’s my turn to step back and support whatever they do.”