Chapter 29

As time passed.

This was not just any arranged marriage, but one cloaked in deception, perhaps even a forced one.

From the moment I accepted this marriage, I viewed it as a desperate sprint towards a final resting place, as if sacrificing my own life to save the other members of the Sword Mansion.

It was only fitting that I show respect to my brother who had risked his life to protect me and given me his name.

After settling my heart and mind, the official announcement of this political marriage from the imperial court marked the start of my acceptance of this fate.

The wedding between the heir of the Duke’s Residence and me was so simple it could hardly be described as such.

Even when I saw Asulin, who wore a strange expression as if she didn’t know what she was thinking, immediately brandishing a knife upon entering the bridal chamber, I believed this marriage was nothing more than a masked captivity.

But as time went by, living in the Duke’s Residence wasn’t as difficult as I had imagined.

On our first day, Asulin, who had seemed like an unknown fear, began to treat me with the respect due to a husband.

There were ups and downs, though.

I accompanied her to battle demons, and she saved me from the sudden attack of the mad Khalid.

She stood by my side as a lieutenant, assisting me whenever I had to fulfill my duties.

Immediately after the mana core recovered, she trained with me at night, practicing swordplay together.

And at night…

Well, suddenly, my face feels hot.

While there was no resistance psychologically to the daily tasks here, going to bed at night was a different matter.

What’s the problem with simply going to sleep?

Asulin, who clings to me as if I’m a doll or a pillow, making it hard to tell the difference, makes it nearly impossible to sleep soundly.

I have to control my body and mind, hoping that nothing will go wrong due to lack of self-control, which is the real problem.

Every time I feel my reason slipping away, I raise my hand to impose a self-discipline, which explains why both my cheeks are swollen these days.

Even though I can endure most things, enduring Asulin clinging to me was incredibly challenging.

Her body, which had mercilessly slaughtered monsters on the battlefield with terrifying strength, was surprisingly gentle.

The closer she got, the more my senses were overwhelmed by a scent akin to flower petals.

Every time she burrowed into my embrace, her faint laughter never ceased, and even without laughing, her steady breathing made my heart race.

Asulin sleeping while hugging me felt like an overwhelming disaster.

It was difficult to shake her off, and even if I did manage to, she would protest silently in the morning, adding to my distress.

When I met Asulin again today, who had fallen asleep holding me, I tried to express the difficulties of this situation.

“I think we started a bit off, but aren’t we supposed to be spouses? Isn’t this the natural way?… Or do you find this uncomfortable? If so…”

I said this, seeing the shadow of doubt on Asulin’s face, and even though I didn’t want to lie, I did so anyway.

“…Huh? No, it’s not that. It’s just that seeing how beautiful everything is when I wake up makes it hard to focus.”

“…Do you often say such things to other women?”

She looked at me intently, seemingly unsure whether to be happy or angry, before finally giving up and trying to comfort me.

“It seems you don’t understand what a real hardship is. I’ll show you what true hardship is tonight, so look forward to it.”

Seeing her look filled with anticipation, I couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

Still, nothing worse could happen here. Surely, Asulin wouldn’t…

“…Calm down, crazy bastard.”

After quickly dismissing the dangerous thought, I realized I was taking a rare break due to the relative calm in the Duke’s Residence since the affairs related to demon extermination were settled.

I received a letter from the Sword Mansion without any inspection, something I hadn’t expected.

Clearly, everything was thanks to Asulin.

Though our marriage was unconventional, she wanted us to build a proper bond as spouses, providing me with various conveniences.

Since she didn’t monitor any mail or items sent to me from the Sword Mansion, it showed her trust in me.

Trust between spouses… knowing she cared so much made me feel genuinely happy.

“…My face feels so warm.”

Though I felt my face burning, I didn’t want to admit it, but my prideful heart kept insisting.

For now, I decided to share my gratitude with Asulin later.

“…It’s good to hear you’re doing well.”

I needed to concentrate on reading my stepsister’s letter, which mentioned my current situation.

Nothing much had changed since I became the son-in-law of the Caladborg Dukedom, effectively a hostage.

During the Succession War, the royal court had lessened its pressure on the Sword Mansion, and they could maintain their influence over the southern part of the Zakarat Mountain Range, though not as strongly as before.

Thanks to my words, Asulin regained the mining rights in the southern mountains, including the marble deposits, and she could pay overdue wages to servants and knights.

Considering the possibility of the letter being read by others, I wrote “older brother” instead of “second older brother.”

Rize, the new head of the Failord Count Family, wrote in her own handwriting, expressing her endless gratitude and remorse.

“…I don’t deserve such praise.”

Reading her letter, I scratched my face to hide my embarrassment.

Though Andyminon, who shared his life and name with me, was understandable, it was surprising to see Rize, who had lived a rough life, express such gratitude.

The Sword Mansion, once a place where my father used to treat me like a tool, had transformed into somewhere I must protect.

“Even without responsibility, I naturally took it on.”

I couldn’t deny that the mansion had become a place I had to defend.

My father, who had been cruel to me, had led a respectable life despite his flaws, and his children, born under him, were all fine.

Andyminon had taken over the family smoothly, and Rize, despite her young age, showed remarkable capability.

If not for that man, everyone in the Sword Mansion and Failord Count Family would have lived happier lives.

Andyminon would have succeeded and prospered, and Rize would have enjoyed the life of a noblewoman.

“…Brother.”

Gritting my teeth, I stopped reading the letter, overwhelmed by emotion.

Even though I had endured harsh treatment from my father because of my lack of talent, he had followed orders diligently until he finally made the right choice.

Thinking of how Andyminon had sacrificed his life to save me, I felt anger towards the former head of the family.

“…I hope you burned to death.”

My anger towards the former head grew with each passing moment.

Only three or four years had passed since those days when I believed I would never feel such emotions.

“…Hmph.”

Unconsciously, a bitter smile appeared on my face, but I quickly gathered myself to think about what I could do for my family.

To prevent the Sword Mansion from declining further, I needed to continue honing my skills and maintain the reputation of the Sword Mansion.

“…I should practice swordsmanship today too.”

Just as I resolved to focus on training, a line at the end of Rize’s letter caught my eye.

Despite the good news, the last paragraph contained important information.

“…Ugh!”

The news was both good and bad, and my voice involuntarily expressed my mixed feelings.

The intelligence indicated that the Failord artifact, which had disappeared along with my father’s remains, had resurfaced in the auction house in Blood Haven, Central Region.

As the new head, I should act immediately to reclaim it, but the current situation prevented me from leaving.

“…I should ask Asulin if she can accompany me to Central Region.”

Although I was relatively comfortable, traveling alone was out of the question.

I resolved to ask Asulin, determined to make her agree.

However, life rarely goes as planned.

As soon as I entered Asulin’s office, her tear-streaked face told me something was wrong.

“What happened?”

Worried, I asked.

“…Mother…”

Listening to Asulin’s trembling voice, I realized her mother’s condition had worsened.

“Have you calmed down?”

“Thank you.”

“It’s nothing. It’s natural for a husband to comfort a crying wife.”

“Yeah, we’re spouses.”

Even as I nodded in agreement, I felt a mix of surprise and endearment.

“So, you need to go?”

“My father wrote saying Mother’s condition has worsened. I can’t stay here.”

Asulin replied with a firm nod, placing the letter on the table.

“Then, I need to fulfill my duty as a husband. Will you come with me?”

Her voice was tense as she asked if I would travel with her.

“Of course, I’ll come. This is a chance to see the Central Region for the first time as a noble.”

Unlike me, who had experienced the back alleys of Central Region, Andyminon’s answer reflected his lack of experience.

I didn’t have to slam my forehead against the floor, and I gained points with Asulin. It was a win-win situation.

…Oddly, I felt a sense of novelty in visiting my in-laws for the first time after getting married.

“Now, focus on the goal.”

My mind was set on retrieving the family’s treasure.

“Katarina has already booked us passage on the continent-wide high-speed train to Central Region. We can leave right away.”

“How efficient.”

“In this era, efficiency means avoiding losses.”

As we chatted, I put aside my plans to train and prepared to join Asulin on our journey to Central Region, Sylvantrium.