Chapter 22

"Earlier, someone came by and said they wished to meet with Mr. Theodor."

"Meet?"

I was heading to the Adventurer's Guild to cash in today's earnings when Heather, who was at the counter, said this to me.

...I wonder what it could be? It doesn't seem to be related to the snake bite incident from the other day. The guild had us keep quiet and told us not to get involved.

"They said they would wait at the guild for a while, and they are currently waiting in the back room."

"...Who could it be?"

"Lady Ashley."

Huh? Ashley?

Confused, I looked at Heather, who smiled at me.

"I'll prepare the calculation and the reward for the snake bite incident while you meet."

---

When I was led to a room in the back of the guild, Ashley was indeed there.

"Lady Ashley"

"Mr. Theodor! Ms. Grace!"

When I called her name, Ashley stood up from the sofa and smiled.

"Lady Ashley, how is your health?"

"Yes, I've been feeling better lately. I just arrived in Termwillis."

Grace and Ashley exchanged smiles. They had grown quite close during Ashley's stay at her home.

Part of the reason was that Ashley didn't show any aversion when she learned Grace was a dampire, and Grace seemed to have some understanding of Ashley's position.

"It's not like it's been a long time, but you must be tired from the long journey?"

"No, I came here via the guild's dragon cage."

The guild's dragon cage... I could almost see Berine's smug smile in my mind, but it would be premature to jump to conclusions about why Ashley came to Termwillis.

By the way, the dragon cage is a vehicle where one or two tamed flying dragons carry a cage. Along with dragon carts pulled by ground dragons, it allows for faster and larger transportation than horses. The fact that I came here by carriage probably means that the family couldn't spare a valuable riding dragon for a bastard son.

Ashley used the dragon cage because it would be less physically taxing to travel by flying dragon than by horse or ground dragon.

"No, I'm surprised. Why are you here?"

"I'm going to study in Termwillis. I couldn't contact you, Mr. Theodor, because it was sudden, but Berine said I could leave a message at the guild."

Ah, so she's going to live here.

"By the way, if it's alright with you, Mr. Theodor, would you consider taking a designated request?"

For a novice adventurer to receive a designated request is usually unheard of...

"Is it about continuous treatment with circulating qi?"

"Yes."

"I understand. We can discuss the details later."

...A change in environment can be quite a burden on the body.

I want to support Ashley's health maintenance with circulating qi.

However, the fact that the kennel is allowing a male and female noble, even if they are children and not betrothed, to meet frequently... This is probably a clear message. Berine might have drawn the picture, but it's clear.

But still, I feel like... I've been bought by Berine. She must have seen that I'm somewhat supportive of Ashley and made this plan.

Ashley probably doesn't know anything, and Berine's interference has gone this far, but I think she intends to leave the rest to my and Ashley's judgment. It's possible for me to set up a place for treatment without damaging Ashley's future position.

This is where Berine's manipulative nature comes into play.

Objectively speaking, I'm a bastard son with no inheritance rights in a baronial family. If Catherine and her sons weren't like they are, I would probably have ended up as a guardian for Byron or something similar.

I don't want to sound too arrogant, but if I had no inheritance rights due to blood relations, there would be no one more convenient for the family. The fact that I was exiled was a mistake on the part of the baronial family.

So, my future was supposed to be set. My marriage partner might have been decided by my father at a suitable time to benefit the baronial family.

But Catherine, out of jealousy towards my mother, mistreated me, and the foolish brothers joined in. I left the baronial family because of this. In other words, my future became uncertain due to family discord.

I don't want to talk about my future plans when I haven't accomplished anything yet... But if we're talking about how Berine sees me, she believes I will make a name for myself in Termwillis.

At 10 years old, if you're a noble heir or particularly talented... you usually have a solid entourage, including multiple candidates for a secondary wife.

While there's a gap in perception compared to Keisuke's world, in this world, I don't think Berine and the kennel's thinking is unreasonable. Even Byron is like that.

What's clever about Berine is that she's facilitating a connection between Ashley and me without making any verbal promises.

No matter what happens with my future or my relationship with Ashley... the burden on the kennel in managing the Siln territory, improving relations between the baronial family and the guild, Ashley's noble education, health maintenance, ensuring horizontal connections among nobles, the income I earn from magical treatment, and future prospects... and, of course, Berine's achievements... it's a win-win situation for everyone.

I'm a bastard son with a tenuous connection to the family and no marriage prospects. If I become a distinguished magician and receive a knighthood, there will certainly be nobles who want to incorporate me into their family.

Berine thought that even if she and the kennel didn't do it, someone else would. She's buying me before I do anything. Truly, I've been bought. And she's doing this on the premise that I will see through her plan and make my own judgment.

A distinguished adventurer who achieves success in the labyrinth can be knighted and given a title and land by the kingdom to incorporate them as talent. There are also cases where multiple wives are taken. Berine is thinking along these lines.

In other words, who I place next to me. When I'm offered a secondary wife, how I can refuse without causing a conflict. Berine is indirectly asking me if Ashley could be a possibility... That's what this is about.

Ashley is a baronial family, a somewhat delicate position. If there's room next to me, it wouldn't be surprising for other high-ranking nobles to force their way in.

...I see. That's why me. I don't know what Berine thinks of my relationship with Grace, but this might be part of her strategy. If I have multiple wives, it would be easier to give reasons for refusing others.

If I make a name for myself in the labyrinth and receive a knighthood, it's likely that one wife won't be enough... and I'll be approached with marriage proposals. If I'm asked to place someone I don't know or have no connection with next to me, the answer would be no.

"Ms. Grace, could you teach me embroidery again?"

"If you don't mind me, I'd be happy to. When I have some free time."

"Of course."

Grace and Ashley are chatting happily. The atmosphere is very pleasant, but I can't help but take a broader view of my situation.

Who will I place next to me in the future? I thought my life plan would be decided by my father, but I never expected to be faced with this at 10 years old, especially after being at the bottom of the hierarchy.

If I don't decide anything now, my father might come to fetch me when the dust settles. That's out of the question, so I would refuse.

Considering that... it's true that... being bought early on is more acceptable than being treated poorly after making a name for myself.

Nothing is decided yet, and how Ashley and I view each other in the future is... very fluid. It's true that I don't have a bad impression of her at this point. But if I'm asked about a marriage partner, it's a bit premature... and that might not be a valid argument for someone born into a noble family.

Regarding Ashley... I understand.

In simple terms, I'm being forced to make a judgment about whether to accept a marriage proposal. Since I don't have a guardian, I need to set a clear direction for myself.

Even the kennel is aware of this. If Ashley receives a noble education in Termwillis, she will eventually realize this. Even if she doesn't, the kennel or Berine will subtly hint at it. So, Ashley and I will have to see each other with this in mind.

At this point, we consider each other friends, and the conversation hasn't even started.

--- Then, what about Grace? What about her future?

She says she will serve me for life... but if we talk about lifespan, Grace's is longer. What will her social position be after I'm gone? In other words, who will control the cursed items?

Since I accepted her after she followed me to Termwillis without abandoning me, I can't just ignore what happens to her.

If we talk about Grace's future... I want to establish her social position firmly before then. Making a name for myself in Termwillis will certainly help solidify her position, but that alone isn't enough. So, what should I do for that?

Thinking about it... me, Grace, and Ashley. If we clearly understand how we feel about each other, everything will align perfectly. I won't have to worry about anything and can just charge ahead.

...Supporting and taking responsibility for the future of someone I care about.

It would be easy if I could just say, "Let's do it." But it's a matter of mutual feelings. If I'm just spinning my wheels, I'll end up a clown.

Considering the conflict between my mother and Catherine, I have some emotional reservations, but looking to the future, this is a problem that will affect me. I need to think carefully. I don't want to make the same mistakes as my father.

"Is something wrong, Mr. Theodor?"

Grace tilted her head when she saw me looking at her.

"Hmm. Well, let's talk when we get back. The situation has changed, and there are a lot of things to consider for tomorrow and beyond."

Now that I understand... I need to make a decision. Not just about Ashley, but in general.

Not just because I'm her attendant, but because I care for her like a sister.

When we part ways, it's important to clearly decide whether I can take full responsibility for her life.

If I value Grace's life, I can't just gloss over it. Confirming the answer and deciding on the future is... necessary.