Chapter 42

"Knight, Matchmaking, and Meddlesome People" is about 10 episodes long. It's a bit of a mystery story.

Today, I will post two episodes. This is the first episode.

Lucian's mansion is frequently visited by Jace, a member of the royal guard.

Among the knights, Jace stands out with his tall stature and well-built, muscular body.

His face is stern, but upon closer inspection, it is finely chiseled and quite handsome.

Lucian thinks Jace is more attractive than Vlad, but apparently, public opinion differs.

One day during lunch, Lucian overheard a conversation between Hein and his father, Sariel.

"Lord Jace recently returned to his fief to arrange a marriage."

Hein elegantly picked up a piece of fish with his cutlery.

Lucian, who grew up watching Hein, eats neatly despite his young age. Sariel, who was strictly disciplined, is the same.

Thanks to this, the table of three men was neither rough nor unpleasant.

"Jace's fief is close to the Western Forest of Monsters."

"It's a dangerous area. He said it's not far from the capital and can be reached by horse in a day.

Jace's horse is one of the best in the capital, and Jace is an excellent rider, so it usually takes a bit longer."

"Jace's chestnut horse is indeed a fine one.

Jace is 29, right?"

Sariel asked after slowly savoring his soup.

"That's correct.

He said he has given up on marriage, but his family is persistent."

Hein's expression showed a slight hint of pity.

"Why give up?"

"Apparently, whenever he arranges a meeting, the young lady turns him down the moment she sees his face."

"Are there really women who are that rude?"

Sariel stopped his fork in surprise.

"It's not that they turn him down on the spot. They sense it.

The young lady looks like she's about to cry.

Jace says his face is too stern... that's what he says."

"Is it that bad?

I think Jace's stern face would be fine after three days."

Sariel frowned.

"I agree. Men would get used to it in half a day, and women in three days.

Turning him down at first sight is the right decision for the young lady."

Lucian thought, 'Father and Hein are having a really interesting conversation.' He wondered if Jace's face was really that much of a problem. He didn't think it was a bad face. In fact, he thought it was quite handsome.

What could be wrong with it?

"But, Father. Lady Lala from the Marrie household said Jace is very charming.

Jace should be fine with women, right?"

Lucian told the two, and Sariel and Hein widened their eyes.

"Really? The daughter of Lady Marrie?"

Sariel stared at his son.

He knew that Lucian and Lady Marrie's daughter were close. She often came to buy eggs.

In addition to the young lady, the Vionne household had a daughter of one of Lady Marrie's friends working as a housekeeper.

They started hiring her after Sariel's income increased.

She came four days a week, from morning until early afternoon. The short hours were due to Lucian's secret.

The Vionne household and Lady Marrie's large ranch had a vague relationship even before that.

"Yes."

Lucian nodded clearly when asked by his father.

"Lady Lala, the youngest daughter, right?"

Hein recalled.

"Do you know which daughter?"

"Yes. Lady Marrie often boasts about her.

Lady Lala is the youngest daughter, born four years after Lady Marrie thought she was done having children and let her guard down."

"... Is that a boast?"

"She's said to be the most beautiful among the daughters."

"That's definitely a boast."

"Lala is beautiful?"

Lucian asked.

"Is she not?"

Sariel asked his son.

"I just asked because I'm not sure.

Beautiful means pretty, right?"

Lucian tilted his head.

"Lady Lala is quite lovely. I have some experience in aesthetics, so I'm confident in my assessment."

'Hmm.'

Sariel imagined Lady Lala, whom he had never met, based on Lady Marrie.

'... It's impossible.'

He quickly gave up.

Sariel thought, 'If only I could see Lady Marrie, 20 kilograms lighter and 30 years younger.'

Later,

Sariel, based on Hein's information that "Lady Lala comes to buy eggs and herbs twice a week," waited and secretly observed her.

Unfortunately, Sariel, who lacked an aesthetic eye, couldn't tell if Lady Lala was cute or not.

Lucian told this story to Yusei and the others when they met.

Naturally, it quickly spread to Noel and Oudine, and then to the others.

Lucian didn't think it was a secret, so he didn't try to keep it quiet.

◇◇◇

Recently, Noel and Amalie were elated. Both were expecting their second child.

Noel after six years, and Amalie after seven.

While everyone around them was happy, Noel and Amalie had mixed feelings.

'If they're so happy, they should have given their husbands more free time.'

The reason for the long wait for their second children was clear. Sirius and Jules were too busy.

'Women have only one chance a month, twelve times a year, to get pregnant, right?'

When they were newlyweds, they received some consideration. That's why their first child was born relatively quickly.

But after that, their husbands were extremely busy. Noel and the others knew the country was in turmoil, so they couldn't say anything.

In any case, with the pregnancy, Noel's and the others' official duties were drastically reduced. They were told not to go on inspections in case of emergencies.

To put it bluntly, they were idle.

During this time, Lucian and Yusei brought some interesting news.

"Jace, you mean Jace Merlo?"

Amalie asked.

Amalie, Jules' wife, knew about the blood relations between Noel, Sariel, and Lucian.

"Yes, the knight who often guards Sariel."

Noel nodded.

"The Merlo family.

They were somewhat famous when I was a knight."

"Why?"

Noel leaned in, intrigued.

Jace is usually the king's guard. There shouldn't be any problems.

"The Merlo family is a barony in the west, known for its many monsters.

Such territories are guarded by the local army. The kingdom provides subsidies to maintain the army and sometimes tax exemptions.

The Merlo family is one of the areas with frequent monster attacks.

The knights help when the local army can't handle it, but generally, the local army guards the territory.

In such territories, the relationship between the lord and the local army is important. Many lords also serve as the commander of the local army.

However, the Merlo family did not have this arrangement.

There were issues with the relationship between the lord and the local army."

Amalie's tone gradually became more heated, indicating it wasn't a good story.

"Jace's family, surprising.

Jace seems like a pure knight."

"I understand. He's serious, strong, and rugged."

Amalie nodded.

"We were colleagues."

Noel recalled Jace's background.

The previous king, impressed by Jace's performance in a sword tournament, recruited him from the knights to guard Sariel.

He wasn't originally a royal guard and was taller than the average guard.

The royal guards are chosen for their height to look good in formation during ceremonies. Good looks are also a requirement.

The previous captain of the royal guard favored noble backgrounds and even considered family wealth, deciding treatment based on flattery and favors.

Of course, this was in the past.

In any case, Jace was a bit different from the average royal guard. He was more of a knight who was often sent to fight monsters.

"The knights also go on expeditions to territories with many monsters.

The Merlo barony was often one of them. It's a dangerous area.

The Merlo family was used to monsters. The local army and the people were too.

However, the previous lord wasn't used to them."

"Was there a problem with the previous lord?"

Noel frowned.

"Yes, from a knight's perspective.

The safety of the territory is the top priority during emergencies, especially when monsters are increasing. The equipment and treatment of the local army are crucial.

The previous lord didn't understand this. The local army was exhausted.

Jace tried to mediate between the lord and the local army, even as a young student."

Amalie's tone naturally became harsh.

"Was this during the time when Sirius was away and the monster attacks increased?"

"Yes, when the problem was at its worst.

But the territory was in that state even when the previous lord was alive."

"Did he die? The previous lord?"

"Yes. He was attacked by a monster while inspecting the repair of the mansion's outer wall at night.

It was many years ago.

The current lord is Jace's older brother. He seems to be a good lord, having seen the long-standing conflict between his father and the local army.

He has a good relationship with the knights and the local army."

"That's good. It's a bit awkward to say it's good because the previous lord died."

"You can say it. It's unacceptable to neglect the local army in that territory!"

Amalie said harshly.

From a knight's perspective, that's what she would say.

"Right!"

"By the way, Jace is the second son of the Merlo barony.

What about the daughter of Lady Marrie's large ranch? Would Jace's family approve?"

Amalie asked.

"According to information from Lucian, Lady Marrie's family has a viscount title.

During the time when the previous king granted titles to many people, they received a viscount title."

"Ah, when the number of monsters increased.

They granted baron titles to hunters who made significant contributions."

"That's it.

The queen thought it was unfair that her family's viscount title was in danger while commoners were becoming barons, so she quickly stopped it."

"At that time, they became viscounts.

Originally, they were large landowners with a baron title. The eldest son worked as a hunter until he inherited the large ranch. He hunted large game to get his family's title.

Lady Marrie's ranch is quite large and operates on a scale similar to a wealthy merchant.

Have you heard of 'Fauror's dairy products'?"

"Yes, they're famous and delicious."

Amalie's eyes sparkled. It's a well-known name among women in the capital who love creamy flavors.

"They're exquisite. They put a lot of effort into it, like the feed and the cleanliness of the cows' milk."

Noel shared information she learned from her food-loving maids.

"Are they quite wealthy?"

Amalie leaned in.

"They're not making huge profits, but I think they're a wealthy ranch."

"That could be a good point for persuading Jace's family.

Even from a baron family, the second son doesn't inherit the title. Jace has a knighthood.

It depends on the individuals."

"If Jace and Lady Lala can develop a relationship, we can help."

Amalie suggested, and Noel agreed.

"Me too!"

Later, Noel was told by Sirius,

"... Make sure to get their approval before you start."

So she decided to listen to the story.

Thank you for reading.

The second episode will be posted around 9:00.