Chapter 92

Pujol Gijen, the head of the Gijen family, and Nilda Gazir, the second daughter of the Gazir Frontier Count, are to be married.

The rumor had long since transcended the realm of mere gossip and was now spoken of among the nobles who frequented the palace as a certain future event.

After all, the Gijen family, starting with Pujol, had no intention of hiding the information, and the Gazir Frontier Count family, centered around Lucinda, seemed to be actively spreading the news to ensure that Nilda would be welcomed without issue into the Gijen family.

The court gossips were in full bloom, speculating about when, where, and in what form the wedding between the two great noble families would take place.

One day, a request for an audience with Queen Aura, jointly submitted by the Gijen family and the Gazir Frontier Count family, arrived.

Queen Aura received the petitioners in a room larger than the one she usually used for such occasions.

On Aura's side, as always, were her confidant, Secretary Fabio, and the knight guards, but the petitioners were not individuals but a joint delegation from the two families.

As expected, sitting opposite Aura were five people of varying ages and genders.

From the Gijen family, there were two: Pujol, the head of the family and the groom-to-be, and Primo Gijen, Pujol's uncle.

From the Gazir Frontier Count family, there were three: Miguel, the Gazir Frontier Count and head of the family, Nilda Gazir, the bride-to-be, and Lucinda, the eldest daughter of the Gazir Frontier Count. Together, they made five.

"Your Majesty Aura, we are truly grateful for your valuable time today."

Pujol, the general, was the first to speak. Considering that the matter at hand was the wedding of Pujol and Nilda, it was appropriate for him to take the lead.

A noble marriage is a marriage between families. Therefore, the heads of both families, as well as the two individuals getting married, are the main figures in the discussion.

Pujol Gijen, the current head of the Gijen family, the groom, and the mastermind behind this marriage, was the most fitting representative.

Next to speak was Miguel, the Gazir Frontier Count, an elderly noble lord sitting next to Pujol with a young girl between them.

"Your Majesty Aura, as stated in the written request, we seek your permission to hold the wedding of General Pujol and my daughter Nilda in the capital."

Despite his age, the Gazir Frontier Count had a well-built body, but he was smaller compared to Pujol. His physique, reminiscent of a rugby forward or an American football lineman, was about the same height as Zenshiro—around 170 cm.

On the other hand, Pujol, the general, boasted a towering height nearing two meters and a well-built body weighing well over a hundred kilograms.

Even so, sitting next to each other, the Gazir Frontier Count did not lose much in presence to Pujol, perhaps due to his years of experience or the pride of being a head of a noble family of almost equal status.

Queen Aura, looking equally at Pujol and the Gazir Frontier Count, began to speak.

"Of course, I have read the written request. The wedding of Sir Pujol and Miss Nilda is to be held in the capital, is that correct? Is that acceptable to you, Gazir Frontier Count?"

Aura asked this because, generally, weddings are held in the hometown of the person who will leave their home after marriage.

The person leaving their hometown bids farewell to their family and relatives, so it is a custom that should be followed.

Especially in cases like this, where the families are of almost equal status, it is safest to adhere to the custom.

If they were to deliberately deviate from the custom, there must be a reason.

In response to the queen's question, the elderly local noble lord glanced sideways for a moment before answering honestly.

"Yes, Your Majesty. To be frank, our Gazir Frontier County is a remote rural area, far from the capital. Considering the future, I believe it is best to establish connections in the capital for my daughter."

This was a refreshingly frank opinion, rare among nobles.

"I see."

Aura's "I see" had two meanings.

One was her agreement with the Gazir Frontier Count's reasoning.

Indeed, the Gazir Frontier Count family, with fewer approaches to the center, had less influence in the capital.

As a noble who values family, the Gazir Frontier Count would want to reach out to as many nobles in the capital as possible and say, "Please take care of my daughter Nilda in the future."

The other meaning was her realization that the Gazir Frontier Count's gaze had been directed at the woman sitting at the far end of the sofa—Lucinda Gazir, the eldest daughter of the Gazir Frontier Count.

Such consideration was not something the unrefined warrior Gazir Frontier Count was good at. The idea must have come from Lucinda.

However, Aura had one concern.

(The marriage between the Gijen family and the Gazir Frontier Count family is already troublesome, and now the Gazir Frontier Count family is actively building connections with the central nobles. Is Lucinda unaware of this?)

When Aura's gaze turned to Lucinda, she bowed her head slightly and nodded.

From her reaction, it seemed unlikely that Lucinda was unaware of Aura's concern.

(In that case, I will need to call Lucinda for a private talk later. I hope to hear a good plan, not just an excuse.)

Despite her concerns, the wedding was the priority for the moment.

"Since the bride is from the Gazir Frontier Count family and the groom is from the Gijen family, the 'Dragon King's Hall' in the palace would be an appropriate venue. You may use it."

"Yes."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

The representatives from both families bowed respectfully from their seats.

Nilda, the bride, was the only one who hesitated for a moment before hurriedly bowing, which made her look endearingly cute.

The 'Dragon King's Hall,' where Zenshiro and Aura's wedding was also held, is a room used exclusively for the weddings of the royal family and a select few high-ranking nobles.

Therefore, holding a wedding in the 'Dragon King's Hall' is a great honor, but it seemed that Nilda, the bride, had not fully grasped the significance of this.

"The person in charge of the wedding will be Primo from the Gijen family, and the Gazir Frontier Count and Lucinda from the Gazir Frontier Count family, is that correct?"

In response to the queen's confirmation, everyone nodded in agreement.

"Yes, as this is the head of the family's wedding, I will serve as the representative of the Gijen family."

The middle-aged man who had been silent next to Pujol bowed and spoke.

He was probably in his late forties. Compared to Pujol, he was clearly smaller, but he was still around 180 cm tall, a tall and well-built man.

However, his physique did not exude much presence or intimidation.

In fact, Primo Gijen was an ordinary man. As a warrior and a ruler, he was somewhat lacking for a high-ranking noble like the Gijen family.

However, Queen Aura, upon hearing that such an ordinary man would be in charge of the wedding between two great noble families, smiled wryly.

"I look forward to the famous skills of Primo Gijen."

"Hehe, with such words from Your Majesty, I cannot help but be enthusiastic. I promise to do my best, Your Majesty."

In response to the queen's words, the unremarkable middle-aged man replied with a cocky smile.

Primo, who was mediocre in martial prowess, troop command, and governance, was a well-known 'dilettante' among the nobles of the Carpa Kingdom.

With the Gijen family's vast wealth, he patronized musicians, dancers, and painters he liked, and had a passion for fine wine and gourmet food. In a sense, he was the man who enjoyed life the most in the kingdom.

He was a notorious spendthrift and an unproductive dilettante, but at the same time, his discerning eye was reliable, and he had unexpected connections through his 'fellow enthusiasts.'

Therefore, both the previous head of the Gijen family, Primo's brother, and the current head, Pujol, allowed this dilettante relative to have his freedom within a certain budget.

For such a dilettante, such events were the perfect stage to showcase his talents.

While there was a concern that his enthusiasm for his hobbies might get out of hand, that would be managed by the Gazir Frontier Count and Lucinda.

"The issue is the date. The request is for one month from now, but isn't that too short a preparation period for a wedding of such prominent families as the Gijen and Gazir? Can't it be postponed until next year?"

The active season had only two months left, and the rainy season would begin two months later. Considering the return journey of the guests coming from the regions, if the wedding were to be held this year, one month from now would be the deadline.

However, it was understandable why Aura frowned.

A one-month preparation period for a wedding of great nobles was too short. Unless there were urgent circumstances like with Zenshiro and Aura, royal and high-ranking noble weddings typically required at least six months, and sometimes over a year of preparation.

Even if the Gijen and Gazir families were ready, there was the issue of coordinating with others.

It was currently the late active season, equivalent to winter in modern Japan, the most active time of the year. Naturally, they were not the only nobles planning to hold weddings during this season.

For example, if Pujol and Nilda were to hold their wedding in the 'Dragon King's Hall' on the same day as another noble's wedding at their capital residence, the number of guests at the other wedding would be very disappointing.

To avoid such situations, influential royals and high-ranking nobles were expected to plan long-term, but unfortunately, Pujol was a man who prioritized his own convenience over the norms of great nobles.

"Hmm. Since the decision has been made, I thought it would be best to proceed as soon as possible."

Pujol wanted to welcome Nilda as his wife as soon as possible and form a kinship with the Gazir Frontier Count family.

If he could leverage the presence of the powerful Gazir Frontier Count family, many things that were previously impossible would become possible.

However, next to Pujol, his uncle Primo leaned forward and agreed with the queen.

"You are right, Your Majesty Aura. Pujol, one month is too short. For the sake of thorough preparation, the wedding should be postponed until next year's active season!"

Pujol could not hide his wry smile at his uncle's passionate speech, which was unexpected from his ordinary appearance.

"Uncle, you just want more time for your hobbies."

"I won't deny that. With only one month, we would have to use existing sculptures, paintings, chairs, and tables for the wedding venue. But with a year's preparation, we could create the best items for the wedding."

Gripping his fist tightly, Primo added, looking past Pujol's massive frame to Nilda's face.

"We are welcoming the daughter of the Gazir Frontier Count as the head of the Gijen family. The wedding cannot be a disgrace."

Nilda smiled awkwardly in response to her future uncle's enthusiastic smile.

"Ah, no, I don't mind..."

Nilda, a hastily cultivated noble who grew up in a village, lacked the discerning eye for fine art, a relatively unnecessary skill.

To be honest, whether they used existing items or prepared the best custom-made items for her and Pujol, Nilda would not notice the difference.

To help the confused girl, the Gazir Frontier Count, sitting next to her, spoke up.

"That's true. If it is Sir Pujol's wish, we can accommodate a wedding one month from now, but it would be more appreciated if we could have more time until next year's active season."

This was a reasonable opinion. As the side giving away their daughter, they would want to send her off as beautifully and lovingly as possible.

Therefore, more time would be beneficial.

With the agreement of the wedding's overseer, the head of the opposing family, and even the king of their own country, Pujol had no intention of insisting on his own views.

"I understand. If that's the case, next year will be fine.

Nilda, I'm sorry. It will be another year before I can welcome you as my wife. I promise to make it up to you, so please bear with me."

With a hearty smile, the future husband spoke, and the young girl, surprised, opened her large eyes before breaking into a radiant, innocent smile.

"Yes, I will wait for you, Sir Pujol."

◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆

With the venue and timing of Pujol and Nilda's wedding roughly decided, the meeting for the day concluded.

As everyone was leaving after their final greetings to Queen Aura, Primo Gijen, as if remembering something, turned to the queen.

"Your Majesty Aura, to make this the best wedding, may I ask for your assistance? I would like you to write a letter of introduction for a certain person."

Saying this casually, Primo Gijen, as the uncle of Pujol Gijen, was indeed fitting.

Usually, few people would be so bold and impolite as to ask the queen for a favor as an afterthought.

Pujol Gijen, driven by ambition, and Primo Gijen, driven by his hobbies, had different desires, but they shared a disregard for etiquette and convention when it came to their own desires.

Aura, rather than being angry or exasperated, seemed more curious. She chuckled and waved her hand, dismissing the rudeness, and asked in return.

"Hmm, I am not averse to writing a letter of introduction, but it is somewhat surprising. I didn't think there were any artists or craftsmen in our country that you would need an introduction to."

Primo nodded with a full smile in response to the queen's words.

"Yes, that is true. However, I have not yet formed a relationship strong enough to commission work from someone 'from abroad.'"

The words 'from abroad' immediately caught Aura's attention.

"...Which one?"

Boldly, the dilettante who was trying to commission work from a foreign royal family made Aura sigh dramatically, but she did not try to stop him.

Both the prince and princess had artistic and crafty natures. They would be pleased to be commissioned for their skills and would not be offended.

In response to the queen's short question, the dilettante answered without hesitation.

"If you permit it, both."

This was the expected answer. However, while the princess was one thing, allowing the prince and this dilettante to converse freely was somewhat concerning.

The queen let out a deliberate deep sigh and said in a low voice.

"There will be no letter of introduction. Instead, I will arrange the meeting here. I or the groom will be present, so be sure to behave properly with Prince Francesco and Princess Bon. Understand?"

"Yes, I understand."

In response to the queen's words, Primo Gijen bowed deeply, hiding his full smile.