Chapter 11

Today, I plan to post twice, so I'm posting this one in the morning.

When I woke up, the number of bookmarks visible on my author page had doubled from yesterday, which made me exclaim in surprise.

But when I searched for the work, I found that there was quite a lag between the information there... orz

Thanks to this, I was able to suddenly surpass 100 bookmarks.

Thank you so much!

Let's go back a little in time, to the evening party hosted by Viscount Lance... essentially a second venue.

While evening parties are generally attended only by adult nobles, the evening party held on the day of the debut party takes on a different atmosphere.

"Our child has already participated in beast hunting, showing great courage."

"Oh, that's wonderful. By the way, my daughter is very creative... and she is also very good at composing poetry."

In other words, it quickly turns into a matchmaking venue.

Each noble works hard to promote their own child, vying for a better match with children of higher status or with superior appearance and talent.

Generally, it is considered impolite for nobles of lower status to appeal to those of higher status, but it is common practice to mix in such appeals under the guise of making the rounds.

"Grint, how was today's debut party?"

The one speaking to Grint is his grandmother, Isis.

Isis did not accompany the Roundheart party to the capital in the morning, but arrived later, which is why she is present at the evening party.

For Isis, the evening party was more important than the debut, so it wasn't much of a problem.

"Grandma!"

Grint is very close to Isis.

Unlike her treatment of Ein, Isis always greets Grint with a warm smile and never lets it fade.

When they travel, she always brings souvenirs for Grint, something she never did for Ein, showing a near-doting affection.

"Mother, you've arrived?"

"Yes, a little while ago. I came after greeting some acquaintances."

"Mother-in-law, thank you for the long journey in the carriage."

"Yes, Alma, I'm sure the party was also a long and tiring affair for you. Thank you for your hard work."

Speaking of the past, there was a time when Isis was also kind to Olivia.

Olivia, who came to the Roundheart family from the great nation of Ishtarika for certain reasons, was held in very high regard.

However, that expectation was shattered by the skill of the long-awaited Roundheart heir.

After that, her treatment of Olivia became almost completely cold.

Her words became sharp, and she rarely showed her face to her grandson, Ein. Isis hardly spoke to Olivia except when necessary.

"No, not at all. After all, it's about the future of the important Roundheart family... Grint's future is at stake."

"Hehe... That's true."

In contrast, her attitude toward Alma visibly improved.

Alma, the second wife from a baronial family in the Kingdom of Haim, was not treated particularly coldly by Isis, but it was not as good as her treatment of the original wife, Olivia.

But when Grint was born, and his talent was that of a Holy Knight... Isis's thoughts on the next head of the family shifted dramatically.

Now, Alma, who has raised Grint well and is considerate of Isis, has become the best second wife.

Though she is a second wife, it cannot be denied that she is the de facto main wife in Isis's eyes.

"By the way, Alma. How is Olivia doing?"

"Lord...? Didn't I tell you, this evening is for Grint."

"But it would be a bit rude not to say anything at all, wouldn't it?"

Grint, who had been quietly restraining himself while his parents were talking, frowned when he heard his father mention Olivia... or rather, Ein.

"Father... Am I not good enough on my own?"

Grint's whisper did not reach Logas.

"Logas, you must have come to terms with it, right?"

"...Yes, but..."

The matter of the evening party that Aine and Olivia did not attend.

They had discussed it beforehand with the three of them, and at that time, Alma and Isis had convinced Logas not to embarrass Aine and the others.

Logas understood that Aine could not be the successor and that he should not be publicly promoted, considering the responsibilities and destiny of a noble, but in the end, he relied on the idea that they should not embarrass them.

"We also feel bad about it. So, as a kind of apology... we've sent some treats to their lodging."

The story of the treats that Alma mentioned is true.

She thought that if Aine was in a good mood, the doting Olivia would not be too angry.

"Then... I suppose there's nothing to be done."

"Logas, you must understand that if the situation is not clarified, it would be a pity for Aine, wouldn't it?"

"You're right, Lord? We need to gradually make it understood from now on, or it could become a big problem."

"Indeed, that's true. As a noble, we cannot deny the meritocratic aspect..."

Honestly, he knew in the back of his mind that he was relying on the words of his mother and wife.

But he couldn't stop it.

As a noble, for the prosperity of the family and the territory, he had to place a capable child as the head of the family.

"I'm glad you understand."

"Logas has always been a capable child since childhood, it's only natural."

Isis and Alma, confirming that Logas had finally given in, began to praise him.

Just as they thought he had stopped caring about the matter, a woman approached them.

"Oh, Lady Isis! It's been a while!"

"Oh, Lady Nacra! It's been a while, I'm glad to see you're well."

Approaching the Roundheart family was Nacra, from the Bruno family, who lived in the capital.

The Bruno family has been a prestigious family, producing excellent civil servants for generations, and the current head, Eido Bruno, is the minister of law.

Nacra is Eido's mother and a well-known figure in the social scene.

"Lady Nacra, it's been a while."

"To be able to say such things to the famous General Logas, I'm not done for yet, am I?"

"Hehe, you're just being playful."

Seeing Logas and Nacra talking amicably, Alma introduced herself with a bit of anxiety.

She was nervous about not being rude to the well-known Nacra.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Nacra. I am the second wife of the Roundheart family, Alma."

Alma was meeting Nacra for the first time.

Unlike Olivia, Alma, as a second wife, did not often appear in the social scene, and even at today's debut party, she had a lot of time to greet people.

"Yes, it's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Alma. I've heard your name many times here in the capital, you know? After all, you're known as the Holy Mother for giving birth to such a distinguished Holy Knight."

"Oh... how embarrassing, to be called such a name."

"I believe it's true. By the way... Oh, I'm sorry, I've been rude."

Nacra, after lightly mentioning the rumors about Alma, changed the subject.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Lord Grint. I am Nacra."

"!... It's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Nacra. I am Grint Roundheart, the designated next head of the family."

"Oh, what a polite greeting, Lord Grint."

Isis smiled, knowing that a well-known figure like Nacra was paying attention to Grint.

In the past, Nacra would have greeted him, but not in such a polite manner, not one that would elevate a child.

"By the way, Lady Nacra. Is Minister Eido not here tonight?"

Logas asked, finding it strange that Nacra was alone at the evening party.

"Yes, actually... Ah, there he is. He went to greet Viscount Lance, so it would be impolite not to greet the host."

"I see, that makes sense."

"Grint, greet him properly again."

"Yes, Grandma. I won't do anything to tarnish the name of the Roundheart family."

"Hehe, what a well-mannered grandson, Lady Isis."

"Yes, he has grown into a fine and distinguished grandson for me."

As they were talking, Eido... Minister Eido Bruno arrived.

The person Eido was leading was a red-haired girl, with slightly upturned eyes, giving an impression of being spirited. This girl was cute enough to stand out even in the evening party.

"General Logas, is it a battle tonight?"

"What do you mean, Minister of Law Eido? You're dressed so formally... is there a trial tonight?"

"Hahaha! No, I apologize. I brought my only daughter, I just want to look cool in front of her."

"I see, that makes sense. I also brought my son... the heir, so I thought I would show a bit of my authority as a father tonight."

"Hmm. So we are similar in that regard."

Eido, who oversees the strict and necessary law, is a rather easy-going person in his private life.

The military and the law, usually departments that do not interact much, but they have met many times at the royal castle and such evening parties, and their relationship is like that of good friends.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Minister of Law Eido. I am Alma, Alma Roundheart. Though I am a second wife, I am attending tonight's party. Please remember me."

"Indeed... To be addressed so humbly by the famous Holy Mother, I am at a loss. I am Eido Bruno, and I am on good terms with Lord Logas. It would be a pleasure if Lady Alma could also be on good terms with me."

Alma was a bit perplexed.

Thanks to Grint being born as a Holy Knight, she was being lifted up by such influential people.

At the same time, she felt a bit of superiority and blessed her own fate.

"Grint, go ahead and greet him."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Lord Eido. I am Grint Roundheart, and I hope to have a good relationship with you and my father."

Alma made Grint greet Eido.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Grint... Now, Anon, go ahead and greet them."

"Yes, Father... It's a pleasure to meet you, the Roundheart family. I am Anon Bruno, and it is an honor to meet the famous General Logas, the Holy Mother Alma... and the future Celestial Knight, Lord Grint, in this place tonight."

Anon, the girl from the Bruno family, who was probably two years older than Grint, introduced herself and praised Logas, Alma, and Grint.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, I am Isis, the mother of the current head, Logas. I hope we can have a good relationship."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Isis. It is an honor to meet the mother of a hero."

"Oh... Thank you for your kind words."

As expected of the daughter of the Minister of Law, her manners were impeccable.

Compared to the mature eldest son, Aine, of the Roundheart family, she seemed to be on par.

"Our child is quite good, Lord Logas."

"Yes, she is excellent. To receive such a distinguished greeting is a bit overwhelming."

"Oh, to make the great General Logas feel overwhelmed, our granddaughter's future is quite promising."

The conversation proceeded amicably.

But it seemed that Minister Eido had something in mind, and he spoke as if the time had come.

"I don't like to talk at length... Lord Logas, let me get straight to the point.

I would like to request the engagement of my daughter Anon to Lord Grint."

"...Are you serious?"

Honestly, it was unexpected for Logas.

While it is common for civil servants to be born with special talents, the compatibility between the Bruno and Roundheart families did not seem good to him.

A Holy Knight is a unique talent on the battlefield.

Eido was born with the skill of Truth, which can discern lies from truth.

It seems like a very strong ability, but of course, it has its weaknesses... the preparation is cumbersome.

To use it effectively, one must be in a space where they can be one-on-one with the target, and almost completely block out external sounds.

Still, it is a powerful ability, but when combined with a Holy Knight, it is not as strong on the battlefield as, for example, a Holy Knight combined with a physical enhancement ability.

"No, I don't like to beat around the bush, so let me explain from the beginning. I know that the compatibility with a skill often called a civil servant's is not good, but Anon is different... she was born with a special talent, just like Lord Grint."

"I don't recall hearing about it. Minister Eido... what kind of skill is it?"

Logas, intrigued, asked, feeling that it must be a special ability for Eido to push it so hard.

"Anon, please explain."

"Yes, Father. ...General Logas, the skill I was born with is 'Blessing.' It can make my husband stronger and more divine with a holy power."

*

To put it simply, the marriage proposal was smoothly accepted afterward.

Isis gave her full approval and support, and Alma, needless to say, was in favor... Grint, who liked Anon, did not object, and the matter was settled.

After Anon explained that her skill was Blessing, she told Grint and the others that she wanted to be the wife of a hero.

Her words also left a good impression.

Afterward, an urgent message from the Roundheart territory, sent by messenger bird, was delivered to Logas.

The sender was, of course, the first wife, Olivia.

Logas was shocked, his emotions mixed, and he lost his composure, but with the support of his mother and wife, and the excellent result of his son's engagement, he recovered relatively quickly.

The Duke August had already confirmed the content of the letter before it was brought to the evening party venue, using a member of the ducal family.