Chapter 87

"Frankly speaking... It ended rather anticlimactically, didn't it?"

"Everyone often says that, you know."

The revival of the Vaiger Baronetcy was decided at a terrifyingly fast pace. Due to the strong recommendation of Minister of Finance Lookner, no noble opposed it.

His Majesty also commented, "The stabilization of the Baumaster Earldom is urgent. There is no particular reason to oppose it," and it was decided immediately.

Furthermore, at that time, the marriage between the next head of the Vaiger Baronetcy and the daughter of the Lookner Marquisate was also approved.

While Minister of Finance Lookner had only drawn poor lots in matters related to the Vaiger Baronetcy, this time he managed to save face.

On the other hand, the Earl of Lilienthal, who made a mistake, had a sour expression.

After all this, a messenger from the palace came to Katarina and conferred the honorary baronetcy on her.

"Lord Katarina"

"Yes. I will become the mother of the next Vaiger Baronet and serve as a foundation for His Majesty, the kingdom, and the people."

The wording is quite different from when a man receives a title, but that's how special it is in the Kingdom of Helmut. There is also the question, "What if no child is born?" but since there is always the option of adoption, it's not a major concern.

The essential point is that the family continues.

Since we received the honorary title so easily, we had some free time and were practicing simple magic in the courtyard of the Hoehenheim Viscountcy while chatting.

"For a man, it's just a matter of swearing an oath in front of His Majesty and it's over."

"His Majesty is very busy, after all."

Katarina was continuing the training of circulating magic power within her body, which she learned from me, while sitting in meditation. Since we couldn't just release magic in someone else's courtyard, she was practicing in a way that wouldn't bother others.

"By the way, when will Lord Hermann inherit the title?"

"There are various issues on his side... It's said that the situation needs to settle down a bit more."

There are Kurt's aftermath, helping Paul, who is developing a neighboring territory, and new plans for developing his own territory. Since things are hectic, the palace said it's fine to wait until the situation stabilizes.

Additionally, Lord Hermann needs to take at least one concubine. Paul is in the same situation, and the selection process takes time.

Since he already has a wife of low status, choosing a concubine who won't interfere is a rather difficult task. The candidates are second daughters or younger of the robe knight families in the capital, from families that are not very wealthy and have no official positions. These families will receive benefits such as financial support, assistance in obtaining positions, and the employment of their relatives as vassals in exchange for the concubine.

The candidates are being sought by Minister of Finance Lookner, Minister of Military Edgar, and Earl Armstrong.

"Both of them said they would rather not have to."

They are busy, and my brothers are not as lecherous as our father. In the case of our father, the situation at the time made it somewhat unavoidable, but he is still considered a womanizer by my mother and others.

Among my brothers, I am said to be the one who most resembles my father in terms of having the most fiancées and women-related matters, but I feel it's a bit of a false accusation.

"Lord Hermann is also scheduled to be elevated to baronet, albeit much later. Having only one wife is..."

There are a few exceptions, but most nobles have multiple wives. This is because they form alliances with other families to run their households smoothly, as a backup in case the main wife doesn't have children, and to take in surplus noblewomen as a form of social welfare.

"Lord Ehrich and Lord Helmut will also have to take concubines."

Those two are not particularly lecherous either, so they will probably reluctantly accept it out of custom.

"In that regard, I am a woman, so it's easier for me."

Since she can't increase the number of husbands, some people might envy her in that aspect.

Men often aspire to be good women who can enjoy life without complications, but living with a concubine can be quite troublesome. Many men think this way.

"Hey, you two are practicing quietly."

At that moment, Brantak, who was staying at the Hoehenheim Viscountcy, appeared. He had sent a message to the Margrave of Brechreiter early in the morning, informing him that Katarina's ennoblement was complete.

"Quietly, because Brantak makes us do it every day."

"Of course. I do it every day too."

No matter how busy he is, Brantak never skips the training of circulating magic power within his body. This practice maintains and improves the control of magic power.

However, the method of sitting in meditation and circulating magic power is an original technique I brought from my previous life. It seems to be more efficient, and now Brantak and the mentor also use it.

Even the mentor once said, "You came up with a good idea."

"Since it directly affects the efficiency, precision, and power of magic, don't slack off."

Even after the increase in magic power ends, this is a necessary training method.

"In my case, my magic power is still growing."

Katarina was only sixteen, so her magic power was still increasing.

"I envy you."

Brantak was an excellent magician, but he often said he wished he had a bit more magic power. He also often lamented that it was something determined at birth and couldn't be changed.

"But I think I'm approaching my limit."

Katarina's magic power is already at a very high level. She said it's unlikely to grow dramatically anymore.

"In that case, why don't you try a resonance with me?"

"Ah! Resonance!"

When Brantak suggested a resonance with me, Katarina blushed and looked down. I couldn't understand why she was so embarrassed.

"There's no need to be embarrassed. You two are going to be married, after all."

"But I don't quite understand the situation..."

"What? Al didn't tell you?"

The world of magicians is small, and there are special customs surrounding resonance. My mentor didn't have the time to teach me, or he might have forgotten.

"When a man and a woman do a resonance, it's... well, you know..."

It's partly a euphemism, but it involves a certain kind of sexual act. It's only done between lovers, spouses, or those in a similar relationship.

"Between men, it's seen as a pure teacher-student relationship. For women, it's fine if the other person is a brother or father."

"But magic talent isn't hereditary..."

Indeed, women in this world often suffer. Even a mentor can only do a resonance with a female if they are in a lover, fiancé, or spousal relationship. If they do, they will be seen as such by others.

"Except for doing it with your own children."

"That's also unrealistic."

"There are very few cases, but there are families of magicians."

I remember that when the mentor asked me to do a resonance with the palace magicians and apprentices, they were all men.

"Exceptions are..."

At that time, I did a resonance with Louise.

"In my case, it was already decided that I would become Ver's wife."

"Huh? Is that so?"

And somehow, she had joined the conversation.

"In my mind, it was already decided."

"I see."

I didn't know about such customs, but the palace magicians I did a resonance with certainly did. It seems that at that moment, it was already decided that Louise would be my wife.

"Also..."

I remember doing a resonance with Elise during my stay in the capital. Unfortunately, her magic power didn't increase much, but I remember she was bedridden for about two days due to magic intoxication.

Then there were Ina and Vilma, but since they had very little magic power and were already at their limit, we didn't do a resonance. People who are not treated as magicians because their magic power is below the beginner level don't do a resonance.

"Elise didn't mention this kind of thing."

"She probably thought you knew. Since you're going to be married, there's no problem. By the way, are you going to do a resonance with Katarina?"

"Me?!"

It's up to Katarina. When I looked at her, she seemed very flustered and her face was red.

"From what I can tell, Katarina's magic power is less than the Earl's. I know it's frustrating, but if you increase your magic power to the limit and then focus on increasing the types of magic and improving precision..."

Brantak, who has taught many students, was trying to persuade her calmly.

"Do you not want to?"

"No... It's not that..."

Katarina was still blushing and looking down, fidgeting.

"Then..."

"Wait! I'll go take a bath and change my clothes first!"

"Huh?"

Suddenly saying something strange, Katarina ran back to the Hoehenheim Viscountcy like a rabbit. Only Brantak and I, who didn't understand the situation, were left behind.

"What's going on?"

"That girl has no immunity to men."

She looks strong and capable of handling men, but the fact that she mentioned taking a bath and changing clothes just because she was going to hold hands with me for a resonance suggests she has no immunity to men.

"Or maybe it's just that she becomes flustered when she thinks about it."

"That's probably it."

Before meeting us, she had met adventurers and male laborers at construction sites, and had no particular reaction to the mentor, Brantak, and El. It seems that she became flustered only after becoming my fiancée.

"Maybe her head will explode on her wedding night?"

"Surely not."

About thirty minutes later, Katarina returned after taking a bath, putting on light makeup, and spraying perfume. She was wearing a fancy silk dress instead of her usual leather dress.

The faint scent of roses emphasized her beauty, but Brantak and I were still puzzled.

Why did she need to go to such lengths for a simple resonance?

"(Well, a resonance between a man and a woman is that kind of thing, but why does she need to dress up?)"

"(I don't know. As long as we can do the resonance normally, it's fine.)"

Despite her quirks, I found Katarina cute and decided to do the resonance immediately.

"Hey, Ver. Did you and Katarina do something strange in the courtyard?"

"No! No!"

However, Katarina had apparently asked Ina which of several types of undergarments was best to wear, and when she returned after the resonance, Ina gave her a strange look.