Chapter 15

Summary of the previous events: I was asked by Roland's father to marry his daughter.

"Wh-What!?! No, wait, Dad! What are you saying!?"

Instead of me, who was stunned, it was Roland who fiercely protested.

Father placed his hand on his chin and tilted his head.

"Hmm? I just said I want you to marry him, didn't I?"

"You're saying it like it's a given, but I don't understand what you mean!?"

After that, Roland looked at me with a desperate expression.

"Albert, I'm sorry! Dad seems to be drunk! It's a joke! Just a joke! Don't take it seriously!"

"A-Ah..."

I responded half-heartedly, unable to grasp the situation.

Roland's father shook his head.

"Roland, I'm serious."

"You're ruining everything, Dad!?"

"Albert is a very fine person. Asking such a person to marry my daughter is my duty as a parent. Or do you dislike Albert?"

"No, I don't dislike him... I respect him... But that's a different matter! That's unfair, Dad!"

"What do you think, Albert?"

"Eh, well..."

I still couldn't follow the conversation.

By the way, Roland's father's suggestion isn't entirely absurd.

In this world, free love isn't the norm. Marriage is often a matter between families, and it's not unusual for parents to arrange it. I, too, had thought it was normal to marry a certain lady chosen by my parents before I was expelled from my home.

In such a society, it is indeed a parent's duty to offer their daughter to a promising man.

...But I don't have much of a future, so it's a bit too much.

If Roland were to marry someone like me, she would only end up unhappy. There's no other choice but to decline.

"Isn't this all a bit too sudden? Things should be done in order."

"Hmm. If that's the case, then following the proper order should be fine, right?"

...He's quite a persistent man.

What should I say? I glanced at Roland, who was blushing and fidgeting.

"Since Roland is also troubled—"

As I was about to say, Roland's father waved his hand.

"I understand that this is sudden. Marriage is a bond between families, but the feelings of the individuals involved are also important. Fortunately, you will be studying together at the academy. Can you think about it during that time?"

When he puts it that way, I can't just flatly refuse.

"...Ah, I understand."

I gave a half-hearted response.

It's at least three years until we graduate from the academy. By then, this promise will probably have faded away...

◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇

I once thought that way.

It seems Roland's father is planning to win in a short battle.

As it turns out, I am now staying in Roland's room. Not at Roland's house, but in Roland's room.

In Roland's room.

"S-Sorry... for such a small room..."

"N-No... it's fine..."

Roland, with a red face, was very awkward.

Why did it come to this—

I had intended to stay at the mayor's house again tonight. After the banquet, I was about to return to the room I had been assigned, but the mayor called me over.

"Albert, I'm sorry, but there are no available rooms tonight."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, yes. The room you had yesterday was already assigned to someone else. I'm sorry, but could you move to another house?"

...I saw a few empty rooms as I walked down the hallway...

"I understand. I'll go to another house, then?"

"Yes. Go to Lidias—Roland's father's house. He said he would take care of you."

So I went to Roland's house.

And Roland's father said to me,

"Stay in my daughter's room."

That's why I'm now in the same room as Roland.

The atmosphere is very awkward.

...It's because of that "marry my daughter" comment. If it weren't for that, we could act more normally...

So, I suggested,

"Roland"

"Y-Yes!"

"Let's go to sleep. I'm tired."

...For various reasons...

"Yes! I think that's best!"

Roland quickly agreed with my suggestion.

We turned off the lights and went to bed.

To clarify, Roland sleeps in her usual bed, and I sleep on the floor with a blanket. Roland offered to let me sleep in the bed, but I declined.

I was indeed tired.

I had gone to the goblin's cave and attended an unfamiliar banquet. I thought I would fall asleep quickly—

But I couldn't.

A strange awareness stuck in my head, keeping me awake.

—The request to marry Roland.

Those words wouldn't leave my mind.

It seems Roland felt the same way, as I could hear her tossing and turning in bed.

"...Um, Albert"

"...What is it?"

"Please don't take what my father said today seriously. I, I don't match up to Albert at all."

"It's fine. I'm not particularly bothered by it."

"Right, that's true."

After a moment of silence, Roland spoke again.

"I don't know what will happen between Albert and me... but, I want to be good friends first...!"

"I feel the same way."

Of course, I have no objections to that relationship.

But there was something that slightly concerned me.

"...Before I forget, don't hold back with me, okay?"

"Eh?"

"I'm already twenty-six. I'm ten years older than the other students, including Roland. You'll probably make many friends your age. When that happens, don't hesitate to join their group. Got it?"

"Ah..."

Roland responded.

For some reason, her voice sounded sad.

"Don't worry. I probably won't make any friends."

"...That can't be true, right?"

Roland has a good personality. I can say that with certainty, even though we've only known each other for a short time. Yet, she can't make friends?

After thinking for a while, Roland spoke with determination.

"Have you heard of the Disaster Witch?"