Chapter 42

To commemorate the release, I have written an interlude.

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What would it look like to see León Fou Bartalford from the outside?

The answer is simple.

"That guy is really troublesome."

This is what León's father, Balkas, would say.

This was around the time when the third term was abruptly turned into spring break due to post-war reconstruction.

Balkas had finally returned to his territory after sorting out various matters on the mainland, but he was troubled by his son—no longer the third son, but the second, León.

León's mother, Rues, who had recently become a baroness, was also at her wit's end.

"To be confessed to by a fine lady and to not clearly reject her is one thing, but to leave it ambiguous, why is that?"

From Balkas and Rues' perspective, a duke's family is like a cloud above them.

To them, a duke's daughter is the same as a princess.

Despite being confessed to by both the princess-like Angé and the kind-hearted Livia, León had not made his stance clear.

When confronted, he would repeatedly respond with:

"It's too early, you know~"

"Besides, we don't match up with the duke's family~"

"What? Why is it my fault?"

This made both of them frustrated.

However, León's concerns were not entirely unfounded.

If León were to marry Angé, the Bartalford family would also be involved.

This would mean an increase in various entanglements.

It seemed that he was also worried about this.

"That idiot worries about strange things."

He is quick with his words and good at coming up with excuses.

Rues, on the other hand, was also concerned about Livia's feelings.

"I understand León's point. Choosing one side would create problems, but to say 'I like both' to someone who has confessed seriously is a bit much..."

Balkas sighed.

"He doesn't have to worry about us. After all, those are the marriage partners he wants."

Both Angé and Livia were excellent prospects for Balkas, who had been desperate for a good marriage.

As a baron, León could have Angé as his main wife and Livia as a concubine.

This would be the most appropriate response.

In a world where women are superior to men and polygamy is common, it might seem strange, but with wars, many noble-born men die.

In this world, having many children is desirable to ensure heirs and solve various problems.

However, giving birth also carries risks.

Noble women do not want to bear these risks multiple times.

Therefore, concubines are recognized as a compromise.

In such cases, women of lower status are chosen as concubines.

It is common to choose from families below the rank of baron.

However, many of the academy girls do not choose to be concubines.

Instead, daughters from families of vassal knights are chosen.

Rues' family was a vassal knight family of the Bartalford family.

Therefore, she did not have to attend the academy.

Rues also had siblings, so she did not have the opportunity to attend the academy. This is why she is not well-versed in the academy's affairs.

"What should we do? What can we do?"

"…Why won't he get married? Isn't this what he wants? She's kind, well-mannered, and has a good figure—Ouch, Mom, that hurts!"

Rues, pinching Balkas' cheek, also had a troubled look.

"He should think more about his own happiness."

As Balkas and Rues, who could not understand León's values from his past life, desperately thought, a red one-eyed Luxion appeared.

"You seem troubled."

"Y-Yeah."

Balkas, who seemed to be a bit afraid of Luxion, was taken aback.

"What's going on? Where is León?"

"Master is teasing his sister."

Both Balkas and Rues looked really annoyed.

While they were worrying about León's marriage, he was playing around with his sister, Jena, which was infuriating.

"By the way, you were talking about something interesting. Do both of you agree with Master's marriage?"

Balkas, still a bit scared, answered.

"Y-Yeah. As a baron, it's fine for a duke's daughter to marry into the family. Besides, with a new family, having a small number of family members is a problem. I welcome Livia as well."

Livia, being of commoner origin, was welcomed because of her participation in the war.

Her contributions on the royal ship were highly evaluated.

Though overshadowed by León, she had quietly been promoted.

However, it was only to the rank of a knight for one generation.

"I also agree. I think León needs someone to push him. He doesn't do anything if left alone."

Balkas nodded.

"He's the type who won't work unless pushed."

However, if pushed too hard, he might explode.

Luxion's single eye moved up and down as if nodding with delight.

"Then, do you agree?"

"No, even if we agree, he's being disrespectful to the young ladies—"

"No problem. I already have their permission."

"Huh?"

"Since Master is a troublesome person, he will only make excuses and won't make a decision himself. In that case, we should push him."

Balkas called a halt.

"H-Hey. If we push him too hard and he does something, it will be a problem."

"Please rest assured. Master loves those two."

Rues tilted her head.

"If he loves them, why did he reject them!?"

To them, it was incomprehensible.

They couldn't understand why León, who loved them and had no obstacles, wouldn't get married.

"He's a troublesome person."

Balkas and Rues were exasperated by León, who had a different set of values from this world.

"What's wrong with him? Why is he struggling in such an enviable situation! I cried in regret when I married Zora!"

He had been forced into a humiliating marriage, and the result was a surrogate pregnancy.

Both his eldest daughter, Mers, and his eldest son, Rutoart, were not his biological children.

Compared to that, León's reluctance to get married was infuriating.

"I can't believe that boy is so stupid."

There was a reason why they called León stupid.

As a hero who had risen to the rank of baron, León was naturally going to stand out as a noble.

Considering the future, not getting married was not an option.

The fact that he didn't choose a partner when he could was incomprehensible to them.

Marriage was not a matter of personal will in this world.

"Anyway, can I count on your cooperation?"

Balkas and Rues looked at each other and nodded.

"So, what are you going to do?"

"It's simple. We'll have a betrothal ceremony without Master's knowledge. Ideally, we would have a wedding, but that's what was decided after discussions with the duke's family."

Balkas was surprised.

"Wait, you've already had those discussions?"

"Yes."

Rues held Balkas' hand.

"What should we do?"

"At this point, there's no choice but to do it. To prevent him from being deceived by a scary woman, we need to have him betrothed. He's going abroad for studies soon. He will definitely do something!"

"Right. If he has a fiancée, he won't do anything reckless. We need to do something, no matter what!"

Having recruited the two, Luxion said in a low voice—

"…Besides, I don't want Master to be forced into a marriage he doesn't want. If he runs around trying to escape, Roland might misunderstand and give permission immediately."

Luxion wanted to take action on the marriage before Roland did anything.

"Also, I want to see Master flustered at the betrothal ceremony."

For this reason, Luxion was proceeding without León's knowledge.

Luxion (●) "…The book version of the first volume is now on sale. Please check the URL on the back of the book and fill out the questionnaire to receive the original bonus 'Angélica's School Life.' Additionally, only in the book version can you see the villainous face that the protagonist should not have. I kindly ask for your purchase."