Chapter 86

In the customs of the Kingdom of Roadberg, the weddings of commoners are simple affairs.

At most, they gather close family and neighbors for a banquet. The devout may have a priest perform a simple ceremony at the nearest Milion Holy Church.

However, when it comes to the marriage of nobles, the story is different. The church conducts a formal wedding ceremony, followed by a reception where related nobles are invited.

Noein and Clara's wedding is no exception. In the morning, they visit the church in Letvik with their relatives, Arnold and Eleonore, and have a solemn ceremony. From noon onwards, to announce their newly married status, a celebration is held at the residence of the Count of Keinitz.

As the daughter of one of the heavyweights in the northwest, the Count of Keinitz, and the bridegroom from the rising influential noble family, the Arquvist, the scale of the reception is quite large. Dozens of prominent nobles from the northwest faction and lower-ranking nobles who are fostered by the Keinitz family have gathered.

Due to the sudden decision of the wedding, some family heads could not make it due to scheduling conflicts. In such cases, their wives or children attend on their behalf.

"Lord Arquvist, and Miss Clara. I truly congratulate you on your marriage."

"I am deeply honored to receive your congratulations, Duke Behtramsheim."

"We are grateful for your presence at our reception."

The first part of the reception is the greetings from the attendees to the main couple. With dozens of attendees offering their congratulations one after another, and the newlyweds responding to each one, it becomes a rather grueling greeting marathon for them.

The greetings are generally given in order of the attendees' status, so the first to speak is Duke Behtramsheim, the highest-ranking noble present.

In response to the duke's congratulatory words, Noein remains calm, while Clara appears slightly nervous.

"I only heard from Lord Keinitz about your engagement a short while ago. To think you would be married so soon after that, it's quite a surprise."

"Our hasty marriage may have caused inconvenience to those who attended, and I apologize for that."

"That's fine. The ability to act quickly on a whim is a privilege of the young. Besides, as the leader of the northwest faction, I am pleased to see a historic noble family and a promising young noble family unite... I'm sure there are those who are regretting not getting to you first upon hearing of your marriage."

Duke Behtramsheim laughs as if teasing them.

Many minor nobles must have been trying to attach their daughters to Noein to become relatives of the Arquvist family and increase their presence in the northwest. For them, Noein and Clara's sudden marriage must have come as a shock.

Arnold's approval of their hasty marriage likely included the desire to formalize the union before other nobles could interfere.

"Well, it's a good sign that you're eager to marry. Of course, you must fulfill your duties as the head of a noble family and his wife, but I hope you also have a happy marriage."

Perhaps thinking that the first person shouldn't take too much time with the greetings, Duke Behtramsheim leaves after saying this.

Next, a young man representing Count Marzelle comes forward to offer his congratulations. He is the count's eldest son, a man who looks like a warrior with sharp eyes, much like his father.

However, he doesn't seem as conservative as Count Marzelle, as he doesn't show any obvious displeasure at seeing Noein with Clara by his side and Matilda behind him. He offers his congratulations politely and moves on.

According to him, Count Marzelle sent his son because he was too busy, but Noein suspects it might be because the count simply didn't want to be there.

The third person to offer congratulations is Count Schvarov, whose territory is a key point connecting the northwest and the central part of the kingdom.

"It's been since the end-of-year banquet, Lord Arquvist. And Miss Clara, I saw you when you were still a child, but you've grown into a beautiful young woman. As a fellow member of the northwest faction, I am delighted by your marriage."

The count smiles warmly and offers his congratulations to Noein and Clara, who are of a lower rank, in a polite manner.

"I am grateful for your kind words. Though I am young, I will strive to contribute to the development of this region as a member of the northwest faction."

"I am still inexperienced as a noble wife, but I will do my best to support my husband."

"That's reassuring. If there's anything I can do to help, please don't hesitate to ask."

Count Schvarov says this kindly, but his eyes, which have seen through many dealings with the nobles and merchants of the central kingdom, have a quiet intensity.

Noein, while a bit nervous, firmly meets his gaze, finding him both a reliable ally within the same faction and a bit intimidating.

...

The greetings from the attendees continue, and around the middle of the line, a person who can be called Noein's true friend arrives.

"Lord Arquvist, and your wife, congratulations on your marriage."

"Lord Oggolen! It's been a while, thank you for attending."

"Of course, for a friend like you, it's only natural to come."

Lord Oggolen, a portly man with a kind smile, is accompanied by his cat-person slave, Misha, and a plump middle-aged woman who stands beside him.

"Lord Arquvist, let me introduce you. This is my wife, Vanessa."

"Pleased to meet you, Lord Arquvist. I've heard much about you from my husband."

"Thank you both for coming. I am truly grateful."

At a noble's wedding reception, it is not considered impolite for the head of the family, his wife, or one of his siblings or heirs to attend. For the Oggolens to attend as a couple to a reception for someone they've only met once is a sign of great friendship.

"Since the banquet, my husband has spoken of you many times. I was eager to meet you myself."

As Lady Oggolen speaks, she and her husband seem to have a very good relationship, despite the presence of the slave Misha.

Upon closer inspection, Lord Oggolen has two wedding rings on his left ring finger, and both Lady Oggolen and Misha have one ring each.

While Noein looks at their fingers, Lord Oggolen does the same with Noein, Clara, and Matilda's fingers.

"Hmm, I see. So, Lord Arquvist, you also show your love to your wife and slave in the same way as I do."

"Is that so, Lord Oggolen?"

"Yes, it was over ten years ago... I met Misha before I came of age and Vanessa after. To pledge my love equally to both, I gave them the same rings."

"I see..."

Noein nods in deep agreement as Lord Oggolen reminisces about the past.

It seems that the way a man who loves a beast-person slave and a noble wife shows his love is similar, regardless of time and place.

"Since then, I, Vanessa, and Misha have lived happily together. Isn't that right, both of you?"

"Yes, to me, Misha is like a sister and a comrade in supporting my husband."

"Thanks to my master and mistress, I feel that I am the happiest slave in the world."

Lady Oggolen and Misha smile broadly in response to the lord's question.

Hearing Misha's words, Matilda's ears twitch, as if she feels a sense of competition.

"Clara, Matilda, and I will strive to build a happy relationship like yours."

"I hope you do. Things are a bit turbulent now with the conflict and all, but once things settle down, I hope to visit your territory, Arquvist."

"Of course, Lord Oggolen. We look forward to your visit."

The conversation with Lord Oggolen was a bit longer than usual, but Noein concludes the greeting this way.

...

"Lord Arquvist, Clara, you must be tired."

Finally, after the greeting marathon, Arnold and Eleonore, who had also been busy with greetings to the nobles, come over.

"Yes, it's been quite... exhausting."

"I've never repeated so many thank-you words in my life..."

Smiling and greeting everyone as the main couple is mentally draining. Even Noein, who is usually composed, shows signs of fatigue, and Clara's mind is on the verge of breaking from the repeated "thank you."

Seeing the tired young couple, the experienced noble couple both chuckle.

"It's a common sight at noble receptions for the newlyweds to be exhausted from greetings."

"Now that the greetings are over, Clara, why don't you go talk to the ladies for a bit?"

"Do I have to talk more? Mother?"

"Don't worry, I'll be with you. Just smile and hold a glass of wine... Lord Arquvist, may I borrow Clara?"

"Clara, I'll see you later."

Eleonore leads Clara away, and Noein takes a sip of wine and exhales.

"Clara seems to be enjoying herself with you."

Arnold murmurs.

"Yes, I'm grateful that she trusts me."

"Given that she was born into a noble family, it was inevitable that her marriage would have political implications... but I'm glad she seems happy."

Clara, dressed in a white, elegant dress, is surrounded by the ladies. Arnold, who watches her with a slightly wistful look, then turns to Noein with a serious expression.

"Lord Arquvist... Noein. I ask you again, please make Clara happy."

"Please leave it to me, Arnold. I promise to protect and make Clara happy."

...

The day after the reception, Noein and Clara set off for the Arquvist territory. From this day on, Clara will leave her familiar home and live as the lady of the Arquvist family, no longer the daughter of the Count of Keinitz.

They travel in the Arquvist family's carriage for about half a day without incident.

When they arrive at the capital, Noeina, almost all the available citizens gather by the road to welcome the new lady of the manor.

Farmers, craftsmen, merchants, commoners, slaves, men, women, and children all bow as the carriage passes, eventually reaching the Arquvist family's residence.

There, all the retainers are lined up, welcoming their lord's new wife.

"On behalf of all the retainers, we congratulate Lady Clara on her arrival. We will continue to serve the Arquvist family with loyalty and dedication, even at the cost of our lives."

Yuri, the head retainer, speaks for everyone present.

"Thank you. As a member of the Arquvist family, I will do my best to live up to your loyalty. I look forward to working with all of you."

Clara's expression, as she responds, is completely different from when she visited the Arquvist territory before, filled with confidence and happiness.

This concludes Chapter Three. Thank you very much for reading this far.

I hope you will continue to enjoy this story.

The book version of "The Happy Tale of the Contrary Lord" is now available at bookstores and online retailers nationwide.

With significant additions, the book version is even richer than the web version. As the author, I would be delighted if you could welcome it into your home. Thank you very much.