Ch.171171. It Was a Good Choice… Right?

“Was everything okay?”

“Yes, did you resolve the matter you went to attend to?”

Should I say it was resolved?

On one hand, it’s good news that Rio, Luna, and Rinadiel will continue traveling with Serion Lykus, but the problem is Rebecca.

I came straight back riding Lucien, but she’s probably slowly making her way from the Succubus Sanctuary.

How on earth am I supposed to shake off such a leech-like existence?

I leaned back in my study chair and looked at Federicks.

“Well, I guess it was resolved.”

“Why such a lukewarm response? Something’s bothering you, isn’t it?”

“Nothing’s bothering me, but there is someone I’d like to step on.”

Federicks flinches at my words.

“Surely not me, right?”

“Why would I want to step on you?”

I waved my hand dismissively, and Federicks let out a sigh of relief.

“Phew… thank goodness. By the way, is Rio’s condition better now?”

“Yeah, it’s resolved. Rebecca turned out to be not entirely useless.”

“What about Luna?”

“Still a walking bomb as always.”

Federicks lets out an awkward laugh.

“But she really does follow young master well, doesn’t she?”

“If she follows me too well twice more, I might not survive.”

“Haha… is that so?”

“Anyway, do you have anything to report?”

At that, Federicks pulls out a piece of paper from his inner pocket.

“A letter sent to you from Baron Byron.”

“He’s not asking me to come again, is he?”

“No, but your coming-of-age ceremony is approaching soon, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, what about it?”

“Baron Byron seems to have sent this letter to check if you might have forgotten about your coming-of-age ceremony.”

“It’s a ceremony everyone goes through. I don’t see why it’s such an important schedule.”

Federicks is startled by my curt response.

“It is important! It means you’re now legally an adult and a proper man who can get married!”

“Marriage… that’s important. Being alone is a lonely thing.”

“And it seems you should visit the Alphonse territory once.”

“Is there a specific reason?”

I asked, tilting my chin, and Federicks grinned.

“It seems the matter you desperately asked me to resolve might be settled.”

“Something I desperately asked for? What’s that?”

“Miss Miria Alphonse’s marriage.”

“M-Miss Miria’s marriage?”

With a triumphant expression, Federicks pulls out another piece of paper from his inner pocket.

“We’ve narrowed it down to exactly two candidates for her husband.”

“Derickson Evert and Hayward Marcus?”

“Yes, they’re from renowned noble families, and rumors say they have excellent appearances and personalities.”

Derickson Evert and Hayward Marcus…

I’ve never heard of these families in the original story.

That means they’re relatively quiet families.

I smiled gently at Federicks.

“So what does my going to Alphonse territory have to do with my sister’s husband candidates?”

“Well, men should be judged by other men’s eyes to be accurately assessed, shouldn’t they? When the husband candidates meet Miss Miria Alphonse, it would be good for you to be present as well.”

“Hmm, that makes sense. It’s almost as if we arranged the meeting.”

“Shall I send a letter to Baron Byron then? I haven’t informed anyone yet, waiting for your permission.”

I nodded as I put the paper Federicks handed me into the desk drawer.

“Yes, I’d like to meet them quickly, preferably before the coming-of-age ceremony begins.”

“Understood. I’ll also send letters to the Evert and Marcus families to arrange a meeting time.”

“By the way, do those two families know that there are two candidates including themselves? If not, they might be quite displeased.”

“We’ve already obtained consent from all parties in advance.”

“And they still agreed to meet Miss Miria?”

As I tilted my head in confusion, Federicks’ eyes sparkled.

“Someone of Miss Miria’s caliber would be a perfect match for any man.”

“Is she that impressive?”

“Not only her appearance, but thanks to your recent prevention of the monster wave, the Alphonse family’s standing has risen considerably within the Eastern Continent.”

“Why aren’t you mentioning the most important thing—her personality?”

Federicks flinches and wipes the cold sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand.

“W-what does personality matter? As long as the couple gets along well…”

“Isn’t personality the most important factor for a good relationship?”

“Ahem! Still, the husband candidates are somewhat aware of Miss Miria Alphonse’s personality.”

“People probably just think she’s lively. If they experience it firsthand, they’ll be quite shocked…”

Seeing my worried expression, Federicks tilts his head.

“Are you planning to interfere with Miss Miria Alphonse’s marriage? Every woman has her flaws.”

“That’s not it. I just want her to live well if she’s getting married.”

“It takes two hands to clap. If you just worry like this, nothing will happen.”

“Hmm, so we’ll arrange the meeting first?”

“Yes! The husband candidates were carefully selected over a long period, but if Miss Miria Alphonse doesn’t like them, we’ll have to look for others.”

Despite even I having completely forgotten about it for a while, Federicks never gave up and selected candidates for Miria Alphonse’s husband.

I gave a faint smile at his dedication.

“Federicks, good job. After the coming-of-age ceremony is over, I’ll give you a vacation, so enjoy yourself.”

“Well, I don’t have anywhere particular to go… but thank you.”

Perhaps pleased with the praise, Federicks straightens his shoulders and proudly walks out of the study.

Just then, as if on cue, there’s a knock at the door.

Knock knock!

“Oh, come in.”

Creeeeak!

The study door opens, revealing Jawill Wilson.

For some reason, he looks uncomfortable.

I narrowed my brows and spoke.

“You’ve caused trouble again, haven’t you?”

“W-what are you saying!? Am I such a troublemaker in your eyes?”

“Then why do you look like that?”

Jawill Wilson stands there awkwardly before carefully continuing.

“Actually, I have a favor to ask of you, young master.”

“Why are you so fidgety before even asking the favor?”

“…It’s a difficult request.”

“What is it? Tell me. I’ll decide whether to grant it after hearing.”

Jawill Wilson still keeps his mouth shut as if he’s mute.

After thinking for a while, he squeezes his eyes shut.

“Lucien asked me! She wants to go sightseeing in another territory with me!!”

“L-Lucien did?”

“Yes! I want to show Lucien around other territories!”

I was startled by the sudden mention of “Lucien” from Jawill Wilson’s mouth and opened my eyes wide.

“Lucien and I have been to other territories quite a bit recently, haven’t we?”

At that, Jawill Wilson eagerly continued.

“I told Lucien the same thing, but after hearing her out, I understand her position.”

“What did she say?”

“She said that when you went to the Succubus Sanctuary recently, she just stayed at a nearby inn, and in other territories, you only briefly went shopping?”

Listening to Jawill Wilson’s explanation, I found myself nodding.

Eating at the market or shopping.

That was all.

Plus, I’ve been using Lucien mostly as a carriage lately.

“Come to think of it, that makes sense.”

“…Anyway, even if it’s not me, I hope you’ll show her beautiful places in other territories.”

With the coming-of-age ceremony approaching, there are many small preparations to make.

I sighed briefly and raised my head.

“If you were to go with Lucien, which territory would you like to visit?”

“I’d like to go to Cataria territory, which is a day’s journey from Lake territory.”

“Cataria?”

“Yes, currently in Cataria territory, a flower called delphinium is in full bloom. I think Lucien would really like it.”

I felt sorry for Lucien.

I was only a father in name, not having done much for her.

I had planned to spend time with her after my coming-of-age ceremony, when I’d completely deviate from the original story, but from Lucien’s perspective, she must have felt neglected.

Although I was concerned about her traveling with a troublemaker like Jawill Wilson, there wasn’t really anyone suitable to replace him.

I sighed deeply and gave Jawill Wilson a gentle smile.

“I don’t care about flowers, but I’m worried, so make it a short trip.”

“I understand… What?!”

“Take Lucien and come back, and don’t cause any trouble.”

Tears well up in Jawill Wilson’s eyes.

Why is he so emotional?

“Yes! I’ll show her as many places as possible in the shortest time to make Lucien happy.”

“Just prepare thoroughly before you go. And I’ll tell Federicks, so don’t worry about travel expenses.”

“No, I’d like to take care of the travel expenses myself.”

“…Suit yourself.”

Jawill Wilson jumps up and down, repeatedly expressing his gratitude, and then leaves the study.

Watching the door close, I murmured quietly.

‘I hope this was the right decision…?’