Ch.178What Happened at the Family Meeting (1)

As soon as the news of Zernya becoming the head of the family spread, the corridor in front of the student council room was plastered with congratulatory wreaths. There were so many that they hindered passage.

“They sent an incredible amount.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

Zernya closed the door without even glancing at the wreaths.

We sat alone in the lounge, drinking tea. Since Zernya had mentioned feeling unwell, I had brought ginger tea in a thermos. While sipping her tea, Zernya displayed a message on the screen.

[We will bring Eidel von Rheinland into our family as a son-in-law.]

“…So, my parents gave me this ‘advice.’ What do you think?”

This can’t be.

“They’re bestowing an undeserved honor.”

“Did you anticipate this?”

“I saw signs of it when I was talking with your father.”

But the timing is too early.

It meant the Adelbein family saw me as a risk factor.

“You noticed. Yes, this is a trap.”

The easiest way to silence a direct descendant of a powerful family who knows about their corruption? Marriage, of course. Becoming a son-in-law just gives them an excuse to imprison and monitor me.

If I marry Zernya now, my research and everything else ends instantly.

“What did you tell your parents?”

“I said I understood for now. I told them I’d somewhat persuaded you. That way they won’t say anything else.”

But something feels off about this.

“Is this an arranged marriage?”

“Yes.”

An arranged marriage.

A forced union based on family affairs, regardless of the couple’s wishes.

The fact that Zernya confirmed it meant the Adelbein family had been negotiating with my father behind the scenes.

“Wait a moment.”

I hurriedly sent a message to my father.

The reply was…

Not entirely hopeless.

[I did speak with the Adelbein family. But as I told you before, I have no intention of forcing you. Whether you choose to be with that girl or freely marry someone else is your decision.]

Perhaps it’s because he experienced both love marriage and arranged marriage himself. He completely gave me the choice. For this one thing, I was grateful.

I closed the message and looked at Zernya. She put down her tea and said:

“Let me ask you honestly. If I started seducing you right now, how long would it take for you to fall for me?”

“Zero seconds.”

“What?”

“Even one second would be too generous.”

I gazed into Zernya’s amethyst eyes.

Pretty, cute, and lovable.

Whether I was blinded by love or not, feelings I hadn’t experienced two years ago were gradually welling up.

However, I didn’t show it.

My bold answer made Zernya pull her head back. She cleared her throat and smiled sweetly.

“Vice President, your jokes have improved.”

I simply smiled back.

It was time to execute my plan.

“I should visit your family home first.”

“Are you crazy? You want to enter the tiger’s den?”

“Calm down. I’m not saying I’ll visit anytime.”

I began explaining calmly.

“You reported that I’m somewhat smitten with you, right? If you’ve become the family head, there must be an official succession ceremony soon. If I don’t even attend that, it will only raise suspicion.”

“That… makes sense.”

I need to enter the Adelbein household anyway to retrieve the ‘Star Egg.’ Since we haven’t reached an official engagement yet, it’s better to go now to avoid getting caught.

“Is the celebration party next week?”

“Yes. How did you know?”

“Just a guess.”

“Come then. But don’t do anything conspicuous when you’re there, understood?”

I nodded.

“Is it okay if I bring one android to carry my luggage?”

“That’s fine.”

“That’s all I need.”

After parting with Zernya, I ran to the laboratory.

Rustila and Mezulen would be in class at this hour. When I opened the door, I saw Ireh’s lonely back as she conducted research. Sensing my presence, she turned around.

“Ireh, I have an urgent matter. Can you help me?”

“What is it?”

I explained the situation from beginning to end.

“…That’s what happened.”

“Alright, I should go too.”

“About that…”

I whispered in a low voice to prevent our conversation from leaking outside. Soon, Ireh’s face gradually turned red.

“Do we really have to do that?”

“In this timeline, you have no connection with Zernya. If you go without disguise, it will only raise strange suspicions. For example, an affair…”

“Ah, I get it! You don’t need to say more.”

Ireh sighed deeply.

“Fine, I’ll do it. I’ll do it!”

“Then, please help me just for that day.”

***

A week passed quickly. With the second-year midterms just two weeks away, I had put aside my tasks and was now on the Adelbein planet.

“Under what identity are you visiting?”

“Eidel von Rheinland.”

“…Oh! Please enter!”

I slowly walked forward. Behind me came the sound of footsteps on grass.

“Sonia.”

“Yes? Yes, master.”

“Not master, but young master.”

“Yes, young master…”

The maid headband bobbed up and down.

It was completely different from the usual Sonia, somewhat unnatural. This was understandable because it was actually Ireh disguised as an android.

A maid costume with a dark blue wig, antenna decorations like airplane tails, and white contact lenses. The props themselves were of very high quality.

[— The God of Wisdom and Curiosity laughs amusingly.]

The real Sonia? She’s probably doing matrix calculations in my lab right now. She’s not called a “multi-purpose” android for nothing.

Anyway, Ireh, disguised as Sonia, was fidgeting with the hem of her skirt. I turned to her and let out what must have been my umpteenth sigh.

“Why are you hesitating so much? Were you hacked or something?”

“N-no, I wasn’t.”

“Good. Let’s go in and do this properly.”

“…”

“Sonia, answer me.”

“…I understand.”

“Lower your voice more.”

“I. Un. Der. Stand.”

Now she sounds like the real Sonia.

As we entered the main hall, I spotted Zernya surrounded by people, clinking glasses. She was wearing a brown dress with a futuristic design, equipped with wearable computers.

Her proportions were definitely impressive. How could someone so small pull off such an outfit?

For a moment, I was lost in admiration.

“Young master?”

Damn, this isn’t the time to appreciate such things.

For the top ten families, a succession party is a very special event. It’s generally held grandly, with most of the parents’ connections in attendance.

The people clinking wine glasses with Zernya were probably all acquaintances of the former head of the Adelbein family.

“Sonia.”

“I know.”

From now on, we really need to act properly.

I slowly approached the crowd.

Soon, Zernya noticed me and broke into a languid smile.

Step, step, step.

With one gesture from her, the crowd parted. Recreating Moses’ miracle, Zernya approached with the sound of her shoes and casually placed her hand on my arm.

“Why are you so late?”

Her expression, gestures, and eye movements.

Flawlessly perfect.

“I’ve been waiting forever.”

“I’m sorry. My schedule was tight.”

Zernya fell into my arms.

The setting was that I had recently started dating Zernya after falling for her charms. The method acting began to deceive the eyes of the Adelbein council of elders who must be watching us from somewhere.

“Excuse me, who is this person?”

As we embraced intimately, the guests all began asking questions.

“This is Eidel von Rheinland. My classmate at Stellarium and my boyfriend.”

“Ah!”

The guests’ gazes changed.

“So this is the famous Eidel Rheinland!”

“To think that the new head of the Adelbein family and the celebrity of the Rheinland family were lovers! This is truly a joyous occasion!”

“Miss Zernya, may I offer a toast to celebrate?”

The guests became even more eager to flatter us.

When did you start dating? How did you meet? How far have you gone? And so on. The female guests in particular bombarded us with persistent questions. Dealing with all this was quite a task.

It was then that an elderly man’s voice reached us.

“Pleased to meet you, young Rheinland.”

White hair.

Purple eyes.

Though small and slender in build, the spirit in his eyes reminded one of a sharp tiger.

Definitely not a butler.

The man bowed to me.

“Pleased to meet you. I am Zernya’s father. I am truly grateful that you attended the head succession ceremony.”

Jerome von und zu Adelbein.

So I finally meet one of the ‘Five Kings.’

“I am Eidel von Rheinland. I attend the same Stellarium College as your daughter. It’s an honor to meet the head of Adelbein.”

“Ho ho, there’s no need for such formality. After all, you might become my son-in-law if things go well, right?”

Jerome laughed and patted my shoulder. It felt heavy.

“My, you’re even more handsome and tall in person. I’ve heard you’re a smart young man. In that sense, you make a perfect match with our Zernya. Don’t you all agree, honored guests?”

“Indeed, Chairman!”

People laughed heartily. I could only smile awkwardly.

“Who is Eidel von Rheinland? Those who know, know—he’s a hero of humanity. Each research he conducts delivers a fatal blow to foreign media. He’s a perfect match for my daughter. Yes, truly a perfect match.”

The guests nodded.

This is the real deal. He’s already trying to corner me.

But if I show any reluctance here with responses like “Well, that’s…” it could make future plans difficult.

In situations like this, I needed to go beyond just agreeing—I needed to take it one step further.

“Father. This might be presumptuous of me as we’ve just met, but I have one request.”

“Ho ho, what presumption? You might become my future son-in-law, so I can grant you a reasonable request. Don’t hesitate, speak up.”

I bowed my head at a right angle and spoke.

“Then, please give me your daughter.”