Ch.224224. ····Why on Earth?

“····What?”

“I was asking what you think about arranging a marriage between my daughter Vivian Cataria and Jawil Wilson.”

“····WHAT!?”

“Are you perhaps hard of hearing?”

What in the world is going on here?

I turned my head slightly.

Jawil Wilson clearly hadn’t expected this either, as he was blinking with wide, startled eyes.

If even he was surprised, how could I have possibly anticipated this?

I swallowed hard and looked up at Gerard Cataria once more.

“Jawil Wilson?”

“That’s right.”

“You want to arrange a marriage between Jawil Wilson and your daughter?”

“Precisely.”

“····Why on earth would you want that?”

My true feelings escaped my lips before I could stop them.

However, Baron Gerard Cataria merely chuckled softly.

“My daughter has apparently fallen for Jawil Wilson.”

“Ah····”

“I greatly wish to let my daughter marry the person she desires.”

“T-that’s not what I meant·····Jawil Wilson’s background is····”

I was still bewildered.

Most knights are born into noble families and receive education and training as knights from childhood.

However, unlike other knights, Jawil Wilson was merely a commoner by status.

Yet Baron Gerard Cataria maintained his smile as if he already knew this.

“I’m aware. That he’s from Pandera territory. If my daughter likes him, his status doesn’t matter much.”

He was quite a progressive head of household.

Not caring about status as long as it’s someone his daughter wants····

How romantic is that?

But.

Even though I’m Jawil Wilson’s superior, the most important factor in a marriage is the decision of those involved.

I took a deep breath and tried to gather my thoughts.

“Have you discussed this with Jawil Wilson?”

“I haven’t yet discussed marriage with him, but I thought it would be proper to first get permission from you, his superior, so I hastily arranged this meeting.”

I carefully examined Vivian Cataria’s face.

Large emerald eyes with long black hair.

Her straight nose gave her a noble impression, and below it were neatly defined red lips.

Plus, the small dimple that appeared whenever she smiled shyly.

‘Jawil Wilson, you bastard····did you go to Cataria territory and seduce a woman instead of properly looking after Lucien?’

This time, I pretended to lean back on the sofa while looking at Jawil Wilson.

His expression was quite ambiguous.

Even with my “Eye of Insight,” I couldn’t tell if he was pleased or displeased.

Perhaps his mind was simply filled with confusion?

By the way.

If Jawil Wilson proceeds with marrying Vivian, what about Clara?

Of course, Clara hasn’t given a definitive answer yet, but still.

Moreover.

Refusing wouldn’t solve the problem either.

Although Vivian Cataria is smiling shyly now, what if she gets brutally rejected after confessing so boldly?

Even I don’t know how she might change.

They say when a woman holds a grudge, frost falls even in midsummer—could that guy really handle it?

“Hmm, for now, Jawil Wilson still has many duties in Lake territory.”

“····I see. He must be quite intelligent as well as skilled with the sword, enough to save citizens of Cataria territory.”

Why does he keep causing misunderstandings?

I didn’t feel like praising Jawil Wilson.

But what choice did I have?

If I don’t step in and mediate, Jawil Wilson would find himself at the altar the moment he regains his senses.

That’s how Leonard ended up with his marriage to Seri Familia too.

“And Jawil Wilson has a very cautious side. If too many things are pushed on him at once, he tends to get overwhelmed.”

“Being cautious isn’t a bad thing. A man who gets swayed too easily isn’t attractive either.”

Wait, is it your daughter who’s fallen for him? Or is it you?

I’m already uncomfortable enough praising him with my own mouth, why do you keep adding these awkward comments?

I cleared my throat and continued.

“····Anyway, he’s someone with many responsibilities in Lake territory.”

At that, Baron Gerard Cataria nodded as if he understood.

“I see. But do you know this?”

“····Pardon?”

“Vivian Cataria has two older brothers.”

“Ah, is that so?”

“Even if they proceed with marriage, our daughter doesn’t necessarily need to live in Cataria territory. If she wishes, I can permit her to live in Lake territory.”

····Hey, good sir.

I haven’t given my permission yet.

He seems to be speaking calmly, but I get a strong bulldozer-like impression from him.

I barely managed to hold onto my sanity as it began to blur.

“Baron Gerard Cataria.”

“Speak.”

“Don’t most noble men usually hold their wedding ceremonies right after their coming-of-age ceremonies?”

“That’s right, I sent off my two sons that way too.”

“Do you know why I haven’t rushed into marriage yet?”

Baron Gerard made an interested expression at my question.

“Well, I have no way of knowing why you haven’t rushed into marriage.”

“It’s because there’s no love.”

“····No love?”

“Political marriages and whatnot, shouldn’t one be with someone they’re compatible with to live happily?”

“Are you saying Jawil Wilson doesn’t fancy my daughter?”

I responded with a relaxed smile to the Baron’s somewhat aggressive tone.

“That’s not what I meant. How can one know if they’re compatible after meeting just once or twice?”

“····Hmm.”

“Why don’t you watch from afar, Baron? If they meet a few times and the parties involved like each other, they’ll proceed with marriage even if someone tries to stop them.”

Baron Gerard, who had been staring at me silently, gave a faint smile.

“I understand exactly what you mean.”

“I knew someone like you would understand quickly, Baron.”

“The ruffian from the eastern continent’s edge…. That was just a rumor spread by those trying to belittle you.”

“Haha…. Now I need to go greet the afternoon guests.”

“I see. Then I’ll take my leave first. And I’ll have a leisurely conversation with Jawil Wilson.”

Gerard Cataria rose from the sofa.

Then, stopping at the door of the reception room, he turned his head and murmured softly.

“····My only regret is having just one daughter.”

*

“Young master, this is truly unfair!”

As I was waiting in front of the mansion to receive guests, Jawil Wilson came running up and raised his voice.

I looked at him with half-closed eyes.

“You must have given Vivian some kind of look for her to respond like that.”

“It’s unfair! I really didn’t do anything.”

“So what are you going to do?”

When I asked with a tilted head, Jawil Wilson hesitated for a moment before continuing.

“····I’m not sure about that either.”

“What’s not to be sure about? What about Clara?”

“W-why is Clara being brought up here?”

“Don’t you have feelings for Clara?”

“It’s just a first love. Besides, Clara isn’t interested in me.”

“You’re ridiculous. Are you saying you kissed someone you don’t have feelings for!?”

Jawil Wilson waved his palms with a flustered expression.

“That’s not it. I’ve already been rejected twice. Clara might have had feelings for me in the past, but not anymore, right?”

“Oh my, you’ve become quite relaxed?”

“····Pardon?”

“Now that Vivian likes you, your shoulders are rising with pride?”

“That’s not what I mea—”

“I don’t know who you’ll choose, but make a wise decision. Remember what I told Baron Cataria earlier?”

Jawil Wilson tilted his head.

“I’m not sure which words you’re referring to····”

“You’ve only seen Vivian once or twice, but you’ve known Clara since childhood.”

“····That’s true.”

“But it’s been quite a while since you’ve seen Clara, so you’ll need time to get to know her again.”

“That’s right.”

“And someone like you who likes women won’t live alone forever.”

Jawil Wilson scratched his reddened cheek.

“That’s also true.”

“So, choose carefully.”

“But is it right for me to proceed with marriage? As you said, I still have many duties in Lake territory, don’t I?”

“Who knows, maybe getting married will help you settle into a stable life and develop even more than you are now.”

I’m not sure what point touched him, but Jawil Wilson continued with reddened eyes.

“····I’ll take your words to heart.”

Just then, participants for the coming-of-age ceremony began to arrive from the distance.

At a glance, there seemed to be even more people than in the morning.

“Hah····it’s getting really tiring from the first day.”

“Young master, then I’ll quickly return to the knights’ order.”

“Yes, and tell the knights not to frown because it’s hard and hot, but to maintain a spirited expression befitting knights.”

“Understood.”

After sending Jawil Wilson away, I turned around to see the ceremony participants gradually entering the mansion.

I let out a short sigh and muttered to myself.

“Let’s go, time to receive more guests····”