Ch.335335. ····Father, You’re Not Upset, Are You?

“Impressive.”

In the reception room of the Alphonse estate.

Baron Byron kept uttering exclamations of admiration.

Yet the reason for my discomfort was…

“Father.”

“Father? Haha! Impressive indeed.”

How many times was he going to repeat that damned “impressive”…

I was about to develop a trauma.

“…What exactly is the matter?”

“Where in the world is there a father who learns about his son’s marriage through rumors?”

“…Nowhere.”

“So, truly impressive.”

Clutching my throbbing head, I spoke calmly.

“Didn’t I just explain? His Imperial Majesty suddenly announced it.”

“…And to marry two imperial princesses… as a fellow man, that’s impressive.”

“Haa… I was wrong, so can you please forgive me now?”

At that, Baron Byron heaved a deep sigh.

“How did Emperor Malius permit such a marriage?”

“…He said he couldn’t bear to see his two daughters competing over one man.”

“No, what on earth have you been doing that made both Princess Etherian and Princess Siren fight over you?”

“…You may not believe it, but I didn’t do anything.”

“Huu… I’m going to have quite remarkable daughters-in-law in my old age. And two of them at that!”

Having somewhat anticipated this reaction, I began to bring out the words I had prepared in the carriage.

“Father, honestly, which princess did you hope I would marry?”

“To be completely honest, neither of them.”

“No, if you had to choose just one, who would it be?”

“If I had no choice, it would have been Princess Etherian.”

“Why?”

“Because she has a better position in the succession dispute than Princess Siren.”

I directly countered Baron Byron’s words.

“But wouldn’t you still worry about Princess Siren even if I married Princess Etherian?”

“…I would. The landscape of succession wars can flip like turning over your palm.”

“That’s exactly my point! No matter which princess I marry, I’d continue living an unstable life. At least until one of them passes away.”

Baron Byron let out a hollow laugh at my words.

“So that’s why you decided to marry both princesses?”

“Well, not exactly, but since the water has already been spilled, let’s try to think positively.”

“…If only you couldn’t talk so well.”

Father, it’s fortunate I can talk well—if I had stuttered and fumbled, I might have ended up marrying the Western Continent’s princess too.

I swallowed those words and continued.

“Besides, I think I’ll live in Lake Estate even after marriage.”

“Lake Estate? How will you live there with the princesses?”

“Emperor Malius has permitted me to live with the princesses at Lake Estate.”

“…What about my permission? That’s my land, isn’t it?”

Haa…

We meet after so long, and why has he become so petty?

They say men produce more female hormones as they age…

He seemed to have changed a lot since I last saw him.

In response to Baron Byron’s skewed attitude, I spoke with a resigned mindset.

“Then I’ll receive another estate and live there. After all, my father-in-law is the Emperor—surely he can grant me an estate?”

“Oh my, so you’ve found a powerful backer now?”

“If Father desires Lake Estate—where your son has defended against monster waves, created a tourist attraction in the Miracle Forest, and even established an academy—then there’s nothing I can do.”

This time, Baron Byron massaged his head as if he had a headache.

“…Let’s set that aside for now. Why did you get involved in the Western Continent war?”

“I see Evan hasn’t told you yet? Prince Leonis sent assassins to Lake Estate.”

“Ah, assassins?!”

“He misunderstood that I was close to Emperor Callian and sent assassins. Evan and I nearly died then.”

I glossed over the details, omitting that the incident occurred while walking with Princess Joanna, as that would have prolonged the conversation. Baron Byron immediately raised his voice with bloodshot eyes.

“E-Evan almost died? How dare they try to kill the firstborn of House Alphonse, those damned…”

“Father, I believe I clearly said ‘Evan and I’?”

Baron Byron leaned back in his chair and tilted his chin.

“Don’t you have your father-in-law to worry about you?”

“…Father, are you sulking?”

Baron Byron cleared his throat a couple of times, as if I had hit the mark.

“Ahem! Anyway, when I heard you suddenly got involved in the Western Continent succession war, your father was so shocked… my heart still drops just thinking about it.”

“I apologize. The Eastern Continent imperial family provided support, so there was no risk, and I didn’t want to worry you unnecessarily.”

“Your mother couldn’t sleep for days after hearing the news. Do you really consider us family?”

Truthfully, I had no defense.

They are now my family, and I’ve accepted that fact.

That’s precisely why I didn’t want to worry them.

It’s also why I kept my involvement in the Western Continent war a secret until the end.

But…

Listening to Baron Byron, I realized it was a mistake.

He must have felt hurt.

As family, even setting aside the marriage to the imperial family, it doesn’t make sense that they wouldn’t know about my participation in a war.

I bowed my head deeply to Baron Byron.

“I promise this will never happen again. I’ll apologize to Mother separately.”

My sincere apology made Baron Byron’s pupils quiver slightly.

“…When is the wedding date and schedule?”

“It hasn’t been decided yet. I came to the Alphonse estate to discuss it with the family.”

“Normally it should be held at the Alphonse estate, but I’d like to hear your thoughts?”

“To be honest, I really don’t mind.”

Baron Byron crossed his arms, pondered for a moment, then slowly spoke.

“I suppose I should discuss the wedding with His Imperial Majesty.”

“Yes, I’ll accept whatever date and place you and Mother decide, regardless of my preferences.”

Baron Byron pursed his lips, making an expression that seemed to say “Now you say that?” which I deliberately ignored as I continued.

“…And I’ve brought some good news for you, Father.”

“Good news?”

“Emperor Callian from the Western Continent wishes to meet Sister Miria.”

“Miria…?”

As expected, Baron Byron’s eyes widened.

With both Leonard and now me getting married, his worries must be considerable.

This was definitely an appropriate topic change.

Moreover…

With Prince Leonis already eliminated, Emperor Callian’s position was secure.

There was no way Baron Byron would dislike this.

“Yes, while having a victory banquet with Emperor Callian, I happened to mention Sister Miria. He showed interest.”

“Emperor Callian… he’s still young, so a marriage with Miria wouldn’t be unusual.”

“I thought the same. So I told Emperor Callian I would arrange a meeting with Sister Miria.”

“It’s wonderful news, but the problem is Miria…”

Then Baron Byron sighed heavily.

I had a feeling I knew what he meant without him saying it.

I adjusted my posture and continued.

“I anticipated that, so I briefly explained Sister Miria’s personality to Emperor Callian.”

“…Honestly?”

“…Of course I toned it down a bit.”

Baron Byron sighed again and nodded.

“So, what did you tell him?”

“I told him she has a nasty personality, and Emperor Callian said it’s natural for siblings not to get along well.”

“Is that all?”

“…Pardon?”

“I’m asking if you only told him that she has a nasty personality.”

“Yes.”

Baron Byron continued with a worried expression.

“…You definitely toned it down.”

“Don’t worry. No matter how nasty Sister Miria’s personality is, she wouldn’t behave that way toward the Emperor.”

“That’s true, but… she’s been unpredictable since childhood, so I can’t help but worry.”

“Sister Miria is a grown adult now. Perhaps it’s time to trust her.”

Concern lingered in Baron Byron’s eyes, and after a while, he spoke in a heavy voice.

“Now that Evan has come to his senses and even my youngest is getting married, if only we could resolve Miria’s situation, I could sleep peacefully…”

Just then, amid the commotion outside the reception room, Miria Alphonse burst through the door.

She certainly wasn’t one for manners.

“Father!”

“W-What is it?”

Miria Alphonse suddenly hooked my neck with her arm and raised her voice.

“I can’t wait any longer, so I’m borrowing Selden for a bit!”

“S-Sister! My neck…”

“Shut up, you just stay quiet!”

Sitting across from us, Baron Byron shook his head resignedly and waved his hand in the air.

“…Do as you please.”

As I was being dragged away, I could clearly see Baron Byron’s expression through the reception room door.

His eyes looked particularly sorrowful today.

Straining to raise my hand, I shouted with a strained voice.

“F-Father! I’ll make this work!”