Chapter 170

The moment I flung the door open, I felt as if time had stopped.

Every gaze focused on me.

And my eyes focused on two people.

A middle-aged couple who looked as if they could be Reese and I, after aging.

I could tell at a glance that they were my parents, the Count and Countess of Celtrine.

‘ So we meet like this.’

An unfamiliar emotion welled up within me.

Not the first meeting I’d hoped for.

This is far from a peaceful occasion.

But that also makes it the perfect place to show them who I truly am.

“ How dare you behave so disrespectfully! ”

Count Celtrine scolded me with a stern face.

Just those few words…I could understand his character.

He’s a father who had always coddled and protected me, even when I was a good-for-nothing.

But now, he’s raising his voice at me.

Is he separating public and private matters strictly?

No, it’s not just that.

He’s trying to protect me.

By scolding me himself, and ending this quickly with a swift apology.

He must be doing this because he understands how formidable Marquis Cavern is.

Honestly, I also wouldn’t want to make him an enemy.

But sometimes, there are situations where you have to stand your ground.

This was one of those moments.

“ My apologies. I couldn’t help but react after hearing my name mentioned.”

I bowed my head, a faint smile on my face.

And then I looked at Marquis Cavern’s expression.

He simply chuckled, his true intentions unclear.

A stark contrast to his grandson, Arhin, who had “that arrogant bastard” written all over his face.

He’s a cunning old fox, as expected.

“ It seems like this old man has made a mistake by badmouthing someone. But that means…you were eavesdropping?”

Marquis Cavern admitted his fault, and then pointed out my disrespect.

It’s not easy to deal with an old fox like this after dealing with naive students.

But it’s nothing compared to Empress Oscar, I guess.

I chuckled inwardly and responded,

“ I didn’t mean to. I just happened to hear you talking about me.”

“ Hmm.”

“ And I think what you said, Marquis, is correct. I’m a troublesome, talkative person. So there’s no need for you to worry.”

Marquis Cavern’s eyes narrowed slightly at my reply.

He probably didn’t understand my attitude. Completely different from the rumored Max.

“ You’re quite skilled at being sarcastic.”

Arhin chimed in.

He seemed to think my words were sarcastic.

I mean, I guess he could think that…but to express it so blatantly? He’s got a long way to go if he wants to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps.

“ No, I didn’t mean it like that.”

“ You insolent bastard.”

“ That’s enough! Stop it! ”

Count Celtrine raised his voice again.

Perfect timing, right before the situation escalated.

He’s no ordinary man either.

“ Hahaha! It’s natural for young people to clash. It’s youthful energy, after all.”

Marquis Cavern’s laughter diffused the tension.

“ Thank you for your generosity, Marquis. ”

Count Celtrine expressed his gratitude.

He probably wanted it to end here, but it wouldn’t be that easy.

Because I didn’t want it to.

“ It seems like you two were discussing something important…A marriage alliance, perhaps?”

I could infer it from the conversation I’d overheard and the current situation.

“ You were eavesdropping, you disrespectful bastard!”

Arhin glared at me.

“ I’m sorry, but I do have the brains to figure that much out just by looking at the situation.”

“ Brains? A good-for-nothing like you?!”

“ That’s enough! ”

Marquis Cavern shouted at Arhin, who was about to explode.

Arhin finally closed his mouth.

But he looked upset.

He seemed confused about why his grandfather yelled at him.

Well, the heir to the cunning old fox is a boar who only knows how to charge ahead.

He might be a valiant warrior on the battlefield, but his shortsightedness is apparent in these situations.

He doesn’t even seem to understand the difference between being a “talkative son” and a “good-for-nothing.”

To call a son a good-for-nothing, before his parents, no less, meant he had no intention of being on their side.

These were words even Marquis Cavern wouldn’t utter, yet his heir was blurting them out.

I could sense the disapproval on the faces of Count Celtrine and the Countess.

Marquis Cavern forced a smile, sensing the tense atmosphere.

“ My apologies. He’s young, and tends to make mistakes with his words.”

“ I understand, it’s understandable when you’re young.”

Count Celtrine accepted his apology, but it didn’t mean it was the end of this.

A negative impression of Arhin had already been engraved in Count Celtrine’s mind.

That’s what happens when you make pointless remarks that gain you nothing.

“ Haha, you have a big heart, as always. I guess that’s how you manage to rule your territory so peacefully.”

“ You flatter me, Marquis.”

Marquis Cavern, having defused the situation for now, turned his gaze back to me.

“ So what were you talking about? A marriage alliance?”

“ Yes, that’s what I was talking about.”

“ Haha, right, right. And what do you have to say about it?”

Marquis Cavern asked, resting his chin on his hand.

“ He’s too young to be offering an opinion on such an important family matter.”

Count Celtrine interjected.

He was probably worried I might cause more trouble.

“ Well, what’s the harm? He’s directly involved, after all.”

“ But…”

“ I’ll speak, Marquis.”

I said with a smile.

A smile for a smile.

It’s just the right thing to do.

I was also showing him that I was just as relaxed as he was.

“ You were talking about a marriage between my sister and young master Arhin, correct?”

“ That’s right.”

“ I think it’s a great idea.”

“ Hmm?”

“ Oh, brother?”

Marquis Cavern’s eyes twinkled and Reese, looking flustered, glared at me.

Count Celtrine and the Countess also looked at me with complex emotions.

But…

Arhin was smirking, a smug “See? I told you” look on his face.

You fool, I’m not done speaking yet.

“ How can it not be a great idea? It means that the Ernbert family of the North and the Cavern family of the East will stand as one.”

There was a moment of silence as my words hung in the air.

It seemed like an unexpected answer to everyone.

Marquis Cavern looked at me, a thoughtful look in his eyes.

“ You’ll need to explain that.”

“ Of course, Marquis. It’s quite simple, really. Our family is already allied with the Ernberts through a marriage. And if we form another marriage alliance with the Cavern family, wouldn’t it naturally mean that these three families will stand as one?”

I said in a “this is truly a great idea” voice.

But of course, that would never happen.

The Ernberts from the north, the Caverns from the east, and even the Henatus from the south.

These three prestigious martial families of the Empire were rivals, constantly competing for the title of the best martial family in the Empire.

They were not on good terms.

If such an alliance was formed?

It would mean the Caverns were trying to squeeze their way into an alliance that the Ernberts had already established. They wouldn’t be happy, not in the slightest.

No, they’d probably kick them out.

“ What nonsense! That relationship is over! ”

Arhin shouted, unable to contain his frustration.

Marquis Cavern stopped him with a wave of his hand.

And then he said,

“ Interesting. I heard that the Ernberts…dislike you quite a bit.”

He heard correctly.

Even if I hadn’t been there, I could imagine how much they disliked me.

But I can’t admit it here.

I said, a faint smile on my face,

“ I’m sorry, but it seems you’ve been misinformed. I have no issues with them.”

“ That’s just your claim. You have no evidence to support it.”

A natural response.

But I looked relaxed.

“ Would you believe me if I *did* have evidence?”

“ If it’s convincing, yes.”

“ Alright, then I’ll show you. ”

I grinned and nodded, then said, towards the door,

“ Would you come in? ”

As soon as I finished speaking, a woman walked in.

Regina.

The reactions were dramatic.

They looked like they had seen a ghost.

As if they had encountered someone who simply shouldn’t be here.

“ How, how…”

“ My goodness…”

“ Si-Sister-in-law? ”

That was my family.

It was a plausible reaction, considering she had cut off all contact for years and suddenly appeared.

And…

“ Hmm…”

Marquis Cavern groaned, frowning.

“ H-How…”

Arhin couldn’t hide his bewilderment.

Their reactions were as expected.

They had never anticipated this.

“ Regina Ernbert, of the Ernbert family, it’s a pleasure. ”

Regina greeted everyone briefly.

Then she took my hand and held it tightly.

Looking intimate enough for anyone to believe.

She has good sense, she didn’t even need me to ask.

A smile appeared on my lips.

And…

My family’s reactions were explosive.

“ Huh? ”

Count Celtrine blinked in surprise, his eyes wide.

“ My, my…”

The Countess gasped, covering her mouth with her hands.

“ Wh-What…”

Reese, blushing for some reason, was speechless.

Of course…

This was more than enough for Marquis Cavern.

No, it was the perfect answer.

A clear declaration of intent from both parties involved.

Their actions clearly stated, ‘ There’s nothing wrong with our relationship.’

Marquis Cavern drained his glass in one gulp.

Thud.

He set the glass down, and spoke,

“ It’s been a while.”

“ It has, Marquis. ”

Regina replied.

“ You’re still as sharp as ever. I can see why that old friend was so proud of you.”

Marquis Cavern must have been talking about Regina’s late grandfather, the one he called “that old friend”.

The grandfather who was called the “Seeker of the Sword.”

“ I still have much to learn.”

She said humbly, but Marquis Cavern could tell.

That she was already a sharp, well-honed blade.

“ You’re too modest. ”

Marquis Cavern said.

“ I’ll keep that in mind.”

“ Hehe.”

Marquis Cavern chuckled.

A chuckle filled with complex emotions.

I think I could understand how he was feeling.

His old rival’s granddaughter…he must have felt both envious and regretful of his own grandson.

As if to confirm my guess, I heard him mutter,

“ She’s a girl, after all. ”

Only Regina and I probably understood what he meant.

But there was no change in Regina’s expression.

Perhaps she’s used to such talk.

“I think quite highly of you, Regina.”

Marquis Cavern continued.

“ Thank you, Marquis.”

“ Which is why I can’t believe this. I thought you were someone who was decisive, who knew when to cut ties.”

“ I’ve concluded that he’s someone I can stay with. That’s all.”

A declaration, reinforced with action, that she had no intention of breaking off the engagement.

My family looked surprised.

Reese, blushing for some reason, was clearly smitten by her cool sister-in-law.

“ Ugh.”

Arhin groaned.

He seemed frustrated.

“ I see, is that so…”

Marquis Cavern muttered, his expression unreadable.

Then he continued,

“ Then…that boy must be worthy.”

The arrow was now pointed at me.

“ Yes.”

A short affirmation.

I was grateful, just for that.

“ Hmm, good. Then I have no reason to stay here any longer…But this old man suddenly got stubborn. There’s one thing I must confirm.”

“ What is it?”

“ That boy’s worth.”

“…”

Marquis Cavern looked at me.

“ What do you say? Can you show me? Whether you’re worthy of being my old friend’s precious granddaughter’s partner.”

What should I say?

No need to think.

Regina had gone this far for me. Naturally, I have to reciprocate.

“ Of course, sir.”

I said confidently.

“ Hahaha, good! I like it!”

Marquis Cavern laughed.

I could see through his intentions.

He probably…

“ A real man proves his worth through action, not words, wouldn’t you agree?”

My prediction was correct.