episode_0083

“Please follow me; I will guide you to your room.”

The maids, seemingly unconcerned about the sword flying off in the distance, began leading me to the bedroom with blank expressions.

…Isn’t the treatment of the youngest master a bit too harsh? What kind of trouble did he get into that no one seems to care?

Suddenly feeling sorry for the poor sword, I stopped in my tracks and turned around, but the maids sighed impatiently, urging me to keep moving.

“You don’t need to worry. Even if he gets hit like that, by dinner time, he’ll be laughing heartily at the dining table.”

“But it seemed like he was hit too hard just now…”

“It’s understandable since he upset Madam. Considering he went against her wishes again after being warned not to, we should consider it fortunate that it ended at this level.”

“I see.”

If I hadn’t heard about the near-death experiences of that sword, I wouldn’t have understood. Wasn’t it said that as punishment for running away without permission, one couldn’t leave the estate until becoming an adult?

Seeing how Cecilia mentioned ‘running away’ when we first met, it’s likely another escape attempt this time.

In that case…

“So, did he run away right after the coming-of-age ceremony?”

“Yes, he left a note and disappeared the next day. It said he was going to find true love, but given the circumstances…”

“He went to the Southern Forest, didn’t he?”

“There was nowhere else for him to go after running away. That’s why Madam was in tears. Wondering if she was losing her youngest master.”

…Certainly, the sword is at fault here.

I can understand Drake and the maids’ reactions.

Who would appreciate someone who keeps choosing to do things they’ve been told not to do?

Nodding in agreement, I exchanged a few words with the maids and eventually arrived in front of the bedroom.

“This is where the witch will be staying. If you need anything or encounter any issues, please don’t hesitate to call us.”

“Got it, thank you.”

Putting on a bright smile, the maids nodded respectfully and gracefully disappeared down the hallway.

“Phew.”

Alone now in the quiet corridor, I sighed deeply and gazed at the elegant door.

“I don’t think there’s anything urgent.”

Even without looking, I could sense the message, ‘We’ve prepared everything extensively.’

The reason… well, it’s obvious, isn’t it?

‘Are you a new chick?’

Recalling the absurd nonsense I heard earlier, I turned the doorknob.

A new chick? How many bowls of kimchi soup do you have to eat to say something like that?

No, why can’t I just think of her as a regular female colleague?

Especially when Alain and Louis were nearby too? Why single me out and call me a new chick!

With a wry smile, I entered the room, greeted by a well-organized and tidy bedroom.

Not overly luxurious, yet not lacking in comfort either.

A bedroom that subtly reflected the Pasible family’s characteristics without being overwhelming.

Expressing satisfaction, I casually removed my robe and dove onto the bed.

Soft –

The sensation of the bed, so soft that it would put a cheap inn bed to shame, welcomed me.

Ah, this must be like drugs and sex. This is what I wanted.

The plush, velvety texture even softened my mind.

So, if I marry the sword guy, I could lead a comfortable life in a place like this.

Hmm… getting married might not be so bad after all?

“Huh.”

…I seem to have lost my mind a bit since hearing the confession yesterday.

I shouldn’t be having such ridiculous thoughts.

Despite feeling bewildered, the comforting touch of the soft bed helped me forget those negative thoughts.

Well, who cares, it’s okay to have such thoughts.

“Why, that’s just how it is, isn’t it? When you see someone incredibly wealthy, you want to get close to them.”

Isn’t it somewhat similar to that?

“Mm-hmm…”

A sense of peace without a hint of danger, trembling with that peculiar yet cozy feeling.

In a space where no one should be, the gentle voice of someone reached my ears.

“Is it really that great?”

“Yes, it’s so… Wait, who are you?”

In an instant, raising my guard with magic at the ready, the uninvited guest in my room seemed to have no intention of fighting as they simply fidgeted with something red on the sofa like a petal.

Who are you?

Trying to recall if such a being appeared in the original work, nothing specific came to mind.

A woman with pale skin exuding a dangerous aura.

Despite that, feeling like she wasn’t here to harm me, I stretched and sat opposite her at the table.

The silver-haired woman chuckled lightly and offered some pastries before speaking.

“Hehe, quite the fearless child. In situations like this, people usually get scared, you know.”

“I’ve been through too much to be scared of something like this. And if you intended to harm me, you would have attacked already.”

“You never know. After getting to know you, I might attack, right?”

“But wouldn’t that be pointless since there’s no way to survive? You’re just offering pastries.”

Crunching on the snacks handed by the woman, she chuckled softly and began to gaze at me with lazy eyes.

“It seems my youngest son has brought an interesting child. Hehe, I won’t be bored for a while.”

“If you’re the youngest son’s… Ah, you must be Karl’s mother. Nice to meet you.”

“I’m pleased to meet you too. I am a witch, a being neither witch nor non-witch.”

At the faintly awkward greeting, I couldn’t help but stop savoring the pastries.

…Wait, what did she just say?

With a blank face, I stared at the woman in front of me, wondering if she was the mother of that sharp-tongued Karl.

She just continued to chuckle softly.

—–

Meanwhile, in the study of the Pashible family.

Drake started chatting with his long-absent youngest son.

The day after the coming-of-age ceremony, the rebellious and unfilial son headed straight to the southern forests as soon as the outing ban was lifted.

This time, he really thought he might lose him, but still, seeing his son return safe and sound, he felt a sense of relief deep down.

How his heart had ached when this damned unfilial child had returned with a body full of scars in the past?

Reflecting on those memories, spending two whole months with his beloved wife in separate rooms was an unforgettable experience for him.

A rotten child who only rots within his parents.

He handed a teacup to his youngest son with a bitter tongue.

“So, any achievements during your escapade?”

“…I’m not sure. I can’t give a definite answer.”

“Hmph, if you don’t know, who will? This is a time when we need definite answers.”

Karshian smirked at Drake’s words.

Was there a need to hasten the marriage? He could decide the timing of his marriage himself, couldn’t he?

Had the traditions of the Pashible family changed during the few months he was absent?

“What happened?”

As Karshian asked, Drake sighed heavily before responding.

“The royal family has their eye on you.”

“If I refuse, that’s the end of it, right? And why specifically target a troublemaker like me?”

“Well, you’re the easiest target. Think about it. Who would prefer a wolf cub or a slimeball?”

“…You make a point. After all, dealing with a troublemaker is much easier than dealing with a lustful person.”

Nodding, Karshian tilted his head.

Drake looked at his youngest son and slowly began to speak.

“I’ll tell you in advance to avoid misunderstandings, your mother and I approve of the marriage. However, if we continue to delay, the palace will go into a frenzy.”

“I’ll say it again, if you refuse, that’s the end of it.”

“Do you think it’s easy to brush off? After all, I even took down the imperial enemy, Gwangryong. The palace will do everything in its power to bother you, mark my words.”

“Sigh…”

Karsian nodded.

Then, he touched his forehead and fell into deep thought.

His father wasn’t wrong. Among his siblings, the most normal ones were the eldest brother and himself.

But the eldest brother was already married, so he must be eyeing me, who is still single.

It’s not easy to brush him off.

The cunning palace will use all sorts of subtle tactics to approach me.

“This is going to be tough, really.”

“What kind of talk is that in front of your father?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I’ll be careful.”

“…I can understand your feelings, so I’ll forgive you this time.”

Expressing gratitude for the lenient forgiveness, Karsian drank the water in the teacup to cool his heated head.

Now, he might have a little breathing room.

Muttering softly, he earnestly asked his father for help with a serious expression.

“I need some time.”

“…Seeing you speak like that, it seems like I’ve been too playful. Well then. Just as bread needs time to rise, love also needs time to mature. How much time do you need?”

“As long as possible, the longer, the better.”

“I can’t give you too much time. The Emperor is getting impatient. It’s better to conquer it quickly before it becomes a nuisance.”

“…She seems like the type who will take a while, like a mother figure.”

“That’s a bit tricky.”

Drake slowly recalled the time before he married his wife.

What came to mind were long periods of persecution and humiliation.

As memories of all the hardships he endured to warm his wife’s cold heart resurfaced, he suddenly felt sorry for his youngest son.

“You’ve chosen a difficult woman.”

“Even though she’s difficult, what can I do? I fell for her at first sight.”

“Haha, that’s truly a fateful love. This father prays for your success. No, you must succeed. She’s truly a rare normal daughter-in-law that we’ve seen in a while.”

“Have you forgotten our family’s name?”

Karsian smiled slyly as he spoke.

“Possibility. For us in the family, there is no such thing as impossible, Father.”

“Well, other fellows should follow that motto in a positive way like you.”

Feeling deep concern in his voice, Karsian awkwardly chuckled and then spoke.

“For now, let’s set aside those worries and help your youngest son with his love life.”

If the father who had conquered the iron wall of a mother had surely accumulated some know-how.

Karsian sought guidance from Drake, and unable to refuse his son’s earnest request, he took out a dusty notebook from the drawer and handed it over.

“…It may or may not work, but for now, bear with it. But don’t rely on it too much; your mother and that woman are distinctly different beings.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

With that, Karsian accepted the notebook, left the study, and as Drake stared at the closed door for a while.

“May the girl who will become my daughter-in-law love that poor son of mine.”

He prayed to Aegathon, whom he hadn’t believed in for a long time.