The Marriage Interview: Part Two

The following day, I had Kehma-dono act as Mai's guard for the morning.

And while he did return… ah, so he found the spy I'd secretly sent to tail them? As expected, his skills as an adventurer are genuine.

Furthermore, Kehma-dono declined the fiance proposal once again. Hmm, does he have a woman he loves? Perhaps it's Kuroinu-dono's mother?

If that's the case, there's nothing to be done. Perhaps there's another way I could forge a friendship with him――

――just as I was thinking that, Kehma-dono unexpectedly proposed that Kuroinu-dono become Mai's fiance.

This is truly a treasure chest around the corner! (An idiom for unexpected good fortune.)

I found myself somewhat taken aback by such good fortune.

Moreover, it seems he's willing to attribute his own achievements to Kuroinu-dono.

… I want to jump at this. I desperately want to jump at this, but to save face as a lord, let me hold back for now, say I'll consider it, probe for any hidden motives, and then jump at it.

Just as I was thinking that, Kehma-dono presented Kuroinu-dono's Guild Card.

… He must really want an immediate decision, presenting Kuroinu-dono's noble status like this. With such a concession made, I have no choice but to decide on the spot. He's telling me not to probe any further.

Then Kehma-dono additionally showed me his own Guild Card. It listed him as D-Rank.

When I asked about it, it appeared he didn't know about the Aristocracy Listing.

And yet he still insisted that he was just a commoner, a D-Rank adventurer.

… In other words, that simply meant he was an important person with special circumstances who received special treatment from White Goddess-sama.

Incidentally, while not widely known among commoners, the Raverio Empire does recognize same-sex marriage. The law books even contain a passage stating: "Same-sex marriage is recognized, even between sisters."

Because of this, same-sex marriages to strengthen family ties are not unheard of. While heretical, if one obtains [Futanaru], a magical potion created by the Chaos God that throws one's sex into chaos, continuing the bloodline is even possible.

It's a rare and expensive magical potion that would bankrupt lower nobility, but our Tsuia family should be able to acquire it.

Or perhaps Kehma-dono has this in mind and wants to change Kuroinu-dono's sex… After all, to be registered in the Aristocracy Listing under a name like "Niku," there must be circumstances too complex for me to fathom.

If Mai had been registered as a noble under the name "Niku" and I couldn't change her name… at the very least, I'd want to fix her sex to something more suitable. That's what it means to be a parent.

Hehehe, I understand. I truly understand, Kehma-dono. Daughters really are precious!

"Very well, I shall accept your proposal. Let us make Kuroinu-dono the fiance."

After that, I gave Kehma-dono information about the [Divine Pillow] as compensation for lending us Kuroinu-dono's name as a fiance.

I couldn't tell him everything, so I told him what I could with complete sincerity.

"… Mai-sama is the custodian of the [Divine Pillow]…?"

"Or rather, Mai's fiance would likely fulfill the requirements to become a custodian as well."

I couldn't outright say who the custodian was, but with that much said, anyone could figure it out.

I don't know what circumstances are driving him to want the [Divine Pillow], but as fellow fathers of beloved daughters, I'd like to get along with Kehma-dono.

 

After Kehma-dono returned to his room, Mai came to my room in his place.

"I should marry Kehma-sama, Otou-sama!"

"What's this all of a sudden?"

"If one truly wishes to save orphans, one should hire merchants, educate them, and give them work! Just giving them food is no different from doting on pets!"

"Hmm? I think I understand the gist, but could you explain it in more detail?"

Apparently, Mai had been overwhelmed by Kehma-dono's wisdom.

Kehma-dono had proposed a plan for the orphanage: educate the orphans, give them jobs, and let them become independent.

However, he'd also added that it would be unnecessary meddling if she was running the orphanage just for popularity's sake.

Mai seemed to have taken it as sarcasm, but in my view, what Kehma-dono said wasn't sarcasm. It was a remark made with deliberate policy considerations in mind.

People feel somewhat reassured just by having those beneath them nearby. While there's a slum outside the south gate as well, placing an orphanage within the town serves that purpose.

But there's no need to teach her about such dirty politics. For the sake of the people, I want Mai to remain a pure existence.

Well, improving the orphanage wouldn't have much impact on policy anyway, so perhaps I should let Mai do as she pleases for the experience.

"That's a wonderful idea. It would stimulate the economy too. You could implement it by repurposing your current budget. Would you like to try it?"

"Yes, please let me!"

With eyes sparkling, Mai gave an enthusiastic reply.

"And that's why I absolutely want to form a connection with Kehma-sama. Kuro-cha… Kuroinu-sama gave me a princess carry, after all? Kehma-sama, as their master, must take responsibility."

"Ah, about that… It seems Kuroinu-dono will be your fiance, Mai."

"… Pardon?"

Mai tilted her head.

"During my discussion with Kehma-dono, we settled on Kuroinu-dono being the fiance."

"… B-but we're both girls!"

Oh, that's right. I haven't taught Mai about same-sex marriage yet, have I? Since it's not commonly practiced, I must have put off that part of her education.

"It was Kehma-dono's recommendation. Also, you'd be better off not treating Kuroinu-dono as female."

"Eh, K-Kuro-chan is actually a boy!?"

"Hmm? … Well, yes, let's go with that."

Kehma-dono had been insisting on treating her as male, so that would be for the best, I nodded.

"… I'm going to speak with Kehma-sama! I won't accept this without hearing the reason directly from him!"

Saying that, Mai left the room.

She's still a child after all… I trust Kehma-dono will talk her around, but let's hope she doesn't anger him enough to break things off. I've already given him his compensation, so on that front it should be fine.

Later, at dinner, Kuroinu-dono was escorting her, so things must have been settled nicely.

However, at that dinner, my second son Jitterbug raised his voice.

"Hold on, that's a slave! And a girl at that! There's no way someone with such a ridiculous name like Niku is fit to be Mai's fiance!"

Oh no, I hadn't taught Jitterbug about same-sex marriage either? Rondo seemed to understand, at least. Even Waltz could only smile wryly at this.

I had no choice but to have Kuroinu-dono demonstrate their abilities and convince him that way.

I had assumed Kuroinu-dono could at least beat Jitterbug… but I never imagined they'd be skilled enough to toy with even Rondo. Even with these eyes of Vonodoru, I failed to see through them.

 

 

＊ ＊ ＊

 

 

The next day, Kehma-dono had told a maid he wouldn't need breakfast, and he didn't appear for the meal.

The matter came to light while I was doing my administrative work after breakfast.

"My lord. We received word from a soldier that a ventulier passed through the gate last night."

"Hmm… wait, that was Kuroinu-dono!?"

We receive reports from the gate regarding the comings and goings of nobles. For nobles who seem to have urgent business passing through outside normal hours, we get immediate notification, but ventuliers are a different matter.

Since they're active as adventurers, they often use the gate at night.

"This is bad…"

Kehma-dono's room was completely empty, with only a single letter left on the bedding.

The letter read as follows:

"Being under surveillance makes it difficult to sleep, so I'm returning to my village. You may freely use the name Niku Kuroinu for one month. If she herself is absolutely necessary, please contact me at Golen Village."

Ngh! … So he'd known about the surveillance since the first day… as expected, he's a capable man.

But to slip away without a word… no, wait. Last night he did ask "May I return?" didn't he? If so, passing through the gate using his ventulier authority could be considered a greeting in Kehma-dono's own way.

At any rate, he's left his seal of approval to freely use Kuroinu-dono and Mai as an engaged pair for one month.

… In other words, what Kehma-dono is trying to say is:

"If you can make satisfactory preparations within one month, I'll allow my daughter to be engaged to yours"!

Heh… what splendid love for his daughter. When the day comes for those two to wed, I'm sure I'll enjoy some fine drinks with Kehma-dono.

"… I must obtain the [Futanaru]."

However, a dispute over living arrangements between the daughters seems likely.

… Perhaps I should propose they live separately, each staying with their own parents?

Hmm, well, that will be up to Mai and Kuroinu-dono to decide.