Chapter 181 - The Raid on the Elven Palace and the Conversation After
We were shown to a conference room. Since the room didn't face the front or inner courtyards, it had escaped the damage from our raid. Marmie, Fam, and the others had taken a bath before this. I, however, wasn't allowed to join them. I had no choice but to clean myself up with laundry magic. There were a lot of things I couldn't accept about the situation, but I resolved to make up for it by going wild tonight.
Augustus sat in the seat of honor at the head of the table, his face a sour mask.
"I will entrust my daughter to Mash, as she wishes," he said. He'd stopped calling me 'you' in that dismissive way, and was now speaking to me with something resembling normal emotion.
Though he was the nominal head of House Starunion, it seemed Marina held the real power, perhaps because he had married into the family. He couldn't go against her word. Even the magic knights seemed to act while gauging Marina's expression. The ultimate proof was Patricia. She'd never hesitated to deliver an iron-fisted punishment to anyone, no matter their rank, yet a single glare from Marina had sent her trembling.
I made a mental note to be careful not to incur her displeasure from now on. If a situation like that ever arose, I decided I would just push all the responsibility onto Patricia. As I watched her go around the table pouring tea into the cups, our eyes met.
"Is there something I can help you with?"
"Well, it's just that I don't see Marina and Marmie."
"Fufufu… They are preparing. Please wait just a little longer."
Patricia let a smile slip.
"So, Patricia, what will you do now?"
"What will I do, you ask? I intend to serve Lady Marmie for the rest of my life, but I'm not sure what to do while she's away on adventures…"
She sighed.
"You plan to serve her for life? What about getting married?"
I couldn't help but ask, feeling like some concerned uncle.
"Who knows? But if Lady Marmie deems it necessary, perhaps she would find a suitable partner for me?"
She was so worried about finding a match for Marmie, yet so indifferent about her own affairs. Then again, knowing Marmie, she'd probably bring back some random person with a completely casual attitude.
"You're not going to look for someone yourself?"
"Me? I think I'm the type to fall in love easily, but I'm more interested in other people's love lives than my own. Please, I'm counting on you to take the utmost care of Lady Marmie!"
Patricia replied. Beside me, Fam had been staring intently at the amber liquid swaying in her cup. My tea was mixed with mead; hers was not.
"…Alright. Just one sip."
I offered her my cup, and she slurped the whole thing down.
"The taste changes so much when you mix alcohol with tea. I think the flavor gained depth and the sweetness was enhanced. Most of all, it makes me feel all fuzzy and warm."
"Hey, if you fall asleep, I'm leaving you here today."
Watching Fam, I was reminded of a certain prime minister from a nation of tea lovers, but the reference would be lost here, so I kept quiet. Since it was mostly tea, I wanted to believe the alcohol content was low. A scent of soap, fresh from the bath, wafted from her. Looking closely, I saw that her hair and drooping ears were still a little damp.
"You're not fully dry."
I used wind magic to create a warm breeze and dry her hair and ears. She narrowed her eyes, enjoying the pleasant sensation. This was a result of the temperature control I'd learned thanks to Marmie. After a short while, her ears were perfectly fluffy.
Watching our exchange with a faint smile was Marianne. She was the head of House Wanland. For now, she was being treated as a guest, seated in a chair placed next to Augustus. I thought it might look out of place, but she sat with such good posture that she exuded an air of dignity. It was clear she had received a proper education as a family head. It was something Marianne had that Marmie lacked.
Several things were decided during our discussion. First, as Augustus had just stated, Marmie would be allowed to accompany us. They would also continue to support Cecily and the others with their enrollment in the magic academy. Furthermore, it looked like we would begin trading with the Mateo Trading Company. And finally, they would consider establishing diplomatic relations with the Earth Dragon Kingdom, after I introduced them to Yanan. This would begin with deepening ties with House Starunion, before being deliberated by the senate.
It seemed they would overlook the destruction of the mansion. Since Marmie was the one who cast the spell, they would frame it as the result of an ugly struggle between mother and daughter, but there was another motive behind this. For the time being, at least, things had been settled in a way that was convenient for us.
As we were talking, Marina and Marmie entered the room. Marmie was wrapped in a white, dress-like garment. Made of a lustrous, silk-like material, it began with a delicate lace-trimmed bodice that traced her girlish curves down to her waist. The hem flared out in a cascade of lace, spreading to her feet and further enhancing her loveliness. She also wore a veil of thin silk, which filtered the light, casting a soft glow as it gently enveloped her face.
As I stared, captivated by her pure appearance, the corners of Marmie's red-painted lips turned up slightly. That smile made her seem like a completely different person from the child I had thought she was. She sat down in the seat across from me, next to Marina.
"…This is a wedding dress."
"Ah, uh…"
Her tone was so nonchalant, as if nothing at all had happened, that all I could manage was a dumbfounded grunt.
"…I want you to praise me."
"R-Right. It's a beautiful dress."
I could feel my cheeks growing hot.
"…It's not the dress I want you to praise. It's me."
"Hold on. Can we do this when we're alone? Please?"
"…Before I came in, you were flirting with Fam in front of everyone."
"Th-That wasn't my intention… Marmie is… no, I will… I'll do my best to protect you so your beautiful skin is never harmed…"
Her parents were right here. Even if she told me to praise her, I was too nervous to find the words. I had to say something, but as I stammered, Augustus cleared his throat.
"About the two of you's ceremony…"
For a moment, I thought he was throwing me a lifeline, but I was wrong. His words sent me into an even greater panic. I couldn't possibly marry Marmie before Fam, Mizuki, and the others. But the whole reason I'd stormed this mansion was to take her back. And I had fought for her, telling her I loved her. This was the natural course of events.
"House Starunion cannot decide this on our own. There is our relationship with the Elven race and House Leafclout to consider. Most importantly, you have disgraced Marmie's fiancé, Zeno Leafclout."
He hadn't brought up the wedding because he was excited.
"Will there be retaliation?"
"I will do my best to mediate. I don't believe there will be any direct action from the council of elven elders. However…"
Augustus trailed off. Even as one of the rulers of this city, did his standing among his own people hold a different weight?
"This incident was, shall we say, convenient for my daughter, and for House Starunion. But that means House Leafclout's animosity will be directed at you."
A hero from another world storms into the Starunion mansion, destroys it, and steals their daughter. And the daughter, after fighting with her own mother, decides to elope with said hero.
"I understand. I took Marmie. House Starunion does not approve. That's fine."
It seemed Augustus intended to use this incident as a pretext to break off his daughter's engagement. I wanted to avoid having their resentment directed at Fam and the others, but I had sworn to protect Marmie. It was better for me to take the heat than for it to fall on her parents, who couldn't travel with us.
"Zeno is strong. Please, do not overestimate your own power."
"Out of curiosity, where is Zeno now?"
"The Leafclout family estate is located within the territory controlled by House Starunion. However, he is never there. I hear he usually spends his time exploring dungeons."
"The Crystal Palace?"
That was the common name for the dungeon floating above the city of Migul. He shook his head at my words.
"Not any specific one. Also, he has created dungeons of his own."
I made a firm resolution not to enter any place that terrifying.
"With that, I have a proposal for you," Marina said.
She must have seen my momentary recoil. She smiled.
"I am not going to make a proposal you cannot accept."
"It concerns the rabbit-eared girl over there. How about we take her into our care?"
I didn't know how to react. Next to Shizuka, Lini, who had been munching on a rusk-like biscuit, turned to look at me.
"Of course, not as a servant. If you wish, we will provide her with an education in an environment similar to our daughter's."
"No, but…"
I could faintly grasp Marina's intent. She saw Lini as a potential future bride for me. Her intention to indebt me to her was the same as the Mateo Trading Company's, but her plan likely had another layer. Namely, as a hostage in case something happened to Marmie. And if they gave her an education convenient for House Starunion, they could continue to exert their influence over her even after she grew up. In a way, it was a good thing for Lini. She could be under the protection of House Starunion while we were away on adventures. With that in mind, I had even considered leaving Lini with them before coming to this city.
But my thinking had changed. It was because she had grown too attached to Shizuka. I felt guilty about separating them. Besides, I had already made arrangements for the Mateo Trading Company to look after her. I glanced at Claire, who fluttered her hands as if to say, "Don't mind me." She likely saw the connection with House Starunion as a business opportunity. She couldn't afford to make waves right now.
"Lini will follow whatever Mash decides."
Her words stung my heart. I noticed Shizuka was looking at me, her face on the verge of tears. But she had Ko-kun. If she ever reunited with him, the situation would change, and she might not be able to stay with Lini. I couldn't just find another parental figure for Lini then. I couldn't leave her in such an unstable environment.
"Lini doesn't want to be a bother to anyone," she said.
"You don't have to think about that. And it's okay to be a bother. We're companions."
"…Okay. Ever since meeting Mash, Lini has had so much fun. I love Shizuka very much, too."
She nodded hesitantly, her expression stiff. Was she reading my own indecision? Beside her, Shizuka was looking down. Tears dripped onto the table. It had only been about half a month since we met Lini, but it had been more than enough time to get to know her.
"Lini, both Shizuka and I have things we have to do. Those are our own circumstances. You're allowed to say what you want to do, too."
She fell silent, seeming to hesitate over whether she should speak. I decided to wait until she started talking on her own.
"Lini wants to become an adventurer. Mash is weak, so I want to become an adventurer and protect Mash."
Were those truly her own feelings? Or was she just saying what she thought I wanted to hear? I glanced at Shizuka, who lifted her head and nodded at me.
"Alright. I'll accept that as your wish for now. But I can't take you into the party as you are. You need to grow up a little more."
Lini nodded.
"Is that acceptable?" Marina asked. I nodded in return.
"In that case, we will indeed take her into our care. We can teach her swordsmanship, and if she has an aptitude for magic, we can guide her down that path as well. Please do not misunderstand; we have no intention of taking her from you. Nor do we intend to restrict her freedom. We will not stop her from going to see you, nor will we stop you from coming to see her."
"…In that case," Shizuka muttered at Marina's words.
"If Lini's going to live here, maybe I'll live here too. I mean, even if I'm with Mash, we don't even have se—"
Patricia, who had moved behind her without anyone noticing, brought her fist down on Shizuka's head. Her detection skills were astounding. If limited to lewd keywords, her ability probably far surpassed Fam's. She then walked over to me. And for some reason, I received a knuckle sandwich as well.
"You're right. It might be better for you to live here than Lini, Shizuka," I said, rubbing my head.
"Why?" she replied, rubbing her own head.
"You need a lesson in chastity. Take this chance to become a decent human being!"
"You need a lesson in chastity just as much as I do, Mash!"
We glared at each other.
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