kscans

Chapter 131 - Little One the Matchmaker

"Me?"

Mārya looked at the wide-eyed Little One and nodded grandly.

"I would like you to stop them. Nasha is a Lycan. She must marry a proper beast-human and have many children....."

The werewolf hung her head, her tail drooping.

Apparently, Sasha had told her she was dating Dorfen. Little One had heard about the significance of Lycans. Most children born to a Lycan are male, and they are important successors for the matriarchal beast-humans. If this cycle doesn't function properly, the prosperity of the next generation cannot be hoped for. For a time, they had given up on her as dead, but now that she was alive, it was a different story. There were seven men in the current beast-human village. Three of them were young. The beast-humans wished for her to marry one of them.

"I understand, but what about Sasha’s feelings?"

The two had always cared for Little One with affectionate bickering, and they often saw eye to eye. This development seemed only natural. In response to Little One’s question, Mārya spoke as if it were unthinkable.

"A child’s marriage is for the parents to decide. To go against one's parents is unacceptable, is it not?"

Ah. So that’s how it is.

Little One couldn't help but make a sour face.

In the Middle Ages, where individual rights were not recognized. Children were the property of their parents, and talking back was out of the question. Even on Earth, there were countries with laws where disobeying a parent was punishable by death. Such customs existed in Japan a long time ago. It is a custom that has turned to dust in modern times, long after the patriarchal system was lost. But Arcadia was in the midst of that medieval period. And the Claudia Kingdom, separated from the central region by a large mountain range, probably still had that custom passed down through the generations.

"Hmm. In Frontier, individual will is taken into consideration. Well, it’s true that parents have rights, though."

That’s right. Frontier was also a country where such customs remained. Although individual rights were recognized, the benefits of marriage alliances were still significant. This tendency was more pronounced the higher the social status, and Little One had been watching to see what Dorfen would do. She had not expected opposition to come from Sasha’s side. Love matches were a privilege of the common people, and in the upper class, those who considered such things were even called base. In fact, among Little One’s circle, there was no one who was engaged through a love match. Everyone was in a political marriage. Well, it was a relief that no one seemed to be unwilling. There are loves that begin with an engagement. Fatima was a typical example. She was eagerly awaiting two years from now when she would marry Prince Marcello after graduating from the academy this year. Wilfe was the same. His wedding was scheduled for the New Year this year, and he was living quite affectionately with his fiancée. Surrounded by such good examples, Little One racked her brain at her first difficult hurdle.

It was a common medieval problem, but Sasha was like family to Little One. She had always looked up to her as an older sister and hoped that she would one day be happy with a good person. If that person was Dorfen, she could rest easy. Having watched the two for a long time, Little One knew of Dorfen’s sincerity and straightforwardness. He would protect Sasha and build a warm family. To be blunt, from Little One’s perspective, she couldn’t trust some beast-human she didn’t know from Adam. Even if he seemed like a good match to Mārya, she didn’t think he could make Sasha happy. If someone were to obstruct the happy marriage dangling before her eyes, then Mārya too was Little One’s enemy.

With a wicked grin, Chihiro looked up at Mārya.

"Actually, there’s a big obstacle for the two of them."

Little One did not miss the faint smile of relief that crossed Mārya’s face. Chihiro then explained the situation to Mārya in a very serious tone.

"I see. So his partner is a high-ranking noble?"

"That’s right. So for Sasha, a commoner and a beast-human at that, I don’t think marriage, let alone an engagement, would be allowed."

A noble’s marriage requires the king’s permission. Even among nobles, there is a status difference, and for Dorfen, the son of a marquis, to marry a commoner would be unthinkable. Not to mention a beast-human. Even though it was a misunderstanding, they were recognized as a short-lived race, and even commoners would not be allowed to marry them. Little One explained these circumstances in detail. Mārya nodded with a convinced look and smiled smugly, lightly placing a hand on her lips.

"In that case, it seems they will break up on their own if we just wait."

"Maybe. So, I have a proposal for you."

With a wide grin, Little One made a certain proposition.

Taking her up on the offer, Mārya returned to the beast-human village.

"This is absurd!"

A few days later, Mārya stormed into the earl’s mansion in the royal capital, her face pale.

"A promise is a promise, right? I told you so. That Dorfen might just pull it off, you know? ♪"

Yes. At that time, Little One had made a promise with Mārya. That if, against all odds, Dorfen managed to obtain permission for the engagement in such an unfavorable situation, she would acknowledge his effort and allow the two to marry. Mārya, who knew the customs of the nobility who valued face, had agreed, though not willingly. His family was that of a marquis. She couldn't imagine them marrying a beast-human. Relieved, Mārya returned to the beast-human village, but less than a month later, a notice of engagement arrived from Sasha, and she rushed to Little One’s side.

"What on earth happened?! I have never heard of a noble marrying a beast-human!"

It was Dorfen who answered the flustered Mārya’s question. The two had come to the earl’s mansion to formally report their engagement.

"I have relinquished my status and become a commoner. I plan to receive a knighthood eventually."

Mārya’s jaw dropped at Dorfen’s nonchalant reply. Sasha looked a little exasperated.

It was simple. If his status was an obstacle, he would just cast it aside. Commoners did not need His Majesty the King’s permission to marry, and Dorfen, who was devoted to being a knight, had no attachment to his marquisate.

"I am merely the second son. It’s not as if I can inherit the house, and I have no regrets if it means I can be happy with Sasha."

Mārya was speechless at Dorfen’s serious words. She had never imagined such a curveball. It was a pitfall born from the Claudia Kingdom, where the dirtiest parts of the nobility were concentrated. Mārya’s mistake was not knowing Frontier. The seeds Little One had sown had firmly taken root in Frontier. Dorfen, who had been traveling with Little One, did not place much importance on the title of nobility. This could be said for the entire Little One Squad. Her spirit was contagious and was undoubtedly changing people’s perspectives. It seemed there was a huge uproar in the marquis’s house, but Dorfen, who had no intention of becoming a political pawn, wanted to cut ties with his family in order to continue serving Little One, so it was no problem. The marquis seemed to have cried to the royal family, but the royal family, who would fall silent at the mention of Little One’s name, was also no problem.

In the end, it was a simple matter. Little One had just used a predictable future as bait to trap Mārya.

"A promise is a promise, nyo. You’ll allow them to marry, right?"

Mārya stood speechless, her face pale, in stark contrast to the happy Dorfen and Sasha. A modest ring shone on her left ring finger. It was a tasteful piece with a star ruby, the same color as her eyes, accented with aquamarine. The aquamarine was the color of Dorfen’s eyes.

And so, Little One wrested permission from Mārya.

It was an inevitable conclusion, and Little One smiled to herself. As it should be, as it should be ♪