Because we decided to tour the capital, we only arrived at the Zeavert Mansion in the evening. The coachman and the guards were only able to return and rest after we arrived safely at Zeavert mansion, so I kinda felt bad.
I let Lily enter the mansion first, while I stayed outside to talk with the coachman for a while. I could see Annete-san approaching with a guilty expression as I was talking with the coachman. Honestly, Annete-san, you didnt need to feel guilty, you know.
Viscount WelnerI apologize for what I said this afternoon. (Annete)
Its fine. (Welner)
I waved my hand lightly to give her a ssage that I didnt mind. Accumulating a debt was really not a good thing. Moreover, I and His Highness intentionally hid the purpose of debt. In short, I deceived her, so it didnt feel right for her to be the one who apologized.
That was my thought, but seeing her guilty expression didnt lighten up a bit made feel bad. You were a really good person, Annete-san.
I will accept your apology. In exchange, I want you to continue to accompany and protect Lily.
Understood.
This ti I used a stronger tone on purpose and it seed like she finally accepted the fact I had forgiven her. Good. Just as I was thinking like that, I couldnt help but be interested in Annete-sans next words.
I have heard about your debt from the church. (Annete)
The church?
Yes, from Priest Kaempfer. Now that I think about it, Priest Kaempfer might have spoken about your debt on purpose to make Lily hear about it
Oh, Kaempfer. I knew from Norberts report that he was the priest who kept asking for a eting with Lily, but Mother kept turning him down. Did he spread this information purposely to make Lily hear about my bad reputation, so she dislikes , or sothing? That guy, did he really think if Lily disliked , she would turn to him and join the churchs side? What kind of stalker-like mindset was that!?
Also, Annete-san, could you stop shooting that apologetic look?
Well, even if it was a church, it didnt an that every mber was a good person. There were churches that did stuff like poisoning and fraud even in my previous life.
I understand. Thank you for the information. No need to feel guilty, just please continue to take care of Lily. (Welner)
Yes, sir. (Annete)
That was how I ended my conversation with Annete-san. Still, I couldnt grasp what the church was planning. If what they wanted was only to pull Mazell to their side, so of their actions didnt make sense.
Hmmmaybe it was the common the subordinate moved on his own without the leaders permission kind of thing? That was why so of the churchs actions didnt make sense? Lets investigate it a bit more.
After that, I asked the coachman to send a ssage to Father and Lily while I once again left the mansion. I then went to a random second-hand clothes shop, bought so old clothes and changed my current clothes to that one, then went to a bar.
After that, I paid a little money, so I could leave the bar using the back door. I left the bar via the back door, took a several detour to make sure no one was following , before finally arriving at my destination. It was a store. I entered the store via the back door.
To think that guy already had enough funds to open a store, although it was a store he rented under a fake na, as expected of a forr rchant.
My, its you, Viscount-sama. You look as dashing as always.
Well, I need to be careful when I leave the mansion, hence these clothes. Anyway, you seem to be doing well, Rafed. (Welner)
This is all thanks to the money you have given , Viscount-sama. I am forever grateful for your generosity. (Rafed)
His mannerism was as fake as always.
Stop with the flattery. Anyway, I want to ask you to investigate sothing. (Welner)
Please, ask away.
I want you to investigate if theres any connection between the church and the Jhering Count House.
Then, I briefly explained to him the information I got today. After hearing my explanation, Rafed seed to fall into a thought.
From your story, it doesnt seem like there has been any contact between Miss Annete and Jhering Count House.
I know. Most likely, Annete and Lily beco friends out of a pure coincidence. But if the church and the Jhering House are actually connected, theres a chance that it was the Jhering House that gave the church the information that the church used to spread a bad rumor about .
I see. So youre saying that theres a chance that despite knowing their relation to Miss Annete, they purposely didnt contact her. Are they planning to show up in the end when your relationship with Miss Annete and Miss Lily is already sour to give them both a final push to leave you? Hmmm
Rafed seed to fall into thoughts again. Judging from his expression, it seed like he knew sothing.
Back when I was working with the Bachem house, I did hear several things about the Jhering House I understand. I will investigate it.
Ill be counting on you.
I will need so money for that, will that be fine?
Yeah, its fine. Ill deliver the money to you tomorrow, you make the arrangent.
I ended up rembering Annete-sans words today. I an, as soone who had a lot of debt, spending more money did seem reckless, although I didnt need to repay my debt since, in reality, the debt was the money His Highness gave for the army.
Gathering information could take a lot of ti so the earlier I start, the better.
After that, I left the store and took a long detour to the mansion. I also changed my clothes to my original clothes midway. I noticed that soone was tailing midway but I decided not to care as they would not be able to figure out my connection with Rafed.
Lily greeted with a slightly worried expression when I finally arrived at the mansion. I left my coat to Lily, then I told her that we would be eting my parents after I changed my clothes. Lily looked visibly nervous after I said that, but I smiled at her and told her that everything would be fine.
In a worst-case scenario, I could just arrange for a relative to beco the heir of the Count House. As I thought that, I arrived at Fathers room and knocked on the door.
Co in. (Ingo)
Excuse my intrusion. (Welner)
When I entered the room, I saw that Mother was also here. Perfect.
What happened? (Ingo)
There is sothing that I need to ask for you twos permission. (Welner)
Father stared at sharply. Ah, I felt nervous, but I wouldnt back down. If I backed down now, I wouldnt be able to face Lily, who had gathered her courage to confess to .
I would like to marry Lily. Of course, not imdiately.
The room suddenly fell silent. The two exchanged glances with each other. I thought they both showed a very brief smile, but maybe that was just my imagination. After a short mont that felt like an eternity, Father finally opened his mouth.
The path you choose might be filled with difficulty. (Ingo)
Of course, I understand that. (Welner)
Are you sure about this? There are many high ranking noble ladies who are interested in you. (Claudia)
This ti, it was Mother who asked .
Of course, Mother. (Welner)
I see. (Claudia)
She said with a sigh. Sorry for troubling you with many invitations from the noble ladies, Mother.
You resemble your father in the strangest part, Mother said with a rare soft smile on her face.
Wait, really? I turned to Father, and he gave a rare shrug. After that, Father opened his mouth again.
Its the first ti you ca to us to ask sothing that resolutely. I trust that you really are prepared for what will happen in the future? (Ingo)
Yes.
But I still cant give you my permission. (Ingo)
Well, I expected this answer. I an I also had a lot of unfinished business. As I thought like that, Father said unexpected words.
A marriage between two noble families wouldnt be a problem. But, that isnt the reason you wanted to marry her, right? (Ingo)
[T/N: Hes probably referring to the fact that the Hearthing family will soon beco a noble family, thus marrying Lily will an Zeavert family can form a relationship with a new noble family.]
Yes. (Welner)
There are still many problems inside and outside of the kingdom that you will need to face. The demon king is one of those problems as for the others you know without saying it, right? It will be dangerous if you show any weakness in this period. (Ingo)
He was right. Even now, there was a problem with the church.
That is why, as the Count Zeavert, I cant give you the permission for this marriage. This is the period where both love and excessive resolve will be dangerous for you. (Ingo)
Although I had no intention of being drunk on my current feelings, Father was right. An excessive resolve to do sothing might narrow my thinking. If Father gave permission here, I might unintentionally do sothing reckless.
But then, both Mother and Father gave an unusual soft smile, which made feel a bit of a goosebump.
But as your Father, Im happy to see you beco that determined. (Ingo)
Lily is a good girl. Because of that, you have to keep improving yourself. Please do not forget that to marry soone ans that you have more things you need to protect. (Claudia)
Yes. Thank you, Mother, Father.
You sure couldnt win against your parents.
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