When encountering a typical otaku scene, such situations often unfold.
For instance, a mother may appear, gazing at her daughter’s boyfriend who gets along well with her, making remarks about him potentially being a future son-in-law or wondering when her grandchild will be born. Such absurd scenarios are hardly uncommon.
To be honest, I used to think these kinds of situations and portrayals were complete nonsense—pure wishful fantasies.
I an, really, how could any rational parent entertain the thought of a boy hanging around their precious daughter as a potential son-in-law?
Let’s say, for the sake of argunt, that he was a childhood friend or perhaps they were bound by an
engagent between their families; then it wouldn’t be entirely incomprehensible.
At least if he was a childhood acquaintance, the parents would know what kind of person he is and might consider entrusting their daughter to him. In the case of a familial engagent, they would have to prioritize the interests of their houses over any personal sentints.
But if we turn that around, it would an that if the boy isn’t a childhood friend or
engaged by family ties, parents should not rely accept but at the very least be wary of every male who’s suddenly drawn close to their daughter.
In fact, hadn’t Seryas Count looked at
disdainfully upon hearing that I spent many afternoons training with Altina, sharing countless hours together?
Of course, he later asked
if I had any thoughts of marrying Altina, but I was well aware that it was because he mistook
for a master and not because he personally found
favorable.
…And that’s precisely why I couldn’t comprehend Claire’s mother’s obvious affection for .
What kind of mother, after eting soone for the first ti, could casually refer to him as her “son-in-law,” without even knowing what ulterior motives he might have?
“Hoho, I’ve heard so much about you while communicating with my daughter. And it seems you’ve spent quite a bit of ti together with her as well.”
Claire’s mother spoke, her face blooming with joy, clearly pleased that I was close to Claire.
“Um… If you are Claire’s mother, why not just speak to
casually?”
While I didn’t want to be regarded disdainfully like Count Seryas, being addressed with honorifics by a friend’s mother was feeling awkward for .
“Well, if our prospective son-in-law actually becos a real son-in-law, I might consider it.”
“…..”
Claire’s mother seed quite intent on referring to
as a son-in-law, showing no signs of letting it go.
“In fact, Claire isn’t particularly affectionate at ho. I worried a lot about whether she would fit in well with the other kids in Nineveh, but recently, I’ve been able to drop my concerns quite a bit.”
“It was the first ti I saw her so joyfully talk about another boy over the phone, spending so much ti together with him. And that there’s soone with whom she has daily als—it’s all new to .”
“Well… Claire has always been quite warm and friendly towards those around her, so I don’t believe I’m treated as soone special.”
Unlike Kaya, who barely makes friends, or Altina, who keeps certain boundaries with others, it’s clear that Claire has a vibrant social nature; I don’t think I’m singled out as soone exceptional.
– How shaless. You think Claire Delphine Mascarena treats you as anything special after you’ve been indulging every day with her homade lunches? Or do you assu that Claire is the kind of girl who casually shares her lunch with just any guy?
‘…No, that’s not it.’
Looking back, while Claire is indeed a sociable person who gets along well with those around her, it does seem like she maintains a certain distance from other boys except for .
Moreover, I could almost say that I’m the only one who has had one-on-one als with Claire.
So now, is her mother misinterpreting this fragntary information and mistakenly believing I hold the position of Claire’s boyfriend?
“No, I’ve heard everything from Claire. For instance, there was that ti during practice when she accidentally hurt our prospective son-in-law with excessive magic, and how she felt guilty about it and took care of him afterward, which apparently brought them closer together. Stories like these, you know.”
“…..”
“Oh, and during midterms, they studied together in her room, and I heard that our prospective son-in-law often orders certain dishes that my daughter prepares, liking them so much.”
Claire… so you’ve shared even the smallest details about
with your family.
In Nineveh, while I appeared to have a more mature deanor than other students, it turns out you’re soone who shares everything with your family.
I now understand why Claire’s mother is temporarily designating
as a potential son-in-law.
If her daughter, whom she holds dear, told her everything, even the trivial details about a boy while communicating daily through magic, it’s quite natural for her to assu I’m Claire’s boyfriend.
Um… but Claire’s mother, that’s all a misunderstanding. I’m not actually dating Claire, nor are we even close friends.
It’s rely that we’ve beco friendly over ti, and my ordering certain nu items was just because Claire’s cooking is delicious…I wonder if it’s possible to make that clear and be forgiven now?
“Well, while I didn’t quite like the fact that our prospective son-in-law has been taking advantage of our daughter behind our backs, let’s just overlook such trivial matters. After all, it’s understandable that you would ask for those arrangents if you had feelings for our daughter.”
With a casual shrug as if it were no big deal, Claire’s mother then leaned in close with a bright smile and whispered softly in my ear.
“If that’s not the case, it only suggests you’ve toyed with my daughter’s feelings. Surely our prospective son-in-law isn’t the type to do such things, right?”
Chills ran down my spine.
At that mont, Claire’s mother looked at
with an intensely unsettling gaze.
Though it was brief, what she projected toward
felt distinctly ominous.
In that instant, I realized the truth: Claire’s mother had been regarding
with favor and treating
as a prospective son-in-law solely because of my closeness to Claire.
And that Claire must have only shared positive stories about
with her mother and the Mascarena family.
But if I were to hurt Claire or make a careless remark about not being in a significant relationship with her…
– It’s nothing much. I can’t help but think that all the mages from the Mascarena house would co rushing here to either chop you up or tear you to shreds.
“…..”
– Although the family has declined in recent years, the Mascarena is still considered one of the top five magical noble houses in the empire. Rumor has it that the combined strength of the mages affiliated with them could rival that of most magic towers.
As if it were none of her concern, Erekaya continued to explain in a cheerful tone, as if she were humming a tune.
– Judging by the lingering aura of magical power surrounding her, Claire’s mother also seems to be a mage of considerable skill. In that sense, it appears that even without other mages from the Mascarena house coming, just her alone would be more than sufficient to deal with you.
Back during Count Seryas’s ti, it was quite obvious how much he disliked , so Altina and I could easily state that we weren’t in that kind of relationship. But in this case, how should I react?
…Wait a mont. Thinking back, did I ever clearly refuse when Count Seryas attempted to arrange a marriage between
and Altina?
If my mory serves
right, the talks about marriage were brushed aside because there were so many incidents involving that dimwit daughter and minor skirmishes with swords, weren’t there?
Then… surely, Count Seryas didn’t just refrain from ntioning it but genuinely believes that Altina and I will eventually marry soday, right?
“…..”
I feel as if my head is spinning. So, if that’s the case, does it an that while I haven’t made any
engagent yet, I’m actually in a tentative agreent to marry the daughter of two noble families in the empire?
And the Seryas and Mascarena families are completely unaware that I’m precariously balanced between the two houses?
But then, I’m in a position where I have to charm Kaya to make her happy soday.
What happens to
now? Am I not in a situation where I might really die at any mont?
– What do you an by ‘what happens’? This is all karmic retribution. Just as one suffers in this life due to the deeds accumulated in the past, you are currently receiving the punishnt for having simply bumbled around with various won over the past three months. The future may bring even worse circumstances, so why not take this opportunity to strengthen your resolve?
‘…Are you really calling that encouragent?’
But could it be that Erekaya’s words are bearing any fruit?
“Ah, Jin!”
From a distance, soone called my na with a familiar voice. Instinctively, I turned my head toward that voice—
“Altina, please be careful. I’m already worried about losing you with so many people around.”
“Father, that’s not the case! Jin is right over there! Jin!”
“…I know. It seems I cannot get rid of this habit; I can clearly see you wandering around with a girl by your side.”
Coming toward us were none other than Count Seryas and Altina.
“…Hmm? Son-in-law, is there a problem? Did you happen to run into soone you know?”
“…..”
I can’t shake the feeling that a dire and potentially catastrophic crisis is looming over
in this situation.
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