I blinked repeatedly, looking back and forth between Ginor and Reika.
Reika was no longer just hanging her head—she had practically buried her face in the floor, her ears bright red as her body trembled.
Ginor, in stark contrast, maintained a serious expression as if nothing unusual was happening.
"That is my request."
"You're asking me to marry Reika?"
"Yes. I believe it's not a bad arrangement for you either."
No... so suddenly?
Without any prior notice?
Why?
As I stood there completely bewildered, Ginor continued in his remarkably calm tone.
"Do you dislike the idea?"
"No, it's not that I dislike it, but..."
I glanced at Reika.
Has she... already heard everything about this?
Is she prepared to marry me just because her adoptive father Ginor told her to?
With her head bowed, it was difficult to read her expression.
"Feel free to speak your mind. You can say exactly what you're thinking."
After Ginor's encouragement, I pondered for a moment before carefully opening my mouth.
"Since you told me to speak freely, I will. First, although I am currently unmarried, I already have someone I wish to marry."
"You already have four people in mind?"
"...No, that's not it. Just one person."
"Then what's the problem? You can make Reika your second wife."
"..."
Of course... I was aware that in this world, men could have up to four wives.
But coming from a world where monogamy was the absolute norm, and having built my entire life around that concept, there were certainly aspects that couldn't be easily summarized in a few words.
If asked whether I disliked the idea of having multiple wives... honestly, I wasn't particularly against it.
But how the wives would feel about it was another matter entirely.
"Ah. If you're concerned about inheriting the family name, that's not necessary. If it's not advantageous from your perspective, I won't force it."
From Ginor's words, I gathered that he thought I was worried about family matters.
He seemed to believe the woman I intended to marry came from a much more prestigious family than the Nighthart clan.
I still wasn't used to discussing marriage in terms of advantages rather than feelings, but... anyway.
"...Miss Reika."
"Ah, y-yes!!"
"What do you think about this?"
"I-I-I... I..."
Reika was sweating profusely before letting out a long sigh.
She was trembling so much that she looked like a drowned mouse, which made me feel sorry for her.
"Well, um... I... I mean... Swen is a good person, so..."
"..."
I glanced at Ginor to gauge his reaction.
He had his eyes closed.
It didn't seem like he was putting any unspoken pressure on her, but...
Regardless of Ginor's intentions, Reika appeared to be making assumptions and feeling crushed under his authority.
"Lord Ginor. Could you possibly leave us alone for a moment?"
"Me? For what reason?"
"This is about marriage. I'd like to have a serious conversation with Reika in private."
"..."
Ginor nodded, silently rose from his seat, and left the room, closing the door behind him.
After Ginor left, I addressed Reika, who was still hanging her head low.
"Miss Reika."
"Ah, I..."
"You can speak comfortably now."
At my softer tone, Reika finally raised her head.
I could see her pink eyes trembling slightly, her face completely flushed.
"Has this matter already been settled between you and Ginor?"
"Ah, well, settled means, um..."
"I'm asking if he sought your consent about marrying me."
"...Pardon?"
Reika tilted her head in confusion.
"Well, since it's Father's decision... you know?"
"..."
Is it normal in this world for daughters to simply obey their parents?
Then again, even in my original world, freedom in marriage wasn't historically a long-standing concept.
"Um..."
At that moment, Reika spoke up in a hesitant voice.
"Do you... dislike me?"
As she said this, she lifted her head and looked up at me with wide, innocent eyes.
...I hadn't consciously noticed before, but she looked incredibly cute in that moment.
She definitely had a charm different from Irene's.
"What? No, I don't dislike you."
"Phew... that's a relief."
After Reika's comment, silence fell between us again.
Feeling oppressed by the quiet, I carefully opened my mouth to say something.
"Um... Miss Reika. I'm curious about something, and I'd appreciate an honest answer."
"Yes? Oh... yes!"
"Are you really okay with becoming a second wife?"
"What? Well, of course... why wouldn't I be?"
Hmm.
I felt I might never fully adapt to this world's views on relationships.
Do women here just accept this as normal?
"Um... may I ask a question too?"
"Yes, go ahead."
"Is your first wife... that red-haired female knight?"
"..."
Come to think of it.
Reika had seen Irene before.
Irene as my first wife...?
The thought made my mind go blank, and I couldn't answer.
But.
"I see..."
Though I hadn't said anything, Reika nodded as if she understood.
"...I didn't say anything though?"
"But, Swen... your expression."
"My expression?"
"Your face turned red... you were embarrassed. So... she is your first wife, isn't she?"
Me?
My face turned red?
I wanted to deny it, but the words wouldn't come out.
I was all too aware of how hot my face felt.
She would become my first wife?
The thought filled me with an indescribable emotion... like I was floating on air.
I suddenly realized how much I truly liked Irene.
"Or perhaps there's another woman...?"
"No, no... Miss Reika. Please be careful with your word choice. 'Another woman' makes me sound like a womanizer, doesn't it?"
"What? A womanizer...?"
Reika tilted her head again, not understanding.
"Sharing your love equally among your wives isn't strange, is it...?"
"..."
Enough.
On this matter, there was no need to insist on my own perspective.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do, right?
"Anyway, are you really okay with this?"
"Yes. Even as a second wife, I'm fine with—"
"No, that's not what I meant."
I asked in the most serious tone I could muster, without any playfulness.
"Marrying me."
"You, Swen...?"
"Yes. Setting aside reasons like 'because Ginor told you to.' As a woman to a man."
"Um... well..."
Reika seemed flustered and couldn't answer immediately, pondering for a while.
I nodded and said:
"You don't need to answer right now. Please think about it seriously. How you feel about me. I'll give you my answer after I hear yours."
"What? B-but."
"What is it?"
"Well, um..."
Reika was clearly at a loss for words.
In truth, her personality was what concerned me most.
Always like this, unable to properly express her own opinions...
I wondered if this marriage was simply flowing along as Ginor directed.
Her becoming my second wife? From my perspective, there was nothing bad about it.
She was destined to become an exceptionally talented magician, and forming a connection with her would only benefit Lunarienne's army, not harm it.
And it wasn't as if she lacked feminine charm.
It was just that compared to Irene's... truly overwhelming chest that no woman could surpass, which I saw daily, Reika's considerable assets and cute, pretty face didn't stand out as much.
However.
That didn't mean I wanted her opinion to be disregarded like this.
Especially when it came to choosing a life partner.
It might be a way of thinking that didn't fit this world, but... marrying someone who didn't want to marry me would be hurtful to me as well.
"I-I'm sorry. I can't... organize my thoughts well... um... ugh."
"It's alright. You have nothing to apologize for."
"...Don't you find me frustrating?"
"No. Not at all. Having trouble speaking means you're someone who puts weight behind your words."
"..."
Hearing my words, Reika hung her head again.
"Just take your time to think about it... and tell me when you're ready. Whether you truly want to marry me or not."
She slowly nodded at my words.
It would be best to leave it at this for now.
"Well then."
I stood up and said:
"Shall we begin today's training?"
"Oh? Oh... y-yes!"
Reika rose from her seat and followed behind me with small steps.
The way she moved reminded me of a hamster, which I found quite adorable.
*
That evening.
"Lady Irene."
"What is it?"
I asked her as she was relaxing in comfortable clothes, drinking tea.
"Hypothetically. If you were married."
"Pfft!"
Irene spat out the tea she was sipping and began coughing.
"Are you alright?"
After covering her mouth with the handkerchief I handed her:
"...S-sorry for the unsightly display..."
"No, I should apologize for surprising you like that."
"A-anyway... if I were married?"
"How would you feel if your husband brought home a second wife?"
"A second wife?"
"Yes."
Irene thought for a moment, then looked at me and replied casually:
"Well... she might have trouble adjusting to our home at first, so I'd probably help her."
"You'd be okay with a second wife?"
"Hmm? Of course. It's just the family growing larger, isn't it?"
Irene's response made me newly aware that I was indeed in a different world.
"I see..."
"B-but... w-why are you suddenly asking about marriage...?"
Irene asked with a reddened face.
"I was just curious about what you thought."
"Is... that so?"
"Well, that's not the only reason."
"...Oh? T-then...?"
I smiled at her surprised expression.
"That's a secret."
"..."
After hearing my words, she lowered her head.
Then let out a short sigh.
"...Anyway... you are truly an enigma. In all my life, Swen, I've never met someone whose thoughts are so difficult to read."
"Do you dislike that?"
"Well, not particularly."
She said, smiling at me.
In any case.
If Irene had no particular objection to me having multiple wives...
Depending on Reika's answer, I would need to consider what to do next.
With these thoughts, I spent a leisurely evening with her.
* * *
After conquering Laclaine Castle, the Aishers army, which had temporarily halted operations, advanced with troops into Charam's territory.
The occupation force, led by Erinandorf, easily conquered Charam's territory.
Charam, who had been the ruler, disappeared from history after being executed.
With four castles including Laclaine Castle, the Aishers army was no longer a small nation.
It could rightfully be called a medium-sized country now.
And soon after.
News arrived that the Serphina army had captured Hispil Castle, located northwest of Laclaine Castle, which had belonged to the Brands army.
Indeed.
It was finally the moment when the borders of the Serphina army and the Aishers army met.
And shortly after their borders touched—
"An envoy from the Serphina army?"
"Yes, that's correct."
Hearing the messenger's words, Yuuri nodded and fell into thought.
'What could this be? I can't think of any diplomatic matters we need to discuss with the Serphina army.'
"Ginor. What do you think?"
"I can't say for certain. Shouldn't you meet with them first?"
Though concerned, Yuuri knew Ginor was right—she would find out once she granted them an audience.
After mentally preparing herself, she addressed the messenger in a gentle tone.
"Very well. Bring them to the audience chamber."