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Chapter: 17
It wasn’t just me, the bride in question, who must have found Kagan’s choice of me as his bride strange. Anyone would have been curious.
Why had Kagan, who had ignored every marriage proposal sent from prestigious noble families, suddenly chosen to marry a bride recommended by an old priest transferred from a rural parish?
“I wasn’t in any trouble. It’s not that I was thinking about something else.”
Kagan glanced at my face and said,
“I was just thinking things through in my own way.”
“Come on. You definitely weren’t listening to us and were clearly deep in thought about something else.”
Priest Frederick did not let it slide and pressed him lightly. Perhaps unable to refute it so easily, Kagan averted his gaze slightly.
“I wasn’t thinking about anything in particular. It was a long time ago, so I don’t remember it clearly…”
I didn’t press further. Asking him outright why it was me, suggesting there might be some other intention, felt rather ridiculous coming from my own mouth.
After all, questioning the reason for a proposal was not the attitude of a proper noble lady. A noble was expected to strive to be worthy of being chosen as the spouse of a distinguished house, and to carry confidence in that. That too was a virtue of nobility.
Moreover, I had no grounds to suspect any ulterior motive behind his proposal. At the very least, I didn’t have a background that made me a target for political marriage or transactional unions.
It was enough that he was a courteous man. His reputation and other qualities were impeccable.
It wasn’t impossible to believe Priest Vien’s claim that Kagan had chosen his wife based on deep-rooted faith he kept hidden in his heart. After all, he had always consulted his parish priest before making important decisions.
“Ahh, why wouldn’t he fall for her! Lady Rewan is such a lovely beauty!”
Millah’s generous evaluation was also, in a small way, taken into account.
I couldn’t exactly admit it myself, but thinking back on the countless noblemen who had blatantly praised my appearance when proposing, this seemingly excessive marriage began to feel a bit more realistic. It seemed that even old, prestigious noble families placed considerable importance on a spouse’s looks, and perhaps I did match their preferences to some degree.
In any case, the reason was just the reason. What mattered far more than the beginning was the process of maintaining a relationship.
I had no desire to make a man uncomfortable by forcing him to explain in detail why he had chosen me.
“As for the wedding congratulatory donations collected this time, after the parish council decides how to use them, we would like to ask Your Grace for recommendations.”
“Please handle it as you see fit. Even if it’s under the name of our marriage congratulations, it’s still donations from the people to the church.”
“Still, Your Grace’s insight as the lord who understands the estate’s affairs would be more reliable.”
“I’m afraid I wouldn’t be of much help.”
“Then we shall ask the Duchess for her recommendation this time, haha.”
“…Do as you please.”
I had already heard that Kagan was managing the estate well, but seeing that he was trusted by the parish priest made me quietly proud. Especially since the priest of his own castle seemed to do nothing but scold him.
After a brief meeting, we left the cathedral and headed toward the square.
Trees surrounding the plaza were in full bloom with white flowers, like snow. The festival would last three days starting tomorrow. Already, tents and stalls for the festival had been set up under the shade of the trees.
In my hometown, there had also been a small festival during harvest season. The courtyard of the Keor temple would be decorated with flowers, and villagers from all backgrounds would gather to share food.
On those days, even my family became part of the village and were warmly welcomed. I still remembered the gentle smiles of the women who had given me sweet cookies and candied fruit—smiles unclouded and sincere, just for that day.
“There are people gathered over there.”
After stepping down from the carriage, I pointed to a crowd murmuring beneath a large tree.
More than a dozen people were gathered under a single tent. It seemed to be attracting attention; even shopkeepers a little farther away, wearing aprons, stood in front of their stores with folded arms, watching.
But the closer we got, the more something felt wrong.
Their expressions were dark. Stiff faces, even fearful eyes, were all directed toward something beneath the tent.
The source of the uneasy commotion soon became clear.
“Leave this place at once.”
A familiar face stood at the center of the disturbance.
“Since you said you were just passing through, wouldn’t it be better to leave quickly before I have to call the knights of the ducal estate?”
Count Jace of Rigen.
But the crowd’s attention was not on Jace—it was on something at his feet.
There was a pitch-black iron cage. Large enough to hold a piglet. Something was crouched inside it. A strange four-legged creature with a body that looked like a mixture of dark soil and grass tones.
“Dragging a monster around a civilian town like this…”
Jace spat out in contempt.
But the hunter who seemed to own the cage only smiled casually.
“What are you so afraid of, my lord? This cage is specially made with mana stones. Even if the creature breaks out, I’m right here. I’ve subdued it once with these hands—I doubt I can’t do it a second time.”
The hunter in leather armor kicked the cage lightly with the tip of his muddy boot, and the creature inside let out a low growl.
“Eek!”
“H-hey, stop doing something so dangerous!”
The onlookers recoiled in fear at the beast’s threatening sound. The man in leather armor laughed even louder as if he found it amusing.
“Hah! People living in peaceful lands really do have weak nerves.”
A monster?
That?
My heart pounded with unease as I followed behind Kagan, hiding slightly behind his large frame while still unable to take my eyes off it.
Its body was covered in scales similar to those of a lizard from the bestiary, looking as hard as rock.
But it was bleeding around its head and neck, as if injured.
Red blood. Human-like red blood.
“Enough! Stop your nonsense and come with me immediately. You will accompany me to the guard unit.”
Jace strode closer to the hunter in anger. Only then did the hunter reluctantly lift the cage with both hands and step back.
“Guards, you say? My, you really do like making things complicated. If you keep acting so rigid, young lord, you’ll have trouble with the ladies. I was just about to leave anyway, so let’s just let this pass.”
“What insolence is this toward a count?”
At that moment, Kagan’s low voice cut in, and the crowd split into two.
It’s the duke! The lord has come! A fresh wave of murmuring spread.
Startled by the sudden appearance of the ruler of the land he stood on, the hunter quickly bowed his head.
“I-it is an honor to meet the Duke of Weyriver.”
“State your identity.”
“I am Arolz of Sloans. The second son of Baron Rodo. I was traveling after completing my deployment in ‘Noska’ and stopped here, drawn by the beautiful scenery of Weyriver for a brief rest.”
Perhaps trying to appeal to Kagan, Arolz emphasized “Noska” and added a somewhat flattering excuse.
Then, forcing an awkward smile, he said,
“I apologize for the disturbance, Your Grace. Since the villagers seemed to be preparing a festival, I merely thought I would provide them with something interesting to see.”
“Is it entertaining to harm humans with monsters?”
Kagan’s voice was calm as he asked, but it was filled with coldness. Even if his tone was never particularly warm in the best of times.
Arolz turned pale instantly and stammered.
“I-I thought… people might find it entertaining to see a monster captured. That it might reassure them that humans are superior to such lowly creatures…”
Kagan did not wait for him to finish.
“You were mocking my frightened subjects.”
“A-ah…”
“The Rigen Count you insulted is the heir of my legal successor and was speaking on behalf of my estate’s law when he warned you. Did you fail to understand that?”
The question sounded less like an accusation and more like a genuine doubt about his comprehension, which made Arolz’s face flush with humiliation.
“Please show mercy, Your Grace. This is proof of my achievement in hunting and subduing a monster at the risk of my life—a trophy. As a knight, I believe you would understand my desire to boast of my accomplishment.”
Arolz bowed deeply, smiling ingratiatingly.
“Mercy.”
Kagan murmured softly, the corner of his lips twisting slightly. His smile was as beautiful as the statue of Keor in the plaza fountain—but just as lifeless and emotionless.
“You should have shown that mercy to the frightened people you were amusing yourself at the expense of.”
Before Arolz could even attempt another defense, Kagan summoned the knights escorting the Steinway family carriage.
“We need to confirm the origin of the monster. Take Arolz to the castle and investigate whether it was captured in a legally permitted hunting territory.”
“W-wait, Your Grace! This is a misunderstanding!”
“Take him.”
“Your Grace! I simply misunderstood the estate laws—just this once, please!”
Ignoring Arolz clinging desperately in supplication, Kagan turned away.
I followed after him, walking quickly while shrinking my shoulders.
It would not be good if it became known that he had caused a disturbance in another lord’s territory. And besides, he was said to be the second son with no real power. Then why would he do something like this? A noble… a knight, of all people.
Millah’s words came back to me: “Knights are dead.” She had said that people like me, who still had a favorable view of knights, were hard to find these days.
“Hmm? And you are?”
Kagan suddenly turned to Jace and asked.
