Chapter 7: Participants of the Martial Ball

“Young lady, I came too, you know.”

A young man waved from behind Master.

“Even you, Brother Wolf. What are you here for?”

He is Master’s son and Katarina’s senior disciple.

“We’re using wooden weapons, right? I’ll adjust them on the spot to suit each user.”

Wolf showed the toolkit he had been carrying on his back.

Ignoring the tournament entirely, Katarina and the others began talking about weapons.

“Wait a second. We’ve received twenty participation requests.”

I pressed a hand to my forehead and groaned.

The number had more than doubled compared to the original suitors.

“No! This person is already married.”

My reliable fiancée, Gertrude, pointed it out for me.

Her eyes were sharp, as if she had found a detestable enemy.

I would like to admire such expressive Gertrude, but I need to calm things down here.

“It seems some people may have mistaken this for a simple martial arts tournament.

For now, let’s sort them into married and unmarried.”

And so, the two of us began dividing the applicants.

Working together closely, our heads nearly touching, her face was so close, and sometimes our hands brushed against each other.

Even in this unnecessary work, there are rewards, I thought, unable to suppress a smile.

“I’ll participate too.”

Master stepped out from the group surrounding Katarina.

“Why? Are you planning to propose to me?”

Katarina widened her eyes and called out to his back.

“As if. I’m devoted to your late mother alone.

I’ll just knock some sense into those city youngsters.”

He bent his arm and showed off his bulging muscles.

“That kind of thing is the job of knights or military officers, so please sit quietly and watch.”

I voiced a proper adult opinion.

“In that case, I can participate too, right?

I’m unmarried as well.”

The one making that charming declaration… is, of course, Katarina.

Her carefree lack of understanding of the situation made a vein throb on my forehead.

“What are you saying? This is a desperate measure because you showed no interest in the profiles.

Given our family’s finances, we cannot expand this any further.”

Gertrude scolded her like an older sister.

Her anger was adorable, as if the word “huff” might appear behind her.

“In that case, why not open it to the public and charge participation and admission fees?

Turn it into a spectacle.

Then we can use the money collected to rent a larger venue and manage the event.”

Katarina clapped her hands together, her eyes sparkling.

“I don’t think it’s appropriate to suddenly charge a participation fee after the fact.

These people may become lifelong associates, and it would leave a bad impression.”

I explained, following common sense.

Katarina is like a runaway bull.

There’s no telling what she might do.

“Then no participation fee.

But how about inviting many young ladies who are looking for a fiancé?

A public group matchmaking event.”

“Kati. You’re not trying to slack off on finding your own fiancé in the confusion, are you?”

“Eh, n-no, that’s not it… you’re overthinking it, Older Sister.”

“Kati! Get a hold of yourself! This is about your future.”

Once again, I was made to witness the close and affectionate exchange between the sisters.

…Is it strange that I feel a bit jealous?

After this, the knight commander—without even being asked—arranged for us to use the knights’ public training grounds.

Apparently, the princes also heard about it from somewhere and expressed interest in watching.

…This is turning into chaos.