Chapter 3: 3
Zion put down his teacup and responded calmly.
All the family members turned their attention to Zion.
Fried, curious but slowly nodding, said, “I can’t grant everything.”
“I won’t make excessive demands. I’m sure Duke Adelaira will agree.”
“… Go on.”
“I’d like to wait a year after the engagement before the wedding.”
Zion knew he wouldn’t end up marrying the unruly lady. But with his involvement, unpredictable variables could arise. Therefore, he wanted to extend the period to observe the protagonist and the unruly lady.
“No. The wedding must take place within three months of the engagement.”
“Lord, my partner is a bit special. Wouldn’t it be better to delay the timing a bit?”
“I understand your point, but a year is too long.”
“How about nine months?”
“I can extend it to four months.”
“I can reduce it to eight months.”
“Five months.”
“Let’s settle on seven months.”
The family stayed silent, listening to their conversation.
It was rare to see Fried compromise or Zion take a bold stance.
“You want six months?”
“I’ve already halved my request.”
“And I’ve doubled it.”
“Isn’t that a fair compromise?”
“…”
Fried was already considering extending the engagement period. He just wanted to discuss it with his family before negotiating with Duke Adelaira.
“Anything else?”
“After the engagement, I will be staying at Duke Adelaira’s residence, correct?”
“Yes.”
“With respect, I’d like to spend that time freely. I don’t mean to act rudely. I just want to clear my mind before the wedding.”
Since arriving in this world, Zion had rarely left the mansion. He needed time to adapt to life within its walls and felt the scrutiny of many eyes.
To accumulate wealth and grow stronger, he needed the freedom to move independently.
“You don’t want to be interfered with?”
“It’s similar but a bit different. I mustn’t bring shame to the family.”
“That shouldn’t be difficult. I’ll discuss it with them.”
“Ah, one more thing. I’ll need some funds to live freely. Could you provide a generous amount?”
“… Fine.”
Fried hesitated but reluctantly agreed. He was sending Zion to the Adelaira Duke’s family for the family’s benefit. It was a significant sacrifice, so he couldn’t deny this request.
“If I’m treated unfairly as an engaged partner, I want the right to break off the engagement.”
“That’s already been agreed upon.”
“And lastly, if this engagement is broken off, I want to choose my partner myself.”
“…”
Fried looked slightly stunned. He had already promised Rien regarding this matter. Agreeing to Zion’s request would mean breaking that promise.
“Do you have someone in mind?”
Rien immediately joined the conversation. Zion wouldn’t make such a request unless he had someone in mind.
“Not yet.”
“Then why make such a request?”
“I want to be happy, even if it’s not perfect. And no, I won’t marry a commoner. That’s not going to happen.”
Zion was preparing for various scenarios. Whether the engagement was broken off or not, he would need the family’s support. He aimed to reach an agreement within reasonable limits, not severing ties with the family completely.
“If that’s truly your wish, then so be it.”
Rien conveyed her stance to Fried with this response. She didn’t intend to abandon the promise but recognized the need to step back at this moment. Insisting could complicate matters.
“Very well. I will grant all your requests. Is that satisfactory?”
“Yes, I will proceed with the engagement as you’ve decided.”
Zion finished his tea, pleased with the negotiation’s outcome. He had intentionally started with a year to settle on six months. Negotiation usually involved aiming high and gradually lowering the demand.
He hadn’t expected to be allowed to choose his partner if the engagement was broken off.
“If the engagement is broken, does that mean I could stay single forever?”
Of course, things might not go as planned. There was no guarantee that promises made now would be kept later. This was merely a defensive measure and a means to negotiate further in the future.
“Now I have to meet the unruly lady…”
Zion didn’t particularly dislike the unruly lady. She was hiding her true self by indulging in alcohol and gambling, pretending to be unruly.
“She’s actually quite nice. That’s why she doesn’t harm others.”
The unruly lady never mistreated Zion Laird after the engagement. She just kept her distance and made snide remarks, trying to provoke him.
“I should escape before the wedding.”
The unruly lady had saved money and practiced magic diligently. Faced with the threat of engagement and marriage, she had no choice but to flee from the Adelaira Duke’s residence.
“Even after that, the engagement wasn’t broken off.”
There must have been negotiations between Fried and Duke Adelaira. It was a matter of both families’ honor, pride, and interests.
But Zion Laird wouldn’t just watch the situation passively.
“Is there a reason? Some circumstances? Or did he really like the unruly lady…”
Zion chuckled and shook his head. Zion Laird couldn’t have loved the unruly lady. He was always ignored and never had a warm conversation with her.
“I’ll need to prepare a lot. Living life easily isn’t simple.”
* * *
The mansion of Duke Adelaira, in the reception room.
The Marquis of Laird, his wife, and their youngest son visited Duke Adelaira.
The engagement ceremony was intended to be simple, followed by a meal to foster friendship.
The Duke’s title was higher than the Marquis’s, with more wealth and fame, making it an appropriate place for the engagement ceremony.
“Shall we let the two meet and have a private conversation?”
“… Ah, yes. I should have realized that earlier.”
Hearing Fried’s suggestion, Robernz turned to the two young people.
This was their first meeting, and the engagement ceremony must have felt strange to them. They needed a chance to talk and get to know each other.
“It seems I lack the subtlety of the Marquis.”
“You must have a lot on your mind. They will understand.”
“Thank you for your consideration. How about you two find a private place to talk?”
At Robernz’s suggestion, the two stood up and bowed lightly to their families before leaving the reception room.
“This is more convenient, but they won’t have a pleasant conversation.”
Zion, guided by a maid, glanced carefully. The eldest daughter of Duke Adelaira walked beside him. She appeared quite elegant and graceful, but internally she probably found Zion’s presence bothersome.
“I’ll probably just get provoked and mocked.”
Zion and the lady entered another reception room. After they sat down, the maid served them tea and left, leaving them alone.
“She’s pretty. Well, she is the heroine.”
Zion lifted his teacup and naturally glanced at her. Long, orange hair, dreamy hazel eyes, a cold yet noble impression. She might smile and be cheerful around the protagonist, but with him, she showed a sullen look.
“… You’re three years younger than me, right? Then I can speak informally.”
Hanette Adelaira, the eldest daughter of Duke Adelaira, spoke first. She was 22, while Zion was just 19. Typically, men were older in marriages, but this was an exception.
“Hmm… As a couple, shouldn’t we use formal language with each other?”
“Who said we’re a couple? We’re not married yet.”
“That’s why I’m also going to speak informally. I’ll call you ‘sister’ instead of ‘noona.’ It feels too distant.”
Zion smiled faintly and sipped his tea. Hanette pretended to be unruly, but she wasn’t malicious. She provoked him to keep their relationship distant.
“You’re quite cheeky.”
“When it comes to being cheeky, you’re the expert. No matter the age difference, informal speech isn’t appropriate.”
“Hah! So you want me to speak formally to a kid like you?”
“You’re only three years older. Isn’t that a bit much?”
“Three years is quite a gap, isn’t it?”
“That’s why I’m calling you ‘sister.’ If it really bothers you, I can use your name.”
“Good grief…”
Hanette squinted and chuckled. She expected a pampered youngest son of a Marquis, but he was surprisingly quick with his words. He was said to have a plain personality and appearance, but that seemed incorrect.
“You’re not happy about this marriage, are you? Neither am I. It’s an unwanted match.”
“You’re complaining? You should be grateful.”
“Grateful? I think I’m the one settling.”
“Ha! That’s funny. How are you settling?”
“It’s relative. I’m ordinary, but you’re the unruly one.”
Zion put down his teacup, provoking Hanette. If she picked a fight, they’d naturally end up arguing. The outcome would be the same regardless of who started.
“You’re engaged to an unruly lady, so now you’re the same. You’ll regret it more.”
“I won’t regret it. I have many options.”
“You think I have no other suitors? I’ve been avoiding guys like you.”
“And yet, you ended up with someone like me.”
“Just bad luck.”
“You’re saying what I was going to say.”
“Getting ahead of you makes it worthwhile.”
“Wow… that’s pretty petty.”
“Better than you.”
“Oh, is that so? My three-years-older sister.”
“Why didn’t you cry and beg to get out of this? Little boy three years younger than me.”
Hanette taunted, sipping her tea leisurely. No one had ever spoken back to her so boldly. As a Duke’s daughter, no one dared to be disrespectful. If she wasn’t engaged to him, could he even speak informally to her?
“Unfortunately, I’m an adult and don’t want to act like a child.”
“You seem like a child to me. Do you even know how to drink? Ever dated a girl? Doesn’t look like you could handle the night.”
“Interesting points. Should we test that today? Is that what you want?”