Chapter 155
Chapter 155. Another Bond of Fate
After taking care of various minor matters and returning to the mansion, the sun was already setting.
I stopped for a moment and looked at the sunset glow spread across the far side of the sky.
The way the days grew longer in summer was the same as the place where I had lived, but the scenery was far better. One might say I had come to understand anew the preciousness of protecting nature.
After passing through the mansion’s front gate and crossing the garden on my way to the mansion, I met a familiar butler. He was in the middle of inspecting the garden.
“Ah, you have returned, Assigned Butler.”
Regular Butlers and Butler Apprentices often called me ‘Assigned Butler.’ It seemed they prioritized rank.
“Did anything happen while I was away?”
“No. Nothing in particular.”
“And the preparations for the gift to be sent to Princess Ophelia?”
“Thanks to Senior Brituang’s help, we finished it quickly. It came out to two carriage-loads.”
“Two carriage-loads. That is impressive.”
At that point, was it not a tribute rather than a gift?
There was also the prestige of a Marquis House, but there had to be dozens of noble houses in the Royal Capital, so baggage carriages would probably line up. Celebrating a birthday did not seem easy either.
However, I knew why the gift was not simple and had to be transported by baggage carriage.
It was probably because Princess Ophelia’s influence in high society was that great. That was also why Young Master Hamel had approached her.
It would not be strange if she converted the influence she held over high society to political purposes at any time. After all, she was interested in supreme authority.
“Then keep up the good work.”
“Yes, Assigned Butler. Please rest.”
After parting from him, I went straight into the mansion. I returned to my room, shook off the dust, straightened my clothes neatly, and then headed to Young Lady Sapiela’s room.
Eluna was in the Young Lady’s room again today. Arwen, of course, was there as well.
These days, it seemed the three women found it quite enjoyable to gather and chat. Even though I interrupted them, the atmosphere did not look particularly bad. The Young Lady’s expression was no different from usual.
“I apologize for being late, my lady. Did anything happen while I was away?”
“Nothing happened. I was just resting.”
“How is your body?”
The Young Lady shook her head.
Recently, the heat had grown worse, and the Young Lady’s condition had become somewhat poor. It was not that there was a particular problem, but she was weak to both heat and cold, so her appetite had fallen, and her strength had weakened.
I should prepare a special meal for the Young Lady soon.
One bowl of shaved ice would solve everything, but obtaining ice here was extremely difficult. I needed to learn ice-type Magic soon.
“I will prepare a special meal tomorrow.”
“A special meal…….”
“I will cook it personally and serve it after a long while. Would that be all right?”
The Young Lady nodded with a pleased expression. Sure enough, Eluna, who was beside her, stepped forward.
“May I taste that special meal as well?”
Hey, I told you not to do that!
It was a pity that I could not show it on my face.
“Of course. Food tastes better when made in large quantities. Everyone should eat together. Young Master Hamel has come as well, after all. What do you think, my lady?”
“Let us do that.”
Her expression was extremely displeased, but there was nothing she could do. Eluna was also here as an honored guest, so she could not be treated carelessly. In any case, she was someone Young Master Hamel had brought.
“I have confirmed that there is no schedule today. They say all preparations for the gifts to be sent to Princess Ophelia are complete. I hope you will rest comfortably.”
“You should return and rest as well, Sir Dilen.”
“Yes. Then.”
After bowing, I gave Eluna a look. It was a signal telling her to follow me. She set down her teacup and rose.
“I will excuse myself as well. Please rest comfortably, my lady.”
The Young Lady merely nodded, and the two of us left the room side by side.
The place we headed to immediately was my room. After all, we could not speak about the contract just anywhere. The two of us sat comfortably with the table between us.
“The contract was handled well. A few additional terms were attached, but they are not disadvantageous to our side.”
“I am sure you handled it well on your own, Master.”
“You are the Chief Secretary, so you should pay some attention as well, no?”
Eluna smiled and lowered her head slightly. I conveyed the contract conditions and the matter of establishing the factory to her in a clear and organized manner. Eluna understood well.
“Congratulations. Everyone must covet a Barony from the Bahamut House. It means becoming their retainer.”
“Even so, it cannot compare to a Barony granted by the royal family.”
“It may be even better instead.”
In the Alphrost Kingdom, there were titles the King bestowed upon his subjects, and there were also titles a subject bestowed upon his own retainers. I belonged to the latter case.
In other words, compared to a Baron appointed by the King, I, a Baron appointed by Duke Mydas, might be slightly pushed back in terms of influence.
Of course, that was only on paper. If it was Duke Mydas, who had effectively seized control of the Kingdom’s internal affairs, the effect would be excellent.
“Is it not about time you took a wife? One when you are Sir Dilen, and one when you are Sir Suhyeon. If you add concubines on top of that…… Oh my, how nice for you.”
“Were you always this kind of character?”
“A position changes a person.”
Seeing Eluna laugh confidently made my head ache. However, her words were also correct. Since I had two identities, there would be no major problem even if I had two wives.
This was not the time to be thinking about such things.
“By the way, how are the preparations for the Mercenary Corps?”
“The internal preparations are complete. Their training is going well too, and what they lack is real combat experience. We only need to establish a Branch Office in the Ture Region and begin receiving work.”
“This is why one should hire people with experience.”
“Sir Kalmond certainly handled it well.”
It felt as though I could immediately shout Avengers Assemble. If so, I had to send a Messenger Pigeon at once.
“However, to officially register the Mercenary Corps, we need permission from House Adeline.”
“I will handle that myself. If I go through Young Master Hamel, it should be approved immediately.”
“Then I will understand it that way and send a Messenger Pigeon right away.”
“Good.”
Then something suddenly came to mind, so I gave an additional order.
“Since I have received a Barony this time, I need to move properly according to the identities of Dilen and Suhyeon. The distinction between the two sides must be made clear, and the work attached to each must also be handled clearly. You are involved with me in both identities, so you must be careful. I am sure you will handle it well.”
“You are not saying this because you are worried I might handle it too well, are you?”
“How mischievous. If you understand, go send the Messenger Pigeon. Ah, wait.”
There was something I had wanted to do for her for a while, and it came to mind just then. I rose from my seat. Eluna also rose after me.
“Are you perhaps going to go in my place? I am fine, though.”
“……That is not it. Princess Ophelia’s birthday party will be held soon, will it not? You will also have to attend, but it seems you did not bring clothes, so I thought I would choose one for you.”
“Ah.”
Eluna let out a small sound of admiration, as though she had not thought of it at all. I wore my treasured sword and tilted my head.
“What are you doing? Follow me.”
Eluna hurriedly moved. Since we could not walk in an undignified manner, we mobilized a small carriage. We headed to a large dress shop located in the Royal Capital’s commercial district.
***
“You are truly beautiful! Noblewomen often visit us, but it has been a long time since I have seen someone wear a dress as well as you, my lady! No, this is the first time!”
The dress shop owner clapped and rejoiced. Judging by her expression and reaction, it did not seem to be lip service.
Eluna, wearing a slim black dress, was so beautiful that one could call her a goddess descended into the mortal world. Even I was momentarily captivated by that beauty and lost my senses, so if she went out like this, swarms of flies would gather.
Eluna stood before the mirror and tried standing this way and that, but she wore an uncertain expression.
“Um…… how do I look?”
In the end, she turned around and asked me.
She had tried on several outfits until now, but the dress she was currently wearing suited her best. She possessed an intellectual beauty. In that case, black suited her well.
It could give a smart and slightly strong impression.
I nodded.
“It is the prettiest thing you have worn so far.”
“Ah, thank you.”
Perhaps embarrassed, Eluna lowered her head slightly. I chuckled. Her usual image as a strict and intellectual Secretary was nowhere to be seen.
At that moment, the dress shop owner stepped forward.
“That is a wise choice! You must wear at least this much for the title of a Baronet’s wife to suit you.”
“We are not in that kind of relationship.”
“Oh my! I am sorry. You looked so good together that I unconsciously…….”
This kind of misunderstanding was understandable. I chuckled, took out gold coins from my breast, and paid the price of the clothes. Then I waited until Eluna changed back into her casual clothes, and we left the shop.
“Were you not offended?”
“By what?”
“When she mistook me for a Baronet’s wife earlier.”
“What is there to be offended by? If anything, it is an honor. To be able to become the husband of someone this beautiful.”
Eluna did not speak. She seemed lost in thought.
But at that moment, something unexpected unfolded.
====
The other party’s Favorability has reached the maximum value, creating a Bond of Fate. Even if Favorability decreases, once a Bond of Fate has been created, it will never be severed.
====
Her Favorability had finally filled completely.
I did not pay it much mind and climbed into the carriage first. Eluna climbed in after me, and I instructed the coachman to depart.
“Eluna. Let me read your palm again after so long.”
Eluna extended her left hand. I held her wrist and stared down at her palm. To be precise, I read the blue letters spread over her palm.
====
○ Eluna
Rank: ★★★★★
Level: 27 (+4)
Trait: Archery S, Instrument Performance A, Agility A, Wisdom A, Affinity with Nature A, Bow Mastery A, Administration A, Document Writing A, Personnel Management A, Magical Power B, Blessing of the World Tree C, Magic Resistance C, Healing C, ???
Status: Spring Breeze’s Blessing
Areas of Interest: the expansion and stabilization of the Metis Trading Company, expressing loyalty to Master. Becoming a Baronet’s wife.
Favorability: 100
Alignment: Very Good
[Not unlocked]
……
====
There were many things to say.
First, her Level had steadily risen. The next time I checked, it seemed she would break past 30. Considering her age, this could be called extremely rapid growth. At this pace, she would easily pass 50 once she was past middle age. In other words, she would surpass Head Butler Yanrof at the Main House.
On top of that, I could see several Traits that had not been there before. They were Administration, Document Writing, and Personnel Management, and they seemed to have become visible because the Bond of Fate had activated. There were still many hidden Traits.
Her Status Message was quite something. I had thought Spring Breeze’s Flutter was the end of it, but now it was a blessing. It meant her heart had completely leaned toward me.
That certainty could be confirmed in her Areas of Interest. If becoming a Baronet’s wife was one of her Areas of Interest, it was possible to interpret that the answer I had given earlier had greatly moved her heart.
The saying that a single word could repay a debt of a thousand nyang was not empty after all.
In any case, with this, Eluna became the second owner of a Bond of Fate after Sapiela. Setting aside emotional matters, it meant the possibility of her leaving Metis had become almost zero.
“Why are you smiling?”
“No, your palm lines are good. You have the look of someone who will become rich.”
“You always say the same thing.”
Since I gave an obvious answer to an obvious question, Eluna ended up laughing. Enjoying that slightly excited feeling, we returned to the mansion.