In a small tavern in the capital.
A man wearing a turban was drinking at the counter, during a time when there were few customers.
“…Hic.”
“Hey, Boss Canis, you okay? You haven’t been yourself lately, y’know.”
“Ah, well…you’re very observant, Butcho. It’s been awful, really…”
“What’s up? I’m all ears if you wanna talk about it.”
Canis tilted the wooden mug in his hand, pouring the alcohol down his throat.
“You see, I’ve been working really hard at something in secret for a long time…but then some incompetent guys took it away from me. And now, on top of that, they messed up badly, and it’s become unbelievably difficult…it was already insanely difficult to begin with, and now…ugh, those idiots!”
Apparently due to drinking too much, Canis’ speech was slurred, and the content of his rambling was incomprehensible.
But Butcho had been running this small tavern for many years. Dealing with customers like this was child’s play for him.
“That was a real disaster, huh. I understand your frustration, my friend.”
“You understand…? I’m…just a little tired, that’s all…”
“You humans can’t just keep pushing yourselves. Sometimes you need to stop and recharge your spirit, you know.”
“Uuu…Butcho…”
At that moment, the door creaked open.
“Hey, old man, still at it?”
“…Indeed.”
“Well, if it isn’t Zack! And Felis too! Come in, come in!”
From Butcho’s perspective, the arrival of these two was a godsend.
He inwardly let out a cry of joy.
“Huh, Felis…Already time to go…?”
“No, not that. I have something to discuss.”
“Oh? Do tell, do tell!”
“Gross. Annoying. Drunkard.”
“Th-That’s so harsh…!”
Zack and Felis then took seats at the counter.
“The usual ale for me! And what’ll you have, Felis?”
“Mead.”
“Got it!”
Butcho quickly served them their drinks.
Zack downed his drink heartily, while Felis took just a small sip.
“Ahh, that hits the spot!”
“…Delicious.”
“Whoa, you really surprised me, Felis suddenly coming to visit like this!”
“Huh? Felis…? Why?”
“I went to ask about Gilbardia. We should go there too.”
“…Hic. Huh?”
After gulping down his ale, Zack spoke to Butcho.
“The thing is, I’m leaving the capital tomorrow. Gonna head back to Gilbardia. …Since the academy’s in such a mess and all.”
“Whoa, that’s awfully sudden. I’ll miss you guys.”
“Yay, how exciting! I just started getting used to the capital, and now this! …But I guess Gilbardia is still my true home. I was planning to go back there someday. I owe the guildmaster there a lot.”
“I see, you’re a loyal one, ain’t ya! In that case, I can’t stop you!”
“Don’t worry, I’ll be back before you know it. Come by then, alright?”
“Yeah, you better show up again! In that case, I’ll hook you up big time today!”
“Awesome! My comrades will be coming later, so save some for them too!”
“Dahahahaha! You cheeky bastard! Fine, bring as many as you want! I’ll treat you all to the max!”
“Wooo! Thanks, Butcho, you’re the best!”
Amidst their idle chatter, Felis whispered to Canis.
“The academy is closed. I’m definitely going back to Gilbardia. This is actually an opportunity. We should go too.”
Felis’s expression was deadly serious. But–
“…Hic…Huh, what?”
“…………”
Canis had drunk too much to have a serious conversation.
“He’s always been weak with alcohol. A lightweight. A weakling.”
Soon after, Zack’s comrades joined them as well.
The boisterous laughter echoing from Butcho’s tavern that day never ceased until late into the night.
3
The familiar home.
As I lay on the bed in my room, burying my face in the pillow, I truly felt that there was no place in the world better than here.
Surprisingly, it’s only been a few months since I entered Aslan Magic Academy.
Yet so many things have happened, so many experiences I’ve had. Most of them were troublesome, annoying, and worrying issues. Why was that the case? I still don’t know the answer…
But there is one thing I’ve started to believe in a little. — This thing called [fate].
I chose the path of fighting against my destined defeat by the protagonist Abel, in order to claim my own happiness. The trigger was just that small, and fundamentally, not much has changed.
Yet, what happened? Troublesome issues kept arising due to my efforts.
Is that why? Returning home and lying on this bed, the first emotion I felt was–a strong desire to stay here forever.
Here, there is nothing to trouble me. Everything is complete, everything is fulfilled.
It’s a wonderful thing.
Despite the world outside being overflowing with problems, why must I leave this home? I could just stay here forever–
…As I realized I was having such thoughts of complete withdrawal, I suddenly thought:
This might be what they call fate.
Perhaps I am simply destined to be a shut-in, unable to leave this home.
[–The truth is, Luke. The Lennox family has proposed a marriage arrangement. Her name is Mia. She seems to attend the same academy as you, but do you know–Huh! That expression, could it be you don’t like it! You don’t want it, do you, Luke! Alright, I’ll immediately reject this arrangement–]
[Father, could I please have a little time to think?]
Such talk from my father is like adding insult to injury as I ponder my own fate.
It’s understandable that I would start to think that fate might truly exist.
My father, sensing that I am physically and mentally exhausted due to the Aslan attack incident, waited until I returned home to have this conversation. He’s really perceptive, unlike those careless and foolish guards in this country.
……………Ugh, my stomach hurts.
Why did this suddenly turn into talk of an arranged marriage with Mia? What on earth happened for it to come to this? I truly don’t understand. Why…why?
No matter how much I think about it, I can’t find the answer. However, Father said [you can decide for yourself]. In other words, I can refuse.
And apparently, the Lennox family is willing to accept Mia as a concubine.
……I don’t understand. In the first place, why would a powerful noble from the royalist faction propose a marriage alliance? And they’re even willing to compromise as a concubine.
Is it because Mia is the third daughter? Did the Lennox family want to switch sides to the nobles’ faction? But why?
There are too many inexplicable things happening. What on earth is going on?
I’ve considered every possibility, but……the information is severely lacking.
However, I do understand that the root cause is that I tried to use Mia as a [pawn].
That’s absolutely where it all started, and everything went downhill from there.
My knowledge of the original work is vague, but I have a feeling that Mia was a character on Abel’s side, not Luke’s.
Ah…that time. When Mia experienced her first defeat and was weaker than ever before. Normally, it should have been Abel comforting her……isn’t that right?
Indeed, Abel and Lily did visit Mia’s room. I see, that was supposed to be the starting point for deepening their friendship. But I took that away.
……Damn it, this is what they call retribution.
I exploited Mia’s vulnerable heart and became her false savior, all to make her a loyal pawn.
And the result is this. Circling back, the talk is now of Mia becoming my concubine.
……There, this is what fate is.
All the events are converging towards the originally intended outcome of [Luke] shutting himself in his family estate.
It might be a far-fetched idea. But in this fantasy world, it’s quite plausible……I’m so fed up that I’m even entertaining such thoughts.
One trouble after another keeps coming.
However, I can’t keep postponing the problem any longer.
The first thing I need to consider is this marriage proposal.
Refusing is simple. I just need to tell Father that I don’t want it.
──But is refusing the best course of action?
I’m conflicted. After all, for nobles, marriage is not just a matter of emotions. Deep connections are what make power sturdy and allow it to grow further. This proposal from such a powerful noble family makes it even more so.
Additionally, for reasons unknown, the other side seems to be making significant concessions. If I were to refuse in that case, it would inevitably worsen the relationship between the two families.
And while Father said I can decide, I can’t bring myself to rely on anyone else after the attack incident. My pride won’t allow it, even if that someone is Father.
……No, the real reason I’m hesitating to make the decision to refuse isn’t that. ──Mia herself is the biggest problem.
It’s just……there’s an unsettling eeriness about Mia.
I can’t even begin to predict what kind of actions she might take if I refuse. Not even I can anticipate it.
If she was a clear enemy, it would be fine, I could deal with it somehow.
But with Mia, the situation is ambiguous. ──That’s why I’m struggling to make a judgment.
If I refuse, ……that woman, who is an indeterminate factor that could be either an enemy or an ally, will be constantly near me at least during my time at the academy.
──This is ridiculous. I don’t want that. The stress would be unbearable.
In the first place, I wonder how Mia feels about this marriage proposal.
And the issue with Alice and Lonsdales family and ………….sigh.
I still don’t understand. Why do I have to rack my brain over this?
I thought that if I just became stronger, I could grasp happiness. But it seems it’s not that simple.
The conclusion I reached after much deliberation was to ──talk to Mia directly and then decide. Passing the buck to my future self.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT gadgetizedpanda.net
§
“I knew you were a thieving cat, but I’m more astounded than angry now.”
“………… “
“Don’t misunderstand. I’m not angry about the marriage proposal itself. I understand Luke’s position. Being a concubine is not that unusual, and I’m not a woman of such small stature.”
“………… “
“What I’m angry about is that you’ve been secretly pushing this marriage proposal with Luke.”
“Now, now, calm down, Alice. You should also listen a bit to what Mia has to──”
“Brother, just shut up? You’re creepy, so don’t open your mouth.”
“H-How cruel, Alice……Haa haa.”
“………… “
Somehow or other, the Lonsdales and Lennox families had come to our house.
Naturally, it was to discuss the current marriage proposal.
Only the four of us were present – myself, Alice, Yorand, and Mia. The others were being attended to by my father.
Once again, he had listened to my selfishness and arranged this meeting between the parties involved.
“I’m sorry… I didn’t know. I didn’t realize things had progressed this far…”
Mia’s voice was as delicate as a breeze.
I see, so neither of us is particularly enthusiastic about this.
In that case, let’s get this over with quickly. Let’s just pretend this marriage proposal never happened.
“I see. If you’re also unenthused, then this proposal can–“
“That’s not it!”
An impassioned voice.
In stark contrast to before, Mia’s eyes now held a strong resolve. The moment I saw that, I was struck by an unpleasant foreboding.
“The truth is… I really do like Luke.”
There it is, my foreboding was right on the mark.
Alice observed the situation with icy detachment, while Yorand inexplicably wore a creepy smile as he silently watched.
“Let me tell you one thing,”
I said with a sigh.
“The feelings you have for me are false emotions that I made you feel in order to use you as a pawn. In other words, it’s all an illusion. Even that time I comforted you–“
“–I know,”
Mia interrupted me.
“I know all of that. …Maybe it was fake at first. But now it’s real.”
“…………”
I felt no guilt whatsoever.
I would compromise nothing to grasp my own happiness. Even if that meant trampling on the happiness of others.
I had no regrets about manipulating and exploiting Mia’s heart.
“I do not love you. Even so, do you still wish to marry me?”
I stated it clearly and without deceit. But–
“…Yeah. Even so, I want to be by Luke’s side. I want to be useful… But someday, I’ll try to make you fall for me.”
“…………”
Mia’s emotions exceeded my expectations. …Her love is heavy. Too heavy.
What is this? How can she harbor such deep feelings?
It’s true I preyed upon her vulnerable heart, but…no, this is closer to dependence than love.
“I’m fine being second best… Hehe.”
“…………”
–A chill ran down my spine.
The moment I saw Mia’s ecstatic expression, an unpleasant sensation swept through me.
At the same time, I became convinced that my choice was the right one.
///
///
It was because I had a vision of my supposedly invincible self collapsing in the night, stabbed in the side.
…Even so, I will never regret my choice.
“…Alright. I’ll accept this marriage proposal. Agreed, Alice?”
“There’s no way I’d object to what Luke has decided. But let me make one thing clear – I’ll be on top, and you’ll be beneath me. Do you understand, Mia?”
“I understand. I’m sorry I couldn’t speak properly…”
“Congratulations, Luke!”
“…………”
I’m so tired…so very tired.
“By the way, Mia, how are you doing in the bedroom? Can you satisfy Luke?”
“Huh, the bedroom…?”
“You don’t know? The one thing people do at night, of course – sex–“
“–Enough, shut up.”
I slapped Alice’s head before she could say anything outrageous.
Exasperated by this woman whose breathing had somehow become labored, I thought,
–Damn you, fate.
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