Chapter 105

While enjoying some tender moments with Leila, a knock echoes at the door.

A voice comes from the other side.

“Your Grace, it’s Erich.”

I quickly adjust my slightly disheveled clothes and head toward the door. Upon opening it, Erich stands there, composed as always.

“It’s time for your afternoon administrative duties.”

Ah… it’s already that time, is it? Though reluctant to part, I have no choice but to go.

“Alright, Leila, I’m heading out,” I say, turning back to bid farewell to Leila, who remains in the room.

“Yes, take care, Lord Ein,” she replies with a warm smile, showing no intent to stop me.

But as if suddenly remembering something, Leila stands up and walks toward me. Curious about her actions, I watch as she approaches and softly presses a kiss to my cheek.

“…Good luck,” she says gently.

That alone is enough to motivate me.

As I leave my private chambers, I walk down the corridor alongside Erich.

“Don’t you think marriage is a wonderful thing?” I ask.

Erich’s expression twists slightly, as if he had just bitten into something unpleasant.

“Is that so?” he replies, neither denying nor showing interest. Considering his age, it’s about time he thought about marriage, though.

Wait… come to think of it, isn’t it my responsibility as the head of the house to find matches for the knights under me? While Werner already has a lover, I still need to arrange matches for Erich, Kurt, and a few other knights.

“Sorry, I’ll look into it soon,” I tell him.

“No, really, there’s no need to trouble yourself,” he responds flatly.

But honestly, with Erich’s noble demeanor and cool, handsome looks, I doubt he’d have any trouble. I’ve even heard that maids and townsfolk occasionally approach him.

If anything, it might be better to find a match among the nobility. Perhaps even among the aristocrats opposing us—defeat them, marry Erich off, and grant him a title. It’d be the same as my own circumstances, really.

“Leave it to me,” I say confidently.

“Truly, there’s no need for that… Shall we discuss administrative matters instead?” Erich replies, clearly wanting to steer the conversation elsewhere.

Fair enough. It’d be tactless to push further.

“What’s on the agenda for this afternoon?” I ask.

As we walk, Erich starts explaining smoothly, his words flowing effortlessly despite not carrying a notepad.

“There are several items, including a petition for a new village bakery oven and a water rights dispute trial. After those, there will be a military training exercise in the form of a mock battle.”

Ah, the oven petition and the villagers’ dispute—plenty to do. But more importantly…

“Who’s commanding the exercise?” I inquire.

“Sir Kurt and I will be leading,” he replies.

I see. Both are skilled commanders, so it should be an interesting spectacle.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

“…I’ll do my utmost to meet your expectations,” Erich replies with a calm nod.

Whether Erich wins or Kurt does, the experience they gain is all that matters. Herbert is getting on in years, and I can’t keep leaving everything to him.

Lost in these thoughts, we arrive at the office. I open the door, settle into my usual seat, and get ready to work.

“These are the documents for your review,” Erich says, placing a mountain of paperwork in front of me.

Seriously… I wish this job would end soon.