Since he had already stated that he would consider the engagement positively, it would be strange to refuse a face-to-face meeting with his potential fiancée.
So, following the flow of the conversation, Noein ended up meeting Arnold’s youngest daughter.
Arnold left the room briefly and returned soon after, accompanied by two women.
“Lord Aarkvist, I believe you’ve met my wife, Eleonore, before.”
“Yes. I extend my warmest wishes for continued good health to Lady Eleonore.”
“It’s been a while, Viscount Aarkvist. I trust you’ve been well.”
First, Noein exchanged greetings with Arnold’s wife, Viscountess Eleonore Keinitz. Although she must be over forty, she possessed a beauty that would not seem out of place for someone ten years younger.
They had first met two years ago when Noein had visited the Keinitz family to introduce himself. Since then, his interactions had primarily been with Arnold for business matters, so it had been a long time since they last spoke.
“And this is our fourth daughter, Clara,” Arnold introduced.
The young woman standing beside Arnold was slightly taller than Noein but still had a certain innocent air about her.
Her calm and gentle demeanor matched her father’s words; she was indeed a beautiful woman. However, her expression appeared somewhat anxious and uncertain. One could say she had a modest, demure air about her, but it also seemed to stem from a lack of confidence.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Clara. I am Noein Aarkvist, granted territory west of Viscount Keinitz’s lands by His Majesty. I am truly delighted to meet you today.”
“…Pleased to meet you. I am Clara Keinitz. I have often heard of Lord Aarkvist’s accomplishments from my father, Arnold. It is an honor to make your acquaintance.”
As Clara exchanged these formalities, her gaze moved from Noein to Mathilda standing behind him, and her expression darkened slightly. Though she maintained a polite smile, she did not seem genuinely happy.
It was clear to anyone what Clara thought upon seeing Noein and Mathilda together. Internally, Noein cursed Arnold for not having reassured her. Nonetheless, he smiled and faced Clara.
“Oh my, could it be that Clara is feeling nervous? She must be shy, seeing Lord Aarkvist’s handsome demeanor,” Lady Eleonore interjected, perhaps sensing the heavy atmosphere.
“Oh, I’m but a young and inexperienced head of a noble family, lacking in presence. I may have disappointed Lady Clara.”
With Lady Eleonore’s intervention and Noein playing along, the atmosphere finally eased a bit.
…
The tea gathering with Clara, accompanied by the Keinitz couple, concluded without much excitement.
It had merely been a planned meet-and-greet between Noein and Clara, not intended as a lively event, so the subdued atmosphere wasn’t a problem.
However, it became readily apparent during that short time together that Clara was not particularly pleased about an engagement with Noein, who already had Mathilda as a lover.
Feeling a bit down about the future, Noein promised to meet with Clara again soon and then left the Keinitz family’s mansion.
“Thank you for waiting, Henrik. Sorry for taking longer than expected.”
“No worries at all, my lord. Nobles surely have much to discuss. No need to apologize.”
As Noein approached the Aarkvist family’s carriage, where the young coachman Henrik was waiting, he greeted him.
Earlier this spring, Noein had hired Henrik, who was one of the recent settlers in Aarkvist territory. As the second son of a self-reliant farmer, he was skilled in handling horses and was now in charge of caring for Noein’s horses and serving as a coachman.
“Thank you. Since there’s nothing else to do in Retvik today, please head straight back to the capital, Noena.”
“Understood, my lord.”
Noein, accompanied by Mathilda, entered the carriage, finally able to relax.
“Hah… That Clara girl was rather obviously not enthusiastic about this engagement.”
“Indeed. Lady Clara seemed to have her mind on me… I didn’t sense any hostility, though.”
“That’s right. She… It’s not that she dislikes me or Mathilda, but rather, she seems to have resigned herself to her situation, where she’s being forced into this engagement. It feels like she’s accepted, in a negative sense, the reality of dedicating herself to a political marriage.”
Clara didn’t appear to harbor any particular disgust toward Mathilda simply because she was a beastman slave.
This meant that if Noein and Mathilda could establish an appropriate distance with Clara, it would be entirely possible for them to get along without harboring any hatred and live amicably together in the future.
That said, her pervasive air of negativity made dealing with her somewhat disheartening. Finding a way to bond with her, to bring a bit of brightness to her demeanor, would be a challenge going forward.
“…Still, suddenly springing my engagement on you like this, I’m sorry for putting you through that, Mathilda.”
“There is no need for you to apologize, Lord Noein. I have long understood that a matter like this would eventually come to you.”
Seeing Mathilda’s gentle smile as she tried to reassure him, Noein’s guilt only grew.
As a noble lord, Noein must marry someone of his station and produce an heir. It was his duty to ensure the security of his domain and the happiness of his people.
Mathilda, as a beastman, was socially viewed with deep prejudice, and due to their differences, she couldn’t bear Noein’s children. Thus, she could not be a public partner for fulfilling this duty.
Even so, it was undoubtedly hard for Mathilda, who had been Noein’s cherished companion for so many years, to hear about him taking a wife.
“If only I hadn’t had this title forced on me by my wretched father…”
“Please don’t speak that way. You’ve saved and brought happiness to many people as lord, Lord Noein. And simply being by your side is more than enough for me.”
“I’m sorry. I’ll keep working to hear you say that always, Mathilda.”
No matter how comforting Mathilda’s words were, Noein’s face remained dark.
It was then that Mathilda realized something. The reason Noein was so troubled by the engagement was because he feared marriage, or rather, the changes it might bring.
He was afraid that, if Clara became his wife and stood at his side, it might alter his relationship with Mathilda.
He worried that, eventually, Mathilda’s heart might drift away, and she might remain by his side purely out of a sense of obligation as a slave.
That was why he’d said, “I’ll keep working to hear you say that always”—with such a vulnerable look.
“…Then, Lord Noein, if I may, could I share a humble request with you?”
“A request… Yes, please, tell me.”
Mathilda moved from in front of Noein to his side, pressing her body against his.
“Even after you take Lady Clara as your wife, please keep me by your side as your special slave. I want you to promise to accept me as a one-of-a-kind presence who devotes both body and soul entirely to you. I wish for a place that is different from anyone else’s, one that will never change, where I am yours alone. If I can have that, I will be able to love you forever, Lord Noein.”
What Noein wanted right now was a promise, a condition: that “If I do this, Mathilda will love me forever.”
He wasn’t seeking an unconditional love that would be given no matter what he did. Rather, he needed the security that if he upheld this promise, he would be loved in return.
No matter what happened, Mathilda’s devotion to Noein would never waver. Logically, Noein knew this as well. But right now, he simply wanted to hold on to some tangible assurance of Mathilda’s love.
That was why Mathilda offered her condition. If that would ease Noein’s heart, she would give it, even if it was unnecessary.
“…Understood. Mathilda, you’re neither wife, subordinate, nor subject—you’re a special, irreplaceable presence to me. That will never change. I will love you forever. So, please stay by my side, and keep loving me… please.”
“Of course, Lord Noein. This is a vow just for the two of us, one that will never change, no matter what.”
Mathilda whispered, holding Noein tightly as he clung to her with a look of deep insecurity.
