Chapter 85

In the customs of the Lordberg Kingdom, marriages among commoners are quite simple.

At most, they gather family and neighbors to prepare for a banquet. The devout may have a priest from the nearest Milion Holy Church perform a simple ceremony.

However, when it comes to marriages between nobles, the situation is different. The church conducts a formal marriage ceremony rather than a simplified one, and afterward, they hold a reception inviting relevant nobles.

The marriage between Noein and Clara is no exception. In the morning, together with relatives Arnold and Eleonore, they visited the church in Retvik, where a solemn ceremony was conducted. From noon onward, to celebrate their newly formed union, a festive gathering was arranged at the residence of Viscount Keinitz.

When a marriage involves the daughter of Viscount Keinitz, a prominent figure in the northwest, and Sir Earlkvist, a rising influential noble, the scale of the reception is considerable. Notable nobles from the northwest faction and lower-ranking nobles connected to the Keinitz household gathered, totaling several dozen attendees.

Since this marriage was decided in haste, there were some families whose heads could not attend. In such cases, their wives and children attended as representatives.

“Sir Earlkvist. And Lady Clara. I sincerely congratulate you on your marriage.”

“I am truly honored to receive your kind words, Your Excellency, Marquis Bechtelshaim.”

“We deeply appreciate your presence at our reception.”

As the reception began, the first event was the attendees greeting the day’s main characters. With dozens of guests offering their congratulations one after another, it became quite an exhausting marathon of greetings for the bride and groom, who had to express their thanks to each individual.

Since the congratulatory greetings are typically given in order of noble rank, the first to speak was Marquis Bechtelshaim, the highest-ranking noble present.

In response to the congratulatory words from the marquis, Noein maintained a calm expression, while Clara appeared somewhat nervous.

“I just heard from Sir Keinitz the other day that you two were engaged. To think you would marry within just a few months is quite surprising.”

“We understand that our sudden decision to marry may have inconvenienced your Excellency, and we apologize for that.”

“Not at all. The youthful energy to act upon one’s thoughts immediately is a privilege of youth. Moreover, it is a joy for the leader of the northwest faction to see a historic noble family and a promising young noble unite… I’m sure there are others who are regretting that they were outpaced by your marriage.”

Marquis Bechtelshaim chuckled teasingly.

Many lesser nobles likely wanted to marry their daughters to Noein in hopes of forming a connection with the Earlkvist family, seeking to enhance their own status in the northwest. For them, the sudden marriage of Noein and Clara must have come as a shock.

Arnold’s permission for their hasty marriage likely included a desire to establish the union before other nobles could meddle.

“Well, it’s a good thing that your relationship is strong enough to rush into marriage. While it is important to fulfill your duties as the heads of noble households, I hope you will also cultivate a harmonious relationship as a couple.”

Thinking it would not be wise for the first speaker to take too much time with greetings, Marquis Bechtelshaim said this and then left the scene.

Next to offer congratulations was a young man representing Count Marzel. He was the count’s eldest son, possessing sharp eyes reminiscent of a true warrior.

However, unlike the conservative Count Marzel, he did not show overt discomfort upon seeing Noein accompanied by Clara and Mathilda, and he delivered his words of congratulation smoothly before moving on.

According to him, Count Marzel sent his son as a representative due to being busy, but Noein couldn’t help but think it was simply because he didn’t want to meet him.

Following him was Count Schwaloft, who had territory at a key junction connecting the northwest and central regions of the kingdom.

“It has been since the year-end dinner party, Sir Earlkvist. And Lady Clara, I have seen you when you were still a child, and you have become very beautiful. I am delighted to hear of your marriage, as a fellow member of the northwest faction.”

The count wore a gentle smile and addressed Noein and Clara, who were of lower rank, with a polite tone.

“Thank you for your warm words. Though I am still inexperienced, I will strive to contribute to the development of this land as a member of the northwest faction.”

“I, too, am still inexperienced as a noble’s wife, but I will do my best to support my husband.”

“That is reassuring. If there is ever anything an old man like me can help with, please feel free to consult me at any time.”

The kind words from Count Schwaloft were comforting. However, he was a person who skillfully navigated dealings with nobles and merchants in the central region, thereby supporting the economy of the northwest, and his gaze held a quiet intensity that seemed to peer deeply into the souls of those he looked at.

While Noein felt reassured by the presence of a supportive ally from the same faction, he also sensed an underlying fearsome quality in the count’s gaze, which he met with a bit of nervousness but resolved determination.

・・・・・

After that, the greetings from the guests continued, and arriving around the middle of the sequence was a person Noein could genuinely call a close friend.

“Lord Earlkvist, and to your wife as well, congratulations on your marriage!”

“Baron Oggoren! It’s been a while, thank you for attending!”

“No, no, it’s only natural for a friend like you.”

Baron Oggoren, a plump man, shook his belly and displayed a friendly smile. Behind him stood his catgirl slave, Misha, whom he had also brought to the previous dinner party, and beside the baron was a plump middle-aged woman who matched him well.

“Lord Earlkvist, let me introduce you. This is my wife, Vanessa.”

“Nice to meet you, Lord Earlkvist. I’ve heard about you from my husband.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m grateful for your presence as a couple.”

At noble wedding receptions, it is customary for either the head of the family or their spouse, or one of their siblings or heirs, to attend without it being considered impolite.

For a couple to attend Noein’s wedding, having only met once, would indeed be a strong testament of friendship.

“Since returning from the dinner party, my husband has mentioned you many times. I wanted to see what kind of person you are, so I decided to join him.”

As Lady Oggoren spoke and laughed, the baron, standing next to her, appeared to have a very good relationship with his wife, despite having his beloved slave, Misha, with him.

Upon closer inspection, Baron Oggoren wore two identical wedding rings on the ring finger of his left hand. Meanwhile, the lady and Misha each wore one ring.

As Noein’s gaze shifted to their fingers, Baron Oggoren similarly looked at Noein, Clara, and Mathilda’s fingers.

“Hmm, it seems Lord Earlkvist also expressed love for both his wife and slave in a similar way to mine.”

“Is that the case for you, Baron Oggoren?”

“Ah, it’s been over ten years now… Misha, whom I brought with me before I came of age, and Vanessa, whom I met after. I gave each of them the same ring to vow my love equally.”

“I see…”

Noein nodded deeply in empathy as Baron Oggoren reminisced about the past.

It seemed that the way a man who loves his beastman slave while also taking a wife as a noble expresses his love was similar, despite the different times and places.

“Even now, Vanessa, Misha, and I live harmoniously together. Right, both of you?”

“Yes, to me, Misha is like a sister, and she is also my companion in supporting my husband.”

“Thanks to my husband and wife, I feel like the happiest slave in the world,” Misha replied with a beaming smile to the baron’s question.

Upon hearing Misha’s words about being “the happiest slave in the world,” Mathilda perked up her ears in reaction, a sign to Noein that she had some rivalry within her.

“No, Clara and Mathilda and I will also strive to cultivate a happy relationship like yours.”

“Ah, I wish for that to happen for you all. Although there are some conflicts and such causing a bit of chaos now, please do come to the Earlkvist territory when things settle down.”

“Of course, my lord. We await you with all our hearts.”

Despite their conversation lengthening as they found common ground, Noein concluded his greetings with Baron Oggoren.

…

“Lord Earlkvist, Clara. You must be tired,”

Just as the greeting battle came to an end, Arnold and Eleonore, the bride’s parents, arrived, also busy with greetings from other nobles.

“Yes, indeed…”

“I’ve never had to repeat my words of gratitude this many times in my life…”

As they greeted cheerfully as the main characters, they couldn’t help but feel mentally drained. Even Noein showed signs of fatigue on his face, and Clara next to him was experiencing a gestalt collapse of “thank you” in her mind.

Seeing the tired expressions of the young couple, the veteran noble couple shared a wry smile.

“It’s common to see the bride and groom get tired from greetings at noble receptions.”

“Now that the greetings are over, shall Clara go chat with the ladies?”

“D-Do we still have to talk? Mother?”

“Don’t worry, I’ll be right beside you. Just hold your wine and smile… Lord Earlkvist, may I borrow Clara for a bit?”

“…I’ll see you later, Clara.”

“Understood. I’ll see you later.”

As Clara was pulled away by Eleonore, Noein took a sip from his cup and let out a breath.

“…Clara seems to enjoy being with you.”

Arnold muttered quietly.

“Yes, thanks to you, I think she has begun to open her heart to me.”

“Given that she was born a noblewoman, it was unavoidable for her marriage to involve political considerations… but I’m glad it seems to be leading to her happiness.”

Clara, adorned in a bright white dress, conversed surrounded by ladies. Arnold gazed at her with a hint of sadness before he straightened his expression and faced Noein.

“Lord Earlkvist… no, Noein. I ask you again. Please make Clara happy.”

“…Leave it to me, Lord Arnold. I promise to protect and make Clara happy.”

…

The day after the reception, Noein and Clara set off to the Earlkvist territory. From this day on, Clara would leave her familiar home and live not as the daughter of Baron Keinitz, but as the lady of the Earlkvist family.

Riding in the Earlkvist family’s private carriage, they traveled for half a day without incident.

Upon arriving in the capital of the territory, Noeina, in the afternoon, almost all the available subjects gathered by the roadside to welcome their lord’s wife.

Farmers, artisans, merchants. Commoners, slaves. Men, women, and children. Everyone bowed their heads as they passed, and the carriage finally reached the Earlkvist residence.

There, all the retainers lined up to welcome the wife of their lord.

“We, all the retainers, sincerely congratulate you, Lady Clara, on your entry into the Earlkvist family. We will continue to serve the Earlkvist family with loyalty and dedicate our lives to it.”

Yuri, the head retainer, spoke on behalf of everyone present.

“Thank you very much. As a member of the Earlkvist family, I will do my utmost to respond to everyone’s loyalty. Thank you all, and I look forward to your support from now on.”

Clara’s expression as she returned those words was completely different from when she had visited the Earlkvist territory before; it was filled with confidence and happiness.