WSNTM 08

8. Marriage: Whether You Do It or Not

“Let me in, Nuna.”

N… Nuna?

“…Nuna?”

“I’m younger than you, after all.”

That’s true, though.

“Anyway, since we’re going to get married, let’s speak casually.”

Riley gave an awkward smile at Givnen’s words.

“How can I speak casually to you, Gong? We’re not even close enough to be called older sister and younger sister.”

“If you think about it, we’re actually closer than that.”

“……”

“Since we spent the night together, technically speaking, it would be more like ‘honey, my dear’.”

What?

Riley froze at the unexpected remark. Could he possibly be referring to last night’s absurd incident?

“How long are you planning to just stand there?”

“P-Please… come in.”

He had told her to speak casually, but with such a stark difference in status, Riley couldn’t drop her formalities easily. She finally stepped aside politely to let him in.

“Are you planning to stay standing there the whole time?”

“…Why here?”

“Obviously, we have a lot to discuss.”

The atmosphere had shifted since earlier.

Was it because he treated her like an old friend, acting overly familiar, or was it because the single word “Nuna” made him aware that he was younger? Riley didn’t know.

Either way, he acted as if he owned the room. Caught off guard by the role reversal, Riley sat down opposite him.

He looked at her, pale and wide-eyed, and smiled.

“Looks like you’re surprised.”

“Wouldn’t anyone be if someone suddenly barged in and proposed?”

“True, I was surprised too.”

“What’s your angle, really?”

Givnen smirked and crossed his arms.

“What do you mean, ‘angle’? If a man and woman spend a night together, it’s only proper to take responsibility.”

“Honestly, that sounds unconvincing coming from someone whose gossip is always in the tabloids.”

“Seems like you know me well.”

“……I’ve heard plenty of rumors.”

Riley had often overheard the maids, Claire, and even her aunt talking about him.

Besides being a capable man who became the Tower Lord at a young age, he was notorious as a name that constantly appeared in gossip columns for his affairs with countless women.

It wasn’t surprising. A man famous just by name lived as though the world itself belonged to him.

Yet the reason marriage proposals kept arriving at the Lianster household was simple: he had qualities so attractive they outweighed all his scandals.

“So… what exactly is going on? Why are you doing this? Is the proposal serious?”

“Of course. Why would I not be serious?”

“I just can’t understand it. What do you possibly gain from marrying me?”

“Do you always have to look at it that way? I might have simply fallen for you at first sight and decided to marry.”

Riley, frustrated by his teasing, snapped.

“That’s ridiculous—even a passing dog wouldn’t believe that.”

“Where’s your sense of romance?”

“If you were truly romantic, you wouldn’t have barged in here with a proposal right away. And if you were the responsible type for a one-night encounter, you wouldn’t have gotten caught up in all those scandals.”

Her emotions got the better of her, and she spoke casually. She flinched after realizing what she’d said, but fortunately, Givnen didn’t mind—he had encouraged her to speak casually in the first place.

Muttering further, Riley decided to drop her formalities completely.

“Oh, saying it like that makes me feel like such trash.”

“Don’t twist it. I’m not saying it’s your fault. I just want a proper explanation of this absurd situation.”

Riley, feeling a little embarrassed at her bluntness, lowered her eyes and fiddled with her fingers. Givnen chuckled at her cautious behavior.

“Why are you looking so timid after saying everything you wanted?”

“……”

“No need to shrink back. I’m not here to hurt you. In a way, I’m here to help.”

“……Help? With what?”

“For starters, this.”

Givnen pulled something from his coat and handed it to her. It was an old scroll tied with a green ribbon.

Riley untied it and began to unroll the paper. Before she could even read it, she froze.

“This handwriting… it’s my father’s… how do you have this?”

“Your father left it with my master.”

Riley read through the letter, astonished:

“Dear Young, you haven’t forgotten your vow to protect my daughter if anything happens to me, have you? If this letter has reached you, it means I am no longer of this world. Please take care of my daughter. — Lyston Eadalin”

“The reason I have the letter is because my master left it to me just before he died.”

“……”

“I heard my master couldn’t take you in due to circumstances, and apparently it became a regret of his. That’s why he left it to me.”

“……This can’t be real.”

Her father had died in a carriage accident—suddenly and without leaving a will. She had never known he’d left a separate letter with someone else. And the words suggested he had foreseen his death.

And “Dear Young”?

It was impossible to imagine her father, a mere mountain caretaker, being close to the former Tower Lord and Archmage of Horizon.

‘But it’s definitely my father’s handwriting…’

“Anyway, I must carry out my master’s final wishes.”

“……Then why marriage?”

“At first, I was just preparing to be your legal guardian, but as you know, things got a little complicated.”

“……You didn’t know it was me that night when you helped?”

“No. I only realized this morning, after you ran out of my bed, that the woman I spent the night with was Riley Eadalin. We didn’t even introduce ourselves properly.”

“……”

“Then the scandal broke, and I thought it worked out perfectly.”

“……”

“Getting guardianship from Baron Ryan is complicated, and that greedy, suspicious man won’t cooperate easily. Given how he hesitates even at an extraordinary marriage proposal, the guardianship process would be more complex and frustrating.”

He wasn’t wrong. Ryan was shrewd and greedy, and if a Tower Lord suddenly took on guardianship, he would dig for any reason to resist.

“Also, even if it weren’t Count Ermeinz, Baron Ryan might sell you off somewhere. That would complicate things further. Better to act quickly. I hate complications.”

“You know your uncle well.”

“I do. I’ve dealt with people like him countless times.”

“……”

“That’s why I thought marriage was the best option for now. The night together is just an excuse. This is a choice for our mutual convenience.”

The cold, detached feeling returned. He was drawing a clear line in the relationship. Using marriage as a tool for mutual convenience, without personal feelings—it was harsh, but honest.

“I think it’s a mutually beneficial proposal.”

“……”

“If you’re going to be sold off anyway, wouldn’t I be better than a perverted old man? Young, capable, handsome, and strong.”

Riley couldn’t help but notice how bluntly he highlighted his own strengths. It was infuriating, yet undeniably true—and even a little amusing.

He was the kind of handsome man whose face made everything he said entertaining, no matter how bitter the words.

‘From my perspective, there’s no downside. If I marry him… I’d be relatively free from Uncle Ryan’s control. I’d have more freedom.’

But what about him?

“Are you okay with this?”

“Okay with what?”

“Marrying a daughter of an insignificant family… even an adopted daughter. Marriage is a serious matter. You could marry into a better family. Is it right to decide such a life-changing event just because of your master’s last will?”

“It doesn’t matter. Marriage isn’t a big deal to me. Marriage is either done or not—nothing more, nothing less. And besides…”

“And?”

“I was quite satisfied.”

“With what?”

“Last night.”

Riley blushed, realizing he meant their night together.

“If your father knew you were marrying me, he’d be overjoyed.”

“…Why?”

“Your father, Lyston Eadalin, was friends with my master—and mine too.”

“…Ah.”

What was her father’s true identity? Why did he have such connections and keep it hidden?

“Of course, it’s your choice whether to accept the proposal. If you refuse, I’ll consider guardianship instead. Marriage may be trivial for me, but a burden for you.”

There was no reason to refuse. The conditions were favorable, and she intended to accept immediately.

Then Givnen added something more:

“Also, although this marriage is mutually beneficial, I don’t plan on a sham marriage. Even if marriage isn’t a big deal to me, I believe we must fulfill all marital duties.”

“……What do you mean?”

“As a couple, we must do what a couple is supposed to do—including producing heirs.”

Riley, having already spent a night with him, didn’t feel strongly against it. Better him than some inexperienced man.

“Alright, then. I’ll do it.”

“You accepted surprisingly easily.”

“If I’m going to be sold off anyway, I’d rather it be you. And…”

“And?”

“…This is the only decision I’ve had any say in. Until now, my life was dictated by others.”

Riley had lived a life with no autonomy, trapped by family, treated worse than livestock.

This time, the decision was hers. She wouldn’t waste it. Being cared for by a husband was far better than by a guardian.

She’d gain freedom from Ryan Eadalin’s oppressive control, and legal family ties were stronger than guardianship. Marrying elsewhere could complicate her life further.

“And who would turn down a chance to improve their status? Just promise me one thing.”

“Go on.”

“I’ll fulfill my marital duties. But if someday I truly love someone else or wish to end this marriage, you must allow a divorce without conditions.”

“You’re thinking about divorce even before we’re married?”

“You can’t predict the future. Even family isn’t trustworthy. How can I fully trust you?”

“Alright, I promise.”

“…Thank you.”

“Oh, and Baron Ryan hasn’t given his answer yet.”

Riley’s expression darkened. Givnen shrugged.

“Don’t worry too much. If he opposes, we can respond with… persuasion—or rather, intimidation. I’m better at intimidation.”

He had a playful tone, but it didn’t seem entirely joking. Even at his age, he wasn’t naive. He would probably toy with Uncle Ryan without fear.

“Take care until we meet again.”

He reached out, touching her swollen cheek.

A faint glow emanated from his hand, and warmth slowly reduced the swelling. Then he touched her injured lips, helping the scab heal.

“Don’t go getting hurt again.”

“……”

“One escape is enough. Don’t do anything reckless if your mind changes.”

He chuckled and waved.

“See you, Nuna.”

He left without looking back. A man capable of gentle threats in such a caring tone.

“Unpredictable… calculating. In such a short time, he’s done all this…”

The invitation to the Eadalin household was intentional. Meeting him at the tower was coincidence. Spending the night together was also a coincidence.

During the reception, he was busy with guests. He had surely planned to make contact with the Eadalin household at the first opportunity. But things got complicated, and he found a solution—a marriage arrangement convenient for both.

Riley felt drained, overwhelmed by the whirlwind he’d created.

‘And my father… he was close friends with Archmage Young…’

Her shock hadn’t faded. She had thought she knew everything about her father… but this secret was staggering.

Still, compared to marrying a sickly old man, this was a better choice. The marriage, prompted by her father’s will, ensured Givnen would protect her—from Uncle Ryan.

Of course, she didn’t expect him to become real family. Even her blood relatives were a mess; a stranger could hardly be perfect family.

Still, he was someone who could pull her out of the suffocating Eadalin household… and that was enough. His proposal alone justified her acceptance.