Chapter 9: “Sexual Compatibility Doesn’t Lie”
“You returned early. I thought you’d stay there for a night.”
At Sack’s remark, Gibnen snorted and sat down.
“I wanted to, but I held back.”
“…These are the documents you asked me to prepare.”
“You’ve worked hard. And the journalists?”
“I’ve made sure no personal information about Riley Eadalin leaks.”
“Efficient. Well done.”
“I’d appreciate it if you considered a raise in proportion to my efforts.”
“I’ll consider it.”
“Thank you.”
“Tell Count Ermeintz that I spent a night with her at the hotel. Well, he probably already guessed from the photos in the papers, but it’s better to give him confirmation, right?”
A shameless man who stole another’s fiancée now ordered the victim to deal a heavy blow to the one who wronged him. Terrifying, indeed. Of course, whether the so-called victim is really a victim is another question.
“Did you speak well with her?”
“Yes. Communication went smoothly.”
“And she accepted your proposal?”
“Of course. Am I someone who would get rejected? The only uncertainty is the Baron. He’ll probably negotiate with her. Just in case, I should prepare something to use for leverage.”
He was young but cunning. Fully aware of his own abilities, it was clear he never imagined being refused.
He was confident this arrangement would succeed. That it would go through smoothly.
“She’s the one you initially intended as your guardian, right?”
“….”
“You switched to marriage because of the scandalous rumors?”
“You ask a lot of questions.”
“Of course, I don’t ask about just anyone. As your assistant at the Mage Tower, I believe taking a keen interest in your affairs is the best way to serve you well.”
“Impressive. I didn’t realize you cared about me so earnestly.”
“I’m glad you recognize that. And I hope you’ll consider this as a factor in my salary increase.”
Gibnen leaned back in his chair and twirled his quill, letting out a small laugh.
“It was a choice of convenience.”
“….”
“I could have gone through the guardian process, but I didn’t think that sly man would hand her over so easily.”
“What’s the purpose of marrying that lady?”
“Primarily, for protection.”
“….”
“And secondarily, perhaps to use her. Add a dash of curiosity into the mix.”
Riley Eadalin, left behind by the teacher and reluctantly taken on. She turned out to be more appealing than he expected.
“She’s cute. We’ll suit each other.”
“…How can you be so sure after just one day?”
“Sexual compatibility doesn’t lie.”
…You crazy man!
Sack’s face turned bright red, almost spilling the papers he was holding.
“Why are you embarrassed?”
“Well, technically, it was the master who made the embarrassing remark.”
“This marriage will proceed in strict secrecy. Make sure nothing leaks.”
“Of course. By the way… have you told Mr. Alton?”
“Told him what?”
“That you’re getting married.”
“Not yet. Now’s the time.”
Ever since he rejected the 7th princess’s proposal, people called him crazy—but now? A preemptive marriage announcement?
Sack rubbed his brow and turned away.
“I’ll return to my duties.”
“Very well.”
Trying to understand him only tires me. Me, alone.
Sack gave up trying to guess his superior’s mind. Mad geniuses aren’t meant to be understood. Truly, all the great geniuses of history were a little crazy.
Thinking about it… every historical figure of fame had a screw loose somewhere. Even just looking at Count Ermeintz now…
“My goodness.”
Sack genuinely worried for Riley Eadalin. Marrying that unpredictable madman? Poor girl.
He never felt this for any of the women he’d known before—but this time, it seemed he was sincere. That made it all the more worrying.
Run. Please.
Muttering words the subject would never hear, Sack hurried out of the office.
Perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime moment.
A chance slimmer than a street beggar striking it rich overnight. A moment to seize wealth, fame, and influence all at once. A chance to step into the central power. The dream coming to life in an instant.
But…
“Why Riley of all people? Isn’t Clare enough?”
Why Riley?
“I couldn’t even mention Clare! He insisted on marrying Riley so firmly…”
“Crazy, I heard he was eccentric, but this is full-blown madness! What does Riley even have…?”
Ryan ran a hand over his gaunt face.
“I don’t even know what to do.”
“…Still, shouldn’t we permit it? If a scandal spreads… it would be difficult for her to marry elsewhere. That would create a bigger problem, right? The conditions proposed by the Mage Tower are extremely favorable, after all…”
“Do you think that girl Riley will let us be if she gains power?”
“…Well, she’s still family, isn’t she?”
“Have you seen her eyes? So fierce. Eyes that could devour us.”
“…But she’s been obedient so far. If we treat her well now, she might forgive us.”
“Foolish. Once people taste power, they change.”
Ryan snapped at the Baroness’s naïve hope.
“That girl! It’s not like she betrayed us to get to this point. Do you still think Riley’s a fool?”
“Then what can we do? How could we possibly refuse a proposal from the Lienster family?”
The Lienster family, not royal, was one of the empire’s three major dukedoms. A family that produced many mages, foundational contributors to the empire, with influence rivaling the royal family itself.
Refusing a proposal from the heir of such a family would damage their honor and bring inevitable retaliation. They’d be buried socially before they could even enter high society.
And now, with Riley involved, they were completely at odds with Count Ermeintz… who knew when that old fool might strike back.
Truly, a dilemma.
Allowing the marriage meant Riley could act outside their control and become a future problem; refusing it meant disaster.
“We can use this marriage to our advantage.”
“Use it?”
“Well, Riley is our registered daughter anyway. Even if she wants to marry, if we don’t permit it, she has no choice.”
“Hmm.”
“If we oppose it, she’ll know she can’t be married off to anyone else. She’s no fool—smart and adaptable.”
“….”
“Besides, socially, can she really ignore her family? She’s still family publicly. If she causes a rift, it benefits no one. She’d only shrink her position.”
“For now, yes, but in the future…”
“Oh, darling, you’ll just sit idle until then? Being overly cautious is a problem too. If we strengthen our base now, we can secure ourselves. For now, let’s get a written pledge. She agrees to the marriage but promises no disadvantage to us and to fulfill her role as a family member.”
The Baroness’s suggestion brightened Ryan’s mood.
“Good idea. If we get a legally binding pledge, we have nothing to fear.”
“Macdalin, go fetch Riley.”
“Riley, do you want to marry Gibnen Lienster? I wanted to hear your thoughts.”
Riley looked at Ryan steadily.
His calm, gentle tone was so unlike the man who had shouted and struck her just yesterday.
“…I want to.”
“Good. If that’s your wish… we’ll proceed with the marriage. But…”
“….”
“I want you to sign a pledge.”
“…A pledge?”
Ryan handed her a paper.
“Read and sign it.”
Riley read it. In summary, it stated:
-
Discard past grudges; no one will hold past mistakes against the other.
-
Maintain public family relations; no leaks about disputes.
-
Uphold relations as members of the Eadalin family, contributing to the family’s prosperity and development.
Riley laughed, unable to contain herself.
“If you follow these terms, I permit the marriage.”
“Uncle… are you afraid of me now?”
“….”
“When I tried so hard to be recognized as family, I was treated as a nuisance. Now, you accept me as family?”
Ryan admitted his faults honestly.
“I’ll admit it. Honestly, I didn’t want to take you in. Your father died in a carriage accident, leaving you alone, and I wasn’t well off enough to care for you. You inherited nothing from him. Still, I couldn’t just ignore you once people knew you were my ward. I admit it—you were a thorn in my side.”
“….”
“And I never got along with your father. Frankly, our blood relation didn’t make us close. Leaving you with me annoyed me. I was just trying to support my own family, and your existence was a burden.”
Yet Ryan carefully watched Riley as he spoke.
“But regardless, we are family now. You are my adopted daughter.”
“….”
“I admit our relationship was flawed. I sincerely regret treating you poorly. But now, my family and I want to reestablish our relations properly.”
“Why? Because I’ll be the mistress of the Lienster household? Now you need me?”
“Yes. The conditions proposed by Duke Lienster are more than generous. I hesitated only because of you.”
“….”
“You might try to harm us, so I hesitated.”
He had a knack for saying only irritating things, even to the end.
“What if I don’t sign?”
“Then the marriage won’t proceed.”
“….”
“Marriage isn’t just between individuals; it’s between families. Even the Lienster family cannot proceed without our approval.”
“And if you refuse the proposal, how will you handle the disadvantage?”
“I’d oppose it anyway. Better to protect you than hand you the power.”
It was ridiculous. The one who had always ruled like a beast now looked ridiculous himself.
“I hope you understand our situation.”
Riley silently looked at the pledge.
They were clearly afraid of this situation.
She hadn’t thought of revenge. She agreed to Gibnen’s proposal not out of spite but a desire for freedom. She simply wanted to live her life properly now.
“Really, you make me miserable to the very end.”
“….”
“I didn’t ask for much. I just wanted to nullify the marriage with Count Ermeintz. Revenge for personal feelings? I never considered it. But… your attitude makes me think about it anyway.”
Riley picked up the quill and signed.
“I don’t expect to live like a real family. I’ll play along as family, as I always have. Regardless, you did take me in when I had nowhere else to go.”
“…Thank you.”
“Not for you, but for myself. Don’t try to control or interfere with me anymore. As long as you leave me alone, I won’t think of petty revenge.”
“Of course.”
“If there’s nothing more, I’ll take my leave.”
“Go ahead.”
Shortly after Riley left, the Baroness entered.
“Honey, how did it go?”
“Mostly fine.”
“Thank goodness.”
“I don’t know how long this paper’s effect will last, but at least it eases things for now.”
“Still… dealing with him already gives me a headache.”
“Handle him as best as you can. He’s no longer a nuisance.”
“I’ll try…”
The relationship had become irreparably strained. Even if she tried to win him over now, it might not change anything—but there’s no reason to antagonize him.
Ryan, satisfied, collected the signed pledge and gave instructions to the servant.
“Send a letter to Duke Lienster immediately, stating we wish to proceed with the marriage.”
“A letter from Baron Eadalin has arrived. They wish to proceed with the marriage as soon as possible.”
Gibnen nodded, as if this was no surprise.
“Will you proceed?”
“Of course. We can’t let anyone else get ahead, so the sooner the better.”
“I see. Baron Eadalin’s family is returning to their estate today.”
“When?”
“This evening, it seems.”
Gibnen glanced at the pile of paperwork awaiting him.
Though he might need to stay up all night to handle it, he stood after a moment of thought.
“Where are you going?”
“My wife is leaving. I should see her off.”
Uh… the marriage hasn’t happened yet.
Sack looked at Gibnen in disbelief. But Gibnen smiled and grabbed his coat.
“I’m skipping work today. Handle the rest.”
Oh, no!
Sack’s face darkened as he realized he had just been saddled with the work.
