Suddenly, today I was summoned by Philip to his room for a talk.
Normally, we only meet once a month. But right after Eris's birthday party... Wait, maybe he called me to pay me? Hehe! Better hurry then!
…
But as soon as I entered the room, greeted him, and planted my butt opposite Philip, he said this to me.
"Eris finally can be a good wife, what do you think?"
WHO THE FUCK STARTS A CONVERSATION LIKE THAT!? I JUST SAT DOWN!!!
"Ah, um..." I immediately adjusted my posture to hide my confusion. "May I ask why you brought this up, sir? Isn't Eris only 10 years old? Besides, I... um..."
"The thing is, after Eris's birthday party, I've had quite a few people asking for her hand in marriage."
Ah... so that's it? You scared me. I thought you intended to marry your daughter to me or something. Although I have to admit Eris is pretty, and I think I've gradually developed feelings for her, talking about marriage is a bit troublesome. After all, Eris is a noble lady. And I'm just a brat who renounced his family with a massive debt hanging over his head.
And I don't think I should marry a girl nearly 30 years younger than me. If I weren't a reincarnated person, I'd be stupid to refuse.
Or should I? Because if I actually marry someone at my age then I can only marry some old hags anyway. So why not chase some young girls? Ah no, bad thoughts, bad thoughts! Go away!
Sigh… Anyway, it's not strange that Eris is being proposed to.
As I said, Eris is quite cute (important things must be repeated, not me being repetitive), has personality, and performed quite well at her recent birthday, so getting noticed isn't strange. Besides, she's also the beloved granddaughter of Lord Sauros—the patriarch of the powerful Boreas family. I heard Boreas is the wealthiest and most powerful of the four great families, so I can understand why many people want a good relationship with Sauros.
In short, Eris's marriage is quite important.
And I don't understand why I'm being asked about this.
"No, no. I mean, why are you asking me this? I think I'm too young to discuss someone else's marriage. And she's my friend, too. You should have asked someone like Lord Sauros instead."
"Haha. I asked my father already." Philip suddenly chuckled. "Guess what he said?"
I feel uneasy. "What did he say?"
"My father said, 'Just marry Eri to Pilemon's son and be done with it,' then chased away the people asking for Eris's hand."
I facepalmed.
I think I've gotten myself into a rather big mess again.
Why do I always get into one trouble after another? Is this my fate? I just completed the extremely difficult task of successfully teaching Eris to dance, and this is how life rewards me? A wife!?
Like I mentioned, if I said I didn't want to marry Eris, I'd be lying. Since the night we slept together, I think I've fallen into the love trap. Although I say slept, I stayed awake all night with my heart pounding. And occasionally, I still think about that scene, and my heart flutters like a maiden in love for the first time. Like now! My heart is beating like a drum, and I guess my face is as red as a tomato! Philip is smiling again, aaaaaaa!
Ok, ok, let's calm down Atur. You are a Water God Style swordsman, you are supposed to be calm and composed all the time. Don't lose your cool okay? Okay. Cool cool.
Honestly, Eris isn't my type, completely different. My type is either intelligent, sharp girls in the mind or muscular, athletic ones with a huge pair of breasts, or, a Japanese JK (please don't call the police). Eris deviates completely in both personality and appearance. But people say love is inexplicable, so I guess I have to accept it.
Oh wait, I did have a time to be a die hard Taiga fan so maybe I really love loli tsundere huh? Besides, if she grows up and inherits Hilda's genes, she'll have huge breasts too, hehe.
Ah well, anyway, I don't want to be seen by Philip as a brat with no background marrying his daughter. I know full well Philip is an ambitious guy, so he probably isn't happy with Lord Sauros's idea. Maybe he prefers Eris marrying someone with a future rather than a lazy guy who just wants to retire early like me.
"Um... I think Lord Sauros was just joking, so I hope you don't take it to heart, Lord Philip."
"Well, I don't have a problem with it. On the contrary, I think you marrying my daughter is quite fitting."
Oh, a green light? This is unexpected.
Wait, does he intentionally want me to marry Eris so he can monopolize Ghislaine? Even though I have a crush on Eris, I still love Ghislaine, you know. As a man, I will definitely only marry one person I love and care for until the end of my life. And at this moment, I'm still leaning more into Ghislaine.
"But why do you think I'm suitable?" I still felt very uneasy; after all, I don't think Philip is a simple person at all. "I don't even have a big family backing me, and my talent is mediocre..."
"Sometimes your humility annoys me a bit, Atur."
"Ah." I bowed my head. "I apologize."
"It's okay." Philip didn't seem to mind; after all, he was smiling. "Let's talk about family backing. If my father agrees to let you marry Eris, doesn't that mean you'll have the entire Boreas family supporting you?"
Ah, that's true. But it sounds somehow wrong.
"Also, there are many other nobles in the Milbotts region who expect you to become the new head of the Notos family. I'm sure you know that."
"Yes, I know." I nodded in confirmation. Those people are admirably stubborn.
"Then regarding family backing, I don't think you need to worry."
"Yes..."
"And wouldn't marrying Eris help you defeat your father more easily?"
"That is true."
Ok, I lost round one. Clearly, Eris is a golden ticket not only to fill my heart but also to defeat Pilemon, understood.
"As for talent, I don't think we need to discuss it. You list your achievements yourself, Atur."
And I lost round two, too fast! I didn't expect to be suppressed by Philip so easily. Talking to a veteran politician is harder than I thought. Even though I spent a lot of time learning verbal sparring, I'm still speechless.
But even so, I don't think I should give up.
"So if I refuse, is it okay? Ah wait, I have the right to refuse, right?"
"Don't you like Eris, Atur?" Philip suddenly widened his eyes. "I thought you two had reached the point of sleeping together."
Aaaaaaaa! I knew he would bring this up!
I coughed awkwardly. "That day we just 'slept', sir."
Actually, I didn't sleep a wink. I just lay there watching Eris and thinking about the future all night.
"Actually, I wonder if you're even a Greyrat, Atur. Maybe that's why Pilemon hates you."
"I'm clearly Pilemon's son; my face is no different from his."
Even with changes in hair color or eye color, my face still bears a striking resemblance to that brat.
"Then why not? Is Eris not attractive enough for you?"
"No… She's more than what I could ask for." I reply with a sigh. "But I don't think I should do that to my partner's daughter."
"Well, next time just go all the way, I don't mind."
You should mind! What kind of parent are you!?
But roughly, I can guess why Philip wants to push me and Eris together.
First of all, if I really perfect my secret art and achieve the title of Water King, I can completely create my own power base brazenly without having to cling to the Water God anymore. That means I will be able to escape the requirement to stay away from the nobility while being her disciple.
And then, with a noble title, along with the support of large and small families in Milbotts who are dissatisfied with Pilemon, I can completely overthrow my father and become the next family head. That's the scenario Ken told me once. Indeed, I don't covet it, but I just pretended to follow his will until now. When I'm old enough to take care of myself, I can fly away later.
As for Philip, I also know part of his story. Basically, this tea-colored haired friend lost the race to become the heir of the Boreas family to a guy named James who is working as the finance minister in the Royal Capital. And because he lost, Philip's two sons had to be sent to the Royal Capital and raised under James's supervision as a tradition to ensure the peace of the family, avoiding civil war and such.
I don't know if that method is effective because my political score is negative. But one thing I'm sure of is that Philip's wife—Hilda—seems very miserable because of that and has been in a 'cold war' state with her husband for several years. That seems to be why Philip tried asking Ghislaine to become his mistress (but got rejected hehe).
Although I'm not sure if it's because of Hilda, Philip also seems not to have truly accepted his defeat. He is always silently building relationships, accumulating assets, and expanding his power carefully. In fact, hiding me from the public on Eris's birthday was also a way to hide his cards, as Philip himself spread the news that I had finished my work in Roa and left for the south long ago.
And when one day I suddenly reappear, already a Water King, or become the head of the Notos family, as a son-in-law, I might help Philip reclaim the position of the Boreas family head. Then maybe my and Eris's child will become the head of both families (?)
In short, this is a long-term strategy, spanning three generations to create the strongest and most solid alliance in Asura.
Truly ambitious.
Given the current situation, it seems hard for me to stay out of this damn game.
But I still want to play around and have girlfriends before getting married, boo hoo. I also want to touch Ghislaine's toned breasts!!!
"But comparing talent and support, I think Rudeus is a more suitable candidate, sir." I started analyzing seriously. "After all, the faction supporting Paul's return as the Notos family head is still larger than the one supporting me."
Basically, the situation in the Notos family isn't divided into two factions but maybe 4 or 5. But there are only 3 big forces: one supporting Pilemon, two supporting Paul, and three is... me, although there are still a few other brothers including Luke, the Milbotts nobles like me the best among Pilemon's children, strange.
But among the three factions mentioned above, the faction supporting Paul's return is much larger and stronger than the one supporting me.
"That is also true." Philip smiled happily. "But if I propose this, there is a possibility I will be killed by Sylphiette."
"Ah yes." I nodded. "You're right about that."
Although I don't think Sylphie would kill people easily, she will definitely remember this. My elf friend is very good at hiding emotions and trying to please others (especially Rudeus), but anything suppressed for too long is prone to explode.
It's best to let Sylphie and Rudeus be a couple.
"But I don't quite understand. I think you also like Eris, so why do you keep trying to refuse?"
"Because I also like Ms. Ghislaine, sir." I said it straight out. "I promised myself I would defeat her and take her as my wife."
"I see. But you can also take two wives. Eris might even like that."
I think this is possible. Eris has Boreas blood after all, so she probably likes beast folk. I even have a feeling Eris will demand I take a beast folk concubine if I marry her.
"Even so, I still want to be able to love one person wholeheartedly until the end of my life."
Because I am a follower of the Millis faith. You guys should listen to Millis's teachings to become better people too.
"I see. Well, can't help it." Philip suddenly sighed.
And I felt uneasy again. Because this is the sign of someone preparing to throw their trump card on the negotiation table.
"If you refuse Eris, I will marry her off to the best person possible. Hmm let's see, among those interested in Eris is the Prime Minister, right? I think you already knew him."
"Yes, I understand, Father-in-law. I will protect and love Eris for my whole life." I bowed. "From now on, please guide me, Father-in-law."
Alright, I lost completely. You can officially be my father-in-law, omedetou Shinji!
But truly, playing to this extent, I really didn't expect it. I don't know how, but Philip seems to know all my weaknesses—Ah no, maybe I know where the reason comes from.
I will definitely go and make that knight paid for this.
But for now, I think I should salvage the last shot.
"But before discussing this further, I think we need Eris's consent."
"Knowing to think about your future wife's thoughts, I was not wrong to choose you as my son-in-law. Eris will surely be very happy to agree."
I doubt that.
…
After the conversation with Philip, I left his office with an extremely tired sigh.
"Time to meet Rudeus to report the situation..."
Even knowing I would be laughed at, I still have to keep the 'lifelong alliance' promise with him.
"Haha! You're no different from me at all haha! We are both Hikaru Genji waiting for the day Murasaki is of age, Acchan!"
Although I don't want to admit it, we are clearly both Hikaru Genji... Eris also just turned 10, coincidentally ironic.
Ah, if you are another Genji and Sylphie is truly a yandere, she might become your Rokujo, not Murasaki, Rudeus. So be careful, my friend.
"Alright, I admit I was a hypocrite, okay?" I sighed. "Now that I'm stuck in this, what do you think I should do?"
Rudeus immediately clapped his hands and replied nonchalantly. "Become a capable husband and do everything Eri-chan wants."
"Not joking here." I raised my fist.
"Alright, calm down Atur Boreas Greyrat." Rudeus also raised his hand to signal a truce. "If you want to be serious, then serious it is."
Rudeus kept his triumphant smile as he settled on his bed.
"Although I think you should just go along with it, isn't it good?" Rudeus continued. "After all, you also like Eri-chan, being with her will help you get the necessary support to defeat Pilemon too. In short, you don't lose anything in this deal."
That is true, but…
"What makes you think that I also like Eri?" I stared at Rudeus.
I mean I *do* like her but I don't think I showed any sign of that.
"That night you held her hand and looked at her for the whole night right, didn't you?"
Fuck! He knew!?
"Me and Sylphie figured that out immediately."
What!? Sylphie too???
"Ghislaine also said it's a matter of time for you two to fall in love with each other."
EVEN GHISLAINE!?
"Honestly, I think everyone in this mansion knows how you two see each other."
Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!!!
As a Water God Style swordsman, I suppose to be calm but somehow today I'm totally opposite of that word. Seems like I can't hide my true feelings anymore huh?
"Well yes. I think I *do* have a feeling for Eris." I admit with a sigh. "But honestly, I don't even know if I really want to destroy Pilemon."
"Are you the type of main character who has compassion right before preparing to beat the shit out of the villain?" Rudeus frowned. "It's just a stupid trope. It won't make you cool or anything."
"No. I just don't want to dive into these political struggles. You know I want to live a leisurely life, Rudy. Since my previous life, my dream is to earn a large enough sum of money to buy a piece of land in Hokkaido and grow cabbages."
"You talk like Diocletian."
"Who?" I asked back.
"A Roman emperor who decided to retire at the peak of his career and go back to his hometown to grow cabbages."
Oh, then I really am like him.
"In the end, he hanged himself."
No, not alike.
"But since when do you know about Roman history, Rudy?"
"I read Ad Astra."
"I see." I don't know what the hell Ad Astra is.
In the end, the conversation went nowhere. After all, what happens between me and Eris depends on her decision, so we decided not to discuss it anymore.
Philip didn't seem to be in a hurry either. I thought he would talk to Eris to define our relationship as soon as possible. But it seems the mayor decided to prepare something without rushing. So a few weeks passed just like that, and Rudeus and I also agreed not to show anything strange.
***
But then what comes must come.
"Do you want to marry Atur, Eri?" Lord Sauros, sitting in the master chair, suddenly spoke up after calling Eris and me to his room.
I swear at that moment I almost spat tea straight into his face.
"Marry?" Eris opened her eyes wide upon hearing the question. Then, she looked at me and pouted. "With Acchan?"
What's with that reaction, like you despise me, young lady?
"That's right." Lord Sauros nodded, I'm not used to the way he speaks so softly at all. "I want you two to get married and give birth to a litter of kittens for me."
Interesting metaphor, grandfather-in-law.
Eris didn't answer; she just blushed, occasionally glancing at me with sharp eyes. I don't know what she's thinking, but it seems there's no killing intent, so...
"I won't accept it!"
Even though I could guess this result, why does it still hurt so much.
"Why?" Sauros still crossed his arms, his face extremely stern. "What is your reason, Eri!?"
"Because you said Greyrat men who want to marry must say it themselves! Not let others speak for them like this!" Eris responded eloquently.
"That's right! Greyrat men must be strong like that!" The lord also nodded in agreement and then turned to me. "So do you have anything to say, Atur!?"
"..."
This family is goofier than I thought.
But this is also true. As a man, I must know how to make my own life decisions. Even though I don't really want to follow those people's wishes, if I accidentally made Eris love me, I must know how to take responsibility. At least Rudeus dares to admit what he is and is ready to take responsibility for it. As a reincarnator myself, I can't lose to him.
So I stood up, walked around the table to where Eris was sitting opposite me. I had never practiced this, but thanks to my manga reading experience, I knew how to kneel on one knee.
Then I placed my right hand on my chest right where my heart is, chose the right spot where the light from the window shone through, and extended my left hand towards the young lady.
"Eri." I said. "When we grow up, will you be my wife?"
I said it. I just proposed to a 10-year-old child.
"Hmph!"
Eris continued to pout. But I could tell she was also very happy.
"Wanting to marry me isn't that easy, you Water God Style people!" She lifted her chin as she said that. "When we both grow up, you have to duel with me! If you win, I'll allow you to marry me! But if I win... I will be the one marrying you! Understood!?"
Finishing her sentence, Eris stood up straight and ran straight out of the room. Leaving Lord Sauros laughing heartily in his chair.
And that's how I got the most unique engagement promise ever.
…
And by the way, Rudeus also proposed to Sylphie too but that's for another story.
...
NAME: "Eris B. Greyrat" - Eri
OCCUPATION: Granddaughter of Fittoa's liege lord
PERSONALITY: A little violent
DOES: Listen properly
READING/WRITING: Almost perfect at reading
ARITHMETIC: Can do numbers up to 999
MAGIC: Can chant almost all the basic spells
FENCING: Sword God Style – Intermediate-rank / North God Style – Beginner-tier
ETIQUETTE: Skilled like a proper lady
PEOPLE SHE LIKES: Grandfather, Ghislaine, >Acchan<, Rudeus, Sylphiette
WANT: To create an adventure team with her friends
LIKE TO: Hug Acchan as a pillow
...
NAME: "Rudeus Greyrat" - Rudy
OCCUPATION: Reincarnator/Magic Tutor of Eris/Lifetime Alliance
PERSONALITY: A pervert but actually kind and smart
MAGIC: Water Saint Mage and a lot of other stuffs
FENCING: Sword God Style – Beginner-rank / Water God Style – Intermediate-tier / North God Style – Beginner-rank
WANT: To live a life to it fullest
RELIGION: Roxism
...
NAME: "Sylphiette" - Sylphie
OCCUPATION: A hunter's daughter
PERSONALITY: Starting to open up more
MAGIC: Intermediate-rank in most school
FENCING: Sword God Style/Water God Style – Beginner-rank
WANT: To be with Rudeus
PERSON SHE LOVES: Rudeus