ăHahaha! No, you guys really get along well. I hope my daughter can fit into your circle.ă
ăâŠâŠ!ă
ăItâs this side of you that worries us, my daughter.ă
Laurenz laughed heartily as he watched me try and fail to discipline Chris, who was protected by Kugi. Serena, who didnât like her fatherâs words, tried to protest by hitting him silently but was gently rebuffed instead.
Serena-san? Itâs fine to act spoiled with your dad, but donât do that to me, okay? I donât have any body enhancements, so if you do that, you might end up breaking my shoulder bone.
ăWell, be lenient with Lady Christina. As the future Countess Dareinwald, she had no choice but to hurry. The prestige of nobility is a troublesome thing. If Serena were to marry or get engaged to you first, the marriage between you and the future Countess Dareinwald would encounter many more obstacles. If Serena married you first, I would have you become a baron under the Holz House, not an honorary one, but a full-fledged baron. That would make you the head of a branch family of the Holz House. The head of the Dareinwald House cannot marry into a baron family, nor can they take the head of a baron family as a husband. Especially since you would be both the head of a baron family and a branch of the Holz House. To resolve this issue amicably, the only way she had left was to marry or get engaged to you before Serena and bring you into the Dareinwald House as a husband. Although itâs a bit unconventional for a man married into the Dareinwald House to have not only a second wife but several more, itâs not as unreasonable as having the head of the Dareinwald House marry into a baron family under the Holz House. I think that the women by your side cooperated with the future Countess so much because they took these circumstances into account.ă
After Laurenzâs detailed explanation, I thought about what he had told me. Either way, I knew I had to settle my relationship with Serena and Chris at some point. So, did the way everything was resolved end in a bad outcome for us? No, not really. If I look only at the result, itâs the best outcome. So, is it the mark of a good man to overlook the process? Yes, thatâs it. Yeah, letâs go with that.
ăOkay, I understand the situation thanks to the Marquisâs explanation. Next time, make sure to consult with me first. Got it?ă
When I directed my gaze towards Mimi and the others, they nodded obediently. Alright then. This settles the matter of them deceiving me. I patted Chris lightly on the back as she was being hugged by Kugi. I should also thank Laurenz. freewebnÞvel.coɱ
ăThank you, Marquis.ă
ăItâs fine. It wouldnât sit well with me if your family ended up broken due to my daughterâs actions. If itâs for you, the man my stubborn daughter has chosen, then this is nothing.ă
Laurenz laughed as he said this, I gratefully bowed my head to him again. Hmm, I canât help but feel indebted.
ăWell, to be honest, itâs a bit disappointing. I really wanted to welcome you into our HouseâŠă
ăYou wanted me?ă
ăOf course, Captain Hiro. Youâre an expert in eradicating space pirates, right? Iâve heard that Serenaâs Independent Mobile Anti-Pirate Fleet achieved significant results thanks to your support. Space pirates are nothing but a plague, causing endless trouble for the Holz House. If we could have welcomed you as the head of a branch family, our anti-space pirate measures would have been greatly enhanced.ă
ăI see. If adequate compensation is provided, we will be willing to assist you as mercenaries.ă
This job is pretty dangerous, I canât do it for free. I might be willing to risk my own life, but I canât involve my crew without proper compensation.
ăThat sounds good. Weâll rely on you in the future.ă
ââ â
ăWell then, until we meet again!ă
With a refreshing smile, Laurenz and Serena bid us farewell, and we went to pick up Dr. Shouko and Neve. We had to wait a bit, but both of them finished their interrogationsâor rather, their interviewsâwithout any issues and were able to join us.
ăHow was it? Any problems?ă
ăI donât think there were any significant issues. However, the interrogator mentioned that, depending on the discussions with the other side, itâs unlikely that the Vereverem Federation will acknowledge Neve-kunâs existence. That said, if we publicize it, it will tarnish the Federationâs image to some extent. It seems they plan to run a negative campaign.ă
Dr. Shouko shrugged her shoulders as she spoke. It seemed she had mixed feelings about her patient being used for political purposes.
ăI see. So, what about Neveâs future?ă
ăIt seems theyâve recognized my abilities as exceptional and useful, Captain. However, if I were employed by a government agency or the Imperial Space Force of the Grakkan Empire, those bastards in the Vereverem Federation would likely say, âSee, it was all fabricated.â So, taking me in is difficult. They said they could find a civilian organization to take care of me, but I told them I already promised to work under you.ă
ăI see. Then as promised, youâre part of my crew now. Once youâre better, youâll be working hard for us, understood?ă
ăOf course. You can pour all your lust into me, Captain. Iâll take it all.ă
ăThatâs not what I meantâŠă
Iâm not in the right mental state to enjoy those kinds of jokes right now. Even though I brought this upon myself, my relationships with women have become way too complicated⊠I know itâs my fault. But is it really entirely my fault? Isnât there room for a bit of debate here? At least with Serena and Chris, Iâve exercised maximum restraint and been exceedingly cautious in my dealings with them. Saying this now is pointless? Yeah, thatâs true.
ăAh, enough. Thereâs no use in brooding over it.ă
ăCaptain?ă
ăAnyway, Neve will be taken care of by us. Weâll deal with the details once sheâs recovered. Dr. Shouko, this is the Imperial Capital, so you should be able to get all the materials needed for Neveâs treatment, make sure to order everything necessary. Bill it to me.ă
ăAre you sure? It might be quite costly.ă
ăNeve will pay it back with her work eventually. Once sheâs recovered and can work as part of the crew, weâll deduct it from her pay. Is that okay with you, Neve?ă
ăOf course, Captain. Iâll work hard to pay you back.ă
ăGood. So, should we head back now⊠maybe we should pay a visit to Viscount Willrose first?ă
Since weâre in the Imperial Capital, it would be polite to visit Elmaâs family. Last time, due to circumstances, I couldnât introduce Tina and Wiska, and I also need to introduce Kugi and Dr. Shouko.
By the way, Tina, Wiska, and Mei stayed on the Black Lotus. The two mechanics didnât need to attend the inquiry as they werenât brought to the Majestic of Earl Ixamalâs House, and as for Mei, entering the Imperial Castle would involve a lot of hassle since she would have to be partially sealed, so I asked her to stay back. Since her actions are my responsibility as her owner, her presence in the fleshâcan it be called âin the fleshâ?âwas deemed unnecessary.
ăFather and Brother are both out for work today, so Mother said to come tomorrow.ă
ăI see. Then letâs return to the Black Lotus for today. Considering Neveâs condition, thatâs probably for the best, right?ă
ăYes, it is. While we donât need to worry about any sudden changes in her condition anymore, the medical bayâs equipment on the Black Lotus provides better reassurance.ă
As we talked, I felt something touch my sleeve. When I looked down, I saw Chris pulling her hand back and looking down. Ah, sheâs still worried about deceiving me.
ăWe need to visit your place too, Chris. Tomorrow weâll go to Elmaâs family home, so you should come with us. Then the day after tomorrow, weâll visit your place.ă
ăâŠYes, umâŠă
ăIâm not angry anymore. But if youâre still worried, just prepare some delicious sweets for when we visit the day after tomorrow.ă
ăâŠAlright, Iâll prepare some delicious sweets.ă
Chris lifted her head and showed a faint smile. Hmm, sheâs grown taller, so itâs harder to pat her head now. Well, sheâs not a little girl anymore, so casually patting her head or touching her feels a bit inappropriate now.
ăTomorrow we will visit Viscount Willroseâs house, the day after is Chrisâs place, am I forgetting something elseâŠ?ă
ăI think thereâs also the awarding ceremony for stopping the rebellion and defending the borders. Plus, you need to visit Marquis Holzâs mansion in the Imperial Capital.ă
ăWe have quite the schedule⊠For now, letâs head back. Chris, would you like to join us on the Black Lotus for a bit?ă
ăYes, Iâd love to.ă
This time, Chris smiled genuinely. Seeing her smile like this is much better than seeing her look downcast. Given that I usually do as I please, I should be more forgiving of small things. From now Iâll become the kind of man who can laugh off minor issues like these
This chaptđr is updated by freeÏebnovÄl.cà«Šm.