Chapter 191

That trend was slowly changing, however. Progressive minds were tossing out the belief that bigger was always superior and were beginning to consider design and overall balance. Furthermore, my mother was the kind of person to trust her sense of beauty over popular opinion. That’s why I’d decided to make what I believed would be well-suited to her. “How does it look on me?” my mother asked, blushing. “It suits you just as well as I thought it would,” I answered. “Heh-heh, I’m so happy. What do you think, Cian?” “It’s beautiful… But I can’t help but feel a little jealous.” My dad answered with a rare bitter expression. He saw the confusion on Mom’s face and continued. “There are two reasons for that. First, I’m jealous because you just accepted a necklace when I’ve tried so hard to get you to wear any gems other than your wedding ring.” “Oh, Cian. I’m so sorry. There was no way I could refuse a necklace that my little Lugh made for me. That doesn’t mean I don’t love you. What’s the second reason?” “Lugh gives you presents from time to time, but he’s never offered me anything… It makes me a little sad.” Now that I thought about it… I got presents for my mother whenever she expressed a desire for something. I’d recently procured chocolate because she wanted some, and not long before that, I’d gone hunting for deer because she desired venison. Dad never asked for anything, though; I couldn’t recall ever giving him a present. “Sorry about that, Dad. Would you like these?” I inquired, retrieving some knives from my interior pockets. I put three types of blades on the table. The first was a dagger I could throw at a moment’s notice—I always carried a few of them with me. The second was an assassin’s knife I concealed in my shoes or hem for a surprise attack. Last was an ordinary knife that I used as my primary weapon. The daggers had a simple design because I hadn’t refined them at all after producing them with magic, and I prioritized concealability over functionality with the assassin’s knife. Conversely, I’d processed the normal knife to further improve its capabilities after creating it with magic. My spells could only produce objects with simple shapes, so the framework of each weapon started out as very basic. If I sought to make something of real quality, I had to produce multiple pieces with magic and combine them. The normal knife was my main weapon, so I was particular about its design. My dad undoubtedly appreciated the gifts. He smiled faintly and took the knives. I’d thought only of functionality when I made them, so they possessed no decoration whatsoever and appeared boorish for use by a noble. Even then, I trusted my father would understand their value. “These knives are splendid. Thank you, Lugh. Sorry for making you feel like you had to give me something,” he said. “Don’t worry about it. I’ve wanted to repay you for all you’ve done for me,” I responded. That was the truth. I was who I was today because of my dad’s teachings. Being born into the Tuatha Dé household, specifically to my parents, was the best thing that had ever happened to me. “Then I’ll gladly accept them. I’ll prepare a gift for you in return.” The way my dad said that made me think he’d been keeping his present for a while but hadn’t known when to give it to me. This was a perfect excuse to do so. “Hee-hee. We have the best son in the world. We’re so blessed,” my mother sang. My father nodded. “That we are. Lugh has grown into a fine young man.” They smiled and poured alcohol for a toast. This was a little embarrassing. “As happy as this made me, Lugh, there’s one thing I need to warn you about. If you’re going to give presents, you should prioritize Dia and Tarte over me. Girls are quick to get jealous, even at their man’s mother,” my mom cautioned, pointing a finger at me. It was scary that gestures like that still suited a woman of her age. “There’s no need to worry about that. I have something in mind. I’ve prepared engagement rings for Dia, Tarte, and Maha, who I’ve told you about before,” I explained. “Truly? Well, goodness, what are you waiting for? You need to give them to the girls right away.” “I know, Mom. I’m getting engaged to all three of them, however, so I want to present the rings simultaneously. That’s why I’m waiting. Maha can come over next week. I’m planning on throwing a party here. I want everyone to know that Lugh Tuatha Dé is betrothed.” There was special meaning in a noble’s engagement. I’d made my intentions clear to Dia, Tarte, and Maha already. For commoners, that would’ve been sufficient, but as an aristocrat, I had a duty to spread the news of the development. If I didn’t, my engagements would have no meaning. Also, there would be no going back once the information was out there. I would be a laughingstock if I canceled my pledges to marry. “I give my approval. Cian…?” My mother looked to my father. As head of House Tuatha Dé, my dad’s decisions were absolute. If he was opposed to my intentions, I’d have no choice but to elope. Had I been born to an ordinary noble family, I would not have been able to marry Dia, Tarte, and Maha. There was minimal political merit to our betrothals, after all. Truthfully, there was even less justification in my case, given the prestigious medical achievements of House Tuatha Dé, my Holy Knight status, and my multiple victories over demons. I could form a connection with any high-ranking noble family I wished. “Very well. I will prepare for word to be sent out. If this is what you have set your heart upon, I will not oppose you, Son,” my father said. “Thank you, Dad.” “Do you have a time in mind for the marriage?” “I’m thinking about delaying it until about a year after I graduate from the academy.” I’d resolved to save the world by then. My wedding would be held once that was done. “That sounds fine to me… Children really do become adults in the blink of an eye. To think little Lugh is already speaking of marriage. Notify me once you know what day Maha is arriving. Let’s give this top priority over all other business.” “Understood.” That took care of my family matters for the time being. Now that I think about it, Dia and Tarte have been unusually silent. This matter concerned them directly, so I thought they’d have some input at the very least… “Ooooh, this is all too sudden, Lugh,” Dia said. “I—I—I—I don’t know what to do,” Tarte stammered. They had both frozen in place, faces scarlet. Perhaps I should’ve discussed this with them more beforehand. Anyway, the engagement party was on. It would be best for me to invite all the nobles we were acquainted with and throw a grand affair, but my mother, father, and future wives wouldn’t care for that. Thus, I intended to keep things within the family and make the event more intimate. The celebration was the perfect time to present the girls with their rings.