Even in the grand gathering of oddballs that was Peylon’s research institute there wasn’t anyone like that. At least now I could understand why Fezgahn had been evasive about why he took a liking to Lera—this wasn’t a thing you could just go telling people. Heck, I was amazed House Fezgahn was doing as well as it was.
Mana detection on its own wasn’t a particularly uncommon trait. However, what His Highness had just described, the ability to precisely discern quality and quantity, was fairly rare. While Nielle from the institute could detect mana, the best she could do was roughly gauge someone’s capacity, and she couldn’t even begin to guess at quality.
Fezgahn, if the institute gets word of this, they’ll come for you, frothing at the mouth. Maybe I should just go and sell you to them?
Amid my slightly dangerous train of thought, His Highness issued a stern warning. “The only people who know this are the royal family, our close associates, and anyone that the people of House Fezgahn have chosen to inform.”
I could see why. The more people that knew, the greater the chance of leaks. The best way to mitigate the risk of loose lips was to be selective about who you confided in. In which case, wasn’t it a bad thing that I had just been brought in on the secret? Sure Fezgahn was here, but it was His Highness who told me. Did this count as being chosen?
“Are you sure it was wise to let slip something so important in a place like this?”
“I see nothing wrong. After all, Yuin himself already mentioned it.”
He was right; Fezgahn had already mentioned something about scents and whatnot. So it was probably fine.
“Does Lera...”
“She knows. I told her during the hunting festival’s jewel theft incident.”
“What?!”
I started to clutch my head. Nobody had told me about this. I asked Fezgahn if my parents knew, and he confirmed that they did. That was the sort of thing I really wished they had shared with me. Actually, for something like this, telling me would’ve been a discourtesy to House Fezgahn. They must’ve sealed Lera’s lips as well.
“You look quite fatigued, Winville,” Prince Lumers said. “I think you should take the rest of the day to rest.”
Was I fatigued? Yeah, processing so much had left me mentally exhausted.
“You’re quite right. I’ll do just that.”
My exhaustion was in part because this was the time of day I was normally finishing up. I was already drained from my usual desk work, then I had this conversation thrown on top of it. Fatigue notwithstanding, I was glad I learned what I did.
“Well,” I said, “now I more or less understand why Fezgahn asked for Lera’s hand in marriage. So I suppose it’s for the best that I came.”
“Huh?! Yuin, you proposed to her?!”
At the very least, he seemed serious about it. While I never thought his motives were political, I definitely didn’t expect her scent to be the main reason. Some things are just impossible to predict.
Recalling Fezgahn’s proposal, Nedon lightly elbowed his friend. “That he did. Man, I’d love to know how you got your father on board with that.”
“I never received permission from my father.”
“Hold on! For real?! You just went and asked her to marry you?!”
A perfectly understandable reaction, Nedon. I’m sorry I ever thought you were flippant.
Fezgahn was oddly peeved, like he wasn’t the one who had just said something completely flabbergasting. Marriages among nobles were arranged between house heads. In this case, that would mean Marquess Fezgahn putting in a request to Lera’s birth father. Or, that’s how it would normally go. It’s hard to speak for Lera, since her situation was anything but normal.
Is there any chance Fezgahn made his proposal with that in mind? No. Probably not.
“So, Sir Yuin, did Miss Lowell accept your proposal?”
Prince Lumers, is this really the place to ask? I can almost hear the awkward tension forming.
Even the crown prince was at a loss by his brother’s slip of the tongue. “Lumers. Considering the situation, the results should be apparent.”
“Situation, brother?”
“If they were betrothed, the royal palace would have been notified. Now consider what a lack of said notification implies.”
“I see.”
Prince Leor probably knew from the start. He’s being so heavy-handed I sort of feel bad for Fezgahn.
The man himself might as well have been wearing a mask. Talking with him had proven he was surprisingly serious about Lera. But he didn’t have my sympathy—he was the one who skipped a few too many steps.
“W-Well, Miss Lowell is still a minor,” the second prince said. The atmosphere was heavy enough now that even he looked a bit uncomfortable. “She hasn’t even debuted yet, right? You’ve got plenty of time.”
“Once she debuts, it will be too late,” Fezgahn told him.
“Hm?”
“Her debut will only give me more adversaries.”
This man was clenching his fists. He actually believed there were other guys who might try to marry Lera.
Okay, sure, there were vultures who might come for her family’s fortune. Some fools might be under the impression that if they married her, they could have free access to the house’s finances, and maybe even inherit the title of earl for themselves.
Still, I can’t imagine that Lera might give anyone from that crowd the time of day. On the other hand, I don’t see her giving Fezgahn a second glance either!
In the end, our little gathering dragged on pretty long, leaving me absolutely wiped. Come to think of it, Rellogad, that guy always with Nedon, wasn’t there. I didn’t think Prince Leor cared much for him, so that was probably it. Personally, my mind was less on their business, and more on my sister’s debut.
I hope it’s a success.