Chapter 164
The last day of my probation had come at last. Thank goodness nothing happened over the week; I’m really relieved.
It seems like Enen has some sense of morality. Hitting someone who’s already been beaten by another is just too petty and cruel. Even in games, beginners usually have a protection period, and those whose main base has been heavily attacked cannot be invaded continuously for a while.
Was I too tense?
Now that I think about it, the club members are pretty quiet in the second semester. Unlike before, where they would do outrageous things to impress Louise, it feels like they’re happily enjoying their school days in a more ordinary way.
Besides, even if something happened, people like the principal and Villar are taking care of things. Honestly, it seems I just feel more at ease when I deal with things myself. This might be a problem.
I’ve developed a slave mentality.
A sigh escaped me in frustration. After rolling around for four years, I’ve come to see the chains around my ankles as normal. It’s not like I’m some servant trying to win my master’s favor.
When I lifted my gaze, I spotted Marghetta sipping her tea.
“I don’t think you should become a civil servant, Mar.”
“Huh?”
My sudden comment made Marghetta’s eyes widen in surprise.
Truth be told, Marghetta didn’t particularly want to be a civil servant, and I’d occasionally dropped hints about how it wasn’t a good fit for me either. But I had never made such a random statement before.
But the thought that Marghetta could end up like a servant, just like me, made me sad enough to blurt it out.
“If you’re not letting me become a civil servant, then what? Will you take responsibility for me?”
Marghetta blinked for a moment before breaking into a mischievous smile. Seeing that made me smile too. There’s no doubt she’s becoming bolder day by day.
It’s somewhat disappointing. She was so cute back then when she was shy, but now she speaks so calmly and doesn’t even blush.
“I’ll take responsibility regardless of what you do.”
“Really? That’s reassuring!”
Still, I couldn’t help but feel a bit disappointed. The comfort of seeing her blush after starting the conversation herself was something unique.
Is she looking for confirmation?
Watching Marghetta quietly sip her tea while blushing, I had that thought. Perhaps this was her way of seeking some reassurance about affection.
I rejected her marriage proposal last year. I knew how she felt after we met again at the academy, but I subtly pushed her away. How could anyone stay unaffected after such an experience?
Outwardly fine, she could still develop a lack of affection inside. Perhaps that’s why she seeks comforting words to fill that void.
What a mess!
How much of an idiot was I in the past?
“Carl, I have a question.”
“Oh, yes. Feel free to ask.”
Marghetta’s voice helped me fend off the creeping self-loathing.
“Um, by any chance…”
Her hesitation sparked my curiosity. Marghetta wasn’t the type to hesitate, so what did she want to ask?
But if I pushed her, it might make it harder for her to speak. I decided to wait patiently—
“What do you think about having multiple wives?”
Wha—?
What kind of question is that?!
I understood the words she said; it was just the meaning behind them that puzzled me.
*
Seeing Carl’s confused expression almost made me sigh.
I completely understood his feelings. I was already having a headache bringing this up; I could only imagine how Carl must feel.
I shouldn’t have to do this.
I feel both ridiculous and pathetic. Why was I going to such lengths for no reason?
Sure, slipping in a good word for Louise was within my capabilities. However, giving such blatant hints felt like a whole different ball game. It might even make him uncomfortable.
Still, what’s done is done; I had already let it slip.
“Actually, there’s someone else who likes oppa.”
I recalled what Lady Louise said yesterday. At the time, I almost dropped the teapot. To think her question about being okay with three was about this!
Looking back, it wasn’t really shocking. If a guy looks good to me, he probably looks good to others too. So, it wouldn’t be weird if someone had a crush on Carl that I wasn’t aware of.
The main concern was why she brought it up in front of me.
“Irina also wishes to be with oppa. That is, if you would allow it…”
She elaborated further, but it was straightforward.
In essence, she wasn’t daring to aim for the first wife position; she wanted permission for the next. She wanted to say it herself but couldn’t just drop by unexpectedly, so she hoped to come tomorrow.
Honestly, getting this from Lady Louise was abrupt, but it felt quite different from a surprise visit from the person involved or a heads-up from a third party.
“It’s been a while, Lady Irina.”
And there we were, finally meeting. Despite my concerns, I didn’t reject her.
I knew that Lady Irina’s family, the Count of Yorun, had suffered due to the Prosecutor’s Office. My father had even tsked, questioning how such chaos could occur.
And now, the victim had developed feelings for Carl, the Executive Manager of the Prosecutor’s Office. I couldn’t even begin to guess how turbulent her journey must have been.
“It’s not my place to say anything.”
How could I interfere with someone else’s feelings, especially in her state?
“If your feelings for Carl are sincere, then I won’t stand in your way.”
“Th-thank you!”
Seeing her delight made me feel like I made the right choice.
But did Lady Irina know that my permission wouldn’t be the endpoint? Considering Carl’s history, the road ahead might not be all sunshine and rainbows.
If Carl refuses Lady Louise and Irina, pushing them away and causing them pain—
“That would be the worst…”
They would likely experience the same heartache I endured over the past year.
Polygamy is pretty common among high nobility, isn’t it? I was just wondering what Carl thinks about it.
“Yes, I suppose it’s common for some to have multiple wives.”
And that’s how we reached this point. I was concerned that Carl might insist on monogamy and forever push those two aside.
It was indeed just my nosiness. I wouldn’t lose anything by staying quiet. In fact, knowing that I could monopolize Carl’s affection, staying silent might be wiser.
But how could I? I couldn’t just keep quiet knowing someone I cared about was going down a painful path.
Do they even know how hard I’m working for them?
The image of those two lovely ladies almost made me chuckle. No, this was all on me. I couldn’t take credit or use it as an excuse to come out ahead in any arrangement.
Is there even a debt here?
What I was doing was simply asking for Carl’s opinion and trying to nudge him toward accepting multiple wives. After all, if Carl himself disliked the whole idea, there wasn’t anything I could say.
Yeah, this isn’t a debt. This is just something I want.
*
Sometimes a trivial comment lingers on, especially now.
Polygamy.
The term kept echoing in my mind even after Marghetta left.
Honestly, I’ve never really cared whether someone had multiple wives or just one. Using the mindset of a modern individual to complain, “How outdated!” wouldn’t fly here anyway. After all, this is set in a world that mirrors medieval and early modern Europe.
Besides, wouldn’t I need to challenge the entire class system if I were to criticize polygamy? It’d be odd for me to enjoy life as a noble and then suddenly make a fuss about it.
“If mutual feelings exist, it doesn’t matter how many there are. After all, we aren’t living in a time of forced marriages.”
That’s what I told Marghetta. The emperor had multiple wives; so did many dukes and lower nobility. In that context, anyone shouting “Against polygamy!” would be nothing but a reactionary.
“As long as the feelings are mutual… Yes, that’s what matters.”
She nodded affirmatively, seeming pleased with my answer.
What on earth is happening?
I feel like I selected the right answer, but I still don’t understand her intention. Still, since nothing catastrophic happened, is it alright?
Yes, if Marghetta was in a good mood, then that was more than enough.
And since nothing happened on the last day of my probation, it’s more than sufficient.
*
I totally forgot the saying, “It’s not over until it’s over.”
“Ah, Advisor! Long time no see! How have you been?”
“Fine.”
Things were genuinely good until you showed up. Why come now when we’re going to see each other tomorrow anyway?
I managed to hold back my sarcasm and nodded. After all, I couldn’t just ask someone visiting me to take a hike or inquire why they came.
Calm down. Sure, this guy had annoyed me during the first semester, but he hadn’t done anything wrong now. Plus, this probation stemmed from my own actions toward Rutis. What a heartwarming story of a victim offering comfort to their aggressor.
“It took longer than expected to prepare. I was worried I might be late, but fortunately, it worked out just in time!”
With that, Rutis flashed a smile and handed me a box.
“This is invigorating food for a released prisoner.”
This guy…
What a weird way to phrase it. Just call it invigorating food.
“It’s pretty famous, though I never got to see it myself.”
“Oh, I see.”
If a prince gives food meant for a prisoner, wouldn’t that make him a traitor?
A wave of discomfort washed over me, but Rutis was urging me to open the box, so I cautiously lifted the lid. Inside was a white cake.
Cake?
Why is it so plain?
And a cake for a released prisoner?
Upon closer inspection, the inscription on the cake read “1377.” What was that about?
“Normally, there should be a prisoner number, but since the advisor doesn’t have one, I went with this year instead.”
“Hah.”
I burst out laughing in that moment. This guy, he actually got me to laugh this time.
After sending Rutis off, I chuckled again when I realized the cake was made of tofu and not flour.
It seems being locked up for a week makes even the tiniest things hilarious.
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