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“Adopting Wendy…?”

“Yes.”

I returned through the gate earlier than Park Se-hee. After quickly undoing my transformation, I was greeted by Bella at the mansion. She immediately asked if I would consider adopting Wendy.

“…That’s quite sudden.”

“Wendy has worked hard serving you all this time. This is a way to repay her.”

“…If you knew how many plates she’s broken, you wouldn’t say that.”

“…Ahem. Anyway, for Wendy’s future, wouldn’t it be worth considering?”

“Hmm.”

It’s certainly not a bad idea for Wendy’s future.

The Izakhel Family is a prestigious ducal family trusted by the Emperor, known for producing heroes. Their reputation is unmatched in the Empire.

The Ruelberta Family is a force to be reckoned with. Their influence was already strong, but after being incorporated into the Empire’s Seven Stars and successfully leading the northern expedition, their power reached its peak.

If Wendy were to become our adopted daughter, she would gain the backing of both the Ruelberta and Izakhel Families. It would be an unprecedented rise in status. Many in the Empire would bow their heads to her. Moreover, numerous nobles would court her, and their descendants would enjoy wealth and honor for generations.

It’s all good, no downsides.

If only I didn’t know about Wendy’s feelings, I might have gladly accepted her as my daughter.

But… her feelings are the problem.

– “C-Can’t I marry the Count…?”

– “E-Even as a concubine is fine… I just want to stay by the Count’s side for a long, long time… *sniff*…”

I didn’t think she was serious. I thought she was just a clingy girl who relied on me a lot, but she’s in love. Marriage.

Once I realized it, Wendy’s past actions made sense. Shy and reserved, but especially bashful around me. Trying to act like a mature woman… Why did I only notice now?

I promised her we’d get married when she grew up, not knowing her feelings. She must have taken it seriously. If I now say I’ll adopt her…

‘Hmm… She’d be really sad…’

I can imagine Wendy’s tears falling. She’d try to smile to reassure me, saying she’s fine and will do as the Count says.

I sighed.

“…We should hear her opinion first before deciding anything.”

“Of course. I respect Wendy’s thoughts.”

But could I respect it if Wendy still wants to marry me?

“By the way, why the sudden thought of adopting Wendy?”

“It wasn’t my idea. It was Michaela’s.”

“Michaela’s…?”

I frowned involuntarily.

Michaela is a self-centered, arrogant god. She’s jealous of me just because I’m Sora’s brother. The fact that such an idea came from her makes me uneasy. I feel like she’s up to something.

Bella, true to the Izakhel Family’s heritage of inheriting light magic from Michaela, didn’t seem to think much of it.

“Michaela is wise. She always points us in the right direction.”

“To me, she’s just a brat with no manners. I wish Wendy would take after her even a little… no, even just the dirt under her fingernails.”

“Tristan! That’s too harsh!”

“Hmm… I guess I was a bit harsh.”

“Apologize right now.”

“Fine. I’ll bow my head and apologize.”

“Hmph…”

“To the dirt under her fingernails.”

I dodged her kick aimed at my shin. I’ve been through this before.

“Why are you dodging!”

“Too slow.”

“Should I kick you for real? Do you not know how fast my kicks are?”

“I can move about twice as fast as your fastest kick.”

“Funny… Really. Then try dodging this.”

“Moving that slowly, there’s no need to dodge…”

The kick didn’t come. Instead, Bella spread her arms and jumped at me. If I dodged, she’d fall flat on the floor. I quickly caught her. At that moment…

*Peck.*

My body froze at the sensation on my lips.

“If you’re so fast, why couldn’t you dodge this?”

“……”

“Hehe… So cute.”

Bella, smiling like a little devil, kissed me again.

“…Isn’t this cheating?”

“I told you to dodge.”

“If I dodged, it would’ve been a disaster.”

“You’re smart. Here’s a reward.”

Bella kissed my forehead. Her affectionate gesture made me soften without realizing it.

Bella is usually sharp and aloof, but once we became like this, she’s very proactive with her affections. Of course, only when we’re alone.

“Isn’t it too early to talk about children when we’re not even married yet?”

“That’s because you keep delaying the marriage.”

“Huh… You’ve changed a lot.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Back then, you hated the idea, but now you’re desperate to marry me as soon as possible.”

“Seriously… What are you talking about?”

“I never thought we’d end up like this…”

“…Hmph. We’re not even together yet, you know? If you keep delaying the marriage, I’ll go to another man.”

“Who? Patrick?”

“…Even as a joke, don’t say that.”

“Hmm. Okay…”

“If you’re sorry, then hurry up and marry me.”

“Don’t pinch my cheek. It hurts.”

“Good. That’s what I wanted.”

Bella, with a mischievous smile, touched my face. It’s embarrassing, but not unpleasant.

Suddenly, it’s time to go to bed. Bella seems to have no intention of returning to the Izakhel Mansion.

“Are you planning to sleep here again?”

“What’s the big deal? We’re going to get married anyway.”

“That’s true, but…”

Lately, Bella has been staying at my mansion more often than the Izakhel Mansion. Thanks to the mansion’s unnecessary size and luxury, there are plenty of rooms for her. Probably much larger and better than the rooms at the Izakhel Mansion. But Bella insists on sleeping in my room instead of the one I gave her.

“Even married couples don’t need to share a bed every day, right?”

“You’re not suggesting separate rooms, are you? Between us?”

“Not separate rooms, but some privacy…”

“You want to spend time alone with a woman like me around…?”

“No… I mean…”

“Do you really want to be alone? Then I’ll leave you alone.”

“……”

I shut my mouth. My privacy seemed to be over.

Bella was gradually expanding her influence. She even got acquainted with the mansion’s servants, acting like the mistress of the Ruelberta Family. The mansion’s atmosphere seemed to accept her as the de facto mistress. But the mistress they should serve isn’t just one person.

‘I’ll have to wait and see…’

If Helga or Blanshe also become mistresses… Wouldn’t the mansion’s atmosphere become chaotic? The two martial artists don’t quite fit the image of mistresses, but…

No, more importantly…

“Bella. I want to ask you something.”

“Hmm? What is it?”

“Um…”

I scratched my cheek and asked.

“How much of an age difference do you think is acceptable in a marriage?”

“…What?”

*

“Wendy. Why do you look so down this morning?”

“Huh?”

Wendy snapped out of her daze at the voice of senior maid, Julie.

Today was the day guests were coming to the mansion. The servants were bustling around, preparing to welcome them.

“If you’re not feeling well, why don’t you take a break?”

“Ah, no… I was just lost in thought…”

Originally, Wendy was supposed to assist Tristan, but today she couldn’t. The story she heard from Michaela yesterday had shaken her heart.

– “Congratulations, Wendy.”

– “Huh…?”

– “You’re going to be adopted by Tristan and Bella.”

The shock was so great that she almost dropped the plate she was cleaning. Michaela smirked at Wendy’s reaction.

– “Isn’t that great? Becoming their adopted daughter would mean a huge rise in status, right?”

– “W-Well…”

– “Huh? You’re not against it, are you?”

Of course, she was against it. But she couldn’t show it. She knew the offer to adopt her came from a place of goodwill.

– “It’s not that… It’s just so sudden…”

– “Be grateful. It’s a huge privilege for someone like you to be adopted by them. Understand?”

Even young Wendy knew what it meant to be adopted by two of the most powerful families in the Empire. As Michaela said, it was an enormous privilege, almost too much. But for Wendy, who loved Tristan, it was like a bolt from the blue.

She didn’t know who brought up the idea of adoption first. It could’ve been Bella, but if it was Tristan…

‘No, that can’t be!’

Wendy shook her head vigorously. The Tristan she knew wouldn’t do that. Hadn’t he promised? That they’d get married when she grew up.

But…

‘What if the Count thought the promise was just a joke? Just a childish whim?’

A part of Wendy’s heart harbored that fear. Just the thought made her head spin, and she couldn’t bring herself to face Tristan. Part of it was her timid nature, but… if she saw his face now, she felt like she’d burst into tears…

Wendy ended up doing odd jobs around the mansion, using her poor condition as an excuse.

“Hmm. You really don’t look well.”

“I-I’m fine!”

Wendy, trying to sound cheerful, picked up a pair of tongs. Her task was simple: place strawberries on slices of cream cake. But her hands were shaking, and she kept dropping the strawberries.

At this point, it was more surprising that no one noticed.

“Something really bad must’ve happened, huh?”

“Julie… What kind of woman do you think the Count likes…?”

“Suddenly…?”

“D-Does he not like small, young girls like me…?”

“Hmm… Wendy, listen. There are all kinds of men in the world. Some of them definitely like women like you.”

“R-Really…?”

“Of course, they’re in prison.”

“Ugh… I-I guess so, huh?”

“Wendy… Were you feeling down because of that?”

It’s the age difference, after all. Wendy hung her head and muttered.

“I-I guess the Count sees me as a daughter…”

“Wendy…”

“I… really like the Count…”

Julie, who knew Wendy’s feelings, reached out to comfort her. But she couldn’t. She noticed a figure approaching nearby.

“W-Wendy…”

“I really like him… I think about him every day…”

“Wait…”

“I don’t want him to see me as a daughter…”

Unaware, Wendy placed her hand on her chest and spoke as if making a vow.

“I want the Count to see me as a woman…”

“Ahem…”

A low cough.

Huh?

But it wasn’t Julie who made the sound. It was too deep to be a woman’s voice.

“…Is that so?”

Huh???

When Wendy turned her head, a man with a complicated expression was standing there, looking at her.

It was Tristan.

“?!?!?!”

Too shocked to scream, Wendy stumbled back and knocked over the cakes she had been arranging.

 

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