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Chapter 280 Part 2

The Almadia servants swiftly prepared tea for Christina, creating an appearance of a father and brother warmly welcoming their family member who had become the lord of a faraway land. 

「We have heard about your many projects since you became the lord of Bern, so much so that the news never stops even if I wish not to hear about them.」　

The smile on her father’s face made Christina wonder if he was doing too much to appear friendly. His unexpected decision to bridge the distance between them bewildered her. 

Dran picked up the subtle change in Christina’s true feelings, making him grin in secret. Such amicable exchanges between family members was certainly comforting. 

「I owe my gratitude to Grandfather and his authority for the help I’ve received from numerous individuals.」　

「Hmph, even my father—your grandfather—and myself would never have been able to establish a cooperative relationship with the dragons of Mores Mountains. I am not acquainted with anyone who could have brought the Lamias, the mermaids, and the tribes of Ente forest into such friendly relations in the short period of time you have.」　

Christina was blushing furiously down to her neck after receiving this unprecedented high praise from her father. The rosiness peeked out from her nightgown and reached the tips of her ears. Her reaction was something much more befitting someone years younger than her actual age, and it deepened the smiles of Dran and Eldar. 

However, Christina had not come here just to struggle over embarrassment and joy. She recalled that her beloved lover was by her side, waiting for her to introduce him to her father and brother. This particular task was one of the most difficult feats she had faced in her life!

「I never imagined that I would hear such words from you, Father. Life truly is unpredictable.」　

「I am to blame for the poor treatment you have received in the house of Almadia. Forgive me. I know it is audacious of me to play the father figure after all these years.」　

「I do not resent you, Father. Nor anyone else in the Almadia clan. I am thus entrusted with the great role of the lord of Bern only because I am part of the Almadia household. I am grateful for this.」　

「I despise myself for seeking reprieve in your words. How thoroughly selfish and self-absorbed of me.」　

「You are extraordinarily harsh on yourself, Father.」　

「I am aware that without such self-discipline, I am easily susceptible to debasement.」　

This attitude may just be the secret to how the clan leader of one of the kingdom’s greatest noble families managed to enrich his domain for so many years. Christina silently took note of this. 

「Father, Brother, may I also take this time to introduce someone?」

Dran had remained silent thus far only because he had not yet been introduced as Christina’s fiancé. He had only been acknowledged as her vassal and not permitted to interject unless asked to do so. However, Christina was about to change things. 

Dram and Eldar took a glance at Dran, who was maintaining his role as a vassal, and nodded calmly. It was clear that Dran was a trusted subject if Christina had brought him here. Moreover, these two had picked up that Dran was not just an ordinary vassal. The Almadia clan had looked into the key personnel of the barony of Bern due to their rapid rise, and Dram and Eldar already knew who this boy before them was. 

「We have investigated the identity of this young man, but let us hear it from you.」　

「Thank you for the permission. My name is Dran, and I act as Lady Christina’s aide. I studied with her at Galois Magic Academy.」

So far, Dran had only spoken as Christina’s vassal. He had not addressed her as “Chris” either.

「You’re the bridge for the friendly relations between Ente forest and Ryuuguu Kingdom, and you’ve made a name for yourself in the incidents with Abyss Dawn and the sea demons. Prince Sperion and Princess Frau seem to have forged close ties with you in private as well. Christina, you have gained yourself an impressive subject.」　

「He’s too great for me, but I’m not introducing him as a valued subject today. As a matter of fact, ever since I took over as the lord of Bern, there have been several unsolicited offers of marriage to me.」　

Incidentally, there were also a number of requests for Dran to marry the daughters of low-ranking knights, families of first generation knights who had risen through the ranks of commoners, and the daughters of wealthy merchants. Even so, these marriage offers were certainly fewer than the ones Christina received. 

Dran was responsible for the rapid growth of the barony of Bern, hence is was only natural that many would be interested in establishing family ties to him. 

Whenever someone came with such offers, Dramina would be introduced as Dran’s lover. Her breathtaking beauty would strike the other party so intensely, leading to feelings of inferiority. The conversation would end instantly with the help of Dramina. 

「Several offers for your hand in marriage have reached our household as well. They hoped to establish ties with you through me and Father.」　

Eldar was the one who answered. Even though Christina had left the main Almadia household to become the founding lord of Bern, it was not peculiar that suitors would approach Dram and Eldar, her family members. 

「Hm, I don’t remember hearing about such offers from you two. Have you refused everyone who came to you?」　

「Well, yes. Your marriage is your decision. I have refused all proposals to those who sought your hand through the Almadia household. That being siad, have you brought this up so suddenly because you hope to make Dran your partner?」　

Christina’s face flushed with girlish abashment at her brother’s suggestion. More specifically, a hint of vermillion colored her cheeks. After the sight of his sister in the world’s most ravishing tint of makeup, Eldar was truly glad that he had not brought his wife. After all, Christina’s sister-in-law was completely taken by Christina’s beauty. 

「This may be the very first time I’ve heard you speak of your wishes. If that’s what the Baroness of Bern desires, I suppose I have no objections…」　

Christina and Dran followed Eldar’s gaze to Dram. Surprisingly, this loving father looked somewhat sullen. Nobody but Dram would know if this was due to anger with Christina for going ahead with an unfavorable marriage or simply displeasure with the thought of her marriage. 

As Christina observed Dram’s mood, she opened her mouth to speak in trepidation. Even if she received an objection, she would be determined to marry Dran. If she failed to do so, Selina and the others would treat her horrifyingly. That being said, she would much rather her family approve rather than oppose her marriage. 

「Father, if you’re concerned about Dran’s status, he is a commoner by birth, but he is a knight by my hand. He is by no means an unsuitable partner for a baron. Above all, I would like to take him as my husband.」　

Dran’s eyes widen, slightly taken aback by how Christina had skipped the introduction of him as her fiancé and went straight to declaring him as her husband. Dram’s quiet sigh then drew Dran’s gaze.

「I’m not an old bag of bones that would interfere in the decisions of another head of state, not even the marriage of my own daughter.」　

Bewildered by Dram’s increasing frown despite his statements, Christina turned her embarrassed gaze to Eldar for help. He clearly understood their father more than she did. 

Eldar shook his head, biting back his helplessness at the first look of help from his sister. He went through his memories, recalling a few instances of their father’s emotion when revealing such an expression. All that he could conclude was that their father was glum over Christina right now. 

「Christina spoke of status, but I know that you are far more superior in standing than my daughter or royalty, Dran. I know that you have close ties with Headmaster Olivier, a prominent figure of Ente forest, and the Ente-Yggdrasil World Tree. Moreover, you played a major role in encouraging Ryoukichi of Ryuuguu Kingdom to consider a positive relationship with our nation due to your involvement. If someone of your importance is willing to support my daughter as her vassal and her husband, I can only be in your debt as a father and the head of a noble clan.」　

Christina and Eldar could only let out the honest comment that the frown remained despite such statements. They were on the receiving end of Dram’s unabashedly piercing glare for that, but Dran maintained the same slight smile. Since this was the father of his lover, it was only natural that he should be cautious about his words. 

「That’s the highest praise I can receive, Marquis Dram.」　

「How many people in the past century, two centuries, or even back to the founding of the nation, have accomplished as much as you have? Christina should be delighted that she has grasped such a capable man.」　

Dram’s words were a mix of the truth and polite flattery, but his reluctance remained unchanged. It was certainly not pleasing for him to have his beloved daughter snatched away by a man of doubtful origins. He was refraining from harsh comments simply because he was aware that he was being selfish despite failing to be a good father to Christina. 

「Thank you. I will ensure absolute self-disciple to be worthy of Christina and support her for the rest of my life.」　

「Ngh!」　

Dran’s sudden proposal came as a surprise to Christina, eliciting a deep and strange grunt from her. If not for the presence of her father, brother, and the butlers, she would have tumbled to the ground and continued emitting such peculiar noises out of uncontrollable embarrassment and joy.

Not missing the increasing gloom on Dram’s face, Dran spoke up to draw everyone’s focus back to the situation at hand by reminding them of the approaching dinner banquet. Unfortunately, he would have to continue speaking to his father-in-law and brother-in-law after the banquet and the subsequent meeting. 

「I will remain by Christina’s side even in the face of the upcoming invasion from the north.」　

Those words were sufficient to redirect the attention of the disappointed father who had witnessed her daughter introduce a man to him, the perplexed son who was faced with his father’s reaction, and Dran’s own heart that was on the verge of exploding. 

Certainly, they had not come to Galois just to discuss Christina’s marriage. They had arrived here to prepare for the battle against the demon lord’s army, in which Christina would undertake the most perilous role. 

「You can say whatever you want, but I see no lies in your eyes. Hence, I will not interfere in Christina’s marriage unless extreme circumstances calls for it. You don’t seem to fall under that category. Christina, have you decided on the date of your marriage?」　

「No, I have yet to pick a date, since the battle with the demon lord’s army will occur within the year. Moreover, my marriage itself can be used as part of our strategy.」　

「Hm, I see. Well then…」　

Dram closed his eyes as if in deep thought. When he opened them again, they shined brilliantly, possible even ferociously. 

「We need to end this war as soon as possible.」　

Dram spoke like a hunter who had set his sights on his prey, spurring Dran to acknowledge that this man was certainly Chris’s father after all.