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Since I possessed this body five years ago, shouldn’t I be considered six years old instead of 21? If that was the case, then the eldest son wasn’t me, but Erich. That’s why the pressure to marry should fall on Erich and not me. That’s how the universe should balance things out.

Of course, this was all nonsense. I would probably be sent straight to the mental health facility at the temple if I said something like that.

“You’re talking about getting engaged?”

“Yes. You’re over twenty, aren’t you? If you delay any longer, people might start spreading rumors.”

That was certainly true. For nobility, where producing an heir was seen as basic etiquette and the highest duty, how could someone be not engaged when they were past the prime age? Unless someone was visibly incapable of marrying, that wasn’t something people usually accepted.

Unfortunately, I didn’t qualify for such exceptions even with my status in the Prosecutors’ Office. Noble engagements were almost sacred.

I’ve barely passed my twenties, so it was quiet for now, but give it a few more years and people would start questioning my sexual preferences. Just the thought of it fills me with dread.

‘What should I do about this?’

This was a legitimate concern for a mother. Even though I wasn’t her real son but a counterfeit, we haven’t officially severed our mother-son relationship. It would be odd to completely disregard her worries.

But agreeing to an engagement right here and now? That was laughable. I already turned down Marghetta’s proposal because I wasn’t ready, and now I was supposed to accept another? It felt like a joke.

The problem was that rejecting it was even more problematic. Rejecting Marghetta twice? That would be inhumane. I would rather bite my tongue and die before being beaten up by the Iron-blooded Duke.

And there was also a slim chance that Mother might bring another lady if I turned Marghetta down again. That would be just as bad.

‘Ah.’

There was a good excuse. It was a good thing that I remembered it just in time.

“You’re right, that might happen in a few more years.”

“Indeed. There are always those who want to tarnish people’s purity.”

As I agreed, Mother continued unabashedly. Her high praise of me was almost embarrassing.

“But imposing my situation on someone else wouldn’t be fair.”

That comment made even my aggressive mother pause for a moment.

Mother seemed to have taken a liking to Marghetta. I wonder what happened in such a short time that she captivated Mother’s heart, but suggesting that Marghetta had circumstances would make anyone think twice.

Maybe that was the reason why Marghetta and I hadn’t formed any relationship yet. Then, Mother would be the one making a fuss for nothing. That was probably what was going through her mind.

Of course, that wasn’t true. It was just an excuse I came up with on the spot.

“Isn’t Marghetta in the Academy’s student council?”

Everyone knew that Mother considered Marghetta a suitable match for me, and that included me, her, and the head maid, so I went to the point.

“I’ve heard she’s very busy, but the engagement will be brief during the holidays. So, it shouldn’t interfere with her duties in the student council, right?”

“The student council is a problem after graduation.”

I went on to explain. The Academy’s student council was typically where students interested in government positions gathered. If Marghetta wanted to pursue a government career, being engaged or married to me would be a burden.

“If being a civil servant is her goal, then it’s best to avoid marriage right after graduation. Marriage isn’t a short affair, and time is needed to adapt to the partner’s family afterward.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. And by the time she gets through that, the junior members of the student council will have graduated. Isn’t it difficult if she had more competitors?”

Mother, who had lived a life far removed from the Academy’s student council or the life of a civil servant, quietly lowered her gaze at my words. She was unable to refute it since she had no experience firsthand, and because the person she was talking to was the Executive Manager of the Prosecutors’ Office.

If an expert said it, then it had to be true. Despite being pushed around in the administration, I was still considered a high-ranking official outside.

“Of course, engagement and marriage are different, but even an engagement could pressure Marghetta, who wants to be a civil servant. She might even give up her dreams because of me.”

“That would be wrong.”

“Exactly. So let’s wait a few years until Marghetta has established herself as a civil servant.”

Mother nodded in agreement, and the head maid sighed softly as if there was no other choice.

‘This actually worked.’

To be honest, I didn’t really know whether people avoid marriage right after graduation and wait until after they’ve established themselves. I’ve never had a normal civil servant life to know that. I just made it up after remembering a subordinate who once took a leave for his wedding.

It was a flimsy excuse to anyone familiar with my field of work, but Mother didn’t know much about it. Besides, I was the Executive Manager. Who would doubt the Executive Manager’s words?

Anyway, this would buy me a few years. How I would handle the pressure when it came was something I would leave to the future me.

‘It’s not like I’m just delaying the inevitable.’

I knew that this wasn’t a real solution.

To solve this fundamentally, I would have to bring up Hecate’s matter, but I didn’t like the idea of going around and using it as a way to avoid marriage.

They say that sharing the pain lessens it, but why should people who were uninvolved in it bear any of it? Did Mother, who was just worried about her eldest son’s match, deserve such pain?

And I wouldn’t be able to bear the sympathetic looks I’d receive. The more I received those looks, the harder it would be to shake them off. The Minister and the Invincible Duke were enough for that.

“Maybe Erich will marry before me.”

“Even so, the eldest should marry first.”

I couldn’t help but smile bitterly at Mother’s firm response to my attempt in changing the subject. Well, who knows when that eldest son would be ready?

At least the Patriarch wasn’t pressing for a marriage arrangement. Mother was at least persuadable, but would persuasion work if the Patriarch had already made up his mind?

For a moment, I imagined the Patriarch repeatedly asking ‘So, when’s the marriage?’ with an expressionless face. Hmm, that wouldn’t be easy to answer.

After that day, Mother stopped bringing up the topic of marriage.

Of course, she didn’t stop inviting Marghetta to the tea parties to subtly promote her. Only the verbal pressure stopped.

And the look in Mother’s eyes when she gazed at Marghetta became more wistful, like a child told to wait even though there was a tempting fruit within arm’s reach.

“Mother? Do you have something you want to say?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

It seemed Mother’s heart had grown more fond of Marghetta, possibly out of sympathy. Her way of speaking to Marghetta had even become more casual.

Naturally, Marghetta was pleased. Perhaps she was one of those people who found joy in the little things and lived a happy life.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

Feeling a vibration in my pocket, I discreetly stood up. I asked the Senior Manager to look into Count Horfeld’s affairs, so perhaps the investigation was complete.

Of course, I only gave him instructions over the communication crystal since I was unable to return to the capital immediately. It would only be the initial report, so I’d have to see the detailed report in person.

Anyway, I excused myself from Mother and Marghetta and headed to a secluded part of the garden.

***

With a faint vibration, Carl stood up from his seat. It must be work-related. After all, Carl never gets a day off as the Executive Manager.

I feel sorry for him every time. I hope he’ll step down from his official duties one day and live comfortably. Maybe he’ll even spend quiet days with me in Tailglehen’s territory.

‘Someday.’

Someday, that will happen. Yes, it surely will.

“It seems like being a civil servant isn’t easy.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

I nodded and agreed with Mother’s comment. From her perspective, it must be sad to see Carl living in the capital instead of their territory.

After watching Carl’s retreating figure for a moment, Mother turned to me and smiled gently.

“Choosing that path is remarkable.”

I blinked a few times at the unusual comment. Not responding to Mother’s words felt impolite, but she just nodded slightly as if it was okay.

“Carl told me that you’ve set your sights on being a civil servant.”

“Ah, yes… that’s right.”

The student council was typically a gathering place for students who were aspiring to government positions, so that was technically true. And I did consider joining the Prosecutors’ Office before Carl came to the Academy.

Of course, it didn’t matter now since Carl was at the Academy.

“They said that entering government service makes it hard to marry for a few years, but I’ll support you since that’s the path you’ve chosen.”

“Sorry?”

What?

My head went blank at the incomprehensible words that came from Mother. Entering government service made marriage difficult? For several years? Really?

I didn’t know that. If I had known that, then I wouldn’t have even considered a career in the government. Why would I choose something that would hinder my time together with Carl?

‘Oh no…!’

Mother said that she would support me. In her mind, I’ve already become a prospective daughter-in-law who would work as a civil servant for years after graduation.

No, that’s not it at all! I have no intention of waiting for years to marry…! We can do it right after graduation, or even today if Carl agrees!

“Choosing that path as a noble lady might not be easy, but even Billy would admire you for making this choice for the sake of the Empire.”

However, I couldn’t bring myself to speak after seeing Mother continue speaking with a warm smile on her face. Saying ‘You had it wrong’ in this situation would likely turn her warm expression into a cold one.

She seemed content with the idea of me becoming a civil servant and serving the empire. What if that suddenly changed? Her current contentment and satisfaction might turn into a sense of betrayal.

‘This can’t be happening…’

Why did I do that? Why did I make that decision last year?