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A wise man once said that there was still a floor even at rock bottom.

He wasn’t called wise for nothing. I was realizing the truth of his words in real time.

“Still, as His Highness said, there's the New Year's Ball. I guess I'll have to wait for that day."

Starting with the confession from the Mage Duchess, which I thought would be the most shocking thing I'd ever hear—

“Then, can I say that I also like you, oppa?”

Followed by Louise, who rejected the five male leads to choose me—

“...Still, I’m not unworthy of being by your side.”

And finally, Irina, whom I never expected to have feelings for me.

What the hell?

I rubbed my temples. Lately, my headaches haven’t been going away.

Of course, it wasn’t because I considered the confessions from these incredible people as something trivial. It was just that my mental state was crawling on the floor.

Honestly, I had to admit this. Even the most noble-minded archmage or priest would’ve felt the same if they were in my position.

And all this happened within a week.

My head throbbed again. Receiving heart-pounding confessions in the span of a week – was this what they called a hat-trick of surprises?

But a hat-trick usually involved only one person, not being ambushed by three people. We need a new term for this.

"I’m not expecting an immediate answer. I came after Louise, so I can’t cut in line."

Just as I was contemplating a new term, Irina’s awkwardly smiling face and her oddly tearful voice came to mind.

"I j-just wanted you to notice me. Not as a pitiful sister... but as a woman."

I barely managed to lift my body off the bed and sighed. They said that sighing would bring bad luck, but I didn’t care anymore. It felt like I had run out of luck, anyway.

Irina left quickly after saying that. My stiffened body couldn’t catch her as she swiftly disappeared.

And even if I could have caught her, I probably would have let her go. What would be the point of catching her in that situation?

I can’t accept it.

It would be strange to accept Irina’s confession when I haven’t even responded to the Mage Duchess and Louise yet.

I can’t reject her, either.

It would also be odd to push away Irina’s confession first for that same reason. Putting other confessions on hold while rejecting her outright? That would make her cry and ask if I really disliked her that much.

Should I just run away?

I seriously considered that for a moment.

For about a week, maybe? No, even three days would be fine. I wanted to be alone somewhere with no one around so I could sort out my thoughts. That way, I wouldn’t receive any more confessions.

I might as well go back to prison now. Being detained for five days would be the best possible thing.

Maybe if I hit Rutis again...

I clenched my fist unconsciously.

Assaulting royalty, even a repeat offender. That could get me imprisoned immediately not just for five days, but for months even.

Of course, one wrong move might lead to execution, but life was a gamble anyway.

Alright, I might as well close my eyes and do it once more—

Ah.

Light shone from the communication crystal just before I lost my sanity.

Thank goodness. I might have actually lost it if it shone just a moment later.

"This is the Prosecutors' Office's Executive Manager."

This was the person who saved my life. Thinking that made my expression soften automatically.

So, I activated the communication crystal gratefully. I shouldn’t show a distorted face to my lifesaver.

— How are you holding up? You look better than I expected.

However, my expression twisted again the moment I saw the minister’s face.

Damn it.

I had been so out of it that I forgot something important. I forgot that there was someone who enjoyed seeing me suffer.

Of course, the minister probably didn’t know about Louise and Irina’s confessions, but the Mage Duchess’s was more than enough.

While the Crown Prince was staying quiet, preoccupied with the political upheaval caused by the Mage Duchess’s shock, the minister couldn’t care less about politics. As an ordinary count with nothing but retirement in mind, he didn't care who the Mage Duchess married.

But if the Mage Duchess’s intended spouse turned out to be me, then he wouldn’t be able to resist using it to make fun of me.

— Hmm, considering you're the Mage Duchess’s companion, I suppose I should be more respectful.

I quickly shook my head at the chillingly formal words. The world must be ending if that man was speaking formally to me.

"Don’t be ridiculous! Who's the companion?"

— Obviously, it’s you. Everyone but you thinks so.

The formal tone disappeared, replaced by an unpleasant snicker.

Obviously...

My heart sank as soon as I heard the minister's words.

Obviously. It might be a short word, but its weight was immense. Hearing this from a third party like the minister made it undeniable.

Yes. From an outsider’s perspective, it was a done deal that I was becoming the Mage Duchess’s husband.

It makes sense.

Even though I was the heir of a county, the other party was a duke. Even my title as the Prosecutors' Office's Executive Manager wouldn’t be able to compare to the title of the head of the Magic Tower. The difference in status meant that even a one-sided choice by the Mage Duchess could lead to marriage.

In fact, the nobles would have applauded and wished us a happily ever after even if the Mage Duchess had kidnapped me at the Crown Princess’s birthday banquet.

So, it wasn’t strange that people see this situation as the Mage Duchess preparing for marriage rather than me not having accepted her confession.

"...How are things over there?"

After a long silence, I finally spoke.

— Do you really want to know?

The minister's response was sober.

I shook my head solemnly at his short question.

The capital, the center of the political world, would be the most chaotic place due to this situation. Given how serious the minister sounded, it must be a complete mess.

I’d better stay away for a while.

If I went near the capital, then I’d be caught like a Pokémon locking eyes with a Pokémon trainer. That was the last thing I needed.

— Oh, and one more thing...

While I was resolving to avoid the capital until the New Year’s Ball, the minister spoke again.

However, he hesitated after starting. His frown and his faint mumble made me uneasy.

What is it?

Why did he look so anxious?

— Would you rather get hit first or later?

"Excuse me?"

The minister, looking unusually grave, asked something unsettling.

"...I’d rather get hit first."

When I answered cautiously, he nodded and continued.

— I just found out. The Mage Duchess has started moving.

Instinctively, my hand trembled.

Those were frightening words. The Mage Duchess had already used the tower’s mages as messengers; if she was making a full-scale move, then what could she be planning? Was she going to plaster the empire with leaflets this time?

— To your territory.

...

What?

***

The mansion was in an uproar.

"Prepare everything with the highest quality. Whether it's wine, tea, snacks, or meals. Nothing should be lacking."

"Yes, madam."

The butler nodded and quickly disappeared.

Normally, the butler’s role was more supervisory than hands-on. But in urgent situations like this, his experienced presence was essential.

"Madam, the garden is fully prepared."

"Good job, Laura."

I could finally catch my breath at Laura's report as soon as the butler left.

If Laura said that it was perfect, then it must be. The garden was the face of the mansion. At least we saved some dignity.

"Nia, this is about..."

Laura, who was checking the surroundings, whispered softly. Her rarely trembling voice showed how shaken she was.

Of course I was, too.

"It must be... because of Carl."

"Oh my goodness."

Laura covered her mouth with her hand. Her expression was a mix of shock, pride, and dizziness, causing me to sigh.

Carl, what have you done?

My feelings were complicated. What on earth did he do to make the Mage Duchess take action? I shouldn't blame him, but I felt a tiny bit resentful.

At the same time, I felt proud. My son was so charming that even a Duke was captivated by him. The slight frustration became overwhelmed by a feeling of pride and satisfaction.

— I am Theodore Jedas of House Catoban, the Mage Duchess’s butler.

However, this pride couldn't overshadow my current dizziness.

The call from House Catoban came out of the blue. The butler, the Count of Sicily, bowed respectfully.

He managed the Mage Duchess’s territory in the Mage Duchess’s absence, so he was essentially the second-in-command. Facing a call from such an important figure left me flustered, though I had a vague idea why he was contacting me.

— The Mage Duchess is well aware of your wisdom and kindness. Although circumstances have prevented a meeting until now, she said that she wishes to meet the mother of one of the Empire’s pillars.

"You flatter me."

Despite the formality, it was an offer I couldn’t refuse. So, I just accepted.

Technically, I could refuse. Whether to accept a sudden visit request was up to the host.

However, it was difficult to reject a Duke's request, especially in such an obvious situation. Refusing to meet a future daughter-in-law who wanted to see her future mother-in-law would turn her goodwill into anger.

Daughter-in-law.

The dizzying term made me feel faint.

I’m going to be a mother-in-law.

The thought made me even dizzier.

Of course, it was a title I wanted to hear. I thought I’d hear it soon.

But I expected to hear it from Marghetta, that girl. Even though it was burdensome to be entangled with their family twice, I thought it would be alright if it was her.

But now, the Mage Duchess had appeared. It was an entirely unexpected person at an unexpected time.

In a panic, I contacted Billy in the capital. However, he excused himself using council affairs and didn’t come home.