Book 1 Chapter 982

982.

Noble Family Council.

It is a grand gathering where representatives of the continent's noble families meet in one place to discuss the future of the continent.

And the start of such a Noble Family Council begins with fostering camaraderie.

Given their nature as noble families, they all inevitably become the core of power in their respective regions.

The basic nature of power is to stand above others.

Therefore, they had no choice but to bow their heads to those with greater power.

However, those in power do not easily bow their heads, no matter how strong an opponent may be.

This is because power, before being the ability to dominate others, also has the characteristic of representing those who rule.

For this reason, they have maintained close ties with politics to contend with greater power.

In the political arena, there are countless allies and enemies, benefactors and rivals.

There is no such thing as permanence in these complex interests.

Situations where today's allies become tomorrow's enemies are commonplace, and the opposite is equally true.

And fundamentally, among noble families with long histories, unresolved grievances are intricately intertwined.

Meeting an archenemy at a Noble Family Council was not as difficult as one might think.

One wrong move, and a bloodbath was bound to ensue.

In the past, there were several instances where wars broke out during Noble Family Councils.

This was why fostering camaraderie among noble families was indispensable.

Not many foolish families cause disputes at parties hosted by heroic noble families.

"Well, there have been many cases where disputes arose even among heroic noble families themselves."

Celia, immaculately dressed in her uniform, muttered indifferently.

"Is holding a social party for only the heirs and younger family members first also to write it off as a children's fight?"

A voice she had never heard before.

Gray hair and eyes.

Unlike his appearance, which was now handsome enough to be called a beautiful young man, having shed the traces of a boy, his face was somewhat ordinary and unfamiliar.

But Celia recognized him as her cousin.

"…That's right."

It was Niel who answered instead.

However, she still seemed confused by the fact she had just learned.

"As expected, Sister Niel looks good in a knight's uniform, but a dress suits you so well."

Emira smiled brightly, looking at Niel.

"If Sir Machel sees Sister Niel now, he'll definitely fall for you right away."

"Lady Emira."

"Yes?"

"Machel has already fallen for me."

"Wow."

Emira exclaimed at Niel's words.

Given their respective families, Niel and Machel's relationship is not always smooth.

But even so, that night.

The day they confirmed their feelings for each other and rekindled the flame that had died.

Both Niel and Machel had made a promise.

That they would not deny or turn away from their feelings for each other, no matter the circumstances.

As it had become a scandal known to everyone, they vowed to be lifelong partners.

'Father raged, but. No, he's still raging now. What's a family's opposition?'

A stubborn light flickered in Niel's wide eyes.

Emira sighed softly, watching her.

"I wish Sister Celia would learn a little from Sister Niel's appearance like this."

"What?"

Celia glared.

Unlike Emira and Niel, who were dressed in beautiful party dresses, Celia's current appearance was that of an impeccable knight.

Emira spoke, looking at Celia.

"Do you know how much trouble I went through to calm Chelsea down because you played a prank on her?"

From Chelsea's perspective, who didn't know that Emira was aware of Celia and Avard's relationship, the story of Avard and Emira was a significant matter.

At her words, Emira said,

"It was a prank, but my intention to marry Sir Avard is also serious."

"What?"

'Is she messing with me again?'

Celia, who thought Emira was playing a trick, was flustered when she saw Emira's eyes.

What was in her cousin's eyes was sincerity.

"I am different from Brother Rhys and Brother Leo. And Sister Celia."

Emira said indifferently.

"I'm also different from Aunt Reina."

Emira was born with a weak constitution.

A direct descendant of Gerdinger who could not wield a sword and stand on the battlefield.

A fate unable to elevate or protect the family's honor.

Because of this, she thought she was not qualified to choose a partner with whom to spend her future.

The same was true now, even after the Elder Council disappeared and pressure for political marriages weakened.

For the sake of Gerdinger, she would accept any political marriage without complaint.

Even if it was to the person her cousin, Celia, loved.

"For the sake of the family, I will marry Sir Avard. So please, quickly let others know your feelings."

There are not many cases where an individual can defy the family's will.

Even more so after an official announcement has been made.

For families with immense power, justification and prestige were that important.

To defy that will, Reina gave up the name Gerdinger.

No matter that Celia and Avard are the ones to lead Gerdinger and Rwalin, it would be difficult to reverse the family's will once it has started to roll.

"There isn't much time left until the party. By the way, they said they would announce my marriage to Sir Avard at this social party."

"What?!"

Celia's eyes widened.

Celia, who had been conflicted, finally sprang to her feet.

And she hastily exited the room.

"Is she going to Uncle Seld?"

"No. Uncle Seld would never allow a marriage to Sir Avard."

Emira shook her head at Leo's question.

"Uncle Seld and the Lord of Rwalin are practically enemies. It's famous. That's why our dad goes as the representative when talking with Rwalin."

Gis frequently spoke with Rwalin as Seld's spokesperson.

The discussion of Avard and Emira's marriage proposal was also influenced by that.

"By the way, Lady Emira. Are you really announcing your marriage at this party?"

"Oh, that?"

Emira slightly stuck out her tongue at Niel's question.

"It's a lie."

Her statement that she would marry Avard for the family's sake was sincere.

However, Emira had no intention of blindly following that will.

No matter what anyone said, wasn't he the person her beloved cousin loved?

"People are usually the most decisive when fire is at their heels, aren't they?"

"Then where did she go?"

"She must have gone to Grandfather."

Emira giggled and stood up from her seat.

"Shall we go to Grandfather's room then?"

"Why?"

"Because then we can see Sister Celia flattering and acting cute. Isn't it lovely just thinking about it?"

Leo spoke, watching Emira cup her cheeks and make an enraptured expression.

"It might be a good thing you don't have talent as a knight."

Her playing with Celia and Chelsea was extraordinary.

Emira merely smiled at Leo's words.

***

"Yes. I've thought of a good idea, Brother."

"What is it?"

"I'll cry in front of Father."

"…What?"

"I'll sob my heart out."

Chelsea is a cute youngest daughter who is affectionate not only to her older brother, Avard, but also to her father, Chaide.

However, she was never an immature child who achieved what she wanted through cuteness.

Being affectionate was simply her unique personality.

She had always achieved everything solely through her own thorough efforts and skill.

And now, she is a commendable daughter who has risen to the position of a hero, like her father, even ahead of Avard, who is her brother and will become the family head.

Because she was such a Chelsea, it was safe to say that Chaide had no immunity to his daughter crying and throwing tantrums.

"What if it doesn't work?"

However, Chaide was a man who bore the immense family of Rwalin on his shoulders.

He would not easily bend his will just because his daughter threw a tantrum.

"Then I'll wail loudly in front of Grandmother."

Avard stroked his chin, recalling his grandmother, the former head of Rwalin, who was utterly devoted to her granddaughter.

It was a powerful method possible only because it was Chelsea.

It was a very unappealing, undignified, and dirty method for someone who had become a hero to use.

But now was not the time to be particular about such things.

"What if it still fails?"

"…"

Chelsea stared intently at her brother, who was even anticipating the worst-case scenario.

"Then I'll have to use my ultimate move."

"Ultimate move?"

"Rhys senior's method."

"If I do that, I might die."

"That's why it's the last resort."

It wasn't that she hated Emira to death.

She was closer to a rival than a close friend, but still, a childhood friend she had seen since she was little.

But even so, she refused to have her as a sister-in-law.

'I'd rather call Celia my sister-in-law!'

And so, the two siblings entered the family head's office.

"Oh. Avard, Chelsea. Come in quickly. You'll be busy with the social party soon, what's the matter?"

The host of the social party was Rwalin.

As such, Avard and Chelsea, as hosts, had to go to the party venue beforehand to greet guests.

Chaide smiled contentedly, seeing his son and daughter, who had sought him out during a busy time.

'They are my children, but truly dutiful son and daughter.'

They had never caused him trouble since they were young.

In that respect, Chaide thought he was better than Seld.

Rhys and Celia were not bad either, but… hadn't Rhys suddenly brought home a daughter-in-law and grandchildren, making Seld grab the back of his neck?

"Father. About my marriage proposal."

"Hmm? Why your marriage proposal?"

"I will marry Celia."

"…"

Chaide's thoughts momentarily froze.

Then he frowned deeply.

"Hmm. I seem to have misheard, as I've been busy lately. What did you say?"

"Brother said he's going to marry Celia."

Chaide chuckled at Chelsea's words.

"You're joking too much."

"I'm not joking."

Chaide's eyes trembled at Avard's serious words.

"No."

"…"

"It's not that I don't like Celia. As a daughter-in-law, she's ideal. But because she's his daughter, no. Absolutely not."

"I've already promised to marry Celia."

Strictly speaking, there was a precondition of winning the duel, but for now, he decided not to mention that fact.

Slam!

"What?!"

Chaide violently slammed the desk.

And he took out a communication crystal ball from the drawer and imbued it with magic.

[What is it, Chaide Rwalin?]

Seld Gerdinger's annoyed voice came from beyond the crystal ball.

Chaide shouted angrily at Seld.

"Seld Gerdinger! Don't you manage your daughter?! Your daughter seduced my son and… Mmmph mmmph mmmph!"

Chelsea quickly clamped her father's mouth shut.

Avard snatched the communication crystal ball and said,

"Lord Seld. This is Avard Rwalin. My father is not himself, so I will speak instead."

[Alright. Avard. It seems your father isn't in his right mind from overwork. I just heard something strange? What exactly is it?]

"Lord Seld. I have promised to marry Celia."

[…What?]

"I would like to call you Father-in-law from now on. Please allow it."

[…]

"Father-in-law?"

There was no reply.

Instead, a woman's voice, tinged with laughter, was heard.

[Avard? It's Reina. My brother just ran out of the room, you know? By the way, I heard a very interesting story?]

"It's just as you heard."

[Oh my~ That's wonderful. I approve of this marriage.]

"Approve what! I absolutely object!"

Chaide, having shaken off his daughter's hand, screamed.

At Chaide's shout, Reina's grumpy voice was heard.

[If the children want to do it, what can my brother and the Rwalin Lord do?]

"As the Lord, I cannot condone it! If you are born a child of a heroic noble family, it is your duty to follow the family's will!"

[Wow, that's really brazen. He himself had a love marriage when the family objected…]

Click-!

Chaide hurriedly cut the communication.

Silence passed between the family members.

"Anyway, no! Chelsea! What did you do when your brother got into such a relationship with a Gerdinger woman?!"

Chaide, whose reason was half-paralyzed, directed his unjustified resentment at Chelsea.

A moment later.

The sound of someone crying heartily echoed from the Rwalin Lord's office.