Chapter 134

“Gideon, your face’s gotten really pale, hasn’t it?”

“Well, I haven’t seen sunlight for over a week now.”

It had already been a week since we arrived at the mansion of House Balmuth.

After spending several days inside a massive cave, my skin had indeed turned paler, just as Lisa said.

“So that’s why everyone in your family has such white faces.”

“Well, it can’t be helped. Everyone has a natural aversion to sunlight. Because of that, they rarely go outside the cave… Eventually, like an old tale, their skin becomes pale as a vampire’s.”

“So if I marry you, will I end up like that too?”

“Probably?”

Lisa touched my pale face thoughtfully.

“If I become the head of the house, I’ll be the owner of this mansion… but if you don’t like it, we could live somewhere else. Our family doesn’t just have this one mansion.”

“You mean the one in the capital, right? I heard about it from Lady Kafka the other day.”

“Yeah, it’s the mansion provided by the Imperial Family. I heard the heads of noble families stay there often when the Imperial Palace assigns them work that lasts several days.”

I thought I’d heard something about that before.

A grand mansion built on one of the best plots in the Empire’s capital—a place where sunlight streamed in and luxury abounded.

But the part about sunlight made me wonder…

“Would that be fine, though? You don’t really like sunlight either, do you?”

“It’s fine. I don’t particularly dislike sunlight. Actually, sometimes I want to go outside and feel it.”

“I see. Now that you mention it, your skin does look a bit more tanned compared to the others in your family.”

The people of House Balmuth had skin as white as porcelain.

It was almost as if they’d never once seen the sun in their entire lives.

Lisa’s complexion was pale too, but less so than the others.

“Yeah, that’s right. My mother and I have always been fairly active outdoors. Well, to be precise, every head of the house and heir has tended to be a bit more tanned than the rest.”

“Because they train outside to strengthen their combat ability?”

“Hmm… not exactly, but that’s roughly the reason. To become the head of House Balmuth, one needs various abilities, but combat prowess is valued the most.”

After saying that, Lisa suddenly looked up at me curiously.

“What do you prefer? Skin that’s a little tanned? Or skin that’s completely pale like Lily’s?”

“Well…”

I glanced at Lisa for a moment.

As mentioned earlier, compared to the others in House Balmuth, she was more tanned—but objectively speaking, her skin was still very pale.

I tried to picture Lisa with slightly darker skin.

Honestly, that would be pretty in its own way, but…

“I think I like you just the way you are now.”

“So you prefer fair skin, huh? Then should I make mine even paler?”

“No need. Rather than being too white, you look best as you are now.”

“If you say so… I was actually thinking of tanning a bit when we go to the beach.”

“Why go that far?”

I chuckled softly and brushed Lisa’s hair.

Speaking of the beach… we were planning to go soon.

But before that, there was somewhere we had to visit first.

“We’re visiting Lady Nia tomorrow, right?”

“Yeah. We’ll leave slowly after lunch. We should arrive at Nia’s house around evening.”

The Varbellos Family.

At last, we’d be visiting the family of that magician.

“And we’ll spend two days there, then head straight to the beach?”

“Right. I’ve already booked a place to stay near the beach, so we can go without worry.”

“You already got everything ready?”

“I asked the butler to take care of it. He was quick with the arrangements. Ah, but the preparations aren’t quite done yet.”

As she said that, Lisa looked me over from head to toe.

Her expression clearly said she had plenty to comment on.

“Let’s buy you some clothes in the capital.”

“My clothes? That’s not really necessary…”

“I’ll buy them for you, so just accept them. I know you don’t really care about appearances as a noble, but I care. You’re always wearing the same worn-out clothes.”

“…Has it been bothering you that much?”

“Yeah. Every time I see your clothes, I can’t help thinking I’ve been neglecting you.”

At her words, I glanced down at my pajamas again.

They were, admittedly, quite worn out.

Not only this one, but most of my clothes were on the old side.

It was true that, for someone dating the daughter of a ducal family, my wardrobe didn’t quite fit the image.

“Then I’ll just buy them myself.”

“No, let’s go together. I’ll buy them for you, and you’ll wear what I pick.”

“I don’t really…”

“Honestly, I think my choices would be much better than yours.”

“….”

She wasn’t wrong, so I couldn’t argue.

Amused by my silence, Lisa chuckled.

“In return, you’ll pick something for me too.”

“Huh? Clothes?”

“No, not clothes. Since we’re going to the beach, I need a new swimsuit.”

“…You mean, you want me to pick your swimsuit?”

“Yup. You’ll pick it for me, won’t you?”

“That’s…”

“You will, right?”

“…Yeah.”

Satisfied with my answer, Lisa nodded, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

“You said you’ll be back in about a week, Lisa?”

“Yes. We’ll spend three days at Nia’s and the rest at the beach.”

Time passed, and soon it was the day we were leaving for Nia Varbellos’s mansion.

After lunch, everyone gathered in the central hallway of the House Balmuth mansion.

Before Lisa and I departed, we exchanged brief farewells.

“Can’t I come too? I’m sure I could have fun at the beach.”

“Mother, you have work to do.”

Lisa replied firmly, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

“It’d be troublesome if a duchess left her post so casually.”

“Che. Well, I suppose you’re right. I played plenty when I was your age anyway. Enjoy yourself while you can. Once you become the head of the house, you won’t have time for that, you know?”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Lisa nodded with a surprisingly serious expression.

She pulled me closer.

“You heard that, Gideon? Once I become the Head of the House, we won’t have much time to make memories together.”

“So, you’re saying we should make as many as we can now?”

“Yeah. Of course, even after I become the Head, I’d never neglect you.”

“No matter what you do, Nuna, I’ll always stay by your side.”

As I smiled and said that, Lisa’s eyes suddenly burned with something fierce.

As if to prove it, Lisa brought her lips toward my neck…

“Unnie. Stop. Anything lewd is forbidden. Forbidden. I’m still a kid.”

…Only to be stopped by Lily, who was nearby.

Lisa turned toward her younger sister, looking utterly dumbfounded.

“Why would drinking Gideon’s blood be considered lewd…?”

“You’re not just going to quietly drink his blood, are you? You’ll probably start touching weird places with your hands, groping and stuff.”

“……”

With nothing to say, Lisa scratched her head and stepped away from me.

Then Lily, wearing a foxlike smile, clung to my side.

“Oppa, have a safe trip… and think carefully about my proposal, okay?”

“Proposal? What kind of proposal do you mean?”

“Taking me as your second wife. I don’t mind being the second; I just want to be with you too…”

“Hey, Lily.”

Pulling her sister away from me, Lisa wrapped her arms around me.

“I told you before—don’t cross the line.”

“Ah, come on. Isn’t this much okay?”

Caught between the two sisters and being pulled back and forth, their father appeared in the hallway.

He wasn’t alone—he was holding his youngest son in his arms.

“My daughters really seem to like you, Gideon. I’m almost jealous.”

“Ah, I-I’m sorry?”

“What’s there to apologize for? I should be thanking you. You’re an upright man who makes my eldest daughter happy.”

Kale smiled as he walked up to me.

“Come on, Natsu. Gideon hyung is leaving—say goodbye.”

“Hyung, ha-have a good trip!”

“Yes, I will. I’ll be careful and return safely.”

After greeting Lisa’s adorable little brother with a smile, I turned my head again.

“Nuna, you said the carriage was already called, right?”

“Yeah, it should be waiting outside the cave. If you’re ready, shall we go?”

“Then, let’s head out.”

After saying goodbye to the members of House Balmuth,

Lisa and I stepped out of the cave for the first time in a while.

When we arrived at Nia’s mansion, I once again realized just how high Lisa’s standing was.

“Greetings to the Lady of House Balmuth.”

House Varbellos.

A noble family of renowned magicians in the Empire.

Though they were a prestigious lineage that had produced many talented magicians, even they couldn’t ignore rank.

When Lisa arrived, the Head of House Varbellos, along with the key figures of the family,

and even the numerous servants of the mansion—

they all greeted Lisa and me with utmost formality.

“Wow. Every time I see this, it really hits me—you really are the daughter of a ducal house.”

While everyone bowed their heads, Nia awkwardly scratched her cheek as she approached Lisa.

“I mean, everyone’s bowing so politely, and I’m the only one standing here like this. Should I bow too?”

“Don’t. Seeing you bow and talk formally to me feels too weird.”

After replying to Nia, Lisa turned toward the Head of House Varbellos—Nia’s father.

“Please, raise your head, Lord Varbellos. I’m merely here as your daughter’s guest. You’re making me feel sorry.”

“Not at all, Lady Lisa. On the contrary, it’s an honor for us that you would grace our home. I heard my daughter invited you before the break—is that right?”

“Yes. Nia unnie invited me over, so I came. But you really don’t have to trouble yourselves over us. We’re just staying for a short while.”

The Lord of House Varbellos shook his head.

“That would be unacceptable. You’re the daughter of a Duke—more than that, the next Head of House Balmuth. How could we treat you carelessly?”

“I suppose refusing any further would be impolite.”

Lisa nodded with a helpless smile.

“Then, I’ll be in your care for the next three days, Lord Varbellos.”

“It will be our honor to serve you, Lady.”

Once again, the Lord of House Varbellos bowed deeply.

Then, he turned his gaze toward me.

“Lady Lisa, may I ask who the gentleman beside you is?”

“Hm? Ah, he’s… um, I’m Gideon Kyrgram. A Baron overseeing the Serenus Region in the Empire’s south.”

“A Baron of Serenus… Serenus—that’s where the Protected Zone for Other Races is, correct?”

I nodded and continued.

“Yes, that’s right. But please, you don’t need to pay me any special attention. I’m merely accompanying Lady Lisa—”

“He’s my fiancé.”

“…Pardon?”

“Eh?”

At Lisa’s words, both the Lord and I blinked.

I quickly turned to her.

“Nuna, calling me your fiancé is still a bit—”

“Oh, right. We haven’t held the engagement ceremony yet. Then… he’s my future fiancé, and my current lover.”

“Ah… I see. Well then, I’ll make sure both of you are as comfortable as possible during your stay. Please leave your luggage to us. We’ll guide you inside.”

“Yes, thank you.”

At the Lord’s signal, the servants moved in perfect order.

Meanwhile, Nia smirked and spoke to us.

“So, you two really decided to get engaged? Did your families approve?”

“Yeah. We talked about everything while Gideon was staying at our home.”

“When’s the ceremony?”

“Probably this winter.”

At the mention of winter, Nia let out a small laugh.

“Wow, so it’ll happen before my graduation. Wait—before I even graduate, you’re getting engaged? That’s kind of unfair.”

“If you’re jealous, unnie, you should hurry up and get yourself a boyfriend.”

“…If my dad weren’t right here, I’d seriously hit you.”

“You’re being all polite in front of your father, huh?”

“My father’s a bit strict about this sort of thing. Anyway… Gideon.”

Nia turned to me.

“You said you wanted to meet Roy, right?”

“Yes, if possible, I’d like to speak with him—”

“I’ll take you to him right away. He was around here just a moment ago… Ah, there he is. Hey, Roy! Come here!”

At Nia’s shout, a male student who was quietly walking into the mansion turned around.

Then, he quietly approached us.

“Gideon wanted to see you.”

“It’s been a while, Roy.”

“…Yeah, it’s been a while.”

Roy greeted me in his usual calm, quiet tone.

Then, he fell silent again, simply watching me.

His eyes seemed to ask, why did you call me?

So I answered directly.

“I had some questions about the Ancient Beings. If you have time, perhaps we could—”

“Follow me.”

“…Pardon?”

“Follow me to my room. We’ll talk there.”

Just a moment ago, Roy had seemed quiet and composed, just like always.

But suddenly, that calm demeanor vanished entirely—replaced by a burning curiosity as he grabbed my arm and pulled me along.

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