It took about fifteen minutes by carriage from the academy to reach the residential area located in the heart of the capital city.
“This is the Alway Ducal Family Villa, where Olivier and Her Ladyship reside. Please, come this way.”
Jared, feeling a bit carsick, followed Trane’s instructions.
It wasn’t unusual for ducal families to have separate residences, but this one was, frankly, smaller than his own family’s baronial home. Passing through the un-guarded gate, he found a well-maintained garden. seasonal flowers unique to the fourth month bloomed in abundance, their sweet fragrance tickling his nostrils. The property, as well as the mansion itself, was not large, only two stories high.
Considering it was a ducal residence, it was a surprisingly simple building with no excessive luxury. A merchant family’s estate would likely be much larger and more ostentatious.
Trane, who had gone ahead, opened the front door and invited Jared inside.
“Oh my, do we have a visitor?”
There, a woman who appeared to be in her mid-thirties, with wavy blonde hair held back by a barrette, smiled while holding a bouquet.
“H-Hannelore!”
“—Hm?”
Trane called out the woman’s name and hurried over, snatching the bouquet as if to take it from her.
“I always tell you that I can handle the flowers!”
“But Trane, you always seem so busy, and I want to take care of the flowers. I’m not allowed to touch the garden much, so I get bored, Auntie.”
“In that case, I’ll prepare some tea, so please make yourselves comfortable in the room!”
“Oh, you’re so mean.”
Her expression remained impassive, but he didn’t miss the slight twitch of Trane’s cheek. However, Jared’s own cheek twitched in a similar way.
Because—Hannelore Alway was the name of the Duke Alway’s main wife. In other words, Olivier’s mother.
Though she appeared to be a beautiful woman in her mid-thirties, she had given birth to a twenty-six-year-old child, so she was likely about ten years older than her appearance suggested.
With her nonchalant demeanor towards Trane, one wouldn’t think she had an adult daughter.
“Trane, could you introduce me to that person? That blue uniform suggests they’re a student at the Royal Academy.”
“This is Jared Murphy. He is Olivier’s fiancé.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. My name is Jared Murphy.”
Given the circumstances, he couldn’t kneel, but he bowed his head deeply to show respect.
“Please, look up. If you’re Olivier’s fiancé, then you’re practically my son. Please feel free to treat me as your own mother.”
“However… Uh, yes. Thank you.”
“I had asked my husband to find a husband for Olivier, and it seems he finally found one. I was always worried because she wasn’t getting married. But I’m happy that a magician like you will be my son-in-law. I must write a thank-you letter right away.”
Smiling happily, she waved to Jared and the others and headed upstairs.
Jared, unsure how to respond, recalled Hannelore calling him a magician.
“Did she know I was a magician, but not that I was Olivier’s potential fiancé?”
“No, that’s a misunderstanding. Hannelore-sama knows nothing about Jared-sama.”
“But you said she just called me a magician…”
“However, she didn’t know your name, did she? Hannelore-sama can perceive magic power.”
“—! That’s quite remarkable, isn’t it?”
Of course, Trane nodded firmly, as if proud.
“Hannelore-sama can not only perceive a person’s magical power but also discern the quality of that magic. I can’t understand how it appears to her, but many magicians who have had their talent recognized by Hannelore-sama have gone on to achieve great things. She probably saw your magical power and aptitude. On top of that, she felt reassured that you are a suitable fiancé for Olivier.”
“Hannelore-sama doesn’t seem to know that Olivier has had a fiancé before.”
“…Olivier has never had a fiancé. They are merely potential candidates for a fiancé. Therefore, there was no need to inform Hannelore-sama or introduce them.”
“I’m also a potential fiancé, you know?”
“Regarding that matter, please ask Olivier-sama directly. Now, allow me to show you the way.”
Trane paused in her speech and started walking. Jared felt a sense of frustration at not easily obtaining the information he wanted, but he figured Olivier would explain when he met her. Jared followed Trane.
Forgiving his rudeness, Jared glanced around the mansion. While there were minimal decorations, it didn’t feel cheap. The presence of a few high-quality items gave the mansion an elegant impression.
“Olivier is waiting for you here.”
Stopping in front of a room, Trane made eye contact with Jared and then knocked.
A voice, audible even in the hallway, responded.
“I will prepare tea, so please enter alone, Jared-sama.”
“Ah, ah, understood. Thank you.”
After thanking Trane, Jared entered the room where Olivier was waiting.
“Jared Murphy. Thank you for inviting me.”
“It’s not been long—but welcome. I’ve been waiting for you. Come, sit.”
The room wasn’t a reception room, but Olivier’s personal chamber.
A canopy bed, a vanity, a chest of drawers, and a sofa table were meticulously arranged.
As instructed, Jared sat on the sofa opposite Olivier, across the table.
“Congratulations on being selected as a Court Mage Candidate.”
“Thank you. Um, may I ask something?”
“Oh, what is it?”
“I only found out about the Court Mage Candidate position yesterday, and I officially accepted today. But you knew. Why is that?”
Frankly, he didn’t mind his information being transparent. It was all things he would eventually reveal anyway. The important matters were well hidden, so his question stemmed from curiosity.
“It’s a secret. But that would be unfair, so… hmm… if I said the power of the Ducal Family, would you be satisfied?”
“I guess I have no choice but to be satisfied.”
“Then that’s fine.”
Olivier, whose expressions changed playfully, was different from his first impression. At that time, he had felt uncomfortable under her scrutinizing gaze, but not anymore.
He was still nervous due to his lingering apprehension, but he didn’t feel the tense atmosphere radiating from Olivier.
Yesterday, Olivier had been filled with dissatisfaction and irritation, but he couldn’t sense that in her now.
Jared relaxed his shoulders slightly.
“I am surprised. I know I demanded a lot by aiming to become a Court Mage in just two years, but to think you’d already be a Candidate, let alone have a foothold, so quickly… it’s infuriating.”
“Infuriating… was this really a harassment?”
“Of course! My father suddenly told me he’d chosen a fiancé, and when I investigated, I found out it was a virgin boy ten years my junior! A little harassment is hardly a sin, is it!”
He discreetly ignored the word “virgin,” unbefitting a noble young lady. He also pushed his own irritation deep into his chest. He truly thought she had quite a personality, even if not quite as bad as the rumors suggested.
“More importantly, it’s quite troublesome that you’ve been saddled with an older woman. Baron Daum and my father seem quite close, but it seems you couldn’t refuse the engagement. You’ve drawn the short straw, haven’t you?”
“I was also quite surprised when I was told on the day itself. As you may know, I had planned to become an adventurer and travel the continent, so my plans were indeed a bit disrupted. However, I was pleased about the Court Mage Candidate offer.”
“I’ve also investigated all your accomplishments as a magician. To be blunt, it’s astonishing. Defeating a magical beast that required the dispatch of knights single-handedly… even a member of the Court Mage Corps would struggle with that. I myself have no trace of magical power, so I don’t understand, but I’ve heard you possess a special kind of power, even among magicians. I believe it’s earth attribute, is that right?”
“Yes. It’s a composite of earth, fire, and water attributes, referred to as the earth attribute. To explain in detail—”
“Oh, the details aren’t necessary. I wouldn’t understand them anyway.”
He praised himself for not letting the words “You bastard” escape his lips. He had thought she was interested, but she had absolutely no intention of listening to his explanation. He felt that even if she wasn’t interested, she could at least pretend to listen, or offer some semblance of conversation.
“There are many things I’d like to discuss with you, but I want to hear your answer regarding the most important matter right here and now. May I ask?”
“Of course. Please do.”
“Then I won’t hold back. Jared Murphy, do you truly intend to marry me, Olivier Alway?”
