Let me organize the situation first.
We, the returnees, were at the Nordis family’s estate for greetings and to obtain the consent of Kaden-san and Ibu-san, who will become our parents-in-law, for our future relationship. We were also there to secure Nord-kun, a candidate for a matchmaking meeting requested by Mimamori-sama.
Nord-kun was holed up with a crude barrier and food that was either past its expiration date or about to be.
The reason for this was his own misunderstanding: he had been wooing a man he thought was a woman, and that person, believing him, began to press him romantically, forcing Nord-kun to flee.
To make matters worse, he had concealed all inconvenient truths.
As a result, Mura-kun from the Mura family, to whom he had promised marriage, visited the Nordis family. Kaden-san discussed the situation with Nord-kun and discovered that Nord-kun had been lying about many things. When we, having heard this, decided to withdraw the matchmaking offer, Nord-kun tearfully prostrated himself, begging us not to close off the only path that would allow him to avoid marrying Mura-kun.
That’s where we are now.
“Hmm… no matter how I organize the situation, it all boils down to Nord-kun being in the wrong. It’s almost impressive how completely he’s left himself no room for excuses.”
“Probably. There’s no defending him.”
“As my son, he’s incredibly foolish.”
“But isn’t that part also endearing?”
Let’s just ignore what one particular person, a purveyor of broken men, said… Actually, from Evia’s perspective, since there’s no concern about him having children who would be related by blood, Mura-kun might be the best catch.
Even if Nordis family’s blood relatives leave, there’s no worry that their children will later be said to have Nordis blood.
Both of them are men, after all.
No matter what, there’s no worry about them having children.
In other words, it’s convenient for the Nordis family.
Furthermore, they are a rare family that would take in someone like Nord-kun.
It’s not like she’s one of those women who like “broken” men, but among that group, she’s an even rarer existence. A man in drag being the one to take him in is an unusual case, but it’s acceptable in its own way.
It’s his own fault things have gotten so strange. It’s understandable to feel that he should just accept being taken in with a resolute heart.
“Please forgive me, please forgive me, please forgive me, please forgive me, please forgive me, please forgive me, please forgive me, please forgive me, please forgive me, please forgive me, please forgive me, please forgive me.”
We’ll pretend not to see Nord-kun endlessly apologizing like a broken speaker. The decision isn’t up to me.
While it would be somewhat awkward to go back on my word after implying acceptance, it’s unavoidable since Nord-kun is entirely at fault.
Evia and Kaden-san agree, so even if I say we won’t accept him, there probably won’t be any lingering resentment.
In fact, both of them are leaning towards the idea that it might be better to establish ties with the Mura family.
Moreover, they seem to be considering that it would be better to proceed with this engagement as is, perhaps about eighty percent of the way.
If Kaden-san, the head of the Nordis family, were to give this engagement his full endorsement, then Nord-kun’s marriage would be settled.
Unless Nord-kun were to elope and hide in some remote mountain or a border region unaffected by the influence of the Nordis and Mura families, he would end up marrying Mura-kun.
As a fellow man, I sympathize with marrying someone of the same sex, but beyond that, I don’t feel anything else.
No matter what, he can’t shake the image of a working adult who messed up the cleanup.
If Nord-kun had combat power comparable to mine, the Instructor’s, or Evia’s, or conversely, if he had shown exceptional talent as a lord, this probably wouldn’t have happened.
“…What should we do?”
“You don’t need to worry that much. This is a Nordis family problem.”
“No, I’m Evia’s husband. I’m extremely involved. I can’t just stand by and do nothing when you’re in trouble.”
“…You scoundrel.”
“Ooooh!”
My honest words, born from worry, slipped out.
I’m neither embarrassed nor regretful, but for some reason, the maids and butlers around us let out exclamations of admiration, and some even applauded quietly.
“Hahaha! To think a man would say such a thing while sober, Evia! You’ve caught a good man!!”
“Yes.”
“Evia raised me!”
Kaden-san, momentarily forgetting Nord-kun, was overjoyed by this exchange.
It seemed he was very pleased that someone could so boldly declare their desire to do something for Evia, who had always been a formidable woman.
It wasn’t a big deal, but seeing that, I decided to tease him a bit and lighten the mood with a determined expression and a cool line.
“Don’t get cocky.”
“Ouch.”
Evia lightly tapped me on the stomach with a fist that lacked any real force.
Her shy reaction brought forth more exclamations of admiration from the onlookers, and then Evia, embarrassed, became a rare sight.
Evia, touching her hair, blushed slightly.
Kaden-san nodded in satisfaction at their good relationship.
“Haha, well, let’s get back to the problem at hand. Honestly, from what I’ve heard, the best way to resolve this without any lingering issues is for Mura-kun to eventually convince Nord-kun, don’t you think?”
“I agree. It’s not a disadvantageous situation for the Nordis family either. While we can’t take Mura-kun into our family, sending Nord out as a groom isn’t impossible.”
Evia, still blushing, listened silently, and Kaden-san, as the head of the family, replied to me.
Nord-kun, who had turned into a broken speaker, finally raised his head, and Mura-kun beamed with an ecstatic smile.
What a battle of emotions these two are having.
Their highs and lows are incredibly volatile.
“However, as Evia’s parents, I must confess that our family is facing a severe personnel shortage, not that it’s critical, but it’s dire. We’d welcome any help we can get. Talented individuals we can trust are quite scarce at the moment.”
It’s probably our fault for making the situation so, but that can’t be helped.
This isn’t Romeo and Juliet.
If it’s not a relationship that plays with romantic feelings, it’s understandable for emotions to be swayed by social actions.
Nord-kun’s expression brightened as he realized he was still needed as a valuable asset. Nord-kun, who only saw immediate profit, rejoiced in being saved from his crisis.
In contrast, Mura-kun’s expression darkened.
I wish they could both develop a bit more of a poker face…
“Our household can also provide personnel. It is regrettable that my position as General prevents me from marrying into your family, but as Evia’s husband, I will offer that much support. Therefore, you don’t need to be fixated on Nord.”
“That’s true. If that’s the case, I don’t need to be so insistent either. My proposal was to guide and reform my future brother-in-law myself, out of concern for his future. If your family intends to handle it, then it’s no longer my place to interfere.”
“I understand your position to some extent. I wouldn’t wish for you to bear unnecessary hardship. Newcomers always face many difficulties. I myself went through a lot when I first attained my current status.”
Their emotions were swinging wildly from despair to joy.
This time, Nord-kun’s face turned deathly pale, and Mura-kun rejoiced.
Based on the content of the conversation, it seems Nord-kun is at a disadvantage.
“However, as Nord’s parent, I must ask, Mura-kun, do you understand that homosexuality is not viewed favorably by society in general?”
“Yes, unfortunately.”
However, Kaden-san appears to be considering a fair resolution.
From the perspective of the family’s profit, marrying into the Mura family by offering Nord-kun as an adopted son is advantageous.
But homosexuality is not viewed favorably by society in general.
While there are nobles who have such inclinations, they are not publicly disclosed.
They remain in the realm of rumors and unspoken understanding.
If Nord-kun and Mura-kun were deeply in love, it would be one thing, but currently, it’s Mura-kun’s one-sided affection.
If they were to force a marriage, the Nordis family would bear the stigma of forcing their son to marry a man for profit.
This, in a way, serves as Nord-kun’s last defense.
Some people might not care about this aspect. If they had a cold-hearted mindset focused only on family profit, Nord-kun would have been sold off in an instant.
“And you understand that your current relationship with Nord is unrequited on your part, although Nord is at fault?”
“Yes.”
That’s why Kaden-san is trying to resolve the situation calmly.
“If your relationship with Nord were as good as that of Jiro- and Evia, I would have pushed for it. But this foolish son of mine is trying to escape responsibility. For a noble house, forging ties with your Mura family is desirable, and as a father, I wouldn’t lie if I said I feel joy at the love you’ve shown beyond gender.”
So, as a prominent noble family, he remains calm about Nord-kun’s misdeeds and shows concern for Mura-kun’s future.
“I can definitively say that you will regret binding yourself to this foolish son of mine out of a fleeting infatuation.”
“There’s no way?!”
He is trying to admonish Mura-kun, who is blinded by love and becoming too forward.
“There is. The coldness of the world wears down one’s heart more than you might imagine. Even if you are happy at first, it is difficult to sustain that happiness. Furthermore, this foolish son of mine continues to reject your feelings. That path is a thorny one, and it awaits you with twice, no, more than twice the hardship of an ordinary life. Even if you can say you know this and will face it with resolve, it means nothing if you cannot demonstrate it through action.”
Misfortune awaits.
Kaden-san’s words carry weight, having seen many such cases even in heterosexual relationships.
“We are different.”
There are surely many cases where such a way of thinking leads to failure.
Of course, there are also successful cases, but considering Nord-kun and Mura-kun’s relationship, the foundation is far too weak.
Even if Mura-kun has developed his skills, it’s difficult to support such a useless Nord-kun.
No, if it’s about supporting him, or rather, keeping him, it might be possible… but that would be too damaging to their reputation.
“Father!”
Nord-kun, believing his father would refuse based on common sense, looks at him with admiration. However, I feel the flow of the conversation suggests otherwise.
Common sense is likely a phrase Mura-kun has heard countless times.
As Mura family members living with homosexuality, they should have countermeasures and know-how.
Therefore, a counterargument would naturally follow, but…
“With one-sided love, you will only end up exhausted.”
Kaden-san’s words also carry weight. Mura-kun is intelligent enough to understand that even if he argues various points here, it will be meaningless without results.
“….”
In other words, he is being persuaded that giving up would be for his own good.
It’s a mature response, and that’s how it ends.
“However, I also find it a shame to miss out on forging a connection with the Mura family.”
That’s where the nobility comes in.
Today’s word:
Great people are usually like tanukis.
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