“Huh?”
His adoptive mother’s idea surprised Jared greatly, and it was understandable. He knew that his father had told him that he wouldn’t inherit the family line, despite being the eldest son. For her to want Jared to inherit the family line, even if she considered him like her own child, was not something most people would think.
However, Karina was different. She considered Jared to be the head of the family rather than her own son.
Olivier was the one who responded in a calm voice to a speechless Jared.
“However, that would be difficult. Jared is to become a Court Mage and will be granted the title of Count. He will not be able to inherit the Daum Barony.”
Even if he were to inherit the Daum Barony, things would remain the same as they are now, as he is to become a Court Mage. The status of a Court Mage is different from that of a noble. It is a title given to the twelve highest-ranking mages in the country, and a Count’s title is merely a bonus. The position of Court Mage itself is a status.
Titles are merely bonuses. They are given to mages so that they can proceed smoothly with things in regards to nobles who are rigid in their thinking and can only judge someone by their title alone. However, both Olivier and Jared knew that these titles were important, for better or for worse, currently. Titles are necessary, whether for good or bad.
“Yes. It’s purely my own opinion. At first, I heard that he might inherit Father-in-law’s Daum Barony, so I never voiced it. However, Roik is not suited to be the head of a family, and more importantly, he doesn’t have a personality that enjoys fighting. If he is to inherit the Daum name, he must excel in combat aspects.”
Hearing this, Jared remembered. Karina herself came from a family of warriors. She came from a barony, and it was said that she became a consort to his father at the insistence of a family that had a friendship with her grandfather. She herself should want Roik to be the head of the family. However, from the perspective of a mother, perhaps the position of head of the family is too burdensome for Roik. But Jared did not think so. He believed that his brother, who continued to strive, would eventually grow into a suitable head of the family. More importantly, as long as his father was alive, there was no need to become the head of the family immediately. He could take his time and make an effort.
“However, I never imagined that you, Jared, would become a Court Mage. It’s a shame, but if you gain the title of Count, you cannot inherit a barony, especially a newly established one.”
Karina appeared genuinely regretful, but she could not refuse to become a Court Mage. If she did, it would cause trouble not only to her grandfather but also to Duke Alway and the Mage Association.
“Is something troubling you?”
“It’s the matter of Annette-sama and Rex, but recently Claire has received marriage proposals. Many of them are from people in the warrior class, and they probably want to be the head of the Daum Barony.”
Claire Daum. She is the eldest daughter of Annette Daum, the consort, and is like a younger sister to Jared. However, just as her son Rex is disliked, Claire is no exception.
“Roik has received marriage proposals?”
“Yes. He has received proposals not only from warrior families but also from Count Families, and honestly, I don’t understand why.”
“They probably want to form ties with Jared.”
“With me?”
Olivier answered Karina’s question. Jared himself had not expected that there would be someone who wanted to form ties with him through his brother, so he widened his eyes, but Karina nodded in understanding.
“What do you mean?”
“Many people will want to use Jared Murphy, who has become an honorable Court Mage, by forming ties with him. If they want to have ties with Jared, the most effective and quickest way is marriage. But I am already his fiancée, so they hesitate. It’s thanks to the bad rumors.”
Olivier continued with a sigh.
“Yeny is also your fiancée, so you may not have to worry about titles. But I’m not sure if our daughters can handle it with me. In that case, I thought of marrying them to their younger brother. Roik, who admires Jared, will surely try to help his older brother. And Jared will find such a younger brother endearing—It would occur to anyone with a little thought.”
Of course, she said that not all marriage proposals were to form ties with Jared, but she also warned him to be cautious of those with higher titles. In noble marriages, it is common for the wife to have a higher title than the husband, or the husband to have a higher title than the wife. If the husband has a higher title, there is usually no problem, but if the wife’s family has a higher title than the husband – it seems that most of these marriages do not go well. Of course, it also depends on the person’s character, but nobles tend to have a bad habit of thinking in terms of titles. Perhaps Olivier, being a young lady from a ducal family, has seen many such individuals.
“Does Roik have someone he likes? If so, I think marrying him to that person would be one option.”
“…I haven’t had such a conversation, but I would like to ask him about it next time.”
“If you are in trouble, please contact me anytime. If I can be of assistance, I will always listen to your concerns and lend you my help if necessary.”
“Ah, thank you, Olivier-sama.”
His adoptive mother bowed deeply to Olivier, who offered to help Roik. She had probably been troubled without anyone to consult. She thought of asking the grandparents to convey to Jared that he should care about Roik’s future. Just as Karina, who had found a measure of relief, was about to speak again.
“I heard you were consulting with Jared about something, but I can’t believe you were talking about making your own son the family head! First of all, Jared—you came to the mansion but didn’t even greet me!”
The door opened without a knock, and in walked a woman with blonde hair tied up in an updo, dressed in a flashy dress. Her face showed anger, jealousy, and distortion. Although her appearance was refined, her inner nature and bad personality were evident—Jared thought this every time he met her. This woman was Annette Daum, the consort of his father, Johan Daum.
