14 – Abandoned Destiny
The empire’s marriage procedures were straightforward.
Noble marriages required the emperor’s approval because the balance of power could shift depending on which families were united.
On the other hand, commoners just needed to notify the lord of their residence with proper documentation. There was usually no issue, and lords meticulously reviewing marriage documents for commoners were rare.
So, how about marriages between nobles and commoners?
Following tradition, if the noble side had an heir, they would receive the emperor’s approval.
However, in cases like Elphesia’s without the right of succession, approval would come from the lord of the residence.
So, Arwel, the palace white mage, furrowed his brow as he witnessed the marriage vows of Harthe and Elphesia that had been presented to him.
“Marquis Luminel… has gone mad.”
He thought, if he were to become closer with Harthe, what would it matter? But to marry off his daughter?
No, more importantly, did Harthe actually accept it?
Even though his social status was low, Arwel was never one to act rashly with diplomatic matters.
“My desire to stop it is as strong as a chimney, but…”
If this marriage was Harthe’s own will, as the palace white mage, Arwel lacked the authority to intervene.
Above all, refusal itself might become an opportunity for Marquis Luminel to pressure me.
“Allowing it… must be the right thing to do, right?”
If it truly is an unreasonable marriage, then the grand power of the temple will surely intervene.
After all, Harthe is a rare resource that deals with the divine.
At that time, it wouldn’t be too late to raise my voice.
Thud!
Arwel, the palace white mage, stamped his seal onto the marriage vows of the two.
A done deal.
Now Harthe and Elphesia have become a legitimate couple through the proper procedures.
“May blessings fill their future.”
Arwel, the palace white mage, prayed with all his might for his protege.
◇
Ever since Elphesia settled into the orphanage, I often secretly observed her.
Despite being a person with a strong sense of responsibility, she harbored resentment toward the original relationships due to Yurian and Tina openly being hostile, and Glen having a relationship built entirely on self-interest. Hence, there was concern that their relationships might deteriorate.
The realization that this was literally harboring resentment came early.
“Mom, can you read me this book?”
“Bring it here.”
There was no way to refuse while maintaining a indifferent attitude.
In fact, for Tina’s age group, it had been a long time since she had read a book. However, Tina seemed to want to show off to her mother, rather than her dad.
There must have been something she only wished for from her mom.
“Do you know that? Mom’s voice is so, so beautiful that reading books is really nice.”
“It’s because of a promise.”
“A promise?”
“Yeah.”
Tina tilted her head. It was unknown what she would infer with that small head.
She couldn’t give a definite answer, but Tina’s face brightened a lot.
“Then it’s a really nice promise, right? Because our family has grown by one more person!”
“…Yeah.”
Elysia, with her still cold face, forcefully stuffed a cookie from nearby into Tina’s mouth.
“Eat this. Don’t interrupt the reading flow for no reason.”
“Yeah, got it.”
While Tina was savoring the cookie on her lap, a pure voice echoed statically.
Indeed, as Tina said, Elphicia’s voice was truly beautiful.
If she conducted a worship service with that voice, even the nodding priest in attendance seemed to disappear.
It was around the time Elphicia finished her business in Tina’s room and came out.
Our eyes met in the narrow corridor.
“Um.”
For no apparent reason, I blurted out as I came out.
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“I’m glad you seem to like kids.”
Contrary to my impression, Elphicia clenched her fist and turned her head, indifferent.
“Hmph, I can’t stand kids! Does it make sense to have a child at this age? What’s good about those little things whining and bothering you all day long…”
“So, is it all because of the contract?”
“Is there any other reason?”
“Ah, I see.”
What I learned during the days I spent with Elphicia is that she is not entirely honest, despite her seemingly straightforward nature.
Her actions are sincere, but she has a habit of speaking sharply, as if it’s a defensive mechanism to push away any kindness directed towards her.
I subtly teased her with a smirk.
“So, is everything from giving books as gifts to teaching Glen, to staying up late listening to his worries, all because of the contract?”
“W-What are you trying to say?”
“I guess I’m just lucky. To have such a wise and diligent wife all because of a contract. Did I accumulate a lot of good karma in my past life?”
“Ugh…!”
Elphicia’s face turned as red as an apple. Plus, it seemed somewhat ominous the way she clenched her fingers with force.
“Did I upset you too much…?”
I hurriedly extended my hand and spoke as if making an excuse.
“No, well, it’s just that you’re so good at keeping promises. I haven’t done anything for you yet… So if you need me, you can tell me anytime. I have to protect you too.”
“You keep saying that. What is it?”
“The duty of a husband.”
“Ugh…”
Thump, thump, thud, thud!
Elysia passed by me forcefully without saying a word in response. I didn’t know where she was going, but it was clear that she was avoiding me.
Then suddenly, Elysia stopped abruptly and turned her head slightly in my direction.
She spoke.
“… You did get one thing right.”
“Huh? What?”
“You said I had accumulated a lot of virtue in my past life.”
“… Ahahahaha.”
Surprisingly, she seemed to accept my joke. She didn’t seem as rigid and cold as I thought she was.
“Harte.”
“Yes, Elysia.”
“You said you were going to the night market tomorrow to buy groceries, right?”
“Oh, yes, that’s right.”
“I see.”
“What’s going on?”
“Nothing. Just…”
The next words Elphesia uttered were immensely significant.
“When the kids are asleep, I’ll come in discreetly.”
“…Huh?”
It was an expression open to ambiguous interpretation.
Constantly, meaning was being substituted in strange directions, making my head spin.
While I was foolishly frozen, Elphesia smoothly covered her tracks.
“What’s going on…?”
◇
The place Elphesia headed towards, bypassing Harte, was Yurian’s room.
Usually, the schedule after dinner was set for Elphesia to assist Yurian with his studies. Therefore, Yurian, who had been waiting at the desk in advance, greeted Elphesia.
“You’ve come, Madam Chairwoman.”
Yurian and Glen referred to Elphesia as Madam Chairwoman. This originated from the fact that terms like Mrs. or Lady seemed too masculine.
Elphesia readily accepted the title of Madam Chairwoman, but when she addressed Yurian, it was a bit different.
In the case of one-on-one with Yurian, she called him by his true title.
“Have you reviewed, Prince?”
“Of course.”
The same applied to Yurian. Elphesia’s speech was assertive, treating them as equals.
From the beginning, the two had recognized each other.
It was unthinkable that Elphicia wouldn’t recognize the face of the Third Prince, and likewise, the Third Prince couldn’t be ignorant of Elphicia, a well-known figure in social circles.
Elphicia unfolded a book identical to the one Yuriel was studying, delving into political theory. Meanwhile, Yuriel diligently took notes, listening to explanations and elaborations on the theories.
As the class progressed, a leisurely moment arose. It was one of the rare times during their studies when they engaged in casual conversation.
“To be honest, it’s still quite surreal. The day I receive personal tutoring from the Chief Magistrate…”
“Consider it an honor and strive to learn. Studying shouldn’t just end as mere study.”
“Hmm.”
“How long do you think you can hide in the Arwel Palace’s shadow without a position?”
As Elphicia spoke, Yuriel knew that someday he would have to participate in the struggle for the throne as a player.
With no power and being young, for now, he had no choice but to remain hidden.
But as time passed, growing into a young man, he would inevitably have to reveal himself to the world.
“Well, it’s quite intriguing how you happened to form a marital alliance with someone like the Chief Magistrate.”
“… Why are you talking nonsense?”
“Isn’t it strange? I can’t believe the alliance between the Chief Magistrate and the Chief Warden happened in a straightforward manner. There must be some hidden circumstances.”
“And?”
“I have nothing more to add. I just find it fascinating, like a good mother and spouse to others, though I may not know.”
Yuriel expressed his pure thoughts, but Elphicia briskly dismissed them.
“Ha, noisy. I’ll give you a memorization test.”
“S-Suddenly?”
“It’s the consequence of diverting your attention to irrelevant fantasies during study sessions.”
“You’re stricter than the Chief Magistrate in a different dimension…”
“Unfortunately, unlike him, I know how to express my anger.”
Elphesia watched Yurian, who was struggling to answer the questions I gave him, as he wrote his response.
From the perspective of someone who knows what kind of adult he will grow up to be, it was all quite fascinating.
Everyone here feels the same way.
There wasn’t a single face she didn’t recognize from the orphanage.
She barely managed to hide her surprise while observing the familiar aspects.
“Of course… at first, it was shocking to be called ‘dad’, but later I realized it,” he stammered in confusion, as if he was someone around my age…
It’s curious how fate twisted and brought us all together in this place.
But I didn’t pay much attention to it.
Because Harte is at the center of it all.
It’s the result led by the only man I trust, so I can accept it.
Besides, the future is full of uncertainties.
Even small actions can lead to significant changes.
Certainly, something must have triggered it at some point. At least, that’s what Elphesia speculated.
There’s no point in looking back at the past, so we must do our best moving forward.
If I can take care of these children who have been persecuted because of me, even if it’s just a small act of redemption…
I feel like I can proudly meet Harte’s gaze in my own way.
◈
What does it mean to fulfill the duties of a couple?
Husband and wife, in essence, is a virtue of trusting, relying on, and helping each other.
Furthermore, as each other’s sole companions, they must be devoted in all things.
… That is the usual consensus among ordinary people.
However, if we talk about the duties in aristocratic society, the story takes a different turn.
In aristocratic society, the foremost virtue of a wife is to produce an heir.
If there is no eligible heir to inherit the family, it becomes problematic, so it must be a virtue of propriety.
Elyssia has lingered in such aristocratic society.
One night, she clandestinely sought me out.
Even though I was aware of the formality, it was difficult for me to endure vivid imagination.
“Do not commit adultery. I have already committed the sin of lust with just imagination… Oh, Mother in heaven, please bestow upon me a pure purification…”
Uuung─.
As I was praying, golden beads appeared around me like fireflies.
It was the response of a sacred being that I had no intention of manifesting.
‘Hey, disappear quickly!’
Swish, swish!
I wave my hand like a fan, trying to quickly brush away the sacred fragments.
“Huah…”
It’s quite awkward.
My prayer was so earnest that it almost caused a miracle.
A miracle that would materialize from lascivious delusions. Rather than witnessing that, I’d rather bang my head against the wall and die with a thud.
“How should I handle this…?”
Though it’s still a crude fantasy, if Elphesia really comes to engage in a physical relationship, my position becomes awkward.
It’s difficult for me to simply accept that demand.
I know that physical relationships without love are common. I’m not pure enough to insist that love must accompany s*xual relations.
But that’s just respecting others’ lives.
At least, my perception is no different from the priests in the temple.
Originally, I planned to live a lifetime in abstinence.
Even now, after leaving the temple, I’m not obligated to maintain abstinence, but my conscience hasn’t flipped.
s*x without love.
For me, it’s a duty just to imagine with a family, an impossible venture.
No matter how much Elphesia desires it… I…
“Ugh…”
A sigh escapes involuntarily.
At that moment, a polite knock reaches my ears.
Tap, tap.
‘Swish!’
Unconsciously, I straighten my back and sit upright on the bed, waiting. When she doesn’t come in even after 10 seconds, I blurt out the words that had been held back.
“Come in!”
“I apologize for intruding.”
As Elphesia opens the door and steps in, she immediately glares at me with an odd look in her eyes.
“What’s the matter, with your spine straightening out?”
“Recently… it feels like I’ve been sitting crooked.”
“Ha…”
It was such a ridiculous excuse that it made one question their intelligence. However, Elysia generously let it slide.
“Well, whatever. If it’s comfortable for you, then just stay like that.”
“Y-yeah.”
“…”
“…”
An awkward silence enveloped us.
Since I already had committed a sin, I was the one to break the silence first.
“Ahem, Elysia. May I ask the purpose of your visit?”
“Yes, I have something important to discuss.”
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“What is it?”
“It’s about a child.”
“Cough, ahem, cough, cough!”
A child?
Did she say a child?
About childbirth… that child…?
“I was talking about Tina… Harte, what were you imagining?”
“Oh, uh, well. Tina. It’s Tina. Uh, yeah. It’s Tina…”
“Sigh.”
Elysia let out a deep sigh.
“I don’t particularly want to have your child, but if you insist, it’s not a problem. It’s also part of the duty of a couple.”
“Elysia…!”
“Yes, Harte. I don’t really, truly, care even if it’s right this moment…”
“You, isn’t that too reckless…?!”
“Huh, what? Wh-what…!”
“How can you suggest making a child when you don’t even love each other…?!”
I shouted as quietly as possible, trying to suppress the scream.
I paid attention in case the children might hear.
Elysia, the party involved, immediately defended herself with a wobbling face.
“You’re the one who misunderstood first!”
“And you went along with it, Elysia!”
“Oh my, I can’t believe this…!”
“Yeah. Elysia. I believe that intimate moments should involve love. But… saying that, it’s like I’m committing a sin.”
The sin of compassion and delusion…
This was something even Elysia, the subject, couldn’t do.
“Our contract is clear, how can we… make a child? Anything requires love. Love is important…”
“Not really…”
“Huh?”
“Important… already… exists…”
The words were muttered, making it difficult to hear clearly.
Nevertheless, judging by Elphicia’s flushed face, she seemed quite embarrassed.
It was a time for clarification.
Now that the misunderstanding had been resolved, she could approach the conversation with confidence.
“Ahem, anyway! You were talking about Tina, right? What is it?”
“You really are…”
Elphicia hesitated for a moment, then focused on the issue that was brought up.
“Well, um, I think it would be best to discuss this with Tina later, but… just in case, what would you do if Tina wanted to follow her birth mother?”
“Her birth mother…?”
There was no doubt that she was referring to the woman who had been caught up in the Dragon’s game.
The woman who couldn’t handle Tina’s runaway behavior and left.
Things had changed since then.
The dragon’s instincts that tormented Tina had disappeared, and she had become able to fit in with ordinary people.
In other words, Tina’s birth mother was now in a position to provide normal upbringing.
“It’s not an impossible task.”
Would I say something as foolish as pouring down unrequited love?
I couldn’t be sure of the relationship between Tina and her birth mother.
“But… why are you asking about that?”
“I found it.”
“You found it, really?!”
“Yes. That’s exactly what I found.”
Elysia drove a wedge.
“I know the whereabouts of your birth mother.”