Chapter 20: Untitled

The mansion was built in an instant.

To be precise, it took less than a day.

Half a day after leaving it to Leoreil, a massive castle of jet-black marble rose from the middle of the desolate Bune family lands.

Their architectural skills really are something else.

Perhaps because they are a magic-using race, they can whip up a mansion just like that, simply and easily.

And it wasn't slapped together either—from the latest facilities down to the interior of each room, everything was done thoroughly, leaving me with nothing extra to do.

I was particularly fond of my personal study, filled with the latest gaming consoles and PCs from the human world, along with all sorts of entertainment.

"Masterrrrr────!"

Just as I was about to sit on the new sofa and try out the new game console, a familiar voice called out from the distance.

Soon after, the castle door swung wide open, and Ravel came running in, holding a basket of gifts.

"Here, this is a housewarming gift! Fruits from our territory and cookies my mother baked herself!"

"Thanks."

I took the basket and patted Ravel's golden bun-style hair.

Pat pat──.

"Ehehe···."

"M-Master! Me too! Pat me too!"

Seeing me pat Ravel, Seoryeong, who had appeared beside me unnoticed, begged for her turn.

"Alright, you too."

Pat pat──.

"Hehehe···♥"

Might as well do Hwaryeong while I'm at it.

"Hwaryeong, don't you want one?"

When I asked Hwaryeong, who was elegantly sipping black tea on the other side of the sofa, she blushed slightly.

"I, I'm not like those children, so it's fine...! Not... Could I, could I also ask for one, Master?"

Calling them children... Hwaryeong, you're practically a child yourself if we're splitting hairs.

"Come here."

Pat pat──.

"······♥"

Hwaryeong closed her eyes contentedly, savoring my touch.

After patting all three of them, I finally broached the main topic.

"Ravel. So, about what your father said. Why do you want to marry me?"

At my question, Ravel's face turned as red as a beet.

"Ah...! That... Well, you see... Eventually, someday, I'll have to enter a political marriage for the family's sake too."

"Then why not just do that? Like your brother did."

"I don't want to! I... I wanted to marry someone I like. And I... I like you, Master! You're strong, cool, sometimes scary, but you're also kind!"

I'm not sure what a nine-year-old knows about 'liking' someone already...

"Alright, but you're still young. You have your whole life ahead of you, and there should be plenty of time before any political marriage, right? By then, you might like some other guy more than me."

"I have to reserve my spot early! The place next to Master! Besides, from what I see, I think there will be more women besides Lady Seoryeong and Lady Hwaryeong around you. I thought there's no harm in being quick!"

Huh... Well...
This kid is way more precocious than I thought.

"Alright, I get that, but I'm not thinking about marriage yet. But if you insist that much, I promise. If you still like me by the time you're twenty... no, fifteen, I'll accept you then."

In the original story's timeline, Ravel is around fifteen, so if she still likes me by then, I should accept.
After raising her for a year, the idea of handing her over to the original protagonist just feels wrong.
Give her to that pervert?
I'd rather go there with a shotgun.

"You, you really mean it?! No take-backs! You promised!"
"Yeah, yeah. No take-backs."
"Master! Then me too! I want to marry too!"
"My, Master. Is that promise valid for me too, by any chance?"

Seoryeong and Hwaryeong, who had been quietly listening on the side, chimed in.

"You guys are already mine from the start. Why do you need a formal procedure like marriage?"

At my words, satisfied smiles appeared on both their faces.
"Heehee···♥"
"Heh...♥"

Such interesting reactions they have.
"Ravel...! I'll yield the position of head wife to you! Snatching it away later will be more fun anyway!"

Seoryeong declared triumphantly.

"My~ Then I'd be fine even as the third wife. As long as Master gives me his love..."
Hwaryeong said, covering her mouth with one hand and smiling.

"Well, it feels a bit strange, but thank you?"

It seems the hierarchy has been sorted out.
Maybe because they've known her for over a year, both Seoryeong and Hwaryeong generously accepted Ravel.
A good thing, indeed.

"But Ravel, what did you mean earlier about more women showing up?"
"From what I can tell, they definitely will! Lady Opis over there, who's sleeping, also stares intently at Master sometimes... I just think Master will definitely end up with several wives."

...I have nothing to say to that.

Somehow, it seems like I'm walking the path of a harem, regardless of my own will.