I was startled by a loud noise that sounded like someone was about to slam the table. Everyone who had stopped eating dessert was looking at me with wide eyes, but there didn’t seem to be anyone who had actually slammed the table.

“Th-that was definitely about marriage…”

Selian’s voice came a beat too late. Now that I thought about it, all the other friends were sitting down, but where had Selian gone? Her voice was so soft it could have easily gone unnoticed.

As I glanced around trying to pinpoint the source, I sensed some movement below with rustling sounds. At the same time, Selian crawled out from under the table, a single tear glistening in her eye as she rubbed her head with one hand.

Now that I thought about it, I had heard a metallic clink earlier—she must have gone under the table to pick up a fallen fork. That noise from before was probably her hitting her head as she stood up from under the table.

But hadn’t she gone under there quite a while ago? Regardless, it wasn’t like we would reuse the fork that had fallen on the floor, and the cleaning staff would take care of it anyway, so why go through all that trouble?

Nonetheless, I had to acknowledge Selian’s meticulous nature, which was perfect no matter where she was.

“What, what was that noise? Marriage?”

“No, it’s not marriage; it’s just that a proposal was made. There’s been no confirmation, it was just a suggestion.”

I hurriedly corrected Selian’s words, which had come out in panic. However, even after clearing up the misunderstanding, there was still an urgency and embarrassment on Selian’s face.

“I don’t know if you’re aware, but rumors about the second son of Count Wesley are quite favorable. They say he’s better than the first son, even if he’s not the heir.”

“No, no. Wait a minute!”

I raised my hand to stop Gilbert, who was continuing to explain.

“Could it be that he’s using our support for the territory as leverage for demands?”

“Count Wesley isn’t that kind of person. He simply wanted to ask for your opinion.”

Well, the Wesley family had helped our territory way before I even heard news of being alive. That said, they weren’t helping out of greed; it was just a pure goodwill stemming from an old connection.

“Of course, I understand this is sudden and shocking, but you’re of an age now where marriage discussions are to be expected.”

I had heard that many high-ranking nobles engaged in political marriages and that it wasn’t uncommon for them to marry in their teens. Even during my time at the Academy, there were students who were already married and some who walked around with their fiancés.

But still, hearing a marriage proposal out of nowhere was indeed shocking.

“Count Wesley’s family is willing to adjust all schedules and situations to fit a lady destined to be a hero.”

“Based on what? Let’s be honest, the person who had a relationship with the Wesley family was my father; I have no connection with them at all.”

I intended to maintain a close relationship with the Wesley family, just as my father had, since I would be leading the territory in the future. However, what was it that made them even want me?

“Did you not know? The second son from the Wesley family, the one involved in the marriage proposal, is also a graduate of Griffin Academy, just like you. They say he has been interested since then.”

This was completely new information to me. At that time, I hadn’t even had an identity as Zeno Frentz, so I had no reason to take an interest in the neighboring territory’s Wesley family.

Moreover, even if we were both in the same Knight department, I hadn’t even heard his name, so he must have been in a different department.

On the other hand, it wasn’t odd for them to know me, given that I was quite a famous figure at the Academy. At the start of the semester, I was merely one of the outstanding students, but after being chosen as a hero, I became one of the two representatives of the Academy alongside the Saint, Mariel.

“Don’t tell me… you’re considering it?”

“Y-yeah! And besides, El has to come with us to subdue the Demon King!”

“A prophecy was just revealed, and Goddess Serena is also urging us to go defeat the Demon King as soon as possible!”

I had been quiet for a moment as I reminisced about my time at the Academy, but then my friends interjected with urgent voices.

They were probably worried that I might abandon my duty as a hero to settle down in the territory instead.

“The Wesley family has also proposed about that. If you read the letter till the end, you’ll see that they sincerely suggested that we get engaged before heading out to subdue the Demon King.”

Clang.

I turned my head at the sudden sound and locked eyes with Selian, who was smiling brightly. I thought I heard something shrill, but was it just my imagination? Even though I was taken aback by the marriage proposal, could it be that I was hearing things?

“This marriage proposal will be significantly beneficial for you as well. Although the territory has somewhat regained its past shape, there are still many aspects lacking. With more proactive support from the Wesley family, regaining the former glory should be quick.”

Of course, as Gilbert said, if I accepted this proposal, there would be no disadvantages, only benefits. If I married the second son of the Wesley family, the support I would receive would be noticeably different from what I had received until now. It would be a blood alliance rather than just a simple alliance.

Gilbert seemed to be quite active regarding this marriage proposal, perhaps because he had been struggling to manage the territory with limited powers and poor finances.

Or maybe he was just worried about me, having lost my entire family, wishing for me to settle down and find a family as soon as possible.

However, there was one thing that Gilbert didn’t know: I didn’t need the support of the Wesley family at all.

If I were to subdue the Demon King, the level of royal support I would receive would be entirely different from what the Count Wesley’s family could offer. Though it was just a verbal agreement without any documents, considering Cecilia’s character as emperor, she would probably help even more proactively than expected, rather than treating it as a non-issue.

Yet, I couldn’t confide this fact to Gilbert. It wasn’t that I didn’t trust him. Rather, it was a promise I made solely with the Emperor, and I just felt it was too early to speak about it.

“Don’t worry about that part! As the head of House Deretia, I promise that House Deretia will assist you sufficiently—much more than you’d get from the Wesley family!”

“Me too, me too!”

“I was thinking of starting a new Information Guild after the adventure, would it be alright if I set it up in this city?”

“Don’t we need a wizard…?”

Since my friends had no idea about my dealings with the Emperor, they seemed to have misunderstood my silence as worry over the territory, as they all started to chime in to offer their assistance, beginning with Selian.

“Guys…”

I had never doubted our friendship, but I was deeply moved that they would think of me this way. If it weren’t for my friends, I might have shed some tears in secret.

“Gilbert, please disregard this matter. Kindly send a polite refusal to the Wesley family to avoid any misunderstandings.”

And regarding the assistance for the territory, I never intended to accept that proposal from the outset.

I figured I would likely live alone for the rest of my life. I wouldn’t be able to face my deceased parents if I cut off the legacy of the Frentz family. But it is what it is.

Even though I currently appeared as a woman, I was still fundamentally a man. There was no way I could marry another man.

Of course, it wasn’t impossible for women to marry each other, especially now that it is legal, but how many cases are there where someone, like me, suddenly switched genders? There was Lindy, but she was an exception.

“Yes, understood. I must have taken it too far. I apologize, my lady.”

“Taking it too far? You simply care about me, my family, and the territory, so don’t think too seriously about it.”

“Phew…”

“Then this conversation is over? No marriage, right?”

While I should have been the one letting out a sigh of relief, my friends seemed to empathize even more with my situation, exhaling sighs on my behalf.

“Come on, where would I go leaving you guys behind?”

Right. What’s wrong with living my whole life unmarried? I have more than enough friends to share my life with.