Chapter 37:

Chapter 37:

Chapter 37: Searching for a Bride

It was a reunion between father and son after a long time.

The two men, who should have plenty of stories piled up to share, sat silently in the drawing room, merely exchanging glances.

It wasnt because they understood each other just by looking in the eyes as was often said about men.

They simply had nothing particular to say.

Youve been to prison, I heard. Are you well?

Yes. Surprisingly, prison life was bearable.

Thats right. A man should go to prison once in his lifetime and experience that.

True.

Sip.

Ascal took a sip of his tea.

A minute passed like that.

The house seems to have changed quite a bit.

Hmm. I didnt have much of an opinion on it, but your sister was insistent, so we spent some money.

Lucia does have that side to her.

Sip.

This time, Arthur took a sip of his tea.

Five minutes passed.

Only then did Arthur glance sideways at Ascals right.

There sat Lia.

As their eyes met, Lia bowed her head slightly in greeting.

And the young lady over there is?

I am Lia Cinus. I am humbly serving as Ascal-nims aide.

Arthur Debrue.

The conversation stalled once again.

Arthur Debrue might be a noble, but in essence, he was closer to a soldier preferring to act rather than speak.

After all, in the countryside, where they come from, people were accustomed to using their bodies for work rather than words, hence Arthur never had the reason or the opportunity to learn the art of conversation.

Still, he had the will to somehow continue the dialogue with his long-missed son.

The word Holy night festival finally surfaced in Arthurs solid head.

Speaking of which, its almost the Holy Night festival.

Yes. Lia responded.

People usually spend the Holy Night festival with family. Dont you have one?

Pardon?

The blunt question from Arthur had the power to fluster even Lia, who rarely got unsettled.

Ascal quickly stepped in to rephrase Arthurs words.

What he means is that its customary to spend the Holy Night festival with family. Hes curious if theres a special reason why Lia has come down to the Debrue house for the occasion.

Hmm.

They had barely averted a disaster that could have erased their lineage. Ascal wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

"My father has been unwell and decided to focus on his recuperation. Since I happen to have free during the Holy Night festival, I thought to offer my prayers alongside a dear acquaintance, Ascal-nim."

"I see."

"But now that I think about it, I didn't seek permission from Baron Debrue in advance."

"That's true as well."

Arthur nodded. But talk about it as if it was someone else's business.

Ascal looked at Arthur as if he couldnt believe what he just heard.

"My father doesn't fuss over such matters; you're welcome to make yourself at home, Lia."

Thats true.

"Understood. Thank you, Baron."

The conversation faltered once again. After a moment of silence, Arthur's gaze shifted as he noticed the self-defense sword tied to Ascal's waist, his expression changing.

"It's been quite some time since we've sparred. How about we have a match for old times' sake?"

"Sparing would make us sweat, then wed have to bathe, not to mention change our wet clothes. I'd rather not."

He was indeed grateful for Lucia."Lady Helen of the Counts family. Background 7. Intelligence 4. Appearance 8. Personality 5. Noteworthy Point: Suffers from an illness with a risk of premature death. Theres a high probability that you should meet her sooner rather than later"

"She passed away last year."

"Oh..."

He then regretted asking.

"But don't worry. As I said earlier, thanks to your current popularity, Brother, our options have greatly expanded. This next lady comes with my personal recommendation."

Lucia took a deep breath.

"Lady Senestia of the Ducal family. Background 9. Intelligence 4. Appearance 9. Personality 6. Noteworthy Point: Works as an imperial official. That's like you, isn't it?"

A familiar family name somehow resonated.

Ascal engaged in deductive reasoning for a moment in his mind.

As far as he knew, there was only one Senestia Ducal family in the empire.

And among the young ladies of the Senestia family, there was only one who worked as an imperial official.

"Sushia..."

"Oh? Is she an acquaintance? That would make the process much smoother, wouldnt it?"

"She won't do."

"Why not?"

"Just... she won't do."

'Ah, just not possible.'Lucia, visibly irked by the irresponsible rejection, rose from her seat and took a step towards Ascal.

Just as Lucia was about to fire off a retort, she finally noticed Lia, who had not found an opportunity to interject.

Lucia had a habit of not paying much attention to her surroundings when she was deeply engrossed in something.

Upon seeing Lia, Lucia bowed in greeting.

"I apologize for not introducing myself sooner. I am Lucia Debrue from the Baron Debrue family. And you are?"

"It's my fault as well for the late introduction. I'm Lia Cinus from the Viscount Cinus family."

The two women exchanged greetings with such formality that it seemed almost like a contest of who could do it more impeccably.

After finishing the pleasantries, Lucia whispered to Ascal.

-If you brought a woman, you should have told me earlier, Brother.

-I didn't bring her.

-Well, anyway she is quite remarkable. Appearance 10.

Lucia said with a smile.

"Do you happen to know where the current alliances of the Empire are?"

"Officially, the Kingdom of Ludibrium, the Kingdom of Kelli, and the White Tower."

"What is the name of the trade route in the north of the Empire?"

"The Northern Sun Route."

"Which estate recently produced the highest-rated wine in the Empire?"

"The Baitz wine from the Viscount Leteil estate, though the land where that wine comes from is actually imperial territory, part of the Empire."

"Intelligence 10."

Lucia's quill pen danced across the parchment.

-Lia Cinus. Background 7. Intelligence 10. Appearance 10. Personality ?

"How would you react if, on your wedding night, your husband disappeared and upon searching, you found him in the midst of having an affair with a prostitute."

"Lucia. Stop."

Lucia seemed to realize that her question crossed the line and fell silent.

Ascal had once again saved his family from a potentially disastrous predicament...

"You douse them with oil, drop the candelabra you're holding to set the two ablaze, and then care for your husband who can no longer move for the rest of his life."

"..."

Inwardly, Ascal scored her Personality as a 1.

Lucia toyed with her feather pen.

Swoosh swoosh.

-Lia Cinus. Background 7. Intelligence 10. Appearance 10. Personality 10. Noteworthy Point: Well-spoken.

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