The Tyrant Empress is Obsessed with Me - Chapter38

38 – There’s Something Off about this Matchmaking

Regardless of the time, there were usually two patterns when the eldest son visited their main house.

One was so unfortunate that they had to wander around the house like a lost soul, unable to rest comfortably and being served cold rice soup as soon as they arrived, due to their parents’ anger.

The other one involved a successful eldest son who didn’t need to lift a finger while being treated like royalty during their stay at the main house.

Of course, Ascal was the latter. Though it wasn’t intentional on his part.

“My son, consider this your house and make yourself comfortable.”

Arthur patted Ascal, who was lying down contentedly on his shoulder.

Lately, Arthur had been satisfied.

Arthur was not very sociable.

In terms of human relationships, he was the type to have a few, but deep relationships. However, at his age, it was nearly impossible not to brag about his family when meeting with friends.

This happened not long ago.

“My son recently entered the Mage Tower.”

“My third child won the swordsmanship tournament.”

That damn children’s boast was so disgusting.

Every time a conversation about kids came up, Arthur would pretend not to have heard and play dumb.

But that long-held sorrow was now coming to an end.

“My son.”

Arthur spoke softly.

“Askal Devere.”

From then on, boasting about one’s children no longer came up in the conversation.

Designated as the father’s friend’s son, Askal found himself spending a lavish vacation amidst the gazes of the household members that seemed to beam with pride.

“Big brother, this is a new grape variety that just came in! Give it a try! Would you like me to peel it for you? Just a moment!”

A grape entered Askal’s mouth as he lay down. The skin was already peeled.

“Now, spit the seed out here.”

Lucia held out a dish. Askal tried to spit out the seed, but he suddenly sat up, thinking that this was a bit too much.

“I can peel and eat grapes by myself.”

“Will you?”

Askal peeled the grape himself.

“Everyone, applause! Big brother has peeled the grape himself!”

Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap!

The servants who had been working suddenly stopped and gave a round of applause together.

“Big brother, there is really nothing you can’t do!”

Askal looked at Lucia as if he couldn’t believe it.

All he did was peel a grape himself, and he received this kind of treatment.

It felt like he had become an animal being raised.

If there was anything to be upset about, it was the fact that it didn’t make him feel too bad.

“Oh dear, it’s already this late. We almost had a big problem.”

Lucia closed the curtains, blocking all sunlight from entering the room.

“We almost missed Big brother’s nap time.”

She then tightly placed a small bell in Askal’s hand.

“If you need anything, please ring the bell anytime.”

In order not to disturb Askal’s naptime, Lucia left the room. The servants bowed their heads and disappeared.

Left alone in the room, Askal felt an indescribable emotion…

Is this right?

At that moment, in the garden of the Devere house.

“Do you know how to handle a sword?”

“Yes. I have been practicing consistently since I learned at a young age, but I am sure there will be many shortcomings in the eyes of the count.”

Usually, at this time, Aser would practice swordsmanship if there was nothing special going on.

After swinging under the sun, the blood begins to flow slowly in the weary body. And when a bucket of cool water is poured on the sweaty body, the energy begins to circulate.

But today there was a guest.

Lia Sinas.

A woman brought by the son. At first, Aser didn’t think much of her, but his daughter Lucia mentioned something.

“She is a candidate for daughter-in-law, Father. Please test her if possible.”

A test.

But what exactly would he test?

Aser had no idea. However, ignoring Lucia’s words would surely trouble him later. So, it would be better to pretend to do something.

“Would you like to have a duel?”

He proposed, not expecting much.

Surely she would refuse, he thought.

“If you’re alright with my inadequate self.”

“If you’re inadequate, you just need to make up for it.”

Aser handed the practice sword, brought by a servant, to Lia. She took the sword and got into position. Aser’s gaze changed.

It was unexpectedly impressive.

Aser closed the distance first.

Their swords met.

His shoulders tensed. This woman named Lia knew how to use a sword. No, it wasn’t just that she knew how to use it.

She was a master.

How long had it been since he met such an opponent? Aser let out a happy laugh.

The duel between the two continued until late in the afternoon.

“When do you plan to serve the meal?”

“What are you talking about?”

Ascal, who had been rolling around on the bed, stopped short.

“Lia is a good woman. If she’s over twenty, isn’t it time to look for a spouse? If there’s no one else in mind, just get married.”

I knew this would happen if we kept stalling.

I’ve been feeling lately that my father has been spending more time with Lia. Whenever he had the time, they duelled in the garden. And it seemed that my father quite liked Lia.

As if they were a father-in-law and son-in-law with a common hobby of fishing.

This is probably what they would predict about my father’s thoughts.

They get married. Lia is always at home. They can always spar with each other.

But Ascal knows.

This is fundamentally an impossible marriage. Lia’s original identity is the Imperial Princess. She’s not a match for a mere nobleman.

Naturally, Lia would think so too.

Ascal sought Lia out and subtly conveyed his intentions.

It seems like my father has this idea, but he seems to have a misunderstanding. Shouldn’t they clear up the misunderstanding?

If I knew Yulia, she would certainly be angry at this point. She’s a tyrant, after all.

But.

Instead, Lia blushed quietly and fiddled with her fingers for a while without saying a word.

“Is…is that so.”

Your Highness.

Please don’t be like this.

Feeling as if the atmosphere might even lead to a coming out, Ascal quickly left his seat.

He had to come up with a plan.

After thinking for a while, Ascal thought of a brilliant idea.

It was a solution so amazing that he wondered why he hadn’t thought of it before.

Ascal immediately headed to where Lucia was.

“You want to see the lines?”

From No ble mt L dot c om

“Yeah. Marriage is an important choice that shouldn’t be taken lightly, right? We have to keep as many possibilities open as possible.”

“Hmm…that makes sense. I’ll get everything prepared.”

Once someone becomes an official, they are always under the surveillance of the Emperor’s hunting dogs because they know the secrets of the Empire. But there was a third way to escape from their grasp.

It was to marry and continue the title of a nobleman.

What can they do if I decide to manage my land and carry on my family name?

Moreover, in the case of central nobles, there are quite a few people who live as officials with titles like Ascal who have countryside lands.

Getting married and continuing the family line was the perfect excuse to resign from being an official.

And when the empire starts to fall apart, they can just flee in the middle of the night with their entire family. A perfect plan.

“I’ve passed the news to as many young ladies as possible.”

“Just someone decent will do. It’s even better if they have strong legs.”

“It won’t do. At this moment, with Orabuni’s reputation skyrocketing, we can’t afford to miss an opportunity to find the most outstanding match.”

Thus, Lucia started contacting others using her connections.

Although her letters were wrapped up in various pleasantries and courteous inquiries about their welfare, the content could be summarized in this way:

＜Looking for someone to stand against the hottest bachelor, Aascal Devere, these days.＞

When she first started reaching out, Lucia expected at most four or five people.

It was not uncommon for women of marriageable age to be without suitors, and getting married is something that one naturally has to be cautious about.

However, Lucia overlooked one thing.

How fast rumors spread in this aristocratic society.

This letter, that began at the furthest reaches of the Empire…

– I heard Aascal Devere is looking for a marriage partner.

– Really? I’d love to check it out.

– If I happened to catch his eye, wouldn’t that be amazing?

– I want to go too.

“No, there’s just no way… Orabuni. Twelve people, a whopping twelve people, applied for the position…”

Originally, the plan was to check each person one by one, but considering the number of people, it would be impossible to do so within a reasonable timeframe.

In the end, they had no choice but to gather them all together at the estate at once.

And soon after, a tremendous number of carriages began arriving at the estate.

Twelve ladies, their attendants, and their friends and admirers all gathered together.

“You really made the right decision expanding the house…”

If they hadn’t enlarged the house into a mansion, it would have been impossible to accommodate this many people.

Aascal silently unfolded the list of candidates.

1. Emilia Lesh

2. Iris Sordear

3. Catherine Forster

……

11. Lia Sines

12. Seri Robione

There were two unusual people on the list.

‘Why on Earth did these people participate?’

Lia was undoubtedly Yulia, and Seri was Princess Serena, the Empire’s second princess.

Who on earth brings a sub-character to a marriage meeting?

Ascal’s head throbbed, and he went outside for some fresh air.

Flap-

At that moment, a splendid carriage arrived at the estate.

The imperial flag fluttered in the wind on the carriage. Not many people were allowed to use that flag. That’s right, those who were part of the Emperor’s lineage.

A blonde man got out of the carriage.

“hahahaha! Ascal! Getting engaged without even telling me! I’m disappointed. But don’t worry! I’ll find you a perfect match with my own eyes!”

Prince Kain, came up to Ascal with a friendly tone.

By any chance, did the royal household have more leisure than managing the empire?

Ascal started to seriously regret not bringing Fer to the estate.