I Picked Up a Witch With Amnesia

9. Revenge – 03

“…I hope the story of my flamboyant pilgrimage to women ends here.”

I think it would be wiser to stop before Aria’s expressionless stare at me from the side gets even fiercer than it is now. And, as soon as I got up, the reason I put everything aside and started looking for my father was not at all to listen to his nagging.

“Hmm, I don’t have much to say to say that your decision has been straightened out. Anyway, if it’s Bianca’s child, I’m in favor. If so, what were you planning to do with the ceremony between the two of you? I heard that the engagement ceremony held at the Marquis of Castana was interrupted in the middle. If you really intend to marry that child, shouldn’t you hold a proper ceremony?”

At my father’s point, I gently shook my head from side to side.

“I’m sorry Bianca, but for the time being, I’m not going to hold any ceremony of any kind.”

“…Um, why is that? If you’re going to welcome him as your partner anyway, wouldn’t it be better to have a match ceremony? I don’t think Bianca would ask you to break off the engagement the way Sarah did.”

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My father adds useless words, saying that you are a wonderful child who likes you even after witnessing all of your awkward appearances from a very young age.

The reason for not having a ceremony with Bianca was very simple. Because as long as the other girls related to me are wide-eyed, the very act of having a ceremony with Bianca would be tantamount to a declaration of war against them. Behold, if we trace back to the reason why the princess and Ariel are now residing in the Estel family, isn’t the false engagement between Bianca and I at the root?

Bianca, the princess, and Ariel are staying at the Estel duchy and not simply wasting food, but are so happy to see each other that they are at a loss for what to do. Wouldn’t it be obvious whether they would reveal the truth? No matter how much I think about it, I can only imagine an ominous future in which the entire Duchy of Estelle will collapse into ashes 10 years from now.

However, it is not possible to confide all of the inner circumstances to the father. I decided not long ago to use the same excuse I had used when I shook off Bianca’s hold on me to keep the fake engagement going.

“Well, I don’t think there are many people who would be happy if I said that I and Bianca would be connected. At least, I don’t think many nobles in the north are very happy with our relationship.”

Aside from the turbulent relationship between the Duke of Estel and the Marquis of Castana, hundreds of years have passed since Estelle fell in the north and the momentum completely shifted to the Castana side, and now, the union between Bianca and me threatens to shake the balance in the north. because there was Currently, there are no other direct lineages other than Bianca officially in the Castana marquis family.

“Well, regardless of why you care about such facts, you seem to be very mistaken. As far as I know, there are very few nobles living in the north who object to the fact that you two are connected.”

“…Yes? Why is that again?”

Why would greedy pigs who only care about their own interests vote for Bianca and me to marry?

“…This is really absurd. Didn’t you already prove your worth in a place where you gathered greedy bastards who knew nothing but your own safety? If they have the pride that blue blood flows in them, then they must have had no choice but to acknowledge you. The fact that you, as a person, are qualified to reign over them.”

“…?”

I didn’t quite understand what my father was talking about, but it wasn’t that important in the current situation, so I decided to brush it off. The reason I wanted to see my father was not to share such a grim story, but to discuss a solution to overcome the bleak situation I was currently in.

“…Well, that kind of incomprehensible story is over now. However, in order to have the ceremony with Bianca the way my father wants, there are a few issues that need to be addressed first.”

For example, a happy future would never come to me if I did not solve the various problems with the princess, a dangerous figure who casually roamed the inside of the Duke of Estelle, and women like Ariel in some way. And, if possible, this time I want to refrain as much as possible from going to a dead end like it was with Bianca.

Rare experiences such as kidnapping, confinement, and amnesia were more than enough once in a lifetime. Going through something like that twice was definitely a no-brainer. This means that no matter how rare a beauty the subject is in the world, being at the mercy of others is never my taste.

…Then, what I had to do was simple indeed. To develop the strength to defeat him head-on, no matter what tricks other women play against me. If I had the strength to face them head-on, at least I wouldn’t get caught up in a situation like I did with Bianca.

“In that sense, if my energy recovers to some extent, I would like to visit the Duke of Dekaraznan.”

That was the conclusion I came to after careful consideration.

“…..”

At my rather sudden remark, it was clear that my father was going through deep contemplation, as if he were weighing something. And, at my words, Lucian, who had been standing next to me without saying anything, only looked at me with a slightly unexpected look.

“Cain von Estel. Do you think the last key is in the Duke of Dekaraznan? Then, has it been concluded that the Duke of Crusell is out of the question already?”

To Lucian’s question, I obediently agreed and opened my mouth.

“Because Crusell is famous for producing civil servants for generations. Crucially, I heard that the Duke of Dekaraznan has home appliance swordsmanship that has been passed down from generation to generation. If you dare to consider the possibility, do you think that Dekaraznan is much higher?”

“Certainly, that’s a reasonable decision.”

Lucian nodded calmly, as if he had understood my words.

“…It’s something that will have to come to an end at some point, but there must be a reason why you seem to be in such a hurry. Alright, try it your way once. As the head of the Estel family, I will give you full authority to negotiate with the Dekaraznan duchy.”

I already had a conversation with my father, so I didn’t have to explain the whole situation.

“Then Lucian, what are you going to do? Surely you are not such a shabby person that you have no right to speak here?”

At my provocative question, Lucian let out a low sigh and opened his mouth obediently.

“Even though things have come this far, the Duke of Tournigen can’t step out. As the minor duke of the Duke of Tournigen, I will entrust you with full power. Cain von Estel.”

I was able to breathe a sigh of relief only after Lucian’s permission was given. With this, all conditions were met. If I didn’t know if things would go smoothly, it was as if I had done everything I could.

…If, to the end, it’s in the realm of ifs, but if things go smoothly, maybe.

This time, I might have the possibility of defeating my teacher, the princess.

****

After that, the story progressed swiftly. After discussing various things that I hadn’t thought of before, I left my father’s office and entered the parlor, where I saw an unexpected couple, whom I had never thought of before, sitting there harmoniously.

ugh-

A kind-faced woman with glossy purple hair was caressing the legs of a cute black-haired girl. Even at first glance, the woman’s hands had a subtle luster that was divine, and each time the hand brushed the black-haired girl’s legs, her inherently weak legs gradually grew fat and the muscles formed densely.

…To be honest, even to me who had experienced Ariel’s healing many times, it was nothing short of a miracle. I had heard that Ariel, when she was very young, restored sight to an old woman who had been blind and performed miracles such as raising a crippled person. hadn’t even imagined.

“Well, I guess this is all right. Elena, where would you like to stand up?”

When Ariel finished speaking, Elena stood up from her seat and moved her body around with a curious expression. And after a while, Elena’s face turned into a look of awe toward Ariel.

“…there is no problem in moving the body. I’m not short of breath, and I don’t feel any pain anywhere. Awesome. Ariel-sama, this really is like a miracle.”

Towards Elena, who did not hesitate to express her admiration for herself, Ariel simply looked at her with a truly benevolent gaze.

“Elena. As you said, this is a miracle. Because this power I wield is a sign that the Goddess has mercy on humans.”

“But, even though I was healed by other clergymen, I’ve never seen as great an effect as Ariel-sama’s?”

When Elena blinked and said that to Ariel, Ariel smiled softly, covering her mouth with her hand.

“Unfortunately, what I did to Elena was no different from what they did. However, since I have a slightly stronger divine power, I can only feel the difference with my body. Also, my healing is only temporary, so you will need constant healing from me to truly benefit.”

“…Steady healing?”

Ariel’s words made Elena’s eyes wide open.

“But didn’t Ariel-sama say that she would be leaving the Estel family in the near future? Then wouldn’t it be unreasonable for you to heal me?”

At Elena’s limp words, Ariel whispered as she slowly stroked her hair. It struck me as very similar to the sight of a cunning serpent casting words of seduction at an unsuspecting sheep.

“It is not so. There is only one way.”

“How? What is it?”

“If I become a family with Elena, I won’t have to leave the Estelle duchy, so wouldn’t that naturally give me more time to spend with Elena?”

Saying that, Ariel glanced back at me, who had been staring blankly at the sight. What a woman she was. It’s possible that I’ve been aware of the fact that I entered this place from a long time ago, and yet be so pretentious.

“Don’t you think so too, Cain?”

“…..”

I didn’t know what to say to Ariel, who wasn’t even thinking about hiding her desire anymore.

“Ah, you are here. Brother?”

Only then did Elena realize that I had entered, and bowed her head toward me. Ariel smiled softly, got up from her seat, and slowly moved toward the doorway.

“Since it is a conversation between brother and sister, it would be unwise to stay here all the time. I’ll just let this slip away. Then, again later.”

I couldn’t help but look at Ariel’s back with a slightly suspicious look as she said that and quickly disappeared. It was because he knew very well that a woman named Ariel was not one to walk away quietly in the face of her prey.

Then, as I watched Ariel leave, Elena approached me with a much brighter expression than usual.

“Brother. Did you have a good conversation with your father? What kind of conversation did you have that kept you talking for so long?”

“Ah, what. It’s been a while since I’ve come back from the trip, so I guess the story got a little long after talking about this and that. Elena.”

No matter how much it was, I couldn’t tell you what happened in the office, so I gave an answer with a rough answer, and Elena looked at me with a calm expression for some reason.

“Chi, in the end, you didn’t say anything. It’s too much, brother. Then, could you please answer one of my questions instead?”

“Anything I can answer.”

When I nod my head at Elena’s words, Elena tilts her head and asks me a question.

“It’s nothing else, there are rumors that Bianca might become your brother’s partner in the future. Is that really true?”

“Well, yes.”

It wasn’t a lie, because I was going to be responsible for Bianca in any way.

…And, Elena’s questions weren’t over yet either.

“By the way, I’ve heard that Bianca may be great as a wizard, but she’s a bit lacking as the hostess of a family. They say that, like a wizard, he has an eccentric personality, enjoys great luxury, and treats his subordinates carelessly?”

“…who?”

Elena glanced at the seat where Ariel had just been sitting, then shook her head.

“I won’t say that.”

“…..”