Married into the enemy family - chapter 6

You greenhorn.’

At Callion’s well-crafted response, Marquis Alistair scoffed inwardly.
He was displeased that he had to use polite speech with someone who was merely a few years older than his own son, and equally displeased that it was the seed of Leofric standing before him.
Unable to resist the impulse, Marquis Alistair hid a blade beneath his tongue.

“No, that cannot be true. Have you not established great merits despite your young age, Your Grace? It is entirely thanks to the Iron Wall that we in the capital can live in peace, so it would be best to put an end to your modesty here.”

At those words, Callion’s golden eyes wavered. It was only for a fleeting moment, but Marquis Alistair saw it clearly.

‘I have seized the initiative.’

Feeling pleased, Marquis Alistair spoke with a smile that welled up from the bottom of his heart.

“It is not proper manners to welcome a precious guest standing up. I will show you to the drawing room.”

Callion silently followed behind Marquis Alistair. If he had opened his mouth, he felt as though raw curses would pour out.

‘Losing my composure like that is exactly what the Marquis wants. I absolutely cannot let that happen.’

The people of the North are heavily endowed with patience. And among them, Callion’s patience was stronger than anyone’s.
Thanks to this, the two men safely arrived at the drawing room and exchanged some more ‘noble conversation’. The Marquis smoked a cigar and enjoyed a glass of liquor.
Conscious of the Marquis deliberately creating a relaxed atmosphere, Callion only wet his throat with tea.
When he felt the preliminary probing had gone on long enough, the Marquis brought up his main point.

“If you arrived in the capital today, you must not have been able to look around much. And it’s a rare visit to the capital, at that.”
“…Fortunately, I do not regret it much. I lack a refined eye for such things.”
“Haha, does someone still so young speak like an old man? If you wish, the Alistairs could give you a tour of the capital.”
“I appreciate the goodwill, but I know nothing of matters outside the North. I plan to return straight to the North as soon as the ceremony is over.”
“Hmm, is that so? But there are many places in the capital that might interest Your Grace. For example… the Temple.”

The Marquis’s glasses caught the light and flashed.

‘It’s a good thing I didn’t make eye contact.’

Callion barely maintained a facade of composure. The Marquis continued speaking as if driving a wedge.

“Of course, I am aware there is a Temple in the North as well. However, aren’t there things that can only be done at the Temple in the capital? I thought perhaps the Duke would be interested…”

At those words, Callion realized it.

‘The Marquis knows.’

He knew that Callion hadn’t just arrived in the capital today, and even that he had visited the Temple to confirm Ronin Alistair’s secondary sex.

‘Just how far does the Alistairs’ influence extend?’

He had sneaked into the capital as quietly as possible, even hiding his identity. The only person accompanying him was Baldwin.
Of course, he knew it was dangerous to go to the Temple, but to be found out this quickly…
It hadn’t been like this the last time he visited the capital. While the capital was the Alistairs’ stronghold, it hadn’t been to this extent. He felt uneasy about the Alistairs gradually expanding their power within the capital.

‘As expected, leaving things as they are will be problematic.’

Organizing what he needed to do upon returning to the North, Callion replied.

“It is not particularly to that extent. It is merely the level of curiosity that any citizen of the Empire possesses, nothing more.”
“If you say so.”

Fortunately, it seemed the Marquis had no intention of prying further, as he tipped his glass. The cigar dangling from the Marquis’s fingertips swayed precariously.

Flick—

Gray ash fell onto the carpet. Callion watched the spark land on a carpet that had supposedly been imported from across the sea and thought,

‘As expected, the capital is no place to linger.’

The day of the wedding. Ronin’s waiting room was a chaotic mess, as if a bomb had gone off.
From dealing with the surging crowd of guests until now, not only the person of the hour, Ronin, but the servants assisting him were entirely drained of their spirits.
It was a relief that the guests had left since the ceremony was about to begin. Ronin let out a sigh in secret.
However, there was no time to rest. Soon, a few more servants entered the waiting room. They were the personnel meant to do the final touches.
Among them, someone who saw Ronin for the first time today muttered.

“B-Beautiful…! Gasp! No, what am I saying…”

The young maid’s face flushed bright red. Thanks to the busy preparations, her words were drowned out, but the person involved heard them clearly. Ronin stared into the mirror with a numb expression.
A thin, unhappy Beta stood there. Without even obtaining the blessing of becoming an Omega.

‘Am I beautiful…? As expected, I don’t know.’

Ronin quickly tore his gaze away from the mirror. The maid approached with a flush still lingering on her face.
As she added various finishing touches, the maid couldn’t hold back and asked.

“Are you not nervous? You will be walking down the virgin road soon…”
“…Should I be nervous?”
“Pardon? No, that’s not it, but… Still, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime wedding. Aren’t you excited?”

Ronin did not answer. He merely offered his familiar smile.
When the already beautiful person smiled, he seemed to radiate light. The maid’s face turned red again.

‘Wow, w-what kind of person is this pretty…’

He seemed more like an angel than a human. The deeply religious maid caught a glimpse of holiness in Ronin’s face.
While the maid couldn’t take her eyes off Ronin’s face, the Madame entered the waiting room.

“The Temple side has informed us that all preparations are complete. Let us go.”

Finally. It was the beginning of his once-in-a-lifetime wedding.

The Great Hall of the Grand Temple. A space that would normally be closed off was thrown wide open.
The nobles and royalty filling the vast hall held their breath. Because now, those doors would open, and Leofric and Alistair would enter.

“Enter!”

With a resounding cry, the massive doors opened. Ronin, led by the hand of Marquis Alistair, slowly walked down the virgin road.
Every time the silver candlesticks illuminating the virgin road flickered, Ronin’s shadow swayed along with them. Ronin, who was wearing a blindfold according to procedure and unable to see, had no choice but to rely on his other senses.
The smell of flowers. The voices of the estate’s people heard from afar. The gazes of many people that he could feel even if he couldn’t see them…
Though Ronin had been trained to remain calm for a long time, today of all days, it was difficult to feign composure. Marquis Alistair felt the hand he was holding trembling slightly.

‘How amusing. It’s merely a wedding.’

He nonchalantly scoffed at his son and let go of his hand. Ronin, unable to see, fell into a mild panic and parted his lips.
But there was no one here to ask for help. Having given up on everything, Ronin bit his lip. Fortunately, thanks to the veil covering his face, he was spared from looking ridiculous.

Creak—

Shortly after, Callion appeared through the opened door. His cold, golden eyes surveyed every corner of the hall.

‘I can’t even begin to guess how much money they poured into this.’

The Great Hall, which normally wouldn’t have been opened. The place was abundantly decorated with fresh flowers. The lace spread across every table was of the highest quality, something difficult to obtain even if one had the money.
Besides that, there were many other things that proved the Alistairs’ wealth and power. Weddings held at the Temple were usually modest, but since it was the Alistairs, the scale was considerable.
Thinking of what the Alistairs had done to amass this wealth and power, a surge of nausea rose within him.