"Please give me my daughter for my wife."


    As a matter of fact, I had expected to be told so. However, that is assuming that the meeting goes well.


    "Are you sure you want to be such an upstart?"


    "What''s wrong with the Count''s wife being the Count''s daughter?　I don''t think it''s a bad story, do you?"


    I glanced at the two vassals sitting on either side of me.


    Raviara looked a little sad. Raviara had been like a wife to me for a long time. It pains me, too, but I''m sure Raviara knew that.


    Laviala gave a small nod,


    "Master Arsrod, I think you should have your own daughter. It is important for both families to join hands now.


    He said firmly. He was a vassal to me.


    If Raviara and I were just common people, we wouldn''t have caused her so much pain. She could have proudly told me not to be unfaithful.


    "Count, I would like to make a request to you, but our position is such that we can''t afford to be childless. I will take good care of my wife, but I hope you will allow me to have a concubine."


    "Don''t worry about it. I too have several children by my mistresses. Civil wars are sometimes caused by the lack of an heir. Considering that, having children is also a good job to protect the country."


    It was well known that Ailes Kartis had many lovers. In his case, however, the daughters of the lords he had destroyed were among them, and there was some danger. There was no danger that the child would perceive Ailes as the avenger of his family.


    "Well, if the Count''s daughter is willing to accept it, I am willing to accept it.


    Ailes Kartis nodded broadly in response to my words.


    "Okay. Then I will ask him directly.


    Then he clapped his hands twice.


    The door behind him opened and a girl in a dress stepped out.


    She was about fifteen or sixteen years old. She had sleek black hair, unlike her blond father. Maybe she had some of the blood of an Eastern woman in her veins.


    She had a rather winning expression on her face and seemed very confident. She is pretty, but not slender. She was like a sunflower in the wilderness.


    She looked at me with big eyes.


    "I am Serafina Kartis, daughter of Ailes Kartis.


    "It''s an honor to meet you."


    I stood up and thanked him. I am a count now, but she was born a count''s daughter. She might have a high rank, so I would be the one to take the low blow.


    Serafina walked up to me slowly and squeezed my hand.


    "I am honored too. You are a hero for sure."


    "I think you''re being too generous."


    I''ve always dreamed of being the wife of a hero. Life would be more interesting that way, wouldn''t it?


    Then he smiled like a sunflower really bloomed.


    "You don''t have to believe me, but I had a feeling I was going to marry you when you were running rampant in my country, even building forts. I want you to run wild outside of Mineria. Keep me entertained."


    "Yes. If you''re going to be my wife, I think it''s my duty as your husband.


    "Yes. If you don''t, I''ll run away or I''ll kill you."


    Provocatively, Serafina said. I could sense that Raviara was miffed, but I honestly thought that I would be able to make it with this girl for a long time. Of course, without getting killed.


    "If you kill me, I''m sure you''ll regret it. Because there aren''t that many heroes in the world.


    "Arsrod Naevre, you are funny after all. By the way, I am a saint. It''s a rather rare profession. It is said to increase the fortune of those who are close to you by 30 percent. I''m sure you''ll have more luck."


    I don''t know how much luck is a change, but perhaps I should believe in it. The power of one''s occupation has been handed down from generation to generation.


    What is your profession?　I told you, so you can tell me, right?"


    If you answer, "I am Oda Nobunaga," they won''t understand.


    "You know me well. Of course, he is a hero.


    He looked into Serafina''s eyes and said, "I''m sorry.


    For a moment, Seraphina''s face turned red as if she was embarrassed.


    Serafina turned her face toward her father.


    "Father, I''m going to go to Navre with this man. Thank you for bringing me up.


    Ailes Kartis sighed, a sigh that meant a lot of things.


    "The new Count, Serafina, is as you can see, but she is smart. I think it suits you, not your parents'' greed."


    "Yes, I will try to make your daughter happy."


    "I''m glad to see that you''ve decided to marry off your horse. Please, do well."


    Thus, the meeting between Nevre and Mineria ended without incident.


    The alliance was sealed when the marriage was arranged.


    The two powers pledge their inviolability to each other and invade where their interests do not conflict.


    Trade facilities are also arranged. Merchants who have a transit permit are given protection by lending horses even on the other side''s lands, or by being given priority to stay at inns along the roads.


    The official wedding ceremony took place a month later in the same temple as the meeting. There I met Serafina for the first time in a month, and I couldn''t help saying to her


    "She''s so cute!"


    Seraphina in her bride''s dress. It fits her so well that I want to believe she was born to wear it.


    Her positivity is enhanced.


    "I got pretty for you, mister."


    Serafina twirled around in front of me. Her dress fluttered in the air.


    "Make me the happiest man in the country. A saint''s power is stronger over those she loves.


    "Yes. Open my luck even more."


    Serafina hugged me.


    "I love you, mister!"


    When I was lord of half a village, I used to think that political marriages were a bad idea, but this one might not be so bad after all.