The ceremony was a grand affair, as it was the wedding of two counts. Priests and nuns from the other land sang chants and celebrated with me and Serafina.


    Of course, I was painfully aware that ours was not a relationship based on pure love alone. Still, I couldn''t help but burst into tears. The ceremony was so beautiful.


    How strong their love is is not the same as how good or bad the ceremony is. And I know that the thread that connects me and Serafina is not weak.


    "Oh, mister, it doesn''t suit you to be a hero with a few tears."


    Serafina pointed this out to me,


    "You''re crying, too, you know."


    In fact, he was shedding tears much more clearly than I was.


    "Because, you know, I''m happy. ......"


    If a future historian writes that they did not love each other because they were married for political reasons, he or she will be a blind man.


    Ailes, who was to become a father-in-law, also looked as if he was moved by the love of his daughter when he saw her happiness. He seems to feel this way even though he has so many children, including his mistress''s children, that he does not know how many he has.


    After the ceremony, I took Seraphina, now my wife, back to the castle of Navre.


    But Seraphina was a really smart girl. Before she was intimidated by the unfamiliarity of her new home, she took a look at the layout of the castle and immediately said to me, "You know, I''ve never been in a castle before.


    This castle is not suitable for a master. It is a little too small. At this size, the castle itself can''t hold a thousand people. The outer moat protecting the castle town should be bigger to accommodate the Count. It''s not only a matter of family size, but the people you''ll be fighting may eventually grow too."


    I patted Serafina on the head, even though there were other members of my family with me.


    "You are right. We have been thinking of building more castles or moving to a new location.


    Navre is not a bad town. It''s my hometown and I''m attached to it.


    But it''s still a castle town of a small lord who ruled a county. It''s inland, so it''s not exactly convenient. It takes time to travel to and from the other places I rule.


    "By the way, Serafina, if you were to move your base of operations, where would you choose?"


    "I''ve been looking at the Master''s territory, but I''d like to go to Maust, a city on a big river. It would be convenient for trade and, depending on how it is built, the river itself could be used as a moat behind the castle."


    Once again, he patted Serafina on the head.


    "I would have married you even if you were a commoner''s daughter."


    "I guess the Master thought it would be better there, too."


    "That''s how it is."


    Maust is the commercial city of the Viscounts of Mar, who destroyed it. I had my eye on it. Especially since Fordneria is not on the sea, the fastest way to get to the sea is to go down this river.


    "By the time I can call myself Count of Fordonia, I''ll think about moving it in earnest. First, I intend to wipe out the remaining forces in the same province."


    "Yes. Heroism can only be shown in war.


    Then a vassal came to me and said with a reserved smile, "I have a lot of documents that I would like you to look over at ......." Since he had been away from the castle for his wedding, he must have more papers than usual.


    This means that I can''t give Serafina a tour of the castle and the town immediately.


    The territory is so different from what it used to be that it takes a lot of time for political affairs.


    "All right. I''m going back to work. Someone please introduce my wife to this castle."


    Is there anyone out there who would be a good fit? I''d prefer a woman, since she''s the one explaining things to Serafina. .......


    I''d better not ...... though my eyes met Raviara''s.


    "I don''t mind Raviara. ....... I can at least distinguish between public and private ......"


    I''m glad you say that and I don''t think Raviara would be mean to Serafina. But I doubt if it is the right choice, and above all, there is a more fundamental problem.


    "That Raviara, a girl of Elvish blood, is the Master''s mistress. She is an expert archer, and has a very toned body."


    Serafina looked at Raviara with provocative eyes.


    Yes, it seems that Serafina is looking at Raviara as an enemy.


    We already have a general idea of her personality, but Serafina is very rival. Maybe it is because she grew up with many brothers and sisters who naturally compete with each other.


    "You are as brave as your master, you know..."


    "I am honored by your compliments, Countess."


    "But I have bigger breasts than you. They''re twice as big.


    Laviala''s face turned red with shame.


    It is true that Laviala''s breasts are not very large. She was probably concerned about it.


    "With all due respect, Countess,...... this is just because Laviara is an archer and she is holding her breasts tight so that they don''t get in the way. ......"


    In Raviara''s official view, yes, but not really. I know better, but it''s not something I should say here, so I''ll keep my mouth shut: .......


    "But you know how big her breasts are, don''t you?　What''s the truth?"


    "Don''t ask!"


    I saw the look on Serafina''s face and knew.


    You know what I''m talking about. .......


    She''s a tomboy, that''s for sure.


    "Yes, she is. "Yes. And you have other vassals. We mustn''t bring shame on our liege. The master understands the position of the count.


    The other vassals who were present chuckled. Even the elven vassals, who were supposed to be closer to Raviara, were laughing, so Raviara''s concern about her breasts was a well-known story.


    But I was impressed in a different way.


    This exchange alone brought the vassal and Serafina closer.


    Serafina was his wife, but she was his daughter from Minelia. Some of them may have lost their relatives in the war with Minelia, and since they came from the other side in a political marriage, it is natural that some of them would look at her with a haunted look.


    However, Serafina easily softened the atmosphere by making a joke. With this, Serafina has earned the position of a joking countess.


    Serafina glanced at me.


    What do you think?　It was as if to say, "That''s a pretty good move, isn''t it?


    My wife may be more talented than I thought.


    Among them, only Raviara was blushing red. For Raviara, it was as if she had been sacrificed.


    "Countess ......, I think you should consider your position and choose your words a little more carefully. ......"


    "Don''t call me a countess in such a formal way. Call me Serafina. You can''t deny that you know your husband better than I do."


    Laviala looked a little less venomous.


    "I know and admit that you have helped him many times. I know that and I admit it. I wish you all the best in the future."


    "Okay, ...... Serafina-sama ......."


    Here, you don''t have to stop at the high level and let the other party have flowers too. You have a good grasp of people''s minds. You''re so good at it, it''s scary.


    "Well, I''m looking forward to working with you, Raviara."


    I thought as I looked at Serafina''s smile. I''d better be careful not to get rolled too.