Chapter 17 —
Leonard arrives at the Blair Marquis’ mansion and is led to the drawing room. He’s surprised to be back so soon—just a day after leaving, thinking he’d never return.
He drinks coffee, a luxury usually reserved for nobles, and surprisingly likes it. He even thinks about taking Jenny (probably someone close to him) to a coffeehouse someday.
While he’s relaxing, Irenea, the marquis, enters. She’s dressed beautifully and seems excited to see him. Leonard, a bit flustered, wonders if she had other plans, but she says she cleared her whole day for him.
She quickly gets to the point and presents him with his family sword (the Raythe Messer) and a pair of rings—one with a gem matching her eye color. She says if he wants the sword back, he must wear the ring, implying an engagement.
Leonard is taken aback and asks when she first knew about him. Irenea answers that she admired his achievements for a long time, especially winning the two major tournaments—something only one other person (Anuph) had done in nearly a century.
Leonard is skeptical. Because of his low birth, people mocked him regardless of his skill. Irenea brings up a famous incident where Leonard punched and knocked out Lloyd, a noble who challenged him unfairly. Leonard had held back in the fight, fearing he might kill someone if he used a real sword—but his punch still knocked Lloyd out. That humiliated Lloyd, who then made Leonard’s life miserable.
Irenea reveals something shocking: Lloyd had proposed to her, not formally but during a break at a party. He suggested she marry him and hand over her title (the marquisate). Leonard is furious and confused because that isn’t normally allowed. Irenea explains that according to imperial law, if someone gives up their title before marriage, their partner can inherit it. After marriage, that’s no longer possible.
Then, Leonard reveals he never intended to keep his current title (Count). He’s just holding it temporarily for his younger sibling Zenis, the rightful heir. Once Zenis is of age, Leonard plans to give up the title and return to life as a mercenary.
He asks Irenea why she would still want to marry someone like him. But instead of being disappointed, Irenea is thrilled. She asks if that means he can become Leonard Blair, her husband, once he gives back the title.
Even when Leonard points out the insults she’ll get for marrying a low-born mercenary, Irenea brushes it off confidently. She says anyone who insults her husband will face her personally. She’s known him and admired him for years, and she’s not afraid of anyone’s opinion. Her determination and confidence shake Leonard—he’s never had someone want to protect him before.
