Chapter 58
Before speaking, I carefully chose my words in my head.
I know what kind of things people like Diago hate the most: wasting time with empty words. The important thing is to be concise, stick to the point, and maintain proper distance in manners. Of course, considering the topic, that wasn’t easy.
I parted my lips with effort.
“I came here to ask permission to register Arne into the duke’s household. And, while I’m at it, to request approval for marriage as well.”
“Yes, I’ve heard.”
“And, as for the Marchioness—or rather, the Count—you recently held your son’s funeral, didn’t you? So, in fact… I am a little concerned.”
I glanced up to check Diago’s face. Even at this point, the silver-haired man nodded.
“I understand what you mean.”
He’s perceptive. Thanks to that, I didn’t need to explain further. I quietly waited for the steward’s reply.
Diago took a sip of tea and quenched his throat. Then he spoke calmly.
“But I don’t think there’s any need for concern.”
I had roughly guessed from the Marchioness’s attitude, but still—so confidently, without hesitation?
“May I ask why the young lord thinks so?”
Diago seemed to consider his words for a moment, then suddenly asked a question.
“Was your journey to the territory comfortable?”
“Pardon?”
What does that mean all of a sudden?
“Did you pass through the forest? Didn’t you feel anything at that time?”
Ah, now I remembered. I quickly answered.
“Thanks to the Count. I only guessed that it would be a dangerous forest.”
Diago nodded.
“Yes. It is indeed dangerous. And that is typical for the north. You may have heard already, but there are many wild animals, which cause significant damage to the territory. The most important task for Lord Verdi is to prepare for this.”
“I see.”
Oh, that reminds me…
“Were the walls of Verdi Castle built because of the wild animals?”
“That’s correct.”
I thought so.
The multiple layers of walls spreading outward from the castle—it all made sense. I recalled the scene when we arrived at Verdi Castle.
The north is cold, and the land isn’t fertile; frankly, there’s no reason to covet it. So even before the empire was unified, territorial wars must have been rare. I had wondered why the entire territory was turned into a fortress city. It was to defend against wild animal attacks.
The steward continued.
“The Lord has personally led hunts since his youth. He survived many deadly encounters and lost many companions along the way. If he had been shocked every time, he wouldn’t be sane by now.”
Diago’s expression seemed casual at first glance, but I could feel that he wanted to persuade me. And he clearly had affection for the Marchioness. That was more than enough to convince me.
“I understand. Then, I don’t need to worry that the Count might be displeased with Arne for the reasons I mentioned.”
“In other words, yes.”
Diago’s answer was refreshing.
“Good.”
The first matter was easily cleared. Now it was time to confirm the second.
Before that, I took a sweet sip of tea, partly to hide the faint warmth rising to my face.
Ah, it’s a little embarrassing. Honestly, this question is a bit different from earlier ones. It might make me seem too obvious…
No, Sophia. Are you in a position to hesitate? Now that you’re here, you have to go for it.
“Lord Diago.”
“Go ahead.”
The steward of my prospective mother-in-law responded with slightly less formality than before, which made the situation a bit more comfortable.
Encouraged, I asked:
“Um… are there things I should be careful about to avoid displeasing the Count? Things he dislikes…”
Honestly, what I really wanted to ask was, “Please tell me the secret to winning the Count’s favor!”
Though it was already a bit late! Just arranging to be picked up at Monterosa Temple was already risky, and I had already lost some points with the Marchioness. So now it was time to actively gain points.
But I still didn’t know the former Marchioness—or Count Verdi—and Diago, like the Marchioness, had never met me. So I hoped for practical advice.
Still, I realized the question wasn’t exactly mature. It felt like prying a little.
I braced myself, expecting at least a smirk at my obvious intention.
But, surprisingly, Diago’s expression was indifferent.
“I don’t think you need to worry about that, either.”
My heart skipped a beat, but I tried to hide my nervousness and asked:
“Is… it already too late?”
“Excuse me? What do you mean? I literally mean, there’s nothing to worry about.”
“Wha—?”
I didn’t even notice that I had asked so loudly that it bordered on rudeness.
“Lord Diago, what do you mean by that—”
Bang!
At that moment, with a loud crash, the window beside the tea table opened. No one touched it!
Whish—!
At the same time, a huge ball of fur leapt in, vaulted over the tea table, and stopped just before a stack of documents.
Startled, I tried to calm my eyes and caught sight of the furball.
It was a dark brown wolf—the one that had licked my face at the temple! The wolf the Marchioness raised!
“Pant, pant!”
The two window panels were still rattling violently. The huge wolf twisted its body, knocking over some stacks of papers. I could feel the man next to me frown.
The wolf noticed me and ran, placing its head less than a foot from me in an instant.
“Grr!”
Oh my! I thought it would swallow my face!
Diago clicked his tongue.
“See?”
See what?
The silver-haired man frowned and picked up the papers. The edge of one dipped into the tea, and droplets fell.
But I didn’t have time to care—the huge wolf began licking my face.
“What is this?”
“You weren’t chosen by Hattir?”
“Hattir… you mean… this wolf…?”
What choice?
At that moment, Diago’s face darkened briefly as he glanced at the fallen papers. But he mechanically moved his lips and kindly explained.
“Hattir is a ‘Heiliger Wolf.’ Like other wolves, it doesn’t easily follow humans. But in rare cases, it chooses a master. It is known to be excellent at identifying who could harm its master.”
“Ah… so, Hattir showing me friendliness means—”
“Yes. It means it sees you as someone who will be helpful to the Count.”
Wow!
I tried to suppress the smile rising to my lips. Unknowingly, I had passed the first test with Hattir!
I bravely reached out and petted the wolf’s head. Hattir closed its yellow eyes in pleasure—it looked like a giant dog, though the fangs were a little scary. A wolf that chooses its master?
I asked lightly.
“Judging by Hattir’s personality, it seems it would be harder not to be chosen.”
“No, not at all.”
Diago answered with a grim expression. Past experiences seemed to flash through his mind.
“Hattir is the most cautious of all the animals I’ve seen.”
He spoke slowly, syllable by syllable. He seemed almost betrayed that the wolf was clinging to me.
…Wait a second.
I stopped petting the wolf. Something felt off.
“Lord Diago, may I ask something?”
“What is it?”
My excitement quickly faded. There was a reason I had been tense and armored before coming to see the Marchioness—she clearly didn’t like me.
“Do you know that I sent the Count a New Year’s card every year?”
“Yes, it arrived well.”
He looked like he thought it was trivial. But that’s not it!
“So, do people in the north usually not reply to New Year’s cards?”
“Oh, that…”
Diago avoided eye contact and adjusted his single-lens glasses, which hadn’t fully slid down.
“The Count tried to reply… but he kept postponing it until summer, and then just gave up, as far as I know.”
How do you let a winter card sit until summer?
Seeing my expression, Diago quickly added:
“You simply don’t know the Count well yet. You’ll understand when you join dinner later.”
He even made a face that looked almost offended—but I let it slide for now. The matter wasn’t over yet.
“Then why didn’t the Count attend Arnold’s funeral?”
“Oh, actually, there was an avalanche in the territory the same day, so he returned north early.”
“I see… then, on my engagement day with Arnold, the reason he looked displeased at me was…”
Diago glanced at me briefly.
“I don’t know that either.”
Ah, of course. Diago wasn’t there. I had asked without thinking since answers were flowing smoothly.
“But you should know this.”
“Know what?”
“That the Count basically has a stern expression.”
Oh. That made sense. The Marchioness hadn’t said anything particularly negative to me before.
Seeing my expression, Diago seemed slightly relieved.
All the worries I had before coming north weren’t necessary. Of course, that doesn’t guarantee things will go well, but I felt much more at ease.
The dark brown wolf shook its body, sending dark fur scattering like black snow onto my teacup. Some fell on the pastries like glittering toppings. Diago seemed lost in thought and didn’t notice.
Then he suddenly got up, returned shortly after, and handed me something.
