The venue for Reinhard and Berche’s wedding reception was overflowing with energy.
Representing the groom’s side was Reinhard’s eldest brother, Leonhardt. Representing the bride’s side was Berche’s brother, Mattheus.
After each of them delivered brief but heartfelt words of celebration, the newlywed couple began the tradition of serving all the gathered guests themselves. Reinhard and Berche moved through the room together, holding a bottle of wine and filling the glasses of everyone in attendance.
Once the wine had been distributed to the thirty or so guests, it was finally time for the toast.
“Now then, to the future of these two young people—cheers!”
At the lead of Reinhard’s father, Wolfgang, glasses were raised and their contents drained.
Following the toast, the floor was opened for socializing. While chairs were available, the event followed a standing buffet format.
Jin and Saki kept mostly to the periphery, standing near the walls. Neither of them was particularly fond of noisy, crowded spaces.
“So, Reinhard is officially a village lord now, huh?” Saki muttered, her gaze wandering aimlessly after she had removed her glasses.
“Yeah, I guess so. I wonder what he’ll do about his work as a diplomat?”
“Lady Berche—no, the Madam is quite dependable. Even when her husband is away, she’ll be more than capable of serving as the bailiff.” Saki gave a small smile. “Berche has a sharp mind for finances, and she’s very caring. I could never compete with her.”
As she spoke, a single tear traced a path down her cheek, despite the smile she wore.
“...Huh...?”
Saki hurriedly wiped it away with the back of her hand.
“That’s strange... I thought I had sorted out my feelings...”
No matter how many times she wiped them away, the tears continued to well up. Seeing this, Jin realized his suspicions had been correct after all. He quietly led Saki through a side door and out of the room.
“...You still have feelings for Reinhard, don’t you?”
“...Yeah... so it... seems. Jin, I’ve shown you a pathetic side of myself,” Saki said in fragments, her tears still falling.
“I don't mind. But don't let Reinhard or Berche see you crying, alright?”
“Hmph, I know. If I did that, everything I’ve endured up until now would go to waste. Only Lady Elsa and you, Jin, know about these feelings of mine.”
“Eh?” Jin was surprised to hear Elsa’s name mentioned.
“A long time ago, I confessed my feelings only to Lady Elsa. That was back when she was only twelve or thirteen.” Saki’s eyes took on a distant look, as if reaching into the past. “Back then, it was enough just to have someone listen. Lady Elsa stayed quiet and played the role of the listener perfectly. Though, perhaps she was just too young to know how to respond.”
That might be true, Jin agreed internally.
“I’d like to see her again someday.”
Saki’s tears finally stopped, and she managed to regain her smile. With her composure restored, the two returned to the Great Hall.
“Ah, Saki! I’ve been looking for you!”
A woman who looked to be around Saki’s age, or perhaps slightly younger, approached them. She had platinum blonde hair, grey eyes, and a striking figure.
“Oh, Aunt Karen.”
“It’s rare to see you with a man other than Reinhard, Saki. From the looks of him, he appears to be from the Kingdom of Egerea. Won’t you introduce us?” She stared intently at Jin.
“Ah, this is a close friend of Reinhard’s, Lord Jin Nidou. As you can see, he is an Honorary Magi Craftman.”
“I am Jin Nidou.” Jin gave a slight nod.
“Jin, this is my aunt...”
“I’m Karen Theoderic von Banners. A pleasure.” The woman interrupted Saki’s introduction to present herself. She seemed to be a rather impatient person. “And Saki, please stop with that ‘Aunt’ business.”
“Kufufu, I understand, Karen-san.”
“Yes, that’s better. Honestly, that creepy laugh of yours still hasn't changed, has it? Even after your father... I mean, your grandfather, cautioned you about it so many times.”
“Kufu, it’s a habit of mine. It isn’t something that can be fixed so easily.”
“Good grief, you really are hopeless.” Karen sighed and turned her attention back to Jin. “Jin-san, you might know this already, but I’m the fourth daughter, and Saki is the daughter of the eldest daughter. So, while we’re aunt and niece, I’m actually the younger one.”
Karen continued to offer information Jin hadn't even requested. It seemed she was the type who couldn't keep a secret if she tried.
According to her, Saki’s mother, Shirley Theoderic von Morley, was born when the Marquis was sixteen. At fifteen, Shirley had eloped with Toa Eschenbach. She gave birth to Saki at sixteen and passed away at eighteen.
Meanwhile, Karen’s mother was the Marquis’s fourth wife, Emma. Emma had passed away when Karen was twelve, leaving the Marquis currently single.
Jin felt a bit weary after being subjected to family history he had no desire to know. Just then, Reinhard and Berche approached them.
“Hey, Jin, Saki. Thanks for coming today. Oh, was Lady Karen with you as well?” It seemed Reinhard was also acquainted with her.
“Reinhard, Berche, congratulations. I’m glad to see you both looking so happy.”
“You seem well too, Lady Karen. Is the Marquis doing well?”
It was a standard, polite greeting, but Karen frowned slightly.
“Well, he’s been unwell and losing weight lately, so I’m a bit worried... On top of that, Father has been in a foul mood recently.”
“Did something happen?”
“I don’t know what’s wrong with his health. He has a poor appetite... but well, this isn’t the place to discuss that. As for his mood, it’s Elsa. Elsa. Ever since that girl disappeared, Father has been unbearable. Personally, I’m against that girl becoming my mother anyway. I’d hate to have a mother the same age as me.”
Reinhard couldn’t help but give a wry smile at her bluntness.
“Your elder sisters have all married out, haven't they? If that’s the case, if Lady Karen were to take a husband, wouldn't the Marquis stop talking about finding a new wife?”
“But you see, there aren't many gentlemen who would meet my father’s standards. Reinhard, you were a decent candidate, though.”
The first one to react to that remark was Berche.
“Absolutely not. Lord Reinhard is my husband.” Berche gripped Reinhard’s arm firmly and glared at Karen.
“Ahaha, I know, I know. I wouldn’t dream of taking someone else’s husband. Jin-san is also my type, but it looks like Saki has already claimed him.”
Hearing that, Saki hurriedly denied it, a rare sight for her. “K-Karen-san, Jin and I aren't in that kind of relationship!”
“Oh, is that so? Then Jin-san, would you consider becoming my husband? You could become the successor to a Marquess’s house, you know?” Karen said with a mischievous smile. She didn’t seem entirely serious, but Jin gave a firm refusal nonetheless.
“I’m sorry, but I have no interest in power or status.”
“Oh, how unusual. Well, even as an Honorary Magi Craftman, my father would never allow a commoner... Saki, do you have any intention of coming back?” Karen asked, perhaps reminded of Saki’s father by the mention of commoners.
“My current life suits me perfectly. Please relay that to the Marquis.” Saki clearly had no intention of returning. Karen looked a little disappointed.
“I see. I suppose I expected that. But please remember that the house is your family home. If anything happens, you can always rely on us.”
“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind if it ever comes to that.”
Karen finished her conversation with them to go speak with other guests.
“Well then, see you later. Honestly, making the rounds is exhausting.”
After Karen left, Jin asked a servant for some fresh juice and drank it down in one go.
“Oh, are you tired, Jin?” Saki asked, watching him with a chuckle.
“Yeah, I am. These kinds of events are a heavy burden for a commoner.”
“Yeah, I know the feeling. That’s why I have no desire to be a noble.” Saki also took a glass of juice to quench her thirst.
At that moment, they heard a voice—low, but perfectly audible.
“Hmph. Getting his own territory even though he’s not even the child of the first wife.”
Hearing that, Saki literally flew toward the man who had spoken.
“What was that?! You, say that again!”
“W-What’s your problem?” The man was taken aback by the sudden confrontation, but he quickly tried to regain his composure. “Hmph, what’s wrong with stating the truth? His three older brothers are the children of the first wife, but his mother is just a concubine, isn’t she?” He laughed mockingly.
A sharp crack rang out. Saki had struck the man across the cheek with a full-force slap.
“W-Why you—!”
“What do you even know? Lord Wolfgang’s first wife, Lady Sophia, gave birth to Lord Leonhardt at sixteen, Lord Willhardt at nineteen, and Lord Erhardt at twenty-one, before passing away at the age of twenty-two. For the sake of his young sons, Lord Wolfgang considered remarriage and wished for Lady Sophia’s younger sister, Lady Isolde, to succeed her. However, Lady Isolde insisted that the position of first wife belonged only to Lady Sophia and chose to marry into the family as a concubine out of respect. And the son born from that devotion was Lord Reinhard. Don't speak as if you know everything when you are utterly ignorant!”
The man was stunned by Saki’s fierce tirade. In a final act of desperation, he tried to hide behind his rank.
“H-Hmph! I am Gunter Kirchhoff von Dust! I am the heir to House Kirchhoff! Do you think you can speak to me like that?”
“Oh, I see. So you’re the son of Viscount Kirchhoff. Kufufu, now that I think about it, I recall the Viscount mentioning he had a good-for-nothing son.”
“W-What?”
Saki gave a predatory smirk.
“Since you’ve introduced yourself, I suppose I should do the same. I am Saki. Saki Theoderic von Silva.”
She spoke her name as a member of the Marquess’s house with absolute clarity. Gunter turned pale instantly.
“Theo... Theoderic...?”
“Kufu, that’s right. I am a member of the family that your house serves.”
“M-My deepest apologies! Please forgive my insolence!” Gunter scrambled back nearly two meters and bowed so deeply his head almost touched the floor.
Saki’s voice remained cold. “The one you should be apologizing to isn’t me. It’s everyone here. Do you understand?”
“Y-Yes!” Gunter bowed once more. “E-Everyone! I am truly sorry for causing such unpleasantness with my ignorant and offensive remarks!”
He shouted his apology and then hurried out of the hall as fast as his legs could carry him.
“...Phew.” Saki let out a long, deep sigh once he was gone.
Karen was the first to speak to her. “Saki, that was impressive. That’s right, in moments like that, you should use your family name with pride.”
Next was Jin. “Saki, that was amazing. You were... quite gallant.”
“Ah, Jin, is that supposed to be a compliment for a woman?”
Jin could only offer a sheepish laugh. “A-Ahaha...”
Finally, Reinhard and his mother, Isolde, approached.
“Saki, thank you for speaking up for me.”
“I don't mind what people say about me, but Saki-san, thank you for getting angry on my son’s behalf.”
“N-No, it was nothing...” Saki scratched her head, looking genuinely embarrassed.
Watching her, Jin felt a deep sense of admiration. She had set aside her own hatred for her family name to defend the honor of Reinhard and his mother. It solidified his belief that Saki was a person truly worthy of his trust.