The Marquis Catreia Territory lay in the northern reaches of the Aiwood Kingdom.
Ruling these lands, which bordered the domains of foreign tribes to the north, was Marquis Irjas Catreia—one of the Two Wings of the King. He was the Knight Commander, a man hailed as the strongest warrior in the kingdom.
Naturally, those who aspired to become knights or master the blade flocked to the Catreia Territory out of admiration for him. Because of this, the vassal group maintained by the Marquis Catreia House possessed a combat strength that could rival even the Royal Guard or the Marquis Rosemary House Mage Division.
"...It has been a long time, my wife."
One of the cornerstones of the kingdom’s power, Marquis Catreia, was visiting a certain place.
Snow fell thick and silent from the sky, crunching softly beneath his boots with every step. With winter's peak fast approaching, the northern territory had already begun to see its first dusting of white.
"It was on a snowy day just like this that you crossed the Rainbow Bridge..."
The Marquis murmured nostalgically. He stood within a quiet cemetery, surrounded by stone-paved ground and countless grave markers. Before him stood a single mausoleum, standing stoically as it was bathed in the falling snow. This was the ancestral tomb of the Marquis Catreia House, where his parents, his grandparents, and his beloved wife rested.
Today was the anniversary of her passing. No matter how busy his duties kept him, the Marquis always made a point to return to his territory on this day to visit her.
"Our eldest is doing well. He’s growing into a fine successor. Even today, he remains in the Royal Capital as my deputy. He’ll likely take some leave to visit you soon. Look forward to it."
Standing before the silent tomb, Marquis Catreia spoke, unbothered by the snow piling up on his head and shoulders.
"Our second son still isn't much for martial arts. He’s been physically frail compared to his brothers since he was small, and it seems he truly has no gift for the sword or spear. Instead, he’s focused on military science and is doing his best as a strategist. He’s a Catreia through and through—even without a father’s bias, I can see his talent. As for the third... he’s become quite the rogue lately. He does nothing but chase after women. Honestly, it’s a headache. I’ll have to give him a proper, long lecture next time."
While usually perceived as a stoic, mountain of a man, the Marquis became uncharacteristically talkative when reporting to his wife. He spoke at length about their children's growth, his words tinged with both pride and fatherly complaints.
"And... I know she’s what concerns you most, but it’s about Yuri."
His expression clouded, and he let out a heavy sigh.
"Because of her Ogrekin Sickness, I raised her with the utmost care, rarely letting her leave the mansion... but she recently ran away from home. It seems she finally grew tired of her restrictive life. To make matters worse..."
The Marquis’s face twisted further into one of anguish.
"...she’s apparently become close with a certain man. Even though he already has fiancés, it's a truly troubling situation. Ah, good grief... I must bring her back as soon as I can."
"I refuse."
"Hmm, you refuse? That's quite a problem—wait, what!?"
Marquis Catreia looked up in a panic. He had heard his wife’s voice. For a fleeting second, he thought she had answered him from within the mausoleum. But the realization struck him instantly, and he spun around to face the figure standing behind him.
"You...!"
He gasped. Standing there was a girl whose features were the spitting image of his late wife.
Yuri Catreia. The Marquis's beloved daughter stood in the snow, holding an umbrella.
"Yuri... You’ve come home!?"
"I didn't come home. I only came to visit Mother’s grave... I’m never going back into that cage again."
"Don't speak such nonsense! Calling your own home a 'cage'—what has gotten into you!?"
The Marquis's brow furrowed, but his expression soon softened into a gentle, coaxing look, as if he were trying to calm a startled animal.
"Surely you've had enough of the outside world by now? Come back to us... to the family mansion."
"I’m not going back," Yuri declared.
Her face, so like her mother’s, was set with a resolute intent that brooked no argument.
"Yuri...!"
"To tell you the truth... I didn’t just come here to mourn Mother. I came to see you, Father. To settle things."
"Settle things...?"
As she spoke, Yuri widened her stance and raised both fists.
"I won’t get anywhere if I just keep running... Father, I’ve decided to leave the Marquis Catreia House."
".........!"
To leave the house. It wasn't merely a statement about running away; it was a declaration that she intended to remove her name from the family registry.
"Yuri...!"
"I’ve made up my mind. He really is my destined partner... I had a feeling from the moment we met, but now I’m certain."
"What? Destined partner...?"
Those words were impossible for him to ignore—perhaps even more shocking than her desire to leave the house.
"What are you saying!? So it really was that brat from the Marquis Rosemary House...!"
"That's why I want your blessing. If you won't give it to me, then we'll settle this with a fight."
"What...!?"
Ignoring her father’s interrogation, Yuri began to shadowbox where she stood.
"The strong are right. The one who wins is justice... that is the creed of the Marquis Catreia House, isn't it?"
"Yuri... you...!"
"So, let's fight to decide it. If I win, I leave the house. And then... I’m going to the side of the man I love."
The Marquis let out a strangled, inarticulate noise, his face twisting through a dozen different emotions.
"Heh..."
Yuri flashed her father an unexpectedly alluring smile and swung a clenched fist.