FL - Chapter 84: Huh? I'm Getting Married?

Duke Calvin sat at his desk and set down his brush. Before him lay a freshly written letter.

In the end, he had made his decision. He would agree to the marriage.

He had neither convened a family council nor sought anyone else's opinion. A matter like this lay within his sole authority. What kind of duke would he be if he needed permission to arrange his own son's marriage?

As for the two parties involved—Louis and Edmund's third daughter, Emily—their wishes were of no consequence.

In an ancient Empire whose aristocracy worshipped bloodline and glory, children were pieces in their houses' marriage games. Love belonged in poets' tales. Noble marriage meant duty, alliance, exchanged interests, and consolidated power. Those who enjoyed the privileges of rank were expected to pay its price.

Of course, agreeing did not mean the wedding would happen immediately. There were still many subsequent matters to negotiate. No noble marriage was ever simple.

For now, he only needed to reply that House Calvin accepted the match in principle.

The letter also stated that before any formal betrothal, the Emperor must be petitioned and informed in advance. The reason for asking Duke Edmund to handle this was simple: among the Eight Great Houses, Edmund stood as one of the few the Emperor still regarded with relative favor.

Duke Calvin reviewed the letter once more. It contained no needless sentiment and promised nothing beyond preliminary acceptance. The wording respected House Edmund while preserving room to withdraw. Satisfied, he nodded.

"Send it." He folded the letter and sealed it in an envelope stamped with the family's crimson crest.

"Yes, Your Grace." The steward answered.

Even after the letter was dispatched, Duke Calvin did not rise immediately. He tapped the desk. His eyes darkened.

"This boy Louis… it seems he truly has secured his footing in the Northlands."

He considered his sprawling brood. Few of his children could truly stand on their own, yet Louis had emerged from obscurity. Duke Calvin had expected no more than basic self-sufficiency from him. Instead, within months, the boy had distinguished himself enough for a northern duke to offer him a daughter.

"A little more fuel on the fire, then." Duke Calvin murmured to himself and picked up his brush, drafting several commands.

Select civil officials and stewards loyal to House Calvin and dispatch them to Crimson Tide Territory to help Louis govern his new lands.

Allocate a shipment of supplies to support the Northlands, prioritizing grain, padded winter clothing, and cold-resistant medicinal herbs in preparation for winter.

Send ten Elite Knights, thirty Formal Knights, and one hundred Apprentice Knights to reinforce the military strength under Louis's command.

Elevate Louis's internal family authority level from Level Five to Level Two, substantially increasing the resources he could draw upon.

And formally appoint Louis as House Calvin's representative in the Northlands, granting him the authority to act on the family's behalf in the region.

Once he had finished, he handed the documents to the steward. "Arrange all of this as well."

"Yes, Your Grace."

……

Louis woke in his camp bed, sunlight slanting through the tent seams onto his face. He rubbed his eyes.

He had not lingered in Frostspear City after the banquet. The victory toasts were drunk, his rewards collected, and every required courtesy observed. Now he had to return to Crimson Tide Territory and confront a fresh pile of problems.

Naturally, the first thing Louis did upon waking was still to open the Daily Intelligence System.

The system's pale blue screen appeared before him. He read the first entry and nearly shot upright.

**[1: Duke Calvin has agreed to Duke Edmund's proposal of a marriage alliance between Louis Calvin and Emily Edmund.]**

"…Huh?"

He stared at the line of intelligence for a full three seconds.

*Me? Getting married?*

Louis had always known that a political marriage awaited every noble scion. He simply had not expected his turn so soon. Then again, he was nearly twenty and still unmarried—late enough that he had begun to suspect Duke Calvin had forgotten him.

He just hadn't expected the match to be with Duke Edmund's daughter.

*No wonder the Duke looked at me so strangely during the banquet. He wasn't judging a commander. He was inspecting a future son-in-law!*

His mind flashed to the image of that hulking, broad-shouldered man—two scars across his face, a smile that radiated overwhelming pressure. The corner of Louis's mouth twitched.

"Let's just hope his daughter didn't inherit his looks…"

At least this world did not insist upon monogamy. The marriage would not close every other door.

He moved on to the second entry.

**[2: Duke Calvin's fourteenth son will be born in seven days.]**

"……"

Louis was silent for two full seconds. Then he let out a helpless sigh.

"The man really can breed…"

He pressed a hand to his forehead and tried to count. *How many children did that make? Twenty-something? Thirty-something?* Even Louis had lost track.

"At this rate, he could staff an entire 'Calvin Household Knight Order' straight from the nursery."

No, wait—an entire legion might be more like it…

Louis pictured a future family assembly packed with young lords and ladies whose names he could not remember, the council hall expanded merely to seat them all. One day, House Calvin might face a succession struggle among ninety-nine heirs.

Though none of that really had much to do with him anymore. He had established his own domain in the Northlands. He wasn't about to compete for that near-hopeless ducal seat, and no other sibling could take his territory away from him. The only one he still genuinely kept in touch with was his full-blood elder sister, Rachelna. Louis sent her updates on his situation now and then to let her know he was safe. She had married a southeastern viscount—one of Duke Calvin's vassals—a few years ago. Before Louis left for the Northlands, Rachelna had secretly given him quite a bit of coin and supplies. Louis had never forgotten that kindness. One day, he would repay it in kind.

After quietly mocking the situation to himself, Louis continued to the third piece of intelligence.

**[3: Several Frostmane Tundra Hares have appeared roughly three miles northwest of the camp to forage.]**

He blinked. Then his eyes flew wide. He shot upright from the bed.

Frostmane Tundra Hares were among the most elusive magical beasts in the northern wilds. Small, silent, and quick as the wind, each carried three clusters of rare Frostmoss Berries along its back. Once cooked, the precious berries could directly strengthen a knight's Battle Aura.

For Louis, who was now only a single step from Elite Knight, this was nothing short of a gift from heaven!

He threw on his cloak without a moment's hesitation and summoned several knights. "Come on. We're going hunting."

The knights exchanged bewildered looks. Hunting at dawn, without warning?

But by now, this group of knights followed Louis's orders with unconditional obedience. They immediately mounted up and rode hard after Louis, due northwest.