“A method to restore a n.o.ble household which had its peerage and territory confiscated?” (Roderich)

“Right.” (Wendelin)

“Is it about Katharina-jou?” (Roderich)

“Yea.” (Wendelin)

Katharina had that speech and behaviour the first time we met due to that loss, but she was a quite excellent magician. Once I tried to get along with her, she wasn’t such a bad person either.

Since that’s the case, it’s not like there are no way around it.

After all I’m a n.o.ble bearing responsibility for a huge territory.

Also, there is the reason that I’m a person who considers stability.

I got many allies in order to live a good life.

And there was a method to create an obligation for grat.i.tude from her, though there’s only one.

It will restore the Waigel household’s peerage and territory.

Given that it’s almost impossible for women to become n.o.bles, it won’t do if she doesn’t look for an agreeable method.

The best one would be the possibility of the children, born by her, to inherit peerage and territory.

“However, are you really asking the humble me?” (Roderich)

I’m asking Roderich who is the head retainer since it’s a problem whether it will increase the friendly n.o.bles of the Earl Baumeister household or not, however his expression becomes bitter.

That’s because next week there will be a marriage interview meeting held.

Moreover, those marriage interviews are scheduled to become quite large-scaled.

Erw will partic.i.p.ate as well. It turned into an obligatory partic.i.p.ation for the the young fellows who were working for us while having no wives.

Although the n.o.bles got psyched up as well and sent more than 1000 marriage interview photographs, I think that most of those will be in vain.

At the time I asked them 『It’s no problem even if it our young folks?』, almost all of them accepted it.

Before I noticed the retainer group of the Earl Baumeister household had taken form, however the upper echelon was blended with all the children of cabinet ministers and each of them did the task which suited their home’s forté.

Even that child of dous.h.i.+, Cornelius, has become the leader of the guard unit.

Their way of working was excellent, but there were still many singles since there were so many third sons and below among them.

Therefore we decided to hold a large marriage interview meeting based on the fact that they will become busy from now on.

Even if I say so myself, but I believe it to be a nice idea. However, for Roderich who advances the preparations for his own marriage interviews, there might be some parts he can’t agree with.

“How about it? Once you accept her as wife, Roderich, doesn’t it mean that your child will become a n.o.ble?” (Wendelin)

“Why me? Isn’t it no problem for Erwin either?” (Roderich)

Given that it has been finally settled that Roderich will become the father of the next era’s Baron Rückner household’s family head after many turns and twists, it won’t be any kind of problem if he makes a child with Katharina and that child becomes a n.o.ble.

However, it seems Roderich doesn’t want to be burdened with any more hards.h.i.+ps.

Thus he tried to force it upon Erw.

“Erw is, you know&h.e.l.lip;” (Wendelin)

He is a nice guy, however him ending up learning womanising thanks to Burkhart-san was no good.

Katharina is sensitive in such matters and therefore has distanced herself from Erw.

She’s alright with him as companion in the same party, but apparently she refuses him as husband.

“That foolhardy one is unexpectedly innocent.” (Roderich)

Certainly, compared to gaining top cla.s.s achievements among the adventurers, which is a gathering of many rough fellows, and rejecting fellows like yakuza and parasites, who have tried to steal a share from her, with ability, she doesn’t seem to have much immunity towards men.

“Just recently too&h.e.l.lip;” (Wendelin)

After Erw practised his archery in the early morning, he cooled himself in the courtyard by taking off the upper garment since it was hot. I ended up getting complaints from Katharina who practised her magic at the same time.

『Wendelin-san! It might be the way of n.o.bles, but something like undressing outside is no good!』 (Katharina)

『Wasn’t it only his upper body?』 (Wendelin)

『Even if it’s only the upper half, isn’t it always no good!?』 (Katharina)

Her way of talking was as usual, but Katharina’s face was deep red.

In short, she likely doesn’t have much tolerance in such things.

“Erw will be difficult, I believe.” (Wendelin)

“Then, isn’t all well if it’s you, my lord?” (Roderich)

“Me?” (Wendelin)

“Yes. She fits the requirements nicely as well.” (Roderich)

Since she is an elite adventurer to begin with, she can accompany me on my hunts.

Even from Katharina’s view, a child made between me and her will smoothen the manoeuvring at the royal palace to make it the family head of the Waigel household.

“Both of you will profit from it”, Roderich says.

I feel like it gives off a slightly dry sensation if said by a former Heisei j.a.panese, but you couldn’t call this an incorrect evaluation criteria in this world either.

As marriage served as connection of fellow households, things like affinity of the marriage partners themselves was secondary.

I think that it’s not bad to love for the love’s sake, but this might also be the reason for the problems of declining birth rates and the low marriage ratio in j.a.pan.

Either way, it’s difficult to persist as single in this world.

“It will be pointless if Katharina doesn’t prepare herself for it either”, Roderich stated.

“It’s necessary to deepen the line-up of the Baumeister household by treating the Waigel household as quasi-family.” (Roderich)

Since Roderich is the head retainer he apparently wants to quickly tackle the issue of stabilizing the Earl Baumeister household which changed into a large-scale household rapidly.

After my death the Earl Baumeister household will continue with the next generation and the ones after as well.

“However, that might also be the will of the person herself.” (Wendelin)

“Saying that, it’s also necessary to meet and frankly speak about it once. By the way, can’t you do something about the mark remaining on your cheek?” (Roderich)

“Hm~~~m. For some reason Elise refused to do that. I’m not allowed to heal it myself either.” (Wendelin)

As a matter of fact, in the early morning today, after finis.h.i.+ng my daily routine of practising magic, I entered the bathroom to wash off my sweat.

There I ran into Katharina who entered the bathroom before me after likewise finis.h.i.+ng her training.

Furthermore, she was taking some kind of pose in front of the mirror in the wash-room while being stark naked.

『Since the meals, provided at Wendelin-san’s house, are delicious, I seem to have recently gained weight&h.e.l.lip;』 (Katharina)

『Is that so? I don’t think so though.』 (Wendelin)

『Eh?』 (Katharina)

I was probably an idiot to immediately answer her at that point.

Katharina, who ended up meeting me in the wash-room when no one but her was supposed to be there, stared at me, who came entering carelessly, for several seconds and a strange mood drifted between the two of us.

『Wendelin-san?』 (Katharina)

『Men won’t notice little fluctuations in the weight of a woman.』 (Wendelin)

『&h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip;』 (Katharina)

『There are also variations in the ideal figure of men and women. If a woman becomes too thin, men won’t feel attracted instead.』 (Wendelin)

『Wendelin-san?』 (Katharina)

『Well, that’s all from my side.』 (Wendelin)

Somehow I seem to have missed the 『Bathroom in use』 note which hung at the entrance to the bathroom.

To be honest, I do that occasionally, but since Erw is a man, there no problem either. It was the same for the times of the other female members.

『Wend, are you really not doing that on purpose? I don’t particularly mind though.』 (Ina)

『It’s a disaster. I’m getting attacked by Wend who craves for my nude body~~~~. As if, you aren’t easily influenced to join in on the mood.』 (Luise)

『Wendelin-sama, we will do such things after holding the official ceremony.』 (Elise)

『Wend-sama, let’s go in together.』 (Wilma)

Since the four are my fiancées, there was absolutely no problem, however my deception didn’t work on Katharina after all.

『Wendelin-san&h.e.l.lip;』 (Katharina)

『Sorry, I messed up a bit.』 (Wendelin)

『Do you plan to let it finish with you looking at the naked body of a maiden before her marriage!?』 (Katharina)

Although Katharina’s magic didn’t appear here, I ended up receiving a slap on the cheek with all her strength.

I probably could have dodged it if I felt like it, but I sensed that it would be wrong to do that and thus I simply took the brunt.

“How to call it&h.e.l.lip;? Is my lord’s luck good or bad&h.e.l.lip;?” (Roderich)

Those were the impressions of Roderich who is also a man.

The slap on the cheek is unfortunate, however he said it like that since I was able to see something nice.

Since doing something like slapping a n.o.ble was disrespectful, punishment wasn’t impossible either, but if I do that, my act of peeping will get exposed.

If it’s officially announced, the one who will carry the disgrace in society will undoubtedly be me.

“Moreover, Katharina is unexpectedly, you know&h.e.l.lip;” (Wendelin)

After giving me a magnificent slap, she wept and clung to Elise which was totally unlike her.

『I can’t become a bride anymore!』 (Katharina)

『You aren’t that kind of character&h.e.l.lip; Sorry, it’s nothing&h.e.l.lip;』 (Wendelin)

If you can’t get married anymore just because a bit nudity was seen, most of the marriageable women in j.a.pan will disappear.

Or rather, I ended up thinking that it’s a surprise for such woman to actually exist outside of Light Novels and Anime, but Elise was Katharina’s ally in this matter.

The women in this world; the higher their social standing, the higher their sense of virtue.

Therefore, I, who had seen the nude Katharina without her being my lover or wife, apparently became a sinful man.

『Wendelin-sama. Please leave your face as it is for the whole day today.』 (Elise)

『As expected, as it is&h.e.l.lip;』 (Wendelin)

『It’s for you to reflect on your actions, Wendelin-sama.』 (Elise)

Being unusually strongly told by Elise to do so, I consented to not even heal the hand-print imprinted on my own cheek for today.

『It’s no good. Wend. The times when Elise speaks forcefully are special.』 (Ina)

Certainly, it’s as Ina said. Although she usually is an old-styled woman who stands up for me, she has imposed a calm punishment upon me while comforting Katharina who is currently clinging to her tearfully.

I didn’t know whether this part of her was also a reason why she was chosen as my first wife.

『Although it’s no problem if it’s us, Katharina is no good.』 (Ina)

『Shall we add a name column to the note for bathing use?』 (Wendelin)

『Won’t you then enter if it’s anyone else but Katharina?』 (Ina)

『No comment.』 (Wendelin)

It’s difficult for the n.o.bles of this country to have premarital s.e.xual relations due to the annoying regulations of the church.

Therefore I think it’s a cute mischief to at least occasionally peep at their nude bodies for a bit while pretending to have made a mistake.

The other party are my fiancées anyway.

『Wend, you are doing it on purpose after all&h.e.l.lip;』 (Ina)

『Well, I wonder about that?』 (Wendelin)

『As a matter of fact, this is actually quite the problem.』 (Elise)

As expected, if it’s such a situation, it will result in a composition of the serious Elise and Ina giving me a scolding.

『Hey, say Wend, how was Katharina’s figure?』 (Luise)

Those were Luise’s feelings.

She told me about the figures of the other women who entered the bath together with her occasionally. I consider her to possess some ero oyaji components in her mind.

『She’s a good match to Elise as they go boin boin like this.』 (Wendelin)

『As expected. Dominique is quite amazing too, but she’s no match for Katharina.』 (Luise)

『Hee, Dominique is nicely stacked, huh?』 (Wendelin)

『She is fairly amazing. As she is Elise’s childhood friend, does it have to do with the environment?』 (Luise)

According to Luise, a self-proclaimed woman’s body critic, Dominique, who serves as maid in this mansion, seems to have a disposition of looking quite slender in clothing as well.

I was told that she has a truly nice figure.

『As expected, it’s completely as I feared&h.e.l.lip;』 (Katharina)

『Luise-san! Wendelin-sama!』 (Elise)

However, Katharina wept once again due to this blunt old man talk. Luise and me got once again scolded by Elise.

『Anyway, you will reflect for today.』 (Elise)

For that reason it has been decided that I would spend my time with a hand-print imprinted on my cheek for the whole day today.

『Wend-sama.』 (Wilma)

『What’s up, Wilma?』 (Wendelin)

『The hand-print on Wend-sama’s cheek is similar to the grilled starfish you can get at a shop in the capital.』 (Wilma)

『&h.e.l.lip; I see&h.e.l.lip;』 (Wendelin)

And, as expected of Wilma, she apparently didn’t understand why there is such an uproar.

Looking at the hand-print on my cheek, she is delighted that it resembles the 『Grilled Starfish』 sold at a shop in the capital and gulps down due to hand-print.

Furthermore if you ask why grilled starfish*, maple leaves* can’t be found anywhere but in a small region in the north of the Helmut Kingdom. (T/N: What I translated as hand-print, as that’s easier to understand in English, is actually momijii or a red maple leaf. Wilma calls it a starfish due to its shape)

It means that there’s a problem of popularity.

“Don’t be immediately kept on a short leash.” (Roderich)

“Elise usually doesn’t speak in such strong way.” (Wendelin)

“I guess. As Katharina is aiming for the revival of her household, she learned for her treatment to follow that of a n.o.ble daughter.” (Roderich)

Therefore I was rebuked for having carelessly seen her naked body.

“At any rate, no matter how much effort Katharina puts into it, she won’t become the head of a n.o.ble household herself.” (Roderich)

On top of it being no good if it isn’t discussed with the royal family and other n.o.bles, she won’t receive a favourable answer if she doesn’t agree to the condition of taking a husband and giving birth to children no matter what.

If you turn that around, as long as she just swallows that condition, it’s not such a difficult issue either.

“Therefore you should properly discuss those matters with Katharina as well. It will be a loss if we don’t win over a magician of such degree.” (Roderich)

“You, gradually you have become like a n.o.ble’s retainer.” (Wendelin)

“Let me take that as compliment.” (Roderich)

Anyway, it was decided that I would once speak with Katharina about those matters.