Editor : Amethyst00



"Looks like he likes him. That's a relief."

Freyna mumbled to herself as she watched Carl fumble awkwardly while Elkan kept talking to him.

Elkan was always dignified as the head of the family, but in front of his daughters, he became a doting father.

"But proxy of head of the family?"

That was beyond shocking—it was unimaginable.

Especially because the Great Family Assembly wasn't just about representing a family.

Decisions made in that conference effectively became the decisions of the entire house.

"And you're sending Carl-sunbae to that?"

Of course, if Carl were Eliza's partner, it would make sense.

Eliza was the successor of the Hergin family.

If they got married, Carl would effectively become the consort of the Hergin family.

But the problem was—they weren't married. They weren't even formally together.

There was a big scandal about them at the moment, but that was all.

Elkan had said he would entrust the position of acting head to an outsider.

"That's practically a declaration."

A declaration that Carl Thomas was now a member of the Hergin family.

"Does that mean I should start calling him brother-in-law?"

While Freyna pondered what to call Carl—

"It's polite to accept when an elder offers you a drink."

"I'm still a student, so alcohol's a bit…"

"Back when I was at Lumene, I'd sneak a drink now and then. These days, students just pretend to be honor students from textbooks, huh?"

Elkan had taken out a bottle of liquor and was offering it to Carl.

It was a clear northern spirit, popular in the northern part of the continent.

"You drink well. A man of Hergin should know how to hold his liquor. Of course."

Elkan chuckled and enjoyed his one-on-one with Carl.

Carl drank with the thought that a single mistake could cost him his life.

Eventually, after drinking late into the night, Carl passed out.

As Freyna, sipping milk between the two of them, watched Vincent support Carl up the stairs to the bedroom, she asked:

"Father, have you officially approved of Eliza and Carl-sunbae's relationship?"

"Like I said, your sister's not the kind to listen even if I object."

Elkan clicked his tongue and poured himself another drink from the bottle.

Despite having downed several bottles of strong liquor, he showed no signs of being drunk.

Though the smell of alcohol was strong.

"Still, it was the first meeting, and you approved so easily. That surprised me."

Elkan gave a small laugh.

"Did you really think I'd come without preparation?"

He sipped again.

"I've already done all the background checks."

Doing a background check on Carl wasn't difficult for the head of the Hergin family.

"Aside from his lineage, there's nothing to complain about. Even his family's not a big issue. Our house isn't petty enough to fuss over that."

"True. And Carl-sunbae rose quickly to the status of a hero."

"It would've been fine even if he wasn't. His steps after enrolling at Lumene were noteworthy."

Elkan glanced at the building Carl had bought.

He'd managed to buy property in Lumeria City in a short time starting from nothing.

And he even had administrative skill as the acting student council president.

"When Eliza becomes head of the family, I'm sure he'll be her greatest support."

He recalled the vision the Fairy King had shown earlier—of Hersia developing as much as Lumeria City.

Absurd, but not entirely implausible.

That's how competent Carl was as an administrator.

"Better to make it official before anyone else tries to interfere. Most importantly—"

"Most importantly?"

"Carl apparently helped Eliza get back on her feet several times when she was shaken. He's the perfect groom. And he doesn't seem like the type to cheat."

"But what if he's so competent that he tries to take over the family?"

Even Freyna knew Carl's administrative prowess well.

"He's got a big heart, but not overly ambitious. And his personality is more herbivore than carnivore—he wouldn't dare try to devour your sister."

Elkan nodded, having judged Carl's character.

"He's perfect son-in-law material."

"I thought you'd either strongly oppose or at least make it really difficult."

Elkan chuckled.

Truthfully, he hadn't liked the idea.

No matter what, this was the guy who stole his daughter's heart.

But upon meeting him, he liked him more than expected.

"More than anything, this father has a dream."

"A dream?"

"Yes. For that dream, I'll be handing over the headship to your sister sooner than later."

Elkan was listed in the Hero Record and was considered an excellent head of house.

But he'd always declared Eliza would surpass him since she was a child.

Remembering how proud he'd always been of her potential, Freyna asked herself:

"Don't tell me he's stepping down for the family's sake?"

"Don't tell your sister. This father—"

"Father, you don't need to sacrifice yourself for the family…"

"I want to retire early, enjoy my grandkids, and spend my golden years in peace."

"…"

"Speaking of which, Freyna—don't you have a good man you like?"

"I'm still a first-year, you know."

"You're too young to understand, but time flies. I want lots of grandkids. If you bring home a good man like your sister did, I won't object—"

"I don't."

"Tsk."

Elkan clicked his tongue at his second daughter's firm tone.

Freyna sighed lightly at her father's antics.

bl

"Ugh… my stomach…"

The next morning.

Carl clutched his belly and slowly made his way downstairs.

The aftermath of drinking until unconsciousness the night before was rough.

Thankfully, he didn't have a pounding hangover.

'Maybe it was good alcohol.'

It had to be high-end if the Hergin family head drank it.

When Carl finally made it downstairs, his eyes widened.

Freyna was preparing breakfast.

"You're up, Carl-sunbae?"

"Uh… Freyna. Is Elkan-nim still here?"

"He went home. Also, if you don't call him 'Father-in-law' in front of him, he'll scold you."

Freyna shrugged.

"He really seemed to like you."

"Yeah? That's a relief."

Carl smiled awkwardly.

Freyna gestured to the table.

"Sit. Breakfast is ready."

"Oh, okay."

Carl sat down awkwardly.

Freyna placed a cup of tea on his table.

"Good for hangovers."

"Thanks."

Carl took a sip of the steaming tea.

His upset stomach felt a bit better.

"Wow, this is great."

As he enjoyed the tea, Freyna started eating.

Once Carl felt well enough to eat and tasted her food, his eyes widened.

"What the? Why is this so good?"

"Rude reaction."

Freyna said with half-lidded eyes.

"Cooking's my hobby."

"Oh? That's unexpected."

"Food is the most common way to poison someone, after all."

Carl froze mid-bite.

He forgot Freyna was training to be a shadow assassin.

She giggled at his expression.

"Father said to prepare well for the Great Families Assembly."

"…Am I really allowed to go to that?"

"If the head of Hergin decides it, no one in the family can oppose it. Not even my sister."

Knock knock—

Just then, someone knocked on the door.

"Hmm?"

Carl got up with a puzzled face.

"Who would come at this hour?"

Knock knock—knock knock knock—knock knock knock knock—BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM! BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG!

The polite knocking soon turned aggressive.

As Carl and Freyna flinched—

CRASH—! THUD—!

The door burst open and fell to the floor.

"W-what?!"

Carl shouted in shock.

Step—!

Someone walked into the room.

"Eliza?"

"Sister?"

Carl and Freyna looked blankly at Eliza, who had a fierce expression.

"Freyna?"

Eliza's energy faltered for a moment.

She had rushed to Lumeria City after hearing Carl was going on a date, but was shocked to find him with her sister.

"Oh my! Oh my! Carl, was your date with Freyna?"

Chen Xia suddenly poked her head out from behind Eliza.

Eliza's eyes widened.

"Xia! When did you follow me? I told you not to come!"

"But it looked fun."

Chen Xia smiled brightly as she stepped inside.

Carl scratched his cheek awkwardly.

"Ah, right. I did say I had a date with Eliza. I bet weird rumors are all over campus now."

Eliza froze at his casual remark.

Seeing her flustered, Freyna said:

"Sorry, sister. I pretended to be you and called Carl-sunbae over."

"Why would you…"

Eliza asked, confused.

Freyna replied:

"Father came to see Carl-sunbae yesterday."

"What?!"

Eliza looked stunned.

"What did he say to him?"

Even if she wouldn't back down no matter what, her family's opinion still mattered.

As Eliza grew nervous, Freyna said:

"He said he acknowledged your relationship. Said your judgment in people is trustworthy."

"Oh, congratulations, Eliza!"

"Ahem."

Chen Xia clapped, and Eliza cleared her throat with an indifferent expression.

But her face clearly showed joy.

Seeing her, Carl said:

"That's what Father-in-law said."

"You're calling him Father-in-law already? That's a hundred years too early."

Eliza snorted.

Carl grinned.

"He told me to call him that."

"What?!"

"Wow, it's practically official now."

Chen Xia exclaimed.

"Anyway, Father-in-law said I should attend the Great Families Assembly as Hergin's representative."

That unexpected bombshell made Eliza freeze.

Even Chen Xia's eyes widened.

"It's more than official— he's family now."

bl

Early morning.

Seeing Mel visit his room, Leo looked puzzled.

"Great Families Assembly?"

"Yes. It's quite a large event."

"Come to think of it, I think Celia mentioned it. It's being held in the Lordren Empire, right?"

"Yes."

"But what about it? Doesn't really concern me, does it?"

A "great noble" refers to a house that consistently produces heroes or those of similar strength.

The Plov family were nobles from a remote kingdom.

Though Leo became royalty of the newly founded Arhi Kingdom, it lacked the history to be considered a noble house.

Also, royalty weren't allowed to attend the conference.

They were a separate force altogether.

Leo was also of Zerdinger blood, but only Celia would qualify to attend, not him.

Mel explained:

"Lately, several houses have been showing suspicious movements leading up to the conference."

"Suspicious movements?"

Leo clicked his tongue.

"And their target is me?"

"Yes. More precisely, the Arhi Kingdom."

"Politics really doesn't suit me."

Leo sighed lightly.

"Maybe I need to produce a successor early."

Grumbling, he glanced at Mel, who was giggling.

"Mel."

"Yes?"

She was flustered at his gaze.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

She asked cautiously, a bit tense.

Leo asked. "Want to become the second king of Arhi Kingdom in my place?"

"I'm already too busy with my current responsibilities."

Leo clicked his tongue in disappointment.

Mel sighed deeply.

Leo chuckled at her response.

"What's going through your head? Acting so cheeky."

"Leo."

"Yeah?"

"Just so you know, I'm old enough to have multiple kids already."

"Was that so?"

He brushed it off, and Mel looked momentarily offended.

"Want me to really act cheeky, then?"

"Sorry. I don't think I could handle that. Please don't."

Leo apologized with a troubled face.

But Mel just kept glaring at him in a pouty mood.