What Happened Afterward, And Greetings To House Fols

Soon afterward, Shia and I got married and officially became husband and wife.

Her name changed from Shia Ark Gate to Shia Fols Ark Gate.

Having three names like that was extremely unusual, but apparently, in Shia’s case, it couldn’t really be helped.

I told her I wouldn’t mind marrying into House Ark Gate instead, but she firmly rejected the idea.

So my name remained Nova Fols.

News of Shia and me becoming husband and wife spread throughout the country.

A marriage proposal would have been one thing, but this was the first marriage in history between House Ark Gate of the north and House Fols of the south. Naturally, people were going to talk.

Even so, I never heard anyone discussing it when I went outside, nor did anyone ask me about it directly.

According to Tanya, no one would loudly gossip about matters involving the two greatest military factions in the country. Apparently, that was just how things worked.

By the way, we also informed Yuti-san and Aura-chan that we had officially registered our marriage.

Yuti-san didn’t change her expression, but she still offered us her congratulations, while Aura-chan actually jumped for joy. That made me happy.

“…It should be about time.”

I looked up at my manor as I said that, then let out a small breath.

Now that we were married, Shia had moved into this manor.

Compared to the Ark Gate estate, it was practically a doghouse, which made me feel terribly apologetic, but Shia seemed delighted with it.

I thought preparing her room would take some time, but apparently there was a type of magic suited to moving objects, and Shia used it to rapidly rearrange everything herself.

The servants who had come to help were left standing around awkwardly with nothing to do.

“Nova-san.”

Shia emerged from the manor after finishing her preparations.

We were about to head to Father’s estate.

We had already informed House Ark Gate about our marriage, but there were still other people we needed to tell.

House Fols.

I had spoken to Father beforehand, and my brothers had been asked to gather at his estate as well.

I didn’t think they would try anything in front of Shia, but I still felt a little uneasy.

“Sorry to keep you waiting. Shall we go report our marriage to your father and brothers, Nova-san?”

I nodded nervously at Shia’s smile and took her hand.

We didn’t actually need to hold hands to pass through a gate, but it had become an unspoken rule between us.

Still, Shia gave the slightest twitch every single time I took her hand, which I found a little amusing.

And so, side by side, we stepped into the golden light.

Rowen-san was waiting at the entrance to the estate.

Behind him, maids stood on either side of the path leading toward the manor.

Rowen-san bowed deeply—very deeply—as he welcomed us.

“We have been awaiting your arrival, Nova-sama, Leticia-sama. Master Travis, Zeroad-sama, and Kairas-sama are waiting in the reception room.”

“Thank you, Rowen-san.”

At my words, Rowen-san gestured toward the manor and began walking.

As we proceeded along the path, the maids standing at either side bowed with tense expressions.

Seeing the same servants who had once mocked me behind my back as a failure reacting like this now made me feel just a little vindicated.

At the very end of the line of maids stood a small girl.

She was Sonia-chan, the gray-haired maid who looked about Aura-chan’s age.

She bowed deeply, but after raising her head, she stared at me with sparkling eyes.

“U-Um… you’re Nova-sama… right?”

“Sonia, how rude—”

“It’s fine.”

I stopped Rowen-san and crouched down so that I was at eye level with Sonia-chan.

This was only the second time I had met her, but the first time, she had immediately gone into town.

So this was the first time we had actually faced each other and spoken properly.

Sonia-chan’s blue eyes shone brightly as she looked straight at me.

“Um… thank you very much! Rowen-san told me what happened, and that Nova-san helped me…”

“…Rowen-san.”

When I glanced toward him, the graying butler gave an awkward smile.

“She kept asking me over and over… and I eventually gave in…”

I had always thought Rowen-san was a strict butler who cared about nothing but Father, but perhaps he had a soft spot for young children like Sonia-chan.

“I’m glad to see you’re doing well. I know the work must be difficult, but do your best.”

At that, Sonia-chan tightly clenched both fists.

“Yes!”

“Nova-sama… we should probably…”

Prompted by Rowen-san, I smiled at Sonia-chan, who was still staring at me with sparkling eyes, and we entered the manor.

Behind me, I could see Shia smiling and waving to Sonia-chan as well.

We were then shown directly to the reception room.

After thanking Rowen-san once more as he stood beside the door, I opened it.

Father and my brothers were waiting inside the reception room used for receiving guests.

But none of them were seated.

Perhaps because of Shia’s presence, all three looked rather pale.

“C-Congratulations on your marriage, Nova… L-Leticia-sama, as the head of House Fols, I am truly delighted that someone as remarkable as you has become a member of our family…”

“Thank you, Father.”

“Thank you, Travis-sama.”

I had no idea what Father truly thought, but at least he congratulated us.

Zeroad-niisama, however, was glaring at me, while Kairas-niisama watched Shia intently with a wary look.

It was obvious that neither of them sincerely welcomed our marriage.

But so what?

I hadn’t married Shia for the sake of the family.

I had done it because I wanted to spend peaceful days with her, and because I wanted to support her.

I clenched my fist tightly and glared back at Zeroad-niisama, just as I had when we fought with swords.