Episode 30

“Lord Goral, this time two longswords and two knives were sold, for a total of 75,000 gold.”

The next night.

I reported my results from the market to Lord Goral, who had returned to the mansion.

Lord Goral had been quietly at his desk, but when he heard the amount I had earned, his ear twitched slightly.

“Oh, I see. It looks like you sold more than before.”

“Thank you.”

“I’m not praising you… There are plenty of smiths who can sell that much. It’s still far from enough. At that level I won’t give my daughter away…”

His voice was full of feeling. I nodded once and bowed.

“I understand. Well then, that will be all for today—”

“Wait, Faik.”

I hadn’t expected to be called back. When I turned, Lord Goral had a troubled expression.

“Yes?”

“Tomorrow, a smith named Reberto, one of the candidates for fiancé, will come. His family is viscount. He will likely inherit the viscount title someday.”

“…Yes.”

One of the fiancé candidates, huh.

…Alicia had said she didn’t want to be forced to marry people like that.

But he’s coming tomorrow.

It’s because of my lack of skill, then.

“Reberto is an ambitious man.”

“…Yes.”

“And he’s a man with a strong libido.”

I nearly burst out laughing. Don’t say that with a straight face.

“What do you mean by that?”

“My daughter is adorable.”

“…Y-yes.”

What is this man saying? Of course, I admit Alicia is cute. I can also tell it’s not just a parent’s biased view.

But to blurt that out in a situation like this is startling. Once I understand what he means, I feel like laughing, so I wish he’d calm down a bit.

“He said he wanted Alicia. However, Alicia apparently dislikes Reberto. He’s the type to come on very aggressively.”

“…I see.”

Indeed, Alicia did seem to be bad with men like that. That’s just my impression, though.

“That said, we can’t simply reject Reberto outright. After all, he is still a fiancé candidate.”

…If my smithing skills don’t reach the level Lord Goral wants, Reberto could well become the chosen candidate.

“I’m worried too. He’s a man somewhat removed from sincerity. He might end up making my dear, dear Alicia unhappy. On that point, I can trust you more.”

Does he think I’m that inexperienced with womanizing?

“Thank you.”

“I haven’t fully acknowledged you yet. But I’m thinking of a marriage that will make my daughter happy while also fulfilling my wishes.”

“…Yes.”

He’s a good father. Despite the difficult position of having to consider the noble family’s standing, he’s still carefully thinking about Alicia.

…Well, he might just be a doting parent, but he’s probably not a bad father to Alicia.

“I understand. I’ll do my best.”

“Yes, do your best.”

My chest throbbed a little.

Because my relationship with Alicia is only a sham.

Still, I have no choice but to do smithing to survive here.

After leaving Lord Goral’s room, I went to my quarters.