'I should have asked him more questions.'
As soon as I left Ortzen's office, that thought flashed in my mind.
I was repeatedly told that Captain Jullius need the Count title, but I couldn't inquired for more information beyond that. That being said, even if I were to return inside, I wouldn't gain anything more. To be honest, if Ortzen wanted to hide something, it would be hard for me to figure it out. Although I'm confident to win in a sword fight but it's the other way around in wits battle.
As I walked down the long hallway with the intention to share these chocolates with Captain Jullius, suddenly I saw Clauen who was bringing a flat square leather bag, approaching me from the other side of the hallway. It appeared that there're important files inside the bag. I waved my hand at him.
"Clauen!"
"Oh, Miss Epheria."
He looked at me as I was approaching him. Come to think of it, in the beginning this guy also opposed my engagement with Captain Jullius.
"I heard you also wished for Captain Jullius to get a proper noble title. Is that true?"
Clauen nodded shortly in affirmation to my question.
"It'll be beneficial for Captain in many ways for having a noble title. His Majesty the Emperor and also other noble factions will be less likely to control over Captain Jullius."
"So do you also want me to marry Captain Jullius?"
Clauen slightly flinched and then compliantly nodded.
"It's true that I hope you two will get married."
"Back then you even told me not to think about it ever."
"The situation was different back then…"
He embarrassedly murmured and looked straight at me.
"As long as you marry Captain, I can get you anything you want."
You don't say. For real?
"You seemed pretty confident there."
"In this world, you can almost resolve anything with money. Due to his position as a Captain, he has many enemies that are wary of him, or else I also wish to give Captain Jullius a noble title."
"Apparently you have a lot of money, huh?"
"Roughly about 10 million of gold."
"That's a lot. Is that your accumulated savings?"
"No. That's my average income every year."
For a moment I was left speechless. Every year? Every year?
"Hey!! Even the Holy Church's annual budget is less than 5 million gold!"
"That's only natural for how a church should be. Even though my income is 10 million gold, it's only 1,5% worth from the total profit of the western merchant association make in a year."
"You said you're just a middle-man!"
"Because I'm a middle-man that's why I got some share. Initially my share was 3% from the whole profit but I gave half of it to Captain Jullius so I only have 1,5% left now."
"…, what?"
It turns out that Captain Jullius is filthy rich! That old bastard Ortzen was spouting nonsense about retirement plan when there's nothing to worry about! There won't be any problems even if Captain Jullius doesn't have a noble title. No wonder he (Ortzen) didn't seem interested in my wealth, because actually I was tricked by him again!
"This is absolutely a secret. If this fact is known by others, there will definitely be many insects who want to approach Captain just for his money."
That's for sure.
"Is it alright for you to tell me this?"
"I'll readily accept you with open arms if you are going to marry for money."
"For your information,I also have a lot of money."
"It'll be better if you genuinely marry Captain out of goodwill."
His attitude went through a drastic change. Was a Count title that covetous? I knew he meant well, so I didn't mind his change of attitude because he acted this way for Captain Jullius well-being. Ortzen might have ill intention, but I think this brat in front of me is sincerely care for Captain Jullius.
"It's not just a penny or two but you even gave that generous amount of money to Captain Jullius every year. You really like Captain Jullius very much."
"I've told you before that I have known him since he's still a child."
"Did you take care of him?"
"Rather than saying I took care of him…"
Clauen looked embarrassed then continued his words.
"It could be said I was the one who was protected by him."
"Since you're a child?"
"O-of course I also helped a little… but how should I put it, I was a coward back then."
He frankly revealed his shameful past. Somehow I wanted to give a pat to his head.
"Alright I trust you."
"…, what are you talking about all of a sudden?"
"Whoever you are, I trust you."
Whether if you're a demon or human, it doesn't matter. Clauen looked somewhat confused for a moment before faintly smiled in the end.
"Thank you for trusting me."
"No need to thank me because I have decided on it. Besides, I'm sure Captain Jullius also believes in you."
"…, is that so?"
"Yup."
Of course it's precisely so. Clauen remained silent for a moment with an awkward face that looked as if he didn't know what to say.
"Although you're the one who said it, but I'm happy."
He shyly replied.
And the next day, the engagement ceremony between the Special Task Squad's leader, Captain Jullius and Count Epheria's daughter, Silla Epheria was officially announced by the royal court.
"Even though this engagement ceremony is being held in such a haste, how could they didn't even send out any invitations? Where would there be anyone who do things this way?!"
Since there were accidents happened recently, the engagement ceremony would be held just between the corresponding parties. When Sofia heard the news, she instantly got really angry until her breath became ragged. I ignored Sofia's nagging while looking at the dress sent by Ortzen. The long dress which laid on the bed was all white in color that made me felt fearful to wear it as I might stained it. I wonder if it's a must to wear a white dress during the engagement ceremony.
"Even the engagement ceremony was announced the day before the event takes place! They're completely disregard you, Miss."
"No, it's not like that. I think they did so as to prevent some troublesome bugs from laying their eyes on us."
If the invitations were to be sent long before the engagement ceremony, and those greedy people would have enough time to device any plans to cause disturbances at the engagement ceremony.
"Bugs?"
"Well, something like that."
I deliberately didn't tell Sofia in details. If she knew I became a treasure lump because of my wealth, I was sure she would be more agitated than now. She might even cry to death regretting that it's such a waste for me to marry Captain Jullius. Sofia, you actually don't know that Captain Jullius is in fact very rich.
Just with his one year worth of income, we could eat and live well for a lifetime. If this fact was made to be known to the public, he would gained greedy people's attention that trying to get a share of it.
"…, let's try to put on the dress first."
Sofia let out a long sigh in anguish then carefully lifting up the dress from the bed. I'm afraid I might leave a stain on it if I put it on now.
"What are you going to do to Young Miss and Young Master?"
She asked while helping me changed my clothes.
"Although Vires isn't part of the Count family household, but Roanne is. Even though I've said that I will give her a generous amount of money to her dowries, it seems like she's still stubborn. Who was it again? I found out that a Count family which I never heard of before, came and took her away with them."
Although she's just an illegitimate daughter, she's still the Count's daughter nonetheless. If I died before getting married or renounced my right as the heir, then the guy who married her would became the next Count Epheria. Therefore because of that fact, it seemed like there's a lot of noble men who approached Roanne. Thanks to this, Roanne didn't have to worry about not being able to eat and live well and loudly stated that she didn't need any wealth but she demanded her rights to be acknowledged as a member of Count Epheria family.
"She still has some value so she could live well at least until I get married. When she doesn't have any value left and get kicked out, at that time I will just give her some money and tell her to take care of her own life."
I told her I would take care of her but if she was being willful and ran out on her own accord then it can't be help. If she caused any trouble in the future, Ortzen could handle it as he deemed fit.
"Miss, you're really pretty!"
After I have changed into the white dress, I was pulled by the overly excited Sofia in the front of full-body mirror.
"Even though the engagement ceremony isn't held inside the Palace, but your dress and jewelry are very luxurious. But of course, Miss is already pretty to begin with!"
"Hmm."
I looked at the reflection of a woman who was wearing a white dress in the mirror. Well, it's pretty indeed. I think I'll hear others saying that I'm pretty if I put on a smile.
"Well, it's nothing."
"What do you mean by 'it's nothing'! Miss will become the center of attention at whichever party you go."
"Eii, it's not precisely so. There're lots of beautiful women in the Empire."
I knew about it very well because I used to attend various party in the past. After all, I was someone who had escorted all beautiful women in the Empire to the parties more than once. In response to my words, Sofia was a little bit dejected and pouted her lips.
"…, then again, people said that Duke Kidia's daughter is the most beautiful woman in the Empire."
"What? The most beautiful woman in the Empire is the daughter of Duke Kidia? Who on earth told you that?"
"Many people said so. A dazzling platinum blonde beauty with a pair of bright purple eyes like jewels make her looks like the Goddes–"
"That's a blasphemy."
I clicked my tongue and said firmly.
"In this entire Empire, there's only one person who can match the Goddess' beauty."
"…, who is it?"
"The High Priest."
Sofia's eyes were widely opened with an unbelievable look on her face.
"It's my first time to hear about it though? Besides, the High Priest is a man."
"Is there a rule stated that a man isn't allowed to be beautiful?"
Even though I'm a woman but I was considered as the most handsome person in the Empire.
But even if I said so, Sofia seemed to doubt my words.
"No matter what, how could a man look prettier than a woman?"
"The High Priest is the Goddess' incarnation. No matter if the High Priest is a man or woman, it's beyond human standards."
"But I still can't believe it! On top of that, Miss has never met with the High Priest. People said the daughter of Duke Kidia is the most beautiful woman because they have seen her in person."
I used to meet Him a lot. I also even acted as a bodyguard by his side! However I can't say it.
"It's true."
"But– no, forget it. Alright, I get it."
"It's really true."
"Alright. Now, I will put on this hair accessories on your head so please lower your head a bit Miss."
Sofia moved her hand and pretended to hear my words. Somehow I felt chagrined. I considered to take Sofia to the church after the engagement is done.