Of all the responses Madeleine expected, the one that Dyon gave was the last.
He held his stomach, laughing so hard his face tinged with a bit of red.
"It may not be now, but I'll soon be strong enough to walk with you side by side. Besides, finding a woman as beautiful and heartfelt as you would be near impossible. What would be the point in me getting a second wife if she couldn't match up to you?"
Dyon's meaning was clear. He didn't even take Madeleine having to find a second husband seriously. As for him finding a second wife? In his world, such a thing wasn't the norm, so he was quite serious when he said he had no such intentions.
Plus, he wasn't lying in the slightest. To find a second woman on the level of Madeleine… He had lived almost 17 years just to find her, it couldn't be that he could actually find another, right? What was the point of having a wife of lesser caliber?
Eli and Delia watched awkwardly to the side while Dyon and Madeleine were flirting with each other.
Delia shook her head, exasperated. "They've known each other for maybe a few weeks, how did it get to this point?"
She felt as though she was watching her big sister being stolen away by a big, bad wolf.
Madeleine and Dyon didn't seem to hear her. Or maybe, they really were in their own world.
"That's a good answer." Madeleine said in partial surprise. "You'll have to work hard, then. Because although I want nothing to do with Akihiko's offer, my father, mother and brothers love me very much and would be tempted to no end by it.
"Because of you, I can live in moderate comfort again, and they'll be very grateful for that, but it still stands that I haven't been cured."
Though he knew Madelien was joking, Dyon nodded his head in seriousness.
"I hear I'm a genius of array alchemy, there'll come a day when I'll definitely be able to.
"Plus, I'm very suspicious about Akihiko's claims. If you had the favor of the main branch of the Sapientia family, the literal information hub of the universe, how could they have information you all didn't? It doesn't make sense. If I can figure this out, I'm sure your family can too."
Dyon wasn't very worried. The Sapientia family were the scholars of the Martial World. If they were fooled by something so stupid, then there'd really be a problem.
Madeleine nodded, this was one of the reasons she had refused so adamantly. She had fallen out of favor of the main clan because of her sickness. Considering her previous talent, why would they give up on her so easily?
If it was only a matter of marrying someone with a high concentration of god blood, how could the main branch of the Sapientia family be lacking in connection to such allies? And which allies wouldn't be willing to marry a girl as talented as her into their family even if it meant giving up a talent of their own?
On top of considering the fact more than one wife was a normal occurrence in the martial world, there was no reasonable answer for them to give up on her.
But, this led to another problem that Dyon kept close to his heart...
Even if he knew he was a great talent of array alchemy, how could an information-based clan like the Sapientia family have access to allies who were far more proficient than his current self? If the array alchemists had a cure, surely the Sapientia family would have been willing to pay the price for it, right? So why was Madeleine here and not cured already?
Dyon had a bad feeling, but he suppressed it and showed Madeleine a confident smile. If even the top figures of the world hadn't come up with a cure, then he would just have to make it himself.
"So, for the weak men in your harem, what are we allowed to do?" Dyon said jokingly, lightening the mood.
He didn't truly expect an answer, but Madeleine once again surprised him.
"Well," Madeleine pondered for a moment with a smile, "How about you take me to this banquet?"
Dyon blinked and feigned shock. Covering his crotch with both hands, he put on a scared expression.
"Don't think I don't know the winter solstice is coming up, don't tell me you're planning on stealing my innocence?!"
Madeleine flushed hearing Dyon's nonsense. It was Delia, though, that sent a punch flying at his side.
CRACK!
Dyon winced, feeling his healing bones become worse. Was this really the price he had to pay for an innocent joke?
"Watch your mouth! Pervert!" Delia completely lost her cool, but judging by her flushed expression, she was more embarrassed than angry.
"Oo, oo, ouch. I'm sorry, I'm sorry."
Madeleine pursed her lips. "Humph, maybe I'll ask Eli to take me instead. By the way Eli, I've never thanked you properly for taking care of this garden and my medicinal plants before. Thank you so much, you've helped me get through tough times."
Eli looked down shyly, "I-it's no big deal, Lady Madeleine, I'm just doing my best for the array alchemist faction."
Madeleine smiled, "You can just call me Madeleine."
Dyon chuckled, "Looks like you're better with girls than I am, eh, Eli?"
Eli blushed profusely, unable to look up.
The group laughed a bit before Madeleine gave Dyon a partially stern look
"You're not allowed to wear sweat pants to the banquet, Dyon, or else I won't acknowledge you. I'll meet with you at your dorm room with your clothes an hour before the banquet."
Dyon smiled widely, "Yes, ma'am!"