"...Actually, there's something else I wanted to talk about. My parents are planning to hold a party to celebrate my father's 40th birthday, and they've been subtly hinting to me all summer that I should discuss it with you and a few others," Luvia said, continuing the conversation, while my thoughts didn't interfere with my ability to respond. Especially now, since we were moving on to something more important.
Even in a more personal conversation, she still maintains the decorum of a pure-blood, unable to say what's necessary directly. Then again, even I have caught myself doing the same for quite some time now, despite my past life's experience! What can be said about Luvia, who grew up in these local customs?
"So, they want to find intermediaries to gather wizards..." I mused, rubbing my chin thoughtfully. A gesture from my past life, but I have no intention of giving up the habit.
After all the formalities — significantly reduced ones, at that — we finally shifted to more straightforward communication. Subtle hints and veiled remarks are enough when we're in public, but now we could relax a bit and not worry that a single word might be taken as an insult. With first-years, that's fine; they don't yet grasp the nuances of eloquence. But with upperclassmen... Oh, that's a different story.
"In general, yes," Luvia confirmed. "You have no idea, Adal, how much they intend to spend on all of this..." Oh... If even you are talking about money, especially about excessive spending... I hope they don't pour more into this evening than the current total wealth of the Stahlwolfs.
I'm exaggerating, of course, but still...
"Alright, that won't be difficult to handle. I'll talk to my mother... But I have a favor to ask of you as well. Keep an eye on your brother's classmate from Báthory. The girl is very smart. You're much better at this than I am, so..." I shrugged meaningfully.
"I saw her briefly. She might not even need any advice if you're vouching for her, but alright, I'll do it," the brown-eyed girl nodded slightly. "Just tell me later what your plans are for her. You don't need to go into details, but you understand..." She gestured vaguely with her hand, managing to make even that gesture look somewhat elegant.
With talent like that, you have to be born with it. I suspect she does it reflexively, unlike me, who's always paying attention to my actions.
"I don't plan on working as a matchmaker..." I grumbled good-naturedly, fully aware of what plans she wanted to hear about. "They'll handle that perfectly well without me."
"True enough..." muttered the blonde, her face showing a hint of irritation. Well, of course, her parents wouldn't miss such an opportunity to ally with one of the most powerful families, not just in Eastern Europe, but across the whole continent.
Especially if she ends up marrying into that family... Wait a second.
"Just one question. Did they tell you to charm me or outright seduce me?" I abruptly stopped.
"You could've put that a bit more delicately, with your Teutonic bluntness..." Now it was the Finnish girl's turn to grumble. "Quoting my dear parents... 'Do whatever you want, but you must become someone more to the only son of Hildegard than just a friend or acquaintance,'" Luvia mimicked one of her parents in a strict tone, clearly impersonating someone who tolerates no compromises.
"Morgana..." I swore under my breath with an exasperated sigh. "I take it they won't rest until it's practically announced that I'm engaged to someone?"
"...So, I'm not attractive to you at all?" Edelweiss suddenly burst out, looking at me with a face full of mock outrage, catching me off guard.
"My lady, I humbly beg you... Stop hanging around with de Welt!" Quickly realizing the situation and recovering from the small, but genuine, surprise caused by such an unusual display from a well-known girl, I practically groaned.
That half-crazed girl has an abnormal charisma, and she infects everyone around her with her madness.
"Ho-ho!" The Finnish girl made a sly face. Now, to complete the image, all she was missing was a fan to hide her overly satisfied smile. "Could such an innocent joke really offend you so deeply, noble Herr?"
"No, my lady, but there are other ways to calm the nerves before discussing such a serious topic," I replied in a similar tone.
"...Ha-a... I can't deny your perceptiveness either. As for the answer to your question... Yes, they'll only settle down then," Luvia said, wrinkling her nose. I could understand her — such an order wouldn't sit well with me either.
Hmm... They're in a rush. Too much of a rush. Due to the longer lifespan of wizards, even the most traditional pure-blood families don't touch on this topic until closer to eighteen. Unlike medieval Muggle nobles, early engagements are very rare and only occur when something significant is at stake, not just the need to marry for lineage.
Even my rational mother hasn't really broached this subject yet.
And Luvia is only fourteen... As they say in the Fatherland, hasty advice and rushing into things bring nothing but harm.
It's all just one big headache.
"You haven't revealed yourself to them yet, have you?" I asked.
"Ho-ho! Of course not! They still think their little daughter is a young, naive spendthrift who will squander their entire fortune, he-he..." She flashed a smile, laughing quietly into the back of her hand like a true actress.
"So they're not expecting much from you," I concluded simply. "Which also means they're unlikely to expect quick results. Most likely, you have time until you finish your studies."
"Hmm... Yes, you're right." After a couple of seconds of hesitation, the girl nodded in agreement. "Do you want to delay dealing with this inconvenient problem of ours?"
"Exactly. If we stick to the old plan, and wrap it up to everyone's satisfaction, it certainly won't be done so quickly. We don't consider your parents to be foolish, do we? We're not that naïve. We both understand they might suspect something. And then, either our plan is exposed... or your true nature is."
"Yes, that doesn't sound like the best situation, from what you're saying. My dear parents may be farsighted, but at times they're a bit too hasty..." she scoffed, shrugging dismissively. "Alright. I'm glad we've reached an understanding. Thank you, Adalbert."
"Not at all. Reasonable people always find a way to understand each other," I replied with my usual, meaningless smile.
"Ho-ho! Herr Stahlwolf, don't pretend to be such a modest man! You're quite good at it, no doubt, but sometimes you give yourself away!" As soon as we passed through the empty corridor, Luvia swiftly returned to her public persona.
A quick glance around with my eyes told me that a few other students had come into view... They were too far away to hear our conversation, but Edelweiss was handling everything correctly — caution never hurts.
"How could you say such a thing, my lady? I've been nothing but honest with you!" I said, playing along, shifting the serious conversation into lighthearted banter.