Chapter Four: Please Give Me Your Daughter
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The path to the reception room of the Fervache duchy's mansion. A man introduced himself.
"My name is Enrique. I serve as the duke's aide."
"As you likely already know, I am Yohan Harsen, the third son of Viscount Harsen."
Hearing the introduction, Enrique's eyes curved into a faint smile.
"It may be inappropriate to say this right away, but there's something I must tell you."
Yohan tilted his head slightly at those words.
"What is it?"
"The Duke is extremely angry."
Enrique continued.
"Be careful with your words and actions. I will do my best to mediate, but if the Duke's anger worsens, even I won't be able to protect you."
In short, if Yohan offended the Duke further, he could lose his head.
'As expected.'
Francia's father, Frost Fervache, was a well-known doting father in the story. So much so that he was a favorite among female readers.
And Yohan had spent the night with that man's daughter. The fact that the Duke hadn't already stormed out to take his head was a blessing in itself.
"We've arrived."
At last, they reached the reception room. As Enrique opened the door, he glanced at Yohan, sending him a clear signal.
Kneel immediately.
However, Yohan simply smiled and brushed it off, confidently striding into the room.
"…So, you've come."
The air changed the moment Yohan stepped into the room. It was heavy, oppressive—no, it was filled with a suffocating killing intent that defied description.
It felt as though icy blades were slicing through his entire body, and cold air seeped into his lungs, freezing him from the inside out.
But amidst that oppressive aura, Yohan stood firm, his head held high.
"...."
The Duke's eyebrows twitched as he observed Yohan's demeanor. Insolent from the start, the young man certainly grated on his nerves…
But his courage was worth acknowledging.
Few could stand unshaken under the Duke's deadly aura.
Still.
'That doesn't mean he can have my Francia.'
As the Duke's killing intent intensified, Yohan respectfully introduced himself.
"I am Yohan, the third son of Viscount Harsen—"
"The introductions are unnecessary. I already know who you are."
Crimson eyes glared at Yohan.
"Do you understand what you've done?"
"I do."
"Then I don't need to explain what comes next."
The Duke, who had been seated on the sofa, rose from his seat. With each step he took, blue frost spread beneath his feet.
"Don't feel wronged. This is a consequence of your own actions."
As the Duke approached, Yohan's eyes narrowed slightly.
'Is he really planning to kill me the moment I walk in?'
For someone like the Duke of Fervache, killing Yohan would be nothing. He could easily fabricate a story about a sudden accident.
Yohan quickly spoke up.
"Duke, forgive me, but would you hear me out?"
"I have no interest in the excuses of a sly fox."
"Listening won't harm you."
"...."
The Duke's gaze grew sharper, full of suspicion. Sensing the opportunity, Yohan pressed on.
"I am going to join the Imperial Bureau as a special-class mage."
"A special-class mage? I heard you graduated from the Social Sciences Department and never learned magic or swordsmanship."
Had the Duke investigated him that thoroughly? Cold sweat dripped down Yohan's back.
But this was no time to falter. His life was at stake.
"I've never formally studied magic. I'm self-taught."
Yohan chose honesty over lies. If he was caught lying, it would all be over.
"Self-taught? Magic, learned on your own? What nonsense. Are you spinning tales because your life is in danger?"
Crack.
Blue frost spread further beneath the Duke's feet, encroaching on the surrounding furniture.
The air grew icier, and the suffocating killing intent sliced at Yohan's skin.
Perhaps if Yohan knelt now and apologized, saying he graduated at the top of his class and was willing to serve his family, he might be spared.
'No.'
That wasn't the solution. What he needed now wasn't mercy—it was the Duke's approval and the right to stand beside Francia.
"It's hard to believe just words, isn't it? Let me show you instead."
Snap-!
Yohan snapped his fingers, and blue mana surged from his hand.
"What are you—"
Snowflakes filled the air. Each flake was like a small work of art, as intricate as delicate lacework.
The hexagonal crystals sparkled as they caught the light, creating a fantastical scene.
It was as if diamond dust had been scattered in the air, forming a shimmering cascade of white petals.
The snowflakes, drifting and swirling gently, transformed the reception room into a breathtaking spectacle.
"This is…"
The Duke's eyes narrowed. This wasn't mere elemental magic.
'A mental domain? No, this isn't that advanced. He's altered the environment purely through mana.'
It was nearly impossible to change the environment without magic.
Even with magic, altering the very atmosphere required immense affinity with mana.
And yet…
'He did it.'
The Duke couldn't comprehend it. How great was Yohan's affinity with and control over mana that he could achieve this with such basic methods?
"…You're not ordinary."
The Duke's face remained cold, but the killing intent that had filled the room was long gone.
Yohan exhaled a quiet sigh of relief.
'It seems I managed to pique his interest.'
Honestly, Yohan was only half-confident about his plan. The duke wasn't exactly in a rational state of mind, was he? There was always the possibility that no matter how much Yohan explained his ambitions or demonstrated his talents, it wouldn't matter.
'Still, things turned out well.'
Relaxing his tense body, Yohan spoke.
"I will join the imperial Bureau as a special-class mage within a month. And I'll prove myself to be the best there."
He continued.
"To match the standing of Lady Francia—no, of the esteemed daughter of House Fervache—I will strive to become someone worthy of her. I have the talent, and I have the determination. Please allow me to court your daughter."
Yohan bowed deeply as he finished.
"..."
By this point, the duke's boiling rage had subsided. Seeing such exceptional talent, his logical side—the one befitting his status as a duke—began to take hold.
'Certainly, with this level of ability…'
Yohan possessed a rare gift: the ability to alter his surroundings purely through mana. Losing such a talent would be a significant blow to the empire.
The duke found himself wondering why someone with such exceptional talent had never formally studied magic until now...
'Even so, he's worth keeping an eye on.'
Especially since Yohan had demonstrated talent for ice magic.
'And that talent for ice magic would greatly benefit House Fervache, given we are the overseer of the ice attribute among the four great houses.'
As his rationality returned, the Duke naturally began to calculate. If this talent could fully blossom and join his house…
'No, absolutely not. I almost fell for this fox's tricks.'
The real issue wasn't the house's prestige or the acquisition of talent. If it involved his daughter, all of that could go to hell.
"You scoundrel. Are you trying to strike a deal with me?"
The Duke's voice carried sharp edges.
"I wouldn't dare. This isn't a negotiation. I simply ask for an opportunity to prove myself worthy of courting your daughter, the lady of House Fervache."
"..."
The duke stroked his chin. With this much talent, confidence, and poise, Yohan was certainly an exceptional candidate.
'Logically speaking, he wouldn't be a bad match for Francia.'
The duke asked.
"When one reaches a certain age, their mana solidifies, making it difficult to learn magic. How do you plan to overcome that?"
Without consistent training, mana crystallizes within the body, stunting further growth. This is why older individuals struggle to learn magic.
Based on his investigation, this damn fox… no, Yohan Harssen was already twenty-one years old.
Even if he started learning magic now, the chances of entering the imperial Bureau as a special-class mage were slim.
Still, given Yohan's earlier display of mana manipulation, it was worth hearing him out.
"The amount of mana I possess is naturally vast, so it's not a concern. Look, despite using basic mana manipulation to alter the environment, I'm still standing."
Changing the very essence of one's surroundings requires immense mana. An average mage attempting such a feat would likely collapse from mana exhaustion.
Yet Yohan had altered the environment without breaking a sweat.
This alone spoke volumes about his magical prowess.
"..."
The duke narrowed his eyes in thought.
Logically, there wasn't a better suitor for Francia. There would be no risk of being entangled in political strife with other families. Besides, House Harsen was relatively weak, making it easy to control.
'Damn fox of a man…'
Ultimately, Yohan had forced the duke into a compromise.
The man who dared touch his daughter! This fox of a man!
"Hah."
The duke let out a long sigh.
"You have one month."
"Yes, sir. I understand."
"You seem to have understood what I meant right away."
Yohan responded with a confident smile.
"Within one month, I will join the imperial administration as a special-class mage. If I fail, you may take my head."
The duke raised an eyebrow.
"You must have some reason to be so confident."
He waved his hand dismissively.
"Now, leave. I have some things to discuss with my daughter."
"Thank you for your mercy. I will do my best to meet your expectations."
Enrique added, "A servant outside will guide you to the guest room. Please rest here for tonight."
"I appreciate your hospitality."
As Yohan stepped out of the parlor, he exhaled a deep sigh.
'So, Have I cleared the first hurdle.'
Though technically, it wasn't completely over, gaining the duke's rational approval and securing this chance was a significant step.
'Now, the rest is…'
He needed to gain full recognition and approval to court Francia. To do that, mastering magic was necessary.
It wasn't an Impossible task.
Deciphering and manifesting rune inscriptions? That was nothing to him.
***
"Seems you're impressed," Enrique said with a grin as he poured tea into the duke's cup. The warm steam rose in the chilled air.
"Enrique, don't joke around. How could I be impressed by that fox of a man?"
Tch-!
The duke clicked his tongue and turned his head sharply.
"But you granted him a chance, didn't you?"
"That's only because he has enough ability to warrant observation."
Enrique chuckled knowingly.
He had been prepared to intervene and suggest they hear the young man out, but Yohan Harsen had handled things much better than expected.
After all, Yohan had managed to both pique the duke's interest and buy himself time.
"The gentleman is someone Lady Francia has chosen. Naturally, he wouldn't be ordinary."
"…True. She grew up under my watchful eye, so it's no surprise an average man wouldn't satisfy her."
Enrique stifled a laugh as he observed the duke nodding to himself.
The man, once known as the cold-blooded demon of the battlefield, always softened when it came to his daughter.
Just then, there was a knock at the door, and Francia entered, dressed in a fresh outfit.
"Where is Yohan?"
"He's in the guest room."
"Is that so? Seems the conversation went well."
Francia's smile widened as she read the expression on her father's face.
"I gave him one month. If he can't prove his worth by then, there's nothing more I can do."
Francia responded with a bright smile.
"He'll prove himself, I'm sure of it."
Because he's the most trustworthy person I know.
'Just like he's always been.'