Chapter 99: An Unintended Willow

George seemed to want to provoke his father on purpose: “Since you, Father, are so confident in the looks you passed down to me, why do you need to worry about this at all?”

“This is not something you can just get away with by having a nice face. After all, everyone’s taste differs to some degree. The next blind date is in two days. I hope you do your best to show your charm to the other person in every way.” Viscount Bolerum said with a strange smile on his face.

Seeing his unscrupulous father make a look like he was waiting to see a show, George immediately protested: “Why does it sound like you are treating me like a peacock in heat?”

“Do you think the current situation is any different for you than for a peacock in heat?” Viscount Bolerum said with a wicked grin.

Seeing George’s gritted teeth and the look that he was about to argue back, Viscount Bolerum had to pull a serious face and start threatening loudly: “If you can solve the problem all at once, do it as soon as possible. The longer you drag it out, the harder it will get later. Although I have never experienced this myself, I have seen several pitiful people fail many times while living in Karada! Their spouses are generally much lower in overall quality than most people. If you do not want to be like them, you must work hard. Otherwise, you will be laughed at for the rest of your life in this regard.”

‘In this world where strength is everything, women’s status is a bit better than in the Middle Ages before I transmigrated. But it still cannot change their status as mere accessories to men! Am I showing off myself like a peacock while also showing off my spouse? It seems I really need to put in some effort here.’ Realizing this, George immediately showed Viscount Bolerum a determined look: “Father, you do not need to worry too much. I am quite confident in myself.”

‘I hope you can keep your word! Actually, if you are not resistant to it, the chances are still very high.’ Seeing George’s stance, Viscount Bolerum felt a bit more at ease. He stroked his chin and suggested: “I must say one thing here. If possible, choosing a girl from the West family would be the best.”

‘It seems Father is still obsessed with the opportunity to expand the territory.’ Viscount Bolerum’s second suggestion pushed George right into a corner. He had to answer slowly: “Let’s see! At the very least, we must get along. Besides, they might not necessarily like me anyway.”

Viscount Bolerum narrowed his eyes and teased: “Is that really true? Every year for the past few years, haven’t you asked the caravans to bring gifts to her?”

Hearing his father’s words, George first paused, then immediately strengthened his aura and asked back: “Is that not normal? All the noble heirs I know receive small gifts from me around the time of the annual Harvest Festival. Although they are not very valuable little things, they are novel. As a bond to establish and maintain contact, I think it is a choice worth the cost.”

George’s actions could be said to be a manifestation of preparing for a rainy day. To avoid a situation where you have to discuss something with someone and they have almost forgotten you. Then it would be like the old saying before I transmigrated: “If you do not burn incense during normal times, you will have to hug the Buddha in a hurry when you are in trouble.” George’s current approach might achieve twice the result with half the effort later. Anyway, the cost is not high. Even if the expected effect is not achieved, it does not matter. George just treated it like buying a lottery ticket.

Viscount Bolerum still believed George’s words, because in his eyes, this son who was always hard to figure out often did surprising things. But he would not miss this chance to tease George: “Your explanation is passable, but why are the gifts for the girl from the West family so different from others?”

“She is the only female heir! You cannot expect me to give her the same things that boys like, can you? Girls’ hobbies are always a bit different from those of us men. I was just following their interests.” George refuted such teasing without any anger.

Viscount Bolam exaggeratedly said: “That is what you think, but the girl might not be as rational as you. Girls of sixteen or seventeen are not yet at an age to forget romantic fantasies. Anyway, you have a great advantage in this.”

‘Could it really be that an unintended willow has grown into a shade tree?’ George’s heart immediately jumped up, but after thinking about it, he realized this was not a bad thing, so he put it down again. At the same time, he said with some self-mockery: “Oh! Such a misunderstanding has actually happened? When did you, Father, start caring about these things?”

“I have always done well in intelligence gathering! I have been paying attention to eligible noble girls in Nohan and communicating with their families since last year. Otherwise, where do you think the four blind date opportunities this year came from? You know you are just at the age where marriage talks can begin. Others cannot have so many opportunities in the same year.” Viscount Bolerum looked very proud of himself.

Rarely finding Viscount Bolerum going off-topic, George immediately seized the opportunity to change the subject. He wanted to firmly grasp the initiative of the following conversation: “Father, if you really care about intelligence, then quickly find the troublemakers in the duchies you mentioned earlier. Who proposed moving the Gothic Knight closest to Greywood Town to Karada? Also, why did Sir Orff, who was originally responsible for the safety of the Autumn Hunt, suddenly get injured? These two pieces of intelligence should be very easy to investigate. Do not tell me you still have not found the reason.”

“Sir Orff was injured in the wrist during a duel with Sir Mario from the Duchy of Tutka who came here earlier. However, the other side was injured more seriously and is still recovering in Karada. But based on the other’s identity, we can only arrange people to monitor him for now. As for the one who proposed it, it is Lord Berke, who often moves around inside the court.” Viscount Bolam was prepared this time and answered with full confidence.

George lowered his head and stroked his chin, starting to recall a name deep in his memory: “Lord Berke? I seem to have heard this name somewhere!”

But Viscount Bolerum immediately interrupted George’s memory: “Of course, he is the most famous musician in our Duchy of Nohan. Otherwise, how could he, as a court noble, propose to the Highness? Most court nobles do not even have the opportunity to enter the Duke’s residence.”

“So his actual identity in Karada is a jester, right? But as a jester, why would His Grace the Duke believe his proposal?” As soon as the old question was gone, George immediately raised a new one.

For his child’s question, Viscount Bolerum was very patient in answering: “Normally, this kind of choice is not a big deal. If it were not for this specific incident, His Grace the Duke would just pick whoever comes to mind from the candidate knights. Most knights also hold an attitude of ‘if there is one, it is good; if not, it does not matter’ for this kind of service. After all, this is just a short-term temporary position. It is normal for His Grace the Duke and his jester to talk about such things that were previously considered unimportant.”

George showed an impatient look: “Since the personnel has been identified, it means there has already been a breakthrough.”

“In a sense, that is true. Lord Berke made this proposal because he wanted to show His Grace the Duke that he has abilities besides music.”

This was like a heavy blow directly hitting George’s head. This completely overturned George’s previous guess. George, unwilling to give up, asked immediately: “Uh! Is there no other reason behind this?”

For George’s doubt, Viscount Bolerum patted his chest and promised: “This can be absolutely guaranteed that he was not bribed by others. To avoid disturbing potential enemies, the result was obtained after His Grace the Duke’s personal mage intervened. Also, there were no signs of anyone being controlled by magic or drugs. So this line is probably just a coincidence.”

“You do not necessarily need to bribe them! Being influenced or induced is also possible. Although this might take a long time, it is not easy to show cracks. You should send people to check Lord Berke’s frequent friends and the people who often enter his residence.” George felt speechless about the investigation methods here in Nohan. Not only were there many loopholes, but they also felt very good about themselves. For this reason, he had to propose advice again.

Seeing Viscount Bolerum’s somewhat dismissive expression, George decided to throw out some work to give his father a good lesson: “I think if Lord Berke really wants to show off in front of His Grace the Duke, he cannot just report a name. He must at least add his own thoughts and opinions. At the very least, he must show a certain understanding of the candidate knights. Otherwise, how could he attract His Grace the Duke’s attention? But I think a person who was previously so focused on art would find it very difficult to achieve this on his own in a short time. There must be someone behind him who helps him plan. I estimate the breakthrough should be there.”

After George’s explanation, Viscount Bolerum, as if waking from a dream, clasped his hands and said: “Is that so! Then I will pay more attention to this aspect. I hope to gain something.”