在狠狠线噜噜噜

Chapter 175: Engagement Count Increased ②

Translated by AmaLynne

“Wh-what does this mean?”

Unless Sam had misunderstood something, Hualian shouldn’t have intended to marry him.

They had been spending the past month as good friends, so he couldn’t hide his surprise.

“I’m embarrassed that I couldn’t see the extent of Sam’s strength.”

“N-No, it’s not like that.”

“My eyes were full of holes. I never thought you could fight against that Sword Saint and hold your own. When you used that last Ulrike magic, I was so moved that it gave me goosebumps.”

“It’s still experimental, though.”

“If that was unfinished, I’m looking forward to seeing it when it’s complete.”

“Me too.”

“Which means…”

“Yes?”

As the conversation shifted suddenly to Sam’s strength, they continued talking while tilting their heads.

And then he remembered.

(Come to think of it, Hualian-sama said she wouldn’t marry anyone who isn’t strong. So, could it be that…)

“I think Sam is a good man.”

“Huh? Oh, yes, thank you very much?”

“From observing how you treat Lise, I could see that Sam is a caring person. Seeing that side of you, I thought I’d like to walk with you. So, I’ve fallen for Sam. Not just for his strength, but for who he is. That’s why I want to marry you. Please, accept me. Oh, I’ve already received Lise’s approval, so you don’t need to worry about that.”

After being confessed to, Sam was taken aback. However, he felt a bit happy.

Coming from Hualian, who had been seeking strength in a partner, the fact that she fell for not just his strength but him as a person, meant that she had truly seen him.

Sam replied with a wry smile.

“I’m looking forward to it, too.”

“—Is that so?”

Hualian widened her eyes in response to Sam’s agreement.

She was surprised by his acceptance. Although he was amazed at himself for being able to accept her so readily, he realized that they had spent the past month together, as a family and good friends, so the foundation for acceptance had already been laid.

“Knowing that Hualian-sama had been kind to Lise and had brought magical books for Kotomi-chan’s sake. I know you’re a kind and considerate person. I consider wonderful people like you already part of my family.”

“―Thank you.”

“No, thank you.”

With her acceptance by Sam, Hualian showed a clear smile.

Her smile was very lovely, and it captivated Sam.

However, she quickly erased her smile, tapped Sam’s shoulder, and said,

“Well then, do your best next.”

She said something like that.

“Huh? Next?”

Not understanding what she meant, Sam tilted his head, and she pointed behind him.

“Hmm.”

Looking in that direction, Sam saw in front of the mansion,

“Hey there, Sam.”

“Huh? Mizuki-sama?”

Amemiya Mizuki, carrying luggage, waved her hand gently.

Sam hurried over to her.

“What’s wrong, Mizuki-sama?”

“It’s been a while, Sam. Starting today, I’ll be staying here, so please take care of me.”

“Huh?”

Sam raised an eyebrow, completely unaware that Mizuki would be living in the mansion.

“Huh? Didn’t you know? Just like Hualian-dono, I’ll be staying here from today onward. As your fiancée, that is.”

“Whaaaaaaaatttttttt!!?”

The unexpected news that Mizuki was also becoming his fiancée, just like Hualian, was beyond surprising.

“J-J-Just a moment, what’s going on?”

Hualian had been in an arranged marriage and had spent time together, making it easier for Sam to accept, but the same couldn’t be said for Mizuki.

Although he knew that she was a good person, he didn’t think their relationship had reached the point of becoming engaged.

“You don’t have to be that excited. Lise is expecting a child, so she might need some help, right? With me, you don’t have to worry about that.”

“Wait a second. I appreciate your concern for Lise, but huh? What do you mean by ‘engaged’?”

Since their duel with Sword Saint, Sam hadn’t seen Mizuki for a week, so he couldn’t understand why she was now referring to herself as his fiancée.

When had this topic even come up? Sam tilted his head in confusion.

Seeing Sam’s puzzled expression, Mizuki laughed wryly and said,

“I might not be putting this most pleasantly, but… it’s kind of like I’m a hostage.”

The term ‘hostage’ was far from gentle.

Sam frowned.

“What do you mean?”

“Just to make sure Father never does anything stupid again and to make sure I don’t end up like him, I’ve decided to entrust myself to you as a deterrent force.”

“Is that okay with you, Mizuki-sama?”

He didn’t know who had decided this, but it felt like Mizuki’s intentions were being ignored too much.

If this were a marriage between families, there might have been room for acceptance. However, to accept this situation of being a ‘hostage’ was difficult.

.

However, Mizuki blushed and smiled bashfully for some reason.

“Ah, yeah, it’s a little embarrassing to say it like this, but I’m happy that Sam is going to be my husband.”

“Oh, I see.”

Sam’s tense atmosphere dispersed quickly in response to the unexpected response.

“I don’t dislike you, Sam, and if anything, I prefer you. Moreover, you’ve done me the favor of not killing Father. I also feel guilty for causing you trouble.”

“Please don’t worry about that, Mizuki-sama.”

“Even though you say that, because it’s my father’s doing, I can’t help but worry. Of course, I won’t just be a wife in name only; I’ll wholeheartedly fulfill my role. Oh, don’t worry, I understand that Lise is the most important.”

“No, it’s not like I’m worried about that.”

“Not just as a formality, but to properly accept you as my wife, I’ll do my best, so please take care of me for a long time.”

“O-Okay, I will.”

It seemed that Mizuki wasn’t reluctantly becoming Sam’s fiancée.

Although the role of a ‘hostage’ was undeniable, she seemed to have come to terms with it in her way.

However, the sudden turn of events left Sam feeling lost.

“Heh heh, I wondered what would happen when Father and you dueled, but I’m a little grateful to Father now. I look forward to how the child of you and me will grow up.”

Sam had no words in response to Mizuki’s bright smile.

He was bewildered, but he wasn’t against it.

Perhaps it was due to his growing awareness as a noble or maybe it was just the joy of becoming engaged to a delicate girl.

(For now, I should bow down to Lise-sama later.)

Sam thought about that as he stared into the distance, and both Hualian and Mizuki, who were watching the situation unfold, expressed their anticipation.

“I’m looking forward to it too. I’m sure a cute and energetic child will be born.”

“That’s right. I’m sure Lise will also give birth to a healthy child. The Shite family is in good hands.”

Sam could only laugh at their words, saying, “Hahaha.”

Before he realized it, he had become engaged to four people.

“Seems like I have a lot of connections with women since being reincarnated in this world,” he mused and then let out a deep sigh.

But he wasn’t unhappy about these connections; Sam felt joy.