A Mastermind? No, I'm just the Live-In Son-in-Law-Chapter 76: One-Sided Romance

As I was watching her with that thought in mind, she muttered with a slight frown, still looking out the window.

“At this rate, it’d be a miracle if ghosts don’t jump out.”

“Even so, this is the safest place in the world—second only to the Holy Kingdom.”

Just like she said, the fortress that served as the base of the white mages looked like something straight out of a vampire novel.

But regardless of appearances, it’s wrong to judge based solely on the surface.

In most of the bad endings, that very fortress—ominous as it may seem—was the final bastion that held back the invasion of Lady Meredia, who had become the final boss.

If nothing else, it made sense. It was packed with white mages who specialized in protection and defense.

“Well, considering the Academy’s reputation tanked after the last incident, this isn’t too surprising.”

“...Haha.”

For reference, the Academy was once a proud fortress with a long history, having fended off the Demon King’s army twice.

But thanks to recent events, its image had taken a serious hit.

Somehow, I felt a stab of guilt in my conscience, but I couldn’t afford to dwell on that now. Otherwise, nothing would move forward.

Still, it wasn’t like the Academy would collapse anytime soon—after all, the current chair of the board was none other than Lady Meredia, who controlled the Empire’s economy.

“As for me, there’s just one thing I’m curious about before we get off.”

Grateful once again that someone like her was my fiancée and not my enemy, I began preparing to disembark. At that moment, the lady, also getting ready to get out, suddenly threw me a question.

“Yes, feel free to ask anythi—”

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“What’s your relationship with Tiffany Astellade, the head of Lumen Ordo?”

“Ah.”

Of course, I’d been about to answer whatever it was with maximum courtesy... but then, that chilling question hit me, and I froze, swallowing my words.

Every time she exudes that cold aura, it feels like I lose another day off my lifespan.

“Your reaction when you got her letter was strange. And from what I heard, you two seem familiar.”

And the sharpness of her questions usually accompanied those moments, cutting down two more days off my life, it felt like.

“With her... hmm, how do I put it. We vaguely knew each other through my father, I suppose.”

“...That’s ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) all?”

“Well, when we were little, she used to play with Cecil a few times. After we grew up, we haven’t had any contact at all.”

Considering how Lady Meredia disliked even Lunelle, Parsha, and Sasha sticking around me, this was probably the safest answer I could give.

And it was also true. Ever since I was rejected from joining Lumen Ordo, I hadn’t seen Tiffany once—so technically, there was nothing to be ashamed of...

“That’s a little different from what I heard.”

...Or maybe there was something. Her gaze started to shimmer with barely veiled killing intent.

“Why did you conveniently leave out the rumor that you two were engaged?”

“Pardon?”

“Are you hiding something from me now?”

Startled, I’d already begun shrinking back slightly—so when she pressed me like that, I could only tilt my head in confusion.

“Apologies, but that’s truly the first I’ve heard of it...”

“......”

“I don’t know where you heard that, but I swear—I’ve never had a single engagement rumor in my life. Not with anyone but you.”

Trying to convey my innocence, I glanced at her face—but her cold expression remained. I dug into the recesses of my memory.

“If I had to guess... There was a time we were playing house, and we hooked pinkies and said we’d marry someday...”

“......”

“But that’s just a childish game, right? I didn’t take it seriously. I doubt she did either. Haha...”

At that, her expression—which had been darkening steadily—began to ease ever so slightly.

“Are you just bluffing your way out again, or do you really not remember anything...”

“...If you don’t believe me, you’re free to read me with those eyes of yours.”

Now that I said it out loud, it did feel strange. With just a little change in her eye color, she could easily tell if I was lying or not—so why hadn’t she done that?

“Hm...”

Thinking such a dangerous thing, I glanced sideways at her with a slightly sulky look. When she suddenly leaned in close and looked me in the eyes, I quickly softened my expression.

‘I’ve always thought this—but her eyes really are beautiful.’

It’s tragic to think that those beautiful eyes would, in most routes, be consumed by pitch-black darkness.

...Of course, I wasn’t going to let that happen anymore.

“Never mind. Let’s stop here.”

“...Huh?”

“It’s a waste of time to linger on something like this.”

As I quietly stared at her, she turned around, pulling her head back and muttering in a low voice.

“Um, Lady Meredia.”

“What are you doing? Aren’t you getting off?”

“Before that—there’s something I really want to say.”

Though I’d once again survived one of her tests today, this time I had something of my own I wanted to say.

“No matter what the white mages of Lumen Ordo say... I’d appreciate it if you could overlook things a little, for my sake.”

At that, she glanced at me quietly. And then, the corners of her mouth lifted just a little.

“They may act that way, but they’re all good people at heart...”

“Oh, I already figured as much.”

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

Seeing that expression, maybe I was worried for nothing. Then again, with her information-gathering prowess rivaling even Bergen’s, she might’ve already known everything about Lumen Ordo’s quirks.

“I used to suffer plenty too, thanks to my family’s so-called elders.”

“Uh, right...”

“But don’t let it get to you too much.”

Just as I’d begun to relax, hearing what she said next had me sweating bullets again.

“No matter how stiff and closed-off those white mages might be, they can’t very well insult my fiancé to my face.”

“Aha... haha...”

She must’ve been comparing Lumen Ordo to the Council of Elders from House Embergreen that once drove her into a corner.

Honestly speaking, Lumen Ordo isn’t like that. Far from it.

“...I give up.”

“Hm?”

Because the truth is—they’re one big gathering of society’s misfits.

“You’ll understand better when you meet them yourself...”

“......?”

In just a few minutes... I’m starting to dread what kind of expression she’s going to have.

***

“Nice to meet you.”

About five minutes later, the concern I’d been anticipating came just a bit sooner than expected.

“My name is Maria. I am the steward of the Citadel of Radiant Wisdom, caretaker of the Shadows, and attendant to the Guardian of Glorious Light.”

The head maid, leading a group of maids in classic uniforms, stood before me and delivered an introduction in that unmistakably peculiar white mage dialect I hadn’t heard in ages.

“...What did she just say?”

“She’s the head maid of Lumen Ordo and Tiffany Astellade’s personal attendant.”

As the Lady asked, visibly dumbfounded for once, I translated quietly—my face growing warm.

“Well, this is amusing.”

Thankfully, the Lady’s thoughts seemed to drift in a slightly different direction than I’d feared.

“This is the base where white mages from around the world are said to gather... and not a single white mage is greeting us. Just servants.”

“......”

“This isn’t just informal—it’s a total breakdown of protocol.”

I suppose it must have been an especially jarring sight for a noble lady raised with all the proper etiquette from childhood.

Still, if she found this odd, I was genuinely terrified of how she’d react to what came next.

“Hello, Miss Maria.”

“......?”

“Would you be so kind as to guide us to where the white mages are?”

In any case, standing around here wasn’t an option, so I addressed the head maid. But something about the mood immediately felt off.

“He... he speaks normally?”

“Even the content makes sense... and the tone is polite...”

“W-what’s going on? Is he not a white mage?”

What is this, a fantasy world or something? I just spoke politely. Why’s everyone reacting like this?

“...The Guardian of Glorious Light awaits within, where the threads of your destiny shall entwine. Would you grant me permission to become your eyes?”

“Um, Miss Maria.”

As the head maid suddenly slipped back into full white mage speech, I sighed and opened my mouth again.

“You can speak normally to me. Really.”

“...R-really?”

“Just talking like that gives me goosebumps... Please.”

Her eyes widened in disbelief, and she blinked rapidly before asking, still unsure.

“I-it might sound strange to ask, but... Are you really Sir Whitney Ringaarden?”

“Yes, that’s me. I’m a white mage, but I’ve spent most of my life at the Academy or at home, so... haha...”

When I replied with a look of resignation, murmurs rose from the maids around us.

“S-so not all white mages are unhinged after all...”

“I thought white mana just messed with people’s heads...”

“M-maybe we still don’t know. What if he rolls up his sleeves and has some dark flame dragon tattooed on his arm...”

Hearing all this, the Lady finally seemed to notice that something was off too. She turned toward me with a faintly disturbed expression.

“...I never thought I’d see the day where you are considered the sane one.”

I really wanted to ask what that was supposed to mean, but now wasn’t the time. I forced a bright smile and addressed the head maid again.

“Well then, I’ll head inside now.”

“Yes... Ah, but who is the lady with you?”

“She’s Lady Meredia Embergreen, my traveling companion. Also, my fiancée.”

As soon as the words left my mouth, silence dropped like a curtain.

“Ah.”

“Gasp.”

“Um...”

The murmuring maids froze, then all collectively sucked in a breath.

“E-excuse me... If you don’t mind me asking... What is your relationship to the Guardian—um, I mean, to the Head of Lumen Ordo?”

“...Well, we were childhood friends, I suppose?”

Tilting my head, I scratched my temple as I answered Maria’s unexpectedly flustered question.

“...Yeah, this is unsalvageable.”

“...What do we do? Everything’s already been set up...”

“I—I don’t know...”

The color drained from the maids’ faces. The atmosphere was growing heavier by the second.

“W-would you mind waiting here just a moment?”

“Sorry?”

“There’s something I need to quickly confirm inside the estate...”

With that hurried request, Maria sprinted off toward the mansion as soon as I nodded, leaving me standing there as a cold chill ran down my spine. I glanced sideways at the Lady.

‘...Something is definitely about to explode.’

Her eyes—those same eyes that not long ago had glowed calmly in the carriage—were now dyed red.

***

“O Guardian of Glorious Light.”

“...Huh? Ah, yes, that’s me.”

Meanwhile, inside the guest salon at Lumen Ordo.

“Excuse me, but what is your relationship to the incoming guest?”

“That person... Hmm.”

Tiffany Astellade, standing silently by the window and watching the outside, cleared her throat and answered Maria’s question.

“My partner in shadow. The one bound to me by fate. The eternal chain sealed in blood that entwines our souls. Let’s leave it at that.”

Maria blinked and mulled it over—then, with an incredulous expression, asked again.

“So... your boyfriend?”

“Q-quiet! Just go bring him in already!”

Tiffany shrieked, flustered, and whipped her head away toward the window. Maria, left blinking in stunned silence, slowly clutched her head and bowed it low.

“Ha... damn it...”

On the floor lay a grand floral wreath the maids of Lumen Ordo had stayed up all night preparing—and now, it just stared back at her, cruel and mocking.

“...What am I even supposed to do with this now?”