The legend of the Crimson Demon clan started from Suqing.

Chapter 245 The Duchess's View on Love

Zunzun, who was invited by Crusch, came to the Karlsten family mansion accompanied by Mr. Green and Fram.

The dragon carriage bearing the Sword Saint family crest slowly drove into the vast Duke's courtyard.

Get off the carriage.

The first thing he saw was the person who had invited him here.

——Kuroshu.

And standing on both sides behind her were the cat boy Ferris with a devilish smile on his face and the old butler Wilhelm with a tall figure and sharp eyes.

The two of them were like loyal guards.

Standing in front of her was Kurushi, who was graceful and elegant, with long, glossy hair that was dark green and almost black, tied into a bow with a white ribbon. The pure white off-shoulder dress highlighted her feminine figure, with the ribbon hanging from her exposed shoulders and arms, and a gentle smile on her face.

She is completely different from the beautiful woman in men's clothing who had a dignified demeanor during the king's selection ceremony. Now she looks more like a woman.

There was a glimmer of surprise in Zun Zun's eyes.

But it soon dissipated.

The senses brought by Crusch were limited to a momentary contrast, and after getting used to it, there was no special reaction.

And if we really talk about contrast cuteness, I can't think of anyone with a stronger contrast than Aqua. Oh no, I'm already laughing.

But the other party was dressed up nicely.

The attire highlights that you are a woman, rather than a masculine and domineering military uniform.

It seems that he takes this blind date very seriously.

Only three seconds had passed since Zun Zun looked at him. Then, he looked into Crusch's eyes without any disgust. The corners of his mouth slightly raised, and he said in a gentle and intimate smile:

"Duke Crusch, you are so radiant today that I don't know how to praise you for a moment."

Social tricks.

If you don't want to praise someone, use this kind of words. It will appear appropriate and not abrupt, and at the same time save you from talking too much.

"Thank you for the compliment. It's worth my effort to dress up. I'm glad you like it."

It failed in an instant.

Even though Crusch is dressed very femininely, her tone and movements are still so sharp and righteous. Just as Natsuki Subaru once said, even if the clothes and appearance change, the nature will not change.

Even though Crusch was doing this reluctantly in order to prevent others from looking down on him, what was ingrained in his bones could no longer be changed.

"Hey, it's all thanks to little Phyllis, meow!"

The cat man who called himself jumped out and said cheerfully, "After all, he is a distinguished guest, so I have to dress up nicely. My dear, you have to thank me. Master Crusch was quite reluctant at first."

"But Phyllis, when distinguished guests come to discuss serious matters, I usually wear military uniform. That way it looks more formal."

“But isn’t Master Crusch going on a blind date this time? We need to change our style, or else we’ll scare Zun Zun away, meow.”

"It's not good to dress too aggressively... I see, is that so?"

Crusch seemed to trust Ferris extremely much, but it also revealed her natural side in disguise.

Wilhelm took a step forward, bowed slightly and said, "My Lord, I'm sorry, please move to the guest room to discuss matters."

"Master Will, call me Zun Zun. I never thought that the friendship between us would become distant because of our status." Zun Zun corrected him and said with a friendly smile: "I respect and appreciate Master Will very much, and I will never have any hostility towards you."

"...I'll remember this."

Wilhelm nodded seriously.

Ferris even ran over and hugged the shorter Zun Zun's shoulders in front of Crusch, and said with a sweet smile: "I told Master Crusch not to be so distant. We are close friends who have known each other for a lifetime, meow."

"Although it's a bit ambiguous, it's true that we have a life-long friendship. I'm very grateful to you, Phyllis, and Master Will. If you hadn't been willing to help, I would have probably been killed by the Hunter. Thank you, Phyllis, Master Will."

Zun Zun thanked the two of them sincerely.

The Intestine Hunter alone had exhausted him, not to mention the Beast Master. Of course, he could have escaped at that time, but Mr. Green and Fram could not escape, so Zun Zun was very grateful to them.

"Right!"

The cat man raised his chin towards Crusch proudly, causing the Duchess to shake her head in anger and amusement. But since Zun Zun didn't care, she didn't pursue the matter.

Then everyone moved to the guest room.

Mr. Green and Wilhelm probably had other topics to talk about so they didn't follow. Ferris didn't know where she was going so she left anyway. Only Zun Zun, Crusch, and Fram who was serving them were left.

Come to the guest room.

Crusch casually pushed open the cupboard in the room, which was filled with various exquisite bottles filled with dark-colored liquids.

"Would you like some wine?"

“…Ms. Crusch, I’m only 14 years old. I’m not old enough to drink.”

"Well, that's right."

She didn't seem to expect such an answer, so she looked a little dazed, as if there was an error in the program and it was stuck. You could even hear her mumbling.

"Contrary to what Phyllis said, it seems that having sex after drinking is not an option."

Hello……!
What the hell is that cat-eared guy doing? What kind of thing is he doing by having sex after drinking?
and many more.

Based on what Zun Zun knew about Ferris, that guy must have known that Zun Zun couldn't drink, but he still told Crusch that, he must have wanted to tease her. Just like when he told Crusch that the King Selection Ceremony was a gathering to build good relationships.

Soon Fram brought some fragrant black tea, and they both took a sip.

“Speaking of which, Miss Crusch, Subaru is currently staying at your house, right? He’s…”

"Very good. Since the door was destroyed, Phyllis has been healing him all this time."

This is also Emilia's kindness.

He made a deal with the Crusch camp in exchange for benefits and asked Ferris to heal Natsuki Subaru.

"Actually, Lord Subaru went out shopping with Miss Rem this morning. If you want to see him, you'll probably have to wait until the evening."

"No, I'm not here to see him."

Zun Zun waved his hand casually.

Although he had no ill feelings towards Natsuki Subaru, he also had no fondness for the collection of walking troubles, especially the mine-type ones that would explode at the slightest disagreement.

Besides, this time I came here for a blind date.

Speaking of blind dates.

"Ms. Crusch, I thought you were someone who wouldn't give in to a blind date."

"Hmm? ...Ah, really?"

Zun Zun spoke suddenly, causing Crusch to pause for a moment.

"It's better to say it's recognition than submission. In fact, after the news of the king's selection became widely known, the number of marriage proposals increased dramatically. After all, I am a duke, so it's natural that someone would come to propose marriage to me."

She did not have the shyness of a young girl, but spoke openly.

"I'm already 20 years old, so it's not strange for me to get married considering my age. But my gender and position are more complicated, so I just took this matter lightly before."

"Ah, I understand. Being a duke and a woman does put men off."

"That's right. But this is a different time. Before, those who came directly to my door all gave up after seeing what kind of person I am... But the situation is different this time."

As a candidate for the king, Crusch's status jumped from Duke to the center of the kingdom. Those who had not been interested in marriage proposals so far probably circled around Crusch because of this.

Zun Zun asked curiously, "Ms. Crusch, you are quite positive about marriage? It seems like you are willing to get married even without me."

"What should I say?"

Crusch paused, and she sighed slightly, "That's also what I'm planning. Depending on the person I'm going to marry, it can help increase my advantage in the king's selection. In this regard, all the candidates are single, and the conditions are the same. Only the widow Priscilla Barriel's situation is a little different."

"Well, that's it."

Marriage - By combining with powerful people and absorbing them into your own camp is also an effective method. Whether it is in the previous life or the previous life, everyone has had the same experience.

"To be honest, I'm quite grateful to you, Zun Zun."

"Thank me?"

"Your presence has forced those nobles to give up the idea of marriage. Originally, everyone decided to prohibit candidates from getting married during the King's Election before the Dragon-Kinning Ceremony. To put it nicely, it means that they should contribute to the kingdom before finding a man. To put it bluntly, it means that they don't want each of them to strengthen their own faction."

"……Oh, I see."

Zun Zun understood after a brief thought.

The Council of Sages declared that the quickest way to become king is to marry a noble, and if other nobles marry the royal candidates, it means giving up the throne. Why bother marrying if they are giving up the throne?

In the end, we had to let it go.

“Although Miss Crusch is expressing gratitude, it sounds more like a complaint to me. After all, she rejected so many outstanding young talents and can only stay with one person, right?”

"It is, but I don't care."

"Ok?"

"Unfortunately, being born into the Karsten family means that it is impossible to freely fall in love and decide on marriage, and as a woman, I am even less persistent."

——I’m going to vomit!

I'm really about to vomit.

Zunzun was not targeting Crusch or the like, but this kind of marriage contract based on interests reminded him of his previous life.

It's purely a stress response.

His fiancée in his previous life was a woman so delicate that she looked like a doll. She was as lifeless as a lily, as if she had lost the motivation and hope to live.

Of course, Crusch wouldn't be like that.

But in Zun Zun's opinion, there is no difference between the two of them. They both live for their families. The only difference is that one is a worker and the other is a reproductive tool.

Crusch gave up on the path of free love early on.

The Duchess's concept of marriage is not to decide on a partner based on self-awareness, but to choose based on status and family background.

"What's wrong, Zun Zun, your expression is very strange."

"…Nothing, just thinking of some past events."

"is it?"

I noticed a calm determination and uncompromising faith in her eyes. Those were the result of long-term cultivation, and even I, the Master, was not qualified to criticize or correct them.

(End of this chapter)