Jobless Reincarnation: Live Seriously Even Without Transfer Events

Page 17

But this was the first time Alice had asked for it on her own initiative.

This time I lay down quietly.

"I made a point of waking Rudeus up early today."

Why did you get up so early? Was it for some important day? Like her birthday or mine? No, it's not on that day, and it's not a five-year anniversary celebration either.

"Huh? Is there anything special happening today?"

Before I could speak, she placed both of her hands on my face.

"Rudeus's family has agreed to your marriage into their family! Rudeus and I are going to become family!"

Marrying into another family?

"Huh?!"

When I heard the word "marry into the family," I almost jumped up in surprise, but then Alice held my face and pressed me down onto her lap.

Seeing my strong reaction, I sensed she was a little unhappy.

"What? Rudius, will you become my family?"

"Or do you mean you don't like me?"

The question was a real bombshell, but actually, I was just surprised, no, shocked, by the term "marrying into someone else's family."

Whether or not I can go to Lanoa Magic University after marrying into the family is secondary. Although I have an agreement with Professor Loki, I can put the matter of studying at university on hold for now.

However, whether a man who marries into his wife's family can remarry is an important question. Although Philip and Hilda told me that I could marry Alice and Hilda, and that Hilda is smart and sensible, it would be difficult for her in-laws to cause trouble for her.

But will Alice be able to accept Silphie? And then there's Silphie herself. After learning that I've married into the family, will she still be able to accept me? That's also a very important question.

"No, that's not what I meant, it's just..."

“I will accept Hilfiet, really, Rudius.”

Huh? Did I hear that right? Alice actually said something like that. I never expected Alice to be so considerate of me. I can't help but feel like I'm becoming more and more like the scumbag male protagonist in those adult games.

And it's quite obvious that I've ruined her good mood.

"I'm so sorry, Alice..."

"No, it's okay."

Contrary to my expectations, although Alice's mood was slightly ruined because of me, she didn't seem to reject Sylphie; on the contrary, she was quite willing to accept her.

In comparison, I was actually a bit too much. I have wronged both Alice and Sylphie.

Hopefully, it won't end up like "Nice Boat".

(Note: A famous meme from School Days)

I took Alice's hand that was supporting my face, closed my eyes, and slowly enjoyed her lap as a pillow.

"How gentle you are, Alice."

Before we knew it, the sky had become completely bright.

"dong dong dong"

The maid who comes to collect the laundry every morning has knocked on the door; it seems it's time for breakfast.

I got dressed and Alice took my hand and led me outside.

The maid at the door looked at us with surprise. Judging from her expression, she probably thought we had already stepped onto the ladder of adulthood.

Back in junior high, boys and girls often talked about this kind of thing. The thought that Alice and I might become the maids' gossip in the future made me feel a little smug, but I really didn't think it was a good thing.

……

Hilda slowly brought the cream soup to her mouth, then gently wiped her lips with a handkerchief.

"Rudeus, your engagement ceremony with Alice is already on the agenda. Of course, the specifics will have to wait for the master to return. But you don't need to worry about the preparations. As for the dresses, do you have any ideas?"

"Mother, you can make the arrangements."

Before I could even speak, Alice had already started vomiting.

Indeed, I don't have any particular requirements for formal wear; I just wear whatever they tell me to wear.

"Me too, madam."

"Rudeus, don't be so polite with me from now on. Just call me Mother."

Hilda has already asked me to call her mother-in-law, but the thought of treating Philip the same way makes it hard to bring myself to do it.

"Yes, I understand, madam."

"Rudius?"

"Oh, I'm sorry, Mother."

Hilda put down her spoon, clapped her hands, and two servants stood behind her.

"Well, in that case, I've already been preparing the dresses. You two can come with me to try them on in a bit."

"Yes."

Alice and I said it at the same time.

After breakfast, Alice and I were led by two servants to the largest dressing room in the mansion.

Hilda was waiting for us outside.

Only now did I realize what Hilda meant by "we were prepared long ago".

It's practically a celebrity's wardrobe, with all sorts of dresses, including flat-necked, ruff-collared, and lapel-collared ones, and the texture is absolutely extraordinary to the touch. Any one of these coats would probably cost ten to twenty Asura gold coins.

Then I picked out a blue stand-up collar tuxedo.

"Um, Mother... no, what do you think?"

Hilda frowned slightly after seeing it, then shook her head and said, "It's not that it looks bad, it just feels a bit strange."

"Blue doesn't suit Rudius."

Alice also came out of the fitting room. She picked out a white tulle dress, thinking that the weather outside might be a little chilly, but it was just as good as the dress she wore on her tenth birthday.

"Is Alice wearing white? Then Rudeus should change into a white outfit too."

Hilda glanced at Alice and seemed quite satisfied.

"Yes, Mother."

I went back into the fitting room and chose a white collared dress. Just as I was about to try it on, I saw what looked like another style of dress on the hanger.

I tugged at the hem of a maid's dress and asked...

"Excuse me, what is that?"

“Oh, this one? Mr. Alphonse bought it from a merchant in the Kingdom of Bigenliru when Lord Salos was still alive.”

As she spoke, the maid took the dress down from the hanger. It was a garment that looked very much like a kimono, a very formal one.

So Lord Salos had already begun preparing for Alice and me while he was still alive. Speaking of which, I haven't seen Mr. Alphonse since I heard he went home to visit his mother. He's probably been taking care of her at home.

If only I could have been half as good as Mr. Alphonse in my past life.

Should I wear this outfit? Never mind, the clothes Alice chose don't match this kimono, and it's blue too. Alice also said blue doesn't suit me.

Then, I put on the white dress I had just chosen and walked out of the fitting room.

"Mmm~ It looks really good."

Hilda smiled with satisfaction.

"Hmm, this outfit suits Rudeus well, but it's still a little off. Would gray have been better?"

Alice sat in a chair, striking the same pose as Hilda, and said, resting her chin on her hand.

“Wearing gray to an engagement ceremony is bad luck, Alice. How about this white one? You two stand together so I can take a look.”

Alice jumped off the chair and walked over to me.

"Alice, you should link your arm with Rudeus."

Alice's face turned bright red instantly, and she shakily draped her arm over mine.

"Hmm, that's great. I'll take these two."

The dress was decided.

……

Time flew by, and two and a half months later, it was my last day back in Bouyena village.

From the day we decided on our dresses, the servants in the manor have been busy running around, feeling even more tense than when preparing for Alice's tenth birthday party. The manor is filled with an atmosphere of impending war.

This was even more true after Philip returned to the mansion. He brought back many decorations and some precious materials from the capital. However, many of them were already in place, as if they had been prepared long ago.

Of course, aside from the awkwardness of calling Philip "father," everything else was fine. It's just that I felt there was a hint of ulterior motive in his eyes when he looked at me.

I wonder what methods he used to trick Paul into agreeing to my marriage into his family. Getting someone like Paul, who despises aristocrats, to agree to this must have been incredibly difficult. Could he have bribed Paul with something like a trial card for a women's club?

The banquet was about to begin, and nobles from all over the country entered the mansion. I also saw some familiar figures, such as the daughters of middle-class noble families who were there on Alice's birthday.

Also, I recognized a man dressed in fancy clothes who was holding the hand of a little red-haired girl at first glance.

Paul.

"Father!"

I ran toward Paul.

When Paul saw me, he first showed a look of joy, but for some reason, his smile seemed a bit forced.

"Ah, Rudy."

Who is this?

I looked at the little girl next to me; she looked a bit like Miss Lilia, so that must be Aisha.

"Aisha, call me brother."

"Brother~"

Aisha is very well-behaved and likable, and you can tell she's very smart just by looking at her.

"Where are Mother and Miss Lilia? Norren and Silphi aren't with Father either?"

What am I thinking? If I were Sylphie, I wouldn't have come. I'll apologize to Sylphie when I have the chance to go back.

“Um… your mother and Lilia are helping the doctor in the village. Silphi…”

Paul hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped himself.

"Sister Hilfi and Sister Norren also went to help."

Aisha picked up on Paul's words.

Hilfi probably didn't go to help; she just didn't want to come at all. She waited for me alone in the village for five years, only to find out I was getting engaged to someone else. I'm such a scumbag.

I felt a sense of loss without even realizing it.

"Rudy, don't worry about it, today is a happy day."

"That's true, Father."

Soon, the banquet began. After a brief speech by Philip, the banquet followed the buffet style that Lord Saloth had used during his lifetime.

Finally, as the banquet was about to end, Alice and I stood hand in hand in the center of the hall.

I could feel Alice trembling violently.

"Alice? Are you nervous?"

“Of course, Rudius.”

Then I'll cast a little magic on you, Alice.

This is my true love's kiss.

I cupped Alice's cheeks in my hands and kissed her.

"Swish, swish, swish!"