I Married the Dragon I Killed

It wasn’t for nothing that the Spring Beginning Festival was known as the zoo.

In a place where around five hundred people gathered, more than a hundred cases of infidelity could be uncovered in a single night.

There was an unwritten rule whatever happened that day had to be buried forever.

Because once those matters started coming to light, everything inevitably turned into a filthy, scandalous mess.

That was precisely why.

The fact that someone had decided to bring it up meant they intended to turn it into an ugly affair.

Perda read the letter that had arrived from Consilus County.

It was written with all the formality befitting the nobility, but its contents could be summarized simply and brutally.

Arwen Wolfheart, a knight under Count Consilus, had raped Lyudmila Purity, the third daughter of Duke Purity.

The Purity family was already on its way to Consilus County to verify the facts in person.

“Is it true?”

Perda slowly lowered the letter.

The man standing before him as though he were a criminal answered with difficulty.

“…It’s not true.”

“Then you didn’t sleep with her?”

“We did… but… it was completely consensual.”

“I see. That’s what I expected.”

It wasn’t sarcasm.

He simply found it impossible to believe Arwen would do such a thing.

Both he and Lyudmila.

Neither of them seemed like the type of person who would force the other.

The reason the other side was acting so aggressively was very simple.

“It seems they have another objective. What do you think it is?”

“The dowry.”

When a noble family married off a daughter, it was customary to provide a dowry.

After the marriage, all responsibility fell upon the head of the husband’s household, so the tradition was perfectly reasonable.

But, as nothing in the world was ever truly fair.

The size of the dowry varied depending on social rank and the circumstances involved.

The lower the standing of the future husband’s family.

And the greater the blame placed upon him.

The smaller the dowry.

Right now, Arwen was nothing more than a knight from a frontier region.

And if he were also accused of raping a young noblewoman.

Not only would he lose the dowry.

He would be the one forced to pay compensation.

“…I’m sorry.”

“You’ll be fortunate if an apology is all this ends with.”

Consilus let out a long sigh as he rubbed his face.

He remained silent for a few moments before speaking again.

“Arwen.”

“Yes, my lord…”

“Are you capable of taking responsibility for Lyudmila for the rest of your life?”

“…Pardon? You mean… taking responsibility for her forever…?”

“What other way is there to take responsibility for an innocent young lady?”

“O-Of course I should. If I planted that seed, I have to take responsibility for it. But… I don’t think things will work out that well…”

“And why wouldn’t they? I only need to adopt you as my son.”

“A… adopt me?”

Arwen blinked several times.

Seeing him like that.

Perda couldn’t help but think of Malcolm.

Consilus frowned.

“Why are you pretending you didn’t know? The entire knight order knows about it.”

“I honestly had no idea.”

It was true that the other knights often told him that someday he would become the county’s young lord.

But Arwen had always believed they were simply joking around.

Consilus clicked his tongue and looked at Perda.

“Looking at him now, if I hand the Eastern Region over to this boy, he’ll end up causing a disaster. I’d be better off sending him straight to House Purity.”

“I agree.”

“N-No! Please don’t abandon me!”

Consilus burst into laughter as Arwen panicked over a simple joke.

Without wasting any more time.

He immediately began the adoption proceedings.

“Arwen of Wolfheart. From this day forward, you are recognized as the adopted son of House Consilus and are granted inheritance rights. Perda Valdrova, Regent and representative of Her Highness the Grand Duchess, shall serve as witness to this act.”

Arwen drew his sword, planted it against the ground, and answered.

“I, the knight Arwen, swear to protect these lands as a knight of the county. I shall accept the will of my adoptive father and honor the family’s name without ever bringing disgrace upon it.”

“Haven’t you already disgraced it enough?”

Consilus replied with a teasing smile as he clicked his tongue.

“Ordinarily, we would have held a much more formal succession ceremony, but with everything that’s happened…”

“…I’m sorry.”

Although the relationship between lord and vassal had just officially become that of father and son.

In reality.

Nothing had changed.

They had already been as close as a true family for a long time.

Shortly afterward, they received a report.

A group was approaching Consilus County.

The banner flying from the standard-bearer’s spear carried the emblem of House Purity.

***

In the North.

The very concept of nobility differed from that of the other nations.

The Kingdom Alliance had existed for barely a century.

And the noble titles now in use had only begun to be adopted around that time.

Because of that.

The true lineage of many noble families was still a matter of debate.

House Purity was an ancient line of warriors.

Even within the Northern Alliance, its history was exceptionally long.

The closer one lived to the Great Northern Wall.

The closer one lived alongside death.

And for the warriors of the North.

That was a source of pride.

House Purity was one of the most honorable families among all the northern nobility.

One only had to watch their procession pass through the city gates to understand why.

It was as though they wore death itself draped across their shoulders like a cloak.

Even the warm spring breeze seemed to turn into frost around them.

Among those black-haired, fierce-faced men stood out an old man with completely white hair and beard.

It was Valeri Purity.

The head of House Purity.

True warriors always recognized other true warriors.

And anyone could recognize one.

Now he walked with the aid of a cane.

But everyone knew that, in his younger days, he had been a warrior who had survived on the very brink of death.

The person who looked the most out of place in that entire procession was Lyudmila Purity.

While the men all wore stern expressions.

She happily smiled the moment she spotted Arwen and began waving at him.

Seeing her.

Arwen felt emotions he couldn’t possibly describe.

“It is an honor to welcome the great Guardian of the Snowy Mountains, head of House Purity of the Kingdom Alliance.”

Consilus offered the customary greeting.

Duke Purity returned it with equal courtesy.

“It is an honor to meet the head of House Consilus, protector of the continent of Serdes against the Demon Lands.”

Then he turned his gaze toward Perda.

“And I also have the pleasure of meeting Regent Perda Valdrova.”

“It is an honor to meet you, Duke. We haven’t met again since the Grand Dukes’ Council.”

“Can that truly be called a meeting? We didn’t even exchange greetings.”

“The atmosphere was so tense that I thought it best to stay out of it.”

“You thought it best to stay out of it…? After delivering such a revolutionary speech, you certainly have a lot of nerve.”

Valeri Purity let out a hearty laugh.

“Come. Let’s talk. Even when deciding who lives and who dies, nobles must do so with elegance. Only then can a conclusion be reached.”

“Of course. Please follow me.”

Consilus personally escorted his guests into the mansion.

After exchanging several polite remarks.

He seized the appropriate moment to pat Arwen on the back and bring up the real matter.

“This young man is Arwen Wolfheart.”

“Hmm…”

Beneath those eyes that had drooped with age, a sharp gaze gleamed.

Feeling himself being scrutinized from head to toe, Arwen felt a chill run down his spine.

“I thought everyone in the Empire was a bunch of weaklings, but it seems those from the Far East are different.”

“We live in a place where a single mistake can turn everything into a sea of blood. How could we be the same as those from the center?”

“Those from the center! I like the sound of that!”

Valeri burst into hearty laughter.

Consilus laughed as well and spoke cautiously.

“Although he grew up in such a harsh environment, Arwen is a young man who believes in chivalry. He firmly believes in protecting the elderly, women, and children.”

It was an indirect way of saying he was not the heartless rapist they accused him of being.

Valeri casually waved his hand.

“Don’t worry. We already know it isn’t true. Nor is this some petty scheme to reduce the dowry. Lyudmila told us he’s the man she loves.”

“Then why make such an accusation?”

“My health hasn’t allowed me to handle family affairs lately, so my eldest son has been taking care of them. The man standing behind me on the right is the eldest. The one on the left is the second.”

The enormous warrior who had just been introduced lowered his head in greeting.

His gaze toward Consilus was stern, yet respectful.

The only gaze that sent chills down one’s spine was the one directed at Arwen.

It was strange.

The two men truly looked like brothers.

But when Lyudmila stood beside them, one couldn’t help wondering if they really shared the same blood.

“It seems her two older brothers treasure her.”

“You have to understand. My two eldest daughters inherited my personality. They were so fiery that they even fought with these big brutes. But Lyudmila… she turned out exactly like her late mother. She mended our worn uniforms with delicate embroidery and prepared our lunches. She was more of a mother than her own mother.”

“Please, don’t say things like that…”

Lyudmila covered her face in embarrassment.

Consilus let out a small chuckle.

“She is a truly admirable young lady with a deep love for her family. I hope the marriage can proceed without any problems.”

“So do I.”

If the current head of the family had no objections, it meant everything would proceed smoothly.

“Then…”

Valeri Purity looked at Arwen.

“You’ll soon become part of our family. How about we hear your resolve?”

“My resolve…?”

Arwen swallowed before answering.

“I promise not to disgrace the name of my adoptive father, House Consilus, nor that of my future father-in-law, House Purity. I will protect Lyudmila as my lifelong partner.”

“You’ve got good spirit.”

Valeri nodded in satisfaction.

“I’m satisfied. But I don’t know what the future heads of the family will think.”

He slightly turned his head backward.

“You know how I am. I’m not very smart. If I don’t use my body, I don’t understand a thing.”

Igor Purity, the heir, smiled as he cracked his knuckles.

Crack.

Crack.

“And you, second son? At least you think a little, don’t you?”

“Maybe because an arrow went through my head last year, talking alone isn’t enough for me either.”

The great warrior Sergei Purity also began stretching his body.

Crack.

Crack.

“Really? Well then…”

Valeri respected his sons’ opinion.

“What do you say the future heads of both families take this opportunity to get to know each other a little better?”

“I completely agree. Don’t you think so too, future Count Consilus?”

His face looked like the very embodiment of vengeance risen from hell.

No matter how hard Arwen tried to remain calm.

There was no overcoming the fear crashing down upon him.

“…I’ll go.”

“Haha! That’s what I like to hear!”

“At least you’ve got guts. This is going to be a very interesting conversation.”

Arwen stood up.

Igor and Sergei each placed a hand on one of his shoulders.

Those hands, as large as cauldron lids, looked capable of crushing his shoulders with a single squeeze.

Practically immobilized, Arwen was escorted toward the door.

“Brothers.”

Lyudmila’s voice fell like rain upon parched earth.

Her gentle tone dominated the icy atmosphere.

“He will be my future husband.”

“Don’t worry. My sweet little Lyudmila. Do you think I’d make you a widow?”

“We’ll only go a tiny bit overboard. Just a tiny bit.”

His voice was as gentle as if he were soothing a little girl.

“So it’ll just be like a practice match?”

“Of course.”

“That’s all. We promise.”

After receiving that promise from her brothers, Lyudmila’s face brightened once more.

But the warm atmosphere lasted only a short while.

The looks directed at Arwen were still overflowing with murderous intent.

“Hey, farmer from the East.”

“…Yes.”

“Do you know what practice matches are like in the North?”

“…What are they like?”

“They last five minutes. If one of us gets knocked unconscious before those five minutes are up, we start over from the beginning.”

“……”

“How many minutes do you think you’ll last?”

Arwen tightly shut his eyes.

He felt like he was about to pass out before it even began.

***

While Count Consilus and Duke Purity discussed the dowry and settled on the engagement date.

Perda had nothing left to do there.

He stepped out into the garden and quietly enjoyed the warm spring sunshine.

“Lord Regent Valdrova?”

A woman’s sweet voice interrupted his peaceful moment.

She greeted him with a pure smile.

“My name is Lyudmila Purity. It is an honor to meet you, Lord Regent Valdrova.”

Lightly holding the edge of her dress, Lyudmila curtsied gracefully.

Unlike her two black-haired brothers.

She had abundant chestnut-colored hair.

Although she was elegantly dressed and seemed to be trying to carry herself with the temperament of a northern woman.

Overall, she gave off an endearing clumsiness.

“Please don’t use the title Lord Regent Valdrova, Lady Purity. Simply call me Regent Perda.”

“Ah! How terribly rude of me.”

Lyudmila immediately blushed as she apologized.

However, the awkwardness lasted only a moment.

She quickly resumed speaking naturally.

“The Spring Beginning Festival was truly wonderful. Thanks to it, I was able to talk with Sir Arwen a great deal. Now that I think about it, I should have come to greet you.”

“Don’t worry. Having to personally receive everyone’s greetings is exhausting as well. In fact, you did me a favor by not doing so.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

The conversation fell silent again.

Just as Perda was about to enjoy the quiet once more.

“And besides!”

Lyudmila eagerly started another topic.

She did so with such enthusiasm that it didn’t even seem as though she were speaking to someone of higher rank.

“The dance you shared with Her Highness the Grand Duchess was truly wonderful!”

Precisely the topic he least wanted to bring up.

“That dance was a disaster…”

“No! I was on the verge of tears seeing how hard you tried to dance well!”

To cry after witnessing that disaster?

For a moment, Perda thought she was making fun of him.

But Lyudmila’s eyes were genuinely filled with tears.

“The two of you love each other. And I could feel how much you both wanted to do well for each other… but it seemed like that desire couldn’t quite reach the other person. It moved me so much.”

“…Thank you.”

“I don’t think Lady Valdrova is as frightening as everyone says.”

“Do you really think so?”

“Have you ever seen Lady Valdrova’s face, Regent Perda?”

“I’ve seen it twice.”

“And what did you think? I’m sure she’s incredibly beautiful…”

“She is.”

“How curious…”

Lyudmila murmured as she played with her fingers.

“Someday I’d like to talk with her. In the North, I never had the chance to speak with other noble ladies. I think it would be wonderful to become friends with Her Highness the Grand Duchess…”

Friends.

At that instant, Perda’s eyes flew open.

He immediately turned toward Lyudmila.

She covered her mouth.

“Oh my. I said something disrespectful again. Someone like me could never hope to become acquainted with Her Highness Grand Duchess Valdrova…”

“Lady Purity.”

Perda ended up committing a breach of etiquette himself.

He closed the distance between them and firmly took both hands of the young woman who would soon become Arwen’s fiancée.

With a voice filled with deep longing, he asked.

“Would you like to meet Her Highness the Grand Duchess?”

“Huh?”

“It can happen as soon as today.”

Perda had no intention of letting that opportunity slip away.