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"So, what is it that you want to ask?"
In a complete turnaround from his state of disarray earlier, General Baltzar wore a gentle smile.
Well, most of what he wants to ask about is probably about my connection with the Maya faction.
"What do you think of my daughter?"
".........Huh?"
General Baltzar relaxed his expression as I blinked my eyes in surprise at the unexpected content of the question.
"No, no. My daughter is very concerned about Lord Raymond. If it's okay with you, I was wondering if you would really consider her as a fiancee."
"I'm a proponent of love marriages, so I'll refrain from having a fiancee."
"Then, won't you get to know Leandra?"
"............You're really pushing this."
"It's natural for a father to want to support his daughter's love. So? Won't you at least meet her?"
Now, what should I do?
It cannot be denied that the matter of escaping from the royal palace and the matter of Hofre are putting a burden on General Baltzar's stomach.
"Hmm, but the matter of escaping from the royal palace is because Maria was kidnapped right before your eyes and it made my mother and others worry, right?"
"Ugh. That hits close to home."
He can't say anything since he's aware of it himself.
It must be especially so for General Baltzar, who is in charge of all security in the royal palace.
"But, it's something that Hofre caused, and I'll answer General Baltzar's question as an apology for that too. I don't dislike Leandra-jo. But I can't protect her in my current state, and more than anything, I can't take responsibility if something happens. That's why I won't meet her."
"If something happens, of course I will protect my daughter Leandra, and Lord Raymond too."
That would be natural from General Baltzar's point of view.
But, if that happens, inevitably my backer will be General Baltzar.
He may be saying this in good faith after this incident.
But, if that happens, it will be difficult for me to move.
"I don't like it because there's no reason to do that."
General Baltzar lowered his eyebrows and smiled thinly, perhaps expecting my answer.
"You're stubborn."
"My will is strong."
I'm tired of the people around me getting into danger because of me.
At least until I can protect them myself, I don't want to increase the number of important people any further.
"Lord Raymond."
General Baltzar called my name in an unusually serious voice.
"I want to know. Do you really have a backer? Did you really have an exchange with the Maya faction and Hofre?"
Whether he's really worried about me, or he simply wants to take advantage of my anxiety and confirm that there are no enemies in the Carina faction.
In either case, "I have no obligation to answer, right?"
"............Don't you trust me?"
"I trust you. But not enough to rely on you. I don't know you that well yet."
I clapped my hands to General Baltzar, who was opening his mouth to insist further.
At the dry sound of my hands, General Baltzar pursed his lips tightly.
"The story is over."
"............Let me escort you to your room."
"It's fine. I'm sure the amount of paperwork has increased because of me, right? Please handle that."
When I stood up from the sofa, Master Cyrillos immediately opened the door to the room.
Maria followed right behind me as I started walking, and Bossa followed from even further behind.
So, I turned around and stretched out the hand with my index finger raised straight toward Bossa's face.
"Huh? Lord Raymond, what's wrong?"
"Bossa is only up to here."
"............What does that mean? Did Cosimo do something rude?"
At General Baltzar's words with furrowed eyebrows, I embraced Maria's arm and pulled her body.
"L-Lord Raymond?"
I pulled Maria, who called my name in a slightly hurried and raised voice, even further and went behind Maria, and pushed her towards Master Cyrillos, who was looking at us blankly while keeping the door open.
"I don't need a guard who is mean to Maria. If you're going to send someone, please send someone who knows how to treat a lady better. Master Cyrillos, Maria, let's go."
Did you think I forgave Bossa? No way! I'm not the kind of person who will remain silent after my favorite people are attacked!
I won't even have a conversation with you until you properly reflect!
While seeing off Lord Raymond, who said that and left the room with Maria-jo and Nialkos while angry, I threw a gaze at Bossa, or rather Rashid, who was frozen between the door and himself.
After being frozen for a while, Rashid, who pressed his forehead with his hand, let out a sigh.
"What did you do."
"I thought that if I angered Lord Raymond, he would spit out the relationship with Hofre, so I stirred things up with Maria-jo."
I got a headache at Rashid, who said that as if it was nothing.
"............Your ability to not fear being rude to anyone other than me is a wonderful talent in a way. But this time, it was a bad move."
"I'm sorry, Gerald-sama."
He seems to really think that he did something wrong, his face shows regret.
But, what exactly is that regret for?
"Roughly, it's not about angering Lord Raymond, right?"
"Yes. It's about not being helpful to Gerald-sama."
I pressed my temples with my fingers at my subordinate, who answered that without hesitation.
"Care a little......... Think about it......... The other party is a royal family member even for now.........!?"
"If Gerald-sama says so."
The reason why I recommended my daughter to Lord Raymond wasn't just because my beloved daughter is in love with Lord Raymond.
I feel saddened as a father because my daughter, who has been studying hard to become a lady even more since that day and has been enthusiastically working on etiquette lessons, is going to get married already.
Also, as a daughter of the Baltzar family, who has been in charge of the military for generations, I even feel proud of Leia, who has also begun to put effort into martial arts, saying that she will protect Lord Raymond.
That's beside the point, well, it's true that I recommended the engagement of Lord Raymond and Leia for the sake of my daughter, who is making such tearful efforts, and as the person who brings together the nobles of the Carina faction.
But, more than that.
"I want a son-in-law who has common sense.........!"
Whether it's Hofre or Rashid.
Why are there only such extreme guys around me!!!!
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