I Became A Married Man in Another World
Chapter 142
142 The Lying Fool
“Heh, you’re pretty. Like a flower fairy.”
“Wh—wh—what? How dare you say that to a man!”
“Can’t I call something pretty if it is?”
“…Hmph.”
For some reason, the boy’s face turned bright red. He really was beautiful. Dorothy took a step closer to him.
“What’s your name?”
“Wh—what? ‘You’? How insolent. What is with that way of speaking? It’s so crude….”
The boy cut himself off and stared intently at Oz.
Then, he let out a huff and gave a spiteful smirk.
“Ah, I heard a commoner was coming today. My father told me. Ridiculously enough, there is a commoner attending the party through the Margrave’s favor.”
The boy puffed out his chest arrogantly.
“A magic beast, and in the hands of a commoner. That Horned Rabbit is far too good for the likes of you. Hand it over to me. Do that, and I shall speak to my father to ensure you receive a reward a commoner like you couldn’t even imagine.”
He was a strange boy. And he seemed like a fool.
“No. Even if you’re pretty, you shouldn’t take things that belong to others. That’s bad. My mommy would scold me.”
“What! A mere commoner dares to defy me?”
The boy’s face turned red with rage. Dorothy didn’t understand why he was so angry. Surely she hadn’t said anything wrong.
Dorothy tilted her head and recalled what her teacher, the old lady, had told her. She said to speak up if anyone tried to pick a strange fight.
“Grandma Rive said you shouldn’t do bad things. She said she’ll come after you if you’re naughty.”
“Gasp!”
The boy’s eyes went wide.
“Wh—you? You know that old hag?”
The boy scanned his surroundings and muttered to himself.
“Damn it, where is she hiding? That old hag went to see the Santa adventurer, so she shouldn’t be here.”
“Oh, the Santa adventurer? That’s my daddy.”
“What?”
The boy stared blankly at Dorothy for a moment before sighing.
“What? So the commoner was the Santa adventurer? Hmph, is that old hag still the same as ever?”
“Why do you call her an old hag?”
“Because she is one. If a demon took human form, it would surely look like that old hag.”
“What’s a demon?”
“You don’t even know what a demon is?”
“Is it a magic beast?”
“….”
The boy fell silent. It seemed he didn’t know either. This time, Dorothy let out a smug little huff.
“You don’t know either, do you? Have you ever even seen a magic beast?”
“Hmph! You’re just a girl, you don’t know what you’re talking about. Something like that Horned Rabbit you have doesn’t even count as a magic beast. Real magic beasts are massive and terrifying. Children aren’t allowed to see them.”
“I’ve seen them! I saw Daddy catch magic beasts. A magic beast with two heads, and a giant one with strange patterns on its body, and more.”
“What….”
The boy seemed to ponder for a moment before snorting.
“Fine, commoner. I shall grant you the honor of describing magic beasts to me. Speak.”
He really did seem like a bit of a fool. But since he was pretty, she didn’t mind.
While she was talking to the boy, the other boys who had been at the tables gathered around.
The boy who had first spoken to Dorothy was apparently the Duke’s Grandson. An older-looking boy explained that he was the son of the Duke’s heir.
And surprisingly, he was a year younger than Dorothy. He was four years old. If that was the case, it made sense that he was a bit of a fool. He was younger than her, after all.
The son of the Duke’s heir was young and a bit of a brat, but he was the leader of the children. Even the older boys seemed to be his subordinates. Perhaps it was because of his good looks.
The son of the Duke’s heir was incredibly boastful. Every time he spoke, he puffed out his chest and looked down his nose as if he were superior.
However, because he was short, he couldn’t actually see the person he was looking down on.
He really was a fool.
“Fine. Since you are wearing trousers, you are not a girl. Therefore, I shall accept you as my squire.”
For some reason, the son of the Duke’s heir made Dorothy his squire. She didn’t know what a squire was, but apparently, if she wasn’t one, she would have to play with the girls.
But she didn’t really like the girls. Even when she spoke to them, they just gave her strange looks and glared.
Besides, the girls hardly moved. They just sat still or walked around a little. It was boring.
In the end, Dorothy barely spoke to the girls and spent her time playing with the boys.
“What can that Horned Rabbit do?”
The son of the Duke’s heir asked Dorothy, looking down his nose again. The other children seemed curious as well.
“Oz can bend anything. He can even snap things completely. Want to see?”
“Fine, I permit it.”
“Thank you.”
Dorothy felt like she should be grateful, so she said so, and the son of the Duke’s heir suddenly whipped his head away. His cheeks were red. He looked like he had a fever.
Dorothy took Oz out of her bag, held him, and looked around.
‘Is there something suitable?’
Flowers were too thin and wouldn’t look impressive, and trays were used to hold things, so she shouldn’t break them.
Of course, cups were out too. They were full of delicious juice.
She’d get in trouble for breaking chairs or tables… As Dorothy thought, her eyes landed on the spoons and knives.
“Okay! Let’s use those.”
They were empty, and no one was carrying them or seemed to need them. Since they were only used when children ate, it should be fine.
“But Oz, I don’t think you should break them.”
When Dorothy gave Oz the warning, he replied with a squeak.
“Oh!”
“Wow!”
For some reason, the children marveled and clapped. She hadn’t even done anything yet.
She started to feel good. Okay, here we go!
When Dorothy gave the hand signal, Oz began to emit a red light. The spoons and small knives on the table began to slowly bend.
“Whoa!”
All the boys clapped.
Dorothy felt like she had become someone amazing.
Oz seemed to feel the same way. His little nose pointed toward the ceiling.
“One more!”
When Dorothy shouted, the boys clapped again, and Oz emitted red light from his horn.
The servants standing in a line a short distance away, as well as people who looked like Daniel or Angelica, began to buzz and watch Oz.
This was fun.
“Fine, commoner girl! Do a few more.”
The son of the Duke’s heir spoke with sparkling eyes. His eyes looked just like the gems her mommy wore.
“Okay.”
The spoons and knives on the table kept bending, and everyone was enjoying themselves. Both Dorothy and Oz were having a wonderful time.
After playing for a while, the son of the Duke’s heir suddenly seemed to remember something and pulled Dorothy by the hand to a corner.
“Hey, is your father an acquaintance of the Hero?”
“Uh… I don’t know?”
“Hmm, I see. You don’t know. Well, you are young, after all.”
“You’re younger than me.”
“Silence, commoner girl!”
“My name is Dorothy. Why do you keep calling me ‘girl’?”
“….”
The Duke’s Grandson clicked his tongue like an adult and cleared his throat.
“I shall grant you a blessing. Your father will marry the Hero. Because the Hero desires it. When that happens and you have nowhere to go, come to me. I shall raise you as my squire, along with your magic beast.”
“…What…? Liar!”
Dorothy stomped her foot hard on the ground.
“Liar! Mommy and Daddy are already Mommy and Daddy! The Hero or whatever can’t marry Daddy!”
“Wh—wh—don’t be confused. It’s alright. If that happens, I will—”
“Liar! It’s a lie! You’re a liar!”
In her anger, Dorothy lunged at the Duke’s Grandson. Or at least, she tried to. No matter how pretty he was, she wouldn’t forgive such a lie.
But suddenly, someone grabbed her around the waist and lifted her into the air.
“Young lady, please calm down. The young lord of the Ducal House was speaking out of kindness.”
She looked up to see Daniel. She had seen him with her father earlier, but she didn’t know when he had arrived.
“But.”
As she tried to speak, her lips trembling with frustration, Daniel gave a gentle smile.
“It’s alright, young lady. You don’t need to worry about what the young lord said. Isn’t that right, young lord?”
When Daniel spoke to the Duke’s Grandson, the boy, who had gone stiff for some reason, nodded.
“By the way, young lord, have you forgotten that you must not speak of family matters to just anyone? And did you check which family’s crest is on the Brooch on the young lady’s chest? I’ve told you many times that the Margrave’s crest is important; surely you didn’t fail to recognize it?”
At Daniel’s words, the grandson looked away and remained silent before muttering.
“But, that child was going to be my squire….”
“Young lord, even if someone is to be your squire, you must not speak of such things. Furthermore, this person is not a boy. Did you not notice me calling her ‘young lady’?”
“But the trousers….”
“That is because the young lady is not just any young lady, but an adventurer in an adventurer party. She is participating as a member of a Santa-grade party.”
Dorothy asked, surprised in spite of herself.
“Oh, I was?”
“….”
Daniel fell silent and looked at Dorothy.
The Duke’s Grandson spoke up, sounding a bit triumphant.
“You’re a fool.”
A fool was calling her a fool. Dorothy glared at the grandson while dangling in mid-air.
“You’re the fool, you fool!”
“What! You mere commoner!”
The grandson’s face turned red.
While glaring at him, she felt a tiny, truly tiny bit of worry.
Was the Hero really going to marry her daddy? Then what would happen to Mommy and Dorothy?
Suddenly, Daniel muttered.
“Good heavens, the silver spoons and silver knives are all bent.”
His voice sounded a bit troubled.
Oh, was she going to get scolded by Yeonhwa? What should she do?
Oz, inside her bag, flinched. He seemed worried too.
The Margrave and his wife were still making their rounds in the hall. However, people who had already been greeted began to gather in groups to eat, drink, and talk.
“The Margrave is a difficult man to deal with.”
Guild Master Percel gave a bitter smile.
“Because he knows exactly what a Santa-grade adventurer is, he spoke to Juhwan first, but it wouldn’t be like that with other nobles. No matter how much they know about the Santa contractor, there are rules in society.”
Leonard nodded with a smile.
“I suppose so. With other nobles, Juhwan would have likely been pushed down the line. In that sense, the Margrave is very difficult to handle. He’s different from other nobles, so he’s hard to predict.”
Juhwan felt the gazes of the nearby nobles gradually focusing on him.
Leonard spoke in a low voice.
“People are starting to flock now. Juhwan, be careful with your words. Do not give any commitments. Be especially cautious when someone says they want to introduce you to something. If you’re not careful, it could turn into a marriage proposal or an appointment for a visit.”
This time, Percel added his piece.
“Very few people know what a Santa contractor actually is. Unless they are high-ranking nobles of significant status, they might not know.”
Guild Master Percel quickly scanned the faces of the approaching nobles and whispered.
“Be careful of that man with the square face. His methods are dirty. Many of the people approaching now are coming just because you’re a Santa-grade adventurer. They think that since 1st-grade adventurers are incredibly skilled, a Santa-grade must be even better. So they might push the conversation a bit aggressively. Even in those cases, do not give any commitments.”
“I understand.”
Juhwan bowed his head slightly in response as he looked toward Riji.
Even if a man and woman attended a party together, they didn’t always stay together. Just like now, when men gathered to discuss business or important matters, they would separate.
‘Will she be alright?’
Although Angelica, Leonard’s wife, and other women were with her for such occasions, he was still a bit worried.
Suddenly, Riji turned her head. When their eyes met, she beamed at him.
As if telling him not to worry, Riji bowed her head slightly.
Juhwan saw Angelica standing firmly behind Riji and turned his gaze back.
A man dressed in incredibly flashy clothes was approaching Juhwan. Other people who were about to come forward hesitated and stepped back.
Leonard informed him in a low voice that he was the eldest son and heir of the Duke.
‘The Duke’s heir….’
He recalled what Daniel had taught him.
There was only one Duke in the kingdom. The current Ducal House was a branch of the royal family, and the current Duke’s younger sister was the Margrave’s wife. In addition, they were tied to the royal family and several influential families through marriage.
He had heard that the Duke’s son approaching him now was the official successor.
‘His personality was… a bit arrogant?’
The Duke was a high-ranking noble with deep ties to the royal family. He surely knew about the Santa contractor. If so…
As the Duke’s heir approached, Juhwan bowed his head.
“It is a pleasure to meet you.”
His voice was smooth. It seemed he was taking a conciliatory approach. The Duke’s heir glanced at Leonard.
As the war dragged on, many of the country’s nobles were borrowing money from the Miller Merchant House. Because of that, they couldn’t act recklessly in Leonard’s presence. That was also why Leonard had attended this event.
While he was talking with the Duke’s heir, several others joined in.
Naturally, the conversation shifted to magic beasts. Many were interested in Yeonhwa and Oz.
Some noted that Juhwan’s appearance was similar to the Hero and asked where he was from. Since he didn’t want to reveal that he was from the same Earth as the Hero, he vaguely brushed it off, saying he was from a distant land across the sea.
Because the Duke’s heir treated Juhwan with respect, the other nobles were also cautious in their attitude. Nothing particularly unpleasant happened.
It seemed the Margrave had finished his round of the ballroom. Music began to play. The Margrave and his wife began to dance gracefully in the center.
The nobles joined in with their partners. The Duke’s heir also entered the floor with his partner.
After a few songs, a piece of music similar to a waltz began to play. Men and women spun around in circles to the music.
Juhwan looked for Riji. In the area where the ladies were gathered, several men were approaching to ask for a dance.
Seeing one of them heading toward Riji, Juhwan’s pace quickened.
Just as the man nearly reached Riji, Juhwan created a slight gust of wind to obstruct the man’s path.
While the man, hindered by nothing visible, looked slightly bewildered, Juhwan stood before Riji and held out his hand.
“May I have this dance, my lady?”
When he said that, Riji’s eyes sparkled with joy.
While receiving etiquette lessons for about a month, they had mastered only one type of dance. It was impossible to learn multiple dances in such a short period. However, they couldn’t attend a party and not dance at all. They needed to be able to perform at least one.
So, the old couple had focused on teaching them the one that was easiest to learn.
It was better to be able to perform one dance perfectly than to have a clumsy grasp of many. Dancing wasn’t something to be watched, but something to be shown to others through movement. The old couple had said as much and made them repeat it relentlessly.
The dance they had learned was the very one the people were dancing now.
Riji took Juhwan’s hand and walked with light steps.
Juhwan chose a spot near the edge to avoid being disturbed by others and placed his hand on Riji’s slender waist.
One, two, three.
After silently matching the beat with his eyes, he smoothly moved into the crowd. Round and round, the vibrant, colorful dresses swirled in large circles.
He thought Riji was the best among them. As she danced with a smile, she looked like a butterfly fluttering here and there, scattering jewel dust. The smile she wore now seemed exceptionally bright.
Perhaps she longed for this kind of noble society and belonged in it.
The thought suddenly crossed his mind.
