The Castillia territory facing the northeast of the imperial capital was a symbol of prosperity by name alone. Of course, those who inherited that name bore equally heavy responsibilities.

Still, the family heads who inherited the name through generations willingly shouldered that responsibility. After all, tremendous wealth came as compensation.

Feeding the entire continent meant standing at the center of logistics. Other goods traveled along the road networks built to transport food. 

It was only natural that Castillia became the hub of all money and goods. As long as they didn’t get too greedy, Castillia would prosper forever.

The previous head who jumped into war leading mercenaries gathered with money—numerous but lacking quality—paid the price with his life. 

The end of someone who leaped in with only greed and no experience leading armies was nothing but miserable. Despite such a critical mistake, as long as the distribution network and farmland remained intact, Castillia’s recovery was only a matter of time.

The Marquis fled straight to his territory and hid the moment he heard news of his father’s death. Thanks to that, the castle could maintain its elegant and luxurious appearance. The beautiful annex, despite being neglected for so long, was one such place.

“D*mn it all!”

But the peaceful quiet of morning shattered under impatient footsteps lacking any dignity. 

The one glaring at the sandalwood door with an expression wanting to tear it down was the master of this castle, Marquis Castillia. His usual leisurely attitude had vanished somewhere, and he even stamped his feet—he looked extremely urgent.

‘That damned bear!’

And just like he appeared, the Marquis was actually quite agitated. Immediately after leaving Ivona’s room, the Marquis requested a meeting with Border Duke of Mutheira. 

But somehow, the Border Duke kept avoiding the meeting with various excuses.

In the morning, he hadn’t sobered up yet. When invited to lunch together, he hadn’t digested his food. Every excuse sounded absurd to the listener. Only after being refused even dinner did the Marquis realize the seriousness of the situation.

That’s how the great head of Castillia came to stamp his feet undignifiedly in front of someone else’s bedroom since dawn. The Marquis was extremely displeased with this situation. Castillia was always the one receiving requests, not the one bowing their head.

“Why on earth! Won’t he meet with me!”

But once again, the angry cry didn’t escape beyond a disgruntled mutter. Because the presence inside the door was the northern bear famous for his cantankerous temperament—Mutheira.

He was famous for never meeting face-to-face again once things went sour. If he stupidly said the wrong thing and it reached those ears, it would clearly be irreversible. That was the final restraint holding the Marquis back.

But as the waiting time lengthened, he couldn’t help feeling anxious. The Marquis reached the point of regretting something he’d never done before.

“…Should I have dressed up that Ivona thing more?”

Originally, the Marquis despised everything used to adorn women. Separate from the fact they could be sold for good money, he thought them utterly useless.

After all, women existed to relieve men’s l*st. So as long as they aroused men, wasn’t the cheaper option more profitable?

That’s why he dressed Ivona in a summer dress. But being treated poorly by the Border Duke made anxiety surge—had it not been enough? 

Naturally, words criticizing his daughter flowed from his mouth.

“That stupid thing…”

The more he thought about it, the more rage boiled up. That deficient thing couldn’t even properly seduce the half-crippled Young Master and drove things to this state. At least discovering the Young Master’s weakness was the only gain.

His mind, which had been calculating rapidly, stopped at the presence heard from inside the door. By the time Border Duke of Mutheira revealed himself, the Marquis had returned to his usual smooth face.

The snake’s tongue moved smoothly the moment he met those expressionless marble-like eyes.

“Oh my. For the Border Duke to greet me personally. I’m overwhelmed by the honor.”

Even at the worn merchant’s flattery, those marble-like eyes didn’t budge. From his frame a full head taller than the Marquis, the gaze pouring down held not a trace of goodwill even if you searched thoroughly. 

Before the overwhelming pressure that made his shoulders shrink involuntarily, the Marquis desperately pulled up the corners of his mouth.

‘Indeed, is this the bear bloodline?’

To think such a half-wit son came from that man. Truly, aren’t nature’s workings remarkable? To straighten his constantly shrinking chest, the Marquis desperately recalled his opponent’s weakness.

“Now, this place has too many prying eyes…”

Anyone perceptive would have realized it was a private matter. But the Border Duke still stood blocking the doorway with no intention of moving aside. 

Even for the Marquis, whose specialty was coaxing and manipulating people, there was no method when faced with this approach. Curses naturally surged up.

But if he knew what the Marquis was about to say, he would kneel in gratitude. Not just the emperor’s father-in-law, but to become the emperor’s husband directly. He had to lure Mutheira in with whatever sweet conditions and advance on the capital.

Once Ivona was seated on the throne, what came after was Castillia’s specialty. Once inside the imperial palace, the bear would be practically bare-handed. So he just needed to humor him until then, and this kind of thing would be over.

With only that conviction, the Marquis swallowed his humiliation.

“This isn’t something to discuss in a place like this, so please allow me inside.”

Only after humbly requesting twice did the bear finally move aside from the doorway. 

Though trembling with humiliation, the Marquis hurriedly entered, afraid the bear’s mind might change.

The Border Duke flopped his body onto a long chair and asked in an indifferent tone.

“So, what’s your business?”

At the attitude like addressing a servant, his teeth clenched, but the moment their gazes met, the corners of his mouth curled up involuntarily.

“As I already mentioned in my letter, I have long admired Your Grace’s martial prowess. If Mutheira hadn’t protected us, the entire continent would have become a den of rampaging monsters. No matter how prosperous Castillia’s land is, what use would it be if trampled by monsters? As one who has received such grace, I am deeply grateful.”

At the praise smooth like silk thread, the stiffness left the bear’s face.

“…Hmm, well, I only did what needed to be done.”

Even while saying that, the Border Duke couldn’t hide his satisfied air. Humming inwardly, the Marquis carefully continued his praise.

“You’re being modest. Though we gained a place among the Electors thanks to the previous head, Castillia doesn’t entirely share their thinking. Your Grace’s efforts deserve far greater compensation.”

“Ahem. So, what do you want to say?”

The Border Duke asked in a voice incomparably softer than before. The Marquis carefully chose his words.

“I suddenly thought this. That I failed to properly treat someone I should have recognized and served appropriately, such…”

As his words trailed off, doubt rose on the Border Duke’s plump face. The Marquis quickly seized that opening.

“So adjusting the conditions of this marriage somewhat… Kugh!”

But before he could finish, a large hand flew at him. The enraged hand overwhelmingly choked his windpipe without giving any chance to make excuses. 

Simultaneously, threatening pheromones that seemed ready to bite off his head pressed down on his entire body like a boulder.

“So that’s what it was. You slippery snake dare try to scheme against me?!”

Deep anger could be felt in the murky voice. The Marquis was greatly flustered by the unexpectedly intense reaction. 

Though he knew it was unseemly, he could only struggle instinctively as his windpipe rapidly tightened. Dignity only had meaning if you survived, didn’t it?

“Kugh, Your Grace! Please, let me speak…!”

Even at the desperate cry, the hand gripping his throat remained. As his breath rapidly depleted, the Marquis’s face turned purple. Hearing the ominous wheezing sounds, the Border Duke’s face twisted with annoyance and he threw off what he held.

“…Tch.”

In any case, he needed Castillia’s power to advance into central politics. That fact belatedly came to mind. The fact that killing Castillia, one of the Electors, would make the aftermath troublesome also played a part.

“Cough cough, ugh—!”

Thanks to that, the Marquis who saved his life rolled on the floor unseemly. The suddenly opened airway rushed in chaotically, only painfully scratching his lungs. 

Though confusion and anger struck his entire body, Mutheira’s patience wasn’t long. Seeing the hand twitching like it would grab his collar again any moment, the Marquis urgently shouted.

“I’m not asking to receive more! Just whether Your Grace would be suitable as my daughter’s match!”

Whether it was unexpected words, the Border Duke’s urgently twitching hand stopped. As the emotionless, mineral-like eyes gleamed and interest appeared on his mask-like face, the Marquis continued his flattery urgently in relief.

“I already knew well of Your Grace’s prestige. But meeting you in person, the rumors don’t even reach your toes. Anyone meeting Your Grace for the first time, how could they believe your age?”

At the tongue smooth like oiled, the Border Duke didn’t seem to feel bad either. Clearing his throat unnecessarily and puffing out his chest, his face looked proud unlike before.

“…Ahem, well, the Marquis has a good eye.”

“You’re still in your prime—no, I look forward to what’s ahead even more. As a father with a daughter, there couldn’t be a more reliable husband for the child to depend on…”

Endless flattery continued. It was embarrassing to hear, but if he could coax the bear and achieve his goal. Fortunately, Mutheira also seemed to prick up his ears at the Marquis’s words.

“But, I wonder if the young lady’s thoughts are the same as the Marquis’s…”

“Don’t worry. What discernment does a young daughter have? She just thinks her father’s words are law and follows…”