Rizel tilted her head. Some narrow-minded clients were so desperate not to pay extra that his attitude felt somewhat refreshing. Harzen closed his eyes and then opened them.

[…That’s right.]

[Of course, even if you’re paying me, it would be problematic if you were tyrannical, but this is clearly within the scope specified in our contract. As long as you inform me in advance and give me time to prepare, it’s fine.]

[I understand.]

As he nodded, she changed the subject in a cheerful voice.

“Is your business finished now?”

“No. Are you really fine not bringing anyone to the wedding?”

He stared at her intently. Since everyone attending the wedding was related to Harzen, she was essentially alone. Rizel responded casually.

“Yes. While marriage isn’t my area of interest, I had promised that if I ever got married, I would definitely invite my mentor and Romari to the wedding, but this is a different matter.”

“Because this marriage is just work for you?”

“Exactly. I don’t want to drag my mentor, who’s enjoying a quiet retirement, or my close friend, who’s currently very busy, into this. This is something I need to handle on my own.”

Rizel’s eyes became resolute. Naturally, she had no intention of bringing her acquaintances to this wedding. She didn’t want to burden them with potential risks, and there was no benefit for either party.

He understood her intention.

“…I see.”

“It doesn’t matter anyway. And strictly speaking, I won’t be alone since I’ll be with you.”

Rizel deliberately spoke playfully and winked to lighten the mood that was about to sink. He gave a hollow laugh but didn’t deny her words.

“True. Lastly, I have a question.”

“What is it? Feel free to ask.”

Rizel leaned toward him. Harzen asked, uncharacteristically hesitant.

“Do you frequently meet or contact your acquaintances?”

“No. My frequency is somewhat longer, depending on the situation. I usually see them in person when I have time or when we’re in nearby locations, and I mainly communicate through letters or communication devices when I have spare moments.”

Rizel answered kindly, though she thought it was an unexpected question. Mercenaries were generally quite free when it came to personal communications, unlike work matters.

He furrowed his brow at her answer.

“Even with your mentor?”

“Yes. She’s not the type to feel neglected over such matters. I think she believes it’s sufficient just to exchange occasional greetings and confirm that we’re doing well.”

Rizel waved her hand dismissively and laughed lightly. Unlike her carefree demeanor, his expression was quite serious.

“Have you met or contacted her recently?”

“No. We’ve exchanged messages recently. However, meeting her in person will probably only be possible after completing this job. I had originally planned to visit Latun after finishing my previous assignment, but…”

“You couldn’t go because you accepted my request.”

“It’s fine. It was my choice. My mentor will probably understand.”

Rizel moved to sit beside her employer, who seemed to have complicated feelings, and patted his back. In the silence that followed, Harzen impulsively blurted out:

“Next year, let’s make time to go to Latun together.”

“Are you serious? It’s my hometown, but honestly, it would be quite challenging for a noble to visit.”

She openly showed her skepticism. He smoothly added an explanation.

“It’s fine. You’ll be meeting my family, so it’s only right that I also greet the person who was your guardian.”

“But is there any particular reason you’re going to such lengths?”

They both knew this was a contract marriage with a set duration. There was no need for her employer to be so considerate about aspects that wouldn’t be visible to others.

‘It can’t be that he has genuine feelings. Is he just being thorough?’

While Rizel was speculating internally, Harzen slowly spoke.

“Rizel, one should treat people well while they’re still around.”

Though his voice was calm, his answer somehow felt heavy. Coming from someone who had lost his mentor, it resonated deeply. In the end, she nodded silently.

* * *

The wedding day arrived. Rizel completed all preparations early in the morning and looked at her reflection in the mirror.

Diamond accessories in the shape of flowers adorned her black hair, which was styled up, and a semi-transparent white veil placed on her head cascaded down her back.

The pure white bell-line wedding dress, which curved like waves, shimmered subtly with pearl powder sprinkled on the fabric.

“Madam, you look truly beautiful.”

“Have a wonderful wedding ceremony.”

“Thank you.”

Rizel left the room, encouraged by Eina and Moka. As she stepped outside, her employer, dressed in a splendid formal attire, came into view. She whistled lightly and waved her hand.

“Harzen, you were already waiting. You look even more handsome today.”

“Not at all. You look extremely beautiful as well.”

He lightly kissed the back of her hand. Rizel momentarily hesitated but didn’t make much of it.

“Thank you. Since we’re both ready, let’s go right away.”

“Yes.”

Rizel boarded the carriage with Harzen’s escort.

The wedding venue was a massive hall in a building located in a somewhat remote area of the territory.

After getting out of the carriage and entering, the lavishly decorated hall came into view. Rizel fidgeted with her employer’s hand before firmly grasping it.

Harzen glanced at her impassive face and quietly asked:

“Are you nervous?”

“A little. Well, it’s more like a minor habit.”

“Habit?”

Harzen tilted his head. She honestly revealed her routine, despite feeling embarrassed.

“Yes. Actually, I have a habit of touching my weapon before starting something important. Since I don’t have a weapon now, I’m substituting with your hand.”

“That’s an unexpected reason. But if it helps you, it’s fine.”

“Thank you for being so understanding.”

Rizel gave a gentle smile at her employer’s generous attitude. Harzen pulled her closer protectively and changed the subject.

“It’s nothing. Do you have any other thoughts?”

“Well, I was thinking that after completing the wedding ceremony today, I should go back and get a good rest.”

“I see.”

Harzen’s eyes curved gently. Thanks to his handsome appearance, his smile seemed radiant.

As the two exchanged conversation, guests began to arrive. Even if she didn’t recognize their faces, from the surnames and names announced upon their entrance, most were southern nobles as he had said.

Among them, certain individuals stood out: the Carter Marquis couple and the Carter Marchioness Dowager, who were her employer’s family, as well as the Crown Prince and the Tower Master.

Rizel maintained a smiling face beside Harzen, who skillfully received congratulations from the nobles, and matched their faces with their names, committing them to memory.

Eventually, the Carter Marquis couple and the Carter Marchioness Dowager approached.
Marquis Delion Carter had golden hair reminiscent of sunlight, green eyes like summer leaves, and a solid physique befitting a knight who wielded a sword.

Though he resembled Harzen in appearance, his innocent and bright smiling face conveyed a distinctly different atmosphere. Rizel suddenly recalled her employer’s explanation.

“My brother is a bright and cheerful person. His mind is peaceful, and he tends to view the world as infinitely happy and beautiful.”

It sounded somewhat like saying his head was full of flowers, but given the dry tone in which it was delivered, it didn’t seem like mockery.

‘Well, he should be fine since he has strength. He was said to be a knight who could handle aura.’

Rizel blinked as she assessed him. In the original story, Delion was a character who was quite friendly to her employer. He also thought well of Parsene, who embraced his brother.

Her gaze shifted to the noblewoman beside Delion. Marchioness Vivian Carter was a noblewoman with shining platinum blonde hair and pale blue eyes.

“My sister-in-law has a personality somewhat contrasting with my brother’s. Though she appears fragile and modest on the outside, she is also thorough and cold-hearted in everything.”

Indeed, as Harzen had explained, she looked noble and calm, unlike her husband beside her. She had a beautiful but sorrowful and delicate appearance, yet her aura was strong.

In the original story, Vivian played a role similar to an ambiguous helper. She seemed somewhat wary of both her employer and Parsene, though her relationship improved through Parsene.
Rizel’s gaze finally turned to the remaining noblewoman. She had grayish-brown hair and deep, dark green eyes.

‘That person must be Isabella Carter, the Marchioness Dowager, my employer’s mother. She was mentioned to dislike spirits and spirit contractors, right?’

Isabella seemed uncomfortable in this setting, subtly hardening her expression. In the original story, she was a character who was uncomfortable with Harzen. Although her attitude improved later through Parsene.

‘It was because of my employer’s spirit rampage incident, wasn’t it?’

While the perception of spirits and spirit contractors wasn’t particularly good to begin with, those who had been involved in related incidents tended to become even more negative. She knew this well from both hearsay and actual cases she had witnessed.

In the tense, awkward atmosphere, Delion smiled brightly and unexpectedly spoke up.