Chapter 1.2

Caron Perschtman is the Commander of the First Order of Knights belonging to the Imperial Palace of the Eupherion Empire. His original duty was to guard the Imperial Palace, but due to his many accomplishments on the battlefield, he has now become a unique figure who enjoys the full trust of the palace.  

The Emperor is so eager to give him more that he has clearly acknowledged Caron as his right-hand man. Yet Caron is only twenty-three years old. As he secured the title of Foreign Minister at such a young age, many around him became envious. But Caron didn’t care about any of that.  

Having reached the level of Sword Master at the age of twenty, he is inherently arrogant and fears no one. He was always indifferent, never caring about the opinions of others.  

He is so lacking in manners and courtesy that he would even lightly ignore the Emperor’s advice, but no one can rein him in.  

It was because, at least when it came to his own work, he was so perfect that no one could possibly match or criticize him.  

Perfect swordsmanship, a brilliant mind, and an abnormally handsome appearance. Even such a perfect man—the Empire’s best—had his weaknesses.  

First of all, personally, he was both obsessive about cleanliness and so arrogant that he didn’t know how to respect others, and he had absolutely no interest in anyone else, making normal romantic relationships impossible.  

Romance requires interest, respect, and possessiveness toward the other person, but he had no interest in anyone, male or female.  

So, for the foreseeable future, romance or marriage was simply impossible for him. That was precisely why the Emperor’s matchmaking efforts always failed.  

And another thing—the family traditions and principles passed down through generations of the House of Perschtmann were shackling him.  

He had a strong sense of pride in his family and never even considered living outside the principles handed down through the generations.  

Uniquely, the ducal family valued [chastity] above all, regardless of gender. The family’s tradition was that, before marriage, one should not even hold hands with the opposite s*x. So, to Caron, the sight of unmarried men and women enjoying promiscuous affairs at the Empire’s social gatherings was absolutely distasteful.  

In any case, the ducal family’s principle was strict monogamy, concubines were not allowed, and chastity had to be preserved until marriage. If there was any physical contact, even holding hands before marriage, the family’s rule was to take responsibility and hold a wedding.  

Because of this, it was not easy for Caron to date or court women lightly like others. In other words, unless a woman was to be his wife, he couldn’t even touch her.  

Caron, inherently inflexible and rigid, liked this family principle very much. Perhaps it was growing up in such a strict family that made him so unyielding.  

In any case, Caron was proud of his family and intended to live by these rules, so he had absolutely no intention of touching a woman unless it was for marriage.  

Unfortunately, his outstanding looks made the hearts of the young ladies around him flutter, but to them, he was just a picture out of reach.  

In other words, Caron Perschtman, the Duke, had absolutely no interest in women and didn’t even consider getting close to them.  

He just wanted to enjoy life peacefully and, before turning thirty, make a political marriage to continue the family line. Of course, he didn’t care who the woman was as long as she could bear children.  

He planned to accept a bride chosen by the Emperor around that time. Since there were still seven years left until he turned thirty, he had not the slightest thought of romance.  

“Your Grace, congratulations on the birth of your fifth nephew.”  

Butlerman Volteman entered just then, bringing a warm teacup and his congratulations.  

“Hmm, my brother said he’d stop at seven, so there are two left?”  

Caron was spending a rare leisurely time reading a book in his mansion’s study. Dressed neatly in a white linen shirt and blue uniform, sitting upright and reading [The History of the Empire], he looked so elegant and dignified, it was like a painting.  

The butler clicked his tongue inwardly and didn’t even bother to take out the marriage proposals hidden in his pocket. That morning, letters had poured in from young ladies of various families—all long-winded proposals for marriage.  

At the time, it was very common to send proposal-like letters, even to someone you’d never met, asking them to consider marriage or to meet just once. So, it was only natural that the most popular Perschtmann ducal house would be flooded with such proposals.  

“Phew, planning for seven children—what a blessed family.”  

The butler spoke as he watched the Duke’s reaction. Having married late last year, Butlerman Volteman had served the recently deceased Grand Duke, Caron’s father, right by his side, so he was a little worried about the current Duke Caron.  

His older brother, Carls, had married at twenty and built a large family, having children every year. But the even more outstanding younger brother Caron wasn’t even considering marriage, which was concerning.  

The late Duke would be lamenting in his grave. With such strong genes passed down the family line, why wouldn’t he hurry to pass on such fine, dominant traits to his descendants?  

“Hm, Volteman, you know the family secret, don’t you?”  

Caron took a sip of warm tea and closed the thick book he’d been reading. His blue eyes turned to the loyal butler before him, and Volteman sighed inwardly again as he answered. He worried once more—could someone with such chilling, cold eyes ever fall in love? What woman in the world could withstand such a ruthless, fierce gaze?  

“Of course. I have served this family loyally since my father’s time. There’s no way I wouldn’t know the Perschtmann family’s secret.”  

Of course he knew. It might be a bit embarrassing to outsiders, but it was also proof of the family’s strong genes. He’d heard that, regardless of the woman’s condition, any relationship would result in pregnancy with 100% certainty. That’s why there were dozens of family contraceptive methods passed down.  

“That’s why marrying as a virgin has become our family’s tradition. I like our family’s traditions very much. So, I have no intention of dating until I’m thirty. To me, a woman is just a wise wife to build a family with, nothing more or less. So if any marriage proposals come, throw them all away.”  

He knew the butler couldn’t bring himself to throw away the ever-growing pile of marriage proposals.  

“Phew, understood, Duke. Then please rest well.”  

Volteman sighed helplessly and left the room. Caron finished his tea, stood up, and prepared to go out. He’d just remembered an appointment for that afternoon.  

***

Aness was not one to give up easily. Abel, the young lady of the Strauss Ducal family, seemed to genuinely like him. Even as the years passed, she showed no sign of giving up.  

“It’s a pity. She likes him so much—shouldn’t he at least agree to meet her? No matter how cold-blooded he is, if he meets someone as beautiful as Abel, wouldn’t his heart be moved?”  

Aness had seen Abel once on the shopping street. She’d been running an errand for her sisters’ dress fittings and encountered the daughters of the Strauss Ducal family.  

Abel Strauss was a strikingly beautiful maiden. Her blonde hair and violet eyes were truly lovely. She was so beautiful that no man could help but fall for her.  

If that’s the case, then there’s hope. Aren’t all men the same? If a man feels nothing when he sees a beautiful woman, is he even a man?  

Aness decided to give it a try. She grabbed some gold coins from the box under her bed.  

“All right, me. There’s no such thing as ‘impossible’ in my dictionary. I’ll make Caron Perschtman yield, no matter what. Before this year is over, I’ll find a match for one of the young ladies. Since Abel is trying the hardest, I’ll start with her! I’ll bet everything on this!”

Aness put on her outer cloak and left the house, running down the hill to the shopping street. Behind the alley was the largest guild organization. If you paid them, there was nothing they couldn’t do, so this time, she wanted to use some money to ensure that remarkable Caron’s marriage would succeed—whether he wanted it or not.