Winter passed and spring arrived.

During that time when nobles gathered in the capital to prepare for the social season, a grand event took place at House Offensa.

“It’s the day the new Marchioness Offensa takes office, right?”

“I thought it was the Archmage inauguration ceremony?”

People murmured while looking around the estate of House Offensa, packed with bustling guests.

They were all correct.

The event taking place was an inauguration ceremony declaring the new Marchioness Offensa and Archmage.

“Do you swear to accept the wisdom of this venerable family and devote yourself to making the Offensa name into new history?”

At Graham Offensa’s solemn question, Calliphe knelt on one knee with her head bowed and answered.

“I swear.”

This time Vice Archmage Marcel asked.

“As a seeker of magic, do you swear to uphold the mission of keeping the scales balanced?”

“I swear.”

Graham Offensa and the Vice Archmage looked satisfied.

They placed the crown of House Offensa on Calliphe and draped the robe symbolizing the Archmage around her.

When Calliphe rose from her position, Saint Alensis stepped forward last.

“I, representative of the God of Light, testify that Calliphe Offensa has become the new Marchioness Offensa and Archmage. Congratulations, Marchioness Offensa.”

Alensis’s gaze at Calliphe held something wistful. But when he closed and opened his eyes, that expression vanished.

At his gesture, the Light Spirit circled above Calliphe’s head, scattering beautiful light.

In harmony with this, orchestral tones spread like a march, followed by people’s cheers.

“Long live the new Marchioness Offensa!”

“Long live the new Archmage!”

The loyal retainers purged by Graham’s hand and the mages who no longer had to worry about the Magic Tower’s survival were especially pleased.

Among them was Calliphe’s biological father, Yulid, secretly wiping away tears.

Calliphe waved her hand, responding to their cheers.

‘This really feels like the ending of <Marino>.’

Though inwardly she was thinking such frivolous thoughts.

* * *

After the official ceremony ended, a grand banquet was held.

Calliphe entered a private room to change clothes.

Lynen was already waiting there.

“Welcome, Marchioness Offensa. Or would you prefer to be called Archmage?”

“Either is fine.”

Calliphe spoke awkwardly.

“I’m only a Marchioness and archmage in name. I got lectured endlessly about having so much to learn going forward.”

“You would have a lot to learn. It proceeded suddenly without the usual training period.”

“…Lynen, that’s because of you.”

At that, Lynen just smiled faintly.

After the Ortega guardian spirit officially declared the two as companions, the north already regarded them as practically married. When Calliphe tried to return to the capital, the knights even called her the Duchess.

Naturally, Marquis Offensa flipped out.

“Who said you could be a wife!!”

He couldn’t tolerate his granddaughter, who should carry on the family, being called something like a duchess rather than Marchioness Offensa or Archmage.

But since that damned Ortega specter had already launched a preemptive strike, the rumors spreading were only a matter of time.

Thus Marquis Offensa made a decision.

“We need to stake our claim as Marquis Offensa before she’s known as a duchess first. Don’t you think, Marcel?”

“That goes without saying. The one who will become Archmage has more than enough qualifications to stand tall by that name alone.”

The two’s united front couldn’t be stopped, even by Calliphe.

In the end, Calliphe inherited the family and Magic Tower almost by force.

Naturally, hellish heir training awaited once all the events ended.

“I’ll help too. Thanks to someone, the territory is quite peaceful, so I’ll be free for a while.”

Lynen approached and removed the rather heavy ceremonial cloak Calliphe wore.

“If I learn about your work, I can lighten your burden going forward.”

“…You have plenty of work ruling the north, yet you’re already thinking about helping me?”

“I want to.”

Large hands slowly removed her heavy earrings.

“Like how you went around learning various things about Ortega Castle’s internal affairs before returning to the capital.”

“…I didn’t plan to take over management. I just thought I should at least know about it.”

“I know.”

Offensa and Ortega would soon be firmly bound by marriage, but each family would operate independently.

Both of them had to take responsibility for their respective families as heads.

This fact would be announced when they held their official wedding ceremony.

However, there was one thing they didn’t want to postpone until then.

Knock knock.

“Come in.”

Calliphe spoke warmly, seemingly already expecting this.

Sure enough, the one who opened the door and peeked in was Noah.

“Lady Calliphe! C-congratulations.”

Noah, dressed up nicely for today, scurried over and held something out.

“It’s a congratulatory gift. Uncle Dovion and the head maid helped me make it.”

“Really?”

When she unwrapped it, there was a pair of dolls resembling Calliphe and Lynen.

“They say if you give a married couple dolls that look like them as a gift, they’ll get along for a long time…”

Such a custom did exist. But she hadn’t expected a wedding gift on the inauguration ceremony day.

Calliphe and Lynen smiled softly at the child who had no idea of his mistake.

Calliphe nodded slightly at Lynen’s glance. Then she received an envelope from him and handed it to Noah.

“We have a gift too.”

“What is this?”

“Take it out.”

Noah curiously pulled out the parchment from the thin envelope.

Noah’s eyes widened as he slowly read the letters.

<Adoption Consent Form>

“Th-this… could this be…”

“That’s right.”

Lynen smiled gently.

“Actually, Calliphe and I already received His Majesty the Emperor’s recognition of our marriage.”

They just hadn’t held the ceremony yet, but on paper they were already married.

“So now we’re qualified to accept you. What do you think?”

“…”

Tears welled up in Noah’s eyes as he read the letters several times, seemingly unable to believe it.

“You can’t cancel this later… okay?”

“We won’t.”

Calliphe laughed incredulously and placed a pen in Noah’s hand.

“Just write your name here.”

“Okay.”

Noah sniffled and barely managed to write his name. Just in case, he wrote both names—Noah and Noel.

“Here.”

“…”

Calliphe’s eyes trembled quietly as she looked at the completed document.

Hah. She let out a slightly tearful sigh and smiled brightly. Then she spoke simultaneously with Lynen.

It was something she never imagined she’d get to say in such a perfect situation.

“Happy birthday, Noah.”

“…! Wahhh.”

Noah, who’d been startled, soon burst into wailing tears, seemingly overwhelmed with emotion. Calliphe and Lynen smiled and embraced the child.

“We’ll have to make a doll of you too. Right?”

“Wahhh, yesss. Wahhh.”

The more the child cried, the harder the two adults had to try not to laugh.

That’s when it happened.

Crash!

The people secretly eavesdropping outside the door pushed against each other and tumbled into the room.

Calliphe’s eyes narrowed.

“You guys.”

“I-I just happened to overhear while passing by!”

Dietrich was the first to make excuses,

“Marchioness! Congratulations on already taking in a proper heir. You’ll naturally teach magic, right?”

The retainers and mages of House Offensa asked urgently,

“What are you talking about! He’s someone who proved tremendous talent in swordsmanship at the Harvest Festival! Naturally he’ll inherit our Ortega. Even though succession rights were transferred, who would say anything if he receives them back properly? Right?”

The Ortega retainers’ eyes gleamed.

Even if Calliphe and Lynen managed their respective families, their child was another story.

“Lord Noah will become the Archmage!”

“Noah? Call him Lord Noel!”

They squabbled with each other, trying to claim Noah as heir.

Dietrich, standing nearby, couldn’t help adding a word.

“Why argue? Just have one more. Marquis, give me a heads up when you make plans later. I need to coordinate my schedule too…”

“…What plans do you need to coordinate with me?”

Calliphe’s eyes twitched as she shouted at the uninvited guests bickering away.

“Everyone get out!”

Rumble…

A powerful magic shook the estate, but the music from the banquet skillfully drowned out the commotion.

It was a spring festival heralding a new beginning.