Merchant Noble is out (1/3 chapters for today)
First Night
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Casablanca finally revealed her ambition for the throne. Depending on Arc’s actions, that ambition could become reality. However, Arc was hesitant.
When Leo had used military force to threaten him, he had no choice, but opposing Louis and the nobility across the country was an extremely risky endeavor. If he were to lose, Casablanca as royalty and Zenon as a priest might be spared due to deference, but Arc, who was nothing more than a baron, would face merciless retaliation. Mikanda would be ravaged, and the Warden Household would be exterminated. Even his newlywed wife, Marie, might not be spared.
Arc has been living a very fulfilling life up until now. Even though he was transferred to a remote region like Mikanda, it was currently developing rapidly.
Does taking such a great risk to rise up with Casablanca really hold any benefit for me?
“What’s the matter? You look troubled.” (Marie)
“Oh, Marie. I was just lost in thought.” (Arc)
It was their first time together as husband and wife. Despite this, he was thinking about something else and ended up worrying Marie. Sitting on the edge of their double bed, Arc embraced Marie, who was dressed in her nightgown. The same pleasant soap fragrance as his own softly tickled his nose.
“Today’s wedding was wonderful.” (Marie)
“Indeed.” (Arc)
Though only the Warden Household, the Warden Trading Company, and Mikanda’s close associates attended, the ceremony was lively. Even the townsfolk were treated to drinks, turning the streets into a bustling celebration until just moments ago. Normally, the town would already be fast asleep at this hour of the night, but revelry still continued in the plaza, where Tyr and the others were drinking.
“We must thank Minerva-san and the others who arranged the wedding.” (Marie)
“Minerva will surely be pleased.” (Arc)
Minerva had been tense throughout the ceremony’s organization. As a result, she drank heavily during the reception, becoming thoroughly inebriated, and returned early to rest.
“Tell me, Marie. Though our marriage happened so quickly, are you truly happy with me?” (Arc)
“Why do you ask such a thing?” (Marie)
“We’ve only met about three times before this.” (Arc)
Their first meeting had been during the Habarov Summon. The second was in the capital after Leo’s arrest and its liberation. The third was during the recent religious war when Arc proposed to her. Although he was grateful that Marie had agreed to marry him despite such infrequent encounters, Arc still harbored some doubts.
“It doesn’t matter how many times we’ve met. I fell in love with you the first time we met, when we ran through the festival together at night. I realized then that you saw me as an individual. Not as a princess or a saintess, but as a person. From that moment, I’ve been captivated by you.” (Marie)
Marie grasped Arc’s hand as she spoke.
“Even if we’ve only met three times before, we’ll have plenty of time to be together from now on. I’ll get to know you more and more, Arc-sama.” (Marie)
Arc realized that he knew almost nothing about Marie. He only knew she was a girl exhausted from being seen as a princess, as a saintess, and from being constantly burdened with others’ expectations.
Did I marry her out of a sense of charity, wanting to save her? Did I take her as my wife for such passive reasons? Do I truly love her? No, I’ll fall in love with her from now on. I’ll get to know her better, see more of her face, and let those feelings grow. I already genuinely care about her and that’s not a lie.
“Let’s talk, Marie. What kind of life have you lived? What kind of education did you receive in your childhood? What did you experience as a young girl? Before we met, what was your life like? During King Zerold’s time? King Leo’s? King Louis’? I want to know everything that shaped the person you are today.” (Arc)
Marie looked a bit surprised but soon smiled warmly.
“All right. I want to know everything about you too, Arc-sama. You must have walked a wonderful path, so different from mine, always confined in the royal palace. From now on, I want to walk that path together with you. The night is long. Let’s spend it talking.” (Marie)
Holding hands, the two lay on the bed and began a slow and deep conversation in the darkness of the long night.
—
The next day.
“Sleep-deprived, I see. But it’s your wedding night, so I suppose it’s understandable.” (Casablanca)
Seeing Arc arrive at midday, Casablanca smirked and teased him. In truth, he had stayed up all night, leaving his face slightly puffy.
“Yes, I’ll give you my answer now.” (Arc)
Too sleep-deprived to engage with Casablanca’s humor, Arc cut straight to the point.
As he announced his decision without any preamble, Casablanca’s smirk vanished. Her expression shifted. Eagerness and fear were mixed as she looked at him imploringly.
“The Household family will support Casablanca-sama, just as Zenon-dono has. We pledge our full support and assistance in your pursuit of the throne.” (Arc)
“Thank you.” (Casablanca)
After Arc’s words fully sank in, Casablanca murmured her gratitude, almost as if savoring it.
“…May I ask why?” (Casablanca)
“Last night, I spoke with Marie throughout the night. About our past lives, and about the lives we want to lead going forward. That made me reflect on my own future.” (Arc)
It wasn’t until he spoke with Marie that Arc realized he had dreams of his own. Until then, he had been too busy dealing with the present to think about his future.
“I became a lord after my father’s death, but my blood is that of a merchant. I want to engage in commerce as much as I govern. Stability in Mikanda alone isn’t enough for meaningful economic activity. The entire kingdom must be unified and governed by a strong leader. Only then can commerce truly flourish.” (Arc)
Arc’s dream was to expand the Warden Household and the Warden Trading Company, establishing a vast commercial network. By dominating the economy, he aspired to become a merchant of continental scale, not just limited to the kingdom.
“That’s why, Casablanca-sama, I believe in you. Unite the kingdom swiftly and put an end to this chaos.” (Arc)
Casablanca closed her eyes and listened intently to Arc’s words, nodding.
What was she thinking? Did she see him as an ally with shared goals? Or as a rival with similar ambitions?
With eyes full of determination, she looked at Arc.
“Understood, Baron. I’ll make sure to meet your expectations.” (Casablanca)
With this, the kingdom’s largest faction, the church, and one of its most prominent merchants, the Warden Household, had aligned themselves with Casablanca. For her, this was her best chance to succeed, perhaps her only chance.
The coup for the throne had begun.
“Zenon is already making preparations. Arc, gather your forces immediately. We’ll strike before Louis is ready.” (Casablanca)
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