Since Ares didn’t want to marry her anyway, Kirine questioned what would change if she married Viarte instead. However, Ares seemed to have a different perspective, frowning.
“No matter what, doesn’t a child need a biological mother?” he asked.
Kirine agreed, even though the idea seemed a bit old-fashioned. “That’s true,” she replied.
“Then it seems like a sufficient reason,” Ares said.
“Is that really all?” Kirine asked, unsure.
No matter how much she pondered it, she couldn’t believe that was the only reason. Ares seemed uncomfortable answering.
“Then what else should there be?” he asked.
“No, I mean… it’s not that there has to be another reason,” Kirine clarified.
“Then hurry up and get up,” Ares said impatiently.
“Yes, yes. I’m getting up, teacher,” Kirine replied, reluctantly rising from her seat.
Once again, she was plunged into the grueling training.
***
Just when Kirine thought she might collapse from exhaustion, the training ended. As soon as it was over, she went to the laboratory, looking more like a corpse than a living person. Cecil approached her with a worried expression.
“Chief, are you okay?” Cecil asked.
Kirine found it difficult to speak kindly, given her condition. “Do I look okay?” she replied sarcastically.
“No,” Cecil answered honestly.
“That’s right. I’m not okay,” Kirine groaned.
Feeling on the verge of collapsing, Kirine weakly walked over to the medicine cabinet. “Where did I put the recovery potion?” she muttered.
Usually, she could endure a lot, but this time she needed something to help her recover.
Cecil, who immediately understood what Kirine was looking for, handed her a recovery potion. Kirine nodded in thanks and drank it in one gulp.
“Ah, now I can finally breathe…” she sighed, feeling her sore and aching body begin to relax.
“Didn’t you overdo it?” Cecil asked, concerned.
Kirine sighed softly as she finished the remaining recovery potion. “I might have pushed myself a bit too hard because Ares was helping so much. I guess he really wants me to win.”
Cecil, who had put aside her own work to assist Kirine, could understand her determination. However, Cecil tilted her head, confused. “Of course, the commander wants you to win too,” she said.
“Why?” Kirine asked.
“Because if that barbarian wins and marries, he’ll have to leave the Artium Empire,” Cecil explained.
Kirine was puzzled. “What?”
Seeing that Kirine still didn’t understand, Cecil elaborated. “You didn’t know? In the Katen Kingdom, when you marry, the husband must live in the wife’s household.”
“I didn’t know that,” Kirine admitted. Focused on making money, she hadn’t paid attention to other countries’ customs or laws.
Cecil nodded in understanding, seeing Kirine’s genuine bewilderment.
“I heard that they can have several concubines,” Cecil added.
Kirine felt a sense of emptiness wash over her. “Wow, that guy…” she muttered.
A strange sense of betrayal filled her. Had Ares helped so eagerly because he didn’t want to be a concubine? Now everything made sense. Kirine let out a hollow laugh.
She hadn’t even known about the custom of multiple concubines. It was frustrating that she had felt so grateful.
If she could, she would want to send Ares off as a concubine, but Sasha was in the way. I’ll find a way to get a divorce, she thought. Of course, Sasha would have to come with her.
***
“I didn’t expect her to propose in front of His Majesty the Emperor,” one knight remarked.
“Exactly. You should know the time and place,” another agreed. “Proposing in the hall where His Majesty is present is just absurd.”
“Not to mention, hasn’t he already gotten married?” a third knight added.
After a brief break, Ares couldn’t refuse Kirine’s request for a little rest and went to the training ground. Upon arriving, the knights gathered around him, voicing their complaints.
“This is why they’re being called barbarians,” one knight said.
It was particularly hot that day, and as Ares took a gulp of water, he narrowed his eyes at the uncomfortable words.
“Don’t you know the Katen Kingdom envoys are currently staying at the palace?” he asked sternly.
“I’m sorry, Commander,” the knight replied.
“Your careless words could escalate into an issue between nations,” Ares warned. “Watch your mouth.”
“We will keep that in mind,” the knights promised.
Fortunately, there were no Katen Kingdom envoys nearby. If there had been, the situation could have become a serious problem.
Ares’s stern expression softened as the knights vowed to be more cautious. Sensing a relaxed atmosphere, they began to speculate about the upcoming duel.