The Bride-Hunting Tale: I’ve Failed 20 Marriage Proposals Already. I Don’t Need Titles Like Dragon Slayer or Hero Who Saved the Nation—All I Want Is a Cute Wife!
When the Wind Month (corresponding to June) ends, the Academy enters a long vacation spanning two months—the Sun Month and the Radiant Month.
Nobles attending the Academy, whether high or low in rank, are normally not allowed to return to their home territories or meet with family without permission. But during this holiday period, they are permitted to go home.
As for why this break doesn’t come at the end of the year but instead at this time—rumor has it that it’s because this is when the winter wheat, the Empire’s main crop, finishes harvesting, and tax assessments and collections become busiest. They need extra hands then, so students are given leave.
It’s true that this is also the time when regional officials finalize tax figures and tax collectors travel across the Empire. The reason it’s done now is simply because moving around becomes difficult later—due to the rainy season and the harsh winters in the northern parts of the Empire.
Anyway, regardless of these logistical reasons, for us students, this is the much-anticipated time we can finally relax and stretch our legs. As for me, I’m heading back to my beloved Lestarl Territory.
Of course, since I hold the title of March Lord, my territory is quite far from the capital city, so I’ll only be able to stay there for about ten days.
Still, even though my stingy old man of a father usually cuts corners, he did allow me to use a carriage for the trip home.
…Well, truth be told, it’s mostly so he can load it up with a mountain of souvenirs for him.
So, today, under clear skies, I’ve just departed the Imperial Capital aboard a carriage sent by the Lestarl Territory.
“…Why is there a squirrel in the carriage with me?”
That’s right.
For some reason, Miss Lisrante Meile Fols—a noble daughter disguised as a boy—is sitting here in the same carriage as me.
“You’re being rather cold. Since I saw your father recently, I didn’t really have any need to return to my own territory, and besides, I find the Lestarl March interesting. Without an opportunity like this, I wouldn’t get to visit. Or is there something inconvenient about me being here with you?”
Well, not exactly inconvenient, but bringing someone along when trying to impress a fiancée-to-be—who also happens to be a friend and, despite dressing as a man, is still a woman—seems odd.
Not to mention I didn’t even ask Sallyfe if it was okay for her to ride in another carriage.
“Don’t worry, I won’t interfere with you and Sallyfe. In fact, I could subtly highlight your good points to her, if you’d like.”
“Hmm?”
Lis said this after noticing my troubled expression.
Her suggestion actually sounded pretty tempting.
Maybe her endorsement would carry more weight than my clumsy attempts to impress Sallyfe directly.
“Fine, fine! It’s not like I mind having you come to Lestarl . And if Sallyfe were surrounded only by people from Lestarl , she might feel uneasy. So I’d appreciate your support.”
“You can count on me.”
At my words, Lis flashed a surprisingly charming smile.
Still, I couldn’t help but wonder…
“This carriage and its horses—are they alright? The animals pulling it look completely different from anything I’ve seen before.”
“They’re called ‘Rigms.’ They live in the forests of the Lestarl Territory. They resemble horses, but they have tusks and are omnivorous.”
Our forest in the Lestarl Territory is full of fierce creatures and monsters rarely seen elsewhere, and Rigms are among them.
They stand over 2.5 leagues (about 2.5 meters) tall, weigh more than 1,500 kelds (1.5 tons), and have aggressive temperaments.
But precisely because of that, they’re strong enough to survive even in the dangerous “Magic Forest,” which is why the people of Lestarl have tamed them for centuries to use in place of horses.
They’re smarter than regular horses and, if raised from a young age, will grow fond of their owners and obey commands loyally.
This carriage is pulled by a pair of such Rigms.
Accordingly, it’s twice the size of a normal carriage—roomy enough for six adults to sit comfortably.
…Or at least, it should be. Right now, half of that space is occupied by souvenirs.
We had prepared three carriages: ours, one fully packed with goods, and another carrying Sallyfe, my grandfather—the former Baron Bosch—and a maid.
Originally, we brought three carriages because we planned to buy many souvenirs in the capital. Since we left one carriage free for Sallyfe and company, the luggage that wouldn’t fit went into Duke House’s carriage, which Lis arranged.
So in that sense, it was fortunate to have Lis join us.
“They look strong. Could I take a few back with me when we return?”
“You can buy them if you want, but raising them might be tough. These guys eat like crazy.”
In our territory, which borders the Magic Forest where vicious beasts keep appearing no matter how many we hunt, meat for feeding Rigms isn’t an issue. But in other regions, the costs would probably skyrocket.
They can survive for nearly a month with just water, but when they do eat, each one can easily consume the equivalent of a whole sheep per day.
In Lestarl , we don’t lack feed because we have plenty of offal and nuts—things humans don’t eat—but other places wouldn’t have that luxury.
“Hmm, sounds like they’d be hard to use for the Duke’s knights. But maybe Father and I could ride them personally.”
“That might work. When we get back, I’ll set aside some young ones for you. You need to raise them from a young age or they won’t bond with you.”
With that, we continued chatting lazily as the carriage rolled down the road.
“Milord, we’ve been traveling for about two hours now. Isn’t the lady from the capital getting tired?”
Since Lis and I spent every day together, conversation topics ran out quickly, and I was starting to nod off when a voice from outside the carriage snapped me awake.
“Yeah, let’s stop for a short rest if we find a good spot.”
Usually, it’s just soldiers from Lestarl accompanying me and the cargo, so we’d ride straight through until nightfall. But yes, for a noble lady or a retired elderly noble, sitting stiffly in a swaying carriage all day must be exhausting.
A bit later, we pulled the carriage to the side of the road and stopped at a wide clearing.
I got out and walked over to the carriage carrying Sallyfe.
“Let’s take a short break. Would you like to step out?”
“Yes, thank you.”
A reply came quickly, followed by the door opening from the inside.
The maid checked the outside, saw me standing there, and nodded toward the interior. Then Sallyfe and former Baron Bosch stepped out.
Both looked slightly fatigued, and the smiles they offered seemed a little forced.
“Please take my hand.”
“Ah, thank you. Oof!”
She missed a step coming down and almost stumbled, but I caught her and gently helped her onto the ground.
…Her face turned bright red, which was kind of cute.
Ahem.
After helping the former baron descend as well, I noticed a temporary tent already set up not far away, complete with a table.
Looks like the Duke’s staff had prepared it.
Lis waved me over, so I joined them without hesitation.
“Thank you, Lady Lisrante.”
“No need for formalities. I’d feel awkward drinking tea alone. Besides, Lestarl is far—it’ll be a long journey. Let’s make it pleasant.”
As expected of Lis—so smooth with noble ladies.
Still, I couldn’t help but notice that Sallyfe’s eyes sparkled slightly when looking at Lis, and she blushed more when glancing at me.
…Thinking too much about it might make me cry, so I’ll stop. There’s still time for my chance to come.
“The carriage belonging to Lord Lestarl March is huge! And it’s very…”
Perhaps feeling awkward, Sallyfe changed the topic to the carriage, but I understood what she meant by the vague remark and smiled wryly.
“It’s always been sturdy and rugged-looking. All merchant carriages entering and leaving our territory are box-style. On roads far from settlements,魔獣 often attack, so we have to protect the cargo.”
“I see…”
My light-hearted comment made Sallyfe’s face tense slightly.
“My lord Lestarl March, I’ve heard your soldiers are elite—I can see now that they indeed look formidable.”
Trying to support his granddaughter, former Baron Bosch complimented my soldiers.
We traveled with an unusually large entourage: our three carriages pulled by ten Rigms and escorted by four soldiers; plus five two-horse carriages from the Duke’s household, thirty horses including spares, and ten knights.
Compared to the Duke’s guards, the Lestarl soldiers looked significantly bigger and burlier.
They do seem intimidating, right?
Though in reality, they’re just regular troops.
Their hair is messy, beards unkempt, clothes simple and cheap, and they wear nothing but swords at their waists—no armor.
Without the Lestarl crest painted on the carriages, anyone might mistake them for bandits.
One soldier (age 25, single, two years of military service, and fifteen years of being bossed around by his younger sister) noticed our gaze and turned toward us with a big, friendly grin.
“Urk!”
“Eep!”
Former Baron Bosch paled instantly, and Sallyfe let out a small squeak and lowered her head.
…It’s going to be okay, right?
Suddenly, I felt uneasy about the journey ahead.