Marriage With A Suspiciously Demure Husband - Chapter 26

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 26

As the sun began to set, I attended the Guild Representative Assembly as planned.
I wore a black dress from those prepared for today, stepping inside.
I’d forgone the petticoat to let it fall freely, then cinched the waist with firm leather and tied a ribbon, finishing it with understated elegance.
The overall weight gave me the appearance of a warrior.
“Might I offer you something refreshing?”
“Thank you.”
After presenting my invitation, I took the Champagne offered and ventured deeper inside.
The Guild Representative Assembly was held every year at Legion Hall, or so I’d been told.
Tonight, the banquet was indeed held there, and unlike me, the guild masters who attended regularly clustered in small groups, each nursing enormous beer glasses as they conversed.
Musicians were already performing in the cavernous hall, with roughly twenty large tables arranged about the space.
Though I possessed an invitation, the tables bore no name cards.
Thinking I might as well eavesdrop, I took a seat at an empty table.
“Since they’re all guild masters, they just carry this aura without trying, don’t they? I’ve heard secretaries rarely come to these things—the pressure’s too much. Now I understand what they meant. They all seem to be Sword Masters or thereabouts.”
Nizela whispered beside me.
At the sight of Nizela trembling slightly, I let out a soft laugh.
“I’m the weakest-looking one here, aren’t I? You can be honest.”
“Well, actually…”
“Yes?”
“I thought so too, but not at all. You chose this outfit perfectly.”
“I thought so myself.”
I chuckled, raising my Champagne glass.
“And you’re the most elegant one here. Quite a few people seem to be watching you.”
I sipped the Champagne, glancing around and nodding at her words.
“Yes, my cheeks are warm—looks like that’s the case.”
I wondered if I’d have time to greet anyone, but less than five minutes into conversation with Nizela, someone approached.
“Is this your first time at the gathering?”
I turned toward the voice to find a man with neat silver hair tied back at the middle, smiling faintly and raising his Champagne glass.
He had an overall refined appearance, with sharp eyes that matched the length of his hair.
“Yes, that’s right. And you are…?”
“Ah, I came from near the northern branch. Have you ever been to Sergal?”
“I haven’t been, but I know of it.”
“Oh, quite. It’s a terribly troublesome place at present.”
With that, he took the seat across from me.
“I’m from Ferarium.”
“A fine location indeed. I’m Ram.”
“I’m Hazel. And this is my secretary, Nizela.”
Once one person sat down, more and more guild masters came to greet us, and before long the table was full.
Guild masters from each of the four directions engaged in cheerful conversation with me.
“There hasn’t been a single participating guild master from the Ferarium region until now, so meeting you for the first time is delightful. I’m Ted Olsida. This is my wife.”
“I’m Rena.”
The shaggy-haired man who introduced himself as Ted was the only one attending with his spouse.
It was said that the guild in southern Pyront was similarly run as a joint venture by the couple, and they owned one of the handful of largest buildings in the region.
Pyront lay to the southwest of the capital, bordered by several regions and was the fourth largest area in Elkium.
Ted had a warm demeanor, yet his presence was formidable. He bore several deep scars, suggesting mercenary work, and was clearly the sort who wouldn’t be intimidated by anyone’s aura.
His wife, Rena, radiated Magical Power.
“I’m Hermes, from Castalte. This is my secretary, Melkin. I’ve only been running things for half a year, so please teach me much today—I still have much to learn.”
“Ah, so you’re the youngest here tonight. How is Castalte these days?”
Ted laughed heartily.
“Castalte is always the same. The land is cramped, the people are many. Wherever you turn, your nose touches something—that’s how tight it is. There are only two guilds there.”
“Still, the wine from the Castalte border is extraordinary.”
“I’ll grant you that.”
At Hermes’ words, Ted laughed again, his voice booming.
“Speaking of which, Ferarium also has only two guilds, doesn’t it? One and… what was the other?”
Hermes posed the question.
I nodded and answered him.
“It’s likely Magerius.”
“So you’re the master of the Magerius branch. I had no idea you were so young—you’ve never attended these gatherings before.”
“Eh? If it’s Heron, then your guild master must be quite resourceful. That area never used to have Demon Beasts at all, yet after the guild was established, it’s been consistently ranked in the top tier. That’s the one, isn’t it?”
At the question, I nodded without thinking, and everyone’s eyes widened.
It seemed many people were interested in such matters, given how directly they connected to revenue and capability.
“Well, then I absolutely must keep good relations with you.”
At Ted’s remark, everyone burst into laughter.
Somehow, the table where I sat had become the warmest in the room.
Perhaps because of that, the gazes from other tables toward us grew steadily more frequent.
“Is it really true that Ferarium has no Demon Beasts appearing? I heard it was quite peaceful.”
The walls dissolved quickly, since everyone had come with the same purpose.
Especially Lam, who kept clinking Champagne glasses with mine and striking up conversation.
“That used to be the case, but not anymore.”
“So you’re saying Demon Beasts are appearing now?”
I nodded, and everyone’s expressions grew serious.
“It’s sobering to think there’s nowhere safe anymore. Though it does mean more work, which is good in a way.”
“Don’t even mention it. Pyront’s no joke either. There are five allied guilds there, and they’re getting constant reports of minor Demon Beasts pouring in day and night.”
Ted ordered a heap of Beer from a passing server. It seemed he was intent on turning this table into a drinking affair.
The moment he requested the Beer, Rena’s eyes sharpened considerably, but Ted hadn’t noticed yet.
“Meeting like this is fate, so let’s do this every time. Everyone else is so busy boasting about their guilds, but this table actually has real conversation.”
“I agree entirely. Everyone builds such walls—this is my second time here, but I’ve never had a conversation flow like this before.”
Even Hermes chimed in with his own complaints.
I sipped the remaining Champagne in agreement when someone approached.
“I think we could make room for one more seat—would you mind if I joined?”
In an instant, the gazes of all the representatives at the table converged on a single point.
The man who had approached had wavy, short blonde hair.
He was striking for his forest-green jacket, stitched so precisely it looked sharp-angled, an unusually thick gold necklace, and gem-studded rings that caught the eye.
“Unlike the other tables, there’s a pretty female guild master here too, and the atmosphere is wonderful—surely that’s not a problem?”
“…….”
“…….”
When no one answered immediately, the man raised his voice once more.
As it happened, the empty seat he was eyeing was right beside me.
Somehow, the chair to my left had been left vacant.
However, because Ted had folded Rena’s shawl and placed it there, it had naturally become a spot to set down a few belongings.
“Ah, unfortunately the seat’s taken.”
Lam smiled gently.
“But there’s an empty seat next to the lady here?”
Then he looked at me and grinned.
Displeasure began to rise, but since he hadn’t caused direct harm, I decided to let it pass.
I wanted to finish pleasantly and had no desire to make trouble.
I imagined the others felt the same.
This gathering, held once a year—twice at most—was not something anyone wanted to ruin.
“Wouldn’t it be cramped? There are plenty of empty chairs elsewhere, but if you really need this one, I’ll move it for you.”
Rena smiled without any thought of moving her belongings and spoke.
It was her way of saying he should take the hint and leave.
The primary purpose of the Guild Representative Assembly was a gathering for solidarity, collaboration, and friendship among guilds, as well as information sharing.
Our table had fulfilled all those mutual interests far sooner than expected.
The other tables were not significantly different.
One group of representatives who loved to boast, another of those who quietly ate, quiet and composed.
A separate table where information was shared, like ours.
Beyond that, one could simply stand and wander freely, enjoying an ordinary reception.
“Since this table is full, it would be best to try elsewhere. There are surely better seats available.”
After Lam and Rena, Hermes smiled and spoke with polite formality, and the man leaned his body toward me.
“I really do want to become close—especially with this woman here.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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