75 Chapter 23: Refusal (2/2)

Ariel silently stared at me as if she was waiting for me to say who

”I haven't confronted that person about my feelings yet, and if I were to suddenly get engaged before telling her, I'm sure it wouldn't be a good start to a relationship I hope of achieving…”

Serena and Ariel were both quietly staring at me with interrogatory eyes as if they wanted to know who I meant

”you have a point… But Polygamy is allowed and isn't uncommon in this kingdom. I'm sure she wouldn't mind” Said kurt

I can see why he's a noble merchant

”We can't be too sure, but in the end, It'll be better for us to get to know each other before moving into something like an engagement”

”You have a point, I apologise for rushing things. It's a shame, especially since you two are around the same age… John, you'll be taking the academy entrance exams too right?” He asked

Looks like he finally gave up… Why did he want me to marry his daughter so badly?

”Yes?” I replied

”Hm, so you two will have more opportunities to get to know each other.”

Looks like he still hasn't given up…

”Haha, yes…” I replied

Ariel and serena let out a relieved sigh. Looks like me getting engaged would probably be troubling for our party. They were probably worried that the party would get disbanded or something.

”Mr kurt, when is the entrance exam for the academy?” I asked

”Hm? You didn't know? It's tomorrow.”

”Eh-EHHH!?” the three of us said in sync

***

After he told us that, as thanks for saving his daughter, he offered to take us to the academy and to let us stay in the guest rooms.

We had no reason to decline and so accepted his proposal, at the same time he gaves us a bag of 150 Gold coins for protecting her. He had planned to give us more, but I stopped him. 150 Is way more than enough.

”John, John” Said Ariel

”Yes?” I asked

”Who was the girl that you said that you liked?” Ariel asked

Serena who was beside her also seemed curious as she would occasionally stare at me while we walked.

”Do you two really want to know?” I asked

We were on our way to the guest room as we followed one of the servants

”Not really” Said Serena as she looked away, occasionally peeking

You're making it pretty blatant that you do…

”Well, you see…”

I cast Silentium around the three of us so that the servant and anyone else wouldn't hear

”That was a lie” I said to the two of them

”Ehhh… John is a liar…” Said Ariel with a small smile formed on her face

”What? No I had no choice-”

”Yeah, he's a pretty good liar for an idiot” Said Serena who was also smiling

Eh? Why are they both in a good mood? Ah… Is this the case that I read about… Girls prefer bad boys…?

I disabled silentium before the guards noticed something was up, and suddenly he stopped and bowed

In front of him stood a woman who appeared to be in her twenties

”Oh my, You must be the ones who saved Eleanor, As her step mother I thank you. My name is Usiel van mira, It is a pleasure to meet you.” She said as she slightly lifted up her dress with her finger tips

A noble gesture… And did she say… Step mum?