Chapter 1

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"This time, it was another complete failure."

"Haa... damn it. What should I do?"

"Despite being the head of the historic Claudel Duke family and the Grand Knight Commander, why is that? Moreover, not just any Knight Commander, but the Grand Knight Commander... Could it be my face?"

The one who said this with an extremely serious expression to his lord is the butler, Filio Yuber.

Even when I glared at Filio, he remained unfazed. Filio, who was once my deputy squad leader when I was a squad leader in the knights, is immune to my glares and my intimidating face, which is feared by the public.

He is a former knight with silver hair and blue eyes, a handsome man with a very serious personality. During his active years, he was called the 'Ice-Beautiful Knight' for his well-proportioned appearance and sharp sword skills. Despite being the second son of a baron and holding a knighthood for his generation, he was so popular that even high-ranking noble ladies, not just low-ranking ones, were infatuated with him. Even now, as the butler of our Claudel family, he is widely popular, from noble ladies hoping to marry into the family to working-class women.

On the other hand, I, Valerio Claudel, despite holding the prestigious title and position of the head of the historic Claudel Duke family and the Grand Knight Commander, have never been attractive to women...

It seems that my appearance is the main reason. I have a well-built body, which is advantageous for a knight, but my height, which is one or two heads taller than most people, and my well-built physique give off an intimidating presence.

However, the biggest problem is this stern face. The sword cuts on my cheek and around my eyebrows, which I sustained during the coup six years ago, have left scars that make my already stern face look even more intimidating and fearsome.

In society, I am secretly called the 'Fearsome Duke' or the 'Fearsome Knight Commander'... Even though I am quite mild-tempered compared to the other knights, I have been misunderstood based on my appearance since childhood.

Originally, after joining the knights, I was undefeated and known for my overwhelming strength. The knights secretly called me 'Fearsome' to praise my strength and to indicate that I was a fearsome opponent that enemies would not want to face. However, after becoming a royal guard and moving away from the battlefield, and with the scars on my cheek, eyebrows, and eyelids, I am now called 'Fearsome' because of my appearance.

--- But Valerio himself is unaware of this.

Six years ago, I inherited the title of Duke, and since then, I have been looking for a bride, but so far, it has been a complete failure. Often, I am rejected at the initial inquiry stage, but occasionally, it progresses to a face-to-face meeting.

However, every time we meet, I am always rejected.

It would be better if they rejected me later, but sometimes they cry and say, "You're scary," or turn pale and tremble, or even scream, "You're scary." In any case, I am feared.

At first, I would carefully inquire about each family and be rejected, then fall into a funk for a while... but I would eventually pull myself together and move on to the next one. However, since I have been rejected so many times, this year, I have been sending inquiries to several families at once.

I know that sending inquiries to multiple families at once is not very sincere, but it is just an inquiry, not a formal proposal.

In other words, I am asking if they would be willing to have a face-to-face meeting to see if we are compatible before making a formal proposal.

It may seem roundabout, but the idea is to have a face-to-face meeting first, and if it goes well, to make a formal proposal. This is the situation...

Since I am going to be rejected anyway, I might as well send inquiries to multiple families at once. I have resigned myself to this.

---

And this time, it was another complete failure.

"Is appearance really that important...?"

"No matter how good someone looks, if their character is lacking, it is difficult to consider them a lifelong partner."

He picked up on my muttered words and responded seriously. It's hard to agree with him, coming from someone as good-looking as Filio. But he is right. What's important is the character. I want to meet someone who can see beyond my appearance and appreciate my character.

---

It's not that I am only inquiring about beautiful women and getting rejected. I am just inquiring about unmarried daughters in families of earl rank or higher.

Because I have been rejected so many times, the number of unmarried daughters in families I haven't inquired about has become quite small. In this country, one can marry at 16, so by this age, there are almost no unmarried daughters of a suitable age.

The few remaining are either popular women called the 'flowers of society,' daughters from low-ranking noble families that don't match my status, or daughters with a significant age difference.

Let me make it clear: I didn't start inquiring about unpopular women thinking I could get them. I have heard that popular women's families receive so many proposals that they can't handle them, so even if I were to mix in with the crowd, it would be futile and a waste of time.

I would welcome a kind daughter from a low-ranking noble family, but the noble society is complicated. If a low-ranking noble marries into a high-ranking family, the bride might be treated poorly by other noble ladies. This can also affect the power balance within the nobility, which I want to avoid.

If I were to marry a daughter from a low-ranking noble family, which is a possibility, I would be careful to ensure that doesn't happen. I want to treat my wife well.

As the Grand Knight Commander, I rarely go on expeditions for training or work, but I am often busy and can't spend much time at home. I can't always be there to support her. It would be a shame if she came to my home and had a bad experience.

That's why I have been trying to find a family of similar status. But I am worried that I might be rejected by all noble daughters, regardless of their rank...

I have become used to being rejected, but it still hurts. I feel sad knowing that no one wants me.

"Could it be my face?"

Recently, I have been trying not to get depressed and act like everything is fine, but Filio's words, coming from someone who never jokes, hurt me deeply. It felt like a sharp sword piercing my already fragile heart.

---

--- Ah... I can't take it anymore... My heart is broken.

---

"Alright, from now on, I'll leave it to you. Send inquiries to the families you think are good, in order."

"Can I choose?"

"I don't want to choose and be rejected anymore..."

"As you wish, Valerio-sama."

"What?"

"Please try to cheer up."

"Shut up."

You're the one who caused me so much emotional damage. Don't look at me with those pitying eyes.

---

◇

Filio returned to the butler's office and immediately went to his desk. He took out a piece of paper from his desk drawer and picked up a pen.

"If I am free to choose, there is only one young lady who might be willing to accept Valerio..."

Valerio had avoided her, but Filio had one young lady in mind who might be willing to accept him. He had wanted to inquire about her for a long time, but couldn't because Valerio had avoided it. Finally, the time had come.

Filio decided to act quickly for his respected lord, who seemed more depressed than usual.

---

◇

Three days later, Filio informed me that a face-to-face meeting with the daughter of the Saranje Earl had been arranged.

I was surprised by the speed of Filio's work and the quick response from the other side. If the response came so quickly, it must be a daughter from a family trying to get closer to the Duke family. Families with ulterior motives often respond quickly to face-to-face meeting requests.

The Saranje Earl is a rather unremarkable person. He was one of the former king's prime minister's aides but now focuses on managing his territory. He is neither particularly wealthy nor poor. Before the coup, he was aligned with the prime minister, but now he belongs to no faction. He is said to have become less active in social circles, but otherwise, he is a typical noble family.

I don't recall any specific reason why they would want to get closer to the Duke family. I have never spoken to the Saranje Earl directly, so I don't know the details.

The daughter of the Saranje Earl is said to be very popular among noble sons, which is why I had put her off.

However, despite her popularity, I had no particular impression of her. She must be one of the many young ladies at social gatherings. Sometimes, small-statured young ladies can be hard to see in a crowd.

From her profile, she is 22 years old, which is around the end of the ideal marriage age for a noble lady. Perhaps she is eager to get married.

In any case, I will probably be rejected... If I get my hopes up, the disappointment will be even greater when I am rejected. I have gotten into the habit of assuming rejection.

---

◇

When I arrived at the Saranje Earl's residence, a middle-aged butler greeted me with a smile.

Some men are not afraid of my face, but it was unusual to be greeted with such a warm smile, which left me a bit bewildered.

The other servants were also generally friendly. The female servants did not show any fear, at most a moment of surprise. No one turned pale or screamed.

Perhaps they are well-trained to be polite to guests? Still, it was unusual to be greeted by so many servants.

When I was led to the room, the Saranje Earl and his wife, along with their daughter, were already there.

The young lady had soft, wavy light golden hair, pale purple eyes with a hint of blue, and a translucently white complexion. She was a delicate and ethereal beauty, stunningly beautiful.

She was looking at me straight and smiling.

Is this a hallucination? A dream? Or a sign of an impending natural disaster?

For a moment, when our eyes met and the young lady smiled, my heart felt a sharp, painful squeeze.