Chapter 8

The Sprinu region, located in the northeastern part of the country, is a lakeside area.

It is said to be a place shrouded in deep fog, regardless of the season or time.

"Clear blue skies are extremely rare. It's damp and gloomy all year round. The houses in the territory are all blackened stone structures covered in moss, making the entire town incredibly dark. There is a lot of rain, and storms often visit, so there are many days when it's difficult to go out. Because we don't interact much, many people are introverted and shy. Moreover, many young people shout that they can't live in such a place and move to the city. The number of residents is decreasing year by year."

He said all of this in one breath, and I couldn't help but be impressed by his stamina.

"Most of all, there are a lot of slimes. There are more slimes than residents!! Slimes in the garden, slimes in the fields, slimes sticking to the windows, slimes in the well, waking up to the sound of slimes jumping, realizing it's noon by the slimes' humming, and falling asleep to the sound of slimes' snoring. From morning greetings to goodnights, it's slimes, slimes, and more slimes."

Deep fog, an uncomfortable village all year round, a decreasing population, and slimes...

The land Gabriel governs is said to be the kind of place where young brides don't want to go.

"My father was a son-in-law, but he was raised in the capital..."

Unable to endure the life in the lakeside region, Gabriel was made to take over the family business on his fifteenth birthday, and the next day, he fled the house. He is still missing.

"Um, what about the rest of your family?"

"Only my mother. And a few relatives, like my great-uncle and aunt, live in distant places. We hardly have any contact, but when we do meet, it's a very intense and extremely unpleasant time."

"R-right."

For some reason, Gabriel, who had been talking, seemed to be holding his head and looking depressed.

Pururun, feeling sorry for him, approached Gabriel, extended a tentacle, and patted his head to encourage him.

"Don't be down, it's a nice place."

"Of course, for a slime like you, it's a paradise. But that place is not suitable for humans to live."

However, the people of the lakeside region live there.

As the lord, Gabriel couldn't run away.

"The marriage partner had to be chosen from among the daughters of the nobility. My father approached a few, but they were all rejected before we even met—"

"If you had met them, they might have agreed to marry you."

"Ha!? Why do you think that!?"

"Because you have a beautiful face."

His beautiful pearl-white hair and clear ice-green eyes highlight his good looks, a different kind of handsome from Prince Axel.

"I've attended the capital's evening parties. No one even glanced at me."

"That's strange."

It's hard to believe that people would ignore a man as handsome as Gabriel.

"Perhaps I gave off a forbidding, gloomy aura. I've been told my hair looks like white mold and my eyes like moss."

"That's not true."

"No, I understand. I'm the type who thrives in the shadows."

Anyway, until today, he hadn't even found a potential bride.

In such a situation, Gabriel found my weakness and thought it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

"I apologize for proceeding without your consent."

"No, I'm grateful for your help."

If possible, I don't want to make Maxim Mayer, a wealthy merchant, an enemy.

However, I couldn't possibly return 200,000 francs.

I should resolve myself to this.

"Those 200,000 francs, I will give them to you—"

"I will marry you."

"Eh!?"

"Did you say something just now?"

"No, I didn't say anything."

"Money, I'll give it all to you, moga!"

Gabriel covered Pururun's mouth and smiled broadly.

"The deal is sealed!!"

"Wait. There's one problem."

"What is it?"

He was smiling, but his face turned pale in an instant. He is a man with very expressive features.

"I can't get married on my own. I need my father's permission."

"Oh, that's right..."

Noble daughters cannot marry without their father's approval.

Suddenly, Gabriel's shoulders drooped.

"I'll use a detective to find my father, and I think I can live with you as a fiancée."

"Is that okay!?"

She nodded. Gabriel's eyes were wide open, almost as if they were about to fall out.

"It's a damp place with more slimes than residents."

"I'll be fine, I'm sure."

"I'm also a damp and gloomy man, but that's okay?"

"You're interesting."

"I'm interesting?"

"Yes. Talking to you is fun."

"F-fun…!?"

The colorful slimes gathered around Gabriel, jumping and seemingly congratulating him.

"Though I am unworthy, I, along with the slimes, humbly request your kind consideration."

Gabriel said this and bowed deeply.