Adrian totally lacked a proper comeback for that.

Because the Marquis was absolutely right. Aria did need a mother figure and it was also true that Adrian didn’t have the time to spend with her consistently. But Adrian had zero interest in navigating a fake, politically motivated romance.

"You make a fair point, Marquis." Adrian said as he leaned back in his chair. "But look at my reputation. Half the empire thinks I am a cheating scumbag who got thrown out by his wife. Who in their right mind would willingly marry me?"

Draven barked out a harsh, booming laugh.

"Rumors are just wind for peasants to breathe!" Draven slammed his hand on the table. "I do not care about your past. I care about what you built here. Based on the information I got, you are strong, you’re a talented Mana Engineer and you are the lord of a prosperous territory. All the goddess stuff? I don’t care about that. The results show that you’re smart, strong, and rich. My daughter, Astrid, is a strong E ranked knight and I’ve raised her well. She is a fierce warrior, just like me. She would make an incredible mother for your girl and she’ll also be able to stand beside you during tough times."

The Marquis pointed a finger right at Adrian’s face.

"Go on a date with her." Draven demanded. "Just one. She is training at the Knight Academy in the capital right now. Next time you visit, you take her to dinner. Or I will personally drag her down to Oresfall so you two can meet. You can pick one of the two options." 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Adrian stared at the Marquis.

The guy wasn’t asking. But he also wasn’t forcing a permanent legal contract. He just wanted Adrian to go on a single blind date. Compared to the slimy minor nobles, this blunt and aggressive honesty was actually refreshing.

"Fine." Adrian sighed. "One date. I will meet her when I go to the capital and if I can’t, I’ll send you a letter."

"Excellent!" Draven grinned, ripping another chunk of meat off the bone.

Right at that exact moment, a calm, voice came from the other side of the table.

"Speaking of daughters."

Duke Silas Ashford dabbed his mouth with a cotton napkin. He set his silver fork down and looked directly at Adrian with a warm, smile.

"My youngest daughter, Chloe, is right around your Aria’s age." Silas said smoothly. "It is quite lonely for a child growing up surrounded by adults. Would it not be wonderful if the two of them became friends?"

Adrian raised an eyebrow.

"I have seen your Aria running around the training fields with your soldiers." Silas chuckled softly. "She has so much energy and my Chloe is a bit sheltered. Spending some time here in Oresfall, looking up to your daughter as a role model, would do wonders for her development."

Adrian thought about it.

Aria really did need a friend her own age. Sure, she had hung out with Princess Elara, but the royal family came with a lot of political restrictions. A Duke’s daughter, however, was the perfect playmate.

’That actually sounds like a great idea.’ Adrian thought.

"I agree," Adrian nodded. "Aria would love to have a friend visit the territory."

"Wonderful." Silas smiled brightly. "Of course, I am far too busy with my duties to come with her myself, so I will send my eldest daughter, Serena, to accompany little Chloe and keep an eye on her during their stay."

Adrian just nodded again since it made perfect sense. You do not send a little kid across the empire without a trusted family member.

’Wait.’ Adrian thought suddenly, his lore knowledge kicking in. ’Serena Ashford. That is the girl who becomes Aria’s 6th-circle magic teacher in the novel.’

Adrian happily accepted the arrangement, totally blind to the political masterpiece that just occurred. He had been completely played and he didn’t even notice it.

But across the table, Marquis Draven Voss narrowed his scarred eyes.

He silently cursed. He had aggressively fought just to secure a single date for his daughter. Meanwhile, Silas Ashford just manipulated Adrian into letting his twenty-one-year-old daughter move directly into the mansion.

When someone didn’t wish to get into a relationship, they’d do their best to not impress their dates and Draven was sure that both Adrian and his own daughter would do the same thing.

’If only she listened...’

It was a flawless, devastatingly smooth political checkmate. This was the difference between a man who fought his entire life and a man who navigated between sly nobles instead.

With the marriage talks finally done, the minor nobles quickly jumped to their backup plans. They started showering Adrian with praise and compliments, and tossed out vague promises of mutual defense treaties and support pacts.

Adrian agreed to all of them. He knew those treaties were essentially worthless pieces of paper unlike the Blood Pact, slave contract or the soul contract.

But he played along since he didn’t have any energy to deal with these people anymore.

"Baron Adrian," a skinny Earl leaned forward greedily. "Perhaps we could discuss the specific tax rates for your steel exports?"

"I do not handle the numbers." Adrian waved a hand toward the door. "Cassius is my Chief Financial Manager and he handles all trade negotiations and logistics. You can schedule a meeting with him tomorrow morning."

The minor nobles completely lit up.

Negotiating with a commoner merchant was much easier than arguing with a stubborn Baron. They could throw their weight around and secure massive discounts. Or so they thought.

They had absolutely no idea that Cassius was a ruthless business genius and Adrian wished to see his recruit strip these donkeys and show them their place.

Highly satisfied with the arrangement, the minor nobles excused themselves and basically rushed out of the room to go find Cassius.

That just left Adrian, Draven, and Silas in the massive dining hall.

Draven wiped his mouth and stood up before looking at Adrian. All of a sudden, the mood shifted into total seriousness.

"I heard about the elite unit you used to crush the Avarice vanguard. Five hundred knights, I mean." Draven said gruffly. "I have a proposition. Not a contract, just a request between warriors."