CLYDE ASTLEY POV

I walked through the path that the people made for me. Their eyes were widened as if they couldn’t believe what they were seeing. Nonetheless, I strode forward proudly. I was wearing a dark blue suit and brown leather shoes. It was the kind of suit I always used to wear to interviews for jobs.

“He does not have the crest of a noble house on his person.”

“So this brat is a commoner? Tch.”

“The Bentinck house is doomed.”

“Haven’t I seen this kid before? He was at the princess’ birthday party if I remember correctly.”

“Aha! So he was the one who stole young master Ryan’s position.”

I smiled bitterly. It seemed that I was suspected of stealing Ryan’s position, huh. Well, from another perspective, it could be seen that way. That bastard was really adored by the nobles.

Anyway, even though I was actually wearing the Astley household crest, they treated it as a decoration. It wasn’t surprising that our family weren’t known in this nation.

We were originally from the Holy Kingdom after all. And our heritage as a noble house only existed for a few decades before it fell. We were basically lesser or low ranking nobles.

If my uncle was still alive then his family would be recognized as a fallen household. Rising in rank as a Baron was much harder than becoming duke as a marquis. What separated the nobles in rank were the amount of things they achieved in either wars or politics. They are rewarded accordingly by the monarch of their nation.

If that system wasn’t present then people of the higher class would get upset over being treated the same as lower class nobles. They were apparently more important than some small rural noble ruling over a small plot of land.

—"As everyone can see, this is my new son! Clyde Astley Bentinck. The main event can now begin!”

I heard old man Marcus talking on the podium. He looked down at me with a smile.

The light suddenly shone on me. I was basically in the spotlight. Had I mentioned that I was afraid of standing out?

Diane appeared from my side and held my arm. She was dressed in a beautiful silver dress. Tonight she was wearing glasses and her long brown hair was let loose.

“This is where we show choosing you was not a mistake. Do not embarrass us.”

◇◆◇

“Why are you so late?” My mother asked with a cold smile. Her eyes got even colder when she looked at my leg that was limping a bit.

I came to the table where my family sat. That included the duke obviously.

“Come now, El. Our boy is 15 today. Is it necessary to bite off his head like this?” My father put his hand on my shoulder and looked at my mother. Her firm and serious expression collapsed.

“...You’re right. What’s important right now is that he’s safe.” She stood up and hugged me. “Happy birthday.”

“Thanks.”

The two of them hugged me tight. I felt the warmth I hadn’t felt in a long while. It was the warmth I missed so much.

I heard someone clear their throat. Looking up, I saw a young woman standing there.

It was the next duchess of the Luxembourg house.

“Big sis Kenia.”

“H-Hi. Happy birthday, Clyde. I got you this.” She stretched out her hand. In her hand was a small box.

“Y-You can open it now or later. It doesn’t matter.” With a flushed face, she backed away.

The next one to come to me was the duke himself.

“Gyahahahaha! Clyde, my boy! Oops. You’re a man now! Happy birthday! Come here!”

With loud hearty laughter, Henry put his big arms around me and gave me a firm hug. Maybe it was my imagination but I felt my bones crack. He might’ve been old but his strength from his active time in wars hadn’t lessened at all.

I was sure that he could win against an ordinary knight in battle.

“If only Arielle was here. She cannot even celebrate her first love’s birthday.” A soft voice spoke from the side. It was Sadith. She was, as expected, still wearing her clothes in a seductive manner. No one could guess that she was actually 43 years old. Calling her a sexy but ripe milf was not an exaggeration.

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Her chest was pulling the most attention. It was like she was walking around with such an open collar on purpose. Dammit. I shouldn’t be fooled like the other men. She’s a bitch inside.

“Hahaha. Well, she’s almost done with her training so we’ll see each other any day now.”

‘I wonder what she looks like now? Maybe the splitting image of a barbarian with bulging muscles? I don’t want to be pushed down by a sweaty cave man every night…’

I chuckled at my silly thought. She was at the last stage of her swordsmanship. After that, Rosetta would assign both her and that Celina girl a mission to test their strength. It was a rite of passage that many of her students go through.

Since it was Rosetta we were talking about, it wouldn’t be easy to complete the mission. She might make them fight against a spirit beast like Leviathan or something.

“You don’t look so depressed anymore, Clyde. You’re even smiling.” Solphia was the one that came up to our table. She was wearing a fancy tailored black dress and a black hat that matched it. Even though we hadn’t seen each other so long, she looked as old as before. it was like time stopped for her.

Well, she was an elf.

“Happy birthday, Clyde.” She gave me a hug as well.

“Thanks, granny.”

“Hmm? You’re taller than before.” My mother compared her height to mine by using her hand.

I groaned.

“You know I’m sensitive about my short height. Are you only saying that because it’s my birthday?”

I spent so much time worrying about magic that I never ate healthy to help my growth. It was my own fault. That made me even more miserable.

“No, no. El’s right. You’ve grown a bit taller than the last time you visited the village.” My father said with a face as if he was holding in his laughter.

“Oh! I think I see Mary calling out to you, dear father.”

“Wha....” My father looked around with a flustered face.

“Mary? Who’s Mary, George?” My mother took my statement seriously and glared at my father. She unfolded her hands as if she wanted to cast a spell.

“That’s...It’s...” My father pitifully looked at me.

‘Laugh now, you old fart.’

“Everyone, how are you today?” While the others were laughing at my parents’ exchange, another voice called out to us. Diane was leading another woman in a wheelchair.

“Miss Edith?”

It was Mason’ second wife, Edith. Her stomach was even more bloated than a few months ago. It seemed the baby was close to being born.

“There’s the handsome hunk I was looking for~!”

She beckoned me over with a finger. Diane rolled her eyes at the woman.

“Yes?”

The next thing I knew, she planted a kiss on my cheek when I bent down. She hugged me in her chest.

“Happy birthday~! If I wasn’t married then I would’ve kissed you on the lips~” She chuckled and winked.

‘I swear, this woman has a thing for little boys.’

“Edith! Why are you in a wheelchair? Is everything alright?” My mother came towards her as well and held her hand.

“Yup! Since I’m almost there, walking has become a little hard for me.” She rubbed her shoulder and rotated her neck with a wry smile.

“Anyway, why are you keeping the boy hostage here? See all those girls wanting to talk to him?” Miss Edith pointed to the dance floor. There were a lot of young people by the tables and eating the food.

The girls averted their eyes when they saw me look at them.

‘Eh...’

“Ahaha. You’re right. He shouldn’t be talking with us old people. Go on, Clyde. Go with Diane and make some new friends.” My mother pushed me to Diane. The latter sighed and held my arm.

The two of us left my parents with Edith and Henry’s family. Diane leaned towards me and whispered something.

“I haven’t said this before, but you look very handsome tonight.”

“R-Really?” It was an unexpected compliment coming from her. Naturally, I blushed a little. I spent a long time trying to look my best tonight.

“Yes. Now that your hair isn’t so loose, it makes your face stand out.”

“It was Brielle’s idea. It’s a little stiff–“

“Let’s get this over with. Let me do the talking.” She cut me off as if she wasn’t interested in continuing our talk.

‘My heart beat faster for you for a second there, you witch.’

It was like she was spouting lip service to please me.

We reached the young group a few moments later and began introducing ourselves. They expressed their concern for my health seeing as how I was limping. It wasn’t that big of a deal since it was only a broken bone. Undine was able to heal my injuries to an extend.

It wasn’t wise to ask Erica to heal me every time. I couldn’t come up with the excuse of elixirs over and over. They were mega expensive and didn’t heal completely.

Throughout the conversations with the young group, I kept glancing at Diane.

This woman will become my wife after tonight.

The fact that I had two women already in my life was incomprehensible. Being a man from modern day Earth, I was used to seeing men having one woman. At least in my culture and religion. However, this was another world. Polygamy wasn’t uncommon here. I could have ten or even twenty wives then no one would care.

The problem, however, was how to control such a relationship. The main reason polygamy was illegal in many countries was because women fight amongst themselves. They make life hard for each other and ultimately cause discord in their marriages as well.

I was already scared for my future. Artoria was waiting for my answer. If I said yes then I’d have three wives(?). I was certain that Arielle would control the house when she came back.

She was more straightforward than me. I wouldn’t be able to solve any conflict when it happens. I wasn’t exactly confident in solving something with words or violence.

“Clyde?”

“…Hm?”

I was deep in thought that I didn’t hear Diane call me. She was right in front of my face. She gazed at me with a narrowed eyes as if she was trying to figure out what I was thinking about.

“The musicians are about to start with their first song. And there are quite a lot of girls waiting to dance with you.” Diane looked behind me.

“….!?”

I stiffened when I saw how many they were. I could barely count them.

“E-Err…”

When I was about to think of what to say, the hall’s doors opened again.

“Hm…?”

Everyone turned to the door. Since this was a private party, no one from the outside was allowed in. When the knights were about to draw their swords, I yelled.

“STOP!”

Who I saw was someone I hadn’t seen in a long time. Her gunmetal silver hair and blue eyes. The face of an angel. The seductive hour glass figure of a succubus.

She was the owner of the King’s Sword and the one who I called my best friend before.

It was the regressor who spent five lives together with me.

With a beautiful smile on her lips and a twinkle in her eyes, she said.

“Clyde.”

It was only my name but I was sure she wanted to say more. Her eyes told me so.

“Artoria?”