071 Nomad Chapter 11: Two Wives

"Why the carriage? Why the wife? Why two? What about my will?"

"Using a carriage for marriage is a noble tradition.

Capable ship commanders are eagerly sought after by noble families, all vying to marry off their daughters.

Polygamy is legally permitted in the Empire.

Marriage proposals from noble houses are typically carried out with force."

The support AI, my organic terminal, Ai, replies seriously—having quietly appeared beside me during my muttering.

"Ai, how do I refuse?"

Ai looks away, somehow.

Isn’t that a forbidden topic?

Guess I’ll have to hear this out in the office, then.

Catfolk and dogfolk are too hostile toward each other—separate rooms for waiting, then.

"Can you explain what’s going on? I’m completely lost."

I asked Carolina, the noblewoman of the Caprius family, waiting in a side room of the conference hall, to explain herself.

"I have come to marry Akira, as the daughter of the Caprius barony, to forge a bond with him♡"

"If we’re to form an alliance with the Caprius family, I’d be happy to. But marriage isn’t necessary."

My words made Carolina’s expression cloud over. She looked like she was about to cry.

"Am I… not enough for you?"

Not that I dislike her. Carolina’s sixteen, one hundred and sixty centimeters tall.

White hair, neatly parted at her shoulders. A pair of white, triangular cat ears sprout from her head.

Slim build, but with a supple frame—curves where they should be. Undeniably beautiful.

"Not dislike, but… I’m only fifteen. Still a minor."

"Still, in the Empire, you’re considered an adult. Marriage is possible."

Is that so. One less excuse to refuse.

“Um… I’m not really thinking about marriage yet. We’ve only just met.”

“Then, at least let me have your seed♡”

“Huh?!”

“Excellent ship captains possess excellent DNA.

It’s the duty of a noblewoman to bring that superior DNA into her family.

I don’t mind if you’re a single mother—just give me your seed♡”

Miss Carolina says something utterly outrageous.

If I refuse now, after this much concession… am I really going to make the catfolk my enemies?

“Let me think about it…”

I exit the room and head toward the adjacent conference chamber.

This is Lady Marianne, daughter of Baron Graul.

Marianne is 155 cm tall, 15 years old.

Her soft, chestnut hair flows down to her back, and large ears dangle from both sides of her head.

Not too thin, not too thick—perfectly proportioned, with a figure that’s undeniably, unmistakably beautiful, and a chest that’s frankly impossible to ignore.

“I have come here today, Lady Akira, to be eternally bound to you, as the daughter of the Graul barony ♡”

“If you seek alliance with the Graul barony, I’d be delighted to wed. But I don’t need a wife.”

My words make Marianina’s expression falter. Her eyes well up—like she’s seconds from crying.

“Do you… dislike me?”

“I don’t dislike you. But I’m only fifteen.”

“Still, in the Empire, you’re considered an adult. You can marry.”

So it’s still no good.

“But I haven’t thought about marriage yet. We’ve just met.”

“Then… perhaps…”

Marianina hesitates, then gathers her courage.

“Just… let me have your seed… ♡

I don’t care if I’m a single mother—just give me your seed ♡”

It was déjà vu.

Well, this is a pickle. Accepting either one is out of the question. Can't afford to piss off one species or the other.

But marriage? Not a single thought in my head at my age.

But can you really refuse a bride from either of the two major powers surrounding that fortress?

There’s no other way here but to go with the Japanese specialty they’re so good at.

I called the two of them over and announced it.

A cat and a dog clan in a state of open hostility? No way are we marrying them off to two people.

I can't stand it when my wife and her family keep fighting each other.

But you can't just pick one side and start favoring them, can you?

So I’d like to accept her as a potential bride and look forward to what comes next.

I wish the two of them would get along well.

If we can't get along, then neither of us is acceptable. That's my conclusion.

"Understood..."

Me and my two potential brides are now living together.

My place is a one-room apartment, so it’s gonna need renovations.

I’ll extend the storage area into an extra room.

Can’t have the future bride sharing a room with her, now can I?

So they’ll have to wait a bit.

Classic Japanese tradition: dragging out the conclusion.

Of course, cat folk and dog folk will never get along.

The two of them left in a carriage.

Just then, another carriage came barreling into view, right in front of me, who was watching with a grimace.

"One more? Seriously..."