But Enlaike had lived long enough to have the stubbornness of an old man.
He pressed on, unwilling to give up.
“You don’t have any… special thoughts about Alicia?”
Special thoughts? Lai En frowned, then a blush quickly crossed his face.
To say no would be a lie.
He still remembered half a year ago when they first met.
Alicia was trapped on the gallows, her face full of panic and embarrassment—”I’m going to die, it’s over, the sky is falling!”
She looked pitiful, even ridiculous.
But those ruby-like eyes showed no despair.
So, out of curiosity and a playful spirit, he teased her.
That line, “You’re not bad-looking, be my wife,” was just a joke.
Yet the girl’s response was unusually interesting.
Faced with a sudden proposal from someone powerful, she didn’t fall to her knees in gratitude, nor was she trembling with fear.
Instead, she looked troubled and asked him for a job—a chance to earn her keep by her own skills.
At the time, Lai En thought, ‘What’s one more vase to keep around?’ and casually agreed without much thought.
Now, looking back, he was glad he hired her.
That girl had given her all for House Maximilian.
Speaking of which… marrying Alicia?
His mind began to picture their life after marriage.
The girl leaned gently against his chest, a blush on her face.
“Lai En, you’re back early today. Have you finished this month’s tax statistics? Then hand them all over to me! Every last coin!”
‘No! Alicia is greedy, but not for personal gain. What am I thinking?’
He shook his head, closed his eyes, took a breath, and started fantasizing again.
“Your Highness, Lai En~”
The girl slowly took off her coat, sensually tracing her abs.
“Wow! Your body is still so perfect. I wonder, at today’s meeting, how the retainers praised your foresight, strategic planning, overall command, steady leadership, blueprint-drawing, path-pointing, world-embracing, diligent governance, reform and innovation, heart for the people, carrying on the past and opening up the future…”
‘All flattery!’
Lai En shuddered.
Marrying her would be a living hell!
But he had to admit, Alicia was quite cute when she was deep in thought.
She had that quality that made you want to hug her or pat her head.
Wait—she barely spoke when she was thinking! That was it.
Alicia was beautiful only when she kept her mouth shut.
Once she opened it, she was at best a brother!
“Special thoughts? Probably… not… right?”
That answer was a bit hesitant. There might be a chance!
The old man sighed heavily on purpose.
“In that case, I’ll take my leave and reply to the lords and elders who have been inquiring about your marriage. They’ve been very concerned and recently recommended several noble young ladies, hoping to send them to Lide’an as guests. Please take a look and see if any catch your eye.”
“!?”
Lai En’s eyes went wide.
He shot up from his chair.
“Wait, hold on!”
“Hmm? Your Highness, is something wrong?”
“Those noble ladies, they act gentle and virtuous, but their eyes are full of calculation.
Every move they make has an agenda.
It’s annoying!”
Lai En waved his hand irritably, then frowned with impatience.
“Fine! I get it. If Alicia agrees, we can try to get to know each other better. But after all, we are lord and retainer. This matter…”
Compared to the straightforward Alicia, Lai En found those smiling, dagger-hiding ladies even more insufferable.
He had to give ground, and also pass the buck.
If the old man had enough nerve, he could go bother Alicia.
That girl would never agree!
A tree without bark is doomed, but a person without shame is invincible! The old man was old enough to know when to never bow his head and when to be shameless.
Inside, he was laughing like crazy!
“Since Your Highness says so, I’ll go talk to Miss Alicia. I’ll take my leave now.”
…
So, when Alicia was woken by the knock on the door and opened it, still sleepy-eyed and not dressed, her heart nearly broke at the sight of Enlaike’s old face.
“Ahaha, Elder Lord, you’re here again!”
She wrapped herself in a blanket, forcing a smile, and awkwardly let the old man in.
“I’m sorry for not receiving you properly. Please forgive me.”
After she changed clothes and they exchanged pleasantries, the old man got to the point.
“His Highness has had a tough time these years.”
Enlaike started with a prelude.
“The Old Highness (Lai En’s father) passed away suddenly, leaving behind such a mess. Inside, powerful ministers watch and wait, brothers quarrel; outside, strong neighbors lurk and eye us hungrily. His Highness ascended young, seeming steady and decisive, but every step he takes is like walking on thin ice.”
Alicia nodded.
Indeed, the boss looked like he’d become CEO of the Maximilian Group at a young age, but the pressure was immense.
You could tell from how he came to her place to drink alone on New Year’s Eve.
The old man continued.
“Military reform touches the interests of old nobles; administrative reorganization affects countless relationships. Poor harvests for years, unrest in the Northern Frontier… all these pressures weigh heavily on his shoulders alone.”
Alicia held her tea cup, most of her sleepiness gone, and listened quietly.
“His Highness is strong-willed. He bears all difficulties himself and refuses to show weakness easily.”
Enlaike sighed.
“He seems surrounded by many retainers, but few can truly share his burdens. Most are calculating, weighing pros and cons, or just following orders. His Highness… is lonely.”
These words touched Alicia.
She thought of those “crazy ideas” she’d proposed.
Lai En sometimes jumped in anger, but in the end, he’d seriously consider them or even let her try.
In a way, he did give her trust beyond the ordinary.
“Miss, you’ve seen the current situation.”
Enlaike shifted his tone, becoming grave.
“Lord Lemeng holds the north, Xipuaisi has betrayed, food and supplies are scarce, and morale is unstable. House Maximilian is at a critical crossroads.”
Alicia nodded.
That was reality.
“At a time like this,” Enlaike lowered his voice, speaking with heartfelt sincerity, “His Highness’s marriage is no longer a personal matter. It’s a political move concerning family stability, alliance-building, even securing key support. Many eyes are watching; many want to use this to get a hand into Lide’an City.”
‘Huh? Something’s off. How did we jump from ‘the boss has it hard’ to ‘the boss’s marriage’? That’s a huge leap, old man!’
Alicia’s heart skipped a beat.
“Those endless recommendations of noble ladies…”
A bitter smile appeared on Enlaike’s lips.
“Behind each one stands a faction. Each comes with a family mission. Gentleness and virtue may be a facade, but the calculation in their eyes and the weighing of interests—how could His Highness not see through it? Marrying someone like that is like having a spy by your pillow, every move constrained.”
‘Yeah, that’s true. But why is he telling me this? Wait! Stop right there!’
Alicia had a bad feeling.
Was he planning to… have her set up a blind date for him?
Her brain still hadn’t turned around, or rather, she lacked awareness of her current female identity.
Enlaike’s gaze seemed to casually sweep over Alicia’s expression.
“What His Highness needs is someone who understands the weight on his shoulders, who can support him in the tangled situation, even face crises alongside him. A kindred spirit, a partner.”
Alicia’s brows furrowed as she sank into thought.
‘Where do you find a wife like that? Kindred spirit, courage, strategy, able to share government affairs, and earn His Highness’s trust… So many demands! But I guess it’s understandable. She’d be the wife of His Highness, the mistress of House Maximilian. She has to be carefully chosen.’
The old man paused.
Seeing Alicia frown, he thought she lacked confidence, so he relented.
“I know that among the younger generation, few meet all these criteria. However, Miss, in the past six months, you have—saving your lord, training troops, offering strategies, reorganizing internal affairs—each deed, though not perfect, shows you are no ordinary sheltered lady.”
‘Huh? Why is he praising me? Well, everyone likes compliments. Keep them coming!’
Alicia’s brow relaxed, and a shy expression appeared on her face.
That blush from being praised was interpreted by the other party as something else.
The old man felt the time was right to add the final push.
“What I say today may be abrupt, but it comes from the heart, out of concern for the family’s future.”
Enlaike leaned forward slightly, his tone earnest, his brows full of worry.
“His Highness is beset inside and out. He urgently needs a breakthrough! If someone like you, Miss—someone who has His Highness’s trust, has the ability to help, and shares his lofty ambitions—could stand by his side…”
‘Oh, someone like me? That might be hard… Wait?!’
Alicia finally got it.
Not someone like me! The old man was gunning for her all along!
‘Oh my god, I didn’t see that coming, old man. You’re trying to set me up with Lai En in a roundabout way? But that’s not right—it’s lord and retainer. Besides, I have no status, no rank. How could that work?’
“This won’t do!”
Her face turned pale.
She shook her head violently, waving her hands like a frightened rabbit.
“Lord Enlaike, this is absurd! I am of low status, I don’t know the rules, I only cause trouble! How could I… Besides, this is His Highness’s lifelong matter. It’s no joke!”
She scrambled for excuses.
“This is no joke.”
Enlaike’s eyes sharpened.
“Just because it’s so important, we need unusual measures. As for status…”
He shook his head slightly.
“Miss is already a retainer, holding important duties, with a bright future ahead. Our house doesn’t have so many rules.”
Seeing Alicia about to protest, the old man immediately retreated, slowing his tone and lowering his posture.
“Of course, I understand this can’t be rushed. I’m not asking you to decide now. After all, matters of the heart and marriage take time to understand each other and cultivate feelings!”
Look at his wording, listen to his tone, and see how low Lord Enlaike had bowed.
Alicia’s outright refusal got stuck in her throat.
‘I’ll just stall!’
War is coming early next year, the north is urgent, and there’s a possible great famine.
With all these disasters and problems, marriage is a small matter that won’t be addressed anytime soon!
Most importantly, only Lord Enlaike came to push today.
It seems he’s just testing my reaction, not my boss’s idea.
‘So I’ll just pass the buck to Lai En and be done with it!’
A lord-subject romance was still too avant-garde in this world.
It might end in disgrace and public ridicule.
Lai En was shrewd—he’d definitely refuse!
“Lord Enlaike, I fully understand your concerns and considerations! His Highness is in a difficult position. As a retainer, I naturally want to share his burdens and do my best for the family.”
She first stated her position, then pivoted and played her trump card.
“So, Lord, if… if His Highness has no objection to this matter, then I am not one to refuse a kindness!”
=======================================
(The third fantasy of Lai En, deleted from the main text, is included as a bonus.)
