The walk back to the conclave hall felt different.
Not tense or awkward, just… quieter.
Faye walked beside me with one hand curled lightly near her chest—the same hand that now wore the ring. Every so often, her fingers would brush against it, like she was checking it was still there, like she still didn't quite believe it.
"Cassian," she said softly, finally breaking the silence.
"Yeah?"
"...This kind of feels like a wedding ring."
A wedding ring?
My eyes went to her hand. Of all the fingers she could've put it on, she just had to choose the ring finger.
My mind started racing for something to say. I had a lot of options—well, the old me would probably just laugh it off and change the subject.
But...
I did say I'd take advantage of this new life.
So...
Here goes nothing.
"Well, you could think of it as one," I said.
"H-Huh!?" she blurted, her face going red. "R-Really?"
I let out a slow breath through my nose, trying to act like I wasn't just winging it. Still... the idea of having someone like her as my wife didn't sound bad at all. In fact, it sounded kind of perfect.
That thought definitely made it way easier to bluff than it should've been.
"Do you really have to ask...?"
That earned a small laugh from her. "…I-I'll treasure it then."
That sounded a bit more serious than I expected, but I let it go.
***
As we stepped back into the conclave hall, with all the ranks once again sharing the same space, the atmosphere had shifted subtly.
But it was enough that you could definitely feel it.
Conversations didn't stop this time; they just dropped to a lower murmur. Eyes still turned toward us, but now they lingered, not on me, on her.
On the ring.
And out of everything I could focus on... I'm more impressed with how fast their eyes were.
Seriously... does everyone in this room have perfect vision?
Faye noticed too; I could tell from the way her posture stiffened for a heartbeat, then settled again.
She didn't panic? She really was a heroine with how fast she could adapt.
We went back to our seats. The next session hadn't started yet, but nobles were already gathering in little clusters, whispering among themselves. A few glances slid our way, but no one came closer.
Joining one of the clusters would probably help, but since I'm still way out of my depth, it's better to just let my advisors and servants handle things for now.
At least until I actually get the hang of being a duke.
I really shouldn't try to meddle too much in politics yet.
"…They're staring," Faye whispered.
"They always stare,"
I said, trying to calm her down by pointing out the obvious.
"…No. This time feels different."
I didn't answer right away because she had a point. Before, they were all staring at me. Now, their eyes were on her instead, measuring her up.
It was up to her whether she'd use the advice I gave her to answer that same silent judgment.
"Lady Amberlyne."
A voice cut through the low murmur, and we both looked up as a noblewoman approached, not the same one from earlier, but dressed just as extravagantly.
Older, more composed. Smarter, probably. She stopped a few steps away and gave a polite bow.
"To think you would catch the Duke's eye so suddenly… how fortunate."
Polite words, sharp tone.
A classic.
It really makes me wonder if I'll ever meet anyone here who's actually a decent person.
But with the whole Nimean Empire stuck in never-ending war, though, that feels pretty unlikely.
Faye hesitated for just a moment, then said.
"I suppose it is," her voice calm and measured, but not submissive.
…Huh. That's new.
The noblewoman's smile twitched for a fraction of a second.
"I do hope you'll conduct yourself appropriately from now on," she went on. "After all, representing a house like—"
"I will," Faye cut in, cleanly, no stutter, no panic. "I'm aware of my position."
Silence followed. Not loud, but heavy enough to feel.
Faye's voice rang out, much louder than I'd expected.
The noblewoman blinked once, then smiled again, tighter this time.
"…Of course. I'm glad to hear it."
She bowed slightly and stepped back, clearly deciding not to push it.
I leaned a little closer to Faye.
"That was certainly... new," I murmured.
"I'm trying," she whispered back.
There was something different in her voice now—not just trying, but enjoying it, just a little.
Maybe she's the type to go on a power trip?
The herald soon called the session back to order, and the room gradually settled as discussions picked up again, policies, territories, military allocations, all the usual things I only half understood.
[Task 2 Progress Updated]
[Objective: Develop relationship with Faye Amberlyne — 32%]
[Hint Unlocked]
[Use?]
H-Huh?