"Hahaha! I didn't expect even you, Schwire, to be forced into an arranged date by your elders!"
"Shut up, stupid noodle dragon! What's so funny about that?! Just wait—let's see how you handle Lady Fumizuki when your turn comes!"
"Uh…"
"And for your information, I agreed to it of my own will! My family's always been very open-minded about such things! I just didn't want to make Grandfather sad, so I decided to humor him a little, that's all!"
"So? How did it go? What did you think of this Cape guy? Did he win your heart at first sight?"
"…stupid noodle dragon, let's step outside and settle this with our fists."
"Whoa, no need to get all riled up, Barbecue Pork Cat!"
———
Time rewinds to the evening of the Schwire family's grand banquet.
"This lovely lady—my name is Cape Reiss. May I have the honor of knowing yours?"
Cape bowed gracefully toward Schwire, every motion polished and precise, executed with impeccable etiquette.
"Beatrix Schwire," she replied evenly, her tone calm and composed. Dressed in an elegant backless gown, she carried herself with the poise of someone raised among nobles.
"I didn't expect to meet the famous Mr. Cape in person tonight."
"I wouldn't dare call myself famous," Cape replied with a courteous smile. "At best, I'm just a small-time businessman who's managed to earn a bit of money."
Their exchange was polite, measured—full of refined civility.
From nearby, the elderly patriarch of the Schwire family watched with visible satisfaction.
"My apologies, I must review the contract again," the old man interjected smoothly. "Don't worry, the terms are identical to the last draft—it's just that at my age, I'm not as quick as you young people anymore. Everything takes a little longer when you've lost that youthful energy."
He gave a knowing smile. "You young folks should have far more in common to talk about than this old man does. I'll leave you two to it."
And with that, he excused himself, quietly slipping away.
"..."
"..."
Cape and Beatrix stood in silence, their gazes meeting for a long, wordless moment.
For Beatrix, this encounter was merely a matter of obligation—to appease her grandfather and keep him happy. Still, curiosity tugged at her; she wanted to see for herself what kind of man the legendary Cape really was.
For Cape, however…
He already knew exactly what the old man was planning.
It was obvious—the patriarch was trying to bring them together, testing the waters for a potential match.
If Cape were to marry into the Schwire family, he would shed his "commoner" status and be reborn as a member of an established noble house. With such backing, the other nobles would find it far harder to suppress or sabotage the Cape Group's growth.
And for the Schwire family…
Cape was, without question, the ideal son-in-law—one who came with his own dowry, so to speak.
If the Cape and Schwire Groups united through marriage, the two would effectively become one.
And in the future, should Beatrix and Cape's descendants inherit the Schwire name…
Wouldn't the Cape Group eventually become part of the Schwire family's holdings?
Beatrix discreetly studied the purple-haired Feline standing before her.
His outfit was casual—almost too casual for the setting—but his manners were flawless, every gesture aligned perfectly with noble decorum.
He wasn't at all like the unruly, unrestrained figure the rumors painted him to be.
As for Cape…
He was simply wondering how to make it through this tedious evening.
Though Cape often came across as unrestrained and irreverent, he knew when to mind his manners.
He would never do anything that could harm his reputation.
The Schwire Group and the Cape Group were still in the honeymoon phase of their partnership—and given how tactful and well-mannered the other side had been, there was no reason for Cape to make things awkward.
There are things worth doing, and things best left undone.
Relying on his [Subjective Future], he could dance freely along the edge of death—but that didn't mean he sought death.
Still, the Schwire family's little plan was destined to fail.
Black Snake had no intention of bending to anyone's will.
To be honest, most of the bodies Black Snake had ever possessed had been single.
And if one did have a spouse—well, Black Snake would simply "take care" of them… or possess them as well.
After all, even if He could mimic every gesture and nuance of the host through memory, fooling their spouse into thinking nothing had changed—
It was far simpler to just seize control directly.
Why trouble Himself pretending to be the husband or wife of a short-lived species?
That said, thanks to His abilities, His theoretical experience in such matters was quite… extensive.
Ahem—one could even call Him a theoretical master.
Just as the air between them was beginning to thicken with awkward silence, Cape broke it first.
"Miss Beatrix Schwire, your grandfather mentioned that you graduated from the Victoria Royal Guard Academy… and that you now hold a high position within the Lungmen Guard Bureau. Truly admirable."
"You flatter me," Beatrix replied smoothly. "To build the Cape Group from nothing, to read the market so shrewdly—you're the one who deserves praise, Mr. Cape Reiss."
"Haha, alright, alright—let's stop with the formalities. I'm not really used to this kind of conversation anyway… Still, your grandfather really does love meddling in your affairs, doesn't he?"
"…You're quite straightforward."
"Of course. I'm a self-made man, after all—direct talk suits me better. Let's just relax and chat a bit, pretend we're humoring the old man."
"Hah… sorry about that. My grandfather means no harm, he's just a little…"
"I get it, I get it. Comes with being a noble, right~?"
"I'm glad you understand."
Beatrix exhaled softly, a hint of relief showing on her face.
The man wasn't bad at all—nothing like those clingy, self-important suitors she'd had to deal with before.
As the Schwire family's heiress, she had no shortage of admirers…
Many of whom were far too persistent for comfort.
"So," Cape continued with easy charm, "could you tell me about some of your cases at the Guard Bureau? Nothing classified, of course."
He led Beatrix to a quiet table off to the side. Those nearby, recognizing the importance of the moment, tactfully gave them space.
Still, a few curious relatives couldn't help but sneak glances from the corners of their eyes.
Beatrix felt her cheeks heat up in embarrassment.
Catching their looks, she quickly shot a sharp glare toward the onlookers—most of whom were relatives close enough to know better.
The spectators hurriedly looked away, pretending to be absorbed in their food.
None of them dared to ruin the "date" the old patriarch had arranged so carefully.
Still, they couldn't help but wonder…
Would that purple-haired Feline really manage to steal the heart of the family's beloved princess, Beatrix Schwire?
If the Cape Group could be joined with the Schwire family, that would be ideal—
But even so, they wouldn't force her hand.
The Schwire family had not fallen so far as to sacrifice their children's happiness for ambition.
———
"Hahaha! Power! I can feel the power flowing through me!"
"No one will ever oppress me again, Mandragora! My fate is in my own hands now—power, status… to a mighty caster like me, they're as easy to grasp as air!"
"Heh… Cape, one day you'll regret the choice you made."
"..."
"Cape, what are you doing right now?"