Chapter 175: The System’s Terrible Advice
One eye remained tightly shut from embarrassment, while the other cautiously peeked toward Luke.
She secretly waited for his reaction.
After all.
She had always been praised for her beauty. Among noble ladies.
She was considered exceptional. Even the daughters of many barons couldn’t compare with her appearance.
Surely Baron Luke would at least look pleasantly surprised.
But...
The expression she saw.
Wasn’t happiness. Nor excitement. Nor even embarrassment.
Instead Luke was cautiously looking around the entire hall.
Left. Right. Behind the pillars. Toward the entrance. Even toward the ceiling.
His eyes darted everywhere with astonishing vigilance.
Sophia blinked.
"...?"
’What... is Sir Luke looking for?’ She followed his gaze around the room.
Nothing. There was absolutely nothing unusual.
Damien looked equally confused.
’Did someone enter?’
Even Osric, who had been standing motionless beside the mountain of gifts like a genuine mummy.
Nearly jumped out of his bandages.
"W-What?!" His eyes widened beneath the wrappings.
Then almost instinctively. He quietly shuffled behind the pile of gift boxes, using them as cover.
’Nope.’
’I’m not getting involved in this.’
’Not after what Lady Aurielle did to me.’
Meanwhile...
Luke continued scanning every corner of the hall. Several tense seconds passed.
Nothing happened. No familiar voice. No terrifying sword. No sudden appearance.
Only then Luke slowly let out a long breath.
"Phew..."
He pressed a hand against his chest.
’Thank the heavens.’
’Aurielle isn’t here.’ Relief washed over him.
Somehow his wife had an almost supernatural ability to appear at the worst possible moments.
Especially whenever another woman said something remotely dangerous.
More than once, she had seemingly materialized out of thin air.
To the point where Luke had begun questioning whether she possessed some hidden teleportation ability.
So after a few moments later, just as Luke was about to politely refuse her proposal—
Accepting only the Blackriver Family’s alliance and business partnership—
The system suddenly spoke.
[Heh... And you still call yourself a man?]
[The Hero Luke?]
[A beautiful woman willingly offers to warm your bed.]
[And you’re actually thinking of refusing?]
Luke’s mouth immediately twitched.
’Easy for you to say.’
’It’s not your balls that are constantly in danger.’
He shot back inwardly without hesitation.
The memory of Aurielle’s purple sword flashed through his mind.
His body instinctively shivered.
The system fell silent for a brief moment.
Then it spoke again.
[Luke...]
[Look at her.]
Luke subconsciously raised his head.
His blue eyes met Sophia’s. She stood there quietly.
Her delicate fingers nervously twisted the corner of her dress.
Her cheeks were still crimson.
Despite her embarrassment. She hadn’t withdrawn her words.
Instead she looked at him with a mixture of hope. Anxiety. And expectation.
Luke couldn’t deny it. She was beautiful almost compare to Margaret.
More importantly. Those hopeful eyes carried genuine sincerity.
The system continued in a quieter tone.
[If you reject her.]
[Have you thought about how heartbroken she’ll be?]
Luke’s expression slowly became complicated.
He knew the first person someone truly fell for. Often left the deepest mark on the heart.
Whether it became a cherished memory.
Or a lifelong regret.
It rarely disappeared completely.
Even years later. Even after finding someone else. That scar often remained.
A silent reminder of what could never be.
The system’s voice echoed once more.
[That’s why.]
[I can’t let you become a demon.]
[A cold...]
[Heartless demon!]
Luke’s eyebrow twitched violently.
"..."
’Since when did refusing a marriage proposal make someone a heartless demon?’
He couldn’t help but complain inwardly.
The system’s logic was becoming stranger by the day.
[So marry her Luke and fck her. (ง •̀_•́)ง Do it.]
Luke narrowed his eyes. ’So it’s all about Fcking again.’
The system screen flickered.
Bzzt.
For a brief second. The emoji froze.
Then silence. Not a single reply came.
"..."
Luke could almost imagine the system pretending it hadn’t been exposed.
"Sigh." A helpless sigh escaped his lips.
This situation was far more troublesome than dealing with merchants.
He didn’t want to marry another woman. Not because Sophia wasn’t beautiful.
She undoubtedly was. But because he already had five wives.
And if someday in the future. He truly considered another marriage. He would first have to seek their opinions.
Knowing Aurielle alone. Luke could already imagine the answer.
’Absolutely not.’
No...
He had to resolve this carefully. Without hurting Sophia’s maiden heart.
Luke gently called out,
"Sophia."
Hearing her name spoken so softly. Sophia immediately raised her head.
Her nervousness seemed to vanish for an instant.
Those beautiful eyes sparkled with anticipation as they met Luke’s.
Beside her Damien unconsciously held his breath. His heart began pounding.
After all if this marriage truly happened. The Blackriver Merchant Family’s status would soar overnight.
Becoming connected to Hero Luke by marriage. Would elevate their influence throughout the kingdom.
The atmosphere became incredibly quiet.
Luke smiled gently. "As for your family’s earlier proposal."
"I accept it."
A look of joy immediately appeared on Sophia’s face.
"The relocation of the Blackriver Family."
"And the construction of your processing plant."
"You have my approval."
"If you encounter any difficulties during the relocation."
"You may inform me."
"As long as it’s within my ability."
"I’ll provide my full support."
Sophia’s smile became even brighter.
"Thank you, Sir Luke."
She respectfully bowed.
Yet she didn’t move.
Instead she quietly looked back at Luke.
Her heart knew, that wasn’t the answer she had truly been hoping for.
Luke noticed it. Damien noticed it as well.
"And as for marriage..."
Luke paused for a brief moment before smiling apologetically.
"I’m not planning to marry anyone else."
"I already have five wives."
The words landed softly. Yet they carried considerable weight.
Sophia’s hopeful smile froze.
Her bright eyes gradually dimmed.
"..."
A faint ache spread through her chest. It wasn’t unbearable. But it was enough to make her lower her gaze.
Even Damien silently sighed.
’As expected.’ It had always been a difficult possibility.
However before the atmosphere could completely sink—
Luke spoke again.
"Though..."
"I don’t know what the future holds."
His words made Sophia’s eyelashes tremble. She instinctively looked back at him.