"The Idea of a Woman Stealing Someone Else's Partner is Ridiculous," I laughed. But After Being Reborn, I Became a Victim of Such a Woman. However, My New Fiancée was Absolutely Amazing. - Episode 19

“I would like to properly learn the customs of the Ichijou-no-Go family. You have recognized my research on spiritual arts and talismans, and have even pointed out areas for improvement. If possible, I would like to continue my research in some form even after marriage. Of course, I know that I must also fulfill my duties as the wife of the family I marry into.”

I don’t expect things to be handed to me easily.

There are so many things to learn, to the point that it’s considered a subject for three years.

I can’t just avoid it because it’s troublesome.

I remember learning that the emperor and powerful families in the inland maintain barriers and perform rituals to send spiritual energy to them four times a year.

“Are you sure? I thought you would lose time for your research.”

“That would be a problem, but isn’t it worse to be a wife who doesn’t do anything for the family?”

“…”

I said this, and he pondered with a serious expression.

Since he didn’t say anything through “Thought Sharing,” I could tell he was deep in thought.

I waited for his thoughts to settle, along with my father.

I’m sure my father wanted to leave us alone to talk about specifics of marriage and deepen our relationship…

But it didn’t feel like I imagined.

Well, to be honest, I don’t want a romantic atmosphere like in love manga. Ideally, it should feel more like business partners.

“I think I will ask my sister about it. About the arrangements for the marriage. Is that alright?”

“Yes, of course. We also need to report the engagement between you and Mai to the Kujou-no-Go family.”

“Understood.”

He nodded, then took out a pocket watch to check the time.

There’s still time, but maybe for him, there’s nothing more to discuss at the moment.

Marriage between families… especially when their ranks don’t quite match.

There must be so much to talk about.

Maybe there’s too much to decide, and more things we can’t decide on our own.

“I think it’s time to formally set up a meeting between our families to discuss it. Is that acceptable?”

“I have no objections.”

“Thank you.”

“Then, I will go to the head family to discuss the engagement. Is it alright if I leave now?”

I exchanged looks with my father.

He seemed clearly flustered, but this was probably just a form of confirmation.

…Huh? Why do I feel so disappointed?

“Mai, if permitted, may I come for lunch again next week?”

“Eh! Y-Yes! Of course! I’ll make plenty of food!”

“Thank you. When I eat food made with your spiritual energy, my body feels better, so it’s really helpful.”

“!! Y-Yes…”

I felt my face flush and looked down in a panic.

My face is really hot all of a sudden…

“I don’t have a job that uses spiritual energy, but does the energy in the food my daughter makes really help?”

“For subjugating the Kaguya monsters, we use physical strengthening magic, or channel energy into our swords, and we never have enough spiritual energy. After a few years of work, some people even reach a first-class level. The food with high spiritual energy made by women of the central family helps replenish the energy used. Since I have a lot of spiritual energy, natural recovery from sleep doesn’t keep up. The meals made by the servants of the head family weren’t enough to replenish it, and I only got weaker.”

“What happens if you run out of spiritual energy?”

“You get sick. You become mentally weak and more prone to illness.”

There’s nothing good about that!

I had no idea that running out of spiritual energy was so dangerous.

I’ve been using spiritual energy for research every day, but I’ve never run out of it.

I guess for people like me, the usage is different from those on the front lines fighting monsters.

“Now I understand why big families like the Shugo Jukkai prioritize women with high spiritual energy, without regard to family rank.”

“Exactly. Maintaining and repairing the barriers requires a huge amount of energy, and our subjugation team relies on the spiritual energy replenished by our wives’ cooking. The central family women have higher energy not just because they are the same gender as Himiko, but also for this reason.”

I see… that makes sense.

It’s really educational.

I don’t know much about things that don’t involve me.

Oh, but come to think of it, we might have learned about this in our bride training class in first year.

We were taught that by cooking and serving meals to your husband every day, you maintain his health—something like that.

I didn’t realize the bride training was focused on cooking menus, knife skills, and all that for this very reason.

Then there was also household budgeting, cleaning, managing servants, and assisting your husband with his work…

I should pull out my first-year bride training textbook and read it again.

“Then, I’ll make a lot for you next week! Oh, should I ask Mrs. Ito to make some bento as well?”

“Would that be alright?”

“Yes, of course. I make lunch every day for my father and myself!”

I want to make sure I’m appreciated!

I like cooking, and if it helps, I’ll make sure to show that I can be a good wife here.

“It would be a huge help. Please charge separately for the ingredients… and right, you have some debts. I’ll take care of that with the Kujou-no-Go family.”

“Eh!? No, that’s…”

“Consider it part of the dowry. Don’t worry about it. Accept it without hesitation, as payment for the ‘bento’ you offered.”

I exchanged a look with my father.

Wait, what?!

…Is it really paid off!?