I Already Know That My Magic Power Is Ridiculously High! Now I Just Need To Get A Lovely Bride - Chapter 2:

When I learned that the marriage proposal had fallen through, I hurriedly confronted my father.

“W–what? Why on earth?”

After seeing the portrait of that lovely girl, I was left with a regret as deep as having let a whole school of fish slip away (an idiom meaning I missed a huge opportunity). What on earth is happening?

“They said it was because the other party was unwell.”

“U-unwell? …Or wasn’t there a similar incident before? I recall that on the way to our territory, our carriage driver was suddenly knocked out by an overwhelming burst of magic—an effect called ‘intimidation.’ In the end, the culprit was never found, and that proposal fell through, didn’t it?”

About a year ago, another noble from one of our allied families proposed a marriage, but while traveling along the road to Ortenatoris for a meeting, they were attacked by a mysterious wave of magical energy. In the end, no one discovered who had used that so-called “intimidation,” and the proposal collapsed.

“Ah, that’s right. This time, the Rocham Marquis family was unusually enthusiastic, and everything seemed to be falling into place. But just as I was about to discuss the match, we suddenly received a letter of refusal. The letter was full of confusing phrases like ‘I humbly apologize’ and ‘my judgment was too naive.'”

“Too naive?”

“Yes. It appears that Lady Rokina felt she wasn’t strong enough to stand by your side, Shalka. Her letter was filled with worry.”

Saying that, my father showed me the entire letter he had received from Lady Rokina. The letter carried the delightful scent of Bruneigera—a signature fragrance from the northern Rocham region. They probably extracted a floral essence and sprinkled it on the letter. As expected, Lady Rokina is a demure and considerate young lady.

“This is the kind of standard wording used when one wants to politely dismiss someone they’re not interested in, isn’t it?”

“That seems about right.”

From the contents of the letter, it was clear that she intended not to harm my honor by using phrases like “if I may be so bold.” Claiming she was unwell is most likely just an excuse. So, I’ve been rejected by Lady Rokina—even though I haven’t even met her yet…

(No, I must not give up now. That would make me no different from my past self.)

“Father, there must be some mistake. Why don’t we send another letter right away?”

“Even if you say that, it seems they are completely pulling out now.”

Something doesn’t add up. Could another noble have interfered? Since we are nobles, they should have been honest about it. No, I still feel that her attitude has clearly changed. That letter was as if someone had spread false rumors about me, leaving her frightened.

“In that case, may I send a letter on your behalf? Perhaps we could meet and talk…”

“You’re being too pushy, Shalka. As a noble, you should know when to back down.”

“…Yes.”

It seems it’s no use; once a decision is made among nobles, nothing can be done. It is truly unfortunate, but I must accept that this is my fate as a born noble.

“Father, then what about my marriage proposal?”

“Hmm, it appears that no prospects have come to fruition yet.”

(Ugh…)

Overwhelmed with despair, I sank to my knees on the marble floor. Two years ago, I timidly consulted my father about how to handle the increasingly irresistible desires typical of adolescence. The last time, when I finally thought a match had been found, it fell through at the last moment due to an unexpected attack. And now, even though it seemed like things were going well, it has collapsed once again because of this sudden “illness” excuse.

“Father, you don’t think I am disliked, do you?”

“Hmm, Shalka, your odd behavior in town has spread throughout the castle. I have tried my best to keep it under wraps, but I can’t be sure that none of it reached their ears.”

“T-that’s not fair! I only went to inspect the town for the sake of Ortenos…”

“That’s exactly why I said it. Nobles are not meant to mingle with commoners…”

I know that my frequent trips to town have spread some unsavory rumors about me in the castle. But to think that these rumors have now affected my marriage proposal pains me deeply—I feel that I am not being judged fairly.

Before I knew it, I found myself clenching my fists tightly and biting my lip in frustration…

————The atmosphere grew tense and everything fell silent.

In the next moment, a shrill, ear-piercing sound—like a scream from the very air—rang out through the room. The magical lamp on my father’s desk began to flicker, and the liquid inside the inkpot rippled and swayed. My father noticed that the quill in his hand was vibrating slightly, and he understood that something was wrong. When he looked at me, I saw clear panic on his face.

“N–no good! Shalka! Calm down! Don’t let your emotions get the better of you here! Your magic is leaking!”

At that moment, as objects around us began to vibrate slightly, my father’s words startled me.

“Hah! I-I’m terribly sorry…!”

At my father’s command, I quickly regained my composure, and the vibrations around us subsided.

“My, my, if your magic were to use ‘intimidation’ like that, it would be unbearable. As a noble, if you cannot control your emotions, you’ll be seen as immature and humiliated in society. Besides, your magical power is already abnormal—be very careful.”

My father had scolded me. As a noble born with immense magical power, I have always been told to control my emotions, yet I still have much to learn. If I show my feelings too openly, I might accidentally release my magic and expose a clear weakness both as a noble and as a magician.

“Yes, I will keep that in mind.”

“Hmm. It’s truly unfortunate about the marriage proposal. …By the way, Shalka, how about attending the academy starting this fall?”

My father’s suggestion came completely out of the blue—it had never even crossed my mind.