As I promised, I followed my family to the city of Lavender within the day, right after I secured a new wife for myself. For now, I was going to introduce Iris to my family and to my first fiancee, Sophia, and see their reactions.
"Good day, Sophia."
"Oh, Raphael?"
As Iris and I were walking in the mansion, we happened to stumble upon Sophia along the hallway. We waved at each other before we met in the middle.
"I am glad you came, and you seem to have brought someone with you."
Sophia said those words as she turned her attention to Iris. She seemed to be scanning Iris from tip to toe.
Normally, people tended to get jealous every time their loved ones were with someone. But I could not sense any hostility from her toward Iris, and she was not passively aggressive either. It was probably because she was used to me being with other women most of the time; she was as tranquil as a placid lake.
"Nice to meet you." Iris took a bow as she greeted. "My name is Iris Arcenciel, Raphael's classmate in the academy. Please make me your acquaintance."
"So you're Lady Iris. I heard a lot of things about you from Raphael. Are you perhaps invited by him today?"
"Yes, my family has been invited by him to attend his parents' wedding, and I went ahead of my family."
"I see."
"You know what, Sophia?" I chimed in. "There is something I want to tell you. I don't know what your reaction would be, but... Actually, I have decided to take Iris as my primary spouse."
When I told her that, Sophia somewhat gaped as if she were surprised.
"Really? Is it true?"
But at the end of the day, I was grateful to her for accepting Iris. Now that we got Sophia's approval, I just had to see my family and hear their yes.
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"So Iris has become Raphael's lover. Isn't that so exciting?"
"Louise always said that they two have been so close in the academy, and I am actually rooting for them since I think that they would be a good couple. Fufu, I don't think they would ask for our blessings so soon."
After I revealed to them that Iris and I had committed to a serious relationship, Mother and Mom expressed their reactions to that information, respectively, and it was obvious that they were genuinely happy about us.
Iris and I were in the parlor room right now, together with my family. Since the Grise family was around, they were also here to hear my revelation. They just finished touring the estate, and we were about to have our lunch, so they had some time to join the meeting.
"An engagement between the Arcenciel and Raevender families, huh? The son of the Sage will be marrying the daughter of the family known for their mages. I wonder what their children would look like?"
The one who just muttered was the head of the Grise family and Christine's father, Archduke Owen Grise. He was a muscular man with intimidating gazes, but right now, he was an uncle who was delighted by someone's success.
"That would be a matter in the far future, Lord Owen. Iris and I just entered into a relationship and we are not formally engaged yet. But I can be sure that she will be the woman who will be by my side for life. It doesn't matter how our children would become or what they want to do in life as long as we love them with all our hearts."
"You are right, His Highness Raphael," Lord Owen agreed. "Many things will happen in the future, and they might even be way more than we expected."
"It's alright. There is nothing wrong with being optimistic."
"So much great news is coming to us today," Mother cheered. "How about celebrating them by filling our stomachs?"
"That's perfect, Mother."
After that, we all went to the dining area and consumed our delicious lunch.