Ruth's story wasn't about Theia, like Koutarou had hoped, but it still surprised everyone that listened to it.
“An arranged marriage... is that true?”
Theia was no exception to this, and she stared at her long loyal subject with her eyes wide open. Her surprise was so deep that she temporarily forgot about her own worry.
“...Yes, your highness.”
Ruth slowly but firmly nodded at Theia. Her expression was dark. She didn't seem to be welcoming idea of the arranged marriage; instead, her expression was filled with doubt.
“So, what are you planning on doing?”
Ruth hesitated to answer to Theia's question, then she honestly spoke her mind.
“That's... I'm honestly still hesitant. I understand that this marriage is better for the future, but...”
Ruth was well aware of the situation and just how much it would help Theia. She was also aware of the consequences if she were to decline.
Ruth was born into a well-known family of knights, so she knew that she wouldn't be able to marry freely and that she would eventually have to marry someone she didn't known for the sake of the family.
That's why she wanted Koutarou to become Theia's vassal. If Ruth were to get married, she would gain more power, but she wouldn't be able to always stay by Theia's side like now. When that happened, Koutarou would be of great help. If he stayed by Theia's side, then Ruth could marry without worrying.
“But, I, can't just make up my mind... so, I wanted to hear Satomi-sama's and everyone’s opinion...”
However, despite knowing all of that, Ruth wasn't very positive about the marriage. If anything, she was feeling reluctant. The reason for that was simple: a single man had already taken up residence in her heart.
“So... everyone, what do you think?”
Ruth finished explained everything she had to. Everyone here understood her situation. Now was their turn to tell Ruth what she wanted to know.
“Hmm... isn't it still too early?”
Shizuka was the first to answer. She counted their ages on her finger and shook her head.
“You're still in your first year of high school, 15 or 16 years old. I think it's too early for you to decide on your future.”
That was her thinking as an earthling, but Shizuka didn't think that it was much different in Forthorthe. And that was true; even in Forthorthe, it was rare for girls of Ruth's age to get married.
“I would agree, on certain conditions.”
“Eeeh? Why's that, Kiriha-san? It's definitely too early!”
Kiriha was for marriage. Hearing that, Shizuka was surprised and asked her why.
“If Ruth gets married, the situation regarding Theia-dono would change. And it might even be beneficial for Ruth herself.”
Kiriha's opinion was from a political point of view. If the merits were large, there was no reason not to.
“So you're telling her to compromise and get married? That's just awful! What about Ruth-san's feelings!?”
Shizuka's opinion was that of a woman’s. Ruth was still young, and her feelings weren't taken into consideration. She couldn't accept Kiriha's words.
“Don't get too heated, Shizuka. That's why I said only on certain conditions.”
Shizuka's pressed on in excitement while Kiriha attempted to calm her down.
“...Then what do you mean?”
Upon seeing Kiriha's wry smile, Shizuka was able to calm down a little. But it's not like she was convinced, and her eyes were still full of questions.
“If Ruth were to get married to someone she doesn't like, her mental burden would only increase. If the total results in a minus, there's no point.”
A while ago, Kiriha's father had also suggested that she get married. It was an entirely political marriage intended to suppress the radical faction. However, Kiriha had refused. The reason for that was because she already had a man she loved. So she gave Ruth that same choice. No matter how great of a power she gained, Kiriha wouldn't recommend marriage if Ruth was going to regret it. In the end, looking at the bigger picture, Kiriha was of the same mind as Shizuka.
“So what about the guy? Is he good looking or not?”
Yurika had a completely different point of view. The man was a rich heir, and although he wasn't a noble, he had the lineage. As long as he was good looking, he was the perfect fiancè, like out of a Shoujo manga. Because of that, Yurika's eyes were sparkling. Her being poor probably also played a part in the whole.
“Yurika, we're not talking about liking his face, geez...”
“Eeeh, really?”
“Well, in your Shoujo mangas, there's usually not a problem with a good looking guy's personality. But reality is not the same, you know?”
Sanae had a completely amazed expression, she couldn't keep up with Yurika's outlook on men. To Sanae, the face wasn't what was important, nor was it money or status. No, to her the most important thing was the other party's heart, or more accurately, the soul.
To a ghost like Sanae, good looks weren't all that important. If anything, she perceived more spiritual energy than light, so the emitted spiritual energy was more preferred. Sanae hated negative spiritual energy; when showered by spiritual energy colored by greed, she felt unpleasant. If anything, she loved straightforward spiritual energy. And to a ghost, money and status meant nothing.
So for these quite realistic reasons, Sanae valued a person's heart or soul more.
“Who would you pick between a good looking but sly guy or Koutarou? I'd rather go with Koutarou. He feels good to sleep in after all.”
“Wait a minute Sanae!! So what!? You mean I'm ugly!?”
“What about you Yurika?”
“Don't ignore me!”
“Uhm, who would give me food?”
“A sly person wouldn't give you food for no reason. But Koutarou always gives you your fill, right?”
“Then I'll pick Satomi-san! I don't need a handsome man who doesn't give me food!”
“No really, what's that supposed to mean!?”
At first, Sanae and Yurika's taste in men had differed, but now they had agreed on a realistic part. 'A non-sly person' equals 'a person that gives you food'. To Yurika, good looks came second to food. While Yurika liked to dream, because she was poor, she was forced to be a realist.
“It doesn't matter how good they look if they don't give me food. In that case I'd rather pick Satomi-san.”
“You did it Koutarou, you're super popular!”