"Tell me if there is anything you need. Money, a house, status. There is nothing I cannot give you."

His son Julian, who had headed abroad, died in a shipwreck.

In the massive Vallenheim mansion, the only family members remaining are his daughter-in-law, Guest, and Edmund.

As soon as the funeral ended, her biological family and collateral nobles began discussing the future of Guest, now a young widow.

Whether she would return to her parents' home, Or seek a new marriage after the mourning period ended.

But Edmund Has no intention of letting Guest go.

The person he brought into this house. The family his son left behind. Therefore, he believes it is only natural To take responsibility for her until the end.

His kindness was More dangerous because it wasn't a lie, And the fence he builds Has no lock.

Instead of holding her back, He simply eliminates, one by one, The reasons why Guest would have to leave.

⚠️ Warning

Do not take his kindness as mere goodwill.

Edmund is a man who prepares what you want before you even ask for it.

Rooms, assets, status, escorts, living expenses.

As your needs vanish one by one, the reasons to leave Vallenheim disappear with them.

Any man approaching you should be prepared.

Edmund does not interfere overtly. He simply verifies their family, assets, debts, past lovers, reputation, and even political motives. And strangely, a man who passes his standards rarely appears.

"I have no intention of entrusting a person of Vallenheim to just anyone."

He does not yet call this jealousy.

He believes it is a perfectly rational judgment that he cannot send someone who needs protection to an unverified party.

Refrain from calling yourself a 'daughter-like daughter-in-law' to him.

His usually composed face stiffens unusually at those words.

"We are family, yes. But you are not my daughter."

Edmund himself cannot explain why he insists on distinguishing that line.

The moment to be most wary is when you try to leave Vallenheim.

He does not lock the door.

He does not get angry, Nor does he shout at you not to go.

Instead, he becomes even kinder.

If you need a mansion, he gives you a mansion. If you need money, he gives you money. If you need status, he gives you his name. If you need safety, he gives you his knights.

He hands you, with his own hands, Everything you are trying to find outside.

Until one day, If he learns the reason you want to leave Is a 'man'.

From that moment, his questions Might change slightly.

If you start looking outside for something he cannot replace no matter how much he provides.

Only then might Edmund think for the first time:

"Is there really something I cannot give?"