Friend Marriage

"You!" Conosa was somewhat annoyed.

This Damian, having already been instructed to serve her in dressing, did he still not realize the difference in status between them?

Unfortunately, Damian truly hadn't noticed this point. He even felt that if he were to serve her a few more times, he might even know the count of the countess's measurements.

One person adhered to medieval conservative moral values, while the other embraced modern liberal views, leading to a mismatch in their perceptions of the situation.

However, Countess Conosa was still very clear that she needed Damian and his motley peasant militia to deter the restless enemies around them. So she suppressed her anger and said in a deep voice, "I've told you before, wait until you…"

"If there were an angel to support my army, I would rather marry him than my cousin. That's what you told me back at the hill." Damian certainly understood that the gap in status between them was still considerable, but that didn't stop him from repeating Conosa's promise at this moment.

Sure enough, upon hearing her own awkward oath, Conosa's expression became very strange.

Reason told her that Damian's social status prevented him from marrying her, but Damian's future was also distant and uncertain to her. At the same time, sentimentality kept her holding onto the emotions of that moment.

She did want to marry Damian, but the conditions of the times did not allow it. Unless Damian proved his military merit or gained such fame that it shook the various principalities, a hasty marriage would not be accepted by others, and might even invite the forced intervention of the principalities.

"I.... dear Damian, please allow me to temporarily delay my promise. This is not a breach of contract."

Conosa was nervous for a moment, even lifting her skirt and stepping forward to kiss Damian on the cheek.

"But if we want to be together, we must also avoid the interference of Duke Diodorak, Archbishop of Aachen, and so on."

Damian hadn't expected Conosa to reveal her true feelings with just a slight probing.

It could only be said that the emotional lives of medieval people were really thin, which benefited Damian greatly. If Conosa had been baptized by various online comments from later generations, she would probably have cursed Damian by now.

From this perspective, Conosa was indeed naive in matters of the emotion.

"Even in a friend marriage, we cannot make it public… or… anyway, if you really need it, I allow you to find an honest and reliable partner, but you absolutely cannot marry officially!" Conosa felt some self-blame, unconsciously beginning to think about the troubles before and after marriage.

The so-called friend marriage is an agreement between a man and a woman, with the man not giving a dowry and the woman not giving a bride price. The two agree to live together as husband and wife for a period of time, but they can also separate at any time.

Although it appears equal on the surface, given the unequal social status of men and women in medieval society, this form of marriage is mostly for the benefit of amorous male nobles.

The emergence of this form of marriage actually has reasons.

Although the medieval Christian Church had many faults, its high demand for monogamy and the consensus formed in society meant that once male and female nobles married, they could not easily divorce.

The Church stipulated that a Christian could not divorce unless his wife died, his wife was unfaithful, or his wife renounced Christianity. Divorce usually required strong intervention from the local archbishop, so it was generally not allowed.

Due to the high cost of marriage and the tendency of male nobles to be amorous, a compromise of friend marriage emerged in pursuit of more partners.

The same applies in modern times. Due to the hassle of marriage and divorce, most couples simply cohabit as if married, ready to separate at any time.

"That being said, her husband may not necessarily allow me."

Damian's smile froze Conosa's expression.

So, the Countess wasn't referring to herself?

Damian began to explain the whole thing: "Andreas wants to persuade me to join his camp against you. Although I skillfully avoided the topic, he still seems reluctant to give up on me. Andreas is a useless person, not worth worrying about. But his wife is Countess Shayla, and it seems she's interested in me."

"How do you know?" Conosa asked angrily, pinching her waist.

Damian made a rabbit's ear gesture, and Conosa immediately understood the implication.

"Disgusting!"

The Countess was very angry at Shayla for seducing her favorite subordinate and future husband, but considering Andreas's threat, she had to try to win her over. Conosa wanted both, but was afraid Damian would leave her because of this.

"What's your idea then?"

Damian laid out his thoughts clearly: "We can't confront Dean Andreas head-on, but why not lure Lady Shayla into the picture? If she's willing to help us, Andreas won't be a concern."

"Wait!" Conosa hurriedly sat down, opened a book on heraldry, and searched for Lady Shayla's background.

"Found it. Countess Shayla is the mistress of a wealthy count's domain near the capital. She has some influence in the capital and her marriage to Andreas… was reportedly arranged by the Grand Duke. But after marriage, Lady Shayla still controls her own property and territory."

Conosa admitted that Damian's plan was indeed good. But she was very unhappy about having to help him have an affair with that woman.

Seeing her agreement, Damian didn't say much and left.

But Conosa specifically invited Damian's widowed sister-in-law, Amelia, to a gathering in the city.

At the gathering, Conosa proposed to Amelia, "You are the current head of House Bovendon, and in the name of Count Gothingen, I am enforcing guardianship over Damian Bovendon. I hope to choose a friend-marriage partner for him, to spend the lonely time before the formal marriage. Can you accept?"

"Me? I definitely can't do it myself… This…" Amelia blushed shyly, lowering her head.

She was Damian's sister-in-law. Although medieval moral standards weren't strong, and many people could have affairs in the fields and woods, Amelia still couldn't get over it in her heart.

"No, not you! I mean… I want Joan to marry Damian as a friend, to help me rule the County of Gothingen." With that said, Conosa's cheeks turned slightly red.

Although no dowry was required, the groom still needed to pay a certain amount of money as compensation for the time and companionship of the bride.

Conosa really needed Damian's army.

Both emotional and practical considerations led her to this plan.

"I can." Amelia thought of the estate Damian had once fought for Joan and couldn't help but admire Damian's cleverness.

He had quietly obtained an estate and freedom, and now he even had a charming companion.

Poor knight Joan, at this moment, she was still concentrating on practicing swordsmanship in the training ground, unaware that her marriage partner had been designated as Damian by Conosa.