Chapter 8: 8
Of course, there were no separate descriptions of the conversations between Zion Laird and Hanette Adelaira or their respective feelings.
Zion Laird was just an extra and Hanette Adelaira’s fiancé.
‘… No, it can’t be. There can’t be any unexpected variables now.’
For an unexpected variable to arise, one must actively intervene in the course of events or take separate measures.
But Zion hadn’t taken any action so far.
He was merely preparing to use the magic sword and had ordinary conversations with Hanette.
‘She must be scared about marrying someone she’s never met before.’
He could act calmly because he knew he wouldn’t get married.
However, Hanette was continually worrying and planning ways to escape.
Given the different circumstances, their perspectives were bound to differ.
‘I want to be kind to her… but if I’m too lenient, she might take advantage of it.’
For Hanette to maintain her troublemaker act, she had to appear somewhat rude.
Of course, she adjusted her behavior based on the place and time, especially when her parents were around.
If Zion simply went along with everything Hanette did, she might end up exploiting it.
‘I need to think it over first. Help where I can, but if it’s too much…’
“So, we just need to follow the basic rules?”
“That’s right, if you look at it simply.”
“Are you going to change your mind after we get married?”
“Do you want me to write a contract?”
“When did I ask for a contract? It’s just that things can change later…”
Hanette muttered, trailing off.
She wasn’t entirely set on escaping.
If she could find a suitable agreement with Zion Laird, accepting the marriage might not be so bad.
“Aren’t you worrying too much? We might end up breaking the engagement before the wedding.”
“… That’s not likely.”
“That’s true. It’s not easy. But there’s always a chance, right?”
“What chance? For the engagement to break, one of us has to make a move.”
It was rare for both families to simultaneously demand the engagement be broken.
Typically, one side made a mistake, or one party unilaterally pushed for it.
Though these were the common scenarios, most often, they would let things slide for mutual benefit.
“Even if we do get married… as long as we don’t fight, we’ll be fine.”
“Are you sure we won’t fight?”
“Uh… maybe? I’m very nice, after all.”
Zion pretended to think before saying it.
After all, it wasn’t a marriage he would go through with.
Whatever he said wouldn’t mean much.
“In what way are you nice?”
“I’m better than a troublemaker.”
“Drinking and gambling don’t necessarily make you bad.”
“It’s better not to do them, isn’t it?”
“Are you already interfering with my life?”
“What can’t I say this much?”
“What do you use your brain for? Think before you speak.”
“Listening to that from you makes me laugh. Ha, ha!”
“Where did the nice person go? You’re itching for a fight.”
“You’re making me into a bad person.”
“Why are you blaming me for your faults?”
“How is this my fault?”
“If you claim to be nice, you should act like it.”
Hanette glared at Zion, pushing him continuously.
Zion, aware of the conversation’s tone, couldn’t just stay quiet.
“I’m not nice, am I? Isn’t that settled?”
“Ha! You finally admit it? I can already see how much we’ll fight after getting married!”
“From your perspective, yes. From mine, I am nice.”
“Do you think just saying it makes it true? If you had any conscience, you’d at least stay quiet!”
“Are you doing this because you have a conscience?”
“I’m just matching your nonsense, what do you think?”
“You want to bring me down to your level? Nice try.”
“Do you think you’re on a high level? I’m just stating the facts.”
“You’re lying with every word.”
“Can you still say that looking at yourself?”
“What’s wrong with me? Aren’t I very handsome and well-mannered?”
“Haha! Are you joking with me? You think you’re handsome? Well-mannered? You’re out of your mind. How did I end up engaged to someone like you?”
Hanette burst into laughter, shooting Zion a cold look.
Though Zion was somewhat good-looking, he wasn’t well-mannered.
She was picky, but Zion was teasing her even more.
Marrying someone like him would mean endless torment.
“Didn’t I say it before? I’m more valuable than you.”
“What’s so valuable about you?”
“It’s relative, you know?”
“Just because I drink and gamble, it doesn’t mean I’m a troublemaker. You’re no different from them.”
“Oh… denying reality now? Planning to deny it even after marriage?”
“Worry about yourself. I’ll live my life and die like this.”
“People who drink a lot don’t live long…”
“Yes, yes, live longer than me. Do you think it’s good to live long?”
Hanette turned her head sharply, unable to say what she wanted.
She intended to ask about having children after marriage, but the conversation got derailed.
Even if she asked, she would only get a formal or insincere answer.
‘… But I do feel relieved.’
Hanette felt a faint sense of satisfaction, glancing cautiously.
Zion was calmly looking around the garden.
She had never spoken so freely with anyone in her life.
Even at the engagement, she didn’t like his personality and way of speaking.
‘Have I been lonely all this time?’
Hanette sometimes recognized her loneliness but tried to ignore it.
No one would understand her feelings, and she would always be alone.
But meeting someone who provoked her made that loneliness more apparent.
‘I won’t be bored until I escape.’
Hanette’s eyes turned melancholic as she slowed down.
Running away left her with a slight sense of regret.
Why did she feel this way?
‘Do I have regrets just because of him? That can’t be…’
“What are you doing? Lead the way properly.”
“Hey! Am I your guide?”
“You volunteered, so you should take responsibility.”
“When did I say that?”
“You asked for some time, didn’t you? Give and take, right?”
“Ha! You’re really something.”
“You find this funny? I’m very serious. Did you forget we agreed to cooperate?”
“Unbelievable…”
Hanette sighed, reluctantly following Zion.
He was excessively cheeky and seemed at ease.
How did he live to be so shameless?
‘He’s all talk. He’s just a kid…’
* * *
Duke Adelaira’s residence, the head’s room.
Robbenz returned home at dusk.
Maids brought out clothes for him to change into, and Yenid watched silently.
When the maids left, Robbenz and Yenid sat in chairs across the round table.
“Did Zion arrive safely?”
“Yes. There was a small issue, but it was resolved.”
“… What issue?”
Robbenz frowned, his voice tense.
The engagement was hard to secure, and they needed to avoid any trouble before the wedding.
A bad impression on the first day could affect not only Zion Laird but also Marquis Laird.
“Sigh… Hanette met Zion in her nightgown.”
“Where is Hanette? I told her to be careful!”
Robbenz rose without a moment’s hesitation.
Wearing a nightgown meant she wasn’t prepared to meet Zion Laird.
If she had shown herself without even putting on makeup, Zion Laird would be greatly disappointed and displeased.
“Wait. Let me finish.”
“There’s nothing to hear. She needs to be disciplined.”
“Zion asked me to show leniency. He said scolding her would hurt her pride.”
“… He said that?”
“Yes. Would you like to hear more?”
Robbenz, puzzled, sat back down.
Yenid felt a bit relieved and continued.
“I didn’t believe him at first. It could have been a polite remark. So I asked if there was anything he liked about Hanette.”
“What did Zion say?”
“He gave a strange answer. He said he liked her mistake today. He found it interesting because it was unexpected.”
“…?”
Robbenz couldn’t comprehend the words and kept thinking.
Typically, a noble would favor a graceful and elegant lady.
But Hanette’s behavior was the opposite, and nobles knew this, avoiding marriage talks.
If Zion Laird wasn’t lying, he must have different standards.
“It sounds like a lie.”
“It could be a lie. He might use it as an excuse to break off the engagement later. But… he seemed sincere.”
Yenid vividly remembered the atmosphere and feelings from that moment.
She had once been a noble lady, meeting many nobles to expand her connections and find a marriage partner.
Her intuition had sharpened, allowing her to sense the emotions and thoughts of others.
Based on her intuition, Zion Laird was genuinely expressing his feelings.
“Do you really think so?”
“Yes. I believe he was sincere.”
“Your intuition is quite sharp.”
“Haha… it’s not always right, but it’s often accurate.”
“Hmm…”
Robbenz stroked his chin, thinking about Zion Laird.
He seemed ordinary, perhaps even timid and introverted.
For a Marquis’s son, he was quite reserved and hadn’t caused any trouble.
But that might just be a facade, hiding his true nature for a long time.
“What about Hanette?”
“Zion treated her well. Making a fuss over this wouldn’t help.”
“You’re right. They need to grow closer during the engagement. Scolding her would just make things awkward.”
For Robbenz, this engagement was both an opportunity and a risk.
They needed to avoid any displeasure between the families, as a broken engagement would harm both sides.
Moreover, it was best to handle Hanette gently and avoid conflict.
“Zion seems very interested in Hanette. Despite her quirks, she is attractive, isn’t she?”
“It seems her unusual personality is to his taste.”
“That’s good, but… Hanette is the problem. She seems to view Zion unfavorably. What should we do?”
“… We should have them spend more time together. We can set conditions.”