Chapter 4: 4
“What… what are you talking about?”
Hanette was so shocked she couldn’t continue speaking.
She had deliberately mentioned alcohol and night activities to provoke Zion.
But his unexpected reaction made her heart race.
“Why are you so surprised? Isn’t that what couples do?”
“What do you mean by ‘couple’? We’re not even married yet!”
“You don’t have to be married to do it. Everyone does it secretly. And if a baby comes along, they end up getting married.”
“Well… that’s…”
Hanette blushed and clutched her skirt.
It was true that couples sometimes spent the night together before marriage. If they enjoyed it, that was the end of it. But if the woman got pregnant, they inevitably ended up married.
She had entered this engagement unwillingly, but considering the circumstances, it wasn’t entirely impossible.
“But it’s not ideal. Marrying like that only leads to regret.”
“Seems like you know well. We both did something we regret.”
“I wouldn’t say regret since it wasn’t our choice… but being used as a tool feels unfair.”
Zion muttered, his eyes filled with bitterness.
Blaming Fried or Robernz wouldn’t change anything. Political marriages were a method to increase power and a near-customary practice.
As a noble in this world, one had to accept it, whether they liked it or not.
“You must have someone in mind.”
“No, I don’t. I just hate being used as a tool.”
“Really? But there must be someone you’re interested in.”
“No one. I prefer being alone.”
Zion answered sincerely.
Living in modern society, he had encountered numerous people and experienced distrust and hatred. He began to detest humanity and doubt himself.
That’s why he tried to stay alone, and in that process, he accidentally ended up in this world.
“Let me ask you instead. Do you have someone you like?”
“Me? There’s no such thing. It would only be bothersome.”
“You drink and gamble but don’t meet men. That’s surprising.”
Zion smiled, feigning ignorance to keep the conversation flowing. He already knew about Hanette but pretended not to.
Drinking and gambling were just her ways to appear unruly until she met the protagonist. She wouldn’t get close to any man until then.
“They’re useless. They just keep talking nonsense.”
“What interests you, then?”
“Alcohol, gambling.”
“… What’s useful?”
“Hmm… alcohol, gambling?”
“Why do you live?”
“Because of alcohol and gambling.”
“You seem to live a fun life. You look very happy.”
“I’m the only one having fun. If we marry, you might become unhappy.”
“Oh, so you want to break the engagement?”
“I’d be grateful if you did.”
“If you want that, you should do it yourself. I don’t want to suffer losses.”
The engagement was arranged based on mutual interests. Breaking it required a valid reason. If one side tried to break it without a good reason, the other side wouldn’t stay silent.
“… True. We’re in the same situation. Fighting won’t change anything.”
“This is the first time you’re making sense.”
“I’ve always been right.”
“If you’ve always been right, why are we arguing?”
“Because you’re being stubborn.”
“Wow… you’re being merciful?”
“I’m merciful enough. I’m listening to you, aren’t I?”
Hanette laughed graciously and nodded.
Zion chuckled and calmly retorted.
“Why are you saying what I should say?”
“Because I’m three years older and I’m tolerating you.”
“If I were older, I’d have hit you by now.”
“Why hit? Just ignore.”
“If you’re older, you ignore; if younger, you listen? What kind of logic is that?”
“Why fight with kids? It’s better to listen.”
“You look young, but your thinking is outdated. I should respect you.”
“Should you respect me, or should I serve you?”
“I’m too young to associate with old people.”
“Great! I also don’t want to associate with kids.”
Both picked up their teacups simultaneously, their conversation sharp.
Their first meeting wasn’t pleasant, but they got to understand each other somewhat.
Of course, Zion already knew enough about Hanette and took the situation calmly.
“When three months pass, she’ll run away…”
In the original story, Zion Laird and Hanette Adelaira’s engagement lasted three months. Hanette, facing the threat of marriage, escaped with the protagonist before the wedding. Zion would be left alone, but the engagement wouldn’t break.
“With six months, I’ll have more time to watch.”
Zion Laird, though an extra, was a noble child of the prestigious Marquis family in this world. He could use money and connections if he wanted and even influence the world’s events.
He didn’t plan to act unnecessarily but intended to understand why Zion Laird didn’t break the engagement.
“It might be a trivial reason, but knowing won’t hurt.”
It was too coincidental.
The unruly lady, the heroine’s fiancé, the protagonist connected beyond that, and the engagement lasting until the end.
Was there a reason he was made to possess Zion Laird in this world?
“There might be something… or not.”
Zion pondered as he looked at Hanette.
Though the heroine, Hanette would grow strong alongside the protagonist. It would take time, and he needed to prepare.
“I have only one magic sword I can obtain. If I get it, I might stand a chance.”
* * *
Hanette’s room in the Adelaira Duke’s mansion.
Hanette took off her dress with the help of the maids.
She wore it reluctantly for the engagement ceremony, but it didn’t suit her.
After marriage, she’d be stuck in dresses until death.
“Leave me alone.”
Hanette waved her hand wearily, and the maids bowed and left.
“It’s time to go.”
Hanette lay on the bed in her undergarments.
She had been preparing for a long time, continuously saving money.
She had no one she could trust, but she had managed to endure by acting alone.
More time would have been better, but she had to move in haste.
“Better to fight monsters than be stuck here.”
Hanette had always obeyed her parents.
It was practically an order, and her will was always suppressed.
The more she was pressured, the stronger her desire to escape and her yearning to grow strong.
“I can do it.”
Hanette awakened her magical powers in her childhood and learned the best magic she could handle.
It took a long time to learn secretly, but she managed to master the attribute.
If she could join a renowned knight order or gain fame as a mercenary, she could completely escape the family.
“Would have been nice to have an ally.”
Hanette couldn’t move freely.
A maid always followed her in the mansion, and a bodyguard accompanied her when she went out.
She couldn’t even seek a mage’s teachings because of them.
“They’ll manage fine without me.”
Hanette thought of the person she met today and turned.
Zion Laird, the youngest son of the Laird Marquis family, her fiancé and marriage partner.
He seemed unhappy with the engagement and showed no intention of getting close to her.
“That kid had quite a mouth on him.”
Zion Laird had maintained a consistent attitude, responding to all her provocations.
She expected a pampered youngest son but found him boldly confronting her, leaving her taken aback.
He probably attended many social gatherings and met various people, gaining lots of experience.
“Better than those schemers. At least he says what he thinks.”
The men approaching her all had the same tiresome intentions.
They either looked at her appearance, checked her family background, or wanted a fleeting fling.
Despite acting like an unruly lady, indulging in alcohol and gambling, they still tried to associate with her.
“His face is… not bad.”
Zion Laird left a unique impression, making his appearance easily recalled.
His silver hair shone softly, his deep purple eyes seemed bottomless, and his cold yet intense aura.
It was hard to believe he hadn’t dated before.
“Not pretentious. Composed and not overpowered.”
Hanette had met many young nobles, exchanging dull pleasantries as her parents wished.
They tried to foster friendships, praising and being humble, which was tiresome.
As the days repeated, mental fatigue accumulated, and she felt her time was being wasted.
In comparison, Zion Laird spoke his mind freely, making her feel surprisingly at ease.
“We could have been friends…”
Hanette smiled faintly, realizing her situation.
The engagement made friendship impossible.
They would either marry or break off the engagement and part ways.
No other outcomes were possible.
“I can’t act childishly. I’m not ready for marriage.”
She wanted to choose her partner.
They’d spend their lives together, share many memories, and love each other.
Being forced to marry the first person she met felt too cruel.
“To marry, at least our personalities should match…”
Hanette pondered, tilting her head.
For the first time, she felt she wanted to be friends with someone.
It meant she liked him somewhat and wouldn’t mind being with him.
“His personality seems okay, his face is decent, his background isn’t bad…”
Hanette realized something and sat up.
The thought suddenly occurred to her but didn’t seem strange.
Given the conditions, it made sense.
“Maybe I can marry him?”