Chapter 9: 9
“How do you plan to do that?”
“You have to target what she likes.”
Yenid realized what Robbenz meant after a moment.
Hanette often used this method before the engagement as well.
However, setting conditions without thinking could make Hanette act unpredictably.
“Wouldn’t it be better to leave her alone for now? She’s barely holding on.”
“This time, we need a different approach. That’s why I mentioned giving her a choice.”
“A choice?”
“Let her choose between benefits and losses.”
Yenid thought for a moment and then fully understood.
If only losses were left as options, Hanette would definitely rebel.
However, if benefits were included, she would naturally try to avoid the losses.
“That’s a good approach. She’ll resist, but she’ll also try to gain the benefits.”
“Just the effort to gain the benefits is enough.”
“She’ll need Zion’s help for that.”
“Explain the situation and ask for his cooperation. They’ll end up spending time together anyway.”
“Any way you look at it, this will go as you planned, Master.”
“We can consider it as us covering more of the dowry. For a Duke’s family, that’s to be expected.”
Robbenz was determined to see Hanette’s marriage through.
If they missed this opportunity, they might never secure a marriage alliance with a Marquis family.
Though they had the option of settling for a Count’s family, he didn’t want to take the harder route.
“The situation is turning out well. If what you say is true, Zion will overlook whatever Hanette does.”
“But I’m still worried. Drinking and gambling can make her look quite vulgar.”
“Or it could be the opposite.”
“You mean Zion might like it?”
“Not everyone has the same preferences. Just because he’s a noble doesn’t mean he’ll only like well-educated ladies.”
“… Are you suggesting he might prefer commoner women?”
“There are nobles who like pure and simple women. Wouldn’t they get tired of seeing the same thing all the time?”
“Ah…”
Hanette might not entirely fit that description, but she didn’t act like a typical noble lady and always followed her heart.
Thus, she stood out as a different kind of noble, resembling a commoner woman but still unique.
“For me, it’s just good luck. Who knew the Marquis’s son I carefully chose would take a liking to my daughter?”
“So, should we just leave Hanette alone?”
“We should step in occasionally. We need to push for the wedding to happen sooner.”
The engagement period was extended to six months at Marquis Laird’s request.
If nothing changed during that time, they couldn’t have the wedding within six months.
During that period, Zion Laird might change his mind, or a reason to break the engagement might arise.
“We should accommodate Zion as much as possible.”
“We should. Give him whatever he needs quickly. To keep his focus on Hanette, he mustn’t have other distractions.”
Robbenz felt somewhat relieved but couldn’t shake off his worries.
When things went too smoothly, obstacles were bound to appear.
During such times, they needed to be more vigilant.
‘If we can settle Hanette, we can get through this.’
To Robbenz, Hanette was like a wounded finger.
Even if all other fingers were intact, an injured one would cause trouble for the whole hand.
His children were precious fingers, and only Hanette was going astray.
That’s why he focused on Hanette, trying to heal the wound completely.
‘How could I discard a wounded finger? I have to carry on with it.’
Of course, he had ambitions for Hanette.
She was a member of the family before being his daughter.
But he also wanted her to live happily, hence arranging her engagement to a Marquis’s son.
‘I need to find out more about Zion. Something might come up.’
* *
Duke Adelaira’s residence, second-floor corridor.
Hanette walked down the corridor with a sullen expression.
She had just come from the study, having received a semi-mandatory order from Robbenz.
If she followed the conditions, she would benefit; if not, her allowance would be reduced.
‘Ugh… He’s really trying hard to pair us up.’
She felt it was unfair but couldn’t ignore the order.
All the money she received came from Robbenz, and it wasn’t a small amount.
If he had unconditionally reduced her allowance like before, she would have rebelled, but since he gave her a choice, she had to back down a bit.
‘He wants me to hang out with that guy? Why make things complicated?’
Robbenz’s condition was straightforward.
Every time she went to a bar or gambling house, she had to take Zion Laird with her.
If she did, she would get an extra half of her current allowance, but if not, it would be halved.
Whether Zion Laird was with her or not determined her allowance.
‘What’s so great about drinking and gambling…’
Hanette sighed and climbed the stairs.
She used drinking and gambling to gather funds.
Having Zion Laird around might interfere with her plan to secretly take money.
‘But the extra half is tempting.’
Hanette’s goal was to accumulate as much money as possible.
If Zion Laird agreed to cooperate, she would get the extra half of her allowance.
She couldn’t miss this opportunity.
‘How should I persuade him…’
Hanette pondered as she stopped in front of Zion’s room.
They had already agreed to cooperate.
If she offered him a share, he might go along with her.
‘Splitting it half and half should be fair.’
Hanette cleared her throat and knocked on the door.
When the door opened, she saw Zion sitting at his desk.
“Can we talk for a moment?”
“My time is quite valuable. Do you have something in return?”
“Haa… What do you want from me?”
“I don’t want anything. I was just teasing.”
“… You’re really annoying.”
“You always say what I want to say.”
Hanette frowned as she entered the room.
Zion smiled lightly and moved to the round table.
“So, what do you want to talk about?”
“I need a favor. Just accompany me when I go out.”
“Going out to the bar or gambling house?”
“Yeah. If you do, I’ll get an extra half of my allowance.”
“Hmm… What’s in it for me if I do this for you?”
“I’ll give you half of the extra money. Is that good enough?”
Zion quickly grasped Hanette’s situation from the conversation.
From Hanette’s perspective, she wouldn’t want to take someone to the bar or gambling house.
Though she would benefit from his company, secretly taking money would be harder.
She was likely trying to balance the risks and benefits.
“… So, if I don’t go with you, your allowance gets cut?”
“You’re quick. So, will you go with me or not?”
“I think your calculation is off. If you don’t take me, you lose money. So, you should give me all the extra money to keep your current allowance.”
“What? Do you think I’m doing this for fun?”
“I have nothing to lose. Isn’t it better to give me all the extra money and keep what you have?”
“You…”
Hanette clenched her fists and glared at Zion.
Despite his young age, he was incredibly shrewd.
His response annoyed her beyond the benefits and losses.
“Forget it! I’d rather get less allowance than be with you. Do you think I’m a fool?”
Hanette raised her voice and stood up.
She felt foolish for expecting his help.
She’d rather give up half her allowance than swallow her pride and seek his assistance.
“Uh… Are you upset?”
“Forget it! I won’t help you either.”
“Why don’t you listen to me first?”
“Listen to what? You’re completely ignoring me. How did I end up engaged to someone like you…”
“You really can’t take a joke. I’ll take just half, so sit down.”
“… I don’t care. I’m not doing it.”
Despite her words, Hanette didn’t leave the room.
Zion barely stifled his laughter, covering his mouth.
“I was just joking. What would I do with your allowance?”
“How should I know? Maybe you have a lot to spend on? If I’d known, I wouldn’t have asked you.”
“Kuh… Okay, I won’t joke like this again.”
“… Add one more condition.”
“What is it?”
“Stop calling me a troublemaker. Do you think I like hearing that?”
“You don’t like being called that? Fine, I won’t. Now sit down.”
Hanette glared at Zion before cautiously taking a seat.
Zion wiped the smile off his face and continued the conversation.
“I’ll do as you want. But there’s a condition.”
“What is it?”
“When we go out, it has to be after sunrise, and we have to return before sunset. Can you do that?”
“… Fine.”
Hanette agreed reluctantly but understood Zion’s position.
He likely had his schedule and responsibilities, so she couldn’t demand he always be available.
She might need to adjust her plans to fit his availability.
“I also have my outings, so I can’t always go with you.”
“I won’t force you. Just be with me for a while.”
“Also, I can’t drink. I might gamble occasionally.”
“I’m not asking you to drink. Gambling is your choice.”
“I can’t stay too long.”
“I don’t plan to stay long either.”
Zion didn’t want to disrupt Hanette’s plans.
Even if she was a minor character, he didn’t want to change her intentions.
Keeping the flow of the story stable made it easier to predict the future.
‘I should pretend to go along.’
It wasn’t time to act yet.
He hadn’t obtained the magic sword, and the protagonist hadn’t appeared.
For now, he needed to cooperate with Hanette and prepare carefully.
‘I’m probably not good at drinking anyway…’
* *
Allein Kingdom’s capital, a luxurious tavern.
Unlike regular bars, this luxurious tavern selectively admitted guests.
It only served nobles and provided them with suitable drinks and service.
Commoners could enter only if they had a lot of money or were accompanied by nobles.
“You said you can’t drink, right?”
“Yeah.”
“I’ll order something else for you to drink.”
Hanette took a seat leisurely.
Zion followed, looking around.
Only nobles in fancy clothes were visible, with occasional sounds of conversation and laughter.
“You’re still a kid. What will you do if you can’t drink?”
“Do you think being able to drink makes you an adult?”
“What do you expect from me? Just watch quietly.”
Hanette opened a bottle and poured herself a drink.
Zion watched with a vague sense of unease.
Was she going to overdo it just to show off?
“Don’t drink too much. It’s not good to drink until you’re drunk.”
“Are you worried about me? I guess I have a good fiancé.”
“I’m not worried about you. I just don’t want to deal with a drunkard.”
“I won’t drink that much.”
Hanette smiled and took a sip of her drink.
Zion sipped his tea, trying to calm his unease.
But his concern proved valid.
“Hey… Do you think I’m a joke? Is that why you talk so casually? If you’re going to call me ‘sister,’ show some respect, you annoying brat.”