Chapter 14
"How dare you in the lady's domain!"
Thud! Crack.
When Rina punched the wall, a deep fissure split the surface.
“……!!”
The maids froze mid-breath.
‘This is strange. Before, even when she flexed her strength, it was just comical.’
‘Why does she suddenly feel so terrifying?!’
They realized—the bear who’d been cowering had finally awakened to her own power.
"Insulting your master is no different from insulting yourselves."
“……."
"Never speak recklessly again."
“……."
"Understood?"
Crick. A sinister crackle erupted from Rina’s knuckles.
"Eek! Y-yes, ma’am!"
"Forgive us!"
The maids scrambled away without a backward glance.
Rina watched their retreat coldly until they vanished, her fury ebbing into her usual gentle demeanor.
"Phew. Glad they saw reason."
Yet something felt odd.
The moment I heard them slander my lady, an unfamiliar rage had surged through me.
‘She’s changed—truly changed.’
Gone was her obsession with magical inadequacy and inheriting the family title. Instead, she’d begun caring for Noah, the sponsored child she’d once ignored.
‘She’s found a calmness she never had. And somehow… grown kinder.’
I realized it most when she struck me—the blow didn’t hurt. Her hand held warmth, like an odd encouragement.
Was this what they called “tough love”?
‘Being hit by her… feels strangely comforting.’
Rina smiled, puffing her chest.
Inside the carriage bound for the general store:
Noah kept stealing glances as I mapped my plans.
"Something to say?"
"N-no!"
She shook her head, startled.
"Liar. Out with it."
"How’d you know?!"
Her saucer-wide green eyes mirrored my fan-hidden smirk.
"I know everything. Speak."
“……Um. Are you… getting married?"
"Yes. Circumstances demand it."
"Can’t you… not?"
"Pardon?"
Her tiny lips squirmed before spilling: "If you leave the marquisate after marrying… I’ll just burden you…"
"What nonsense—"
Ah. I’d never explained my intentions. She’d pieced this together from rumors.
‘You’ve been stewing alone, haven’t you, little bean?’
"Listen well. First—I’m not leaving."
“…But the young marquis could exile you."
Clever child. She grasped more than I’d thought.
"True. Unless I marry someone powerful enough to shield us."
"……?"
At her blinking confusion, I simplified:
"A strong, impressive spouse means we stay together."
"Really?!"
"Really."
She exhaled in visible relief—then sobered instantly, muttering:
"But… shouldn’t you marry someone you like?"
My hand twitched with cheek-pinching urges. "Ideally, yes. But adults here marry for practicality."
“…Not even your first love?"
‘Crazy—’
I choked back a shudder at Calyphe’s cringeworthy past.
"First love…" I sighed wistfully. "A beautiful memory. I adored Duke Ortega."
“……!"
"But I wronged him."
Truthfully—Calyphe had stalked him, crashed his parties, harassed anyone near him. When even polite Duke Ortega snapped:
"Enough. Your proposals aren’t born of love."
She’d wall-slammed him, sneering: "Love? Name your price."
‘Ugh! Mortifying!’
Yet it wasn’t mere delusion. Ortega had exposed her insecurity—comparing her magic-noble family to his sword-legacy. She’d sought to “own” his superiority.
Their final meeting burned sharper:
"I despise you. Stop these nuisances."
"Nuisances?! You sword-obsessed oaf!"
"At least I understand manners."
"Just wait—I’ll dump you the moment someone better appears!"
"I’ll celebrate that anniversary."
……
‘Calling this a “beautiful memory”… I owe you an apology, Duke.’
Noah studied my fallen face. "You’re sad… because of him?"
"Just regrets. Let’s drop this."
……Nod.
Ding!
[Filial Piety Quest: Basic Settings Complete]
A sudden system message glowed—one I’d never seen.
‘Basic settings? What—’
The carriage halted. First priorities first: secure the bribe.
‘In my dream’s bad ending, the silver-haired man considered her offer too late. Not this time.’
"Come, Noah."
For all our sakes.
Calyphe entered the two-story shop, unaware of Dietrich Rothen’s gaze.
"So it’s true," he muttered, lip curling. "The ice noble fostering a brat."
His shoes clacked toward her—time for a “warning.”
