Chapter 33
The adults surrounding Noah all froze at once. Among them, I was the most flustered.
Noah covered his face and sobbed pitifully.
"It's... it's all a lie... hic..."
"Wh-what are you talking about?"
"You s-said you'd punish me... hic..."
Noah wiped his endless stream of tears with both hands as he spoke.
"Because I picked up a dog..."
"A dog...?"
"Good heavens..."
Rainen and the other ducal servants stared at me with intensely disapproving eyes.
'Trash.'
I felt wronged at being suddenly labeled as trash.
"Stop lying. When did I ever say that?"
"...! Huuuuck..."
Noah looked even more heartbroken, like a betrayed soul.
This was maddening.
'As if I'd treat a child like a dog! Especially Noah!'
But stopping his tears took priority over arguing.
The problem was how. I already knew sudden gentleness would backfire.
At my wit's end, I crossed my arms sternly.
"Keep crying and I'll leave you here."
"...!"
Noah frantically covered his mouth with both hands.
His shoulders hitched violently as he forced down sobs.
The crowd's judgmental stares burned into me again.
'Trash...'
Ah, now I wanted to cry too.
That's when it happened.
"Here."
Rainen placed two yellow candies in my palm.
"Since when do you carry candy?"
"Put one in the child's mouth."
"Two pieces?"
"One is yours."
Rainen observed me impassively.
"A solution for when words fail."
"..."
Would this actually work?
Though skeptical, I shared a candy with Noah.
His cheek bulged comically from the sweet.
"Good?"
"Y-yes... hic... Tasty..."
"Me too."
Noah raised his teary gaze from the floor to stare at me.
When I shifted my candy from left cheek to right, making it protrude, Noah giggled softly.
Hah. Thank goodness.
You're the boss now, you little brat.
I poked Noah's candy-filled cheek before asking Rainen:
"Ahem. You... carry sweets despite your image?"
"When I served as temple knight, I often cared for temple wards. The habit stuck."
Rainen gave me a meaningful look, one corner of his mouth quirking up.
"Battling children make peace quickly when sharing candy."
"..."
Was he calling me childish now?
Noah suddenly interjected while listening:
"Duke not eating?"
"I'm fine."
"No."
"?"
Noah stamped his foot decisively.
"Must eat!"
"But why...?"
And so.
Munch munch
Soon all three of us sported lopsided candy cheeks.
Noah alternated staring at us before smiling smugly.
'...Kids' minds are incomprehensible.'
We relocated to the Ortega Ducal townhouse.
"Kiddo. Want cookie?"
Raoul, Rainen's subordinate, clearly adored children. He practically vibrated trying to charm Noah.
But Noah only accepted the cookie while warily keeping distance.
The boy kept glancing at the dog ears perked atop Raoul's head.
"...Mister doggy?"
"Doggy? I'm a mighty hunting hound! Elite warrior among hounds. Cool, right?"
Wag wag
"Wh-what? Want sword demonstration?"
"Don't unsheathe before children!"
A burly maid scolded Raoul before addressing me:
"Miss, leave young master to me. Go discuss your matters."
"Right."
Noah remained fixated on Raoul's ears as Rainen and I retreated to the study.
Alone at last, the atmosphere turned abruptly awkward.
After servants served tea, I nursed my cup silently.
'Where to begin?'
Blurting out my true purpose might get me committed.
'Need natural segue...'
Nervous energy made thoughts whirl - marriage, banquet monsters, mana depletion, debts, marriage again...
'Right. Discuss debt repayment first, then marriage.'
"Regarding earlier..."
Rainen opened first.
I slammed down my teacup and blurted:
'The payment is marriage.'
"Marriage is the price."
"Pfft!"
Tea sprayed from Rainen's lips.
'Crap! Skipped steps!'
As I cringed internally, Rainen glared with utter disdain.
"Have you lost your mind?"
Damn. Damage control.
"We agreed to avoid entanglement mere days ago!"
"Th-this is transactional! I'm proposing employment!"
"Employment?"
"As... husband."
Thick silence fell.
Finally Rainen asked incredulously:
"You desire marriage to me this desperately?"
"Whaaat?! Nonsense!"
I nearly overturned the tea table.
"Am I deranged? I'd sooner go mad!"
Rainen's brow furrowed sharply.
"So madness is preferable?"
"You'd rather marry me than stay sane?!"
"Outrageous!"
"Exactly! No sane person would!"
We glared across the table, both gulping scalding tea in unison.
When composure returned, I explained:
"Not real marriage. A façade."
"Clarify."
"You know I must annul the Lotten engagement. Requires convincing fake fiancé."
Rainen tilted his head slightly.
"So the Baron Lotten match was forced."
"Obviously. Marquis Kaiman's scheme to eliminate me."
"Being the direct heir. Bloodlines only end with death."
"...Yes."
Rainen sipped tea calmly.
"I see your calculus. House Ophensa values ducal influence over minor nobility."
"..."
He wasn't wrong.
Rainen Ortega wasn't just a duke - he was one of the empire's rare swordmasters. Even Kaiman's allies couldn't oppose him lightly.
"You'll stay at the marquis residence as my betrothed. The household will welcome it - your presence rehabilitates their reputation."
"Using me as shield against political exile."
"Correct."
"Then I'll pose two questions."
His steel-gray eyes pinned me.
"Answer truthfully for our deal."
"...Proceed."
"First."
Fingers drummed the armrest.
"Your goal - restoring yourself as heir?"
"No interest in leadership."
I answered instantly.
House management simulations were fun, but real-life marquis duties included managing the magic tower. No thanks.
"For Noah and myself."
"...Noah?"
"I failed him after taking him in. To become proper patron, I need security."
"A sham marriage for one ward? Expect me to believe that?"
"He's no ordinary ward."
Hand over heart, I declared:
"My sole responsibility."
In , his affection never surpassed 80 despite potions. His heart had sealed before main story events. But now, pre-story, there was still time.
"Basic safety first. Understand?"
"..."
"Kaiman Rinke. We need protection from him."
"Duration?"
"Half-year maximum. I promise."
By then, I'd have to let Noah go.
The hidden ending required two conditions:
Reach 100 affinity
Entrust him to a guardian before his ninth birthday
One of four guardians from .
"Naturally, you'll benefit too-"
"Second question."
Rainen set down his cup and crossed legs. His simple reclining motion exuded intimidating pressure.
"Answer this to seal our deal."
"Ask."
I expected ability-related queries. Instead:
"You obtained illegal artifacts despite previous disinterest. Brought them to unrelated banquets."
"Eh?"
"Hesitated to sit front-row before monster duels."
"Wait-"
"Risked danger to find me post-incident without cause."
Wolf-like eyes pierced through me.
"You foresaw the banquet events. Didn't you?"
"...!"
