Chapter 35
Tap tap!
I struck the table with my fan to quiet the commotion.
“Hey, hound. If you keep yapping, I’ll rough up your master’s hands.”
“W-what did you say?!”
“I’ll even make sure to interlock our fingers.”
“Ugh, how cruel!”
Raul staggered back, finally quieting down.
“Now, you all understand the contract I made with Rynen, right? Don’t forget to cooperate.”
“But miss, what if someone asks why we hid the relationship?”
“Say it was my decision. I kept it hidden because I didn’t want to tarnish Rynen’s name.”
“Do you think people will believe such a kind reason…?”
“……”
Her genuine concern made it impossible to stay angry.
“Also add that I enjoy laughing at clueless gossips.”
“Ah, yes!”
Finally convinced, are we?
“Anyway… since we’ve entered this lover’s contract, I need your input.”
My voice softened embarrassingly as I continued.
“To appear natural as lovers… what should we do? Starting with terms of endearment… maybe?”
We desperately needed guidelines for acting like lovers before the council. Given our history as sworn enemies, even a minor slip could expose us.
The sturdy maid suddenly piped up excitedly:
“You mean things like ‘honey’ or ‘darling,’ right?”
“No!”
“Absolutely not!”
Rynen and I turned pale.
But the maid grinned slyly, her eyes gleaming.
“Oh my~ Miss is so coy! Secret lovers pretending to be enemies in public should have unique pet names!”
“…Let’s abandon the endearments. We’ll find another approach.”
“But passionate secret lovers would definitely call each other like this—”
Ignoring my refusal, the maid clasped her hands dramatically and shrieked:
“Daaarling!”
“You’re insane!”
Swish swish swish!
I smacked her mouth with my fan at hummingbird-wing speed.
“Did you bite your tongue? Huh? I’m an adult, not a child!”
“B-but lovers always act childish around each other—”
“Ugh, shut up!”
“Kyaaak!”
Swish swish swish!!
The cringe was unbearable.
Meanwhile, Rynen—looking queasy—turned to Raul:
“Raul, your thoughts?”
“Fear not, my lord. My observations shall guide us.”
Raul puffed his chest confidently.
“After studying Imperial couples, I’ve noted they use unique speech patterns for each other.”
“……No. Never mind.”
Rynen immediately retracted his interest.
Undeterred, the eager hound demonstrated by placing hands on hips:
“Raul is angwy now! Hmph!”
“…….”
“If you do dis for me… will you forgib me? No no… ouch.”
I hurled my fan at Raul’s head.
Rynen remained silent, face buried in his hands. Matching his energy, I massaged my temples.
We were doomed.
Our retainers mirrored their masters’ romantic incompetence.
‘Four clueless fools brainstorming will only breed more foolishness…….’
The answer came from an unexpected source.
“I know what close people do.”
Noah emerged sleepily, rubbing her eyes.
“But what’s everyone doing?”
“Ah, we’re discussing something important.”
I explained vaguely, omitting the contract.
“Truly close people… smile.”
“Huh?”
“They smile when looking at each other.”
……!
A lightbulb moment. Was this the profound wisdom hidden in simple words?
“Smiling at Rynen… Never occurred to me. We’ve had nothing to smile about.”
“Likewise.”
The solution was unexpectedly natural—far better than forced nicknames.
“What else makes people seem close?”
“Hmm……”
Noah pondered before answering:
“At the orphanage… close kids worried about each other. Asked if you’re okay when hurt. Cheered each other on too.”
Adults listening intently made Noah chatter excitedly.
Adorable creature! I pinched her stretched cheeks.
“Brilliant advice. Well done.”
“……Mmmph!”
Noah giggled through distorted lips.
“Rynen. We’ve got our guidelines.”
I counted on my fingers emphatically.
“Three rules to seem close: Smile, worry, cheer.”
“Smile, worry, cheer……”
This should suffice. Our longstanding rivalry would make sudden affection believable.
“That seems manageable.”
“Good. Stick to it.”
“……You’re becoming close?”
Noah interjected.
I forced a natural smile, hiding the contract.
“Yes. Actually… we’ve reconciled.”
“……!”
“And decided to date.”
“How?!”
“Well… going through crises together… we discovered each other’s merits…”
“……!!”
Noah’s starry eyes sparkled.
She clapped like witnessing a romantic drama, oblivious to our cold sweat.
[Noah’s Filial Piety Level has increased by 2.]
[Noah’s Filial Piety Level has increased by 2.]
[Noah’s Filial Piety Level has increased by 3.]
[Current Filial Piety Level: 10]
Leveling up never felt so damaging…….
With my arranged marriage issue settled, another problem remained.
The council’s main agenda wasn’t my marriage.
‘Blocking Kaiman’s succession as Marquis.’
“Rynen. There’s another matter requiring your cooperation.”
“What is it?”
“You’ve been tracking illegal artifact traders. You must have gathered intelligence.”
“Not extensively.”
Raul brought documents under Rynen’s orders—concise but critical.
“What’s your plan?”
“We’ll attack Kaiman.”
The illegal artifact ring’s backer was Kaiman himself.
This truth is revealed in Noah’s detective ending from . Hearing rumors about Marquis Kaiman Oppenesa’s involvement, Noah secures testimonies proving his long-term participation—even before becoming acting marquis.
Rynen studied my expression before noting:
“This evidence alone is insufficient. We need insiders.”
“Don’t worry. We have two.”
“Two…?”
One was the hidden merchant Dovian. The other—
Knock knock.
Speak of the devil.
“My lady. The Roten family’s butler requests an audience with Lady Oppenesa.”
Dietrich must’ve grown a conscience to send help this fast.
I grinned at Rynen.
“Rynen. Got any spare contract scrolls left?”
The council loomed tomorrow.
Vice-Tower Lord Marcel gazed toward Calypso’s villa.
‘She’s been quiet since the banquet… Has she given up?’
The accident during her engagement announcement had shocked him. He’d rushed from the Tower only to be barred entry by a stern headmaid claiming Calypso needed recovery time.
‘Was her astonishing mana I sensed truly an illusion?’
Kaiman would officially become heir at this council. Most Oppenesa vassals shared Marcel’s pride in serving a powerful Tower Lord. They wanted their leader to remain strong.
The cadet branches’ exclusion from succession stemmed from their magical mediocrity.
‘But Kaiman is the Tower Lord’s sole disciple. The vassals have no choice but to accept.’
The council’s outcome was predetermined.
“
