Chapter 90

At first, I was just going to pretend to be sick in front of Duke Icard.

However, I changed my stance immediately, fearing that he would call another doctor if he was told I was in critical condition. If a normal doctor diagnoses my body even once, they would know right away that I was very healthy and well.

As soon as I returned to the Duke’s residence, I called Serena and secretly gave an order.

“Mine, mine development…?”

“On the map, here, here, and here. It’ll probably be very soon.”

As I was pointing out the map, Serena opened her mouth as if it was a surprise.

“Suddenly?”

“Yes.”

It was originally an iron ore mine that exploded due to Seymour’s accidental move about two months later, but in fact, I was preparing to explode earlier. It was because I had to pull out as much cash as possible before going into hiding.

So, I was going to tell them to start development right after the masquerade was over, but it was delayed by a few days.

“Of course, you know that construction begins in the name of Kyle Dart Labonis, right?”

“Yes. Though what will really e out?”

“Maybe, there will be iron ore. Then, hit the article and put the entire amount on auction.”

Now, the iron ore supply had sharply decreased, and it was clearly possible to sell it at a high price. And…

‘Once the Emperor gave the task of cultivating to Duke Icard, it will be less.’

Even though he didn’t give me anything in particular, that wasn’t the only reason he hated the Emperor.

“Laria… I don’t know what you think, but I heard Count Rostri was quite a playboy.”

Elanie’s words were strangely lingering.

“Well, I just… I just wanted to say that there was a certain bond between that fact.”

So, rather than the man who touched this woman and that woman, I was just choosing to take the side of the man who missed a woman all his life, even if it was a dead person. Well, pulling an iron ore mine for development anyway was a big deal.

“Another one…”

In order to quickly supply enough iron ore, one Kyle was a little insufficient.

“I need to see Seymour. I know that he’s also in the capital because of the masquerade.”

There was a high probability of ignoring me if he was told to develop mines without end. I had to meet him in person to convince him. And, the price was also fixed in advance to prevent bleeding from the petition.

“Ah… Yes. How can I convey the message?”

“In three days, I’m going out to town to get a mask on, so let’s meet then.”

“I know that it is a schedule to go with the Young Duke.”

“Ah that’s true, but…”

I thought of Evan, who seemed to have gone away for a moment. I couldn’t remember exactly when he changed. It was because we had met so intermittently for the past six years. What was certain was that we were friendly and kind to each other. Nevertheless, we were hiding something inside.

In my case, it was an escape plan, still…

‘Evan must be instinctively indifferent.’

Because of the good memories of my childhood, there was a clear sense of distance from doing anything good to me. However, no matter how much I thought about it, I didn’t do anything wrong to Evan so I had no choice but to infer that it was due to the flow of the original story.

I answered calmly.

“I think I can go out on my own if I give a reasonable excuse.”

If we were young, he would have said we should be together somehow, but if it was Evan now, he would just end the conversation by saying, ‘I understand.’ And it was true.

* * *

That evening, I went to Evan’s room to finish sorting out my belongings — the room we once shared was neatly arranged with Evan’s belongings. Of course, my new room was much bigger and more luxurious, although I couldn’t help but feel sorry for something.

“You don’t have to move it yourself, just put a name tag on it.”

Evan spoke as he sat sitting at the table by the window, reviewing the pile of papers. These days, he was busy with the work being shared by the duke.

“Then, we can have the servants move it.”

“Yes, so I just need to put a name tag on mine, right?”

I wrote a bunch of ‘Laria’ on a piece of paper, stacked them on one side of the room, and began to tape them one by one.

“You know, Evan.”

I spoke to Evan.

“If we go to town, we have to go properly.”

“Yes.”

“How about going separately?”

“Why?”

“It’s fun to just look for each other that day without knowing each other.”

I put a name tag on my doll and continued, “Let’s bet. What do you think?”

“What bet…?”

“To grant the wishes of the person who finds the other person first.”

I chuckled as I spoke.

‘Granting a wish’ was a bait often used between close friends.

It sounded like you’re betting on something huge, but you couldn’t ask for something great even if you win because of our relationship. For example, doesn’t it seem absurd to say, “Actually, my wish is 1,000 gold,” especially for a child like Evan who had everything he had?

It was just a fancy shell and an empty bait inside.

“Well, all right.”

Evan nodded indifferently.

“What is the penalty for breaking?”

“…Yes?”

“When making such a bet, of course, you should also consider the provision for breach of contract.”

“….”

At the age of twenty, Evan was helping Duke Icard in some kind of political move.

I didn’t know the details because I didn’t e up to the capital very often, but he started taking a leap forward for those in power. Although he may not be the type of person who enjoys things like that, he seems to handle everything quite well.

At the age of thirteen, he literally said that he would do anything his father told him to do.

Well, it was also a natural flow of the original story. After all, Evan played a significant role in the rise of Duchy Icard’s power day by day. Even the power of Duke Orlando, who was now static, was clearly in a state of decline.

Perhaps, that was why he’s been very thorough in work…

“That, well. What would be good?”

No matter how much I thought of the contract violation clause, I was a little surprised.

The next moment, Evan closed the book without changing his expression. He then took out a piece of parchment and began to write the contract.

[ The winner is defined as the first person to find the opponent and call their name after the start of the masquerade. ]

‘…Where did our cute Evan go? When did you grow up so cold-blooded like Duke Icard?’

Would it be such a big deal to make a bet to find each other at the masquerade…?

[ In case of breach of contract, the loser agrees to grant all the demands of the victor for one day. ]

I swallowed a gulp when I saw the last phrase.

‘…You’ve grown terribly, Evan Icard. To expand the limit of the number of wishes to an unlimited number of times.’

“Sign it.”

Was it really necessary to do this for a playful bet between a couple…? As I hesitated a little, Evan gazed into my eyes as if a little startled.

“Oh, Laria. Sorry.”

Yes, no matter how arranged marriage was, why was it so tight?

“I must have been nervous again because it was in front of you. It was a little lacking.”

Even though I’d like to say that it was indeed a lack of action as a husband, Evan picked up the pen again.

[ The date and time of the day shall be determined by the winner. ]

“If it is not clearly stated, it can lead to controversy. I usually don’t make mistakes like this, but it was my first contract with you, so I was nervous. Sorry.”

‘…It was not that you’re lacking, it was that you don’t have enough contracts.’

With a friendly tone and a soft smile on his face, he handed me the contract again.

‘How meticulous…’

Nonetheless, I couldn’t say anything because I spoke up first. So, I ended up signing two contracts with the same content.

‘Yes, take it all… Human without blood or tears.’

Now, Evan and I had e to a point where we couldn’t even play pranks.

‘…Even with me, who was so good at childhood, you behave like this, of course, his married life with Elanie would be even more worse.’

After sharing the contract with Evan, we started doing our own thing again. As he looked at the paperwork, I found my belongings in every corner of the room and labeled them.

“I think I put it all together to some extent.”

I was sleepy, so I yawned and got up after putting it on for a while.

“Huh? Isn’t this yours, too?”

Evan asked, pointing to the cushion I had used before.

“Oh, but I’m out of breath. I’m going to buy a new one that’s a little more expensive and better. I think I still have more… I’ll do the rest later.”

“Okay, go to bed.”

“This…”

As I looked at my name tag that was still left, I frowned as if in surprise. Evan replied casually.

“Leave it. I’ll tell the servant to clean it up later.”

To be honest, I had no intention of putting it away, so I smiled and waved my hand.

“Okay. Good night, Evan. Sweet dreams.”

As yawns came one after another, I didn’t see Evan get up quietly and hug my cushion. Of course, I didn’t even see him sticking one of my name tags lying around on himself.