Chapter 44

After a while, we arrived at a hut in a secluded place.

“A musty smell…”

“It’s going to be used as a warehouse. I’ve heard that no one comes here when autumn comes.”

I looked around.

When I made an appointment with him, I had placed a lamp in advance on the floor here.  

“This would be better than training in the open space. The walls are thick, so you can hardly hear the sound if we close the door.”

“Did you choose this place so we wouldn’t get caught?”

“Yes, but only until my debutante.”

When I removed the hood I was wearing, Carl also removed the cloth draped over his head.

I already paid attention to the surroundings when we were already coming this far. However, no matter how much I hide it, one’s tail is bound to be stepped on if it is long. So I told Carl what I had in my mind.

TL/N: It’s a proverb that means something secret is bound to be revealed if it continues for a long time.

“It’s not bad to be careful, so let’s reduce the number of our meetings as much as possible.”

“What?”

“I will do my best to study on my own for the rest.”

At those words, Carl scratched his cheek awkwardly.

“But Lady is bound to meet me when you need me. One day, they will find out about our meetings.”

“Yes.”

“Then, how about this?”

Clap.

Then, along with the clapping sound, the suggestion was as follows.

“Let’s go to the social gathering held by Madam Seiji!”

“Social gathering?”

When I asked back, Carl said the following words, whether he had been thinking about this for a long time.

“Last time, I told Lord Aloken that we like animals.”

“Yes.”

“Besides, after Lady Vanora visited my mansion, he thought we were friends…”

“So, what’s the conclusion?”

“This is the time to let the public know that we are friends who go to social gatherings together!”

Regarding friends, it is safe for us to stick together!

As he suggested that, he smiled brightly like the sun. My expression, of course, didn’t change at all.

‘If only everything worked out so easily…’

At first, I felt uneasy about it. However, I thought it was a reasonable suggestion after a few seconds.

‘No, it’s much better than doing nothing, right? Carl is right. We can say that we often meet because we have the same hobbies.’

With that, it will be less suspicious rather than meeting secretly.

I thought so and accepted his suggestion.

“Okay. From now on, no matter what anyone asks about us, let’s answer that we are close friends who have the same hobbies.”

Carl waited with a smile as I pondered in agony. Soon, he smiled even more broadly.

“Oh? For some reason, it makes me feel like I have really made friends, so I’m happy.”

How in the world is there such a good boy like him?

Fortunately, he wasn’t that really good boy, so I didn’t feel guilty using him.

“Then let’s get started. First of all, I want you to demonstrate this part of the book.”

“Are you really thinking of learning bare-handed martial arts? But…”

“For Europa.”

“Uh, I will do as you say. Even I will bark if you tell me to bark!”

A few hours later.

“Now, look at me. How do you usually hold a kitchen knife?”

“I’ve never cooked before…”

“Huh? Uh… then I’ll show you. Think of this pen like a knife. Many people hold it like this.”

Time passed, and it was already evening as we were still engaged in the conversation.

I sweated a lot while mastering the technique, but I focused on him without showing any difficulty.

“For slashing is fine, but for stabbing, it shouldn’t be held like this.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s easier for them to drop your knife.”

“Oh.”

“So when you want to stab, hold it in reverse. If you hold your thumb to support the handle like this, it won’t shake.”

Actually, Carl is smart enough for those who aren’t interested in studying. His explanation was easy to understand. Moreover, if I had any questions, he showed a textbook-like attitude to anything, so there was no shortage of him being a teacher.

“When you retire, how about teaching martial arts?”

I asked, pretending to hold a knife as he told me.

“Me? If I join the Knights Templar, the only way to retire is being died, right?”

Then he answered as if it was natural. Upon hearing those sentences, I widened my eyes for a moment.

“…”

What comes to my mind at this moment is the future that I know in a few years. This red-haired boy later made a significant contribution to the war of conquest by the King. There were even rumors that we won the war thanks to Carl Andras. But in exchange for the victory, he lost his life at a very young age.

‘Besides, if I recall the memories at the victory ceremony, the second son of Andras family also returned crippled from that war…’

Anyway, the evening sun began to set.

Since today’s class ended here, I took a deep breath and voiced my opinion.

“Carl, by any chance…”

“Yes, Lady Vanora.”

“Can’t you live without going to the battlefield?”

“Pardon?”

“What if… you had enough money to spend your whole life in luxury?”

I thought it would be in good condition, but Carl widened his eyes.

“Even if I become a beggar, I like to fight. Besides, protecting the Kingdom is something to be proud of!”

‘It’s not easy…’

Hearing Carl’s answer, I, who knew the future well, felt frustrated. So, I decided to be more specific about the danger. It was uncomfortable for me not to say a word when I knew he would die.

“Then, let’s say a war will break out in the next three years. And let’s say… you go to that war. How old are you this year?”

“I’m sixteen years old. What about Lady Vanora?”

“It’s the same for me too… No, my age doesn’t matter now.”

In the middle, I discovered that we are the same age, but let’s move on from that.

“Do you want to die at the age of 20?”

“I don’t want that, but I hate not being able to go to war.”

‘What kind of person is this!’

I hit my chest in annoyance that the conversation didn’t go the way I wanted. Then Carl came close with a surprised face and panicked.

“Are you alright?!”

“…by any chance, does your brother feel the same way as you?”

“Yes? Yes, yes. Generally.”

So this is really the Andras family.

I looked at the floor for a moment, bending my posture.

‘Yes, it’s no use trying to stop him if he wants to.’

Perhaps this was enough for a warning.

I eventually gave up on keeping Carl out of war. Moreover, just before the war broke out, I was going to deliver Europa to him.

‘Future will change if a holy relic of eternal life is in his possession anyway.’

For the rest, it had to be left to fate.

* * *

“I’m back, Godmother.”

“I’m glad you came back. Let’s have dinner…”

Creek.

I, who returned from my business, greeted her with the same neat appearance as when I left. Later, my schedule was a flat dinner with Godmother and reading books in my own room.

‘I moved too much today, so I’m tired.’

For me, being a 16-year-old was once again a continuation of my sweet days. Originally, around this time, Seir would get angry at me.

“…”

Meals prepared on time. Clean clothes.

Before I knew it, my surroundings were the same as the paradise I had dreamed of.

“Did I already fill the ink for tonight?”

Nevertheless, the revenge in my heart showed no sign of stopping. It’s hard for me to forget my anger because the events I had experienced throughout my life had already eaten away every nook and cranny of my memories.

“I need to fill in the ink…”

Come to think of it, I was only a few years old when I was hit by an ink bottle thrown by Bael.

I looked at the clock; it was 8 P.M. By this time, my depressed mother had grabbed me tight and shouted at me. Looking down at my nails reminds me of that. Maybe I remembered that because it happened after dinner.

“…”

I’m furious even at this moment. I have so many memories of that. Others say that they live based on their bright memories of their childhood, but as I grew up, there were many days when I shed tears for nothing.

‘It’s done. I’m ready to write the novel.’

I slipped out of my mind from the long recollection. As I continued my lack of study after refilling the ink, time flew by, and it was already midnight.

Daeng. Daeng. Daeng.

When the big clock in the hallway rang, I stopped my hand and looked familiarly into the air. At midnight today, the next chapter of ‘Dangerous Love’ appeared.

「#1. Vasago’s Room

Vasago reads the letter, leaning on the light by the fireplace. Her expression gradually becomes serious.

Maid: Lady, what is written on it that makes your face look worried?

Vasago: I don’t know what this guy is thinking these days.

Maid: Did he send anything strange?

Vasago: No! Rather, he said what I wanted to hear the most. The long-standing checks between the dukes didn’t help the future of the Kingdom in any way, so as the next dukes, he asked first to unite with each other.

Maid: (Brew the tea)

Vasago: But, there’s no way the House of Jalier, the head of the aristocratic fraction, would make this choice.

Maid: Then it may be that man’s will, not the whole family’s.

Vasago: I can’t do this. I have no choice but to talk face to face with him.

#2. Luxury Restaurant (Night)

On the top floor of a restaurant. Vasago and Aloken talk in a heavy atmosphere where only the two are there.

Aloken: The food here is very delicious.

Vasago: Don’t try to talk nonsense. Why did you send such a letter?

Aloken: I don’t understand what you mean. 

Vasago: There’s no way you’re going to make a deal that is not benefiting you.

Aloken: Your evaluation of me has been disastrous.

Vasago: Do you want me to reveal your true colors?

Aloken: If you treat me like this, I have to repay it. And, is there any way it’s not benefiting me? Stop the useless warfare and join hands with me in the 2nd ball of the Kingdom.

Vasago: What’s the catch?

Aloken: You can get more involved with the state affairs… and you will also have a happy life from that too. 

Vasago dropped the knife.

Time elapsed.

After eating, Vasago and Aloken continued their talk.

Vasago: I didn’t expect you to think like that. There was a misunderstanding between us.

Aloken: While I was hunting foxes in the estate, my brother had already done some underground work in the capital social circle.

Vasago:  Are you saying all the rumors about your personality are fake?

Aloken: (Laugh) Not all of them.

Vasago: What?

Aloken: If you’re curious, look for it by yourself. How far is it fake?

Vasago got up with an interesting expression on her face.」

Tuk. Tuk.

I tapped the paper with a pen tip and read intently the novel that appeared.

‘At first, the two were growling at each other, and now they’re gradually getting closer…’

At this moment, according to my experience reading books from various genres, those are the beginning of…

“Is this a romance novel?”

Tuk, roll.

I dropped the pen I was holding in my hand.

“Aloken is the male protagonist?”