CH 37

Chapter 37: How to make a commitment

“To go that far…”

Are you seriously going to take on such a bothersome person?!

I can’t help but say the words of rejection.

If I were in Lars-sama’s position, I probably couldn’t say such a thing. I’d be lucky to get hired as a cleaning maid for the Duke household, right?

Yet he is protecting me while keeping my noblewoman’s status, which I think is the most important thing, and he is even willing to negotiate with my father.

I wonder why he is going to such lengths for me. I didn’t even know him a short time ago.

If I could honestly receive it as kindness, it would be easy, but I also came here with the intention of grasping a straw. It’s a little… scary for me to lean on him that much.

As if sensing my fear, Lars-sama added on.

“Of course, I also have an interest in offering this. I would like you to cooperate in various ways about the sacred flower confections, and if you are in this house, it is easy to observe progress.”

In a way… treating me like a lab animal?

But I can understand wanting to do experiments and placing me by his side. But hiding the future traitor’s daughter and supporting her even to the point of betrayal doesn’t seem like enough compensation to me.

Then he stood up and, for some reason, sat next to me.

I was nervous.

What came to mind when he approached was the Augren Duke’s daughters who had torn up my notebook and kept saying mean things to me, thinking they were being friendly.

I wondered if he was going to threaten me, but Lars-sama whispered to me in a low voice.

“You’re skilled, aren’t you?”

“…!!”

He found out!

Surprised, I unconsciously turned my face towards him.

Now it’s clear that he knows the truth. I can’t even make an excuse, so I maintain a calm expression and switch to questioning.

“How…did you notice?”

“I saw you running away. I chased you. Is it a power that keeps people away…I think it’s quite wonderful.”

I reflexively tried to stand up.

I realized that my secret was known and I wanted to escape reflexively. But I don’t know where to escape to.

Due to such hesitation, my movements were sluggish and I was pulled back by Lars-sama’s arm and made to sit down again as I tried to stand up.

“There’s no need to be afraid, Miss Linea. If you want, I won’t tell anyone else and I’ll help you hide it.”

“Is that really true…?”

I stare intently at Lars-sama’s eyes.

He looked back at me with a serious gaze.

“I promise. In return, if you cooperate with me about the sacred flower, you’ll be fine… Do you want something to serve as a token of my commitment?”

I hesitated. I want something to prove that it’s not just an empty promise, but what could I receive that would make me believe him?

Even if he piles on money and jewels, it won’t serve as proof.

“Um… like a document or something?”

That’s the only thing I can think of.

Lars-sama, upon hearing this, had a blank expression for a few seconds before bursting out laughing.

“You’re amazing, you’re okay with a document?”

“Well, I thought that a document would be the most trustworthy, so…”

In this country, a document is a piece of paper that serves to prove things like debts and inheritance, and is also used to record business agreements.

It is all deposited in the temple and the most important ones are reviewed by the chief priest, who keeps a copy for himself to prevent tampering.

There is nothing more reliable than a document when it comes to making promises that cannot be escaped by saying “there’s no proof!” when broken.

That’s why I ended up thinking about a document.

After laughing for a while, Lars-sama said to me,

“So, if I make the document, will you do as I say?”

“Yes. Since you are willing to go to such lengths, I will leave everything to Lars-sama.”

Even though he knows that I am the daughter of a traitor, he is willing to help me, even hiding my skills. And with a document. If you don’t accept this, you are a very distrusting person.

“But is it really okay to laugh so much?”

I thought it was a good idea, but was it strange?

“No, I think it’s very good. I liked the idea. I want to help you even more now. And if I can use your skills, the research on the sacred flower will progress.”

And Lars-sama added.

“I thought this might lead to the future I saw.”

“The future Lars-sama saw… was a dream where my father became a traitor?”

It doesn’t seem like a very good dream to me.

“In that dream, I didn’t seem to be worried about anything. It felt like the time had come.”

Lars-sama smiles.

“And after getting to know you like this, if something happens where you are captured as a traitor’s daughter, I won’t be able to stay calm, but in my dreams, I didn’t worry about you.”

That’s why, Lars-sama continues.

“I’ll protect you so that my vision of the future comes true.”

Lars-sama, who said this lightly, rings the bell on the table and calls the servant.

Sitting next to Lars-sama, who says to prepare paper and a pen for documents, I didn’t know what face to make.

It’s the first time I’ve been told to protect by a noble man…