CH 5

“Then for the escort…”

“I don’t need it.”

Seth cut off his words coldly and moved on. I took a hint at him and whispered.

“How about my brother?”

“We’ve already rescued him and moved him somewhere else.”

“He is not hurt, right? Is he safe?”

His eyebrows twitched as if he was bothered about something, and he said.

“Unlike you, he seems to have been eating well and doing well.”

“That’s a relief.”

Relieved, I felt a stare, so I frowned.

“Hey there, can you not do that?”

“What is it?”

“Observing someone’s reaction by staring at them as if you’re going to poke them just to figure out what kind of person they are. It’s uncomfortable. Just ask, if you want to know something.”

He blinked in surprise. He looks innocent as if he had never even thought of it. People might think I spoke with the wrong person.

“You observed my reaction when you say that my brother is doing well, right? I like my brother. Even though I hate my other family, he is the only one I want to protect. My brother is indeed my weakness.”

“….”

Seth’s silence sank the mood. When it was too late, I started to worry if I spoke too harshly. Still, since he was someone who saved me, did I have to keep complaining like this?

“I see. I’ll be careful from now on.”

A low voice reached me, worried. I glanced at him and Seth was looking at me with soft eyes. Feeling embarrassed suddenly, I wiggled my hands.

“I’m sorry to speak arrogantly.”

“It’s not arrogant, it’s okay. Instead, I’m curious about something.”

“What?”

“Why’re you calling me ‘hey there’?”

The subject that suddenly changed was the one I want to avoid the most. I murmured timidly.

“I thought you didn’t like to be called Elmayer-nim.”

“I hate it more out of the two.”

“Then, lord?”

“You’re not even my knight.”

I rolled my eyes in dismay. Even when I searched in my head, only nicknames such as president or teacher came to mind.

“Then how do I call you?”

When I asked weakly, Seth replied jokingly.

“Just like before, honey?”

“Arrgh!”

I screamed reflexively. Calling the boss ‘honey’ on the first day of work, seemed I will be remembered as the legendary newcomer.

“Tha, that is because it’s an unavoidable situation.”

“It was a very impressive nickname.”

“Can’t you just forget about it?”

I wanted to hit him on the head to make him forget about it. Seth, who was staring at me when I behaved as if I was at loss and I didn’t know what to do, asked.

“Why don’t you call me husband then?”

“… What?”

“Evelyn Gran. I’d like to hire you as my wife.”

I looked at Seth with my eyes wide open. The man who threw the bomb out of the blue was laughing merrily.

* * *

The big carriage drove along the street without a hitch. It seemed enchanted, like the mask that changed the color of the man’s hair. But I was in a state when I couldn’t even feel the novelty.

I don’t even know how sane I am when I get to the carriage. As I just got off the boat, a carriage came from somewhere, and the only thing I remembered is when I’m holding Seth’s hand to get on the carriage. 

Seth, who sat across from me, took off his mask and returned to his original figure. Neat silver hair, an elegant cold face, extremely restrained and dignified attire. It was perfect without a single shred of description.

With that figure of him saying nonsense like ‘I want to hire you as my wife’. I feel betrayed somehow. Seth, who glanced at me pouting, asked.

“You don’t have to be so scared. I won’t eat you.”

“I’m not scared, I’m just wondering, have you eaten something wrong?”

I wanted to ask if he was crazy, but I endured it because I’m hired by him. Seth smiled at my answer. His smile was so bright that made me a little less motivated to argue with him.

“Was my suggestion that weird?”

“Isn’t it unusual to ask someone you meet for the first time to be your wife?”

“It could be love at first sight.”

If you are going to say something like that, at least put a heart in your eyes. Aren’t you being too insincere?

As I cursed with my eyes, Seth eventually raised his hands.

“All right. I’ll explain it from the beginning.”

Only then I could hear the whole story.

Seth was, on a rare occasion, unmarried without even being engaged. It was a very rare case in an aristocratic society where many people marry in their late teens.

Still, it was okay because there was no family interference, but suddenly there was an occasion that required him to become a married man.

Seth’s boss ordered him to marry soon or bring someone to pretend to be his wife. So now he is looking for someone that can pretend to be his wife.

I was very curious as to what reason he suddenly needed to become a married man, but I didn’t think he would answer even if I asked him. Instead, I focused on practical matters.

“So you need someone to play the role of your wife? Not your real wife, right?”

“Yeah.”

What he said earlier was not a proposal, the meaning is he just hired me to play the ‘wife role’ for him. I looked at him with a sour face.

“You should thank your parents.”

“Why?”

“If it weren’t for your face, I think you would get hit a lot in the face.”

“….”

If only he says it with the explanation that needs a wife in the first place. Because whoever heard that might be mistaken for a marriage proposal.

Seth gently apologized when he saw me glare at him sulkily.

“Sorry, I think I went a little too far.”

“I also want to see your surprised face anyway, I will forgive you for the same reason.”

“….”

There was no reply to ask whether it was real. Wow, this guy’s personality is really bad.

“But why do you want a stand-in? Isn’t it better to just get married?”

Since he is rich and handsome, it would be easy for him to find the opponent, so why bother trying to hire a stand-in? Seth shrugged at my question.

“Because I’m celibate.”

“Ah, yes…”

“When I was a kid, I walked on the path of a priest. Although my brother, who is the heir of the family, died and I returned, I’m not confident that I can start a normal family yet.”

Reacting bitterly, I was taken aback by the story that followed. The death of his family, and the sudden change of course, must have been very difficult for him. I felt sorry for answering back without knowing.

“I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“For responding rudely. I thought it was a typical excuse for a playboy.”

Seth looked surprised at my apology.

Do I look like a playboy?”

“Hmm, a little bit?”

Actually, he looks like a top-class playboy.

Just a smile on that handsome face can lure someone suddenly when they’re off guard. I even thought I would have been attracted to him if I wasn’t in this position.

“I’ve never heard of it before.”

His embarrassing smile was filled with desire. I looked at him with suspicious eyes.

“Were you really a priest?”

I think many female believers will feel they’re on the test if they see him wear priest’s clothes on that body. And the people around him would be blocking them.

At my question, Seth raised his head and said.

“To be exact, I was an apprentice holy knight.”

A holy knight. Certainly, he looks better with a weapon than with the Bible. He is very strong, so he can convert to something physical.

“Well, I think I know. ‘Draw me close to you’ or something like that, right?”

Seth, who bowed his head suddenly at my words, shook his shoulders. I guess he doesn’t have many friends when he laughs at that kind of joke. When I was watching him feeling strange, he barely stopped laughing and asked.

“So are you going to accept my offer?”

“… I’m asking because I’m really worried. Do you think I would fit into the role of a wife?”

“I think it’ll look good.”

Seth replied without a moment of hesitation. I glared at his brazen face.

“As you can see I’m not the exemplary aristocratic lady. I think everyone would be suspicious.”

“They’d think that my taste is not an exemplary aristocratic lady.”

Is, is it? Somehow being persuaded, I shut up.

Then Seth added softly.

“You can refuse if you don’t like it.”

“It’s not that I don’t like it. It’s just because that’s a little unexpected.”

In fact, I thought I would do something related to my ability. Like a spy, for example. So I was really surprised by his wife’s stand-in offer. I have never imagined such a role would suit me.

“But are you okay? When I act as your wife, I have to always be next to you.”

Seth doesn’t see what’s wrong with that. So I end up throwing a spinning word in my mind.

“Don’t you find me uncomfortable?”

“Pardon?”

“There’s a better way than hearing the answer.”

I stared blankly at Seth. Are you telling me to read your mind?

“Well, then I need a cloth.”

Seth released the cravat tied around his neck. As the collar naturally opened, the manly neck and collarbone were slightly revealed. 

Perhaps because he had such an aesthetic atmosphere, with just a little disorganization he already feels dangerous. 

“Evy?”

Flinching at the wondering gaze, I hurriedly received the cravat. The silver-gray fabric was too luxurious to be used for such a thing. My heart trembled strangely at the soft fabric that I grabbed tightly. 

“Here, hurry up.”

Seth, who reached out his hand, urged. After a moment of hesitation, I finally reached out for the cloth. I felt like I was doing something bad. When I put my trembling hand on his, a complimentary smile returned. 

And nothing happened.