CH 4.10

…Eh?

I looked back at him, surprised, but Lacius’ expression was solemn.

“Based on what you’re doing now, I believe you’ll be good at running a gambling house. I used to do it in the fleet, but I’m not particularly fond of it, I’m just keeping it. If it were you, I believe you could make it grow over time.”

“……!”

A man who is not greedy is the best!

You should marry someone like this. This man would be the best even after a divorce.

“Really? Do you promise?”

“I’ll include it in my wedding present for you.”

When I asked again and again, Lacius shrugged his shoulders and replied as if it was nothing.

But another thing surprised me.

“Wedding present? Does such a thing exist?”

“Do not let yourself be burdened. I prepared it because I want to give something to you.”

“uh… okay?”

“Oh, would it be better as an engagement gift? I can give it to you as an engagement gift if you want it sooner.”

No, why are his gifts on such a grand scale?

Of course, I’m not the type who can’t eat it all in one spoonful.

I was completely taken aback.

When I read articles about Hollywood actors receiving a ring worth 9.4 billion won or a private island as a gift, I just imagined myself receiving something similar. However, I was taken aback when I realised it was now a reality.

Even though I am now wealthy, I am only a mite in front of Lacius. It was impossible to understand the magnitude of the Schweiden family’s wealth.

‘Wow, you must be that wealthy to be a male protagonist.’

I nodded my head in admiration unconsciously.

I don’t really want to be the main character, so I don’t need to be as wealthy as Lacius.

So far, I’ve been able to live comfortably.

“All right, first… I’ll draw some sketches here.”

“Please let me know if you require an easel.”

“It would be fantastic if you could bring one!”

Lacius paid close attention.

If he becomes someone’s lover, he would be a very faithful man.

Looking at his back, who moved quickly when asked to bring it, I kicked a stone out of spite.

My foot, of course, was the one that got hurt.

* * *

The Evershal excursion ended in a flurry of dust. When I got home, washed and stretched, I rolled over on the bed and thought about what had happened today.

‘An engagement present.’

What shall I give him?

In fact, I didn’t think about it because I assumed everything was a hoax. My only goal is to earn enough money to eat and spend for the rest of my life, allowing me to live a long and happy life.

It may have appeared that I was doing bigger and bigger things to divert attention away from Lacius, but my outlook on life was actually quite simple.

Became wealthy and a great landowner!

‘But what exactly should I give him? What is it that Lacius lacks?’

The candle that Juliet had lit, flickered. I buried my face in the pillow after staring blankly at the scarlet flame.

The first thing that comes to mind is clothing, shoes, brooches, cloaks, or a sword, but Lacius, the male protagonist, already possessed a magnificent sword that had been passed down to him as a family heirloom. Apollineus, who has a legend behind it; the Sun God took his rays and melted them in the gods’ kiln to create it. An ordinary sword would appear to be scrap metal in front of it.

However, the sword hilts here do not have a tassel to decorate it so I really do not have anything to give.

“Hmm… It’s nice to have a rich fiancée.”

Still, it’s a little disappointing that I have nothing to give.

If I had the dexterity, I would try to make something myself, but if there was one talent that God did not bestow upon me, that was it.

I have hands that can ruin anything I do. I’d like to give him a cut of the clothing store’s profits, but what good would it do him?

I rolled over and over on the soft duvet, lost in my thoughts early in the night. 

“Ouch!”

Then I stumbled and landed on my buttocks on the floor. I pouted as my buttocks throbbed. I jumped to my feet and rubbed my aching bottom.

I’m feeling stuffy. I can’t sleep, so wouldn’t it be better to just walk down the hall? But before I could take a single step, I met someone walking from the other side.

“Hm? Lacius?”

“Are you unable to sleep?”

“Yeah, I’m having trouble sleeping. How about you?”

“I’m having trouble sleeping as well.”

I thought it was a ghost at first, but when I looked closer, it was Lacius. He was walking down the corridor in a shirt with the front laces undone and baggy pants. His long hair appeared to be soaked in dew, implying that he had just taken a long bath.

‘Is something bothering him?’

I followed him down the hall without saying anything. If you walk a little further past the blocked area, you will find a wide window with an open road. Because of the moonlight, the bluish carpet appeared mystical today. Lacius came to a halt near the window, and I took in his side profile.

A man with a manly jawline and a strong appearance, but who is actually a warm-hearted person who has dealt with a lot of suffering on his own.

He would not have been driven to the edge of the cliff in this manner if he had been a truly cold-hearted or sly individual.

He could have ignored them all or at the very least used his looks to his advantage.

But Lacius was too truthful and upright for that.

‘That’s why I liked the male protagonist so much.’

Lacius, whom I met in person, was far cooler than he was described. A person who does not get dirty regardless of who tries to sully it. A lake that remains clear to the last drop even if it dries up or is destroyed and polluted.

So you can’t help but fall in love with him.

Lacius had the ability to attract ordinary people, whether it was a feeling for opposite sex or animosity.

‘Whoa.’

Is that why my heart is fluttering like this?