CH 5.15

With all this fuss, there’s no way he didn’t hear it.

Realising that it was a lie, Lacius opened the door. And frowned at the situation inside.

“Perhaps it’s time we have knights at the mansion.”

“Hm? You would go that far? I’m fine.”

“I’m not. You’re already thin and now even your sleep is getting interrupted because of these things.”

As he looked at the assassins scattered here and there, a deep wrinkle formed between Lacius’s brows. While Cat grabbed them and threw them outside the mansion grounds one by one, Lacius lit the light in the room and checked my condition.

Of course, I earned no scratches at all, so I changed the subject to something else. It was because I was too embarrassed to spend time with him without talking.

“Right. You said that the land ploughing in Evershal was over and the first half of the plan was almost done, right?”

“In two weeks.”

“Great. It didn’t take as long as I thought.”

All the important things will be summoned by painting magic, they just need to have proper distances. I wasn’t going to install that much.

Vikings and Ferris wheel. A marvellous labyrinth, a castle where princesses seem to live, and a merry-go-round. Those rides would be enough for now. 

If I spend a lot of money and hire more workers, the large flower garden complex will be completed in no time. Also, food and drink stalls will be real, not made with painting magic. Other than that, things like public toilets and floating docks were already under construction.

“I just need to draw a lake and a ferry.”

It’s a little inferior compared to a real amusement park, but it is something you won’t find anywhere in this world.

‘Still, it’s unfortunate that there would be no bumper cars.’

No matter how much I embody it in a painting, it’s too modern, so all I can do is shed tears.

The amusement park itself is unlikely to exist in this world, but the cars are a bit too much. And It’s ridiculous to do bumper cars using wagons.

“I really like having a lot of money. I don’t have to look for other investors.”

“Is being wealthy attractive to you?”

“Hm? Of course. What could be better than having money?”

Lacius gave me a calm gaze. I don’t know what it means, but he seems to have made up his mind about something. But before I could ask anything, Cat popped up.

-Quickly set up soldiers or whatever.

It must’ve been annoying for him to bite and carry eight of those assassins. Assuming I was right, I went to Cat and scratched its head.

“I have a gift for you. I’m giving it to you because you’ve worked hard.”

-What is it?

“Extra-large scratcher and extra-large box!”

-…….

He tried to hide it, but the corners of Cat’s mouth twitched.

Why can’t he just show that he likes it? 

“Anyway, I’m fine, Lacius. We should sleep now.”

I stretched out and pushed his back. Lacius at night was harmful too, very harmful. Especially in a loose outfit like that!

His long blonde hair was flowing down in front of his open shirt. The shirt, which was bluish due to the moonlight, made Lacius look even purer*.

*(청순- a concept that incorporates the purity of character and the beauty of appearance. Typically used for a person who exhibits a mature and caring personality as well as childlike innocence.)

I genuinely wondered how someone with a really masculine appearance could look so pure at night.

“Call me if anything happens. I’m a light sleeper.”

“Nothing will happen, don’t worry. Sleep well.”

Although I said it was fine, Lacius reluctantly left the bedroom with a face that seemed to be very displeased with something. I erased the smile from my face only after he disappeared.

“Ha.”

-That’s a deep sigh.

“It’s just… uhm…”

Perhaps I should leave? I don’t know if I have the right to stay next to him like this.

“Cat.”

-You can lean on me.

“Thank you.”

I sighed and put my head on Cat’s soft fur. Rather than on the bed, I wanted to sleep like this today.

* * *

In a darkened room, where something suspicious seemed to be taking place. Several people were seated around a circular table with the intent not to reveal whose status was superior or inferior.

“So you’re saying, that girl was in fact a slave?”

“That’s right. I saw it myself!”

“Tsk tsk. I’m sure the Bauce family felt very unjust. Something disgraceful happened to them just because of a slave.”

Right, right.

Words of approval were heard all over the place. All these men, who did not cover their faces, were family heads. They were under the command of the Duke of Crisiona and were all on the same boat. Since the duchy had a daughter, they have never dreamed that their own daughters would have a chance to become the archduchess. 

But isn’t there always a one in a million chance?

What if Peridot Crisiona disappears from their way?

Maybe they can take her place…

With that thought, they begrudgingly gathered together abruptly.

Viscount Gloucester, who had been angry to the tip of his head since earlier, raised his voice.

“How can a wench like that be the archduchess?”

“It makes no sense that our daughters would have to bend their knees to a slave. This will make the sky howl.”

Then, as if they had been waiting, the other viscounts responded.

“An engagement can be broken anytime.”

“We must not stop sending assassins.”

“I agree. After that, let’s choose an auspicious date and make sure to suggest our thoughts.” 

Then who will be the Archduchess? 

A fierce staring fight ensued. The Archduke of Schweiden, who was thought to be either suffering from misogyny or enjoyed sodomy, suddenly brought in a woman.

It wouldn’t matter if it was one of the daughters of a family that everyone knows, but the woman was too suspicious. Oberon. No such family exists in the Terran peerage.

They initially thought that he fell in love with a commoner and gave her a false noble surname, just as everyone else thought. The report that someone saw her at a slave auction was the perfect chance they all had been waiting for.

“By the way, how come Sir Aragon is silent?”

“Weren’t you the first to report it?”

Everyone’s heads turned at Count Hansen’s point.

Their gaze was directed to a man who despite the absence of a certain identity, seemed to be sitting alone in a high position.

But at that moment, something strange happened. The man called Aragon raised his hand. Then everyone’s head goes back to their original position.

Then they repeated the conversation noisily as if they had forgotten that Aragon was sitting there.

“Anyway, we have to ruin or stop the marriage.”

“Let’s pass on the message to our daughters.”

“She should be publicly shamed.”

The discussion ended with Count Hansen’s excited words. While everyone got up and left, Sir Aragon stayed where he was. However, no one cared about that.

Shhhk. The candles in the room used as a conference hall were extinguished along with the chilling wind.

Then, no one was left in the room.