Chapter 25

One hour before meeting with Harnier.

The formal attire for coming-of-age ceremonies is a tuxedo suitable for parties or banquets. Therefore, it wasn’t appropriate for the meeting with Harnier.

‘You clearly said we need to create a lover’s atmosphere,’

In that case, I couldn’t use any of the clothes in my closet. Daily wear and pajamas were not suitable, and there were too many problems to even consider them.

So, the remaining option was the outfit that arrived as a birthday present, though I didn’t want to wear it at all. However, due to Camila’s insistence, I had no choice but to put it on.

*Sigh.* “I said it in the heat of the moment, but how do I explain this?”

There were many concerns.

Anyway, I finally finished getting ready for the outing.

After some time passed, I arrived at the agreed location about 10 minutes later.

“Duke Carsein.”

Harnier hurried over.

“I’m sorry. Am I late?”

“If you matched the appointment time, there’s no problem, right?”

“Oh, you might not know, but among nobles, it’s polite to arrive early considering the time buffer. That’s why I’m apologizing.”

Isn’t that a ridiculous etiquette?

If that were true, then Harnier, who arrived exactly on time, would be considered 10 minutes late.

It’s really unnecessary information, but let’s remember it for now.

“Hmm.”

“Why so?”

“You seem to have dressed up nicely today.”

Seems like she was looking me over.

“You can’t dress like last time. You mentioned something.”

“Oh, you’re going to fit me properly? Thank you.”

“Yeah…,”

Her slightly folded eyes smiled, looking quite satisfied.

But I was drenched in cold sweat.

‘When she finds out what kind of trouble I caused, she won’t be laughing…’

Surely by then, or even after about 30 minutes of conversation, I’ll regret it.

*Ah.* Let’s not think about future troubles.

“So, I’ve come out, but where should I start?”

“Hmm? Of course, we need to make sure this process is completed first.”

Harnier pointed to her handbag as she said this.

Inside the handbag, there seemed to be something related to the contract.

She’s meticulous, yet she does things clumsily.

‘Should avoid the situation… Yeah, that place looks good.’

Glancing around briefly, I found a decent spot and grabbed Harnier’s hand to move us there.

“Carsein Duke? Why are you…?”

“Stay quiet and follow me.”

Panicked, Harnier tried to pull away, but I held on tight.

***

‘It’s enough now.’

Scanning the surroundings, I found a coffee house downtown.

As soon as I entered, I noticed separate rooms. While not everyone was sitting in the lobby, the existence of these rooms was important.

Approaching the staff, I asked immediately.

“I want a private room for two. How much?”

“The basic drink fee plus 350 pessel. Please pay 350 pessel first.”

“Here.”

“Please follow me.”

Handing over the money from my pocket, the staff glanced at our outfits.

Seeming to recognize us as well-known nobles, they led us deeper into the place. As we walked, I felt a hard heel press against my shin.

‘You’re just as stubborn. Take that off! If you don’t, I’ll scream and call the guards!’

Looking back, Harnier whispered in a voice not loud enough for the staff to hear, her eyes sharp with anger.

“Haa. Just bear with it for a bit. I won’t do anything like that.”

“Don’t joke. Do you think there are only one or two men who say such things?”

Harnier scoffed, spitting out names I had never heard before.

A man who wanted to do something to her alone in a room.

A man who tried to touch her body with a creepy smile and blush.

She explained all these actions as if describing someone else.

“So, you’re just another beast, huh? This is your final warning. Let go.”

Seemed like she was ready to shout at any moment.

Given the indoor atmosphere and the clothes of the customers, being a noble here wasn’t rare. Screaming would surely make me look like a madman.

Of course, I wouldn’t just stand there and take it.

First, let’s calm down this flustered girl.

*Bam.*

Releasing my grip, I stretched my arm towards the wall. She was cornered, unable to move recklessly.

This way, even if someone was watching, our field of vision would be sufficiently blocked.

But she looked panicked.

“You. Are you seriously planning to…!”

“Shh.”

Quiet down. This girl…

Would anyone hear?

“You’re such an idiot. Not thinking at all.”

“What did you say? Did you just say everything?”

“Yes. You, Harnier, are an idiot. Anyone who sees you as just a person who touches others’ bodies would be an idiot.”

Harnier sighed in disbelief.

“Then, do you think there was another intention behind this action?”

Crossing her arms, she looked at me as if daring me to speak.

I chuckled, pouring a bowl of facts onto this scatterbrained girl.

“Didn’t you plan to announce our engagement to everyone by saying we got engaged outside?”

“That’s crazy! Of course…”

“Then why do you treat me like a pervert when you clearly know it’s not the case?”

“Huh?”

Teasing her, I made Harnier panic.

“Think about it. Where would you first imagine for an important contract?”

“…”

Of course.

A place where only the two of us could talk.

Realizing the reason for coming here, Harnier fidgeted, twisting her hair with one hand.

“Um, Carsein Duke?”

She wanted to continue speaking, but the staff member cleared his throat and turned back.

“Hem. Two of you, please don’t engage in intimate activities here.”

“Huh?”

She asked as if it was nonsense.

Suddenly, she realized the current situation looked suspicious.

A man pushing a woman against the wall and two men getting closer.

To the staff, this wall-pushing scene could easily be mistaken for intimate behavior. Unlike Harnier’s doubts,

Unable to hide her embarrassment, Harnier covered her red face with both hands.

“Let’s go quickly. Before the staff suspects us.”

“…”

Harnier silently followed me, holding my hand again.

***

Following the staff, we entered a splendid room.

A large glass window offering a view of the natural scenery and a cozy atmosphere.

Most importantly, soundproofing seemed thorough.

“Um… Carsein Duke?”

“Yes?”

“Um, I wonder if I could let go of my hand now.”

Oh, right.

Since the staff went to get drinks, we could sit at the table and talk.

“Let’s sit.”

Harnier sat down, sweating slightly.

Facing each other, our eyes met naturally. She flinched, trying to avoid my gaze.

Her blinking became noticeably faster.

‘Hmm. I’ll use this as a shield.’

Harnier, with a troubled expression, twisted her body. She probably wanted to cancel her words and kick my shin.

Using this, leniency might be possible.

Wait and see. Such people often self-destruct.

“Um, about what you said earlier…”

“About what?”

“Well, about what happened in the hallway.”

Deliberately avoiding eye contact while savoring the aroma and taste of coffee, I noticed Harnier starting to glance at me nervously.

Shall I tease her a bit?

“In the hallway, it was quite troublesome.”

“Yes?”

-Wince!

“You did something wrong, Harnier.”

Moving my gaze towards her, she trembled. Avoiding eye contact, she blinked again.

“Staff is waiting, but you wouldn’t move. We could’ve been suspected of something inappropriate.”

“…”

Her eyes, which initially flinched, now trembled slightly. Her expression showed she understood she was caught.

“…Sorry.”

“Huh?”

“I’m sorry! I shouldn’t have kicked you with my foot, or thought of you like those other perverts who stare at others’ faces and bodies…”

“It’s a relief the misunderstanding is cleared.”

“Don’t tease me. I already said I’m sorry!”

“Do other men tease you like this?”

“Ugh. You really…”

Blushing, she glanced at me nervously. It’d be fun to tease her more, but maybe I should stop here.

“It’s time to get to the point. We’re running out of time.”

“I was going to say that too!”

I doubt it.

Anyway, moving forward.

Harnier started rummaging through her handbag.

Probably she brought a neatly folded contract.

But I overlooked something.

“A Gem of Oath. Do you understand what this is?”

“Yes.”

Originally, I wouldn’t have known, but seeing its information, it made sense.

◆Gem of Oath

[A magic stone used for making verbal contracts, mainly for significant agreements. When used, the gem emits power—]

In short, the gem’s power creates an environment for the contract to be fulfilled, and once the obligations and purposes are stated, the contract is complete.

No need for a written contract.

Here, in this world of magic.

Harnier slowly engraved the contract’s content, preparing for a year-long engagement as her goal.

“Now, all that’s left is to state your purpose, Duke Carsein.”

She mentioned wanting independence from the House of Teresia.

My goal was simple.

“───────.”

Harnier’s eyes widened momentarily.

“Why are you staring? Is something wrong?”

“No, nothing. Let’s proceed.”

The Gem of Oath glowed blue, changing from blue to crimson.

Even though Carsein didn’t write it himself in the game, this scene had happened with other characters. The year-long engagement contract seemed to have concluded successfully.

However, Harnier couldn’t meet my gaze directly, instead fidgeting with her hair.

“Um, is the spot where you kicked okay?”

“The spot where you kicked? It’s fine. Why are you asking?”

“…Still, a little.”

Well, she did kick pretty hard. Maybe it takes this much to deal with pushy men. Honestly, it still feels a bit numb.

‘Even though it makes me feel like a bad guy…’

There’s no helping it.

I need to make up for this somehow.

“Then, let’s call it even. After all, I did something wrong too.”

“Huh? No, you were just trying to find an appropriate place.”

“Not today. Actually, I did something unreasonable to you, Harnier.”

“To me? Not today…?”

She tilted her head, seemingly clueless.

“When you came to the House of Bargrand. Do you remember our meeting?”

“Of course. We met then, so here we are now.”

“Yes. I made a big mistake that day because I didn’t want to be scolded by my family.”

“…”

“We pretended to have a secret rendezvous. So, we need to show a more romantic atmosphere.”

“Wha—?! Wait!”

Surprised, she stammered.

“Secret rendezvous? We’re just in a contract! If you say that, it’ll become real…”

“We need to look like lovers. To avoid suspicion.”

“Good grief.”

Harnier muttered in disbelief, her expression blank.

I understand.

Carsein isn’t such a great guy.

Harnier has exceptional beauty among the nobles.

In terms of ability, they’re worlds apart.

So, I tried to offset by showing I had done something wrong.

But, will this work?

“Actually, this is better. If we acted like we had a secret rendezvous, it would be harder to suspect us. It also creates a natural atmosphere.”

Seeing Harnier, who was about to give up, suddenly light up with hope, I asked:

“Harnier? Why are you…?”

Creeping closer, she gave off a strange aura. Naturally, I stepped back.