Chapter 83

“Why is Miss so late?”

Mina muttered anxiously, waiting for Harnier.

Her mistress was usually punctual about appointments.

While there were occasional delays, they were due to social circle pressures or watching the Marquis Mansion’s reactions. She never faltered in her preparations.

It was unusual for Harnier not to have arrived yet, causing Mina unease.

“It’s too late… No reply either. I’ll die from worry if this keeps up. Miss…”

Mina paced, hoping a message would arrive from the merchant guild soon.

She had been told Harnier left the party hall after dealing with important matters, countering the social circle’s scrutiny.

Mina was surprised when she heard Harnier stayed at the Duke’s Mansion last night, but no further letters arrived.

This meant Harnier should have already reached the Marquis Mansion.

The sudden realization that something must have happened to Harnier, barring any unforeseen circumstances, made Mina uneasy.

“What if… she didn’t run into the nobles or social circle, but some other accident?”

The social circle, which wouldn’t let go of any reason to target Harnier, had made the party hall resemble a hyena den.

Though entering a dangerous location was true, the nobles wouldn’t try to restrain Harnier.

But now, it felt like Harnier was restrained.

“Yeah, something’s off. It shouldn’t be this quiet.”

They had placed people at the party hall. Even if contact came at this late hour, it wouldn’t be strange.

If things went awry, news would reach them since it was a noble’s party.

If an incident occurred at the party hall, the noble’s location would amplify the news.

Yet, nothing had been heard.

This silence suggested an external event might have happened.

Just as Mina was about to rush and seek help from the merchant guild, a carriage stopped.

“That carriage… belongs to the Bargrand Duke’s family?”

Thank goodness.

It wasn’t from another family or a carriage that went out from the Marquis Mansion.

“Don’t let your guard down. He’s still a man after all.”

Given the Bargrand Duke’s family was involved in the contract engagement, it was assumed no untoward events had occurred.

However, considering how Harnier dealt with male proposals related to strategic marriages, one couldn’t be too careful.

Hidden intentions, lecherous gazes directed at specific areas.

With her beautiful appearance, she had faced countless schemes and rejected them all. To her, every man was like a beast.

Mina suddenly realized the current situation was extremely dangerous.

“If it’s a carriage… they could be alone together!”

The empire’s beauty had to think of ways to protect herself from being sold off.

There was no hope that the Bargrand Duke’s family was different.

If anything, if he had reached out to Harnier, he would have gone further.

Even the Bargrand Duke’s family, ruling at the peak of nobility, wouldn’t change the fact that men are still men.

Plus, with all the incidents happening around him, using the Duke’s power and authority to pressure Harnier wasn’t unlikely.

“Hurry!”

Mina lifted her skirt, revealing a small knife hidden on her thigh.

She approached the carriage quietly, making no noise.

She reached the front of the carriage.

Opening this door would reveal Harnier.

She needed to finish this quickly.

When that reckless man touched Miss, she had to ensure a decisive hit before escaping.

“One…”

Shaking, Mina counted silently.

She planned to break in swiftly once the count ended.

Two…

One…

“Wait there. Harnier is sleeping, so enter quietly.”

“!…”

Carsein’s voice came from inside the carriage.

Mina hadn’t made much noise while approaching.

Yet, he seemed to know she was reaching for the door, speaking softly.

“The fiancée has been asleep for about an hour and forty minutes. I want to let her sleep for two hours, but can you give me twenty minutes?”

“…”

Carsein’s voice echoed again from the carriage.

Ironically, asking for permission reminded Mina of what Harnier said.

-Carsein isn’t that kind of person.

Miss, who had dealt with filthy beasts driven by lust, had spoken those words.

Considering they even talked about engagement, it seemed he truly hadn’t touched her.

Holding onto a tiny hope, Mina cautiously opened the door.

She saw Harnier sleeping peacefully, leaning against Carsein’s shoulder.

There were only two in the carriage.

She had thought he surely touched Miss…

-Snap.

Carsein’s eyes were fixed on his book.

He asked softly,

“Do you really think I’d touch Harnier?”

“Yes? Ah…”

“Don’t worry. As a man myself, anyone would think that with such a beauty beside them. Especially someone following Harnier should be extra cautious.”

It wasn’t odd to see men as beasts.

It was reasonable to have such suspicions.

Carsein casually mentioned Harnier having a good maid.

He also preemptively noted feeling threatened and coming here was a normal reaction.

His voice was lowered, showing consideration for Harnier, unlike other men she had seen.

“Just twenty minutes. I only want to keep her asleep a bit longer. She fell asleep helping me.”

“What do you mean? Miss helped you and then fell asleep…”

“You know why. This.”

He handed her a document.

Mina recognized it as a report from the Shatren Territory.

“On the way back from the party hall, she fell asleep. When she yawned this morning, I asked and she said she had work at the Duke’s mansion last night. She held this the whole time in the carriage.”

“This…?”

Something felt off.

The Shatren Territory had no connection with Harnier.

Rather, it had a direct link with Carsein Bargrand.

But the report she saw now contained more information.

‘Then, Miss must have intended to give this to Young Master Carsein.’

Realizing this, Carsein addressed Mina’s confusion directly.

“I wanted to organize this in exchange for showing my fiancée at the party hall. I didn’t expect this outcome, though. Unintentionally, I became the cause.”

“…”

“Anyway, I don’t want to leave such a big debt. So, I tried to keep her asleep a little longer. I hope you won’t misunderstand.”

Mina’s defenses completely dropped.

Beside her, Miss was a woman sought after by men for strategic marriages, yet this man showed no interest.

Listening to Harnier’s faint breathing and the paper rustling, he seemed almost divine.

Miss was right.

Mina finally relaxed.

“Then, may I bring a blanket?”

“Hmm? You’re not planning to keep her asleep longer, right?”

“Exactly. Miss wakes up after a few hours at the mansion.”

Carsein blinked twice, surprised by her unexpected response.

“Hmm. That might be troublesome. I—”

“I know you’re not that kind of person. It’s fine to sleep together. Actually, the Marquis Mansion is empty right now.”

Mina quickly intervened, preventing Carsein from saying the usual thing.

Seizing the opportunity, she pushed further.

“Or, maybe you could stay at the Marquis Mansion for a day. That would increase Miss’s sleep time.”

“That’s a bit difficult. I have work to do at the Duke’s Mansion.”

“Then, can you keep her asleep for at least an hour or two in the carriage?”

“…Why are you pushing so hard?”

“Miss usually cuts her sleep time to work. This is the rare chance for her to rest comfortably with you here.”

Carsein looked at the sleeping Harnier, a hint of contemplation in his eyes.

“Miss. Though you pretend everything is fine, I know. This vulnerability was bound to happen sooner or later.”

Despite fighting tirelessly to sever ties with the Marquis Mansion, human limits exist.

One day, exhaustion would lead to a lapse.

But, the person to fill this gap was right in front of her.

Harnier needed someone to lean on and catch her breath when facing insurmountable walls.

Someone, even a stranger, capable of showing this small kindness.

Someone upright, refined, and wise.

He met all these criteria.

Carsein Bargrand was the one who could reach out and lift Harnier up without hesitation when she faltered.

“Apologies for the suspicion. But, please help Miss get some rest, even if it’s just a little.”

“…”

Silence lingered.

Carsein silently watched the deeply sleeping Harnier.

After a moment, he sighed heavily.

“I’m partly to blame too. Can’t refuse… fine.”

Indeed.

Even if reluctant, he seemed like the type to accept.

“…What about the Marquis Mansion’s eyes?”

“Everyone except Miss is preparing for the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting. They won’t suspect much.”

That’s why she considered going from the Marquis Mansion to the party hall.

Since they focused on achieving results at the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting, leaving the mansion with only Harnier, unnoticed.

But Carsein firmly dismissed Mina’s suggestion.

“Then, staying for a day would be even riskier.”

“Why?”

“Today, Harnier shook off suspicions at the party hall and distanced herself from the nobles. With a force pressuring her weakened, news could have reached the Marquis Mansion.”

“!…”

“And if they suspect our relationship is more than just an engagement and move quickly, Harnier could be caught.”

A chill ran down Mina’s spine.

“So, even if factions are aligned, enemies of enemies can temporarily be allies.”

As Carsein said, the Marquis Mansion was also part of the nobility. Assuming they weren’t involved in any secret dealings with the social circle would be wrong.

“How long will it take for the family to return to the Marquis Mansion?”

“Oh, probably three hours if the horses run at full speed.”

“Then, an hour is the limit. I’ll wake Harnier up and send her after resting here.”

“Understood. I’ll fetch two blankets quickly.”

Mina bowed and closed the door.

It was fortunate Miss didn’t hear this news. Otherwise, she would have reacted angrily.

Regardless, there was a peculiar intersection between the two.

Perhaps, a certain expectation swelled within her.

“Hmm. They do fit well together, don’t they?”

Imagining the scenario, Mina smiled faintly and headed to fetch the blankets.

***

“Guhh…”

A smile played on Harnier’s lips.

She had slept soundly.

These past few days were filled with too many busy tasks, leaving no time for proper rest.

Tasks piled up daily.

Her body was limited.

Fatigue accumulated.

The desire to roll in bed? Naturally, it burned.

But there was no time. To fool the Marquis Mansion perfectly, she barely found moments to rest.

When Mina worried and offered a break, she’d quickly hide her fatigue.

But today was different.

By intentionally leaving one behind at the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting, she could finally rest.

Clearing the doubts from the social circle, she could afford to sleep longer. Harnier decided to temporarily set aside her concerns and enjoy this moment of peace.

It was warm.

Comforting.

Wrapped in a blanket, she could almost fall asleep for hours…

“Hmm?”

An inexplicable sense of discomfort arose.

Had she gone to bed after returning from the party hall?

No, even excluding that, didn’t the sheets feel different?

Wasn’t the warmth coming from a body, not a blanket?

…Could it be?

Realizing the warmth was from a person, not a blanket, her eyes shot open.

“Did you sleep well?”

So close, their breaths mingled.

The first thing she saw upon waking was Carsein’s face.