Chapter 171

‘Tharene asked me for help?’

Just a moment ago, they were talking about why Flora had gone to see her. Even though I wasn’t particularly interested in what the child said, this was different.

Tharene is a meticulous woman.

She meticulously planned how to escape from the Marquis House of Teresia. To avoid being a victim of political marriage, she devised a plan to choose me as her fiancé. Moreover, she prepared by placing a merchant guild to obstruct the view of the Marquis House so she could act secretly.

She even considered which directions she might be constrained and how to deceive them accordingly.

That’s how planned-out a person she is.

She fills her head with knowledge, carefully implements plans, and deals with problems accordingly.

Though sometimes she overlooks important facts when she acts hastily, she remains the person who has provided me with the most substantial assistance in accumulating knowledge about this world.

So, I thought she would have prepared for any problems that might arise… But suddenly asking for my help?

This meant something was up.

As I looked at Tharene with suspicion, she abruptly pulled her hand away, covering her lips with a look of panic before quickly removing her hand.

“It’s… No, I mean, what am I saying?”

Then, she tried to act nonchalant, showing that faint smile I’ve seen before.

It’s like she was trying to cover up a slip of the tongue.

“Was that too sudden? I guess I blurted it out because I had a lot on my mind. Don’t worry too much about it.”

“…”

As expected, isn’t it?

Even though she said that, I wonder if that really was just a slip of the tongue.

“No. That couldn’t be.”

I know better than anyone that Tharene wouldn’t casually mention something like this because of our contract.

“I should go now. Sorry for the trouble…”

“Wait.”

“Karsein…?”

As I reached for her arm to stop her from getting up, she trembled in surprise.

Yes, this trembling.

A slight tremor transmitted through the hands we held.

I had felt this trembling before.

“When we met those women during the Snow Festival.”

Back then, just before she was harassed by other women, her hand had trembled like this.

And she had also whispered, lowering her head slightly, asking me to pretend to be her lover, her voice trembling.

Yes, this isn’t something to take lightly.

I’ve seen that face often; she’s trying to hide her distress.

For a brief moment, seeing her hand tremble like this, it’s clear she’s facing a serious problem.

But Tharene probably tried to hide it from me, thinking it might cause some harm. Even though she unconsciously asked for help, she must have been deeply troubled to hesitate to speak further.

“People can be kind up to a point.”

Perhaps, this matter involves me too.

I could confront him more boldly, with determination.

I could speak rationally about how the contract might fall apart.

She didn’t tell me this because she’s just too kind. I didn’t want to pretend I hadn’t noticed.

“For now, since nothing’s popping up… the timing is good.”

If an episode or system message had popped up, creating constraints, I wouldn’t have known. But currently, my status window is quiet.

Skipping scene.

This was likely a moment where my choices wouldn’t affect the outcome.

I didn’t let go of her hand.

“Let’s hear more of what you have to say.”

“Huh? Oh, about that… there’s no need to talk about it further. Just forget I said anything.”

She kept trying to pull her hand away, saying it was fine.

If I squeezed harder, it would hurt her, but if I let go, she might pretend everything was okay and run away.

There was no choice.

I had to use force.

“Gyaah?! Karsein! What is this…!”

Like in the party hall, I lifted her up, holding her between my legs, and she started flailing.

“Put me down. Why are you doing this all of a sudden…”

“I won’t let go until you speak honestly.”

“What are you talking about?”

“If you’re in a difficult situation, and you keep it a secret after saying we should help each other, it’s not fair.”

“It’s not that bad. It was just rambling because my worries got deep…!”

That’s exactly it.

“Ah?!”

“Watch out. What if you fall?”

Right. This way, both arms are close to my body.

This way, she won’t fall, no matter how much she struggles.

First, I blocked her escape.

Next, it’s time for persuasion.

“Oh, it would be troublesome if my fiancé came and I didn’t treat her properly, right?”

“…! Karsein, are you listening to me? You’re not letting me go?!”

“Let’s go inside. Let’s enjoy a nice tea time. Haha.”

“How despicable. Doing this with force…”

Even knowing it was despicable, she only lightly punched my shoulder and didn’t resist fiercely.

***

I thought I handled Flora’s visit well.

Although I still don’t know why she came, I didn’t care much.

From the way Claire carried me away, I concluded that her visit was indeed appropriate.

Moreover, I was more satisfied because I realized Karsein hadn’t slept well.

Even though I was surprised when she suddenly pounced on me on the sofa, I managed to get her to promise to sleep properly. With the clause about the gem included, he shouldn’t be able to object.

But it should have ended there.

“So, why did you come here?”

When I heard those words, I should have stood up without hesitation and dismissed any hope that he might help.

I shouldn’t have entertained the hope that maybe he could help, based on Flora and her intentions.

I should have firmly recognized the fact that I was causing trouble and pushed aside selfish thoughts.

But.

“This time, I came because I wanted your help.”

The truth spilled out involuntarily.

For myself alone.

With nothing but the thought that he might help, I spoke.

Realizing later that I made a slip, I tried to feign ignorance, but…

“Wait.”

Karsein is a man with quick reflexes.

“Let’s hear more of what you have to say.”

“Huh? Oh, about that… there’s no need to talk about it further. Just forget I said anything.”

After being grabbed, I realized I was truly about to cause a huge inconvenience. I jumped up, declaring I should leave and that the matter was finished.

But that action was futile.

Not only did I not release his grip, I lifted her completely off the ground.

To prevent her from escaping, I held her firmly.

Moreover, he is a thorough man.

“I won’t let go until you speak honestly.”

“What are you talking about?”

“If you’re in a difficult situation, and you keep it a secret after saying we should help each other, it’s not fair.”

By bringing up past words about helping each other, he opened the conversation again.

“Ah?!”

“Be careful. What if you fall?”

To prevent falling, I drew closer. Very despicably.

‘What do I do…’

Now, I’m hoping he might help me.

The hope that this man might help me, a very bad one.

Tharene shook her head with her hands over her mouth.

That’s impossible.

To expect someone to fulfill such an unreasonable request.

I absolutely shouldn’t have hoped for such an inconvenience.

I should have struggled to break free immediately…

Oddly enough, my heart was pounding.

I couldn’t move.

Even though I needed to break free with all my strength, I couldn’t.

It felt like I had settled into this spot.

With Tharene’s movements also coming to a halt, it became a meaningless struggle.

Any other words were merely excuses, and Karsein used the excuse of being her fiancé to insist on having tea time, laying her on the sofa.

Then, with a smile,

“Are you in trouble because of the Marquis House of Teresia?”

“…!”

“Of course. How many situations could make you troubled?”

He nailed it precisely.

Even before she said anything.

‘In the world… how much does he know?’

I almost threw in the towel at the last minute.

But it bounced back empty-handed.

“…How did you know?”

“As well as you know me, I know you too. Since you’re not the type to cause trouble in your territory, it’s clear you’re under pressure from your family. And it feels like they put up quite a fight.”

Speechless.

With his extraordinary brain and sharp insight, explanations were unnecessary.

“Really.”

Tharene sighed with an absurd smile.

It’s like the first button was already undone.

The moment he saw a weakness in me, he understood everything.

“The Marquis House brought up the need to find a new fiancé due to the poor performance in the symposium with you and me. As a result, I’m now in a situation where I need to prove myself in this upcoming symposium.”

“Oh. So you’re going to be honest now?”

“I realized that making excuses wouldn’t work.”

As Tharene grumbled, Karsein smiled and offered tea.

“Please continue.”

“The Marquis wants me to perform better than Bellian, the eldest son. Specifically, he wants me to surpass Bellian. But it’s not easy.”

Two darts stuck in the unfolded map.

Those were Tharene’s territory and Bellian’s territory.

As Karsein studied the locations of the two territories, he frowned immediately.

“If we use the power of the Merchant Guild of Plesia, we could easily overshadow Bellian’s score. However, the downside is that the guild would be exposed. That’s the issue. Your territory happens to be right next to Bellian’s, and it’s wide open, making surveillance possible. Given that the privilege of the Marquis House would be given to Bellian, you’d face penalties beyond imagination. Oh, they probably suggested sending support to Bellian too, right?”

“How did you see that so clearly?”

“I can guess the reason you came to me. If we collaborate as fiancés, we can prove our capabilities while ending any doubts about the fiancé’s competence. Right?”

“…”

Words of admiration no longer come out.

It’s beyond impressive; it’s bizarre.

But now wasn’t the time to be impressed.

“So you want me to pretend I didn’t hear?”

“Why?”

“Even you are struggling with the Shatren Territory. I can’t cause such trouble for you. Besides, I can’t help much since I’m under surveillance. In this case, Karsein, you’d have to manage both territories.”

She explained everything. This was the last chance to refuse his heart.

I couldn’t miss this opportunity.

“It doesn’t make sense. Asking for help with two territories at once. Trying to ask for such an impossible favor makes me seem unreasonable. So, just pretend you didn’t hear. This is something I need to handle myself.”

But Karsein responded with a smirk.

“Who said managing two territories at once is impossible?”

“…What?”

“Actually, it’s much better than just handling Shatren alone.”

Excuse me?

What kind of nonsense is this?

“You can’t take it back once it’s signed. Let’s seal the collaboration here.”

“You call that a proposal?! If we collaborate, we can’t undo it…! No. Even if it’s not about that, it’s still a burden!”

“Don’t think of it as a burden. It’s my will to maintain the contract engagement.”

Again, another ridiculous statement.

The contract engagement was supposed to avoid mutual losses, but this means you’ll be the one suffering.

…Yet, you’re willing to help me, taking on that great risk?

“Then, why aren’t you signing the contract, Tharene?”

You really…

– Thump!