Chapter 115

Inside the Silent Carriage.

The sound of hooves and rolling wheels, and the faint vibration were the only things heard.

Inside that carriage, Harnier gazed intently at Carsein.

Noticing her gaze, Carsein’s eyes momentarily shifted towards her.

“…Is there something on my face?”

“No.”

“Then, was there something you needed? Did Barak say anything inappropriate?”

“Not at all.”

“Then why…”

“…Nothing at all.”

Mumbling incoherently, Harnier averted her gaze.

Scratching her cheek and tilting her head curiously, Carsein resumed reading.

At the same time,

Harnier glanced back at Carsein.

Carsein didn’t look particularly tired. His eyes while reading documents were likely filled with ceaseless calculations.

But, he didn’t have lively eyes either. He was simply immersed in his work.

Seeing him like this, Harnier suddenly thought of herself and fell into contemplation.

After meeting Carsein and staying a day in the Territory of Rusmaier.

She somehow managed to get through another day and the next morning approached. She watched Carsein sleeping in a chair.

Up until then, Harnier could somewhat understand Carsein’s position.

Because she felt the same way.

Rejected by her family due to being a bastard child.

No matter how much she served the clan, they only used her.

Finally, when she refused to help them, they even tried to sell her off through a political marriage.

Isn’t it most ideal for someone in such a situation to quickly find an alternative and escape? That’s why Carsein’s actions made perfect sense.

He shortened his sleep to study,

and prepared the strength to survive outside from the knowledge he had gained.

So he could safely escape and not be caught by them.

Her situation and circumstances weren’t much different, so she understood.

Thus, not interfering with him holding those documents seemed like the right decision.

But…

‘…Why am I thinking about that now?’

-“Young Lady, you don’t need to push yourself like this.”

-“Maybe you should rest more and do it later…”

-“We’re the ones who feel more worried, Young Lady.”

The voice of the maids asking her to take a break while she was engrossed in work echoed in her ears.

At that time, Harnier told the maids it was fine.

She wasn’t skipping meals and was taking sufficient rest, she said.

Even though she said that, the maids still had a pitiful look in their eyes. Some even forcibly took away her tasks.

She never understood why they did that.

But ironically, only after recalling that moment did Harnier understand the maids’ perspective.

‘I see. I must have looked like that too.’

When someone is focused on work and shortens their sleep, they want to achieve their goal as soon as possible. So, they don’t feel it’s a burden.

However, from the observer’s standpoint,

it’s natural to wonder why they push themselves so hard.

It’s scary to think they might fall from running too fast.

And seeing someone act nonchalantly despite precarious situations makes one feel frustrated.

She understood why the maids tried to stop her.

They felt more sorrowful because she insisted she was fine.

‘That’s right. You always had to carry this heavy heart and go back like that.’

With a faint sigh, Harnier gave a faint smile.

What was different between her situation and his?

Understanding both sides, Harnier came to a conclusion.

‘Yes. This is really pushing yourself too hard.’

While she also had to focus on work and reduce sleep, it wasn’t to this extent.

Also, as seen in the morning, she didn’t sleep uncomfortably.

Though she did doze off occasionally… but not to the point where anyone would think her body would collapse.

But what about Carsein?

“…As you think, Young Master’s amount of sleep is extremely minimal. Two hours a day, no, maybe just one hour. And that’s mostly naps.”

Didn’t Barak say this?

His workload was unusually high, which seemed odd.

She thought it was just for a day, but it continued for two days, then several days.

And then he would grab more documents and start calculating again. Planning the next task and reading reports. This cycle repeated continuously, regardless of day or night.

If this continued, his body would surely deteriorate.

No matter how busy he was.

No matter how necessary it was to achieve his goals.

No matter what he said, he shouldn’t solve problems by destroying his own body.

She had to stop him from overworking. Even if she understood his position.

“Flick.”

“…”

Snatching the document he was reading, Carsein looked at her in shock. His expression was bewildered.

Holding her side, Harnier said:

“This is confiscation.”

“What…?”

Carsein asked in confusion.

“I heard everything from Barak. You said you barely slept? But you’re still working in the carriage.”

“It’s fine. I’ve slept enough. As you can see, I’m perfectly fine.”

“Sleeping enough means napping for two hours? That’s ridiculous.”

“There are people who can function well even with less sleep. Also, it depends on your sleep technique.”

Carsein tried to dodge by emphasizing that reduced sleep doesn’t affect efficiency.

‘Of course.’

How could he give such a similar response?

She started feeling genuinely sorry for Mina.

By responding like this, it creates a situation where it seems unreasonable to stop someone who claims they’re fine.

That’s why the maids couldn’t stop her.

But unlike the maids, Harnier had a valid reason.

“Oh, as your fiancée, I can’t just watch your body deteriorate.”

Hearing this, Carsein looked exasperated.

“We’re just in a transactional relationship. Please return it.”

“Even if it’s just a façade, we’re still engaged, aren’t we?”

Yes, it’s just a façade, but she is his fiancée.

From this angle, Carsein couldn’t refute.

“Don’t worry. When I judge that you’ve had enough rest, I’ll return it. Even if it’s not that case, I can help with anything I can.”

“…Stop joking and just return it.”

“No, this isn’t a joke.”

Harnier turned her head sharply and hid the papers behind her back.

Seeing this, Carsein sighed deeply and began to approach her.

“Y-You wouldn’t… force me, right?”

“I don’t want to do that, but if you insist, I have no choice.”

“That’s too cruel! You can’t understand a fiancée’s feelings like this?!”

“Hey, don’t make it sound like someone will misunderstand. We’re just in a transactional relationship.”

“That’s subjective… No, this isn’t it… Stop coming closer! Carsein, are you really going to do this by force?!”

“Yes, I am a despicable person.”

Saying this, he moved to the corner of the carriage, but Carsein showed no intention of stopping.

‘What should I do? How should I…’

During this, Carsein’s hand slowly approached.

If this continues, she’ll be taken.

But the space inside the moving carriage isn’t wide.

There’s no way she could win against Carsein by force here.

So, she decided to obstruct his view instead.

‘Right! Obstruct his view!’

Facing Carsein’s approaching arms, Harnier threw herself at him instead.

“Woah!”

Suddenly lunging at Carsein, he panicked and had to catch her.

“What are you doing? Doing this in a moving carriage…”

“You said if I rested and slept more, you’d return it! You’re not stealing it, right?!”

“No, is this really necessary just for that…?”

“Didn’t you say helping each other is beneficial? Then, you can’t do anything without my permission. I’ll allow you to work hard, but I won’t accept ruining yourself!”

“Ugh. What kind of twisted logic is this…”

*Clunk*

At that moment, the carriage jolted heavily. Harnier, whose center of gravity was leaning towards Carsein, didn’t stop herself.

But conversely, Carsein’s center of gravity was thrown off by the jolt.

Due to inertia, Harnier’s body naturally leaned towards Carsein.

The force became unbalanced.

Carsein, who was standing steadily, staggered and fell, and Harnier’s body, along with her momentum, crashed onto the floor of the carriage.

*Bam*

Receiving the impact of both bodies, the carriage floor made a loud noise.

Both were probably disoriented.

They had things they wanted to say.

But at that precise moment, the carriage door opened.

“Carsein, welcome to the West…”

Pollox, who saw the scene, paused mid-sentence after looking back and forth between the two. Slowly, he closed the door again.

“I… I was quite oblivious. It wasn’t intentional. Sorry for the disturbance. Hmm.”

After hearing this, Harnier felt a strange sense of déjà vu.

Immediately realizing what they must look like, she quickly jumped off Carsein and stood up, shouting.

“Wait a moment, Pollox! I think you’re misunderstanding! It’s not like that! It’s not!”

*Click*

The carriage door was already shut.

‘Am I crazy?! What am I doing right now…?’

The aftermath of all this would surely follow.

In an instant, she hugged him tightly.

To make matters worse, the carriage jolted, and their bodies collided.

This situation was witnessed by Pollox.

Her face flushed with heat.

Reaching for the door, her hands covered her face.

“What… is this?”

Only now did Carsein regain his senses, grabbing his head and getting up.

Hearing his voice, Harnier’s face turned even redder.

Covering her face with both hands, Harnier said:

“…Just leave without saying anything.”

“Huh?”

“Please, just leave without saying anything.”

“…”

Carsein scratched his cheek, seemingly clueless. But knowing he shouldn’t provoke Harnier at this moment, he glanced around and left the carriage.

Thus, even after arriving at the Marquis House of Aiferos, Harnier had to stay in the carriage for a long time, covering her face.