Chapter 182

When I returned to the house staying in Shatren, it was already quite late at night.

Actually, it wasn’t that far of a distance to travel even if I took my time.

No matter how much I played around, it would only take me a few dozen minutes to arrive.

But how could I increase the affinity with the second agent, Daike? That’s when I thought of traps.

The first time I stepped on a trap in Shatren and tested the combat threat level, a small group of bandits threatening Shatren appeared as enemy entities before my eyes.

While in the game, they might just be there to increase levels and add threats, but upon careful reflection, wouldn’t traps that cause enemy entities to appear within the territory be somewhat helpful?

There were sub episodes related to banditry, and sub episodes that automatically triggered when threats approached the residents. Each time, helping out the guards would usually raise Daike’s affinity.

So, I had planned to remove some traps in advance, but…

“What took you so long to come back?!”

My fiancée, who had her arms crossed and was waiting for me, looked furious because I was late removing the traps.

…Damn it.

This means I can’t work late into the night anymore. I can predict the nagging.

By the time I thought this, it was already way too late.

“Coming home this late means… Did you skip dinner?!”

Well, the follow-up is obvious.

I was scolded for not eating properly.

After being scolded and waiting for an hour until dinner was over, the night sky had darkened so much it seemed to want to turn into dawn.

“Hey, Harnier?”

“Instead of working, why don’t you sleep?”

“…”

I expected something like this.

It’s hopeless today.

…Wait!

I still have one last resort. I should try that!

“Hem. But, what did you come back for? I remember giving you something to do.”

Harnier paused momentarily after my question, glancing at me before turning her head away with a huff.

“You asked about whether the specialty products of Shatren could grow in different soil. If that’s the case… Well, you could just bring the soil here and plant them.”

“…”

“Did something go wrong?”

“No, nothing in particular.”

Although I mentioned needing a comparison group of soil, I knew in reality it wouldn’t yield much.

Whether the Shatren strawberries and grapes truly only grow in Shatren’s soil.

Not just the soil, but also climate, vegetation, rainfall, and humidity – whether these conditions prevent them from growing elsewhere.

If I didn’t know any of this, then a comparison group would make sense. However, records showed that Shatren’s specialty products hadn’t grown anywhere else.

Even the game data was plentiful.

The introduction of Shatren territory, texts from the Duke’s House, additional information from the territory survey, item descriptions, etc. There was enough evidence that I didn’t even need to investigate further.

Then why did I ask Harnier to do this if I already knew?

To fixate on the fact that Shatren’s specialty products only grow there, thus raising issues with farming methods. In short, setting up choices beforehand.

“But even considering that, is there really a need to come all the way here?”

That thought crossed my mind.

“Th-thank you.”

“What?”

“Thanks to you, the Marquis’s suspicion was alleviated. And the Merchant Guild of Plesia can use Rusmaier without any problems… So everything worked out.”

Really?

Is she here to say this?

“But… This alone makes me a bit uneasy.”

“Do you think it’s insufficient?”

“At symposiums, even engaged or married couples often stick together. If we’re apart, the Marquis might find it odd… Right?”

“So you want to avoid suspicion.”

“Yeah, that’s right. So I thought it would be better if we stuck together… That’s why I came here.”

Though awkward at first hearing her gratitude, her following words made sense.

Harnier is being scrutinized not only by the Marquis but also in social circles. It’s possible both sides are trying to pull her down due to overlapping goals.

It would be best if Harnier and I continued to act like lovers.

“Of course. Why would this smart woman waste time? She must have a purpose.”

…But why is she standing so stiffly?

She seems off despite saying such a natural thing.

“Harnier?”

“Yes, yes?”

“Hmm.”

-Swipe.

“Gah!”

Startled, Harnier took a step back when I placed my hand on her forehead.

“What are you doing…?”

“Oh, sorry. Your face looks a bit red, so I thought you might have a fever.”

“What fever?! There isn’t any!”

“But you seem to have a slight fever. Are you feeling unwell?”

“No, no!”

Clearly, I felt a fever when I touched her, but she vehemently denied it.

“Could I open the window?”

“Are you hot?”

“A little.”

“It’s fine. The weather has been warmer recently.”

Harnier fanned herself while opening the window, then pointed at the bed in the room with her finger.

“It’s late, so go to sleep. I’ll check if you’re sleeping well and if you’re resting properly.”

Ugh. It ends up like this.

I’m in a bind. If I stay here, I can’t work through the night…

Let me try to persuade her.

“I can’t sleep even if you tell me to.”

“Haa? Trying to make up more excuses again? You slept so well earlier.”

“No, seriously. I actually have insomnia. I couldn’t sleep deeply last night either. It was just a coincidence then.”

Brrr.

It’s unfair. This isn’t a lie.

“…Sigh. Then, I guess there’s no choice.”

“Excuse me?”

She stared at me silently and approached.

And suddenly, my world turned 90 degrees.

Dazed, I blinked repeatedly, while Harnier cleared her throat and asked:

“If I do this, will you be able to sleep?”

“Harnier? What is this…?”

“If I do this, you used to sleep well. If you can’t sleep in bed, I can lend you my thigh to help you sleep…”

No, this doesn’t mean you can sleep well here.

Plus, you look like you’re asking to sleep on my thigh because you want to.

I need to clarify this.

It’s weird. Extremely weird!

If I fall asleep here, I’d have to ask my fiancée for her thigh every time I can’t sleep, which wouldn’t look good to others…

Well, it’s common among lovers? And since we’re engaged…

I guess this plan won’t work.

Then Plan B.

“Harnier. You always hated things like this, right?”

“Again with that? I clearly know you’re not the type to do this!”

“Facing such a beauty, I might suddenly have bad thoughts…”

-Slap.

“Ouch!”

“Don’t talk nonsense and go to sleep! Really…”

Harnier slapped my shoulder twice lightly and fanned herself again, saying it was hot.

With both plans blocked, there’s no other option.

Reluctantly, I had to lie down on the uncomfortable thigh again.

Still, it’s fortunate that she doesn’t think I’m strange, and I didn’t fall asleep first.

How could I sleep in this state anyway?

A few minutes passed, and Harnier started yawning.

“Haa… I bet you’re already asleep…”

Yawning repeatedly, Harnier mumbled and waved her hand over my face a couple of times. Realizing I was asleep, she leaned against the headboard and fell asleep.

About ten minutes later.

From above, I heard the steady breathing of someone deeply asleep. Looks like she’s the one who’s really out cold.

Now’s my chance.

Cautiously, I tried to move my hand, but there was no reaction. Sneaking out slowly, I saw the beautiful woman lying in a deep sleep.

“…I wonder if Harnier is tired after waiting for me all this time.”

The clock hands pointed to dawn.

Since I was already late when I returned, Harnier must have been quite tired.

“You should be the one to sleep.”

-Gently.

I carefully slid my arm under Harnier’s neck and thighs.

Sleeping in such an uncomfortable position. She should think about her own comfort instead of mine.

Anyway, I managed to lay her down without waking her up.

“Okay, no fever. Just a bit warm earlier.”

Everything checked out, now I just need to pull out my arms…

“Mmm… Carsein…”

“…”

Uh oh. My arm I wanted to pull out was caught.

This is going to be tricky.

“Mmm…”

Trying to pull out gently made Harnier get closer. With our bodies so close on this narrow bed, it became very difficult.

“This is… impossible.”

My arm, which I had stretched out to her shoulder, was now wrapped around her neck.

Moreover, getting out of Harnier’s embrace was proving to be nearly impossible.

“Sleep… properly… Carsein… Eat properly…”

“…”

-Ya, Minhyuk! Sleep properly! Eat properly!

Looking at her, who was looking after me, Ji-eun’s voice echoed again.

“Unh… Minhyuk… Eat properly and sleep…”

And the situation unfolding in front of me… Yes, it happened once with Ji-eun too.

“Sigh.”

Why do similar things keep happening?

I don’t understand anymore.

Anyway, I can’t escape from Harnier right now. I have no choice but to sleep.

After a few hours, I might wake up and be able to move around.

…But.

Ironically, I ended up falling asleep again.

***

Wherever I went, bullying followed.

In the nobility, I was labeled as someone with a child.

In the social circle, I was seen as a seductive snake preying on men, and my beauty turned into a curse.

And…

Through diligent studies, I achieved great success, but it was not recognized by my kin, making me realize the bitter truth of being a bastard.

With bullying, pain, and loneliness.

I had no choice but to get used to it.

I needed to save money quickly. I wanted to complete the hidden escape route of the Merchant Guild of Plesia and leave the Marquis House of Teresia.

This aristocratic society was one I wanted to shut out of my eyes and ears as soon as possible.

Yet.

In this miserable time, moments I wanted to remember emerged.

“Gyaak?!”

That moment still hasn’t faded.

The time when I fought alone against the malicious intent behind the tight shoes, noticing my condition had worsened, and carrying myself to the terrace with my arms.

The moment when my hand touched my wounded foot, the cool breeze seeping in as the shoes slipped off.

The moment when medicine was applied by another person’s hand, bandages were put on, and new shoes were fitted, causing my heart to race.

Every second of those few hours remained vivid in my mind.

Surely, it was a time I had to endure, a time that would have been forgotten quickly after leaving the party hall.

A time that I believed wouldn’t leave even a shred of memory in that place.

But it resurfaced vividly.

In the form of a sweet dream.

“…”

Realizing it was a dream, my eyes involuntarily opened.

Only then did I realize I had been deeply asleep, and Harnier noticed.

“Why am I lying so comfortably?”

That fleeting thought crossed my mind.

Lying in bed, I hadn’t realized I was dreaming.

“Ah. I need to wake up…”

By now, Carsein might be secretly staying up late, so I need to wake up.

But strangely, the pillow feels different.

It’s softer and warmer than fabric.

“…”

No way.

Carefully, Harnier pulled her body back.

Thinking it was dark because the lights were off, she discovered the darkness lifted as she moved slightly.

The vision was simply obscured by a shallow darkness.

And the thing her head was resting on…

“No way.”

Carefully, Harnier pulled her body back.

Thinking it was dark because the lights were off, she discovered the darkness lifted as she moved slightly.

The vision was simply obscured by a shallow darkness.

And the thing her head was resting on…

“Th-this is… a thigh pillow?!”

It was none other than Carsein’s body.