Chapter 21

That birdbrain ate our rabbit, but at least I should have read the letter.

Upon receiving the letter, I could tell just by the texture that it was written on quite high-quality paper. To think they’d use such high-end paper, the kind Tower Lords use for magic theses, just to send a single letter—money really does make the world go round, huh? Meanwhile, adventurers outside are risking their lives to kill goblins just to afford lodging and dinner. And here they are, using paper worth five days of a low-tier adventurer’s wages for a mere letter.

Vladimir Lenin of the Soviet Union once said, “Capitalists can go eat dirt.” Thinking about it, both there and the north are cold places. Maybe a proletarian revolution will break out soon.

When I unfolded the letter, the artistically flamboyant handwriting caught my eye. Typical of the filthy bourgeoisie. While kids outside are learning pickpocketing skills just to survive, you were busy learning how to write fancy letters, huh?

[Lord Werner, I hope you’ve been well. I’m writing this letter out of curiosity.]

I was doing fine until your bird ate my rabbit. On second thought, I’ve been so busy that I haven’t been all that fine.

Come to think of it, wasn’t this whole mess caused by you summoning me? You put me in a life-threatening situation and now send me this letter? Is this some kind of personality disorder?

[I’d like to express my gratitude for the gift you gave me before. I don’t usually like jewelry, but I’ve been wearing this one as an exception.]

My instincts were right. Behold my transcendent taste and crisis management skills. This is why I bought those spin-off novels and official setting books. I’m proud of being the fool who spent 30,000 won on a fanbook just to find out what the characters like. If I hadn’t learned that she likes snowflake-shaped ornaments, I wouldn’t have survived today.

If there’s someone out there who can read my thoughts right now, I want to tell them: Being a fool isn’t shameful at all. Keep buying, buying, and buying more. That way, no matter what world you reincarnate into, you’ll survive. So the money I poured into that game wasn’t wasted. It’s saving my life right now.

[I’m still not entirely over it, but let’s put aside the fact that you left me without a word for now.]

As expected of the Duke of the North. Your magnanimity is vast. It’s thanks to such magnanimity that you’ve been able to rule the north for generations. Thinking about it, being a hereditary ruler and the lord of the north, that’s exactly it. Do they actually have nuclear weapons or something?

[I’ve been busy lately exterminating monsters in the northern duchy.]

Taking on monster extermination in place of your summoned father—how commendable. If you were here, I’d pat your head. Of course, you’re too busy to come here, so it’s a shame. So much so that I can’t help but laugh.

[But now that the extermination is mostly done, I’ll be coming to see you soon, Lord Werner.]

Wait, what the hell? You can’t just half-ass extermination like that. You need to wipe out every last monster. Don’t you know that such negligence leads to major disasters? One small mistake can bring about an irreversible catastrophe.

Please, monsters, gain the power of the Zerg and multiply en masse. Make my fiancée so busy that she won’t even dream of coming here. My fiancée is Jim Raynor, and the monsters are the Zerg—how epic would that be? If you make it happen, I’ll gladly serve the Queen of Blades.

[To be honest, my political standing isn’t entirely stable since my father suddenly left. So I need to get married soon.]

Who dares question the standing of our northern leader? Maybe I should just go and kill them all. Instead of complicating things with marriage, one magic spell could end it all.

Instead of persuading those idiots and causing a scene, just gather them up and fry them with a lightning spell. That’d be the end of it.

This is all because that older brother, the former Duke, handled things so carelessly.

[With the title of “Hero’s Companion,” I’ll be able to solidify my standing, Lord Werner.]

I’m not Werner. I get your situation, but I have my own circumstances too. This is getting awkward.

Ah, right. In romance fantasy, there’s this thing called a contract marriage, where people marry for mutual benefit and then divorce. We could use that. As expected of the northern Duke, contract marriage is the way. Thank you, romance fantasy authors.

[Of course, I intend to fulfill my duties as a noble faithfully. Since this marriage was arranged by my father, don’t even dream of divorce.]

Damn it, I’m a bachelor at heart. I should’ve just spent that money on mobile games to level up instead of buying romance fantasy.

[Also, regarding the issue of succession, I don’t want to bring in an adopted heir and cause disputes, so I plan to have proper children.]

You haven’t even married yet, and you’re already thinking about kids? Of course, I used to think of grandkids’ names just from holding a girl’s hand. If it’s a boy, Geonma; if it’s a girl, Yewon. Yeah, I thought of that before reading manga.

[I’ll be visiting soon, so please be prepared. Your fiancée, Glacia Winterheart.]

Why does this letter feel like a death warrant? Even if we do get married, will she really treat me well after I abandoned her and ran away? I might just end up being used for Werner’s fame, have a kid, and then be disposed of.

Sighing, I wrote a reply and tied it to the leg of that birdbrain Sakerin. I may not avenge my rabbit now, but someday I will.

Watching Sakerin fly away, I thought: If I get married, I might end up living like a bird in a cage. That’s some messed-up stuff.

“Werner, what’s going on?”

Suddenly, Camellia appeared, grabbing my shoulder. She must’ve been worried seeing me sigh.

“Sister… You know how scary Brother Melchior gets when he’s angry, right?”

Melchior is Glacia’s father and one of Werner’s close older brothers. He’s the one who shattered the arrogance of nobles who looked down on Werner for being a commoner sorcerer.

“Yeah… When he’s angry, he goes berserk without caring about anyone around him.”

“But I think I’ve found someone even scarier than him.”

If he just got angry and smashed things, that’d be better. But holding onto it and letting it ferment—that’s hell.

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Glacia Winterheart smiled faintly as she unfolded the letter brought by Sakerin.

Her aide, seeing her smile, asked. It was unusual for her to smile, so he was curious.

“Is it another letter from your fiancé?”

“Yes, it’s from Lord Werner. It’s just… I can’t help but laugh.”

The aide, curious about what joke could make her laugh like that, asked again.

“What did he say? Did he compliment you or something?”

“No, he just apologized for running away and leaving me behind.”

The aide couldn’t understand. How could such a simple message make her laugh?

“Forgive me, but… why did you laugh?”

“It’s what he wrote below. He’s worried about my standing and said he’d help me with anything except marriage.”

“Hahaha, worrying about the Duke’s standing? That’s hilarious.”

Glacia’s concern about her standing was almost a blatant lie. Sure, there were those who coveted her position or refused to acknowledge her, but she dismissed them as minor nuisances. They weren’t a real threat.

“No, it’s just that Werner is cute.”

“Excuse me? What did you just say…?”

“The engagement 12 years ago was just called off, but the engagement itself is still valid. Yet he’s talking about running away and helping me in other ways… How adorable.”

The aide began to feel a sense of dread. Hearing his usually cold and emotionless master say such things sent shivers down his spine.

“Uh… Forgive me, but I have some business with the other vassals, so I’ll take my leave.”

There was no such schedule, but the aide lied to escape the situation.

“Go ahead.”

Glacia, aware of the lie, allowed him to leave, wanting to be alone.

Once the aide left, Glacia hugged the letter Werner sent.

“Just a little longer, and we’ll meet again… my hero.”

The one-sided love Glacia had held onto for 15 years was anything but light.