37

Silver hair seemed to flow down between the lines of her slim face.

Her purple eyes were slightly softened by the sunlight.

It was too conspicuous to be called ugly.

‘If only I was ugly…’

He probably didn’t even want to see his face, let alone talk.

It’s a relationship that was forcibly made, so what’s the best way to stay close?

Of course, even now, it wasn’t to the point of being very friendly.

‘No matter how you look at it, you don’t look like a noble. like me…’

Harnette was well aware that she was out of the norm.

That’s why I tried to look like I was addicted to alcohol and gambling, but I skillfully controlled that feeling.

If you go wild, your parents won’t stay still, but if you stay quiet, they’ll think you’ve come to your senses.

‘At that time, there was nothing left for me or him except for the face.’

The daughter of a duke and the son of a marquess, the daughter of an idiot and the son of an extremely ordinary aristocrat, and a relationship forged through an arranged marriage.

Overall, it was vaguely balanced.

Even if you can’t say they go well together, it’s not that strange a pair.

But at some point, the balance was tipping slightly.

‘I think it’s become too much for me now.’

Shion had become a swordsman using swordsmanship in a short time.

Perhaps at social gatherings, the name Shion Regiard would come up often, and there would be overflowing nobles who regretted not recognizing it.

I wondered if it would be said that the Marquis of Reggiard suffered a loss, or that the Duke of Adelaira made a considerable profit.

‘I wouldn’t even break off the engagement.’

If it were the Marquis of Reggiard, it would have been, but his father would never have tolerated breaking up his marriage.

From the moment you break up your marriage, you will tarnish the name of your family, and you will want to have a son-in-law who uses sword skills close to you.

Perhaps he would be willing to give anything to please Zion.

‘From now on, I will often be compared.’

A foolish young lady who enjoys drinking and gambling every day was lucky enough to get engaged to a swordsman.

Even if you look pretty, you won’t be hated.

Why has the youngest son of the Marquis of Reggiard been hiding his skills?

In reality, there would be more words coming out than I had imagined.

‘What is the kid thinking?’

Of course, I wondered if he was thinking the same thing as me.

However, it was an incomprehensible choice to say that I had hidden my skills.

Rather, it was only recently that I was able to use sword skills.

“… Hey.”

“Why?”

“Why are you engaged to me?”

“I did it because I was told to do it, is there another reason?”

“Why is a boy who uses swordsmanship getting engaged to me?”

“Until then, I couldn’t use sword skills.”

“Then will you regret it?”

“What?”

“Betrothed to me.”

Only then did Shion turn his head and look at Hanette.

Hannette was waiting for her answer with a lonely look in her eyes.

“… I don’t really regret it.”

“If I were you, I think I would have regretted it.”

“My sister and I cannot be the same.”

“What is different?”

“It means that my position and your sister’s position are different.”

“So what’s the difference?”

“Well… it’s a little hard to put into words.”

Even Shion couldn’t avoid being engaged to Hanette.

At that time, I didn’t have an acid lane, and I couldn’t refuse Freed’s orders.

Most of all, he humbly accepted the engagement because he had to follow the established flow.

“You are really funny. What is so difficult?”

“It is not difficult. If you accept it once, isn’t that the end?”

“You can break off the marriage.”

“I will do well on your side.”

“Then go over to your side and ask for a favor.”

“Since the head of the household has such a thing as saving face… you can’t go that far.”

“Since your precious son uses the sword, wouldn’t it be a waste to send it to me?”

“…why do you think your sister’s value is less than mine?”

Shion muttered nonchalantly and looked out the window again.

Harnette was only called the mad lady, but in reality she had considerable talent.

If Harnette could properly learn magic in the current situation, the reputation of the Duke of Adelaira would increase even more.

“Um… did you do a lot of useless things?”

“I don’t think it’s useless. There must be something you want to do too.”

“Uh… they say you’re a spoiled young lady, right?”

“Should I be swayed by rumors? From my point of view, sister is not an idiot.”

“Huh! You speak well. Are you taking care of me as your fiancée?”

“I think it’s just wandering around for a while. People can’t just look straight ahead, can they?”

“…?”

Harnette showed a stiff expression for a moment and shut her mouth.

In all my life, no one had ever told me that I was wandering.

He just pointed out what was wrong and continued to scold him.

“Even my sister would not have wanted to be engaged to me. The Duke of Adelaira pushed me, so he had no choice but to accept it.”

“It is the same for you.”

“I can understand because I have experienced the same thing. Maybe because my sister understands me too, she’s trying to help me with whatever I do.”

Shion had seen through Hanette’s psychology, at least roughly.

The feelings Hannett felt were often described in the original content as well.

That’s why I was able to be sure that there was no malice towards Hanette, and I tried to be as considerate as possible until I left.

“Haa… You’re saying things that aren’t like you again.”

“What is like me?”

“Always bragging, talking back, talking nonsense, and…”

“Why do you keep making flaws that don’t exist?”

“Are all your weaknesses?”

“You look like you’re impatient because you couldn’t eat me.”

“It’s just because they say weird things.”

“I’m saying this for my sister, do you think that’s strange? It’s a little disappointing.”

“When have you not been disappointed?”

“I’ve never been disappointed, except when I’m not like a sister.”

“What do you know about me?”

“Are you too scared? People are nice, but not honest? What else is there…”

“I’m back to my senses now.”

Hannette drew a smile and immediately covered her mouth.

It wasn’t that I felt particularly happy or happy.

But why is there a sudden laugh?

“Anyway… don’t go out until I get back. If you really want to go out, be sure to take the necklace with you.”

“How many times do I have to tell you? Are you even hanging around because of you?”

“…then I’m glad.”

Shion looked at Hanette for a while and then stood up quietly.

Compared to the first time we met, he listened to what he had to say.

Maybe it was because he had a little bit of faith when he saw himself using sword skills.

“But where are you going?”

“Go learn swordsmanship.”

“You don’t know how to swordsman?”

“I don’t know.”

“How did you use the sword skill?”

“Um… lucky?”

“Do you think that makes sense?”

“It doesn’t work, but… I wrote it, so I can’t explain how.”

“Did you say you would protect me even though you can’t even do swordsmanship?”

“… So I’m going to try my best. You can’t just trust the sword.”

Hannette tried to argue further, but couldn’t bear it.

It was clear that he would increase his mana for himself.

Perhaps learning swordsmanship stemmed from the same reason.

“Effort is imaginary.”

“I’m just talking, so it won’t take long. Just wait a minute.”

“… well done.”

Harnette did not take her eyes off of Shion until it disappeared.

It is only after the door closes that I am gripped by a faint regret.

‘I should have told you to go with me.’

* * *

The residence of the Marquis of Prandike, near the main entrance.

The Marquis of Prandike was a noble family that had been with the Duke of Adelaira for a long time.

Because they spent a lot of time together, their bond was bound to be strong, and they did not hesitate to support the Duke of Adelaira in whatever they did.

As a result, the Duke of Adelaira also provided a lot of convenience to the Marquis of Frandiche, and they had exchanges so much that they did not even mention the arranged marriage.

“brother.”

Shion raised his face and let out a small voice.

Caltz listened and asked carefully.

“Why are you calling me?”

“Is it really okay to do this?”

“what?”

“Isn’t our family on the friendly side of the Marquis Prandike?”

“What else do I say? are you okay. You’re conducting an arranged marriage with the Duke of Adelaira.”

“Haven’t you already skipped a family crest?”

“I know this eldest son well. I know that you are engaged to Miss Harnette. That’s why he readily accepted my request.”

From noblemtl.com

Kaltz entered the mansion first, being guided by the maid.

Shion followed suit and opened his mouth again.

“Did the head of the household give permission?”

“I heard you told me to go and learn well?”

“Did Marquis Frandiche allow it?”

“I have a lot of worries. Since the eldest son here said he would teach me, of course he must have asked for permission.”

“How are you and your eldest son?”

“Hmm… Drinking buddies?”

“Are you asking me to learn swordsmanship from your drinking buddy?”

“What else can I not learn?”

“I skipped the family, but what should I do if I skip my older brother?”

“So you’re not going to learn?”

Shion hesitated for a moment, then fell into trouble.

Of course, learning swordsmanship also costs money.

Unlike magic, it was customary for swordsmanship to be learned on its own, or to be taught by retired knights.

Of course, I had to investigate through various channels to see if I could really teach well and if I was a trustworthy person.

“I can trust my family, but I’m not sure I can trust people.”

“Among the young swordsmen, he belongs to the famous side. I can trust you.”

Shion only knew one thing about the Marquis Frandiche.

The fact that the aristocratic lady, who is said to inherit the title of the white apostle, has the surname Prandike.

Since she said she was the youngest daughter of the Marquis Frandyque, I wondered if she might be the younger sister of the person I was meeting.

“You mean you have skills?”

“…Does skill mean anything to you who use swordsmanship?”

“Brother, didn’t I tell you last time? You can only use the sword.”

“Do you know what that friend said about you?”

“What did you say?”

“I heard that Gosu doesn’t understand why Gosu comes to Ha-su to teach him.”

“…”

Shion completely removed his face, lost for words.

A young man was hurrying down the stairs.

Caltz welcomed the young man by waving his hand.

“You’re late to come.”

“You came quickly!”

“That’s right. I wanted to see my drinking buddy come busily.”

“This friend is so…”

The young man stops in front of Caltz and turns his gaze to Shion.

And then, realizing its true identity, he reached out his hand first.

“Is the person over here the brother of Calz?”

“Nice to meet you. This is Shion Regard.”

“It is called Hafnon Prandike. I am familiar with the rumors.”

Hafnon lightly shook hands with Shion and then removed his hand.

I wondered if the touch of the hand was quite soft for a swordsman who used sword skills.

Perhaps the reason why he wanted to learn swordsmanship from himself had something to do with it.

“Would you like to go to the living room first? We have reserved a seat for you.”

Hafnon climbed the stairs with the two of them.

After entering the drawing room and being treated to refreshments, Hafnen spoke again.

“… I won’t ask why you want to learn swordsmanship from me. Because everyone has their circumstances.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

“You must have heard from Carlz first. Could you please do me a favor?”

“Ah… please.”

Shion tilts her teacup, remembering what Carlz said.

It was clear that he would teach swordsmanship without being paid.

Instead, they said that they would set other conditions, so they answered that they would listen as long as the demands were not excessive.

“It may be an easy task for you, but it is also a difficult task for me.”

“What kind of request would you like?”

“I want to learn how to use sword skills.”