Chapter 566

566 Marriage of convenience. I will let you think about that.

“Jun Ye Rim. I know you don’t trust me that much because if you trust me, you would’ve said something about the dangerous meeting with those five bastards.”

“I wanted to solve the problem I caused by myself...”

“That’s your problem, Jun Ye Rim.” Vincent interrupted with a frown. “You didn’t include us in the equation. Didn’t you? Didn’t I tell you we are a team? One where we can be considered a family that will not treat you badly.”

“I... I didn’t want to cause any problems...”

“And what did you do?”

“I... I caused a bigger...” Jun Ye Rim paused and looked down with an unhappy expression. “I made the situation worse...”

“Jun Ye Rim. Do you know what you are going to do after the academy ends?” Vincent curiously asked.

“I... I don’t know that well...”

“Did you like the Sundays in the mansion? They have accepted Sakura, so they should have accepted you immediately. I don’t think they made your day discouraging, boring, or miserable.”

.....

Jun Ye Rim raised her head and said, “They were welcoming... I didn’t think an elf like me was accepted so casually. Even Sofy didn’t hate me for being a Soulmancer.”

“Does that mean you don’t mind staying in the mansion if it is possible?”

Jun Ye Rim faintly smiled. She nodded her head once while acting a bit shy.

*Clap* “Great. Then think about this offer Jun Ye Rim. I and the girls like your company. The situation can go many directions, so I want to offer you a deal.”

“A-a deal?” Jun Ye Rim nervously stuttered.

“How about a marriage of convenience?” Vincent offered with a friendly smile.

[Ohh. How bold. Hehehe.]

“M-m-marriage?” Jun Ye Rim took a step back from the abrupt offer.

“Yes. I don’t know how to say this as unhurtful as possible, but you will be able to take the Lionheart surname. I don’t know how you feel about the ability to throw away the family name that abandoned you simply because you were different.” Vincent embarrassingly scratched his cheek while continuing, “As you know, I embrace difference.

Jun Ye Rim showed a conflicted expression. She took another step back and stepped on a small rock. Her foot slipped, and she lost her balance, but before she reached halfway to falling to the ground, Vincent moved and placed his hand on her back.

“Wow, there. I can’t let you get hurt after proposing to you.” Vincent said while catching her body from falling. He smiled friendlily and enjoyed watching Jun Ye Rim blush while her eyes moved frantically as if she was embarrassed to death.

Vincent helped Jun Ye Rim stand.

“Marriage of convenience means there is no need to love each other. Even though you would be referred to as my wife, you do not need to fear my, as you like to say, “Perverted or womanizing behavior.”

Jun Ye Rim looked at Vincent in a frozen state. It was easy to tell she was shocked to hear Vincent repeating her words.

“I do know what is going to happen next with the current situation. But being my wife will make me more entitled to seek justice for you. You can think of having a just cause.”

“Furthermore, the Emerald Lionheart Mansion will be your new home. The only home which will never discriminate against you. A home where you can live peacefully.” *Cough* “Or at least until my secret is discovered, and the girls and I need to flee the city.”

Silence followed after Vincent’s proposal offer. He offered Jun Ye Rim a home with people who would not hate her for being different, as being different was the norm in the Emerald Lionheart Mansion.

Vincent also expressed how he wanted to protect Jun Ye Rim from an unexpected situation by becoming his wife.

If she becomes his wife, Jun Ye Rim could officially report what happened to her because she will not be the child of the Jun noble family but a wife of Baron Vincent Lionheart.

Well, this was a plan Vincent and Kazumi thought of. The two of them had brainstormed for a long time to tick all the necessary boxes.

To acquire Jun Ye Rim. To acquire a just cause for Vincent’s actions. To acquire the possibility to demand compensation and an apology after Jun Ye Rim becomes a part of the Lionheart family.

Jun Ye Rim looked at Vincent’s green jewel-like eyes. She didn’t know how to respond.

Additionally, Jun Ye Rim couldn’t feel her mouth at this moment. She didn’t feel she could utter a word even if she wanted to reject the proposal offer.

Jun Ye Rim watched Vincent smile warmly before leaving her with Plow looking at her. The cute little fox remained quiet at the side. She let Vincent and Jun Ye Rim do their talking and became forgotten in the process.

Vincent abruptly stopped after taking ten steps. He turned his head and said, “I hope you can think about it. Remember. I have many wives. I will not force you to do anything. Whatever you call me, I am not that kind of guy. Being my wife can be in name only.”

Vincent slyly smirked and continued, “However, I will love you if you want to. It’s not like I don’t find you attractive, cute Lady Jun Ye Rim.” before leaving without stopping to look back again.

Jun Ye Rim sat on the ground and leaned her back on a tree. Plow swiftly sat on her lap, and the two watched Vincent leave.

“Does it mean Jun Jun will be with Plow more?” *Pho* Plow happily asked.

“I... I don’t know...” Jun Ye Rim murmured.

“Well, Plow would like it if Jun Jun can be around Plow more. We can play and rest together. Plow loves Jun Jun.” *Pho?*

Jun Ye Rim didn’t respond. She was stuck deep in her thoughts, pondering about what transpired and the proposal offer she didn’t expect to receive.

‘Does Vincent care for me this much? Is he willing to help me to this extent while letting the world know he married a cursed elf like me? And... am I really attractive?... ‘ Jun Ye Rim’s cheeks and the tips of her pointy ears reddened and became hot. ‘Did he actually offer to love a cursed elf like me as he loves his wives?...’

Jun Ye Rim shook her head to clear her previous thoughts.

‘At least his Soul Domain was hospitable and housed happy souls. Even as a person not from this world, he is kinder than most of the people from this world.’

The island’s protective shield didn’t allow the snow to enter. As such, only by going to the academy could they tell it was December. Not only was it colder than on the island, but the snow could sometimes be seen.

Jun Ye Rim looked at the leaves rustling a peaceful melodic tune. ‘The island remains the same, but the outside world changes as time moves forward.’

‘Can I have a home that will welcome me as the seasons change?’ Jun Ye Rim looked and placed her hand on her injured arm. ‘A hospitable place like this.’

After Vincent told Ester, Lupa, Iris, and Lilith about what he offered Jun Ye Rim. He became surprised to see a positive reaction. The four wives even mentioned how they do not mind if Jun Ye Rim shows romantic interest in Vincent.

Vincent and Nick headed to their morning lesson without disguising themselves.

Vincent, Kazumi, and Nick were surprised when no one approached them. Even at the arrival hall. No one tried to challenge or make an excuse to force Vincent to agree on a Ranking Match with them.

All the academy students couldn’t estimate Vincent’s real power. Furthermore, no one wanted to become a test subject to uncover the vicious man who carved letters on his opponents.

Vincent and Nick breezed to their morning lesson. After arriving, both looked at each other and laughed at their infamy.

‘Infamy can be useful sometimes.’ The two of them thought while laughing.

The day resumed as normal, with Vincent training to control his elemental protection technique and later meditating in Maria’s lesson to clear his mind of useless thoughts.

As Vincent rested on the bed with four women and a little fox on his stomach, he wondered if not hearing any news about how the situation was progressing was good or bad news.

Maria only mentioned how Darwin was astonished to see a Grand Witch in front of him. Darwin asked Maria to tell Vincent to “thank you,” yet he did not ask Maria to say anything else.

*Day 179 – 3 December – Friday*

*Day 180 – 4 December – Saturday*

After an ordinary Friday without any news from Darwin passed, Saturday morning arrived.

Kazumi requested some private time to train, or so she said. Vincent decided to agree and walk away from the mansion the be alone. While Vincent was walking, he thought about what had happened yesterday.

Lilith’s parents sent her a letter. Teresa and Leonis told Lilith how they currently weren’t facing any difficulty. Additionally, Aceon was of great help with the promotion of their currently slow sample production.

Nick also received a response from his parents yesterday. He told Vincent how his parents were looking for powerful slaves. If the judgment by combat were to happen, the Graymoon family was willing to help fill in the remaining empty spots.

Vincent soon arrived at the edge of the island. He saw Kazumi exit his body and float in front of him.

“So, what is the big surprise?” He curiously asked.

[Hehe. What I am about to say will surprise you beyond belief.]