CH 59

With a very grim expression, Reina inwardly agonized.

‘What kind of reaction would be the best here?’

“Um…”

If she were to react the wrong way here, it would only bring her unnecessary backlash.

‘Since it’s come to this, the best response seems to be to go all out with the shamelessness.’

Making up her mind, Reina began to squirm shyly. Fortunately enough, while she was still training under Arene, she had devised a good line for this situation.

“My sweetheart. If you want, it can be an exclusive relationship.”

And the very moment Reina said this, everyone around gawked at her, immediately rendered speechless.

There, with the stage being the kitchen, the main character of today’s play was surrounded entirely by silence. Meanwhile, she had raised one of her shoulders while her eyes were lowered suddenly—as if she had become a shy blossom.

“In return… Don’t ask me to give birth to so many children that we’d make an entire chivalric order, my sweetheart.”

“……”

“……”

“I’m weak, you know.”

Silence of about one, two… eight seconds completely overwhelmed the kitchen. For a moment, Reina doubted herself and thought, ‘Huh? Maybe it’s not the right answer?’

However, soon enough.

“Chivalric order…”

“Chivalric order, she says…”

Thank goodness she could bullshi… No, seduce her way out of this.

“…Bwahahaha! A chivalric order?!”

“As expected, you’re an interesting one. Exhilarating, even.”

After Letis openly acknowledged her, Reina gently closed her eyes and inwardly placed a hand over her chest.

‘Huu… Crisis averted.’

Yet again this time, she got through it unscathed.

* * *

“Ha. Time seriously won’t pass.”

It had already been ten days since she came to Cressen.

But who was it that controls time? There’s only four days left before her return to the capital, but the days went by much too slow for her preferences.

‘What if my Ethan-capture gets reset?’

One’s feelings for another, whether it was positive or negative, were bound to fade away when you couldn’t see that person. She even got a pendant from him after leaving a strong impression last time, but honestly, she was feeling nervous.

Fiddling with the pendant, which was hidden in her pocket, Reina let out a deep sigh.

‘What the heck is up with this anxiety of not knowing whether this or that will happen in the future…’

She turned her head and groaned at her cheeky friend.

“Whaaat?”

Paul, an enemy to her right now, was sitting next to her, chin propped up by one hand.

“My friend, how did you make such a thorough yet utterly unnecessary plan?”

“Eyy, it’s nothing.”

“I’m not complimenting you.”

Just as she was about to punch Paul, the door of the drawing room suddenly burst open. And in unison, the eyes of those inside the room headed straight towards the door.

Soon enough…

“It’s been a while, everyone.”

The very last person she wanted to see had appeared.

‘What the… Why is Lehman all the way over here?’

Everyone else had the same thoughts as her.

Douglas was the first to greet Lehman. He rose from his seat and approached the other man.

“Lehman, what brings you here? Did you hear about our gathering because House Karr’s estate is nearby?”

But you still came here without prior notice?

Everyone in the room looked alternately between Lehman and Paul. Likewise, Reina’s eyes were on Paul as well.

And behind that glare were the underlying words of, ‘This dang punk. Were you the one who invited Lehman?’

She nudged Paul’s shoulder.

“I have no idea either.”

While she gave a sidelong scowl at Paul’s innocent-looking face, someone from a corner of the room stood up.

“I invited him.”

It’s such an obvious thing, but of course, the person who said that was none other than Lehman’s fated male lead, Jeremy.

“Ah… Everyone didn’t seem to have heard about my arrival. Did I make the situation awkward for no reason?”

After Lehman replied despondently in this way, Douglas—who was standing next to the guy—hurriedly led him to the middle of the drawing room.

“There’s no law stating that only the members of the nine households can come here. It’s fine.”

That’s true.

However, it was an implicit rule that’s been going on for generations, that Cressen would be used only for members of the imperial family and the nine households.

“No, I’m glad you’re here.”

After Fran graciously answered, Jeremy suddenly turned his eyes and glared at Reina.

‘Why. What now. What do you want. Why the heck are you looking at me. I’m not saying anything.’

When she remained silent and turned her face slightly away, Jeremy spoke to her directly this time and asked a leading question.

“It’s fine, right?”

The question was underscored with, ‘I’m not curious about your opinion, but you’ve been harassing my man, and I’m just pretending to ask you in front of everyone to put you on the spot. You know that, right?’

Reina immediately sensed his paranoia against her.

‘Ah, no. After the palace tour, rumors started going around that I’ve been bullying Lehman.’

So, at a time like this, it’s good to be quiet and practice self-preservation techniques.

“I asked if you’re fine with it.”

When his question wasn’t answered, Jeremy asked once more, making sure that his voice was more forceful.

‘Ha… Even after everything, seriously… Am I the neighborhood’s punching bag, huh?’

Those two, Lehman and Jeremy. Were they physically unable to live their own lives? Must they really prey on someone like Reina, who’s just quietly going about her days?

“……”

In the end, she couldn’t give the answer he wanted to hear, so she only looked away and stared at one corner of the wall.

‘If I arbitrarily meet his gaze, I’m sure he’ll interpret that as me trying to pick a fight.’

Lehman looked like he’d be blown away if a gust would ever pass by. And, if Reina ever so makes the wrong move or says as little as, ‘Ah,’ it’s as if Lehman’s body would disintegrate like powder.

So, as she was quietly backed into a corner, Jeremy burst into a guffaw. The sound of it chipped away at Reina’s pride, but she made sure to remind herself.

Jeremy had such long-standing obsessive tendencies that, even if he’d stand amongst the crazies, he’d be the looniest loon among them all. So, if she were to try and cross him once, she’s the only one who’d get hurt in the process.

‘If you don’t have powers like Ethan or the dragonfolk, the answer is to just straight up avoid this guy.’

So, she decided to hold it in. She’d just need to endure it twice or thrice. If that’s not enough, then she should endure fifteen times.

When given the option to save one’s life or save one’s pride, the inevitable decision would be to go with the former.

“……”

Ha. But why were her eyes stinging so much?

Maybe it’s because she was feeling upset by the injustice of it all, but it looked like she was about to get emotional.