Chapter 28: How a Mercenary Deals with Unwanted Guests (6)
Even if he was legally the son of Valentin’s aunt, in the world of nobles where rules mattered, Shubel—just a Count—still had to show proper respect to Prince Valentin, who was royalty and a Duke.
But Shubel had always looked down on Valentin, thinking him insane.
“No matter how much times have changed, how can such an important matter like marriage be decided without permission from your elders? And to a commoner with no known background! This is outrageous!”
Shubel leaned heavily against the sofa and raised his head proudly, acting like a strict superior. Behind him, Phinette stood teary-eyed, nodding so hard her head nearly wobbled off.
“Regina, shall we sit down?”
“Yes, let’s.”
Shubel’s shouting was completely ignored. Regina and Valentin sat down like a sweet couple, not even sparing him a glance.
“…Are you even listening to me?”
“Yes, we heard you. But there’s only one response I can give.”
“Only one?”
Shubel’s shoulders twitched at Regina’s uninterested tone.
“We never needed anyone’s permission from the start. Especially not yours, Count of Renzier.”
“What did you say?”
“Th-that woman! She’s been arrogant ever since she stepped into the castle! And now she dares to act like this to the Count?!”
Phinette screamed, pointing at Regina, her face red with anger. With Shubel backing her, she had no fear—until she was struck by the one she trusted.
“Ugh!”
“Who said you could speak? Do you really think you belong here?”
“…No, I’m sorry.”
Though shame filled her for being slapped in front of Regina, Phinette sincerely apologized to Shubel. After all, he was a noble.
“Some people don’t know their place and wag their tongues and bodies where they shouldn’t.”
It sounded like he was scolding Phinette, but Shubel’s gaze was clearly fixed on Regina.
“In times like that, a good beating works best.”
As Shubel looked at her, he thought he had finally put her in her place.
He flopped back onto the sofa, struggling to cross his legs. If he had known it would take this much effort, he might not have bothered getting up to hit Phinette. He always lashes out first, especially toward women he thinks are weaker.
Regina glanced at Phinette, who was hiding her red cheek. Shubel probably didn’t remember, but Regina had met him before—when Persona had failed two big deliveries for the Kor Guild.
And unfortunately, the biggest investor in the Kor Guild was the Renzier family. Furious, Shubel had stormed into the guild and tried to hit Maut.
Of course, he chickened out after seeing Maut’s threatening presence and picked a weaker target instead. From that day, Regina saw through him—a man whose bad temper matched his cowardice. She scanned the knights from the Count’s house standing around the room.
There were nine knights inside the reception room, and five more outside, backed by Thomas’s guarantee. Shubel had brought far more men than expected.
But that didn’t shake Regina’s resolve.
“Commoners might fall in love at first sight and marry in a warehouse. But nobles are different. I’m sure even you, Duke, know that?”
Shubel spoke with a mocking smile.
“I wouldn’t know. I fell for her in the mountains. I’m completely in love now.”
“Huh—cough, cough!”
Regina was about to expose one of Shubel’s secrets, but Valentin’s bold comment made her choke. Mountains? The only thing that hit me there was a poisoned dagger from an assassin!
“Cough, cough!”
“Oh no, are you thinking about that time? The thrilling moment?”
What thrilling moment?!
Everyone except Valentin was stunned by what he had just said. Calmly, he rubbed Regina’s back and looked at Shubel.
“Since then, I can’t stop thinking about Regina. If I lose her, I feel like I’ll go mad. I might even set fire to the castle.”
“You… You mean, you really fell in love?”
“What else could I mean? I’m so in love, I can’t live without her.”
How could he say “love” so smoothly like that? Regina, finally done coughing, stared at him in awe. They had to act like a loving couple, especially in front of the rats’ master. Regina had planned to play along—but wasn’t ready for Valentin’s surprise attack.
Shubel’s face twisted as he looked at the couple. “Fell in love,” to him, meant something more… intimate.
But it wasn’t clear if Valentin had meant it the same way. The whole thing felt ridiculous. Has this creepy guy always been like this? Or is it really love? What a joke. The lunatic’s in love.
“To be honest, this wasn’t even a formal wedding.”
“We do have a marriage contract.”
A contract? Shubel flinched. Which crazy priest had done the ceremony, and who had witnessed it?
Valentin, reading his reaction, gave a small nod. Thomas and Allen were the witnesses, and they had used a priest from the far west. The contract was flawless.
“So yes, she’s legally my wife. Even recognized by imperial law.”
So that’s why he showed me the contract on the day of our agreement.
Regina realized Valentin had prepared all this for today. And it meant he had dealt with Shubel enough to predict all this.
“Then what more is there to say?”
Valentin asked calmly.
“You want us to accept something that wasn’t even approved by the imperial elders? How dare you!”
Valentin laughed at the word “elders.” As if Shubel belonged among them. As if those people had ever done anything good for him.
“Permission, permission. You really love that word, Count.”
Shubel glared at Regina for daring to speak up again. Her rebellious eyes were getting on his nerves. Throwing her out and “training” her himself didn’t seem like such a bad idea.
Slowly, painfully—until she kneeled and kissed my shoes. Just imagining it gives me chills. Neither Regina nor Shubel noticed that Valentin’s cane was shaking, ready to stab through his skull.
“If permission matters so much, did your wife give you permission? To secretly meet the Kor Guild’s second daughter every month?”
“…H-how do you—!”
“I asked if your wife gave her approval.”
Like a rock thrown into calm water, Regina’s words sent ripples through Shubel’s soul. His eyes trembled. Regina knew he had bought a shabby house in Sector C to meet that woman.
Honestly, everyone in that area probably knew. The guild’s second daughter was a vain gossip.
I wasn’t going to say anything until last night…
Regina didn’t like exposing private affairs, but this time, she didn’t care.
“Why so shocked? Maybe your wife didn’t give you permission after all?”
What wife would allow her husband to sneak around with a commoner? Especially the daughter of an investment partner?
“H-how!”
Shubel’s breath grew uneven.
He had spent so much gold just to secretly buy that house under a fake name. Nobles feared rumors. In the dark, they chased filth and pleasure—but in public, they cared deeply about honor.
“If I can’t get an answer, maybe I should head to the Renzier estate. Pay your wife a visit and ask her myself. Wouldn’t that be fair?”
Regina’s threat hit Shubel hard.
“You arrogant wench! I was going to let you leave this castle quietly, but you’re beyond reason! You there!”
At Shubel’s order, the knights rushed toward Regina. They looked like hungry hyenas, ready to tear her apart.
“If you raise your sword at me now…”
Regina’s sharp warning made the knights pause. She grabbed the sword resting beside the sofa.
“You’ll regret it.”
Her blue eyes glowed cold and fierce as she glared at Shubel.
“Are you truly ready to drag me out of this castle?”
It wasn’t a question. It was a warning: if he wanted to keep his thick neck on his body, he’d better watch his tongue.
“You disrespectful woman!”
“Count, you’ve just entered Valmen—Duke Julius’s territory—and now you’re threatening his wife. Isn’t that the same as declaring war on both the Duke’s house and his lands?”
