Chapter 10: How a Mercenary Enters the Castle (1)
Regina sighed and looked Valentin in the eye.
“If, during our… married life, one of us starts to imagine something more, that would be a problem. I absolutely refuse to become nobility. I want to stay a mercenary forever.”
“Is that your reason?”
“Yes, it’s an important reason for me.”
Her life had never been calm—but never so ridiculous. As Valentin’s smile flickered, Regina silently accepted his reaction.
That must sound absurd. But anything can happen on a mission, she thought.
Regina always set boundaries ahead of time. In a dangerous job, the mercenary takes the blame if things go wrong.
Actually, her worry came from being a commoner telling a noble to stay in line. It was rude. But she also promised never to fall for him—a strict line she drew.
When he scolded her, she felt it was reasonable. Unless he responded in some unpredictable way, she planned to keep explaining.
“And if that happened?”
“I’d probably go off to die heroically as a mercenary.”
“Good to know. But don’t worry—it won’t happen.”
Valentin’s laughter softened into a gentle smile as he wiped the sweat from her forehead. His touch was tender. Regina felt embarrassed, annoyed, and a small sting of humiliation.
“All that’s left now is to sign the contract.”
She pushed away his hand with the parchment roll. Only their signatures remained.
Back in the capital, after sending Regina off to gather her belongings with the guild, Valentin hummed softly in his room. His low voice drifted through the quiet night air.
“She’s not in her right mind.”
He smiled bitterly. She spoke of love over money—and to a lunatic like him. He chuckled at her unexpected sincerity.
Then, there was a polite knock.
Allan spoke softly from outside: “May I come in?”
Valentin didn’t answer—he simply watched the door open. His expression was unreadable.
“I take it everything went well?”
“She took the contract with her.”
“Will you tell her everything? About what’s true?”
Allan asked as he entered. Valentin leaned his arm on the table and shook his head.
Her mission was simple: protect him as a wife, and deal with those palace rats.
He didn’t want her sympathy or pity for his past. Just loyalty as a mercenary-wife.
“What will they do once they hear I’m married?”
“They’ll either refuse to accept it—or try to remove you.”
“Allan?”
He replied plainly:
“First problem is acceptance. And I don’t think Regina would be removed so easily.”
Valentin nodded.
“Then I’ll tell Mrs. Beimon to prepare quarters for the duchess.”
“It won’t be long until the palace rats report back and Count Renziénr acts.”
Valentin said.
When Mrs. Beimon (the head lady-in-waiting) received an order to ready a room for a commoner wife who’s a mercenary, she nearly fainted.
Forty years of serving noble families had never prepared her for this.
Just a few hours later, Thomas quietly informed Valentin that Beimon had left in a hurry.
Meanwhile, at the Persona guild, Maut knocked on Regina’s door, furious.
I should’ve left quietly, Regina thought.
“I can’t let this happen!”
“You left so suddenly because of this? Nonsense!”
As expected, Maut and Gael had thrown a fit when they heard the news. They even wanted to track down Galen. They couldn’t—but they didn’t care.
“It can’t be helped.”
Regina turned away as Maut tried to reason with her.
“No, Regina—you and I can deal with this ourselves!”
“Just—call him ‘father,’ will you?” she snapped.
Her sharp tone stopped them.
“Look—do you realize we needed more money for promotion fees and taxes? We promoted some mercenaries to the Silver rank, but now we’re short on people.”
Gael pressed her tightly until Regina forcibly pushed him away.
“And now with this tax bomb… if this doesn’t work, the guild must send members north to war.”
“Regina, we have two Platinum-ranked mercenaries. One is that damn Galen. And Gael and you are Gold-rank. Why did you take this job?”
“Exactly because of that. A guild with Platinum mercs shouldn’t collapse over money. And Persona is my life.”
“Persona is just a fence, sweetheart.”
“I helped build that fence! Don’t stop me, uncle.”
Maut was speechless. Gael hugged Regina from behind.
“Oh my. Regina, I’ve always admired your courage—but this… marriage plan?!”
“It’s a fake marriage. I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you first. But I’ve decided.”
“If you go, I’ll come with you.”
“This mission is mine to do. No joining.”
Regina’s resolve was rock-solid. They fell silent, though they remained unhappy.
A royal-contract marriage is almost a national crime if exposed. I’ll be executed. Noble lies? Commoner lies? The difference is disaster.
Regina planned to keep the guild out of it.
“When I’m gone, Gael—take care of Persona with Rosie. Maut—watch over everyone.”
Gael and Maut exchanged watery looks. Gael, with red hair like Regina, sighed heavily.
She was smart and never acted like this before.
“If the others ask, tell them I left for a long-term job. No need for them to worry and rush to Valmen. And… uncle?”
Maut hugged her tightly like a father about to see his daughter off.
“My dear, I’ll support your decision, but don’t do everything alone. Remember—you have Gael, that damn Galen, and me behind you.”
“I know.”
“I want to hug him too.”
“Stop it, boy. You’re grossing me out.”
Gael squeezed between them. Maut tried to push him but Gael held on.
“Regina, don’t fall in love for real. I’ll cry.”
“I’m not really marrying. It’s a job. I’ll come back.”
“Still…”
Regina appreciated their care. She just wanted to escape the sandwich of love and pressure.
Gael brushed her forehead and spoke warmly from beside Maut.
“And don’t worry about marrying. I’ll be here. We’ll grow old together later.”
Regina ignored Gael’s usual teasing tone—of course he wasn’t serious.
“Oh, and Gael—please tell Rosie after I leave. She’ll cry if you don’t.”
“I will.”
All three were so focused on each other that they didn’t notice Rosie standing outside the door—pounding her feet in excitement at Regina’s departure.
