CHAPTER 40
And thoroughly—properly, at that.
This wasn’t just being taken advantage of. Spending money on something like that? It wasn’t just absurd—it was infuriating.
That’s not what the donation was for. No matter how rich you are, there’s no such thing as money you don’t mind wasting.
But punishing the man who threw a festival with her money wasn’t enough to quell her fury.
Someone with her philosophy—never doing anything at a loss—needed a “bigger reward.”
That’s exactly why Adele’s mind was working overtime. Good for her, good for him, scolding the greedy merchant, and even riling up the stone-faced commander.
To pull all of that off at once, a little retreat was necessary.
“…This should be enough, right?”
“Oh, yes! Definitely!”
While Kirel was only seeing the money in front of him, Adele looked to the spire, where Michael stood. She’d staged the perfect scene for a misunderstanding—one day was all she needed.
Loyal Michael wouldn’t delay long before reporting to Kilian, and the next day’s luxurious meal would taste that much sweeter.
“…A moment of your time, please.”
And the moment Kilian appeared, jaw clenched tight, Adele suppressed a laugh.
Sure, there was no real merit in making this man angry—but if she wanted progress fast, nothing beat a misunderstanding.
“I’ve read a Harlequin or two in my day.”
The aloof man misunderstands, the woman leaves, and the man realizes his mistake too late and runs after her.
Cliché? Maybe. But everyone still reads for that moment.
Especially a man like Kilian—someone like him needed an emotional explosion.
He was so frozen over, it wasn’t even clear whether he’d ever reach a boiling point.
The only reason Adele had been allowed to stay in Fidelio from the start was because she’d used meeting the Archbishop as an excuse.
So once he returned, she’d have to meet him, say her piece, and leave immediately.
Whether Kilian would stop her then—that was anyone’s guess. No matter how much he may have changed inside, he seemed like the type to believe expressing his feelings might just kill him.
To make a man like that run after her, she had to plant guilt.
Honestly, Adele had hoped Kilian would yell at her or say something cruel—but even in that moment, he remained composed.
“…Adele.”
Aside from those icy blue eyes, he didn’t even seem that angry. If it were Kei, he would’ve drawn a sword first and asked questions later. Adele nearly missed her chance to declare she was leaving.
But the die had been cast, and all her money was on the table.
She’d handed her money to a scammer, so she at least needed a valid excuse to storm out of the palace. She was surprised when Kilian tried to stop her—but managed to handle it.
“No, I may be this kind of woman, but you’re not the sort to grab a lady’s hand without permission.”
What if he did grab her? Could she push him away?
Even Adele, bold as she was, felt uneasy. She only relaxed after hastily packing and leaving the palace.
The difference was just him being there or not, but it felt like she could finally breathe.
She saw flowers, trees—and even picked up a rare creature. Now all she had to do was enjoy the moment.
It was a gamble, but she’d never once thought Kilian wouldn’t come after her.
“I know the commander fairly well.”
Kilian, with his strong sense of responsibility, wasn’t the type to ignore guilt after wrongly accusing someone.
From what Adele had observed, at the very least, he wouldn’t leave a defenseless woman alone in the mountains.
Once he made up his mind, no one moved faster than he did.
The question was, who would ignite that fire?
Here, Sister Rebecca played a crucial role. There’s nothing quite as satisfying as hearing praise from someone who dislikes you.
Rebecca wasn’t the kind to just let a debt slide—not even to someone she disliked. Eventually, she’d have no choice but to admit the truth.
Once Rebecca grudgingly confessed, Kilian would have to go looking for her.
So now that everything had lined up perfectly, all Adele had to do was feign surprise.
“…Commander, you didn’t come here looking for me, did you?”
“…”
“You didn’t… right?”
Adele looked up at him with a face full of disbelief.
Kilian’s expression from atop his horse didn’t quite match the remorse she had expected—but so what? She could let that detail slide.
For the greater good.
“…Ah.”
Adele slowly scanned him and covered her mouth with a small, bitter laugh. It was the perfect gesture to convey a moment of realization.
“Did you perhaps… speak with Sister Rebecca?”
“…”
“I told you not to listen to her, so many times…”
Turning half away, Adele shook her head with a troubled face. She was partial to her left profile.
“I don’t know what she said, but—”
“I didn’t hear anything.”
“…What?”
Now she was genuinely startled.
That wasn’t part of the plan.
She never imagined this man would ride all the way here for some other reason.
So the carefully-prepared lines and reactions were thrown off, making her answer more honest.
“…Why?”
“What do you mean, why?”
“You’re the Archbishop’s representative. When someone talks, you should listen. Who knows what she might’ve said…”
“Whatever she said wouldn’t have changed anything.”
What is this?
Things were veering in a completely unexpected direction, and Adele rubbed her forehead in confusion.
Her head even throbbed slightly as Kilian dismounted in front of her.
“Lady Adelaide, I regret to inform you—but it seems you’ve misjudged me.”
“…What does that mean?”
“It means…”
He moved so fast, she didn’t even have time to step back.
Looking her in the eye, Kilian firmly took her hand.
“When it comes to this kind of matter—I don’t exactly ask for permission.”
Adele lowered her gaze to her hand, tightly clasped in his. She barely twitched, but his grip only grew firmer.
“So please, while I’m still asking—return with me.”
…Asking? How is this ‘asking’?
Kilian’s words felt completely different from the definition she knew. Adele bit her lower lip.
It was a far more vivid reaction than anything she could’ve planned.
Kilian looked down at her slightly.
“What is it?”
“Commander—what’s this about? You told me to leave, and now…”
“When did I ever?”
Kilian was unwavering.
Adele felt foolish for believing a man like him would show remorse.
Maybe it wasn’t just one beast awakened at Fidelio today. That cub from earlier? This man was a fully grown predator.
“So you’re saying you don’t dislike me? I knew you didn’t like me and—”
“Have I ever said that I disliked you?”
His calm voice hit her like a blow to the chest.
Why is he doing this?
Adele awkwardly turned her head, but Jacqueline had vanished, too stunned to move.
Even Adele was no exception. Frustrated, she grabbed Kilian’s collar.
“Do you really have to say it out loud? You never gave me a straight answer—not once. That’s why you let me leave…”
“Then I suppose I should’ve thrown you over my shoulder and locked you in my room.”
Noted.
Kilian’s blunt words made Adele go pale.
Was he always like this? Pointless question. She sighed and brushed off her skirts.
“…Fine. Then why did you come here?”
“You mean to say… you don’t know?”
A ridiculous smile flickered across Kilian’s lips.
Only for a second, though—he quickly raised his brow before Adele could react.
“Disappointing. I expected more from the proud heir of House Sergio.”
“Why are you bringing my family into this?”
“Because they’re no longer just your family.”
“…What?”
What the hell does that mean?
Adele looked at him with a face caught between a smile and a grimace.
If she smiled, it might look like a joke—but Kilian was, as always, utterly serious. Every word sounded like it could be carved into law.
“Hold on. Are you saying you actually intend to marry me?”
“Were you planning not to?”
“No, of course not, but…”
This was moving way too fast.
Her original plan had been for him to apologize about the morning’s misunderstanding. Then she’d graciously accept it, suggest returning to the palace, and slowly work at his guilt.
That was the plan…
“This is confusing. I never imagined the heir of House Sergio would forget her own words so easily.”
“Forget?”
He sounded like a debt collector. And fully armed at that—refusing wasn’t an option if she valued her life.
Not that she intended to say no, but still. There was a difference between not wanting to and not being allowed.
“I didn’t forget. I’m just surprised. I didn’t think you’d accept my proposal.”
“…Proposal?”
His tone wasn’t particularly warm. But soon, he dropped the smirk and stared down at her, arrogant once more.
“Glad to hear it wasn’t forgotten. I’d hate to think the heir of House Sergio was so irresponsible.”
“I keep my word. I hope you won’t go back on yours.”
“I won’t—unless you play me for a fool.”
“…Excuse me? Play you?”
She now felt less like a debtor and more like a criminal.
Adele turned and sighed, drawing in the cold air.
Seeing the blinking creature under her skirts, she finally smiled again.
“Let’s be clear. I may seem like the villain here, but I told you I wasn’t in a position to be picky.”
“And yet you always chose to stay near me.”
“That was…”
“I suggest you continue doing just that.”
Let’s go.
Kilian, despite the tangled mess of this situation, offered a simple conclusion and gently tugged her hand.
Now that she thought about it, he was still holding her hand. She decided not to point that out.
She needed a moment.
Adele focused, trying to come to terms with the situation. More precisely, she was using every ounce of willpower not to let her lips move on their own.
“You may laugh, you know.”
“…Who? Me?”
“You may even mock me.”
Hearing her own words come from his mouth gave her an odd feeling.
How did this man, who only ever looked straight ahead, know something like that? Still, she wasn’t ready to admit anything.
Adele scoffed.
“No. I’m not laughing. It’s not funny.”
“That’s unfortunate.”
“…Why?”
“Because this marriage—you said it would be the most important moment of your life.”
“…”
“So I thought you’d at least smile.”
Are all knights like this?
Kilian blindsided her again, and Adele gritted her teeth to hold firm.
She had to maintain a poker face—but with this man, she was constantly caught off guard.
In other words, Kilian might be a surprisingly good partner for a supposedly boring married life.
“The Archbishop has returned. We should go see him. He is the master of the palace, and I’ll need his permission.”
“Wait—!”
What now?
Kilian instantly grew sharper the moment Adele paused. He really might carry her off like he threatened earlier.
She quickly clarified.
“There’s someone I need to take with me. I found it on the way down, and I made a promise to it.”
“…What kind of promise?”
“I’m not sure yet. But I’m a merchant—my word matters.”
Live together or die alone. That was the vow.
She couldn’t abandon a life that had become tied to hers just because things were going well.
Merchants might be superstitious, but they’re also loyal to anything they succeed with.
“Ah, here it is.”
Whether in her arms or stuffed in a bag, Adele felt responsible. She lifted the small creature clinging to her skirts.
“I don’t see a mother nearby. I think I’ll have to raise it until it’s strong enough to survive.”
“…That thing…”
“I told you—I don’t know exactly what it is. But it’s alive, and that’s reason enough to care for it.”
Now that he was officially her fiancé, image management was essential.
She didn’t mention how she’d considered eating it earlier. Instead, Adele gently cuddled the creature.
Even though it squirmed in discomfort, she nuzzled it affectionately.
“Odd-looking, but kind of cute if you look closely.”
Squeak. Squeak!
“There, there. Big sister will take good care of you. Commander, don’t you—commander?”
“…”
“…Is something wrong? You don’t like animals?”
Surely he wasn’t afraid of it.
Adele eyed his stiff expression. His face was usually unreadable—but this was worse. His hand was on his sword.
“Don’t you dare kill it!”
“…Adele.”
“Use your words! It hasn’t harmed anyone! Or wait—is it a demon beast?”
Adele lifted the animal for inspection.
Didn’t seem like one.
Its cool skin was odd, but its big eyes looked no different from any other baby creature.
Under Adele’s pressure, Kilian finally spoke.
“…It’s not a demon beast.”
“Then it’s fine.”
Just like he’d made a simple decision about marriage, Adele made one about her new pet.
Imperial law didn’t restrict ownership unless it was a demon beast.
But Kilian’s reaction was far from normal for someone about to live in the same house.
“…Exactly how many beings do you plan to seduce?”
“Pardon? Seduce who?”
“…Forget it.”
Kilian ran a hand through his hair—a gesture Adele knew meant he was deeply conflicted.
She tilted her head.
“If you have questions, you can ask.”
“…Questions?”
“Yes. Allergies? Dislikes? It’s important we know each other.”
Adele smiled innocently. Kilian’s jaw tensed.
Sure, the animal was distracting—but his eyes were locked on her.
“…What on earth are you, my fiancée?”
