LFMS l CH 10

chapter 10

I glanced at the man’s appearance, trying not to make it obvious. Even at a glance, his clothes looked expensive. At the very least, he had to be a noble.

But Hildegarde was from a fallen noble family, and nobles with status never cared about ruined houses. So there was no reason for a noble to visit our home. I became suspicious—could he be one of those officials who came to inspect the poor?

With that, I asked cautiously, full of doubt:

“Um, excuse me, but… who are you?”

The man paused. As if he couldn’t believe I didn’t know who he was, one of his eyebrows twitched. But only for a moment—he quickly returned to a gentle expression and said:

“I’m Eden Berternon.”

“Ah, I see. Eden… Berternon…”

I repeated it absentmindedly, but then suddenly froze.

Berternon. A very familiar name.

Of course it was. Anyone who had ever played to get the hidden ending would know it well.

Because he’s the one who sent me a marriage proposal!

I stood there, mouth open like an idiot, before I finally managed to speak again:

“B-Berternon-nim, what brings you here…?”

“What else? I sent you a letter, but you didn’t reply.”

He gave me a soft smile. Then, while meeting my gaze, he tilted his head slightly and said:

“I came to propose in person, Miss Hildegarde.”

—

Once inside the house, Eden quietly observed the interior with sharp eyes.

He’d heard that Godel’s house was a total disaster. That the floors were scattered with empty bottles and the smell of alcohol had seeped into the wallpaper.

But it wasn’t like that. The place smelled clean, with a pleasant scent rather than the usual old-wood mustiness. The tablecloth was spotless, as if it were cleaned every day.

Eden hadn’t planned this visit. So this cleanliness wasn’t for show—it was most likely her usual habit.

So, she’s not like the rumors say, huh? His eyes lit up with interest.

Tap.

A somewhat firm sound snapped him out of his thoughts. Godel had set down a tea tray and was smiling politely at him.

“Sorry to keep you waiting. It’s been a long time since we’ve had a guest.”

“No worries,” Eden replied quickly, as if it were nothing, and reached for the teacup. But then he paused—there was no steam rising from it.

“The house is quite old, so boiling water takes longer than usual. If I had known you were coming, I’d have prepared it in advance. Sorry,” Godel said, smiling awkwardly.

Eden read the clear message behind her expression: she didn’t welcome his visit at all.

But instead of being put off, Eden’s smile deepened. So this is how she wants to play it?

“Not at all. I’m grateful you received me like this, especially since I showed up without notice.”

With that, he calmly drank the cold tea. Not even the slightest twitch of his brow. Godel, on the other hand, subtly furrowed hers.

‘Back when I played the game, he’d nitpick every little thing if you got even a bit close to him. Why is he so gracious today?’

Maybe things were different if the person approaching him was a potential bride?

Still, marriage—especially a messy one—was completely out of the question.

Just as Godel was pulling her thoughts together—

“So,”

Eden set his cup down and continued.

“May I finish what I came to talk about?”

“Talk? What do you—”

“The proposal I sent to you, Miss Hildegarde.”

“…”

Godel paused at the unexpected bluntness. She hadn’t thought he’d bring it up so directly.

“You did receive it, didn’t you?”

Eden muttered half-jokingly, frowning slightly, as if he couldn’t believe otherwise. He clearly assumed she had read it.

“…Yes, I did,” Godel replied a moment later. It was the answer Eden expected. He was about to say more, but Godel spoke first.

“But I didn’t respond.”

“…You didn’t respond?”

“No.”

Godel smiled sweetly.

“Because it’s odd, isn’t it? The esteemed Duke Berternon proposing to someone like me—a fallen noble lady with nothing, and a little niece to raise.”

Unless you had some other motive.

She added the last part softly, her tone calm but sharp.

Eden felt a strange sense of determination in response to Godel’s sharp words. A determination to win this conversation, no matter what.

He stretched out his long legs and rested one knee over the other, then tilted his head slightly and said,

“Love can make even the most rational person lose their mind sometimes, don’t you think?”

“Excuse me? Love?”

That meant…

Godel pointed at herself, looking completely confused.

Eden gave a small nod, as if to say, “Who else would I mean?”

Godel’s expression darkened even more. It sounded like he was hinting at having feelings for Echo, not her. That irritated her.

…Yeah, this man was definitely not it. Godel gathered her thoughts and spoke up.

“I understand what you’re trying to say, but I’ve never really thought about marriage. And marriage is something between families, so rushing into it doesn’t feel right either.”

“You’re turning me down before even giving me a chance to be involved?”

“I know it’s a bad habit, but I tend to be a bit cold.”

“I like that about you. Being cold.”

“I’d actually prefer someone who’s not like me.”

“Of course, I’m a little hurt by that, but still.”

He grinned like he enjoyed her honesty, then pouted dramatically at her next words, pretending to be hurt.

Godel stared at him, completely dumbfounded. He was a huge, intimidating man who looked like he wouldn’t bleed even if pricked with a needle, and yet here he was acting hurt over something so small?

Still, the silly back-and-forth made her lower her guard a little.

“Then shall we talk more seriously now?”

Eden uncrossed his legs and leaned forward slightly, resting his loosely clasped hands on his knees. Just straightening his posture and wiping the playful look from his eyes changed the atmosphere around him. Maybe it was his presence—Godel felt herself tense up without even realizing.

“As you said, Lady Hildegarde, marriage is a matter between families.”

“…Yes, and?”

“That means we should have a talk with the elders too, don’t you think?”

Godel’s face slowly stiffened.

Her father, Louis, had gambled away all of their pension money. And pensions given to heroes were strictly prohibited from being used for gambling or anything similar. If caught, they’d lose all funding—and even the title of Hero.

If Eden started digging into things, he’d eventually uncover enough evidence to question Gilbert’s death.

Everything Godel and the Count had done so far could be exposed.

If she wasn’t careful, accepting the proposal might lead her straight to prison.

She tried to calm her shaky voice and answered,

“…My father is currently away.”

“I see. Then where is your older brother?”

But that question was even more difficult to answer. Revealing Gilbert’s death would be proof that they had knowingly continued to receive the pension.

And since Godel had taken his place, she could even be accused of murder.

Murder.

She had never even littered in her life, and now she might be accused of killing someone? The thought was terrifying. Her hands clenched without her noticing.

Just then, her eyes met Eden’s.

He was smiling faintly—as if he was watching her, waiting to see how she would react.

At that moment, Godel had a chilling thought.

Maybe he already knew everything.

Clink!

A dull sound broke through the tension, followed by the sound of glass.

“I-I brought the tea.”

Godel quickly turned her head and saw Echo, her face slightly nervous.

She hadn’t told Echo to bring the tea. In fact, she had told her to stay away, just in case Eden developed real feelings for her. That’s why she herself had served cold tea earlier.

Then why…

Just then, as Echo placed a cup in front of Eden, she accidentally spilled the tea.

“……!”

All her thoughts vanished into smoke. Godel stood up quickly.

“Are you okay? Are you hurt?”

“I-I’m fine… It wasn’t hot at all…”

“Let me see.”

Godel immediately checked Echo’s hand. Thankfully, the water hadn’t been hot, and there were no signs of a burn.

“I told you to be careful with hot water. And you set the cup down way too hard. And what’s this smudge on your face?”

“S-sorry. I’ll be more careful next time…”

Even as Echo apologized awkwardly, Godel didn’t stop wiping her cheek. She sighed repeatedly, and just then, she noticed Eden watching them.

“…….”

His eyes had narrowed slightly. But it wasn’t a look of love like Godel had feared. No, his gaze was more like a predator sizing up whether what he saw was prey or not.

“Godel?”

Echo’s voice snapped her back to reality. Right, this wasn’t the time to space out. Godel turned to Eden.

“Are you alright, Your Grace?”

“Yes, I’m fine. Not a single drop landed on me,” Eden answered with a gentle smile.

That look he had just now—was it really just her imagination?

After a brief pause, Godel composed herself. Whatever had happened, her plan to keep Echo and Eden apart had clearly failed. At the very least, she had to let them greet each other out of politeness.

“Echo, greet him properly. This is Duke Bertenon.”

“…I’m Echo Hildegarde. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

As Echo grabbed the hem of her dress and bowed her head, Eden gave her a soft smile.

“I didn’t expect to find another lady here.”

His words had an edge to them, and Godel flinched without meaning to.

“I’m fine, but perhaps the young lady should be checked just in case.”

Eden looked at Echo as he spoke.

“Even lukewarm water can be dangerous, after all.”

As he smiled kindly, Echo flinched slightly, her hands trembling in Godel’s grasp. The meaning behind his words was vague, but Godel realized something in that moment.

This might actually be a chance.