TCBUP 41

Chapter 41

I Like Him.

“…And then?”

Even as I asked, I already sensed how it would end.

No way something decent could come out of imitating that disaster.

“It all burned up while I looked away for a second.”

“Recreating something from memory isn’t easy.”

That’s how it was for me, too.

When I smiled at the memory, Huperion immediately turned serious.

“I still enjoyed eating it.”

“It’s fine. I know my own skill level.”

“I mean it…”

He started to earnestly explain, flustered, but I gently held his arm.

If his favorability rises more easily than the other male leads, I could just test it.

Besides, it wasn’t often I got a chance to dress up like this.

I gave Huperion the warmest smile I could manage.

“Let’s go eat something delicious. There’s a restaurant I’ve always wanted to try.”

“Would it be alright to go with me to a place like that?”

“Of course. Since we’re all dressed up, we should make the most of it.”

Leaving him grinning brightly behind me, I took the lead.

The light fabric brushing against my legs felt as soft as my mood after talking with him.

“That sounds wonderful.”

“After the meal, I’ll show you around the neighborhood.”

“I’d like that very much!”

His bashful smile was bright enough to chase away the gloom clouding my heart.

Laughing along with him, I gently pulled on Huperion’s arm.

The next day, the count and his wife started pressuring me to prepare for the engagement, but I blatantly ignored them.

They sent letters, people, and even came in person, but I coldly turned them away, saying I hadn’t made a decision yet.

But since the suitor is a prince and it’s a royal marriage, I couldn’t delay forever.

Already burdened by the situation, the Count kept showing up, trying everything to convince me.

“Stop being so stubborn and come home, will you?”

“No, thanks.”

“Ugh, what’s so great about living in that cramped little dump? You look miserable!”

“It’s more comfortable than the count’s manor, so don’t worry.”

“Siena!”

Count Hagrives eventually shouted.

“If you come here again, I won’t hesitate—I’ll refuse the proposal right then and there.”

“…Siena, my dear.”

Perhaps deciding to switch tactics, the Count forced an awkward, fatherly smile.

His tone softened, his manner suddenly affectionate.

“It’s just… It’s not a good look for an unmarried young lady to live alone. It’ll ruin your reputation and shame your parents—don’t you understand that?”

“Don’t worry about my reputation. It’s already at rock bottom.”

That’s the very reason the Empress chose me as Aiden’s match.

She wouldn’t pair her stepson—who has no blood ties—with someone who could support him, unless it was a woman with no value left to lose.

“So you are determined to humiliate me.”

“Why are you so insistent?”

“What?”

“Did the Empress promise you something in return if this marriage happens?”

“W-What are you talking about? This is all for your happiness.”

Startled, the Count stammered.

He had an excellent nose for money, but when caught off guard, he had a tendency to reveal his true feelings.

Like now.

Because he still thought I was dumb, helpless, and incapable, he often let his guard down.

Thanks to that, I’d picked up a lot of useful information.

‘So he is expecting something in return.’

What could it be? A promise of my brother Martin’s promotion once he returns to the capital? My father’s seat in the noble council?

Or maybe just something simple—cash, jewels, land?

“You must be getting a hefty reward, then. I hope my bride price is worth it.”

“Hey now. What kind of father do you think I am? You think I’d sell off my daughter just for profit?”

Yes.

My eyes must have said it clearly, because the Count turned red and cleared his throat.

“I’m just worried about your safety, that’s all. You’re the Crown Prince’s fiancée—what if someone kidnaps you for ransom?”

“First, I haven’t agreed to the marriage. Second, even if I did, no one would know unless you kept stirring things up. People in this village don’t even know I’m a noble.”

“…”

“Please leave. No matter what you do, I’m not going back to the manor. Not even after I’m engaged.”

Trying to stay calm, the Count clenched his fists and trembled in frustration.

“Don’t tell me… You’re being this stubborn because of him?”

“That’s none of your business.”

“The hell it isn’t! If you’re caught seeing another man and it angers the Prince, you could be charged with defaming the royal family!”

“I’m not even his fiancée yet.”

“I’m talking about afterward, dammit!”

Clearly, the Count never thought I’d actually refuse.

Ugh. Maybe I shouldn’t have met the prince in the first place.

Once again, useless regret crept over me.

“I’m doing this for you. That man should be gone already.”

“No.”

“Siena!”

“I really like Leon. A lot.”

“Have you lost your mind? Are you crazy? Who falls for some lowborn nobody—”

“Don’t speak of him like that. The only reason I even agreed to meet the prince was because he encouraged me to. You should be thanking him.”

“If he really wanted what’s best for you, he would’ve let you go. Instead, he clings to you like deadweight. If it’s too hard for you, should I get rid of him for you?”

I gripped the broom I had been pretending to sweep with just to avoid his nagging.

Part of me wanted to swing it at him and drive him out, but I barely managed to hold back.

“Father. If you say one more word about him…”

Just then, I locked eyes with someone standing at the half-open door, wearing a stiff expression.

“…Oh.”

I let out a dumb sound, caught off guard.

“What is it?”

The Count noticed something was wrong and turned around—

—and saw him.

The man who almost became his son-in-law.

Duke Damian Ortiz, pale-faced, stood at the threshold.

“D-Duke? What brings you here…?”

The Count began speaking casually, out of habit, then quickly corrected himself with awkward politeness.

Their personal relationship had long ended. He wasn’t in a position to address the Duke so informally—at least, not for now.

“I came to ask Siena something…”

Damian’s jet-black eyes turned to me.

“But now I have a more pressing question.”

“Whatever it is, it’s inappropriate for a man to visit his ex-fiancée’s home alone. You should ask me, not—”

“It’ll only take a moment, Siena.”

Damian completely ignored the Count.

He looked only at me, waiting for my answer.

Beside him, the Count kept grumbling about boundaries and how “this was all in the past,” but Damian didn’t flinch.

“Father. Please go home.”

“What?”

“I need to talk with the Duke in private.”

I pushed the Count out the door, despite his resistance.

Damian stepped in naturally as the Count stumbled outside.

“What brings you here?”

“I heard you’re getting engaged.”

“Not yet. It was just a conversation. But I’m surprised you heard.”

I calmly corrected his assumption, though he seemed strangely uneasy.

“Is that what you came to confirm? I suppose it’s not easy meeting Prince Aiden. He doesn’t seem to like people much.”

“Siena.”

I was about to prepare him some tea when I turned to face him.

He stood still, not even taking a seat, and stared at me like a lost child.

I’d never seen that expression on him before.

Or those eyes.

“What’s wrong?”

I couldn’t help but ask.

“If you don’t want to marry the Prince, I can help you.”

“Why?”

He gave a faint, bitter smile.

I wasn’t sure if it was because my question surprised him, or for some other reason.

His gaze wandered upward for a moment, then dropped to the floor, before finally settling back on me with a face as expressionless as I remembered.

Maybe I’d imagined it all.

“I thought you’d ask how I’d help, not why.”

“….”

“Do you want this marriage?”

“I wouldn’t say I want it… but I don’t have a good reason to refuse.”

“Because it’s a royal command?”

“That’s the biggest reason, yes.”

He frowned slightly, but then nodded like it wasn’t worth making a fuss.

I filled the kettle with water and set it on the stove, then took out the finest white porcelain cups I had.

In this house, they were the most expensive things I owned.

Of course, they probably looked cheap to Damian.

“Be honest with me—”