Chapter 150

My mind went blank for a moment.

I didn’t expect her to ask such a direct question in a place like this.

Gulp, gulp.

I drank some cold water and finally managed to calm my coughing. First, I discreetly looked around.

It wasn’t something I wanted other people to hear.

Then, I happened to make eye contact with Camian and Annette.

They flinched and quickly looked away.

‘Those guys…they heard everything.’

They were pretending not to, but their expressions clearly showed they were dying to know what the conversation was about.

There was no reason to tell my cute juniors something so personal.

“…Shall we go out to the balcony for a bit?”

I said to Regina, wanting to get away.

Regina nodded readily.

“Whatever you want.”

* * *

I opened the glass door and stepped out onto the balcony.

The full moon was still shining brightly, and the surrounding stars were also shining in their own way.

The wind was cold.

It was starting to get chilly at night.

I instinctively looked at Regina.

Her dress was revealing, with her chest exposed and a deep V-back, so it didn’t seem very warm.

“Sorry. Are you cold?”

Regina stared at me as I said that, as if I had said something strange.

“Did I say something wrong…?”

“No. It’s not that. I just forgot where you’re from for a moment.”

“Ah.”

Then I realized why she was looking at me like that.

The Ernbert Marquis family, located in the cold and harsh northern part of the empire.

They were like a wall, steadfastly guarding the frontier from the ferocious barbarians of the snowy plains.

Heavy snow and bitter cold were normal for them.

There was no way they would feel cold in this slightly chilly night air.

“That’s right. You’re the Knight of the Snow Wind.”

I chuckled.

Regina’s nickname was definitely related to her birthplace, where the snow wind always blew.

Another reason was her always-cold personality.

“You’re mentioning my embarrassing nickname.”

I thought it was a much more normal nickname than ‘The Blessing of the Baguette,’ ‘The Masked Prince,’ or ‘The Two-Eyed Swordsman,’ but she didn’t seem to like it very much.

“Really? I think it’s fine.”

“Well, it’s definitely better than the Celtrine family’s black sheep.”

“Cough.”

Wow…she’s really good at hitting back.

Can I handle her…?

“Your respiratory system seems weak.”

“Ah, I’m from a warm region, so I’m a little sensitive to the cold.”

I winked, taking the joke as a joke.

I walked towards the end of the balcony.

Regina stood next to me.

A fifth-floor balcony with just the two of us under the moonlight.

It looked charming and romantic, a good atmosphere.

And the ball’s balcony itself was essentially a place for couples to have a secret rendezvous.

Thinking about that, it felt like we should be sharing a passionate kiss, since we’re engaged…

‘But we’re not that kind of couple.’

If we had been that kind of sweet couple, Max wouldn’t have gotten into that situation in the first place.

It’s definitely much better now than before, but it’s still far from a normal engagement.

It’s the unavoidable awkwardness of a relationship that started as a loveless political marriage.

Tick.

Regina lit a cigarette, I don’t know when she took it out.

“Whew.”

She exhaled a puff of smoke and turned her gaze towards me.

“So, when’s the answer to my question?”

“Ah.”

I chuckled inwardly, as if I knew it was coming.

Honestly, it was a very awkward question.

For me, who had done so many things to feel guilty about.

But it was something I had to deal with somehow.

Whatever the outcome.

I hoped it would turn out well.

But I was prepared for the worst.

Of course, I hoped it wouldn’t come to that.

“I’ll be honest.”

I said in a serious voice.

“I do like you.”

It’s so embarrassing to say that to a woman, especially my fiancée.

My face might have gotten a little red.

“Why?”

“No…It’s a bit…I don’t know if I can explain that.”

“Okay.”

Regina looked up at the night sky and exhaled another puff of smoke.

A moment of silence.

I quietly watched her, then spoke again.

“…Don’t you think I’m shameless?”

“I know.”

“I’m sorry.”

“You were always like that, what’s the big deal?”

I have no words.

Suddenly, I’m no different from Max, the trashy fiancé.

As I was agonizing over how to salvage the conversation, Regina spoke first.

“But.”

“It seems like there’s a reason this time.”

Her gaze.

And the emotions in her words made me realize that she was taking this differently than my past actions.

At that moment, I saw a path.

I quickly gathered my thoughts.

Then I said.

“Actually…there is a reason.”

* * *

From the beginning, the important thing was the arranged marriage itself.

It was practically the last wish of my late grandfather, who had personally pushed for it.

That’s why I thought it didn’t matter if the other person was just ordinary.

But when I got to know him, it was a lot more messed up than I imagined.

But it didn’t matter.

It wasn’t a relationship based on love anyway, I just thought I had to play along.

I continued that relationship for years.

I thought it would continue that way.

But then, an unexpected change came.

My messed-up fiancé started to break out of his shell and reveal his true colors, which he had carefully hidden.

At first, I just thought it was a bit interesting.

But my fiancé took a much faster and higher leap than I expected.

He was taking bold steps that I would never have imagined from the old him.

Then I realized.

What my grandfather with his foresight had seen.

That my grandfather didn’t just consider the arranged marriage, but also the person he was arranging the marriage with.

That’s when it started.

When I started taking my fiancé, Max Celtrine, seriously.

Even so, honestly, it’s a feeling that’s difficult to describe.

Love?

We’re not at all the kind of people who would develop that kind of feeling.

Attraction?

Well, I’m aware of him, but can I call that attraction?

Anyway, one thing was certain.

That I acknowledged him not as just a part of the engagement, but as my fiancé and a person.

That’s probably why.

Why I started to care about him dating other women.

It’s a feeling I’ve never experienced before.

It’s not like I’m angry, but it’s subtly unpleasant.

But I’m able to stay calm, maybe because it’s not a feeling I would call love?

“It seems like there’s a reason this time.”

I was able to ask that question because I was able to make a cold judgment.

It was definitely different from the past.

In the past, he was hitting on women who could be bought with money, but this time, they’re all high-class women.

He couldn’t possibly be seeing them casually.

Especially the princess of the empire, even a little flirtation would be dangerous.

It could cost him his head.

So, the fact that he’s dating women, including the princess, to the point of taking that risk means there’s a reason.

“Actually…there is a reason.”

Max admitted readily, as if to affirm that judgment.

It’s good that he’s honest.

It would have been better if he had told me before I asked.

“What’s the reason?”

“I needed power.”

“Power?”

“The power of connections.”

“…”

He looked so serious, it definitely wasn’t a joke.

I wanted to laugh out loud, even though I knew it wasn’t a joke.

He needed power?

The power of connections?

But why only women, and all of them beauties?

“I know you’ll think it’s ridiculous. You’re probably wondering why it has to be women…”

He seemed to know.

“Yeah, you seem to know, so will you answer that question too?”

“Hmm…of course.”

Max scratched the back of his head, as if he was embarrassed. Then he spoke again.

“Honestly, it’s hard to get help from men. Men really hate me.”

“…”

I couldn’t hold back my laughter.

I couldn’t help it because it was an undeniable fact.

He’s definitely someone men hate.

He probably became even more of a public enemy of men today.

Compared to women…

They’re not bad.

No, it wouldn’t be wrong to say he’s actually popular with women.

Especially the atmosphere I felt today.

Why?

That question popped into my mind, but as a woman, I felt like I knew the answer.

His unwavering confidence, even when the audience was booing and insulting him, was enough to earn him points with women.

“So…you’re saying you’re using women’s power because you can’t get help from men?”

I asked, putting out my cigarette and throwing it in the trash can.

“You got it right.”

Max nodded.

I was still bewildered, but I could understand it to some extent.

Especially because I realized that the women Max was dating weren’t just beautiful, they were all capable.

And incredibly so.

“Why do you need power?”

“I told you, right? The peaceful world is about to end.”

He said it.

Many times.

And my late grandfather said it too.

That a time of chaos was coming, and blood would be spilled.

It was exactly the same, so I couldn’t help but believe it.

As if my grandfather’s foresight was real, Max’s precognitive abilities were real.

“Okay, I get it. I can understand.”

I was about to take out my cigarette, but I put it back in and nodded.

“Thanks for understanding.”

“Thanks? listen.”

Just because I understand doesn’t mean my feelings are completely gone.

“How do you feel about me?”

“How do I feel about you…?”

Max looked flustered.

I wasn’t going to let him get away with that expression.

I felt like I needed to make it clear.

“Are you just seeing me as your arranged marriage partner? Or are you serious?”

“Of course, I’m serious.”

Max’s answer came out quickly, surprisingly.

I could tell from his expression that he wasn’t just saying it casually.

“You mean you’re thinking of marrying me?”

“Of course.”

Is that so?

It was a passing grade answer.

If he hadn’t answered that way, I would have seriously considered drawing a line again.

“I have a question too.”

Max looked at me with a serious gaze.

“Go ahead.”

“Do you think of me seriously?”

I could see a hint of nervousness and trembling in Max’s expression.

That confirmed it again.

His answer earlier was genuine.

“Of course, I do.”

I answered softly.

“…I’m glad.”

I could see Max sigh with relief.

Seeing that made me feel a little better.

“You think I don’t have the right to interfere because it’s not a love relationship?”

I asked without realizing it.

“No, of course not. You’re my fiancé. You have more than enough right to be respected just for that.”

Max hesitated for a moment, then continued.

“And I don’t think a loveless relationship will continue forever.”

“…”

I wonder.

Honestly, I couldn’t deny that.

It’s clear that I’m aware of him.

“Okay, live your life as a free spirit, as you are now, if you need to.”

Will I regret these words?

Honestly, I don’t know, but since I’ve already put my trust in him, I’ve decided to believe in him until the end.

It’s because my cold logic, unlike my emotions, whispered.

That this is the right decision.

Still…

I don’t think I would have said those words if he hadn’t chosen me at the ball.

“Regina…”

“It’s probably best if we go inside.”

Leaving Max behind, his eyes wide with surprise, I took the first step inside.