episode_0025

One hour before meeting Harney.

The attire for an adult ceremony is usually reserved for parties or formal gatherings. For this reason, it was not suitable for the meeting with Harney.

“I clearly remember being told that I should create a romantic atmosphere.”

In order to do so, none of the clothes in the wardrobe could be used. Everyday wear, let alone pajamas, had too many issues to even consider.

In that case, the only remaining option was the clothes received as a birthday gift, which she didn’t actually want to wear. However, due to Camilla’s strong insistence, she had no choice but to wear them.

“Sigh. I did mention it in a fit of pique… How am I going to explain that?”

There were many worries in various ways.

Anyway, she finished getting ready to go out.

About ten minutes had passed since she arrived at the meeting place.

“Miss Karsen.”

Harney arrived with hurried steps.

“I’m sorry. I’m a bit late, aren’t I?”

“The appointed time itself has been kept, so there’s no problem, isn’t there?”

“Oh, you may not know, but it’s customary for nobles to arrive early, considering such leeway for the appointment time. So, that’s why I’m apologizing.”

What kind of courtesy is that?

If that’s the case, then even Harney, who arrived on time, was 10 minutes late.

It’s really useless information, but… let’s just remember it for now.

“Hmm.”

“Why are you sighing?”

“You seem to have dressed up quite nicely today.”

No wonder her gaze seemed to wander here and there.

She was looking at my outfit.

“You can’t come dressed like you did last time. You said so yourself.”

“Oh my. Are you going to dress me properly? Thank you.”

“Well, um…”

Her slightly narrowed eyes seemed rather satisfied.

Meanwhile, I was sweating bullets.

“I probably won’t find it amusing later when I realize what mess I’ve gotten into…”

Definitely, when that time comes. No, even after about 30 minutes into the conversation, I’ll probably regret it.

Ugh. It’s likely to backfire, but let’s not think about it for now.

“So, now that I’m finally here, where should we start?”

“Hmm? Well, naturally, we should definitively finish this process first.”

Harney pointed to her handbag as she spoke.

Inside my handbag, there seemed to be something related to the contract. It’s meticulous, yet so clumsy.

“First, let’s change our seats… Yes, over there looks good.”

After briefly scanning the surroundings, I searched for a decent spot and then took Harney’s hand, moving to another seat.

“K-Karcein Gongja? Why all of a sudden…?”

“Just quietly follow along.”

Harney seemed flustered, attempting to withdraw his hand, but I had no intention of letting go.

***

“This should do.”

Glancing around, I found a coffee house in the city. As soon as we entered, separate rooms were visible. Of course, there were people sitting at tables in the lobby, but the existence of these rooms was crucial.

Approaching a staff member, I promptly inquired, “I’d like to reserve a private room for two. How much is it?”

“It will be 350 pesos on top of the basic beverage cost. You can pay the 350 pesos first.”

“Here you go.”

“Please follow me.”

As I handed over the money from my purse, the staff glanced at both Harney and me. Perhaps realizing that we were reasonably well-off nobles, they led us deeper into the establishment rather than to a nearby room. Just then, as we walked, I felt a hard heel pressing against my shin.

“You’re just like them. Let go of it! If you don’t, I’ll scream and call the guards!”

When I turned around, Harney spoke in a voice that wouldn’t reach the staff. His expression had sharpened; he seemed thoroughly enraged.

“Sigh. Please, just follow me a little bit. You won’t get away with what you’re thinking.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Do you know how many men have said that before?”

Various names spilled out of Harney’s mouth as he chuckled.

Of course, these were names I had never heard before. A man who suggested meeting alone by booking a room, subtly touching his body as he smirked hideously and blushed.

He was describing all those who had acted in such ways, spewing their names out one by one.

“Your words were just a bluff… You’re no different, you’re just another beast. So, this is my final warning. Let go.”

It seemed as if Harney was ready to shout at any moment.

Judging by the atmosphere indoors and the way she scrutinized the customers’ attire, it’s not uncommon for nobility to be present here. That means shouting here would be unwise.

“I’ll be branded as a reckless lunatic who causes accidents without a second thought.”

It was an obvious future, like seeing fire. Of course, I won’t be the one suffering from it.

First, let’s calm down this flustered woman.

Thud.

I released her hand and lightly reached out towards the wall. She became pressed against the wall, unable to move recklessly.

This should be enough to shield us from anyone’s view, just in case someone is watching.

She, on the other hand, seems bewildered.

“You, really. If you’re planning to do something to me…!”

“Hush.”

Quiet down, will you? This woman.

Do you want everyone to hear?

“You’re thoughtless. Like a fool.”

“W-what did you say? Have you finished talking?”

“Yes. Harney Youngae is a fool. If I only see you as someone I can lay hands on, then you must be a fool.”

As if in disbelief, Harney let out a heavy sigh.

“So, what, is there another intention behind this action?”

She folded her arms as if demanding an answer.

I chuckled and threw a fact at this foolish woman.

“You were going to flaunt our engagement outside! Did you plan to parade around with me like those people?”

“Are you crazy? Of course…!”

“If that’s not the case, then why are you treating me like those perverts right now?”

“What?”

Harney was genuinely dumbfounded as she stammered out her words.

“Think about it. Where would you think of as the best place to make an important agreement?”

“…”

Of course.

A place where the two of us could have a private conversation.

Harney, realizing the reason for coming to this place, looked flustered, running her fingers through her hair.

“Um, Master Karsein? That’s…”

She wanted to continue the conversation, but a staff member who was walking ahead turned around with a loud “Ahem!” and interrupted. “Ahem. You two, this isn’t the place for public displays of affection.”

“What?” She asked, as if the term “public display of affection” made no sense.

Suddenly, she realized how easily their current situation could be misunderstood. The gaze of the two men and women, now closer due to the man pushing the woman against the wall, could easily be mistaken by the staff as a significant public display of affection, unlike what Harnier had suspected.

Unable to bear the embarrassment, Harnier covered her reddened face with both hands. “Let’s go. Let’s leave quickly before we arouse suspicion from the staff.”

Harnier, without saying a word, followed meekly after holding my hand again.

***

Following the staff, we arrived at a fine room. It was a place with a large glass window offering a view of natural scenery and an intimate atmosphere.

The soundproofing seemed thorough, which was my primary concern.

“Um… Karsein Gongja?”

“Yes?”

“Well, um… Can I let go of my hand now?”

Ah, right. That’s true. Since the staff had also gone to get drinks, we could sit at the table and talk.

“Let’s sit for now.”

Harnier sat down, a single bead of sweat trickling down her face. Sitting face to face, our eyes met involuntarily. Startled, she tried hard to avoid my gaze, blinking noticeably faster.

“Hmm. I should use this as a shield.”

Harnier fidgeted uncomfortably, her expression troubled. By now, she probably wanted to take back the words she had been about to say.

This might be useful. First, let’s wait. People like her tend to be unexpectedly clumsy and self-destructive.

“Well, um… about what happened earlier…”

“What happened?”

“Earlier, in the hallway.”

As I intentionally avoided eye contact and pretended to savor the aroma and taste of the coffee, Harnier began to steal glances at me.

Should I tease her a bit?

“In the hallway, yes. That was quite awkward.”

“Yes, it was?”

-Startle!

“Harnier Youngae, you were the one at fault.”

Turning her gaze in that direction, she flinched. She was trying to avoid eye contact, but her eyes kept flickering.

“The staff is waiting, and you’re not moving at all. If this continues, our relationship might come under suspicion, don’t you think?”

“…”

At first, her startled eyes blinked, then they trembled slightly this time. Judging by her expression, it seemed like she felt guilty.

“I… I’ll do it.”

“Pardon?”

“I-I’m sorry! I thought you might misunderstand and think I’m some pervert who kicks people for no reason and… and desires my face or body like other people…”

“I’m relieved the misunderstanding has been cleared up.”

“Don’t tease me. I already said sorry.”

“Do other men tease you like this?”

“Ugh, you’re unbelievable!”

Blushing, she glanced at me cautiously. It would be fun to tease her a bit more, but… let’s leave it at this.

“We should probably get to the point, shouldn’t we? It’s going to get dark soon.”

“That’s exactly what I was going to say!”

I didn’t think so.

Anyway, let’s put that aside.

Harney began to carefully take something out of her handbag.

It seemed like she had neatly folded and brought a contract or something. That’s what I thought.

However, there was one thing I had overlooked.

“It’s a Binding Gem. Do you know what this is?”

“Yes.”

Normally, I wouldn’t have known, but looking at the item information window, I understood.

◆Binding Gem

[ A magical stone used to make contracts through language, mainly used for important agreements. When used, the gem’s magic is emitted, creating an environment for the contract to be established— ]

In summary, after emitting the gem’s magic, each party mentions their obligations and purposes to establish the contract.

There was no need for a contract document.

This was a world within a game where magic existed.

Harney slowly engraved the details of the contract, as she had mentioned, preparing for a year-long engagement with the purpose of independence from the Teresa Marquis.

My purpose. It was simple.

“───────.”

Harney’s pupils momentarily widened.

“Why are you like this? What’s wrong?”

“No, it’s nothing. Let’s proceed as planned.”

The sapphire emitted a blue light that changed into crimson. Although it wasn’t directly written by Karsein in the game, there was a scene like this with another character. It seemed that the one-year engagement contract had ended without any issues.

However, even after doing this, Harnie couldn’t meet my gaze and was fiddling with her hair.

“Hey. Are you okay where I kicked you earlier?”

“You mean when you kicked me? Why would you care if I’m okay.”

“…Still.”

Well, I did kick her quite hard. If I’m going to deal with rowdy men, I have to kick them this hard. Honestly, it still feels a bit awkward.

“I might seem like a bad guy for doing this…”

But I can’t help it. I need to balance things out a bit.

“Let’s call it even. Well, I did something wrong too.”

“What? No, you didn’t. You were just trying to find a suitable place.”

“Not today. Actually, I did something ridiculous to you, Harnie.”

“To me? Not today…?”

She tilted her head as if she had no idea what I was talking about.

“When you came as the Viscount of Bagrand. Do you remember when we met?”

“Well, of course. We met then, so we’re meeting now.”

“Yes. I made a big mistake that day. I didn’t want to get scolded by my family.”

“…?”

“We announced that we had a secret rendezvous that day. So… hmm. I should show a more romantic atmosphere.”

“What?!!”

Shocked and stammering, she asked to confirm.

“A, a secret rendezvous. We, we just have a contract! If you say that, it’s really, really…!”

“We should look like lovers. If we don’t want to be suspected.”

“Oh my.”

With a pale face, Harnie repeated “Oh my” several times.

I understand. Karsein isn’t such an amazing man. Harnie has exceptional beauty even among the nobles. When it comes to ability, there’s a world of difference. So, I tried to make up for my mistake as much as possible…

Could this possibly not work?

“Isn’t this better? It’s hard to suspect anything when we were close enough to have an affair. It’s natural and good for setting the mood as well.”

As I tried to persuade her, feeling like she might break the contract, a fire sparked in Harneye’s eyes, which had been discouraged.

“Hey, Yeongae? What’s wrong?”

I couldn’t help but break into a cold sweat at her strange vigor as she approached me. When I came to my senses, I found myself taking a step back.

*Tock.*

Huh. Nowhere to go?

“Wait a moment!”

“Th-that… Eek…!”

*Whack!*

It was a long time since I received such a direct spike on my back.

***

“Ugh…”

“Hmph!”

As I rubbed my heated back with a grimace, Harneye, arms crossed with a composed attitude, stepped outside the coffee house.

“Let’s walk together.”

“Don’t talk to me.”

“If you hit me, you should feel better.”

“I said don’t talk to me.”

“Oh, come on, we agreed to be even with each other…”

*Sigh.*

Harneye’s lively gaze turned back towards me. If I said something wrong, it seemed like I’d get another hit.

I whispered to her, watching her reaction carefully.

“Ahem. If you keep doing this, you’ll raise suspicion.”

“…”

“You said you didn’t want other men getting involved, Teresa Viscountess Yeongae.”

A strange silence fell. It was the kind of dangerous silence that shouldn’t be disturbed.

Waiting quietly, Harneye sighed deeply and replied.

“Harneye.”

“Yes?”

“Call me by my name. Leave out the family title.”

“Ah, I understand.”

“But!”

*Snap!*

Stopping abruptly in her tracks, Harneye turned to face me.

“Do anything impure. Just try. Even with the oath of confinement, I can’t break the contract, but there are no exceptions for you.”

“Yes, yes.”

I didn’t quite understand what she meant by ‘no exceptions,’ but it seems the contract can’t be easily broken. That should do it.

“But shouldn’t I call you Karsein instead of addressing you?”

“I said don’t talk to me!”

I adjusted myself to Harneye’s tempo a bit more. Until the sun set.