episode_0083

“Why are you so late?”

Mina, who was waiting for Harnier, muttered anxiously.

Her owner is very thorough with his appointments.

There are times when I’m late, but that’s because I’m under pressure from the social world or because I’m concerned about the Marquis, and there’s not a single lapse in the plan I’m preparing.

I was just anxious because Harnier had not arrived yet.

“It’s too late… but there’s no reply. If this happens, I’m going to die of anxiety. Lady…”

Mina stamps her feet and hopes that a letter will arrive from the top right now.

At the party, he said he was coming because he had some important business to do, such as breaking the social circle’s stranglehold and returning home.

I was a little surprised when I heard yesterday that I would be staying at the duke’s residence, but no letter about staying longer than that arrived.

That means, as Mina thought, Harnier should have arrived at the Marquis’ residence a long time ago.

I suddenly feel sad that there is no way I would be this late unless Harnier got caught somewhere.

“Could it be… You didn’t notice it from the nobles or social circles, but you experienced some other accident?”

A socialite who had the power to not let Harnier go.

The party venue was like a hyena den.

It is true that he entered a dangerous place, but the nobles and social circles will not try to stop him.

But isn’t this something that is tied up?

“Yes. Something is strange. There’s no way it’s this quiet.”

How many people were planted at that party? At this late hour, it wouldn’t have been surprising if at least one contact had arrived.

Even if things go wrong, news will reach you as it is a party place for nobles.

If an accident occurs at a party, voices are likely to be louder because it is a place for nobles.

But I don’t hear any news.

If it was this quiet, it was more likely that something had happened outside.

When Mina was so restless and quickly tried to free the people at the top.

A carriage stopped in place.

‘That carriage… belongs to the Vagrand Duke family?’

I was very fortunate.

I saw another family’s carriage, or it wasn’t the Marquis’ carriage going outside.

‘You can’t let down your guard. After all, that person is also a man.’

Since it was the carriage of the Duke of Bagland, who carried out the contract engagement, it was reasonable to guess that the feared incident did not occur.

However, considering what kind of suggestions Harnier has received from men and talked about arranged marriages, we cannot let our guard down.

A proposal full of dark intentions.

A sinister look that is blatantly directed at a specific area.

To her, who had such a beautiful appearance and had endured and shrugged off many tricks she wanted to embrace, all men were like animals.

Then Mina suddenly realized that the situation was very dangerous.

‘If it’s a carriage… it can be just the two of us!’

It was truly unfortunate that the empire’s peerless beauty had to figure out how to protect her body, which was on the verge of being sold off.

Do you hope that the Duke of Bagland will be different?

There is no such thing.

If anything, if he had stretched out his hand to Harnier, he would have extended it further, not the other way around.

Even if they belong to the Duke of Bagland, who reigned at the pinnacle of nobility, all men are still men.

Moreover, the man who causes all kinds of accidents will often use the duke’s power and authority to push Harnier away.

‘We must hurry!’

Mina lifts her skirt and takes out a small knife hidden on her thigh.

Then, without making a sound, he carefully approached the carriage.

He approached the front of the carriage.

If you open this door, you will see Harnier.

It must be finished as quickly as possible.

When the shameless man who was touching the young lady cowered in embarrassment, I had to make sure to land a fatal blow and get out.

‘after.’

Mina counts with a trembling heart.

After the count was over, I planned to quickly squeeze in.

Three, two.

And when you count the last one.

“there. Harnier is sleeping, so open the door quietly and come in.”

“…!”

Carcein’s voice came from inside the carriage.

It didn’t make any noise as it approached.

However, he spoke in a low tone, as if he knew in advance that he was reaching for the carriage door.

“About 1 hour and 40 minutes have passed since my fiancee fell asleep in the carriage. I want to let him sleep for about 2 hours. Could you please just allow 20 minutes?”

“…”

Karssein’s voice was heard from the carriage once again.

Ironically, the sight of him seemingly asking for permission reminds me of Harnier’s words.

-Prince Karssein is not that kind of person.

Such sounds had come out of the mouth of a young lady who had dealt with men who rushed at her with lust like dirty animals.

Considering that there’s even been talk of an engagement, isn’t it really that they haven’t touched anything?

With a little hope, Mina carefully opened the door.

And saw.

The sight of Harnier sleeping peacefully, leaning on Karssein’s shoulder.

There were only two people in the carriage.

So, I thought he must have put his dirty hands on the young lady’s body…

-Charak.

Karssein’s eyes were only focused on the book.

he asked lowering his voice.

“You thought I was going to touch Harnier’s body, right?”

“Yes? Ah…”

“You don’t have to worry about it. I am also a man, so anyone would think the same way if they had such a beautiful woman next to them. Moreover, if you are a follower of Harnier, you need to be even more careful.”

It’s not strange to think of men as animals.

I think it’s true that you have this suspicion.

He said indifferently that his fiancée had a good maid.

Also, I went so far as to state in advance that I did not feel particularly offended as it was a normal reaction to come to me after feeling threatened.

Even this voice was lowered in a subtle way, as if out of consideration for Harnier, so I could say that although it was different from the men I had seen so far, it was definitely different.

“Just 20 minutes. I want to let him sleep just that much longer. Because you fell asleep while trying to help me.”

“What does that mean? The young lady tried to help you and ended up like that…”

“You know this well, right? It’s because of this.”

He handed me a document.

This is a report from the Chatelaine estate that Mina might be a little familiar with.

“I fell asleep like this on the way back from the party. When I asked him why he yawned in the morning, he said it was because he had something to do at the Duke’s house last night, and he was holding on to it the entire time in the carriage.”

“This…?”

I thought it was somehow strange.

The Chatrene territory has no connection with Harnier.

Rather, it has a direct relationship with Karssein Bagland.

However, the Chatrene Territory report I just saw contained a little more information.

‘Then, given the circumstances, it means that the young lady intended to give this to Master Karssein.’

When Mina noticed this, Karssein pointed out her blind spots to resolve her doubts.

“I guess they were trying to sort this out in exchange for me showing my fiancé at the party. That doesn’t mean I wanted it to go this far, but I unintentionally became the cause.”

“…”

“Anyway, I don’t want to leave behind such a big debt. So, I tried to let it sleep a little bit. I hope you don’t misunderstand.”

At those words, Mina completely relaxed her guard.

Even though the girl right next to her is a woman that men are crazy about because they want to have an arranged marriage in the empire, this man is acting as if he doesn’t care.

Listening to the faint sound of Harnier’s breathing and the sound of the paper passing from inside the carriage, he was truly no different from a nobleman.

The young lady’s eyes were accurate.

Only then did Mina feel relieved.

“Then is it okay if I bring you some blankets?”

“Hmm? You’re not asking me to sleep here any longer, right?”

“What you said is correct. It’s obvious that Lady Harnier won’t be able to sleep for a few hours in the mansion.”

Carcein’s eyes twitched twice as if he had found an unexpected answer.

“Hmm. Isn’t that troublesome? Me too…”

“I know you’re not that type of person, so it’s okay to sleep with me. Actually, the Marquis’ house is empty right now.”

When it seems like Karsein is about to say the same thing as the other men, Mina immediately stops him.

Not wanting to miss this opportunity, I went out a little harder.

“Or, rather, it would be okay for you to stay at the marquis’ residence for a day and then return. That way, the girl’s sleep time will increase.”

“That’s a bit difficult for me too. I also have some work left to do when I return to the duke’s residence.”

“Then two hours, no. Could you please let me sleep in the carriage for about an hour?”

“…Why do you do that?”

“The lady is usually working and reducing her sleeping hours. Rather, it is to the point where I can sleep peacefully when Confucius is present.”

Carcein stares at Harnier, who is sleeping, after hearing those words.

A slight hint of worry was felt in the black eyes.

‘miss. He pretended to be okay on the outside and let it go, but I know. It was only a matter of time before this gap appeared.’

I always fight with all my might to sever ties with the marquis, but the human body has its limits.

It was inevitable that I would collapse from exhaustion at some point and become as vulnerable as I am now.

but.

Isn’t there someone right in front of us who can close this gap?

Harnier needed someone to help her lean against and take a breather when she was blocked by a high wall like she was now.

Even though they were strangers, I needed someone who could generously give me this little consideration even just once.

An upright, neat, and wise person was needed.

He satisfies all conditions.

When a person named Harnier Theresia collapsed from exhaustion, she was the person who would without hesitation reach out her hand and pull her up.

“Sorry for doubting you. But… please help our lady get some sleep, even if only briefly.”

“…”

There was silence for a while.

Karssein could only watch Harnier, who was sleeping soundly in silence.

Then, before long, he sighed.

“It’s my fault too. I can’t refuse it… true.”

also.

Even though he seemed to accept it reluctantly, I thought he might be that kind of person.

“…What are the eyes of the marquis?”

“All of the Marquis except Lady Harnier are currently preparing for the Eastern Noble Meeting, so there will not be much suspicion.”

This is why I wondered if I should go from the Marquis’s residence to the party hall.

Saying that they must show proper results this time at the Eastern Noble Council, they have left the mansion, leaving only Harni alone.

Thanks to this, my ability to see disappeared, so no one would notice.

However, Karssein firmly cut off Mina’s opinion.

“Then it would be even more dangerous to stay for a day.”

“Why?”

“Today, Harnier removed suspicion and shook off a group of nobles at the party. Since the one force that could put pressure on Harnier has fallen away, the news may have reached the Marquis’s side as well.”

“…!”

“I suspect that my relationship is not just an engagement, and I cannot rule out the possibility that he will return quickly. If that happens, Harnier will be caught in the back.”

A chill passed through Mina’s spine.

‘I see. No matter how much factions are established among nobles… the enemies of the enemy can become allies, at least temporarily.’

As Carcein said, the Marquis is also a nobleman. It should not be assumed that there was no collusion of some kind with social circles.

“How long does it take for the family to return to the marquis’ residence?”

“Oh, maybe… three hours if the horse runs at full speed.”

“Then about an hour would be the limit. I’ll let Harnier sleep here, then wake her up and send her to you.”

“I understand. I’ll hurry and bring two blankets.”

Mina bows her head and closes the door.

I thought it was a good thing that the young lady, who was fast asleep without knowing anything about the world, did not hear this news. If I had heard that, I would have jumped up and asked why you would do such a thing.

Aside from that, two people.

Somehow, there is an intersection in some strange places.

Maybe that’s why I have a certain sense of anticipation.

‘Hmmmm. It suits you quite well, doesn’t it?’

Although it was just her imagination, Mina remembered the situation for a moment and went to get the blanket with a faint smile on her face.

***

“Mmm.”

A smile appears on Harnier’s lips.

That’s because he was sleeping so well.

I’ve been so busy these past few days that I haven’t been able to sleep well.

Things to do pile up like a mountain every day.

There is only one body.

The fatigue was piling up.

Feeling like rolling around in bed? Of course it looked like a chimney.

The problem was that it couldn’t be done. Because I had to completely deceive the marquis, it was difficult to even find time to rest.

When Mina voiced her concern and told me to get some rest, I was busy covering up my fatigue by saying it was okay.

But today is an exception.

I can rest well because I intentionally left behind the person who was the least behind in the Eastern Noble Council.

Now that I have shaken off the suspicions of the socialites at the party, I can sleep for a few more hours. Harnier decided to put aside other things for a while as he felt the sensation of falling asleep in his bed.

comfy.

warm.

It feels like you can sleep well for several hours, covered not only by the blanket covering the front of your body, but also by this warmth that surrounds your entire body…

‘huh?’

A strange feeling of discomfort bloomed at that moment.

Have you ever gone to bed after returning from a party?

no. Even if we exclude that, is it true that the thing that supports your back is a bed sheet? It doesn’t seem like what’s covering you is a blanket?

So what is this warm thing?

Even though it seems angular, it somehow feels warm…

…no way.

Then, when I realized that I could feel the warmth of a person rather than a soft blanket, my eyes brightened.

“Did you sleep well?”

So close that your breath can touch.

As soon as I opened my eyes, what I saw was Karssein’s face.