Ch.2020. I Gave My First Time to Lord Selden.

“It’s all thanks to you, Lord Selden.”

“Not at all. If you hadn’t believed me, Lady Elina, the deal wouldn’t have happened anyway.”

It had been a month since the price of Pale Fruit skyrocketed.

Unlike their first meeting, Elina’s tone now carried confidence after recovering from House Parseche’s financial crisis.

And on top of that.

“You look much better without the veil.”

“D-do I?”

“I’m sure marriage proposals from neighboring houses will come flooding in now.”

“They already are. I think it’s because Tras has lost his influence in House Cardrian, so they no longer need to be cautious.”

Despite this clearly being good news, Elina’s expression was somehow gloomy.

She tilted her head while holding her teacup.

“But why do you look so troubled?”

“Because I think all the other houses are just like House Cardrian.”

“Why is that?”

“Even though I begged for help, they all stood by watching, concerned about Tras’s reaction. And these were houses I had been quite friendly with until then.”

“They were all making unavoidable choices to protect their own houses.”

Without a proper alliance, readily helping another house would be madness.

War can break out in an instant even from a single act of goodwill.

One small choice could lead to many deaths.

That’s why I kept refusing her pleas for help, even though I felt sorry for her situation.

Elina sniffles as if recalling those difficult times, then lets out a deep sigh.

“Huff!! I know. But it’s ridiculous. Meeting me once and then proposing engagement, or asking to hold the wedding right after my coming-of-age ceremony.”

“It makes sense. Objectively speaking, House Parseche’s territory has excellent geological conditions with abundant underground resources and minerals. Naturally, they’d want to establish good relations, even through marriage.”

“I try to understand it logically, but it’s not easy. It’s frightening how people change for profit.”

“What happened to our Lady Elina who said marriage is only possible when both houses benefit?”

It was a joke.

I wanted to lighten the gradually sinking mood and see Elina’s face turn bright red like a carrot again.

However, she smiled meaningfully as if she had anticipated this.

“I still agree with that statement.”

“…Pardon?”

“As you said, Lord Selden, our house has unlimited potential for development with its abundant resources, right?”

“Y-yes?”

“How about it? Would you like to marry me now?”

Indeed, the elders’ words are never wrong.

People need to have some leeway.

With her financial crisis resolved, Elina was exuding the true dignity of a noble.

“You really got me there.”

“This is your punishment for teasing me.”

Thinking about it again, it’s not a bad idea.

Elina is perfect in face, figure, and character.

Her only flaw might be her drunken behavior, but perhaps that’s improved now that she’s regained stability?

Anyway! With House Parseche’s financial recovery and her freedom from Tras’s pressure, she wouldn’t be a bad marriage partner.

Perhaps she’s even too good for me?

‘Heh!’

A small chuckle escaped me.

It seems like just yesterday I told Elina that loveless marriage was impossible, but now I wonder if I’ve already been influenced by this place.

“Haha! Still, don’t think badly of the other houses. Seeing your appearance, it’s natural they would think that way.”

“But you didn’t budge even after seeing my appearance, Lord Selden.”

“I also thought your beauty was stunning. However, that was before House Parseche’s financial recovery.”

I shrugged my shoulders matter-of-factly, and Elina leaned forward toward me, placing one hand on the table.

“If you had wanted to marry me, you would have made a deal.”

“What kind of deal do you mean?”

“That we would marry if the financial crisis was resolved with the Pale Fruit trees!”

“Exploiting someone’s weakness would be too sordid.”

“A ruffian from the edge of the Eastern Continent cares about such things?”

“Do you think a ruffian is a cold-blooded person who manipulates others’ hearts?”

I expected her to continue raising her voice, but Elina straightened her back and gave another meaningful smile.

“Lord Selden, you are truly a strange person.”

“Me?”

“No one else has ever complimented my appearance. Not even Tras from House Cardrian.”

“…That can’t be true?”

“That’s how nobles are. They especially think that complimenting someone’s appearance makes them seem inferior, so they all pretend to be sophisticated.”

“Ah….”

“All the inquiries I’ve received are the same. They’re full of details about what benefits their houses would gain.”

Hearing this, I understand why Elina finds me strange.

All her potential suitors say nothing about her, only boasting about their houses and the benefits of marriage—how frustrating.

Is this why they say in my world that the brave win the beautiful? What’s so pride-damaging about complimenting someone’s appearance as a noble?

“The noble status can be cumbersome indeed.”

“Yes, I’ve been feeling disillusioned too.”

“Now that you have the leisure to look around, you can take your time finding a suitable partner.”

“I’ve already found one.”

“A-already?”

“The problem is that it seems only I have found him so far….”

After saying these puzzling words, Elina rose from her chair.

Then, she approached me and bowed politely.

“Lord Selden, I will never forget this favor for the rest of my life.”

Her formal courtesy caught me off guard, and I opened my palm in confusion.

“Please don’t. I’ve also secured quite a lot of funds thanks to you.”

As I waved my hands dismissively, her lips, folded like fragrant flower buds, moved toward my cheek.

And then.

Smooch.

I was caught off guard.

No other words came to mind.

Covering my cheek with my palm, I stood up abruptly at her sudden action.

“W-what are you doing?”

Despite my outburst, Elina showed a seductive smile and spoke.

“I gave you my first, Lord Selden.”

*

“Luna, how’s your training these days?”

“Still difficult. But Sir Leo is teaching me well, so I’m getting used to it.”

I took her outside the mansion to help relieve some of the stress from sword training.

Luna’s expression brightened immediately when I bought her various snacks at the market street.

At times like this, she really does seem like a young girl.

“Is that so? I’m glad you’re getting used to it.”

“Of course! Usually, the ‘first time’ is the hardest, but once you get used to it, it gets better.”

First time…

Now that cursed phrase automatically makes me think of Elina.

The one who stole the innocence of my cheek.

She ran away so quickly in the confusion that I couldn’t even think of catching her.

I shook my head left and right to clear my muddled thoughts.

“Yes, coming outside like this relieves your stress too, right?”

“It’s not being outside that’s good, it’s being with you, young master.”

Luna’s expressions are becoming increasingly bold.

However, perhaps because she knows how terrifying bloodshed can be?

Elina’s recent actions almost seem cute in comparison.

I quickly changed the subject.

“I heard from Leo that you’re now sparring with other knights?”

“Yes, sparring is the hardest part. Having to hit people, whether I like it or not.”

“Luna, you said you like being with me, right?”

“Yes!? Oh… yes.”

“Build your strength thinking that you’ll protect me someday.”

“How could I dare to protect you, young master….”

“Life is unpredictable. There might come a time when you need to help me.”

“If you’re ever in danger, I’ll protect you with my life.”

No, I don’t even want protection; I’d rather she just not kill me.

I still have mountains of things to do, and isn’t peacefully taking a walk also living?

Since coming here, I’ve come to dislike the term “butterfly effect.”

Anyone would feel that way when things they could predict start changing.

Still, I hope the protagonist arrives at this territory sooner than in the original work.

That way, I can get rid of this leech, Luna.

CRACK-!

Suddenly, with a sound of something hitting the back of my head hard, my body fell to the ground.

What now?

“Y-young mas… urgh!”

And Luna seems to have been attacked too, as her scream faintly reached my ears, and gradually my vision darkened.

‘Were there remnants of the assassins left?’

No, this must be an elite knight or mage.

Otherwise, I wouldn’t have failed to sense their presence.

I tried to hold onto my fading consciousness.

After possessing this body, I’ve struggled so much to survive, and now I’m dying so pathetically? As this thought crossed my mind, a thousand emotions flashed through my head.

Thud-!

How much time had passed?

It felt like I had just blinked once, but I felt refreshed as if I’d been dreaming.

A stream of light gradually entered my vision, eventually filling it to the point where I had to squint.

At that moment, a familiar voice reached my ears.

“Lord Selden, are you awake?”