Episode 21. Transaction (1)

Why is this woman acting like this? She clearly wasn’t that interested in me before. Comparing it to before the regression, the only thing that’s changed is me. I was just as handsome, but I won the tournament, suppressed the rebellion, and achieved so much more. Is she trying to keep me in check because my capable retainers are increasing?

“To suddenly demand a breakup, I’m taken aback, -yo. I’m not sure what you’re even talking about, -yo.”

Of course, I have no intention of admitting anything first and backing down. Do you have proof?

“You shameless piece of trash!”

“Trash, -rani…”

“I know you’ve been messing around with Mrs. Yulstein, so don’t even try to play dumb!”

Oh, shit, she really saw it, huh.

“Are you afraid of losing the Count-nim’s favor? Even if I am capable, to resort to such petty slander…”

“The Melbourne Family has been loyal to the Yulstein Count Family for generations. I am Baron Melbourne, who is trusted implicitly by the Count-nim. Do you really think I would slander a knight from a mere noble family for such a petty reason?”

She’s not trying to keep me in check… then what’s her goal?

“Hmm, then do you have any proof?”

“Proof isn’t even necessary. I am the witness! Monica believes everything I say, -dapnida.”

“Well, the person who would deny that is the Lord-nim’s mother.”

“There is a way. I’ll give you one more chance. Confess willingly and break up with Monica Yulstein Count-nim!”

Why is she so obsessed with breaking us up? Usually, if you’re thinking of your lord, your friend, you’d tell me to fuck off and never set foot in the territory again. She seems focused only on the breakup.

“That might be difficult, -gunyo.”

“So, it’s okay to tell Monica about this right away, then?”

Winnie turns to leave the room. It would be a bit of a problem if Monica found out.

“Well, can you handle the aftermath?”

“Ha, so you do have a backer, -guman?”

“No, I’m asking if you can handle the Count-nim’s anger.”

Baron Melbourne hesitates. She seems very concerned about Monica’s feelings.

“Hearing that her future husband is having an affair with her own mother, no less… she’d be very hurt and angry, I think.”

“…Are you admitting to the affair, then?”

“Well, I’m not very good at lying, -yo.”

I’m craving a cigar for the first time in a while. Is it because I’m using my brain in a different way than when I was studying?

“Baron-nim, weren’t you trying to resolve this without telling Monica if possible? You know she wouldn’t take it well, -geot iranun geon algo isseunikka mal imnida.”

“…A true loyalist must sometimes speak frankly, even knowing it will be unpleasant.”

“Well, I don’t know if it’s that simple of a relationship… but wouldn’t it be pointless to say anything?”

“What do you mean…”

“If I break up with Monica, I can officially date Vera… then wouldn’t you become Monica’s stepfather? Well, if you don’t mind as long as I’m not in the husband’s position, then you can say whatever you want, -getguyo.”

“I thought his strength was useful, so I was going to use him as a knight, but now he’s spouting nonsense! I must tell them to kick him out immediately!”

She’s reacting so strongly to this little poke, my simple suspicion is growing into a stronger conviction. Could this really be it?

“Hey, calm down. It’s best to resolve problems without fighting, and there’s no reason for you to fight me, -yo.”

“All men are the enemy.”

“No, I mean you can achieve your goal without being at odds with me, or rather, with my help.”

“My only goal is to always be loyal to the Yulstein Count Family and assist the Lord-nim. There’s no way a ignorant swordsman like you could help.”

“Spare me the lip service, you like Monica, don’t you?”

“Wh, what are you…”

“No, I heard you were friends since childhood. You’re trying to get rid of a guy like me out of concern for her as a friend, aren’t you?”

“That’s right! Because she’s my friend. Yeah, because she’s my friend…”

I think that’s really it. She can’t reveal it outright, so she can’t say it directly, but this level of reaction is practically an admission.

“Actually, I don’t really want to get married either. I like Vera, not Monica, -nikkayo.”

“Then why don’t you break up?”

As soon as I said I didn’t like Monica, her tone softened immediately.

“Because it’s part of the contract. Isn’t that how arranged marriages are? A breakup requires agreement from both sides, but the Yulstein Family still wants the marriage. Both Monica and Vera, -rado yo.”

“…So, if Monica doesn’t want the marriage, you’ll break up?”

“I’d be happy to, -yo.”

“…Mrs. Vera Yulstein…”

“The reason Vera wants Monica and me to get married is because she wants Monica to be happy. If Monica refuses to marry me, she won’t push it.”

Baron Melbourne is lost in thought. The idea of excluding me seems to have completely disappeared. Her tone has also relaxed, returning to her usual slow way of speaking.

“…As a friend, not a retainer, it’s okay to say a few words about married life, right?”

“Well, that’s your business, -yo.”

“…You just need to change her mind before the wedding, right? But there’s so little time left…”

“Are you saying to postpone the wedding? I don’t know if that’s possible. I’ll try to adjust it if I can.”

“Hmm, you. You’re not a bad guy for a man.”

Winnie Melbourne extended her hand. If I take this hand,

“I hope we can both have good results.”

“That depends on you, Baron Melbourne-nim.”

The deal is done.

“The wedding has been postponed?”

“Yes, Count-nim. Sir Edward’s injuries haven’t healed yet, so it was determined that it would be difficult to hold the wedding, so the schedule has been delayed a bit.”

Monica, returning to the territory, was not pleased with the change in schedule. To have a setback in such an important event.

“If he can’t even take care of his own body properly…”

Is the arrow wound really taking that long to heal? If Winnie had given him medicine, he would have recovered quickly. He does well, but there’s always something lacking. Still, Monica liked that he showed these slightly lacking aspects. If he did everything perfectly, there wouldn’t be any room for criticism.

“If the wedding is postponed, what happens to the knighting ceremony?”

“The envoy sent from the royal capital contacted us a week ago saying they would be slightly late, so it seems it will be 맞춰질 것 같습니다.”

“It seems the postponement actually worked out well for the schedule.”

Well, Winnie is so meticulous. She must have considered all of this when adjusting the schedule. Monica felt that Winnie’s administrative skills were outstanding. If it weren’t for her lazy personality, she would have her working every day. Still, being able to entrust her with things reliably when she’s away is much better than other territory barons.

Soon, the County came into Monica’s view. Seeing the serfs diligently plowing the fields, it seemed there were no major issues in the territory. As they led the soldiers into the Lord’s Castle, a figure came out to greet them.

“Welcome back, Count-nim.”

“Hmm, Baron Melbourne, thank you for your hard work while I was away.”

Entrusting the soldiers to the administrators, Monica entered the main castle with Winnie.

“Why did you come out to greet me? You must have been busy working.”

“…Someone came to work in my place, -de mwo.”

“Hey, I’m tired. Do it until today.”

“…I’ll see how it goes.”

“Hey, do it,”

When she begs like this, Winnie always complains but always complies.

“…I heard the wedding was postponed, right?”

“Yeah, I heard from the messenger on the way. Edward that guy is sick, but he didn’t even come out to see me.”

“…I gave him medicine, but he’s being overly dramatic. Should I go get him now?”

“No, it’s okay. I guess he’s really sick.”

After that, they chatted about what had happened in the territory and various other trivial matters. Monica was mostly the one talking, and Winnie was mostly the one listening.

“…So, I was starving myself to wear a pretty dress at the wedding, but suddenly it got postponed. Aish, how annoying.”

“…If it’s that annoying, you don’t have to get married.”

“Should I just do that?”

“Huh?”

“I’m just kidding, kidding. Why are you so surprised? I’ve come this far, how could I do that.”

“…Well, what does it matter…”

“Aren’t you getting married? I’m getting married, so if you don’t want to become an old maid, you should get married too.”

“You know our family doesn’t usually get married.”

The Melbourne Baron Family has traditionally been a family where female barons inherit the position, and the baron either receives seeds from somewhere or continues the lineage through adoption.

“Well, just because tradition says so doesn’t mean you have to. Who would say anything to you?”

“…Hmm, is that so?”

I don’t want to get married. I’ve felt it since I was young, but Winnie felt again that it wouldn’t be easy to change Monica’s mind about marriage. That man eventually postponed the wedding, so she has to do something about it in that short amount of time.

“Monica is here, shouldn’t you go out?”

“Heueung, the inspection isn’t over yet…”