episode_0200

Chapter 200 – Love-Hate

The next day, Alisa headed to a restaurant in the capital for the formal family meeting.

Following the manager who came out to greet her, she made her way to the VIP room, where a bald old man, already waiting, rose from his seat.

“Hmph! Pleased to meet you. I am Count Geto Naohne.”

“Hahaha! I am Count Gardin Bretes. It’s an honor to meet you.”

The two nobles shook hands in the center of the room.

Count Geto Naohne, who had been feigning a solemn expression, then turned his eyes to Alisa.

Immediately, his face broke into a wide grin.

“Uhuhuhu! Are you Miss Alisa Bretes? You’re even more beautiful than in your photograph. Hahaha!”

“Don’t mention it. Your Excellency also looks much more vigorous. Alisa. What are you doing? Why aren’t you answering?”

“…Thank you, Your Excellency Count Geto.”

Alisa bowed her head, summoning her patience.

The gaze that focused on her cleavage in the brief moment she bent her body was disgusting, but what was most unbearable was the stale bachelor’s stench emanating from his entire body.

It was a smell that could never mix with her fresh scent, no matter how much she tried.

Conversely, Count Geto was simply beaming at the fresh charm he couldn’t find in his wife or concubines.

Afterward, having briefly introduced themselves, they sat across from each other at the dining table.

“The meal has already been prepared, so it will be served shortly. Let’s converse in the meantime.”

“Haha! Thank you for your consideration. Please ask if you have any questions.”

“Ahem! Then I’ll ask without hesitation. What are Miss Alisa’s body measurements, by any chance? It’s important for securing an heir, you see.”

The first question was utterly ridiculous.

He had tried to hide his true nature somehow, but just as old habits die hard [literally: a dog’s habit cannot be given to others], Count Geto blatantly revealed his desire for Alisa.

He at least offered the excuse of it being for an heir, but for a 60-year-old man, what nonsense was this…?

If Alisa were to actually become pregnant, Count Geto would be the type to immediately suspect if it wasn’t with another man.

‘He’s even worse than I imagined.’

Alisa was surprised by his ugliness, which exceeded her expectations, yet calmly revealed her measurements.

At that, Count Geto burst into boisterous laughter.

“Hahaha! Is that so. Miss Alisa is the type who becomes even more amazing when undressed.”

“You flatter me.”

“Flattery, what nonsense! It’s the truth, without a single lie. But don’t you have any questions, Miss Alisa? Feel free to ask anything.”

This shameless old man spoke such nonsense, thinking Alisa truly had questions for him.

Common sense dictated that no one would welcome such a situation.

Anyone told to marry a man 40 years their senior would despair.

It was a miracle she hadn’t already ended her life.

However, Alisa didn’t bother to expend emotions on such things and simply went along with Count Geto’s rhythm.

Subsequently, the food was served, and as the meal continued, Count Geto lecherously scanned Alisa before whispering a question.

“Count Gardin. But tell me. Is that… true?”

“Pardon? What are you referring to…?”

“That thing. That!”

Even he seemed to find it difficult to ask outright, so he glanced around before finally asking directly.

“That Miss Alisa is a virgin. Is that really true? I’ve heard young people nowadays are quite fast, you know.”

“Ah! Are you referring to that? Of course, it’s true. Haha! Alisa. Tell him yourself. Isn’t it a wife’s duty to put her husband at ease?”

They hadn’t even held the wedding yet, but Alisa was already being linked to Count Geto as his wife.

Alisa squeezed her eyes shut.

‘Should I just let it happen?’

Until now, she had just given up everything and obeyed, but seeing this disgraceful situation, she found it utterly impossible to bear.

Her rebelliousness, which had been controlled by violence since childhood, slowly surged.

‘Right. Screw them.’

She knew that the more she did this, the deeper her future would sink into the mire, but Alisa ultimately couldn’t contain her rage.

She put down her fork and opened her mouth.

“Your Excellency Count Geto. I’m sorry, but I’m not a virgin.”

“W-what?”

“I had a lot of fun with various men at the academy. You’ll still overlook it, right? I’m young and pretty, after all.”

Alisa smiled faintly.

Count Geto, meeting her smile, trembled slightly before forcing a cheerful demeanor.

“Heh, uhuhuh! Miss Alisa is quite good at jokes. But please don’t make such jokes. This old man’s heart just dropped.”

“It’s not a joke, though?”

“What?!”

“It’s true. If you want, you can even bring a virginity testing device. I imagine Your Excellency Count Geto, who likes virgins, already has one.”

Alisa subtly sneered.

It was such a subtle change in expression that if one were to point it out unnecessarily, they’d be accused of having an inferiority complex in return.

Count Geto, his face unpleasant, turned his gaze to Count Gardin.

“Count Gardin. What is the meaning of this? Didn’t you say she was a virgin!”

“Pardon? Ah, no, this… Alisa! What are you doing! Quickly tell him the truth!”

“Father. But it really is true, though? Anyway, it will all be exposed on the first night. Have you ever seen a dick as big as an arm? Once I was taken by one of those, nothing else felt like anything! His Excellency Count Geto will probably just be fumbling in the air alone, won’t he?”

As her words continued, Count Gardin’s complexion turned pale.

In contrast, Count Geto’s face gradually turned red, and even his head flushed bright crimson. It looked exactly like an octopus head heated in water.

Ultimately, Count Geto exploded.

Boom!

“Count Gardin! I think I need to reconsider this marriage! I shall take my leave first!”

“W-wait a moment! Count Geto! Count Geto!”

Despite Count Gardin’s anxious calls, Count Geto left the room without hesitation.

Count Gardin looked at Alisa.

“Y-you crazy bitch! Do you even know what you just said?!”

“Of course I do. It looks like the marriage is off. What shall I do? If this rumor spreads, my value will plummet even further.”

“Y-you ungrateful bitch, after all I’ve done to raise you!”

Smack!

Count Gardin’s slap landed.

Alisa caressed her stinging cheek and chuckled.

“Father. You’re weaker than I thought. It used to hurt so much when I was little.”

“W-what? This bitch still isn’t coming to her senses… Ugh, damn it! We’ll talk when we get back to the mansion. You, take everyone and go first! I’m going to persuade Count Geto!”

Count Gardin, who had been enraged by Alisa’s defiance, seemed to realize this wasn’t the time. He entrusted the Countess with the rear and rushed out.

He would probably have to concede a considerable amount to change Count Geto’s mind.

Was there really no possibility of the marriage being called off?

‘No way.’

That disgusting old man would have already indulged in all sorts of fantasies about her during the meal. It would be a waste to give up merely for the reason of lacking virginity.

Ultimately, she would just be sold off to the old man under even worse conditions.

It was then, as she was about to board the carriage.

Alfred, the eldest son, who was already sitting opposite her, muttered gloomily.

“Heh heh heh, Alisa. I thought you seemed to have developed some sex appeal, but it looks like you’ve been sleeping around recklessly at the academy.”

“……”

“Was it good? You lewd bitch. You haven’t been able to do it for a week already, so your lust must have built up quite a bit. Do you intend to seduce even a knight?”

Even as he spoke, Alfred’s eyes scanned every part of Alisa. It seemed he, not she, was the one whose lust had built up.

Alisa ignored his disgusting gaze and words, turning her attention to the window.

Later, several hours after they returned to the mansion, Count Gardin, who had finished his negotiations and returned, summoned her.

He spoke abruptly, as if giving a notification.

“The wedding is in a week. Prepare yourself.”

“…That’s unexpected. I thought you’d have to find another match.”

When Alisa spoke sarcastically, the Count glared at her with bloodshot eyes and said,

“You’ve become ill-mannered after going to the academy. Do you know how much damage you’ve caused me?”

“Even so, isn’t it just a reduced mining transaction volume? That should be enough payment for selling off a mere illegitimate child.”

Alisa didn’t back down in the slightest.

At her ‘let it be’ kind of response, the Count repeatedly took deep breaths, perhaps trying to calm his anger, before ordering her to leave.

“Get out of my sight right now. From now on, you are forbidden from going out. I will not permit you to leave your room either. Do you understand?”

“Yes. I will. I don’t particularly intend to go anywhere anyway.”

Alisa turned her back.

And just as she opened the door to leave, she heard the Count’s mumbled words.

“Tsk! You’re just like your mother, you don’t know your place. That’s why low-born people are like this.”

“……”

Who was he calling low-born?

Although her biological mother had passed away when she was young, and she didn’t have many memories of her, Alisa knew that she had been a kinder and more beautiful person than anyone else.

At the very least, she was far better than the Count, who was only greedy and coveted wealth.

Therefore, Alisa wanted to refute him immediately, but she barely managed to swallow the words that struggled to burst out of her throat.

She knew that fighting here would only bring more shame upon her deceased mother.

Alisa left the study.

And time flowed on, until it became dawn.

Alisa, who had been deeply asleep, suddenly woke up.

Click! Click!

As she sat up, the doorknob tried to turn on its own but stopped.

And then, a voice.

“What the fuck?! This dog-like bitch. You locked the door, didn’t you?!”

The voice belonged to Alfred. He had tried to sneak into her room but was blocked by the lock, muttering curses.

She wished he would give up, but unfortunately, the situation did not unfold easily.

“Heh heh heh! Did you really think I wouldn’t bring the key? You stupid bitch.”

She heard him fumbling beyond the door, and then the sound of a key being inserted.

Alisa immediately grabbed the rapier propped beside her bed.

As she grasped the weapon, her mind calmed slightly.

‘It’s okay.’

Alisa encouraged herself with a deep breath.

She had been bothered by his gaze and actions earlier in the day, so she had prepared the rapier just in case, and he hadn’t disappointed her expectations.

It was good that she had been wary of Alfred.

As soon as she composed herself, the door opened, and Alfred stepped inside.

He saw Alisa and was slightly surprised.

“Huh? What? This bitch was awake? And what’s that?”

“Get out. Or I’ll attack you.”

“What? Hahahaha! Are you crazy? What are you going to do, you bitch who can’t even use magic? Huh?”

Alfred believed that even though his grades at the academy were at rock bottom, he wasn’t incapable of subduing a woman who couldn’t wield magic.

Despite Alisa’s warning, he closed the distance defenselessly, without any tension.

The rapier aimed for his opening.

Swish!

A thrust that drew the shortest straight line left a long scar on Alfred’s cheek and was withdrawn.

“Oh, oh? …Ahh!”

Alfred touched his cheek, saw the blood staining his hand red, and recoiled in horror.

His face was terribly contorted.

“Y-you, you’re crazy?! What are you doing?!”

“That’s why I told you to leave. Next time, it won’t end with just a cheek.”

Alisa’s rapier pointed at his heart.

Alfred hesitated, perhaps from fear, but also acted childishly, perhaps due to pride.

“Y-you’re bullshitting! Just because you hit me once by chance! Despite not even having magic!”

“Even without magic, a trained body doesn’t disappear. I can kill someone like you even without magic.”

“T-this crazy bitch… Don’t you want it too?! Huh? Just shut up and take it!”

Realizing from her serious demeanor that Alisa’s words weren’t a lie, Alfred tried to persuade her as if feeling wronged.

In response, Alisa merely raised her rapier without a word.

Ultimately, Alfred abandoned his intent to rape.

“D-damn it! You rag-like bitch! You’ve probably been rolling around with knights, haven’t you? I won’t touch you, you’re too dirty. Ptooey!”

He exited the room, maintaining his useless bravado until the very end.

Alisa held that posture for a long time, and only after all signs of human presence completely vanished did she sink to the floor.

“Pant… pant!”

Her breath was ragged.

She wasn’t just physically exhausted; she was mentally fatigued.

She weakly dropped the rapier.

‘No one’s coming.’

If such a commotion had occurred, the guarding soldiers should have rushed over immediately, but the surroundings were only quiet.

Judging by how boldly he broke in, he must have bribed them long ago.

If she hadn’t prepared at all, she might have been violated by Alfred.

“Sob…”

A tear ran down her cheek.

Now that even the slightest safety measure had vanished, she found herself in a position where she wished to be sold off to Count Geto as soon as possible.

She felt so pathetic.

Alisa raised her knees and buried her face between them.

“Please… get me out of here.”

Was it a plea to someone?

Although she didn’t specify anyone, only one man came to mind.