Insurance

Seemingly satisfied that I accepted his offer, Raellan said with a pleasant smile.

,Of course, the previous offer is still valid. If you ever marry Navier, I promise to tell you everything about the Formless Arts immediately.”

I nodded silently. It was a statement that didn’t need a response. Raellan didn’t seem to be expecting one either.

I love Luna with all my heart. Under no circumstances would I ever marry Navier, as Raellan wants.

Like Luna once said. When everything is over, I wanted to meet a child I could love like her.

,Okay, then I’ll give you two time to talk while I prepare dinner.”

At Raellan’s gesture, Lykan, who had been silently guarding me, patted my shoulder with his large hand as if to cheer me on, and then left the drawing room.

Left alone in the drawing room, a strange awkwardness forces silence.

If there was any tea left, I would pretend not to notice and drink it, but unfortunately, the tea left in my cup was gone because Raellan had released his magic power a little while ago.

The dessert served with the tea in a pretty bowl is, of all things, a biscuit covered in plenty of strawberry jam.

If I were to eat that to shake off the awkwardness, I might feel nauseous from the sweet memories that would flood my mind.

As I was thinking about that, I felt a gaze on me. As expected of someone from the North, she’s a beautiful silver-haired girl. She’s not as good as Rosaline, but the points that attract attention are similar.

However, unlike Roel’s heroine Ilia, she is from the North, but she doesn’t have red eyes. Rather, she has warm, beast-like brown eyes.

Come to think of it, she looks a bit like a fox. Her eyes are a bit sharp, giving her a subtle sexiness.

Realizing belatedly that those brown eyes were watching me as if observing me, I felt pressured and started off with a dumb sound.

,Except for the eyes, you don’t resemble your father or teacher at all.”

Hearing that he was Lykan’s older brother, I assumed that Raellan would also have a sturdy physique. But it was a bit strange that he had a slender body like an alchemist without any muscles.

Unlike the bandit-like Lykan, Raellan had a sharp impression like a snake. Navier, thankfully, didn’t resemble either of them at all.

If you only look at her appearance, the word ‘innocent’ suits her. I’ve never had a proper conversation with her, so I haven’t figured out her personality yet.

Navier skillfully accepted the words she must have heard countless times.

,Yeah, I hear that often. I look just like my mom. You’ll see her at dinner later.”

I think that’s a relief. A female version of Raellan and Lykan would be honestly terrifying. I erased the thought that came to mind and focused on my conversation with Navier.

But I couldn’t think of anything to say. The words I had to say first were blocking my mouth. In the end, I sighed and apologized.

,I’m sorry. You’re unintentionally entangled because of me.”

Because of my greed, Navier has to go on unwanted dates every month. Since there’s little chance that we’ll become lovers, we can be friends like Raellan said, but it’s still a waste of time.

Navier gently shook her head and gave a soft smile.

,That story is over. I know very well that my father was being unreasonable.”

I’m grateful if you say that. Her personality might not be bad, surprisingly. It’s too early to judge, but that’s how outstanding appearances usually are. They create a good impression and liking.

I didn’t dislike Navier. But I didn’t have any romantic feelings for her either. It’s just like looking at a strange animal. Just that much.

,So, what are you planning to do for the date?”

After a brief silence, I cleared my throat and asked.

,Do we really need to go on a real date?”

,But my father will ask me what kind of date we had, right? I don’t intend to lie.”

For some reason, it was a mischievous smile. Could it be that she doesn’t dislike dating me against her will? It was difficult to know her true feelings just from her expression.

A slightly dissatisfied voice was heard.

,Since it’s called a date, we can go out and buy something to eat and come back, right?”

,If it’s just that much, I don’t mind, but…”

I was worried about how to explain it to Luna. That I have to go on a date with another woman once a month. Having to explain that to your lover is honestly the worst.

As if she read my expression, Navier said in a blunt voice.

,Idiot, it wasn’t said that we had to go on a date alone. It would be enough to have a meal with your club friends.”

I felt like my favorability towards Navier increased at her words. She’s a decent woman. Being friends would be okay, right?

As I was sighing in relief thanks to Navier, who neatly resolved the problem, Navier, who seemed to be reading my mind, asked.

,More than that, did you really break the Mana Stone with the Formless Arts of the collateral line?”

,Oh, yeah.”

I didn’t intend to break it, but it just happened that way. Actually, I don’t even remember.

At my answer, Navier leaned her body with exaggerated gestures as if she was doing a musical.

,Oh, how did you do that? Is there any special method?”

I struggled to turn my gaze away from the sight of her breasts, which changed shape this way and that as if boasting a soft texture, pressed against the table.

The word ‘special method’ is fitting. Mana amplification was a power obtained through Geass. It’s literally a special method that would be impossible otherwise.

However, since I couldn’t explain about mana amplification, I had no choice but to speak as if I was bluffing.

,I’ll answer that it’s thanks to my natural talent.”

Navier glared at me as if she didn’t like my excuse, so I scratched my head lightly.

,Hmph, as expected of the top of the combat department. Your confidence is soaring through the sky?”

,…Could it be jealousy from 3rd place?”

A fierce look returned at my casually thrown joke, so I closed my mouth. It seemed I was far from being good at jokes.

I felt like I wanted to sigh deeply.

After a moment of silence, Navier asked in a cautious voice.

,Why did you accept my father’s offer?”

It was a serious question. It was also an important question in our relationship. I pretended to think and lowered my gaze for a moment.

My life is on the line for my love with Luna. Getting involved with a beauty like Navier is a happy thing, but it’s no longer necessary for me.

My feelings now belong only to Luna. The reason I accepted Raellan’s offer was because I wanted to learn the Formless Arts, even if it meant wasting time with Navier.

To help Luna’s family, to protect my precious things. That’s why I accepted dating Navier, who I have no feelings for. I know full well that it’s a shitty thing to do.

But for my happiness with Luna, there’s nothing I can’t do.

It would be easier to tell the truth, but Navier would definitely be hurt. I apologized in my heart and opened my mouth.

,Like the head of the family said, you never know. You’re a kind of… insurance.”

I said it on purpose. In case Navier misunderstood my true feelings. There’s no woman who would feel fluttered by someone who says these words.

,You bastard.”

But for some reason, Navier’s face was full of strange anticipation when she said that.

***

Lykan, who had moved to the head of the family’s office, immediately asked Raellan.

,Why did you make such a favorable offer to my disciple? I didn’t think you were the type to lose out.”

At Lykan’s words, Raellan laughed loudly as if he had heard a joke. After laughing for a while, Raellan looked at Lykan as if he was amazed and asked.

,You really don’t know? You just need to think a little. Is the thing above your neck just an ornament to balance your body?”

,That’s what I hate about you. Just say it.”

When Lykan frowned and spoke in a threatening low voice, Raellan shrugged his shoulders.

,It’s simple. Your disciple said it himself. It’s easy to change the goal for the sake of the result. That means it also includes that he will use any goal for the sake of the result.”

Raellan stretched the corners of his mouth into a long smile and continued speaking.

,We know better than anyone what choices those who are blinded by the emotion of love make, right? They’ll do anything for their love.”

,…Father and Ross’s situations are different.”

At Lykan’s words, Raellan gave a murderous eye smile.

,The continent has been soaked in peace for too long. The Order is boasting its power by building a huge city beyond the eastern border. Evil is always ready to wake up from its sleep and stretch. The dying emperor is dreaming of immortality and plotting something in the Great Forest.”

Their gazes intertwined. Lykan felt a deep emotion in Raellan’s eyes.

,What Ross said is sincere. He really wants results. Because of his desperation to reach the ending he wants, he will use any goal. But the continent will soon fall into chaos, and Ross will not have enough time. Then Navier, who is by his side, will become a suitable goal to use.”

Looking at Raellan, who was twisting one corner of his mouth as if mocking him, Lykan spoke sincerely.

,That’s what I hate about you, Raellan. A strategist who uses people as mere chess pieces will never be recognized by anyone.”

Raellan laughed happily at Lykan’s gaze full of disgust.

,As always, that makes me even happier.”