Chapter – 36
Biretta recalled why Iola had shared his past full of scars. It was to explain why he acted so innocently at times.
Why do we believe?
Why do we trust his words even when we don’t trust the outcome?
Why do we believe even the suspicious? That was what he was talking about.
“Distrust is more painful than betrayal. I don’t want to repeat that mistake. Biretta, now that our fates are intertwined, I felt I should tell you.”
Biretta Medlidge was now Iola’s fiancée and companion on a journey that involved risking life itself.
Unless they killed a dragon and officially annulled their engagement, their paths would remain entangled one way or another. So it was the right time to speak honestly.
After hearing Iola, Biretta fell silent for a moment. She reflected on his story and felt herself stepping closer to his life.
It was a sad story, yet he always overcame it with laughter. Biretta smiled brightly.
“I see. Thank you for telling me. I’m glad to know you better. I’ll remember this.”
“You’re not trying to fix me, are you?”
“Huh? No, of course not.”
“Is that because you’re thinking of breaking up with me, or because you’re not interested?”
Iola teased with a subtle question. His gentle smile showed that his suspicion was not serious.
It was a kind of playful test from a serious Iola, and Biretta answered elegantly.
“Not at all. I like that you trust people.”
Biretta had come this far because he trusted her.
That trust sometimes caused problems, but the benefits far outweighed them.
She was curious about what he might be thinking inside. Could someone as intelligent and skilled as him truly trust Biretta, or was he just saying it carelessly?
But he truly said he trusted her.
Not because he was naïve or ignorant, but because the world has neither pure truth nor pure lies.
He had learned painfully that distrust could hurt deeply, so now he trusted with conviction.
“Every time you trust me, it gives me strength. I’m willing to accept minor flaws along with your great virtues.”
Perhaps he was naturally inclined to trust others. Believing in someone isn’t enough; one must truly decide to trust.
What a wonderful person.
He trusted Biretta—not just in words, but truly believed in her will.
Biretta felt a surge of happiness at his honest confession.
Thankfully, Iola smiled gently in return.
“If you say so, that is truth to me. I’m truly glad. Really.”
There was no deceit in him. That fact made her heart light.
Ah… perhaps this man might be a truly wonderful fiancé. Not just decent, but like warm winter sunlight.
She felt herself melting into the cozy warmth and nearly sank into the bed, but Biretta managed to regain her composure.
Sitting up abruptly, she widened her eyes.
“But why were you exiled? Does it have to do with the death of the heir of Seoh?”
“That’s because I argued with Seoh to give Minel a proper funeral.”
“That’s what should’ve been done. Were they such a mess of a family?”
Biretta spoke Seoh’s name casually, and Iola responded just as calmly.
“Something like that. In Filian terms, Seoh’s family combined the roles of prime minister and duke through generations. So when their heir died at the hands of a criminal while studying abroad, it wasn’t a trivial matter.”
“Ah~ I see. If the heir dies, the succession gets messy. Nobles hate that.”
“Exactly. They used their influence to keep me from returning to Saha to silence me.”
In short, he had been hurt by a friend’s death, then drawn into a noble inheritance dispute, and prevented from returning home.
Biretta’s eyebrows shot up in anger at such injustice.
“Seriously, how is that acceptable! You should formally protest or go on strike! What arrogance!”
“Exactly. So please be careful about speaking of this. It would be troublesome if Saha disapproved of you too.”
Biretta paused. “Disapproval from Saha” really meant that Iola could get into trouble if she revealed it carelessly. And she didn’t know who Biretta might talk to.
When she asked if that was hasty, he tilted his head with a gentle smile.
“You’re my fiancée. I didn’t say it carelessly, and I didn’t tell just anyone.”
“I’m very glad and thankful. Then it doesn’t matter if I never go to Saha.”
Biretta quickly reassured herself. Since Iola trusted her, Saha was irrelevant.
After finishing their talk, Iola lay back down on the bed. He rested his head on a large pillow and pulled the blanket. Biretta naturally lay down beside him.
The bed was wide, so there was some distance. Just thinking of sharing the same bed made her shy, though they were actually further apart than when they slept together in the carriage.
“So that’s why you got engaged to me?”
“Yes. My father arranged a match and contacted your family, the Medlidges.”
Now Biretta understood how she had become his fiancée.
She had wondered why he had to travel so far through two countries just to find a mercenary in Saha. But the truth was the opposite of what she had assumed.
Monain probably wanted to arrange a marriage for Iola, who couldn’t return home, and he happened to catch the eye of Medlidge, who was looking for a capable mercenary.
Back in his homeland, he might be a well-connected noble with influence, but in Filian lands, he couldn’t rely on that.
Most of his previous advantages were gone, so the match was fairly balanced.
“So Father is probably paying for our living expenses entirely, right?”
“Yes. He said he would support us until you finish your studies and even afterwards.”
Biretta smirked, satisfied that her prediction was correct.
This marriage wasn’t about sending Biretta to Iola’s house—it was about bringing Iola to the Medlidge household and taking responsibility.
That’s why he had said nothing about Biretta’s duties after marriage. He would be cared for by the Medlidges anyway.
“So you’re passing off your son at a discount.”
“Merchants have such amusing expressions.”
“I don’t like hearing this. It’s upsetting. But at least you found a perfect person like me to marry.”
Iola didn’t correct her slight misuse of words, even though it was obvious.
Noticing Biretta’s slight chill, he quietly nodded. Some stories—like not meeting one’s father’s expectations—were a bit hard to discuss late at night.
Biretta, feeling sentimental as the sun set, pouted slightly.
She had met him in an unlikely place, so she didn’t want to be too pessimistic, yet Iola’s life had its harsh sides.
Iola, looking at the ceiling, turned his head slightly to gaze at Biretta.
“Yes. The circumstances are unfortunate, but meeting you is an incomparable blessing. Enough to make me forget Saha entirely.”
“U…m.”
How many women would melt at such fluent words?
Biretta calmed her racing heart at his playful remark, though it was meant to be taken lightly.
Iola, who could move hearts so easily, turned back to the ceiling. Pulling the blanket snugly, he murmured as if speaking to himself:
“Falling in love could be dangerous.”
His voice was small but clear enough to hear.
Biretta couldn’t let it pass unnoticed. She sat up and grabbed the blanket.
“What did you just say?”
“Nothing.”
“What did you say?”
“You must have misheard.”
Iola closed his eyes, feigning innocence.
Surely… could such a serious man be playing a mischievous game?
Biretta tried to pull off the blanket, but Iola held it stronger. Without frowning, he blocked her with ease.
“It… it started with ‘sa’.”
“Probably ‘scoundrel,’ right?”
“Iola!”
“Sleep well. Tomorrow is the trial.”
“I… Iola~! You said something! I heard it clearly!”
Biretta’s ears flushed as she tugged and released the blanket repeatedly, struggling in frustration.
