STMCS 10

Chapter 10. Let’s Keep Meeting! 

“Then we’ll depart, Your Grace.”

“……”

The coachman asked in an overly cautious, almost crawling voice, but Pelliot gave no reply. However, the knight seated with him—wearing a black helmet—noticed the Duke’s eyes flicker ever so slightly. It was something only a select few trusted subordinates could catch, those whom the Duke of Pelliot allowed near him.

“He orders us to move.”

The moment the command was given, the coachman slowly set the carriage in motion. The knights guarding it immediately nudged their horses forward as well. There were quite a number of them escorting the Duke, yet not a single one dared make a sound. The only noises were the pounding of hooves against the rough dirt road and the faint clatter of small stones.

The atmosphere inside the carriage was anything but ordinary.

Even those who had served him for years couldn’t so much as move their eyes freely. The killing intent in the air was suffocating. With an expressionless face, Pelliot silently gazed out the window. Unlike the North, the scenery here was lush with vibrant green foliage, which flickered past his dark eyes.

‘Prove that I’m your wife. Bring the marriage contract, you psycho bastard!’

At that moment, Lorella’s voice echoed in his ears.

She had said many other things, but for some reason, only those words lingered in his mind. How had she known that the marriage contract had been burned? There was no way she could have confirmed it while escaping.

There was only one possible answer.

‘The one who burned it must’ve told her directly.’

But that wasn’t the only thing bothering him.

The worried gaze of the Knight Commander Raernon, who had never left her side.

The moment he recalled it, a brief twitch ran through his tightly clenched jaw.

“…Ha.”

A low chuckle slipped past his lips.

Because of that, the subordinate sitting across from him barely dared to breathe. The Duke’s face—rigid like a statue, with only the corners of his lips slightly lifted—was pure terror. The man had witnessed countless horrors on the battlefield alongside Pelliot, yet he had never been this afraid before.

He kept polishing his well-maintained sword sheath over and over again. If he didn’t, he felt like he would suffocate under the weight of the oppressive air.

Then, a calm voice fell into his ears.

“What can break the protection of divine power?”

There was no way to misunderstand the question—it clearly referred to the divine protection placed on the marriage contract.

The subordinate answered carefully.

“A powerful dark magic that opposes divine power… or the protection could naturally dissipate once the contract expires…”

He hesitated before continuing.

“But it can also be broken by an object imbued with even stronger divine power. For example, a holy sword…”

Having finished with difficulty, he quickly shut his mouth. The sound of him swallowing dryly echoed in the silent carriage.

“There truly aren’t any other methods, are there?”

“No, Your Grace. It is strictly managed. If there were another way, it would already be known.”

“…I see. Then confirming it won’t take long.”

At last, Pelliot slowly turned his head forward.

“Unless Lorella has found a new method.”

The subordinate lowered his head so deeply his neck ached, unable to respond. He rubbed his goosebump-covered arms against the chilling cold creeping in.

After Pelliot left, I couldn’t bring myself to lift my head in front of Commander Raernon.

Not only had I dragged such a distinguished knight commander into something absurd, but I had also completely lost my composure and cursed in front of him. The more I thought about it, the more embarrassed I felt.

‘Now I understand why you couldn’t reveal your circumstances before.’

But Raernon didn’t criticize me or think poorly of me.

‘Please don’t worry. I will protect you until everything is resolved safely.’

Rather than blaming me, he comforted me. Thanks to that, my heart felt a little lighter.

…Though not for long.

“Ugh, this is driving me crazy!”

Alone in my room, I glared at the system window and grabbed my hair.

“Why the hell are you drooling over a guy like that?!”

Seriously, what kind of taste is that?! I couldn’t help but sigh.

I’d heard that submitting a petition to the Imperial Palace was already a complicated and difficult process. Even focusing on that alone wasn’t enough time, yet now I had to deal with this trial too?

With my eyes wide open, I reread the last messages.

「‘Try Eating an Obsessive Maniac Male Lead’ has purchased 300 shares of you.」
「‘Try Eating an Obsessive Maniac Male Lead’ has smacked their lips and purchased an additional 200 shares.」
「Slurp.」

“…500 shares…”

What should I do?

It wasn’t enough to make me lose my mind, but it also wasn’t a number I could ignore. Countless conflicting thoughts rose and fell in my mind.

After agonizing for a long time, I muttered while staring out the window,

“Maybe I should get someone else’s opinion instead of deciding alone…”

But I quickly shook my head.

Who could I possibly talk to about this? I’d be lucky if they didn’t think I was insane. There was only one possible person.

Winard Beldrian—the so-called guide who had come to find me.

But I could already guess what he’d say. If you don’t do it, you die, so stop hesitating and sell even one more share.

Even though I’d only met him once, I was certain of it.

“Haah…”

After several deep sighs, I clenched my fists and shot up from my seat.

“Alright. I’ve decided.”

Then I declared firmly,

“A lion would rather starve than eat grass!”

After much deliberation, that was my conclusion.

So what if it’s a few hundred shares? I can earn that elsewhere. It’s not like that obsessive maniac guy is the only buyer.

So let’s never get involved with that crazy Northern Duke again!

Yeah, that’s better.

…Wait. But when I think about it, a few hundred shares isn’t exactly nothing either…

“Argh!”

Unable to shake off my lingering hesitation, I clutched my head and collapsed back into my seat.

Just then, there was a knock at the door.

“Excuse me.”

At the familiar voice, I rushed over and opened it without even asking who it was.

“Commander…!”

The sight of his shimmering blonde hair and gentle, puppy-like eyes felt instantly cleansing.

“I asked a priest, and they said you were resting in your room… I hope I’m not disturbing you.”

“Not at all! I was just about to go out for a walk because I felt stuffy.”

“I see. I happen to have some free time as well—would you like to go together?”

I smiled brightly in agreement.

Right, at times like this, I should focus on selling more to the “simp king.”

After Pelliot left, I had stayed at the temple for a few more days—just in case something happened. During that time, Raernon would come check on me whenever he had a moment. He seemed worried that I might have been shaken by what happened at the lakeside.

Well, I was shaken—but not because of Pelliot.

Chatting casually, we headed toward the garden filled with white lilies. Along the way, we passed several priests and holy knights. Every knight who saw Raernon greeted him with perfect discipline.

But that wasn’t all.

The gazes that followed his every step and gesture were filled with respect and loyalty. Whenever he stopped to ask about someone’s well-being, they reacted like excited boys.

Even though he had only been commander for three years, his popularity was overwhelming. It made me realize just how trusted and loved Raernon was as a leader.

And because of that, my heart felt even heavier.

Dragging such a kind, beloved person into something so ridiculous…

What if the knights start seeing me as a nuisance? What if they’re secretly grinding their teeth and pointing fingers at me?!

“Duchess.”

Lost in those thoughts, I heard his gentle voice.

When I turned, Raernon met my eyes, then flushed slightly and corrected himself.

“Ah, my apologies. You likely don’t like being called ‘Duchess.’”

“It’s okay. But if possible, please call me Lorella.”

“Understood… Lady Lorella.”

“You can drop the ‘Lady’ too.”

“…Alright.”

After a brief pause, he softly called my name.

“Lorella.”

At that moment, I heard the sound of shares being sold again, but I held back and waited for him to continue.

“You mentioned you have family in Aurea… Were you referring to the Mayred Count family?”

It was sudden, but there was no need to hide it anymore, so I nodded.

“I looked into it, just in case. Duke Pelliot passed through Aurea and returned directly to his territory. And Count Mayred is safe as well.”

“…Really?”

“I apologize for acting on my own. But you seemed troubled, so I wanted to help, even a little.”

Scratching the back of his head awkwardly, he smiled warmly.

“You must have been worried about your family. But they’re all safe, so please don’t worry.”

“I—I see…!”

I couldn’t hide my rising smile.

Not that I had worried about them at all—but this news felt like a refreshing waterfall to someone parched.

Pelliot went straight back to his territory!

I’d been worried he might stir trouble at the Count’s estate and force me to stay at the temple longer. Not that it was a bad place, but I couldn’t rely on it forever.

Especially since the “brother” in my memories—the Count—was so weak he couldn’t even meet Pelliot’s gaze.

Even if he tries to persuade me, I just need to hold out until I submit my petition to the Imperial Palace.

After that, even Pelliot wouldn’t be able to do anything.

“Um… I’d like to visit my brother. Would that be alright?”

Raernon nodded immediately.

“Of course. Just say the word—I’ll have a carriage prepared.”

“Thank you. Then—”

I was about to accept right away, but suddenly paused.

Wait. If things go well… I might not have a reason to come back here.

And that would mean I wouldn’t get to see Raernon anymore.

That’s unacceptable!

“…Commander.”

I blinked innocently and looked up at him.

“I know I can’t just visit the knights’ quarters without a reason… but… may I come again?”

“Of course. Everyone would welcome you anytime.”

No, that’s not it!

I shook my head internally.

If he’s not there, I don’t care about the knights’ quarters. And he’s busy—there’s no guarantee I’d see him.

Better to secure this properly.

“What I mean is… thinking I might not be able to see you like this anymore makes me feel really sad…”

“Me?”

“Yes… so…”

I pretended to choke up, lowering my gaze.

“If I want to see you… what should I do…?”

I saw his eyes waver slightly.

“If you wish, you can contact— Ah, no… I’ll contact you as well. And I’ll come visit.”

“Really? Then we can keep meeting?”

“…Yes.”

“Even without a special reason?”

“Of course.”

“Oh, thank goodness!”

Forgetting to act reserved, I exclaimed out loud.

“Then let’s make a promise.”

With a bright smile, I held out my pinky finger.

Raernon stared at it briefly before gently hooking his finger with mine. For some reason, his face had turned completely red.

Ding! Ding! Ding!

The loud ringing echoed repeatedly.

Beyond the rapidly increasing numbers, I saw Raernon standing among the swaying white lilies, his face flushed.

It was a truly beautiful—and satisfying—sight.