Chapter 8. Why Are You Here?
Inside the carriage heading toward the lake, I struggled to force down the corners of my lips that kept trying to curl upward.
Of course, it wasn’t easy.
1,000 shares.
Heh.
Another silent laugh slipped out.
What a beautiful number.
Three zeros. There were three whole zeros!
The more I thought about it, the more it felt like a dream.
And the fact that the date had only just begun made me even more excited.
I can definitely sell more. No—I have to sell more!
That “Obsessed Fan” was clearly serious about Raerenn. You could tell just by how they reacted to every little thing he said or did.
That’s why I changed the destination to the temple in the first place.
If we spent time alone, the shares would definitely sell more.
There was no way I could miss this opportunity.
“We’ve arrived.”
At Raerenn’s low voice, I turned my head and looked outside.
Not far away, a fairly large lake came into view.
He said it was near the headquarters, and sure enough, we hadn’t traveled far.
As the carriage stopped, Raerenn stepped out first and extended his hand to me.
Having lived as a decorative duchess who rarely left the estate, this kind of escort felt oddly embarrassing.
“Watch your step.”
“Ah… thank you.”
I took his hand and stepped down.
His face felt much closer than when we were sitting across from each other in the carriage.
He was smiling gently.
But what caught my attention wasn’t that.
「Total shares sold: 3,700」
The system window floating near his eyes.
More precisely, the number 3700 glowing near his face completely captured my focus.
I stared at it without blinking.
How much more could I sell?
“Um…?”
1,000? 2,000? Or even 5,000…?
No, is that too much?
No—bigger goals are better.
“Is there… something on my face?”
At his awkward cough, I finally closed the system window and looked at him properly.
For some reason, the tips of his ears were slightly red.
That made me want to laugh, but I quickly shook my head and smiled brightly.
“Not at all. I’m just… excited.”
Yeah. Let’s try it.
If my life depends on selling shares, then I’ll sell them no matter what—again and again.
I steeled my resolve and clenched what I was holding tightly.
It was only later that I realized…
…it was Raerenn’s hand.
The lake shimmered with soft pastel pink hues, as if paint had been dissolved into the water, reflecting the ever-changing sunset.
A cool breeze drifted from the forest across the lake.
Birds flapped their wings as they hurried back to their nests.
Some people sat on benches reading, while others fished leisurely by the water.
Even in front of such a picturesque scene, my mind was focused on only one thing.
This is a date. I’m on a date right now!
Just as I clenched my fist with determination—
“Do you like it?”
I turned my head at the gentle voice.
There he was, smiling softly with the sunset behind him.
A smile that seemed to wash away all worries.
His neatly shaped forehead, his clear blue eyes glowing even brighter in the sunset, his sharp nose—
One by one, they filled my vision.
And somehow…
…my heart started pounding.
No, no. This isn’t a real date!
I kept repeating that to myself over and over.
Otherwise, it felt like my pounding heart would give me away.
“Shall we walk a bit?”
Trying to regain my composure, I avoided his gaze and suggested it.
Maybe walking in the breeze would help.
“Of course.”
We began walking along the well-maintained path.
But contrary to my expectations, my heart refused to calm down.
“Here.”
Before long, he politely offered his arm.
It seemed he was worried about my injured foot.
“Th-thank you.”
As I gently hooked my arm around his, my face grew warm.
Through the thin fabric, I could clearly feel the firmness of his muscles.
“Please lean on me comfortably.”
He adjusted my hand himself so I could hold on properly.
That brought us even closer.
Ding!
「‘Obsessed Fan’ smashes a wall and buys 300 shares!」
「I heard the bride and groom procession is happening here???」
At the perfectly timed comment, my head lowered even further.
As we walked, I noticed something strange.
People nearby kept glancing at me.
Not approaching—just watching with obvious curiosity.
And when our eyes met, they quickly looked away.
Is it because of Raerenn?
Given this was near the knights’ headquarters, it wasn’t surprising people recognized him.
His long blond hair and white uniform stood out even from afar.
And his unforgettable face didn’t help either.
I quietly asked,
“Commander… is this okay?”
“Pardon?”
“I mean… if rumors spread in high society…”
I didn’t matter—but he did.
He thought for a moment, then smiled gently.
“Don’t worry. I mostly spend time with rough knights. I’m far removed from such circles.”
“…That can’t be true. Everyone’s curious about you.”
“Haha, no. Only my subordinates care about me.”
He sounded so confident that I just gave up.
This man… is the type who’s popular but doesn’t realize it.
We kept chatting and walking, and it felt… nice.
Simple. Peaceful.
Something I never experienced in the ducal estate.
But—
「Total shares sold: 4,000」
My heart started growing anxious again.
The system had gone completely silent.
Just walking together isn’t enough…
Then what should I do?
How do I satisfy the “Obsessed Fan”?
I scanned my surroundings, but nothing came to mind.
As the sun set and darkness crept in, my impatience grew.
At this rate, we’d go back before I could sell more!
“Don’t worry. Everything will be fine.”
His gentle voice pulled me back.
He was looking at me with concern.
“If there’s something troubling you… please tell me.”
I need to sell shares to a crazy fan, can you help?
…Yeah, I couldn’t say that.
Still, his voice was so calm and comforting that—
I almost forgot everything.
Then—
“Ah!”
I tripped on a stone.
Immediately, his strong hand grabbed my arm.
“Careful.”
Ding!
「‘Obsessed Fan’ buys 300 shares in tears!」
「Sir… please show us the veins on his hand…」
…Wait.
That was it?
Was it the physical contact?
I thought back carefully.
…Yes. That must be it.
Every time he touched me, shares were bought.
Then—
Should I test it?
“Ah! Another stone!”
With terrible acting, I stumbled again.
“Are you alright?”
His arm wrapped around my waist.
Ding!
「500 shares purchased!」
「This is insane. The hand on her waist is insane!!!」
It worked.
Now I knew.
Physical contact = sales.
But that meant…
…there wasn’t much left.
Holding hands, linking arms, even hugging—
What remained was…
No way… a kiss?
My breathing quickened.
Should I really do it?
Even if I get dragged to court later—
Better than dying, right?!
Raerenn bent down, about to lift me.
That was my moment.
I grabbed his collar—
5,000 shares, here I come!
“W-wait—”
Just as I pulled him—
“Let go of that hand.”
A cold voice cut through the air.
Not warmth.
Not a notification.
But a chilling presence.
“…What do you think you’re doing?”
That freezing tone.
That overwhelming pressure.
It felt… familiar.
Slowly, stiffly, I turned my head.
Messy black hair.
Sharp, icy eyes.
“Explain. Why you’re here. And why you’re with the Knight Commander.”
I squeezed my eyes shut.
No way…
Why are YOU here?!
Pelliart.
Why the hell are you here?!
