IDEFYEM - Chapter 24
Black Man I'll Do Everything For You Except Marriage!
"You think I am not from this world?"
The identity of the voice was that of an old man who had spread a cloth on the floor and was telling fortunes. Tristan wrapped his arms around my shoulders and tried to sneak out of the room.
Feeling an inexplicable attraction, I stopped and asked.
"What do you mean?"
"Your body has changed several times."
The same soul, the same soul. Anyone with good hearing would have just heard my ears fluttering.
There is such a spiritual person in the world!
I approached the sharp-faced grandmother and took out three silver coins with trembling hands.
"Well, well, well, if you accept this as a gift..."
"Enrica, do you believe that?"
I pushed away Tristan, who was whispering in my ear, for a moment and focused.
The grandmother fiddled with the coin I gave her with a rather satisfied look on her face. Then she blurted out a few words as if he was being generous.
"Why do I have the guilt of stealing from others? It was mine from the beginning."
"Yes? No, that can't be...."
"Be nice to the man next to you right now. If something happens, I will give up my life."
Words that you may or may not know.
"Oh, have you already put it out once?"
As I was listening intently, I pointed to Tristan next to me in confusion.
"Hey?"
"Aha, the fortune-telling is pretty accurate."
When Tristan changed his attitude and answered, the grandmother frowned.
"Young man, please hold out your hand. How many women are involved...."
“Fuha.”
I burst out laughing uncontrollably and avoided his eyes. The grandmother looked at Tristan's palm for a while and then shook her head.
"But you can't get married unless you lower your eyes."
Well, saying something like that would be a little off-putting.
"Let's go now."
I looked at the man's thoughts, held his hand, and whispered. Tristan asked as I walked away without any hesitation and said,
"Wasn't it interesting?"
"No matter what, you can't say you can't get married in front of people. I'm not cursing anyone...."
It was true that I was curious about the story behind it. I pouted and spoke.
"It's not necessarily wrong."
"Why?"
I asked, genuinely curious. But he just smiled and didn't answer.
"Even if you grab someone right now and propose to them, there will probably be one or two people who will be attracted to your face. If only I could sort out your relationship with the woman."
Haha, Tristan laughed out loud and answered.
"Okay then, Enrica. Do you want to get married?"
"... So what I'm saying is, stop doing these things."
At that moment, I remembered my first meeting with Kael. The marriage proposal just now may have been a joke.
If I had met Tristan a few months first, I might have been the one to cling to trying to avoid the Archduke.
When we arrived at the skewer shop, we stood at the end of the long line. He, who had become very quiet, suddenly opened his mouth.
"I was born into a family of old-fashioned knights and grew up acting out everything I did. At some point, I wanted to shake it off."
"..."
"It's better to enjoy life than to become a paladin serving a God you don't believe in."
That's right.
"If I had become a nun, I wouldn't have been able to endure it and would have run away."
It was something I could sympathize with, so I agreed. When it was finally our turn, I subtly pushed him away from paying.
"Give me four skewers and one grilled shrimp!"
Next to me as I was ordering, Tristan made an embarrassed face.
"This is my first time getting something from a woman."
"Have you forgotten that it's your money anyway? I live to commemorate becoming friends."
As soon as I received the chicken with the crispy grilled outer skin, the meat juice was so hot that it burned me as soon as I took a bite.
The sweet and salty seasoning blended well together, leaving my once greasy mouth feeling refreshed. My eyes widened and I was amazed.
"This is really delicious! It's the best skewer I've ever had."
Tristan, who was chewing meat with an unimpressed expression as if he was familiar with street food, suddenly raised his hand in this direction.
"..."
He naturally wiped the seasoning off my face and opened his mouth.
"Enrica, do you know how I can win women's favor?"
The sight of golden hair fluttering under the moonlight was stunning.
"You don't like her."
"I'm sorry, but it seems a bit trashy."
"Yes?"
Tristan, who was laughing happily despite the crude criticism, muttered quietly.
"Did I come to the night market for no reason?"
"Why don't the skewers suit your taste? It's just delicious."
I just bought it for you. I pretended to grumble and walked to look around the store. Perhaps because he was weak against the heat, the tips of the man's ears turned red even in the cool summer night air. His soft voice did not reach my ears and was scattered in the wind.
"So, I guess the idea of gaining your favor has passed now...?"
***
By the time we finished eating, he brought his horse in on time, as promised.
And more leisurely pace than before. The reason was to be considerate of tired horses.
I tried crouching down to avoid falling into Tristan's arms, but it was no use.
In the end, I sat in front of him as if I was being hugged and asked him a question to relieve my boredom.
"Are you going to keep speaking informally when you leave here?"
"If it's inconvenient, I'll fix it, Young Lady."
"Ugh, that's enough."
Tristan laughed and touched his lower lip.
"I also want to ask you something, Enrica."
"Say it."
"Are you going to attend the hunting banquet?"
When the topic I had been thinking about all along came up, I flinched as if I had hit the nail on the head.
"I'm thinking about it. Maybe I should if I want to find out what my sister's plans are."
"I've met her too, your sister."
I was startled and asked back.
"Really?"
"A few times at various banquets. Did you say her name was Martha?"
"... Then forget what I said at the guild earlier. I think I got into trouble by gossiping for no reason."
I spoke anxiously because I felt like I would be treated like a strange person by even him. Because Martha was one of the ladies with the best reputation in social circles.
"No, I believe it."
Tristan spoke surprisingly calmly.
"I trust you, Enrica."
"Why? When did we see each other?"
"A knight's intuition and a little selflessness."
I was so moved that my eyes almost got teary-eyed, so I relaxed my voice and joked.
"Have you ever tried to seduce Martha?"
"It's not like I don't have tastes, Enrica."
The horse gradually increased its running speed. The wind passing by my ears was cool. After seeing Tristan's outstanding horseback riding skills, I became curious and asked.
"Are you participating in the hunting banquet?"
"It is a knight's duty to participate in the hunting banquet hosted by the royal family."
"Oh...."
"For your information, I was the winner last year and the year before."
He continued while blinking.
"Shall I give you all my game this year?"
He said, ignoring the shameless man's question.
"Tell me more about the hunting banquet."
"Have you never participated before?"
"Not even once. My father didn't like me going out, so I followed suit, and before I knew it, a rumor had spread that the eldest princess of Wintersoar was sick."
Hmm, Tristan seemed to be contemplating an explanation and then spoke.
"The hunting banquet is held at the beginning of fall. For three days in a forest managed by the royal family"
Three days at a time, then where do you sleep at night?
Tristan sensed my curiosity and quickly continued speaking.
"When it gets dark in the forest, some leave, while others choose to camp. On the last day, we compete to see who can catch more and bigger games and decide the winner."
What on earth do you want to know about my participation so that Martha can do there?
The more I heard the explanation, the more my doubts arose.
"Do women also hunt together?"
"Most ladies prefer to stay indoors. Every year, only a few people hunt in an area where small animals are released."
Tristan said with a slightly proud voice.
"But in my sister's case, she went camping with some men and caught three wolves."
"However, it is common to offer games to one's lover or fiancé. Why didn't you give it to anyone?"
"Well, it's hard to choose just one person...."
"I understand even if I don't listen anymore. It's okay."
I shook my head. My thighs were numb from the long period of horseback riding, so I tossed and turned slightly.
He astutely noticed the movement and spoke.
"If you're tired, you can sleep."
"... Are you trying to throw me away?"
"To support you."
Tristan answered, feeling a bit absurd. I laughed and declined the offer and kept my eyes wide open until we arrived.
***
Going back up to my room on the second floor was more difficult than going down. There were many twists and turns, such as being carried by Tristan, climbing a tree, and crossing to the terrace....
In the end, I returned to my room safely.
Tristan climbed up the tree and was at eye level with me.
"Sleep well, Enrica."
I suppressed a yawn and added a few words.
"Are we really friends now?"
"Huh."
"I may have to sacrifice my game to you to repay my debt today, Tristan. See you at the hunting banquet."
"You finally decided to participate."
Tristan thought with a strange look on his face and then pursed his lips.
"If you need a good escort, let me know. Because I could abandon my family and come to you."
"Wow, I can hear the sound of the back of the Marchioness's neck being pulled...."
When will he grow up?
I rolled my eyes and waved my hand at Tristan, who was making ridiculous promises.
"Hurry and go before the sunrise. Watch your back when going out of the hole."
"I'm serious."
He muttered in a regretful tone and jumped down from the tree. I leaned out of the window and looked down. The man quickly disappeared with his agile movements.
I looked at it in amazement and then quickly went to bed.
"When I wake up, I'll have breakfast with Kael and then ask him about the hunting banquet."
I thought it was a good plan for a decent outing. But I never thought I would get hit first!
***
A late breakfast on a sunny morning. There was no way I would have had enough time to sleep after going.
Hmm, the Count's cooking is delicious even when I'm sleepy...
It was a moment when I was dozing off and drinking water, being careful not to stick my nose into the plate.
"Enri, did you enjoy going out early in the morning?"
"... Poof."
I spit out the water I had in my mouth and looked at Kael, who had a calm face.
Holy shit😶
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