“Then shall we make a deal?”
Sylvia deliberately raised the corners of her mouth slightly, as if showing harmlessness. Randall looked at her with a hint of wariness in his eyes at the sudden change in her stance.
“You mean a deal?”
"Yes. You say you can't spend the night with someone you don't like...”
She grinned. It was a calm, weak laugh.
“You have to try to like it. You and me.”
“Ha.”
Randall was surprised and chuckled a little. When he managed to catch his breath, Sylvia continued.
“You have to get used to being touched first, right? On the condition that I can hold your hand whenever I want, I will grant you one thing you want each time. It’s okay if you don’t have to reach it.”
Sylvia said that and ate a spoonful of soup. She then picked out the fruit mixed in the salad with a fork and ate it. Randall looked at her with a slightly strange feeling.
'...Did I seem like such a cold-hearted person?'
Even though it was an arranged marriage, Randall was not the kind of person who would refuse his wife's desire to hold his hand. Because that's not a husband's duty. But he didn't need to correct the misunderstanding. Randall had to discreetly investigate Sylvia's connection to the King, and her just-in-time offer of a deal was a suitable pretext.
'It pricks my conscience a little, though.'
Randall was a 'Lord' who could not be considered just a person, so he had to endure this as well. She said that the love marriage failed, but it didn't hurt that his relationship with his wife improved. After all, Sylvia was now his wife, and she was the one to whom he had to fulfill his responsibilities. Finally, after organizing his thoughts, he carefully opened his mouth.
"Great. I accept it.”
"Really?"
"Yes."
Sylvia blinked, a little surprised by those words. She thought it would take a little more time to get Randall to accept this deal, just as he had vehemently rejected the first night. But, surprisingly, things might turn out well. Sylvia asked, feeling refreshed.
“It’s a quicker decision than I thought. Is there anything you want?”
Having said that, it seemed plausible. Was there something I wanted from you?
At that time, Randall stretched out his hand onto the table. His hand lifted the plate of healthy food that had been placed in the middle of the table and placed it in front of Sylvia.
“...”
No way. Sylvia looked at Randall with trembling eyes, something that was rare indeed.
“...”
No way. Sylvia looked at Randall with trembling eyes, something that was rare indeed.
No way, right? You can't be this cruel. He was clearly a healthy young man... Right?
But as if trampling on those expectations, he locked eyes with her and smiled a little mischievously.
“Eat everything. That is my first condition.”
Is this a deal or something? Should I just throw it away?
At that moment, Sylvia thought more seriously than ever.
“Ha.”
“Stop laughing, okay?”
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
“...”
“Ha.”
Sylvia eventually stopped walking and glared at Randall. Only after he belatedly adjusted his expression did she take her steps again. They were currently taking a walk in the garden, holding hands.
***
“Ha.”
“Stop laughing, okay?”
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
“...”
“Ha.”
Sylvia eventually stopped walking and glared at Randall. Only after he belatedly adjusted his expression did she take her steps again. They were currently taking a walk in the garden, holding hands.
The original Sylvia would have instantly hated the idea of moving her body, but after struggling with healthy food, she felt the need to get some fresh air. She then came out holding Randaall's hand to receive the price of the deal. In fact, he seemed to be preoccupied with something other than the hand he was holding.
'I'm going crazy.'
Randall faced another crisis when he remembered Sylvia frowning arrogantly at the restaurant. Who would have thought that a person who was so detached and unwavering, as if she had experienced all the ups and downs of the world, would break down in front of healthy food. He kept trying to laugh at the sight of her nibbling at the health food with her face distorted so that her chin was wrinkled.
'I'm going crazy.'
Randall faced another crisis when he remembered Sylvia frowning arrogantly at the restaurant. Who would have thought that a person who was so detached and unwavering, as if she had experienced all the ups and downs of the world, would break down in front of healthy food. He kept trying to laugh at the sight of her nibbling at the health food with her face distorted so that her chin was wrinkled.
However, when he laughed this time, he held back because he thought his wife would say that he should just forget about the transaction. Randall changed the subject to get rid of the images of Sylvia that filled his mind.
“The vassals will probably arrive as early as three days later.”
Sylvia and Randall's wedding was held very quickly under the King's supervision. Originally, all vassals of the Duke of Belfort had to attend the wedding held at the castle, but the distance between the north and the capital was quite long. Moreover, the only road leading to the capital and the north was extremely dangerous as monsters frequently appeared there.
“The vassals will probably arrive as early as three days later.”
Sylvia and Randall's wedding was held very quickly under the King's supervision. Originally, all vassals of the Duke of Belfort had to attend the wedding held at the castle, but the distance between the north and the capital was quite long. Moreover, the only road leading to the capital and the north was extremely dangerous as monsters frequently appeared there.
There was also a way to move through a moving magic circle, like Randall and his knights. However, wizards were rare across the entire continent, and it was even more difficult to find a wizard who could use movement magic. Since there was a limit to the number of people that Auston could move, Randall was forced to hold the wedding with only his knights and some of his relatives.
But this wedding was by no means a light affair. A wedding to welcome the new hostess of Belfort. It was impossible for Stlvia, who became the Duchess, to not even formally greet the vassals. He also expected Sylvia to some extent, so he wasn't surprised. However, Sylvia was a little surprised by the fact that it was three days later.
“It’s faster than I thought.”
“...It's because everyone has an impatient personality. You saw it on the first day, right?”
Randall explained indirectly. But in reality, the woman who the King had so recklessly placed next to Randall was running towards him with a light in her eyes, asking him to see who it was.
“It’s faster than I thought.”
“...It's because everyone has an impatient personality. You saw it on the first day, right?”
Randall explained indirectly. But in reality, the woman who the King had so recklessly placed next to Randall was running towards him with a light in her eyes, asking him to see who it was.
Should I call this deep loyalty or broad ingenuity?
In fact, it was closer to the latter. He licked his tongue and continued.
“It’s not a large-scale banquet, so you won’t have much trouble. Thelma will be there to help, and if you need anything, please let Wilcott know. He will save you.”
“I’ll do my best.”
Preparing and hosting a banquet is the job of the hostess. In fact, Sylvia was able to easily prepare a banquet due to the various things she had experienced in her previous lives, but the current Sylvia was a noble Lady who had never had any experience hosting a banquet. If she skillfully prepares a banquet, she will appear strange. And in a way, a more important reason.
'I'm bothered.'
To be honest, Sylvia didn't really feel like caring about Randall like this. Of course, Randall was one of the good guys, but that didn't mean she was comfortable. As a result of God's punishment, she experienced a more difficult life than others, so she felt more comfortable being alone. It was very difficult for her now to understand someone, check his feelings, and care about his heart.
Moreover, her body and mind, which had become accustomed to laziness in this life, found the bed-like inertia. It was already colder in the north than the Florette estate, so she got tired quickly, and if she had a hand in preparing the banquet, it was obvious that she would collapse from exhaustion.
Anyway, since there are skilled workers like Thelma and Wilcott, all she has to do is pretend to supervise. With that mindset, she calmly said she would do her best.
Isn't that a complete lie?
Because she was planning on being minimally involved. Meanwhile, the two walked around the garden and returned to the front gate of the mansion.
Randall led Sylvia to the stairs and let go of her hand. When his hand, which had been in contact with her the entire time, fell away, she felt strangely empty. She was squeezing her hand for no reason and then asked mischievously.
“When is the next deal?”
“...First of all, not today.”
Sylvia trembled and frowned as if Randall's words reminded her of the taste of healthy food again. Randall laughed lightly at that, fastened Sylvia's shawl tightly, and took a step back.
“I’ll see you in the evening then, Ma’am.”
“Come back, My Lord.”
Randall flinched and shook his shoulders at the sudden call. With that, Sylvia, who had completed her small revenge on the health food, smiled brightly and turned around to go up the stairs.
“...”
Randall stood at the bottom of the stairs for a moment. He raised his hand and brushed the reddened nape of his neck a few times, then turned around with a shy look on his face and left his mansion.
The workers who watched the scene silently felt satisfied. They are newlyweds.
***
After parting ways with Sylvia, Randall came to the village with his knights. A day ago, he came into the forest outside the territory to check on children who were almost attacked by monsters.
“Wow! It’s the Lord!”
It may be said that they are children, but the children who were crying just a day ago were coming out and playing as if they had never done so. The children who discovered Randall came rushing in and clinging to him.
"Please hug me!"
"Hobby horse! I want to ride the wooden horse!”
“These guys. I can’t use it if you do this to my lord.”
The knights spoke mischievously and rode the children on their bodies to play with them. Meanwhile, Randall sat down on one knee in front of the girl who seemed to be the leader of the group of children. He gently encouraged the child while keeping eye contact with him.
“I’m glad you’re safe, but there’s no guarantee that something like this won’t happen again. There is no Auston barrier in that forest. If possible, play only in places where there are barriers.”
At the end of the sentence, Randall smiled lightly. Randall Belfort had a more cruel face than anyone else in front of his enemies, but he was more kind than anyone else in front of his own people.
“Wow! It’s the Lord!”
It may be said that they are children, but the children who were crying just a day ago were coming out and playing as if they had never done so. The children who discovered Randall came rushing in and clinging to him.
"Please hug me!"
"Hobby horse! I want to ride the wooden horse!”
“These guys. I can’t use it if you do this to my lord.”
The knights spoke mischievously and rode the children on their bodies to play with them. Meanwhile, Randall sat down on one knee in front of the girl who seemed to be the leader of the group of children. He gently encouraged the child while keeping eye contact with him.
“I’m glad you’re safe, but there’s no guarantee that something like this won’t happen again. There is no Auston barrier in that forest. If possible, play only in places where there are barriers.”
At the end of the sentence, Randall smiled lightly. Randall Belfort had a more cruel face than anyone else in front of his enemies, but he was more kind than anyone else in front of his own people.
The girl, who was nodding her head with a flushed face, suddenly pursed her lips sullenly.
“We don’t usually play in that forest either.”
“Then why yesterday?”
“My mom and dad were upset that the herb field in the forest they used to go to kept getting ruined, so I tried to pick up some herbs from another forest...”
The girl had tears in her eyes as she spoke, probably because she was overcome with emotion.
“Oops, I’m sorry I didn’t know. You’re a good kid.”
Randall comforted the child by lightly patting her on the shoulder and sending her off with the knights in surprise. His face coolly sank as he looked at the backs of the children.
'Even though it's a forest near a village, the herb field is damaged so often?'
Because forests were one of the most important resources in the barren North, knights would periodically hunt and destroy animals in the forests near villages. However, it was definitely strange if the fields continued to be damaged.
'Could it be a monster? But...'
The northern part is on the border with the land of the demons, ‘Kelvetia’. It would be more accurate to see that ‘space’ itself, rather than simply the land, is in contact. The space of this world is sometimes twisted for unknown reasons. When a twist occurs, a gap temporarily connects Kelvetia and the human land. Monsters and demons appear between them. Because spatial distortions appeared regardless of time and place, Auston's detection and defense barriers were installed in places where distortions occurred particularly frequently in the north and around villages.
“We don’t usually play in that forest either.”
“Then why yesterday?”
“My mom and dad were upset that the herb field in the forest they used to go to kept getting ruined, so I tried to pick up some herbs from another forest...”
The girl had tears in her eyes as she spoke, probably because she was overcome with emotion.
“Oops, I’m sorry I didn’t know. You’re a good kid.”
Randall comforted the child by lightly patting her on the shoulder and sending her off with the knights in surprise. His face coolly sank as he looked at the backs of the children.
'Even though it's a forest near a village, the herb field is damaged so often?'
Because forests were one of the most important resources in the barren North, knights would periodically hunt and destroy animals in the forests near villages. However, it was definitely strange if the fields continued to be damaged.
'Could it be a monster? But...'
The northern part is on the border with the land of the demons, ‘Kelvetia’. It would be more accurate to see that ‘space’ itself, rather than simply the land, is in contact. The space of this world is sometimes twisted for unknown reasons. When a twist occurs, a gap temporarily connects Kelvetia and the human land. Monsters and demons appear between them. Because spatial distortions appeared regardless of time and place, Auston's detection and defense barriers were installed in places where distortions occurred particularly frequently in the north and around villages.
However, Randall had not heard any reports of monsters appearing in this area recently. Randall, who was worried, eventually visited the child's parents, asked them about the location of the forest, and headed there with his knights.
Just before entering the forest, Randall stopped his knights. He said with an eerily cold face.
“There may be monsters living in the forest. Everyone, do not lower your weapons until you confirm that the barrier stone is working properly.”
“Yes.”
“Entering.”
Following a short hand gesture, the knights lined up and entered the forest. The forest was quiet, perhaps because the herb fields had been frequently destroyed recently and the number of villagers had decreased. There are a total of five barrier stones installed in this forest. Randall and his knights first looked around the surroundings and examined the four barrier stones located relatively on the outskirts of the forest.
“Nothing wrong.”
“This way too.”
The knights reported with stern faces. The colored gems that looked like hexagonal pillars, which Auston had installed with a grunt, were quietly stuck in their original positions. What remained was a barrier stone located near the center of the forest.
“There may be monsters living in the forest. Everyone, do not lower your weapons until you confirm that the barrier stone is working properly.”
“Yes.”
“Entering.”
Following a short hand gesture, the knights lined up and entered the forest. The forest was quiet, perhaps because the herb fields had been frequently destroyed recently and the number of villagers had decreased. There are a total of five barrier stones installed in this forest. Randall and his knights first looked around the surroundings and examined the four barrier stones located relatively on the outskirts of the forest.
“Nothing wrong.”
“This way too.”
The knights reported with stern faces. The colored gems that looked like hexagonal pillars, which Auston had installed with a grunt, were quietly stuck in their original positions. What remained was a barrier stone located near the center of the forest.
Randall ordered to be on higher alert than before and took the lead through the forest.
How long did he walk?
In front of him, he saw a small, round-shaped vacant lot that had been cleared for the installation of a barrier stone. As the distance narrowed to a certain extent, Randall narrowed his eyes. The center of the vacant lot. It’s stuck in the middle of a magic circle drawn with a white line...
A barrier stone cut in half.
"It's damage!"
Immediately after Randall shouted harshly, snake-shaped monsters appeared from tree branches at the strong scent of humans and rained down on the knights' heads.
"It's damage!"
Immediately after Randall shouted harshly, snake-shaped monsters appeared from tree branches at the strong scent of humans and rained down on the knights' heads.
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