It was around dusk that the inspection of the Merybelle Orphanage ended. The children were very sad to see the Duke and his party leave.
“You must come again next time!”
“Of course!”
The children clung to Sylvia, whom they had just met today, more than Randall and Auston. Auston clicked his tongue as if he was dumbfounded by the sight, but Sylvia smiled faintly and said she understood. The children felt relatively less repulsive.
Of course, since they are human, they inevitably have some selfishness. At least, they did not have eyes that were trying to harm someone because of that selfishness.
After greeting the children, the group got on the carriage to return to the castle. The carriage carrying Randall and Sylvia crossed the quiet forest road. Amidst the sound of horse hooves clacking, Randall took a deep breath and opened his mouth.
“...Sylvia.”
"Yes."
“I have something I want to ask.”
“What is it?”
For some reason, Sylvia, who had been acting awkward for the past few days, was smiling softly again like before. Randall, who didn't know that it was because of his sleeping face, felt puzzled, but soon gathered his thoughts and said.
“You said no to children.”
“...Sylvia.”
"Yes."
“I have something I want to ask.”
“What is it?”
For some reason, Sylvia, who had been acting awkward for the past few days, was smiling softly again like before. Randall, who didn't know that it was because of his sleeping face, felt puzzled, but soon gathered his thoughts and said.
“You said no to children.”
The moment she said that Sylvia's expression hardened as if she was lying. Randall, who saw this, felt a throbbing pain in his heart but tried to keep his composure together.
“I’m not saying we need a successor. Just...”
“...”
“Why do you think so... I'd like to hear it. Anything that’s your story, even if it’s not necessarily child-related.”
“...”
"I want to know."
Randall ended his words with a pleading tone. Sylvia held her breath for a moment at the sight of his pitiful eyes, as if they were about to burst into tears.
'...Also.'
Whenever Randall looked at her with those eyes, she felt a queasy feeling inside. Sylvia chewed the inside of her mouth to regain her senses and smiled a picturesque smile. Her smile was perfect, but it was lacking in warmth.
“Randall.”
"Yes."
“For us, this distance is appropriate.”
She thought he would be quite disappointed after drawing the line last time, but surprisingly, Randall quickly got over his disappointment and tried to close the distance again.
'Well, that's what happened to Marquis Glever.'
Knowing how difficult it was, she realized once again how strong Randall was. But she had to break that strength. Sylvia nodded at Randall and her seat and pursed her lips softly.
“Just like now, facing each other, not touching. We can occasionally joke around with each other and have a light laugh.”
“...”
“You and I are just suited for that kind of relationship.”
Not far enough to be noticed by God. But don't get too close either. Like travelers whose paths coincided with each other by chance. When we're together, we laugh, chat, and joke around. So that when the moment comes when we have to leave for each other's destinations, we can part ways in peace. That's enough between us.
Randall understood what she meant and distorted his face.
“Sylvia.”
“I’m busy preparing for the ball, and I’m a little tired after being out all day. Excuse me.”
Sylvia stopped Randall from saying something more and closed her eyes. Her actions were based on the thought that if she kept looking at him like this, she would get caught up in him again.
“...”
Randall clenched his fists hard on his knees, so hard that the veins on the back of his hands bulged.
"For us, this current distance is appropriate."
Sylvia’s words just now were a clear rejection. Just like now, sitting close yet far apart in the narrow carriage. It was a rejection that said it would be better to just look at each other without invading each other’s territory. Randall had no intention of forcibly invading Sylvia’s territory either.
“Sylvia.”
“I’m busy preparing for the ball, and I’m a little tired after being out all day. Excuse me.”
Sylvia stopped Randall from saying something more and closed her eyes. Her actions were based on the thought that if she kept looking at him like this, she would get caught up in him again.
“...”
Randall clenched his fists hard on his knees, so hard that the veins on the back of his hands bulged.
"For us, this current distance is appropriate."
Sylvia’s words just now were a clear rejection. Just like now, sitting close yet far apart in the narrow carriage. It was a rejection that said it would be better to just look at each other without invading each other’s territory. Randall had no intention of forcibly invading Sylvia’s territory either.
On the contrary, if it were his usual self, he would have immediately taken ten steps back as soon as the other person told him not to approach. However...
“...”
Randall stared at Sylvia, who had her eyes closed. At first, she pretended to sleep, but soon, perhaps due to fatigue, her breathing became deeper and more even. Every time the carriage shook, her head lightly hit the wall. Randall carefully got up and sat down next to her, leaning her head against him.
"Hmm...”
Sylvia, perhaps because she liked the firm, firm shoulders of his shoulders, unlike the walls of the carriage, let out a pleasant sigh and fell into a deep sleep. Randall murmured, gently brushing her hair away from her face.
“If I can’t give up even after hearing those words.”
“...”
“...What should I do then?”
Since it wasn't a question that was intended to be answered in the first place, all that came back was silence. Randall barely managed to pull away his hand that kept wandering around Sylvia's face.
Her face was filled with sunken, turquoise eyes.
'If all I have, as Sylvia wants, is my body...'
Since he had said it to be rejected from the beginning, Randall quickly made up his mind. At first, he was upset that Sylvia was trying to sleep with him without any intention. But now, he felt fortunate that Sylvia wanted his body. It meant that she had something she wanted from him. He made up his mind with a determined face.
'I should at least use that and work hard.'
He had no choice but to seduce Sylvia by risking his life. And Randall soon realized that it was a method that had a more dramatic effect than he had expected.
“...”
Randall stared at Sylvia, who had her eyes closed. At first, she pretended to sleep, but soon, perhaps due to fatigue, her breathing became deeper and more even. Every time the carriage shook, her head lightly hit the wall. Randall carefully got up and sat down next to her, leaning her head against him.
"Hmm...”
Sylvia, perhaps because she liked the firm, firm shoulders of his shoulders, unlike the walls of the carriage, let out a pleasant sigh and fell into a deep sleep. Randall murmured, gently brushing her hair away from her face.
“If I can’t give up even after hearing those words.”
“...”
“...What should I do then?”
Since it wasn't a question that was intended to be answered in the first place, all that came back was silence. Randall barely managed to pull away his hand that kept wandering around Sylvia's face.
Her face was filled with sunken, turquoise eyes.
'If all I have, as Sylvia wants, is my body...'
Since he had said it to be rejected from the beginning, Randall quickly made up his mind. At first, he was upset that Sylvia was trying to sleep with him without any intention. But now, he felt fortunate that Sylvia wanted his body. It meant that she had something she wanted from him. He made up his mind with a determined face.
'I should at least use that and work hard.'
He had no choice but to seduce Sylvia by risking his life. And Randall soon realized that it was a method that had a more dramatic effect than he had expected.
***
A few days later. Finally, it was the day of the debutante ball. Sylvia woke up early in the morning to look around the castle, and from then on she devoted herself to dressing up until just before the ball started.
The main characters of today's ball were young ladies and young masters who were debuting in the social world for the first time. To be considerate of the debutantes, it was polite for other attendees to wear attire that was as inconspicuous as possible. So Sylvia also wore a light yellow dress, rolled her hair, and pinned it in a circle above the nape of her neck.
She, looking more elegant than usual, left her room just in time for the ball. Randall, who had prepared and was waiting for her, escorted her to the ballroom. She, too, had combed his hair and wore a muted navy blue formal jacket for the debutante. As Randall entered the ballroom, he whispered to Sylvia.
“That dress suits you well.”
“Thank you. You look good in blue too. Of course, the color that suits you best is...”
"Ma'am."
“I think it’s clothes now. Shouldn’t I have said this?”
When Randall lowered his voice as if he was reprimanding her, Sylvia playfully changed her words. He ended up laughing at that. The two of them headed to the center of the ballroom with relaxed smiles on their faces as if nothing had happened.
“That dress suits you well.”
“Thank you. You look good in blue too. Of course, the color that suits you best is...”
"Ma'am."
“I think it’s clothes now. Shouldn’t I have said this?”
When Randall lowered his voice as if he was reprimanding her, Sylvia playfully changed her words. He ended up laughing at that. The two of them headed to the center of the ballroom with relaxed smiles on their faces as if nothing had happened.
After the Duke and Duchess, the hosts of
the ball had their first dance as a congratulatory gesture, the debutante would begin in earnest. Sylvia and Randall stood facing each other for the first time in a while, placing their hands on each other’s waists and shoulders. Soon the music began, and they stepped off with familiar gestures. As the dance continued, the navy jacket and the hem of the light yellow dress spread softly, drawing curves like flower petals. The debutante was the first event to announce the opening of the social season or the marriage market. It meant that one could not just enjoy oneself freely and had to be somewhat alert. However, the sight of Randall and Sylvia was beautiful enough to make one forget that fact for a moment. Randall looked at Sylvia with warm eyes and suddenly opened his mouth.
“Sylvia.”
"Yes?"
“By any chance, is the deal you proposed the day after the wedding still valid?”
Sylvia paused at those words and narrowed her eyes.
'Transaction?'
If that's the deal she offered the day after the wedding.
"On the condition that you can hold my hand whenever I want, I'll grant you one thing you want each time."
Sylvia must have agreed to grant him one thing he wanted as a condition for reaching Randall.
'It has become meaningless now, though.'
Even that was something that Randall had almost completely erased from his mind after becoming sincere with Sylvia. All Sylvia needed was the 'outward appearance' of getting along well, not his heart.
'What are you trying to do?'
For some reason, she thought Randall had been strangely quiet the past few days. Was he planning something? Sylvia did not let down her guard and answered reluctantly.
“...Yes."
"Then."
Randall paused for a moment to catch his breath, perhaps because it was difficult for him to speak freely. Finally, with a face that seemed to have made a great decision, he seriously interrupted her.
“Later, for five minutes... I will let you touch me, so please give me just one day.”
“Cough.”
Sylvia stopped by. Randall quickly supported her as she staggered in the wind. She tried desperately to catch her breath, remembering that they were in the center of the ballroom, but her panic did not go away easily.
“Hey, Cough, wait a minute. What did you say?”
“I told you to give me a day, and I’ll give you five minutes of my body.”
“You’re not asking that now. Why did he suddenly...”
Sylvia muttered in confusion as she remembered Randall's way of stopping her, saying that she had to be careful. The moment she saw the vivid green eyes fixed on her, she realized.
'As expected... He hasn't given up yet.'
In Randall’s eyes, there was a spark of emotion that had not yet been extinguished, gently swaying. That emotion was unpleasant, and strangely, it made her feel sad. Sylvia regained her composure a little late and narrowed her eyebrows.
'Should I accept it?'
It seemed as if Randall was trying to get Sylvia to open up to him. Since she had been obsessed with the skinship and the first night to make herself look like a normal couple, he probably thought that it would be effective to make it a condition. Sylvia looked up at the ceiling while lost in thought. It seemed as if she could feel the stern gaze of God beyond the gorgeous chandelier.
'Anyway, what I need is appearance, and I will never have the same feelings as Randall.'
Anyway, this deal will end the moment Sylvia dies. Judging by the fact that more and more incidents keep happening and even demons disguised as humans appear, death seems imminent. So until then, it would be okay to hang out for a while for the sake of their seemingly harmonious relationship.
'Of course sometimes... It's a little harsh, though.'
Sylvia was also human, so there were times when she was instinctively attracted to Randall's body. However, she was confident that she would not give her heart to the young man who was much younger than her. Sylvia raised her head after finishing calculating fiercely in her head. Randall, who had proposed the deal with such passion, had an anxious expression. Sylvia smiled faintly because she found it both funny and cute.
"Great."
A bright smile appeared on Randall's face after hearing her answer. It was the moment when the subject of the transaction changed.
“Sylvia.”
"Yes?"
“By any chance, is the deal you proposed the day after the wedding still valid?”
Sylvia paused at those words and narrowed her eyes.
'Transaction?'
If that's the deal she offered the day after the wedding.
"On the condition that you can hold my hand whenever I want, I'll grant you one thing you want each time."
Sylvia must have agreed to grant him one thing he wanted as a condition for reaching Randall.
'It has become meaningless now, though.'
Even that was something that Randall had almost completely erased from his mind after becoming sincere with Sylvia. All Sylvia needed was the 'outward appearance' of getting along well, not his heart.
'What are you trying to do?'
For some reason, she thought Randall had been strangely quiet the past few days. Was he planning something? Sylvia did not let down her guard and answered reluctantly.
“...Yes."
"Then."
Randall paused for a moment to catch his breath, perhaps because it was difficult for him to speak freely. Finally, with a face that seemed to have made a great decision, he seriously interrupted her.
“Later, for five minutes... I will let you touch me, so please give me just one day.”
“Cough.”
Sylvia stopped by. Randall quickly supported her as she staggered in the wind. She tried desperately to catch her breath, remembering that they were in the center of the ballroom, but her panic did not go away easily.
“Hey, Cough, wait a minute. What did you say?”
“I told you to give me a day, and I’ll give you five minutes of my body.”
“You’re not asking that now. Why did he suddenly...”
Sylvia muttered in confusion as she remembered Randall's way of stopping her, saying that she had to be careful. The moment she saw the vivid green eyes fixed on her, she realized.
'As expected... He hasn't given up yet.'
In Randall’s eyes, there was a spark of emotion that had not yet been extinguished, gently swaying. That emotion was unpleasant, and strangely, it made her feel sad. Sylvia regained her composure a little late and narrowed her eyebrows.
'Should I accept it?'
It seemed as if Randall was trying to get Sylvia to open up to him. Since she had been obsessed with the skinship and the first night to make herself look like a normal couple, he probably thought that it would be effective to make it a condition. Sylvia looked up at the ceiling while lost in thought. It seemed as if she could feel the stern gaze of God beyond the gorgeous chandelier.
'Anyway, what I need is appearance, and I will never have the same feelings as Randall.'
Anyway, this deal will end the moment Sylvia dies. Judging by the fact that more and more incidents keep happening and even demons disguised as humans appear, death seems imminent. So until then, it would be okay to hang out for a while for the sake of their seemingly harmonious relationship.
'Of course sometimes... It's a little harsh, though.'
Sylvia was also human, so there were times when she was instinctively attracted to Randall's body. However, she was confident that she would not give her heart to the young man who was much younger than her. Sylvia raised her head after finishing calculating fiercely in her head. Randall, who had proposed the deal with such passion, had an anxious expression. Sylvia smiled faintly because she found it both funny and cute.
"Great."
A bright smile appeared on Randall's face after hearing her answer. It was the moment when the subject of the transaction changed.
***
“Plague.”
Young masters, who was attending the ball, was startled by the profanity that was not appropriate for a classy ballroom and turned his head in the direction of the voice. There was Philia, with a fierce face as if she was ready to bite someone at any moment. Her blazing blue gaze was directed at Jeffrey, who was on the other side of the ballroom, surrounded by the newly debuted daughters. One of the ladies said something to Jeffrey with a shy look on her face.
“What are you doing?”
Jeffrey responded with a polite smile.
“What is the matter?”
Philia glared at the scene while trying to control her boiling stomach. She nervously lifted the glass of champagne from the table and took a swig of her drink.
‘Why is he giving her answers one by one? If you treat her kindly like that, she will have feelings for you that I didn't have before.'
Among the Knights of Belfort, there were quite a few young men who were Barons or descendants of noble families. Most of them were so busy dealing with monsters and demons that they often did not even have proper fiancés. In other words, they were said to be the most desirable groom for young ladies who had just debuted in the social world. Since Randall was the lord, a certain level of character was guaranteed, and he had the honor and status of a knight, so he could not be unpopular. Yes, Philia definitely knows this intellectually.
'Why! Leave the others alone! Of course, only for Jeffrey! I don't know!'
Philia finally lost control of her anger and slammed down her glass. As she turned to face Jeffrey with a sharp look in her eyes, someone grabbed her wrist.
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