Carcel nodded in understanding.
However, one thing Carcel didn't know was that Matt had also never been in a relationship.
Matt was very talkative.
- If you put pressure on the other person during the early stages of getting to know them, you're doomed from that point on. So, blend in comfortably, as if you're seeping in; understand?
Carcel began to put to use what he learned from Matt's attribute tutoring.
"I hope you do not feel burdened. I am confident that I can hand over to Asha 32 bank accounts containing my entire fortune, as well as the deeds to approximately five houses, so this is nothing to me."
Saying that, Carcel thought.
'The natural appeal of wealth was good.'
On the other hand, Asha was shaking her head as she heard the size of his fortune.
The more she listened to him, the more it felt like a con artist's repertoire, making him seem even more suspicious.
He was perfect, rattling off his assets without being asked and even showing favors without reason.
Unlike Asha, who was convinced that the man was undoubtedly a con artist, Carcel did not notice at all.
"...Please don't hand things like that over to strangers..."
Having said that, Asha also refused the toys he intended to give her as a gift.
"Besides, one toy is enough for Linea! She can't carry this, and it's too much."
"Ah. Don't you have a storage room at home just for toys?"
"Yes?"
Carcel tilted his head in puzzlement. But he soon understood.
'It looks like the Count Delmore family is in a very bad situation.'
Thinking that, for some reason, his eyes were drawn to Asha's dress as well.
The dress was quite tattered for a noblewoman's.
'I should learn from Matt this time how to naturally tuck a dress gift into a sleeve for a woman.'
"That’s enough. This was the only thing I intended to buy in the first place."
Asha chose only one doll among the other toys.
The dress-up dolls popular among the nobility these days even came with personal wardrobes, and inside were various
There were not only dresses but even small ornaments made of real gemstones.
“How much?”
Asha picked up the doll and headed to the checkout counter, as if she intended to pay for it herself.
At that sight, Carcel approached Asha from behind as if entranced.
“I will pay for it.”
***
At those words, I tilted my head.
'I was told not to owe a debt to a swindler. Even if that weren't the case, I can't accept an expensive item from someone I've just met!'
I refused.
"You don't need to. I have money too."
"It's not because of money. It's not that kind of problem..."
I opened my eyes wide at the unfamiliar scent that approached me from behind in an instant.
Our bodies didn't touch at all, but it felt as if his scent was enveloping me from behind.
A strong arm reached out from behind me and grabbed the doll.
I, too, had no choice but to very naturally turn toward Carcel.
"As I mentioned earlier... I am sincere with you, Madam. I want to get to know you."
I was also surprised by those words and was speechless for a moment.
He whispered languidly in that low, deep voice.
"So, wouldn't you allow me a debt to promise our next meeting?"
"Ah..."
"If you would accept me, a (unworthy) person who knows no other way to schedule a next date with a woman than this..."
As he spoke, Carcel leaned forward, his eyes, with his long eyelashes lowered, looking affectionate and even more affectionate.
My mind instantly went blank.
'That’s because he’s a con artist. The reason he’s so skilled at seduction is that his job is to charm people with a face like that.'
The only luck I've ever had in my life was cracking an egg and getting a double yolk, or getting lucky enough to get a seat on my way home from work.
So, it didn't make sense from the start that a rich, handsome man would suddenly buy me an expensive item just to show his affection.
"...The calculation is to the Marquis of Rivandel."
"All right."
In the split second I was flustered and unable to speak, Carcel skillfully placed the bill toward himself.
"Ah... Thank you."
Since things had come to this point, it felt pathetic to ask for the bill again, so I turned my head toward him and bowed.
Then Carcel smiled, narrowing his eyebrows.
"It's nothing special. If it was of even the slightest help to Madam..."
With that low, whispering voice, his gaze groped its way down from my eyes to my cheek, and then to my lips.
Then he suddenly laughed.
"Because that alone would be enough to fulfill its purpose."
"No, that sounds a bit strange."
“I’m serious.”
At those words, I finally turned red around my eyes.
My heart wavered slightly at the handsome man's kind words, as he acted like he would do anything for me, but a slight defense mechanism stood in the way.
'Just how much does he need to act that pretty?'
Although he looked scary, one could not deny that he was a man handsome enough to draw praise.
I clutched my heart tightly, which was pounding a little for some reason, and bit my lip hard.
At that sight, Carcel leaned toward me in puzzlement and asked.
“Are you uncomfortable?”
“Not at all.”
"Are you hungry?"
"...Suddenly?"
They had been talking about something else just moments ago, but the topic changed so suddenly that I couldn't collect myself.
I've never dated before, so I'm weak against a handsome guy's face attack!
I was even more vulnerable to that kind of blatant, straightforward interest.
I subtly turned my head to the side to avoid his gaze. Then, feeling embarrassed by the stare, I spoke in a flustered voice.
"I should head back now. Before it's too late."
"I'll give you a ride."
I readily accepted Carcel's proposal.
Since the way back to the Count's mansion from here is quite long, the cost would exceed the budget if I took a hired carriage.
I took the Marquis's hand again and got into the carriage.
***
Shortly after, I got off the carriage with a pale face.
To think I was alone in a carriage with a swindler...
'No, why on earth would Marquis Rivandel buy something like this?'
He even went so far as to say crazy things like asking them to wrap up all the top-of-the-line toys, just like some cliché.
'They say con artists always spend money first before winning a woman's heart.'
Honestly... I was a little excited.
No, to begin with, if you smile sadly with that kind of face and say you'll buy a doll as an excuse to set up the next date, anyone can see that's temptation.
'If I had been just a little more naive, I might have believed it was true and opened my heart just a tiny bit.'
But if you think about it rationally, Marquis Rivandel is a very handsome man, so he wouldn't need to go to such lengths for women to be overflowing around him.
Ah. However, his appearance was a bit scary.
On top of that, whenever our eyes met, he would flash a bloodshot smile, and it sent shivers down my spine.
Because of that smile, aside from being handsome, I didn't feel like getting close to him.
'But I don't know why, but he seemed quite interested in me.'
I let out a small sigh, not knowing what on earth to think of this mysterious man named Marquis Rivandel.
Still, the fortunate thing is that when I tried to dissuade him, he only bought one doll and one type of snack.
Even so, the price was beyond imagination.
'On top of that, there are more doll clothes than the number of dresses I have.'
It was undoubtedly a doll that Linea would want.
In the original work, there was a sentence where Linea was envious of other girls her age who had this doll.
The reason I remember this in such detail must be that my memory is better than expected, at least when it comes to novels.
Still, thanks to that, I knew exactly what Linea would like.
The problem is that this value must be returned later.
'I absolutely cannot just accept it.'
I absolutely hated inexplicable kindness.
I entered the house, clutching the gift for Linea tightly in my arms.
There was someone I didn't want to run into, so I walked in as quietly as possible.
"...Day after day, the only daughter-in-law we have is always out."
I squeezed my eyes shut.
Of all places, the drawing room is right next to the front door.
And my mother-in-law, who seemed to have been waiting for me and was determined to get revenge, walked out of the drawing room.
I quickly put on a smile.
"Did you wait for me because you were worried about me, Mother?"
When I asked innocently, pretending to be oblivious, she snorted.
"Just how much did you spend? You must be having a blast."
"Oh come on, Mother, I don't recall receiving a single penny here. I earned and spent all of this myself, you know?"
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