Chapter 87: Marriage Proposal (3)
s4zySJr“A baron? Becoming a baron? Does that mean Dereck will become a noble? Did I hear that right?”SYqKx
f82JWhen Dereck nodded, Pheline took a step back, bringing her hands to her temples as if she were dizzy. They were in a dark alley behind the tavern “Tears of Beldern.”wZtjVv
LQdiAfter causing a commotion inside the tavern, Dereck had brought her out, thinking staying would only cause more misunderstandings.PzM96p
2giz1He had left Aiselin and Siern with the escort and hurried to loosen Pheline’s tongue to resolve the matter quickly.t6J4
a9Zkr“I need a title. Pheline, as you know, I want to become a high-level mage. At this point, to increase my magical prowess without consequences, I need to raise my status and prestige.”OCzVDTG
s9hU“You went north to work… and this is what you had in mind?”TlTeMJ
Cdv“It’s not like I planned it, but the opportunity came up and I took it.”P8QluL
RB2Pheline, leaning against the shadowy wall of the alley, stroked her chin with a serious expression.adR9q
pFx“You know well that my hometown, the village of Radel, was completely destroyed by those damned nobles. I deeply hate dealing with those pretentious aristocrats.”fFhTX
AA1“Don’t worry. I just need the pretense. Who else but you, Pheline, could I ask for something like this?”X5Z
K14LIWk“No… are you asking me to play pretend marriage with you…?”CfjYLN9
r7rAPheline tapped her thigh as if trying to imagine it, then spoke with a pale face.jo4Rd
uySp“Dereck… this is physically hard for me…”afuqzf
2Ox5k9o“Do you think I want to do this…? I’m having a hard time too… I just hope I don’t throw up…”mBpyM
b1neR“…The way you say it makes me uncomfortable.”B30V1
1Ve8T“You think I like this?”6eY
b9IDereck and Pheline stared at each other for a while.4Usvme
mma09To a stranger, their repulsed attitude might seem odd, but Dereck and Pheline had taken on mercenary mission boards together since childhood, with a bond closer to family than lovers.uO8E1h
FsdaG40Of course, they didn’t treat each other as warmly as real family but at least there was a level of trust that neither would betray the other.ZpfA
YCFh1AiPheline crossed her arms and finally spoke with a serious tone.UqC
BWGUMPo“Sorry, Dereck. I have no intention of living a married life that isn’t my destiny. I just want to survive fighting with Uncle Jayden or the guild members.”NfYgT
QAdRH“Is there really no way, no matter what?”uFb
CuONw“Dereck.”K1D
OgePheline stood up, fixed her tied hair, and spoke firmly.C3qu3L
m9echDF“No matter how much you insist, it’s not going to happen. Dereck, I’d do almost anything you asked, but this is too much.”DseK
X7vf“…I’ll give you money.”QuYCGm
TFRytj“Ugh… No matter how stingy I am, there are things I can do and things I can’t. Even if you’ve made some money among aristocrats, how can you think of buying a marriage proposal with money…? I’m still a woman, Dereck!”qi2g5oK
DfjnJj0“…I’ll give you a lot. I know how hard you work, so I’ll compensate you well. And when I get the title and everything improves, I’ll give you a big reward and let you go again… I promise. It’ll be a considerable sum.”s8iWBY
PpEiK“How can you say something like that?! I like money, but I know well that not everything in the world can be solved with money.”9rVsp
BK2Dereck took a big step closer and whispered the specific amount in her ear.EYCKB
6quJfa“…”NepDjWP
0rsuE4Upon hearing it, Pheline shuddered.pKKAhex
01E“……”CsOtUv7
fjIztFinally, Pheline spoke with wide eyes.pkfC
tGJheW“Take care of me… my lord!!!”Y7CvlI2
SXP“…”xIR
zMhHJkeThere are no absolutes in this world.qIhI7cT
8x2ijuPheline was a highly skilled mercenary archer.2U1JJns
stYLvShe wore a reddish-brown leather blouse, light wooden armor on top, and an old wide skirt with two or three leather belts tied around it. It had many pockets and pouches.GIBq
iDBHer wrists were wrapped in black bandages or leather gloves, and she had potion flasks on her thighs. The weapons strapped to her back were imposing, but she always covered them with a reddish-brown hooded cloak.LHat3UH
IJzKUAHer platinum blonde hair was tied up, giving her a sharp look.ZVMG9L2
h4gWw8nIt was clear she had been killing monsters since she was young. If not for Dereck, she would have been the promising star of the Beldern Mercenary Corps.3L2FFmV
0VG0kBut that person now wore a simple linen dress and a straw hat as she entered the tavern.r9A
rJhfTZrShe had carefully chosen an outfit that didn’t look luxurious, as if she were the wife of a rural baron.jt5Y7L
FtPyJ3“…”loey
oJ97XWdUpon seeing her, Jayden commented.CHLpK9
GHM“She looks like a gorilla in a dress.”xCet
e1hP“Jayden, sir…”N6z
joES“…Sorry.”5s52Kn
sUnLkpThe tavern had already closed.ALmb
3mKAlmost all the customers had left, and only Dereck, Aiselin, and Siern sat at the central table.dqGzJ
r76“I asked them to choose the simplest clothes from my mansion in the noble district. This… shouldn’t attract too much attention.”TQU
gEwMAiselin looked at them with a worried expression.M2NGM
0OOdP4nPheline looked somewhat downcast and absent, while Dereck, watching her, clenched his jaw with a blank face.zcyGR
pXfTOlTo a stranger, she might seem like a common woman, but for those who knew Pheline, the scene provoked an indescribable discomfort.UW0D
nokROne must not be fooled by her fragile appearance.x521Nz
HfGt7gWPheline was a girl who could dismember four or five goblins in one slash with a dagger.rF7Y
h23p80lThat’s why Dereck always brought her on dangerous missions.JUUr
eHB4“Dereck… right now… I’m disillusioned with my whole life…”PXHMo9
dEONLTp“Pheline. Don’t think so negatively… The clothes suit you…”PJuO
UQx“Look me in the eyes and say that.”J4PbU
eIZGd“Damn it… I got dust in my eyes…”Urmg
2DpXQDereck, who desperately needed Pheline’s help, was trying to cheer her up as best as he could.24APo
gOSnrLDMeanwhile, Aiselin, who watched them, felt a strange sense of relief inside. In truth, Dereck and Pheline didn’t look like a romantic couple at all.ppqpPt
6RrT0When you live your life as a mercenary, surviving day to day, romance dies out sooner or later.Y3wgSZJ
OjaXDreaming of a prince on a white horse or a northern duke who’s only warm to you is a privilege reserved for those who live comfortably in a greenhouse.AeiV
Txe6YAiselin, for her part, had grown up since childhood in the noble and peculiar environment of Duplain, so she still held on to some romantic notions.Xbc
AwdP4c0But Pheline was a practical person. She touched the loose linen dress and pointed out its flaws, saying, “I can’t even run in this.”TbdccEf
2GF“Dereck… I’m… sleepy…”KbhQ
oRP1rwSiern was drinking a sweet infusion Jayden had given her, and curled up in Aiselin’s arms as she fell asleep.i4l
nGU5And there were Pheline, frowning, and Dereck, planning their next step.a8rp
tM7H7ZYJayden watched them silently from the side and thought.cVztZ
is5A“I don’t know what happened in the north, but this is a complete mess.”2Dlvt
AAFDThere wasn’t a single thing that didn’t raise concern. He wondered if they could really receive the baron title like this.86j58d2
dCBwEFTThere wasn’t a single aspect that wasn’t concerning. He wondered if they could really receive the baron’s title like this.V0uu
yJ45***RnNTI
zjyC“Dereck… is getting married…?”EGz
TEAhVmiThe news of Dereck’s marriage, a magic master active in the southwest of Ebelstein, spread after the meeting the following week at the Rose Hall.57eSOfi
paOTd“Yes…”1GwU
s3uWQ“Wow… this is a bit sudden…”g7Mca
G9EIt was the day Aiselin, who had traveled north to earn money, finally returned to the Rose Hall.ZSJ74
KRsMwShe no longer belonged to one of the three great families. Aiselin, now running around like a fallen noble, must have seemed quite pitiful to them.IID3K
Db8qp2qMost of her followers had gone off to live their own lives, and the few who remained only felt pity for her.tdL7D
EntvKMThat’s why Ellen and Denise wanted to ask her about her current situation during that meeting, moved by past affection.yvE
ZabpYPEAlthough the tension among the three great families had been intense, Aiselin had always behaved in a mature and sensible manner, even in those difficult relationships.iVzkt2v
A5EuuEllen and Denise couldn’t be entirely pleased about Aiselin’s downfall.E1b
ncchw7RHowever, what Aiselin privately told them after the meeting was so shocking that, for a moment, they forgot their sympathy.B4QK8f
JRKjD“She met a woman named Pheline from the Beldern Mercenary Corps, and they’re going to form a beautiful home… a love nest…”hpNiFs
mKza2Aiselin didn’t mention that it was all part of a desperate struggle to obtain the title. She didn’t want to add unnecessary words that could cause problems later on.rhn
HRdfrAs a result, Ellen and Denise’s expressions hardened.a4umIx
FVpy8ajIn reality, if asked whether they saw Dereck as a potential romantic partner, the answer would be no.488UOx2
yJNxzHe was a good teacher, a reliable person, and someone they’d hire if the opportunity arose — nothing more. Or at least, that’s what they thought.jCiILf
jnGBut the news of Dereck’s marriage was so unexpected that it left them speechless.tYoUd
qX3Ellen set down the teacup she was about to raise to her lips and, sweating a bit, asked Aiselin:VMQy
eel1jI“R-Really…? That woman named P-Pheline… When did they start dating for them to already talk about marriage…?”t454VKx
AnD“I heard they’ve worked together as mercenaries since childhood… They met again after returning to Ebelstein, and she’s undoubtedly a strong and determined woman.”ai0G
YSS1Jd“…Really?”SIJ
ZSa“She was an archer with platinum-blonde hair tied back. Her skills were nearly perfect, and many mercenary groups tried to recruit her.”3ht
A186Pe3Upon hearing those words, Ellen suddenly recalled the image of a woman buried in her memory.J7zS
9QblUQPIt was the same archer Dereck had brought as reinforcements for the escort when they were struggling in the labyrinth during one of their classes.RoI
nydLvKShe looked to be around the same age as Ellen, but was already used to blood-soaked battlefields.vdUi8Ls
GCZ69Cq‘Of course… Dereck would feel more drawn to a companion with extensive combat experience than to a noble lady who knows nothing of the world…’5Be7Nd0
iC1nqwEllen thought as she ran her fingers along the edge of her teacup. It was completely natural.vpyEgrO
l66While she got lost in her thoughts, Denise, sipping her tea on the other side, had already finished analyzing the situation.oOvI66
I0X‘…Lady Aiselin is lying.’dfaie
4pbAyapDenise was a quick thinker.ymr
ZBiuShe had been a little surprised to hear the news, but after taking a sip of tea and calmly organizing her thoughts, she quickly understood what was going on.cDw
kBUBefore Aiselin went north, Denise had already noticed she harbored unusual feelings for Dereck.bsU4Z
vP5nbIf Aiselin had received a marriage proposal from Dereck, she wouldn’t be telling others about it so casually.ExFeH2D
WiIOIf it were true, she would clearly be distressed or upset.v184DK
kdNY4UShe wasn’t the type of person who could have such a relaxed conversation. Aiselin was smart and knew how to carry herself in society, but in this regard, it was obvious she lacked experience.Lh6
KBGf‘A letter recently arrived about granting Dereck the title of baron. Since not having a family disqualifies one, it seems they’re planning a forced marriage to meet the requirement.’zIDc
VGOnpwDenise’s intuition and insight were unmatched within the Rose Hall.pO1fPNh
ax2lFhIf Dereck received the title of baron, the territory assigned to him would be the Rodelen region, bordering the Duchy of Beltus.7fTaJo8
eqFqFIn a way, that would make him a neighbor of the Beltus family. The physical distance would be considerable, but they could see each other often if disputes over tariffs or trade routes arose.icGpSN
Q5AIL‘It’s a barony in a remote area that everyone avoids, but if he meets the requirements, he could truly become a noble. And in terms of magical ability… he lacks nothing. Should I start treating him with the courtesy of a noble next time I see him?’eO8
JQQKo6tThinking about it, the image of that man who only focused on magic came to her mind.iMPYJ
QknR6ar‘He truly… aims to reach 4-star level or higher.’0YpDc
iFxWFHis magical achievements were hard to believe even when seen firsthand.SDF1EW
8HMNlgxBeing a 3-star mage at that age meant he might really reach the 4 or even 5-star level in the future.7eYP
cOFIf he reached 4-star level at such a young age, the entire continent wouldn’t leave him alone.FRnnxA
bbWAAmong the well-known figures who reached 4-star level at a young age, there were only two — Melverot and Kalimford. Both went on to reach 6-star level.IUITHl
IMpGDcAt this point, he was already beyond the level of a mere magic master.G0iEHGN
8RhSW0‘The old folks in the imperial capital don’t know. They can’t even imagine what will happen when Dereck receives the baron title and joins the ranks of the nobility.’gl9l
bD2wkDenise thought calmly, eyes narrowing into crescent moons.l8Zs
mcZmyvIt seemed she had been taught by someone far more extraordinary than she had imagined.1hsyV0e
9SmoRjy“Oh, but if it isn’t Lady Aiselin.”zjS
GRLWngiIt was at that moment, while Denise was reflecting on the power dynamics among the nobility.yIX
DsOmsIn the middle of the lively conversation about Dereck’s partner, a girl dressed in a beautiful and luxurious gown approached them from behind.U8c
2cEoThe girl, smiling as she placed a tray of floral-decorated desserts on the table, was Trisha from the viscount Renouel family.69SVk
ZkvX9LThough her smiling face looked cheerful, her true intentions were obvious.Rfbv57r
3A2BShe was someone who coveted the spot among the three great families, now vacant after the fall of the Duplains.9p31IJ
7tN‘…’gbM
6WV4JoADenise forcibly suppressed the urge to frown. In the social circle of Ebelstein — which was like a thin sheet of ice — mastering one’s expressions was a basic skill.jeXGP0
Yw9RKXi“Oh, Lady Trisha. Long time no see.”r1j0JQY
2JKW8fAiselin greeted the smiling Trisha warmly. Trisha just held a meaningful smile as she stared intently at Aiselin.PiUkSRw
k3qYFDenise nearly clicked her tongue. It was obvious why Trisha had come to this informal meeting.klA
OGdjO37The declining Duplains and the rising Renouels.EHKy
wCf9She wanted to make the contrast clear and somehow seize actual control of the Rose Hall.tC87
jgvxspThe grim and sinister power struggles among noblewomen were something Ellen and Denise had experienced to the point of nausea. Still, they never got used to it.MCtvyqt
N6QMCSShe had come to crush Aiselin.ijCqc
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