🔊 TTS Settings
chapter 34
Sometimes, I imagined us on quiet nights, meeting late for a beer, sharing deep conversations, whispering a little naughty talk before going to bed, talking about the people we liked, and then falling asleep together.
Clap, clap, clap—
At that moment, Elueard walked up slowly, clapping, with a look of admiration on his face.
“Indeed, the special training you’ve been through really shines. To discern your opponent’s weakness so quickly… that was an attack full of insight.”
“Huh?”
“That lady recently broke up with her partner. The yellow rose symbolizes ‘farewell.’ It seems the rumor is going around that she’s lost her judgment in men. And that dress is a counterfeit, meticulously copied from one of only two in the Empire. You pointed that out sharply.”
Why does it always come out like that? Are they saying I executed a sophisticated sarcasm while smiling like an idiot?
“I didn’t mean it that way. And how do you even know all that? Are you a Despatch journalist?”
“Because I’m a demon. It’s easy for me to see the wounds and weaknesses inside humans. And that lady is one of the top three socialites. You’ve met a strong opponent from the start.”
So, she didn’t approach me to be friends—she came to gauge my combat ability. Truly, this is the world’s ultimate social ball.
It was worth going through the enhancement period. Even under the attack of one of the top three socialites, I wasn’t hurt at all—just breathing calmly was enough to win.
After achieving my main objective, I felt a little hungry. Seems like it’s time to pursue the next goal.
As I glanced toward the lavishly prepared food and dessert table…
“Lady Fortuna.”
A deep, husky voice called my name.
Suddenly, the air turned icy, as if winter had arrived, and a strange figure appeared among the crowd.
Curly, dark chestnut hair like Jesus, rare black eyes, a beard on the philtrum and chin, and a long scar on his eyebrow—his stern features.
A man worthy of being called a Northern Duke.
He looked like someone who had lived in harsh, cold lands, exuding a rough and heavy aura as he fixed his gaze on me.
“I am Kaiden Draksler.”
What am I supposed to do with that?
And yet, wearing armor wrapped in dark gray wolf fur in the warm month of May… excuse me, is he insane?
The man, clearly committed to his concept, continued.
“I am the one who proposed to you through Marquis Murray.”
“Excuse me? And why are you speaking informally?”
Kaiden ignored my question lightly and scanned the group of fiancé candidates standing behind me.
“I heard that only the strongest man, who survives a deadly battle among the strongest, can be chosen.”
“That’s… utterly baseless…”
It hasn’t even been an hour since he said that, and it’s already twisted like this? Are there no sane people in this world?
At that moment, Dante approached and stood beside me. His sharp, blue eyes were immediately directed at the newcomer—the Northern Duke, the fifth military reserve candidate.
Dante studied the beast-like man standing before him and frowned.
“Is he some barbarian warrior caught from the wild?”
Dante, who valued refined appearance, viewed Kaiden as someone untouched by civilization.
“A thoroughly unpleasant human, in many ways.”
Even Elueard, usually amused, had a completely serious expression. His gaze carried not just annoyance but contempt and hatred. Does he really dislike long-haired, bearded men that much?
Kiliane, however, had a slightly different opinion.
“I think he’s impressive. He looks like the legendary conqueror who once controlled half the lands of the past world. He was my childhood idol.”
Like Kiliane, Ezekiel, who seemed emotionally indifferent, asked Kiliane:
“You sense his wildness, sure. But your idol is the king of a nomadic tribe that wipes out everything bigger than their carts?”
“Before that, he offered a polite surrender. By the standards of his time, he was merciful enough.”
Seems like even if there isn’t a Northern Duke like I know, Genghis Khan exists in this world. He even knows extreme diplomacy: surrender or annihilation. Could this be a parallel world?
Kaiden remained steadfast in his stern expression, ignoring the whispers of the others. His black eyes stayed fixed on me.
“I have come to end that fierce battle.”
“The recruitment period is over.”
Because he kept speaking informally, I responded in kind.
Kaiden brushed his beard in apparent regret.
“So, you’ll recruit again if someone is eliminated?”
“That would defeat the purpose of the ‘last one standing’ you mentioned.”
Though this is far from typical marriage or engagement concepts, letting go of conventional logic made me feel relatively calm.
Still, I couldn’t tolerate the continued informality and shouted.
“And why do you keep speaking informally? How old are you?”
I had gotten too calm and even temporarily forgot the social hierarchy.
In truth, a commoner speaking informally to a noble doesn’t mean losing one’s life here. It just makes future prospects harder, which is universal.
Even after seeing my discomfort, Kaiden answered in a low, serious voice.
“I’m nineteen this year. If you prefer to call me ‘older brother,’ I will allow it.”
“Huh…?”
I was dumbfounded. Not thirty-five, but nineteen? Younger than me? On closer look, he does have a somewhat youthful skin.
If I were the heroine in a novel… could I handle a man armed with strong keywords like #NorthernDuke #BeastMan #YoungerMan #LongHairedBeardedMan #WinterFashion?
Rubbing my eyes, I said to Kaiden:
“I clearly rejected you several times. Didn’t that gentleman tell you I refused the proposal?”
“I heard you accepted happily at first. Then suddenly, twelve more fiancé candidates appeared. I thought you were a woman who couldn’t refuse, but hearing that eight died in battle made it more interesting.”
Shouldn’t my interest decrease?
How did it come to this? That he would willingly join the engagement battle even after hearing that shows he isn’t sane either.
“So the proposal is valid? Even if my relationships are horrifically complicated?”
Kaiden looked down at me with a strong gaze.
“I like challenges. The more competitors, the better.”
Ironically, this seems to have triggered my challenge and vigor buttons for this nineteen-year-old. I looked at him suspiciously.
“Are you after my necklace? There’s no reason to go this far.”
“No. I mentioned it only because you have nothing else, meaning no dowry is required. Even if we marry, you don’t have to give it to me. That necklace is entirely yours.”
Then I need to make things clear.
With Kiliane in armor, younger Ezekiel, Toto ignoring me, and Alexander with his twelve-year-old furry canine traits—all overlapping with the story’s keywords—
“Anyway, I’ve definitely rejected your proposal.”
“It is said that what is gained through adversity and trials is more valuable.”
This man is like an open church, yet closed—he listens to nothing but somehow feels broad-minded and open.
Eventually, I decided to abandon normal reasoning and be flexible.
“I see. And what exactly will you gain after adversity and trials?”
“There’s that. I will simply behead anything that blocks my path.”
I glanced at the sword at his waist.
I think I understand why he’s nicknamed the ‘Rogue.’ Truly, a rogue dancing with a real sword.
Then Kaiden turned and looked at me over his shoulder.
“I think I’ve taken too much of your time. Today, I’ll just greet you, but next time, you’d better be prepared.”
He spoke like a villain leaving a fearsome warning.
“Why should I prepare? That black-haired man was the one who mocked you as the Jungle Book protagonist!”
Dante Van Dyke is the one you should be targeting!
Despite my outraged shout, Kaiden vanished leisurely.
– Master, I don’t think you should get involved with that barbarian warrior.
A sudden message ran through my mind, and I asked loudly without thinking:
“Why not?”
Somehow, Elueard, who had been standing at a distance, put a finger to his lips as if to signal a secret.
– I’ll tell you later. The time to utilize the results of your special training is approaching.
We’ve already utilized them enough—what more could be needed?
