TCBUP 24

Chapter 24. Noblesse oblige

‘Did he fall for me?’

It must be that Bona Mana’s favorability rating dropped because I left Damien alone. That’s probably why he came here so angry.

But… for some reason, I felt strange. I had a hunch that Damien wasn’t just angry.

“It would be better not to get too close.”

“Huh? Who are you—Leon?”

I had been so focused on the sparkling clover that I jumped at the voice.

“He’s a mercenary from Aatrox. A rough man, experienced in war.”

He didn’t seem like that kind of person at all.

When I think of a mercenary roaming the battlefield, I imagine someone muscular, fierce, and dangerous.

But Leon… how should I put it? He was beautiful.

I’m not sure if that word is right for a man, but it suited him.

‘Oh, but the arm that held me when I got on and off the horse… it was strong.’

He was slim, but not thin, so he looked very masculine…

Ha, why am I thinking like this?

Embarrassed, I fiddled with my hair for no reason.

“He’s a dangerous man. Keep your distance.”

“If he’s a war expert, why is he bothering the nobles?”

“Most armed conflicts have quieted down. He must’ve needed another way to make a living.”

Oh, so it’s the off-season. I really do need to return that expensive jacket.

But even if Damien warned me, I couldn’t just cut ties with Leon.

Even if he’s dangerous, Leon is still the male lead.

“I’ll handle it.”

Damien frowned again, as if he disliked my answer.

He opened his mouth as if he had a lot to say—but then shut it quickly.

And I said nothing either. A long silence settled between us.

“Now tell me. Where have you been?”

“Ah. I just wandered around. It was dark, and I was wearing a mask, so I couldn’t see well… I bumped into things, got a few scratches… You know how it is, Your Highness. I get distracted.”

I tried to dodge his scolding with some dawdling.

Because of Leon, and because he saw my wounds, Damien’s anger seemed to cool down a bit—but his expression still wasn’t great.

“Do I look like a fool to you?”

At last, Damien shouted, as if he could no longer hold it in.

He was someone who rarely showed emotion, so this was the first time I’d ever seen him raise his voice so loudly. I was startled.

Damien also seemed surprised at himself, touching his forehead and taking a moment to catch his breath.

“Did you think I wouldn’t notice signs of strangulation?”

“…….”

Because of my pale, sensitive skin, I expected bruising.

But I hadn’t looked in a mirror yet, so I didn’t know how bad it was.

“Tell me. Who did this? What happened?”

His voice was calm again.

But I hesitated to answer.

Even if I told him, I didn’t think Damien would act rashly or retaliate.

Still, a part of me vaguely hoped that if he found out the truth, he would take some kind of action.

Because I knew he was upright and honest.

“What will you do if I tell you?”

“What?”

“What can you do, Your Highness? What if it’s not just an ordinary salon?”

How many people in this empire can interfere with something backed by the royal family?

Based on what the Marquis of Pites said, Prince Aiden seems powerless, except for Prince Withro.

Then what about Damien?

Should I just stay silent because I don’t want to get involved with the royal family?

“What are you talking about?”

“It’s not just any place. They’re extorting nobles through gambling and auctions to make slush funds.”

“What?”

“And they’re targeting commoners too. Forcing us to sell buildings dirt cheap and using them.”

As I spoke, my anger flared up again. But I held it in.

Even if I poured out all this emotion, Damien wouldn’t believe me easily.

What he hated most was my irrationality.

“I saw the Marquis of Pites. Behind him are the Empress and Emperor Withro…”

“Sienna.”

Damien suddenly interrupted.

Surprised, I looked up. Damien was pressing his temple like he had a headache.

Then he clammed up with a serious face.

“Go back to Earl Hargreaves’s residence. I’ll speak to the Earl.”

After thinking for a while, that’s all he said.

…Was that it?

I blinked, wondering if I had misheard. Then I spoke firmly.

“No, I don’t want to.”

“Sienna.”

“That’s all you have to say? You heard what I said, didn’t you?”

“Stop, Sienna.”

“So what if it’s the nobles? It’s the same for the commoners! Just like how Mr. Knox, the so-called building owner, easily snatched ours away just because we’re commoners.”

“…….”

“I may be a noble, but I’m powerless. But the Duke isn’t.”

If they’re trying to draw Damien in, then that means he holds political weight.

Unlike powerless nobles like Earl Hargreaves, who’ve lost everything.

“Noblesse oblige, remember? The Duke of Otiz is from a founding family—one that values pride and honor. So shouldn’t a high-ranking noble like you have a different sense of responsibility?”

Damien stared at me for a long time, looking shocked.

But contrary to my slightly impassioned state, his eyes slowly grew colder.

“Don’t speak lightly of the Duke’s house. You know nothing.”

“No, I do know one thing. You don’t want to be dragged into the princes’ conflict. That’s why you’re ignoring the injustice.”

“Matters of the Duke’s family are none of your business.”

He drew a sharp line.

“You’ve never cared about politics or anything else. Stop pretending, and just go back to the count’s house. Immediately.”

“That’s Count Hargreaves’s business. You don’t have to involve yourself.”

“It’s not completely unrelated. This all started because of the broken engagement. What if something happens to you while you’re out alone?”

Damien closed his tired eyes.

“How do you expect me to handle the fallout? Just today alone…”

A tone full of deep sighs, a dark expression, and weary eyes.

As I stared at him blankly, I found myself chuckling bitterly.

So, in the end, all Damien felt was guilt over the broken engagement and the trouble it caused me.

Why had I clung to him with such unreasonable hope?

“You’re the one who ended it. No one expects you to clean up after me.”

“Sienna.”

“I’m sorry about today.”

“…….”

“Let’s stop here. Let’s not get involved with each other anymore. You’re free now, Your Highness.”

I smiled faintly, composed. Damien said nothing.

“Oh, right—this.”

I pulled out something I’d been keeping in my dress pocket.

Damien received it—it was wrapped neatly in a handkerchief—and looked at me questioningly.

“Try unwrapping it.”

He silently unfolded the tightly wrapped cloth.

Then, staring down at the pink diamond necklace inside, he froze.

“You said your mother didn’t leave behind many keepsakes. That’s why I brought this. I remember seeing it in a portrait at the Duke’s house.”

“…….”

“Don’t worry, it’s stolen goods. You can’t report it anyway.”

He said nothing.

Just stood there, looking at me.

In the darkness, I couldn’t read what was in his night-sky-colored eyes.

After staring at me for a long time… he left.

‘Maybe this really is the last time.’

Thinking that made my chest feel heavy.

So I too stood in the dark, alone, for a long time.

Damien left, and only the male status window appeared.

Ah, well. Might as well take the reward.

Oddly, talking to Damien made the heavy feeling inside me lighten up a bit.

<SYSTEM>
The mission “Find the Hidden Conspiracy” has been completed. A reward will now be issued.
The highest favorability rating among the male leads has increased by 10%.
Would you like to receive it?

Ugh. These guys, seriously.

You forced me to upgrade the Hidden Heroine route and even reject missions—and now you give me a choice when it comes to rewards?

Even as I cursed under my breath, my hand moved on its own and pressed “YES.”

<SYSTEM>
※ Warning: Since the granted favorability is not ‘genuine,’ it may be difficult to maintain.