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Chapter 20
When Cadin’s eyes asked her if she still intended to marry that man, Liriope slowly blinked.
Thanks to him, she felt she could actually be of help in the North, despite having fire as her attribute.
After all, Rynix was her own creation. If she were to directly use her power, she could be far more useful in rekindling the extinguished flames at the northern borders.
‘But then, why did Theo ask only Rynix for help, and not me…?’
Her small doubt was soon dispelled as she recalled a conversation she once had with Theo.
— You certainly have talent. Though it seems Duke Stela doesn’t really like seeing you use it.
— Just the fact that he won’t send you to Peran proves it.
Indeed, Liriope’s elemental magic was strong enough to graduate top of her academy class—and even create living beings. But since the Duke adored her so much, it must have been difficult for Theo to ask her for help directly.
When she once said she wanted to visit the North, the Duke had worried endlessly—telling her she’d catch a cold, that it was too frigid—anything to keep her from going.
Theo, fully aware of the Duke’s temperament, had probably refrained from asking Liriope for help, choosing instead to take Rynix along.
Really, she couldn’t understand why he had to be such a fool.
‘If he had just asked, I would’ve helped without expecting anything in return.’
“Yeah, it’s no wonder you’re in shock. Even I didn’t expect that bastard to be such a lowlife.”
Misunderstanding Liriope’s pensive expression, Cadin crossed his arms and continued.
“But isn’t it better that you know now? The reason that bastard seduced you—or rather, the reason he seduced you, Liriope, is—”
“Oh no, I was the one who did the seducing.”
Liriope cut him off with a shrug.
Cadin’s eyes nearly bulged out of his head.
“Thank you for worrying, but if that’s why you came all this way, then it was unnecessary.”
“…Did—did you hear me properly?”
“Of course. You said Lord Theo is only trying to use me by getting engaged, right?”
“Yes! Exactly that!”
“Yes, I understood you perfectly.”
She nodded twice.
Cadin’s jaw dropped wide open.
Apparently, her reaction was far from what he’d been expecting.
Smiling slightly, Liriope said,
“Well then, if that’s all you had to say, safe travels home.”
“Lady—no, no. Liriope. I don’t know how that guy bewitched you, but if this continues, you’ll only be used in the North until you die.”
“Yes, I suppose so…”
She nodded with an expression that suggested maybe that could happen.
In truth, the likelihood was close to zero, so his words didn’t resonate with her.
Calling it being used wasn’t quite right—but indeed, Rosearin saving the North with her divine power was true.
And besides, Cadin’s “concerns” didn’t feel very pure.
“Can’t you understand even now? If you want to be happy, you should choose me, not him!”
At those words, Liriope suddenly grew curious.
Why was Cadin so desperate to marry her?
If he simply didn’t want Theo—who already disliked her—to have her, then he could’ve found some other way to keep them apart without binding himself to a marriage he clearly didn’t want.
So why was the man who once scowled at the mere mention of her name constantly bringing up their potential engagement?
Something about it felt off.
Surely there had to be a shady reason.
Liriope decided she had to uncover it.
If she retraced the original story carefully, she might find what she had missed.
In the original, the Crown Prince also hated Liriope—but he still agreed to their engagement.
There had to be a reason for that.
Most likely, that was why Cadin was so determined to stop her from marrying Theo.
Liriope’s lips curved into a cold smile.
‘So, this guy has a plan after all.’
Liriope sat in the library, chin propped on her hand, carefully retracing the original story.
— I will never let that bastard take you from me, Liriope!
Cadin’s parting shout still lingered in her mind.
What especially stuck with her was his obvious effort to stop calling her Lady and instead say her name.
Anyway, his words implied that her presence brought some kind of benefit to both him and Theo.
Otherwise, Cadin—who normally scowled at the very sight of her—wouldn’t be so eager to marry her.
Liriope tapped her pen against the paper, pondering what it was she was missing.
Then suddenly, she recalled Theo taking Rynix and quickly rose to find her communicator.
Cadin could wait; first she needed to help with the issue in the North.
[Lipe.]
Though surely busy, Theo answered right away.
From the background and the frosty breath escaping his lips, she could tell he was struggling out at the border.
“I heard a sudden cold snap extinguished the flames at the northern frontier.”
At her words, Theo’s expression shifted instantly to one of surprise.
Seeing his unspoken How do you know?, Liriope quickly continued.
“The Crown Prince was here. He said you took Rynix because of the dying flames.”
[That idiot went there again? I told them not to let anyone in without my word—not even His Majesty himself.]
“That’s not what matters. Is Rynix enough? Wouldn’t it be better if I came too?”
[This isn’t a place you should come.]
“I know monsters sometimes appear on the frontier. Is that why you only brought Rynix?”
Theo didn’t answer.
Not wanting to waste his time, Liriope rushed on.
“I wouldn’t be in much danger. I don’t believe you’d let me be. So if you do need my help, just say so. Rynix’s flames are useful, but the fire I wield myself is far stronger against this cold.”
Theo listened quietly, his expression gradually changing.
Soon, he looked straight at her, unblinking, before finally speaking.
[I wondered what you hoped to gain by seducing me.]
‘…Huh?’
[But it doesn’t matter, does it?]
“……What?”
[Right now, I want nothing more than to come there and hold you. Would that be alright?]
She had never anticipated—not in the slightest—such words in this situation. Liriope was truly flustered.
Her face burned so hotly it felt like it might explode.
All she had done was offer to help—how had that turned into “seduction”?
And now, suddenly he was asking to hold her?
“W-w-w-what…!”
Her heart pounded so hard it was difficult even to breathe, let alone speak.
[Thank you, Lipe—even just for saying it. But I have no intention of bringing my woman to a place this dangerous. And even less do I intend to exploit her powers to solve my problems.]
“……”
[Granted, it’s contradictory since I did bring Rynix.]
Theo gave a small smile.
But Liriope was already dazed, still reeling from the words my woman.
‘This guy! The story said he was clueless about women until he met Rosearin, but that’s clearly a lie!’
[I don’t know what nonsense that idiot told you. But sending me Rynix is something I’ll make sure to repay. Honestly, since you have the strongest fire affinity in the Empire, I would’ve asked you for help even if you weren’t my fiancée.]
“Then I’m saying I’m willing to help whenever you need me.”
[Rynix is enough. Just think about what you’d like in return—and think about what I said earlier, too.]
“……”
[Lipe.]
“…Yes?”
[I wasn’t joking when I said I wanted to hold you. So, when you think about your reward—think about that as well.]
Her face, already blazing red, grew even hotter.
Theo was seriously saying he would come flying over to embrace her—at any moment—if she only gave him permission.
And he said it with that absurdly handsome face, no less.
‘Why is it only me who’s dying of embarrassment here?!’
After being busy with social gatherings, time had slipped away.
Her original plan had been to travel North and prepare for the events from the original story—but she had delayed it, not wanting to bother Theo while he was struggling with the cold snap.
And once the crisis in the North was resolved, the long-awaited tea time with Rosearin arrived.
That tea time was supposed to be an important chance for Rosearin and Theo to grow closer.
But…
“You two look so good together.”
Instead of creating a subtle mood with Theo, Rosearin looked at Liriope and Theo together with a warm smile.
“You bastard. Just how long are you planning to use her—Liriope—for your own ends?”
“Use her? That’s just another stupid thought from your stupid head.”
With Cadin—an uninvited guest—joining in, the tea time began drifting in a completely unintended direction.
…How had things ended up like this?
