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Chapter : 39
[I’m sorry.]
As soon as Anna heard his quiet words, she felt her breath catch. Tears welled up in her eyes. She quickly looked down and blinked fast, telling herself, Don’t cry here. Hold it in, Anna!
Then Raiden whispered softly,
[Honestly… I thought I was the only one who felt that way.]
[…What?]
[So I was so surprised, I couldn’t answer right away. I’m sorry, Miss.]
Anna’s heart swelled so much she couldn’t say a word. Raiden, as if he understood how she felt, gently played with her small hand and murmured,
[My mother once told me—people can be someone else’s home.]
[People?]
Anna, feeling better, squeezed Raiden’s hand too, then suddenly looked up. Raiden nodded.
[So… what if we become each other’s home?]
[Become each other’s home?]
[If you don’t mind, I’d like to be a place you can always come back to.]
[Ah…]
A wave of emotion spread across Anna’s face. She pressed her lips together for a moment, then answered bravely, her cheeks pink.
[I want that too. I want to be your home, Raiden.]
[…]
[Let’s make a home that’s full of warmth and love. I know I can do it!]
Raiden wanted to hug her tight—she was so lovely—but he held himself back, worried he might scare her.
Anna, still unsure, glanced at him and asked softly,
[Are you sure you really don’t dislike me?]
[Never. Actually, I want to ask you—do you like me, Miss?]
The question made Anna tear up again. She didn’t know why she was crying so much today, but she nodded firmly. Raiden tried to hide his twitching smile and lowered his voice.
[I’m sure I like you a lot more.]
[That’s impossible.]
Anna sniffled with a red nose, stubbornly arguing. Raiden couldn’t help but laugh.
[But it’s true.]
[I like you more. That’s the truth. I even dream about you all the time, Raiden.]
He covered his smiling mouth with his hand. Anna, pretending to pout, turned away, so she missed his expression. Raiden pretended to be serious.
[We can’t seem to agree. Should we make a deal?]
[What kind of deal?]
Anna looked at him, puzzled. When their eyes met, Raiden smiled brightly, like a flower blooming.
[Let’s just say we like each other the same amount.]
Anna, distracted by his beautiful face, nodded, then widened her eyes and pouted.
[No, I like you more!]
[Hahaha.]
Raiden finally couldn’t help but laugh out loud, bending over in amusement. Anna, who had been glaring at him, started laughing too.
After a while, their laughter faded and they looked at each other with gentle eyes.
It was the first day they became more than friends.
“Marquis? Raiden? Hello?”
“….”
Raiden’s eyes finally focused. As he looked up, Louis, who’d been about to shake his fist, quickly hid his hand.
Raiden straightened up and brushed his messy hair.
“What is it?”
“I should be asking you! What are you doing here at this hour?”
“…I couldn’t sleep…”
Raiden frowned, but Louis, who didn’t know what happened last night, just went along with it. He shuffled his papers and began the usual morning reports.
“The targets took the bait. They met secretly, which means they’re definitely interested. The art deal is moving along too. Want to check the list and prices?”
“No, what about the harbor?”
“That’s going well. The finance minister seems even more frantic, so Marquis Nomen must finally realize he’s in trouble.”
“Good. And the bank?”
“The bank director is greedy, but it’s manageable. Once we settle the amount, it’ll be done.”
Raiden rubbed his face, sounding a little tired. “Good work.”
“No need to say that. Did you check the urgent message from the western marquisate?”
“…Ah.”
As if just remembering, Raiden picked up a paper from his desk, frowning.
“…Is that really necessary?”
Louis rolled his eyes at Raiden’s hesitation.
“What do you mean? It’s a guarantee from the desert elders! With that, we meet all the emperor’s requirements. Why hesitate?”
Raiden tapped the desk with his finger, lips pressed tight. Louis, worked up, waved his documents.
“It’s all part of the plan—getting that item will be easy.”
He pointed at Raiden.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance. We can’t miss it.”
Raiden stayed silent, even as the good news piled up. Louis watched him, then suddenly remembered something.
“Oh! Look at this.”
“…What?”
Louis pulled something out from the stack— a newspaper. Raiden frowned and opened it.
“!”
His eyes widened as he saw the headline:
‘Future Count of Haimel, Edward, to Marry Lady Alianna Evercline Soon!’
Louis rubbed his hands together, pleased.
“With this news out, if you break that marriage and get engaged to the Lady… her reputation will hit rock bottom.”
“Everything is going as planned.”
But Raiden just stared at the paper, expressionless. Louis’s smile faded.
“Marquis?”
But his voice didn’t reach Raiden, who was lost in memories he’d gone over all night.
[I want that too. I want to be your home, Raiden.]
[…]
[Let’s make a home that’s full of warmth and love. I know I can do it!]
Raiden closed his eyes, then opened them slowly. In a low voice, he said,
“Not yet… We’ll wait for the right time.”
Louis finally relaxed and grumbled, “It’s the perfect chance with this article, though…”
When Raiden stared at him in silence, Louis immediately backed down.
“Understood. As long as we have the Lady, we can always make another chance.”
But he still seemed disappointed. Raiden leaned back and closed his eyes.
“What about the side branch?”
“We learned they’re attached to a noble in the capital, but haven’t confirmed who yet. Feels like a high-ranking noble.”
“Remember the mine incident? Be careful— you know what they’re holding. Approach slowly.”
“Right, of course.”
Louis wrinkled his nose, then remembered something. “Oh, and I found the book you asked for.”
“!”
Raiden’s eyes lit up. He blinked, then ran a hand over his face.
“Good…”
“It was easier to find in the capital than out west. It’s on the shelf— read it whenever.”
Raiden stared into space for a moment, then stood up.
“Where are you going?”
Raiden answered bluntly, “To the underground prison.”
“…Ah.”
Louis’s face darkened. He mumbled, “He’s even worse than I thought… even if we forced him into this…”
Raiden didn’t answer and left the office, heading across the dewy yard. People greeted him, but he barely nodded in return.
He arrived at the prison and slowly went down the damp stone stairs, deep in thought.
‘He found Mother’s book.’
It was the biography of Saint Isabel—a rare, beautiful manuscript decorated by the capital’s top scribes. His mother treasured it until her sudden death.
‘Marquis Marcus… was it him who got it for her?’
