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Chapter – 09
How did this boy prepare so many things?
I swallowed and carefully looked at everything one by one.
Éclairs coated in rich chocolate, and Mont Blanc topped with chestnuts.
Even honey-soaked dates that you could only get from the southern regions. And peach jelly, my favorite, was also prepared.
“How did you prepare all this?”
“Please take it as a sign of sincerity.”
From start to finish, everything here was what I liked.
It seems my overly loving father must have been talking about his beloved only daughter every time something she liked appeared.
“It’s delicious.”
The moment I scooped the peach jelly into my mouth, the sweet flavor melted softly inside me.
The perfect balance of chewy texture and soft fruit filling. How could something be made this perfectly!
Even the peach jelly made by the duke’s palace chef was good, but not this good.
If I were alone, I would have eaten it with a big spoon without caring about etiquette.
But because of so-called “proper manners,” I had to stop after exactly three bites.
It had been a long time since I had such well-made peach jelly, but Ryan quickly spoke as if noticing my regret.
“I already brought it as an offering item this time. It should arrive at the Halshtain estate tomorrow.”
“Really? Seriously?”
I jumped up without realizing it.
He calmly took a sip of tea.
“You’re going to marry me anyway, so I can do this much.”
Ugh.
That sudden attack left me speechless.
Remaining Time: 8 hours 21 minutes
Seeing the number slowly decrease, I honestly had no time to refuse.
“So what you’re saying is, you need a fake fiancée to protect your position as duke, right?”
“And in return, after I become duke, I’ll help you succeed the throne.”
“Why me?”
I tried to open the favorability window, but nothing appeared.
There are only two possibilities: either it’s already at 100, or it’s someone completely unrelated.
And clearly, this boy was the second type.
“Because you won’t be bribed by the Marquis of Montpellier.”
“I see…”
Just one sentence, and I understood ten things.
Without needing a long explanation, I immediately understood why he hated that man so much.
‘He must have suffered badly.’
For the first time, Ryan’s always calm expression showed anger.
“I never want to get involved with that man again.”
If the ambitious Marquis of Montpellier swallowed the Granada ducal house, it would become a huge threat to the royal family.
“So His Majesty proposed that I marry Princess Floria.”
“Ah.”
This part would become important later. My sister was originally engaged to him.
A ten-year age gap could be overcome with love… but without love, it’s impossible.
My sister already had someone she loved, meaning this boy had essentially been abandoned…
“I already know that Princess Floria has a lover.”
“How do you know that?”
I was shocked. No one in the royal family should know yet.
Ryan snorted.
“You show everything on your face.”
“What?!”
“You were just thinking I was pitiful.”
“Ugh.”
He was right.
Even though it was a forced engagement, he still acted as a loyal servant of the royal family for Floria’s sake.
More than that, he was an excellent NPC—no, a reliable ally who helped Astarote in many ways.
“As expected, your loyalty to the royal family is strong.”
But Ryan suddenly looked displeased.
“Half right, half wrong.”
“What do you mean…?”
“I just want to protect my territory, and you want to achieve your goal.”
“That’s true.”
“I think that’s enough.”
He glanced at the letter on my lap and quietly sipped his tea.
He hadn’t even touched the sweets, only drinking tea.
I decided to test him a little.
“Are you nervous?”
“Me?”
“You prepared all this. It looks like you came here seriously, like you wanted this from the start.”
If my Insight stat were higher, I would have gotten dialogue choices.
But now I had to rely on guessing.
“…Do I really look like that?”
Ryan suddenly became serious, and I quickly waved my hands.
“No, I mean—”
“I won’t deny it. It is true that I’m interested in the ‘Star of Halshtain’ that the royal family protects so carefully.”
Wait. That sounded a bit too serious…
“Beautiful appearance, sharp intelligence, and good character. No wonder the king and duke keep her hidden.”
No no no, that’s not it. I’m just underpowered right now!
I quickly tried to change the topic.
“By the way, you said before that ‘the kingdom’s only hope’…”
Duke Halshtain activates [Child Safety Service Lv.5]
Ugh, that skill again! Always at the worst timing.
A red warning appeared only in my vision.
Ryan continued speaking calmly.
“I suggested this because I knew the royal family would strongly oppose it.”
“R-Ryan, shh, shh!”
“I didn’t know we had a guest.”
A deep voice filled the room.
My father had arrived.
The moment I saw his expression, I felt chills.
Duke Halshtain’s favorability decreases by 9!
Duke Halshtain Favorability: 90 (▼9) / 100
Once the numbers appeared, his emotions became even more visible.
That’s the worst part of this game.
When favorability reaches 100, it rarely drops—but once it starts dropping, it falls fast.
“What exactly is going on here, young duke?”
My father walked in and suddenly picked me up.
Like he was rescuing his child from an enemy.
“F-Father, it’s…”
Before I could explain, the letter on my lap fell.
My father picked it up instead.
“My beloved star… what is this?”
“I-I-I mean…”
Where should I even start explaining?
Before I could find an excuse—
“Asta and I have already promised our future together.”
Ah.
It exploded.
And then—
“Please allow our marriage. Duke—no, Father-in-law.”
The moment that word came out, my strength left my body.
I quickly jumped down from my father’s arms.
“Father, it’s not like that!”
“What did you say?”
Uh-oh.
My father turned pale, looking between me, the letter, and Ryan.
Then—
“F-Father!”
“Duke!”
He collapsed, foaming at the mouth.
After that
“So you made my brother faint?”
Because my father collapsed, things escalated.
Even His Majesty rushed over thinking it might be poisoning.
Ryan and I stood like criminals in front of him.
“…Maybe this is actually good.”
“Youuu really…”
There was no time left. Only 3 hours remained.
No way back now.
“I want to marry him.”
At my firm words, His Majesty calmly stroked his chin and smiled.
“…That was quite a strategic decision.”
He looked at both of us seriously.
As expected of the emperor—calm even in this situation…
“Don’t tell me you already kissed, did you?”
