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Chapter : 22
Why did he want her so desperately? And why did her own heart keep wavering? She wanted to know.
“……!”
At Freya’s answer, Raiden’s eyes widened and his expression brightened. Just as he was about to speak, she stopped him.
“But I have a few conditions.”
“Tell me, Freya. I’ll agree to anything.”
Seeing Raiden’s eyes sparkle as if he were happy just that she had accepted his proposal, Freya hesitated for a moment.
Does he really like me that much? His intense feelings still felt burdensome and unfamiliar.
She averted her gaze slightly and spoke calmly.
“First, while we’re seeing each other, no talk about marriage. I’ll agree up to an engagement.”
“Yes, that’s fine.”
“Second, no excessive physical contact. Holding hands, linking arms, or a light hug is okay, but nothing more than that.”
Honestly, it didn’t seem like Raiden would be capable of bold skinship anyway. He was the kind of person who couldn’t even properly say titles like “husband” or “wife.”
“Ah, um… I understand for now.”
But for a moment, Raiden’s expression stiffened as if he were flustered.
‘Huh? That’s not what I expected.’
She thought he would blush, but this wasn’t the reaction she had imagined. Still, she decided to let it pass.
“Third, if after meeting five times my feelings haven’t changed, please break off the engagement and withdraw your proposal. That’s my final condition.”
“Hmm…”
Raiden, who had been nodding at the previous conditions, paused at the third.
‘Even with conditions like these, will he really accept?’
The first two were basic rules, but the last was a device Freya had set to buy herself time.
It was also insurance, just in case. Without some limit, she might keep getting dragged along by him.
“So? If you accept these conditions… I’ll try meeting you, Duke.”
After thinking for a moment, Raiden nodded.
“All right. But before that, let me add a few conditions of my own.”
“What are they?”
“Since we’ll be engaged, at least in public, please treat me as your fiancé. And think positively about accepting my feelings.”
“Hmm…”
“And since I’m doing my best, I hope you’ll also recognize that our relationship can seriously move forward.”
“It wouldn’t be fair if only you were trying. All right. I’ll try too.”
Having loved her unrequitedly for so long, he was probably impatient. Even if they were engaged and meeting, what would be the point if only one person reached out and got no response? Over time, he’d grow tired and hurt.
Freya had a conscience. Even if it was a contract engagement, Raiden was the one extending his hand, and he was accepting all her conditions. So she intended to do her best.
“Lastly, please let me decide the dates and places when we meet.”
She wasn’t likely to suggest meeting first anyway, and he wouldn’t be so reckless as to ignore her situation, so that was fine.
“Okay. Let’s do that.”
“Thank you, Freya.”
As the negotiations ended well, Raiden smiled happily. Freya let out a deep sigh inwardly and relaxed her tense expression.
‘There’s no turning back now.’
No matter what happened, this was her choice. For now, the possibility of remaining single was slim, but not completely gone.
By getting engaged to Raiden, she could block Marquis Balche and his wife from arranging blind dates, and while meeting him, she could think of a way to maintain her single life somehow.
“I’ll soon send a formal letter of engagement to the Balche household.”
Raiden kissed the back of her hand and stood up with a smile. As he held onto her hand tightly, Freya spoke.
“Before that, you should clear up the rumors about you and Astella.”
“Of course. Today, my family and I will formally send a letter of protest to the Duke of Binoc and his daughter.”
“Even so, there will still be gossip.”
If Raiden and the Betelheim ducal house protested directly, the Binoc family wouldn’t be able to do much, but the rumors of their marriage had already spread widely.
If news suddenly broke that he was engaged to her instead, not only high society but the entire noble world would be in uproar.
Sensing her anxiety, Raiden spoke firmly.
“Don’t worry, Freya. I won’t let anyone touch you.”
“That’s right. We’ll make sure to protect you. So don’t worry and rest easy.”
Savanna, who had been silently watching the conversation, added warmly. Seeing her look just as pleased as Raiden, Freya nodded quietly.
With words from the Duke and Duchess of Betelheim—people who could even silence the emperor—there was no choice but to believe.
“Young lady!”
Late at night, after finishing work at the imperial palace, Freya arrived at the Balche estate. As she stepped down from the carriage, Greta hurried over with an anxious face.
“What’s wrong?”
“Miss, did something happen with Lady Astella today? The Marquis is terribly angry right now.”
“……So he’s already heard.”
It seemed Astella had gone straight back and tattled to Duke Binoc. She sure acted fast.
Brushing off the crumpled hem of her dress, Freya said calmly,
“I was dismissed from being Astella’s attendant.”
“What? Really? What on earth happened…?”
“I’ll tell you later. Let’s go in first.”
“Ah, miss!”
Greta stepped in front of Freya as she tried to enter the mansion, shaking her head anxiously.
“If you go in now, the Marquis will surely…”
“I know. I came prepared for that. It’s okay, Greta.”
“Miss…”
Greta knew what she was worried about. She had seen countless times how Marquis Balche treated Freya when he was angry.
Freya gave her a small smile to reassure her and walked boldly into the mansion.
“……Welcome back, miss.”
A somber-faced butler and servants greeted her. As usual, she handed her coat to Greta and asked,
“Where is Father?”
“He is in the study with the madam.”
“I see. You don’t need to follow me.”
“Yes…”
As Freya went up the stairs with Greta, the servants watched with anxious eyes.
The Marquis seemed angrier than usual today. It’s going to be worse tonight. Sighing, the butler, as always, instructed them to prepare ice water and towels.
Marquis Balche’s study was on the fourth floor, the door just to the right of the bedroom halfway down the hall. Standing before it, Freya knocked calmly.
Knock, knock—
“Father, it’s Freya.”
There was no sound from inside, but used to this situation, she opened the door and went in.
“I’ve just returned. Mother, you’re here too.”
“Ah…”
“……”
Inside were Marquis Balche and his wife, Selene.
The moment Selene saw Freya’s face, she looked flustered and glanced nervously at the Marquis.
With a grim expression, Marquis Balche glared at Freya, then suddenly stood and strode toward her.
As the distance closed, his hand swung forcefully and struck her cheek.
Smack!
“……!”
Freya’s head snapped to the side from the sudden blow. Behind her, Selene’s eyes widened in shock as Freya calmly touched her stinging cheek.
Marquis Balche spoke coldly,
“I heard from Duke Binoc. You were dismissed from Astella’s attendant position, weren’t you?”
“……”
“So you’ve finally gone and smeared mud on my face.”
“……Father.”
“How dare you look at your father with those eyes. Insolent brat.”
Freya’s cheek reddened, but he paid it no mind. Instead, he criticized the indifferent gaze with which she looked at him.
