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Chapter 10
“……What?”
“Ah, never mind. I just got interested in alchemy. Can you bring me those fake fireworks Baron bought and hid in the storage room after getting scammed?”
“N-no problem! I’ll bring them right away!”
When my polite look turned cold, Lem quickly saluted, touching his forehead.
Anyone would think I’m a terrible guild master boss.
‘Solia doesn’t look mean, but maybe my personality isn’t that nice…?’
Thinking that, I glanced at Noah. He kept staring at his wrist—at the hand I was holding.
His innocent wrist was caught in my hand.
“Ah, sorry.”
I tried to let go, but Noah reached out faster and grabbed my hand.
“It’s okay. You can hold me as much as you want.”
He gripped my hand. It wasn’t a painful grip, but for some reason, I couldn’t pull away.
Noah’s face was blank, as if nothing happened. He didn’t look like he’d let go soon.
No, this isn’t right. I gently placed my other hand on the back of his.
“No, Noah. It’s rude to touch an unmarried man’s body.”
Isn’t this pretty rude? So, why don’t we just get married already? (I only thought this inside.)
Noah’s face looked odd. After hesitating, he said,
“It’s okay for you, Miss Rotten. You gave me good food.”
Ha, Noah, are you making me feel like a kidnapper?
Anyone watching would think I’m forcing a sickly pretty boy into marriage. I’m a proper noble lady, you know.
Even the servant looked at me strangely, like he felt it.
“Your strategy is… impressive,”
he said, but I ignored it and bent toward Noah.
I leaned close—if I turned my head, I’d almost kiss his forehead. But I stopped just short.
Maybe my breath touched him, because Noah suddenly let go of my hand.
“I changed my mind. Please step back, Miss Rotten.”
He put his hand on his forehead and leaned away.
Creaaak—his chair made a loud noise as he moved back, trying hard to get away.
“Ah, I got too close, didn’t I?”
Realizing my mistake, I stepped back politely.
Noah blushed deeply, his face and even his neck turning red.
“Now, I’m not okay anymore.”
A clear sign to keep my distance. I sighed and pushed back my bangs.
‘Is Noah a cold but soft-hearted type? He looks tough but is actually shy…’
He was never this shy around me in my past lives.
“Please keep some distance from now on, Miss Rotten.”
Yes, yes. Keeping distance is good.
‘You were holding my hand so tightly a second ago, and now you want space…!’
I raised my eyebrow at how quickly he changed.
‘If Noah was Korean, he could help me scam the baron. Too bad.’
I crossed my arms and asked,
“How much distance? Is two meters enough?”
“As long as it’s not too close. Just not close enough to feel your breath…”
He kept saying it was fine, but he was pretty picky.
‘By the way, my hair is super soft now, like a bichon dog, thanks to all the money spent on it.’
As I fixed my bangs, Noah looked at me.
‘What, do you want to touch it too? Then marry me.’
I kept that thought to myself.
Noah stayed silent for a moment, then slowly spoke.
“Please keep your distance, Miss Rotten. If you’re too close, I might make a mistake.”
He looked calm, but his face was red. I wondered if he noticed his ears turning pink.
‘For someone who’ll join the “Black Butterfly” rebels in four years, he’s pretty shy…’
‘Is it related to the rebels?’ I remembered a scene from a web novel I once read after my truck accident. The main character was cold and good at assassinations. What was his name…?
‘I can’t remember. That villain was also a rebel.’
After being hit by a truck and waking up in this world, my memories were foggy. If I’d known the novel, survival would’ve been easier.
“It was a real obsessive, dark romance.”
A 19+ obsessive dark romance.
“What?”
Hearing the word “19+” from my mouth, the servant hiccupped.
“Oh, I just remembered a novel my maid liked.”
Sorry, Edel. I’ll use your name even if you’re not here.
But I can’t say, “I used to read spicy 19+ obsessive, dark, captivity novels in my past life.”
It’s not like I only read those. I read sweet stories too.
I wondered if this world had novels like that.
‘What did they call them? Popular novels? Romantic novels?’
As I thought, Noah quietly stood up.
“Thank you for the tea, Miss Rotten.”
He placed his hand on his chest and bowed.
‘Ah, so cute. I almost said it out loud.’
“You’re a count, you don’t have to be so polite to me.”
“This is more comfortable for me.”
“I prefer being casual.”
Noah’s eyes widened at my muttering.
When his sharp eyes widen in surprise, he looks pretty cute.
“…Do you like rude people?”
Noah asked in a careful voice, and I was quiet for a moment.
‘What does Noah think of me?’
I don’t like rude people, but I do like people who are bold. I like dark stories, but I don’t want anyone slamming their hand on the wall at me.
“My tastes changed. I like cute things more now.”
I put my hands behind my back and leaned a little closer. Noah stepped back, but it was too late.
My lips nearly touched his ear. His shoulders got stiff.
“So, when will you move out of the attic?”
Noah froze, then quickly turned away.
“I like the attic. It’s cozy and warm.”
Liar. I know it’s cramped, old, and cold.
I used to live in small rooms and rooftop places—I know what it’s like.
“Lem.”
I called the servant, who hurried over, bowing.
“Take the count to the guest room right now.”
“B-but the baron might get very angry…”
I expected that.
‘Baron Rotten gave Noah the attic to make him feel small.’
Even though he’s acting careful, the baron still has all the power.
I have no real power. That’s why I’m treated like a “useful tool” for marriage.
‘But even a tool can have a strategy.’
I stepped back from Noah, loosened my hair bun, and let my hair fall.
Swish.
A white freesia hairpin dropped out, and my golden hair flowed.
Noah’s eyes followed my golden hair.
I grabbed my hair and picked up a knife from the table.
“Go ask my father now: Would he rather have his daughter shave her head and become a servant knight than marry Noah Lenister in the attic?”
A noble lady with a shaved head? Baron Rotten would faint!
“Tell him: ‘I’ll only marry a nice-smelling man. I refuse the attic because it stinks.’ Tell him politely.”
The servant trembled and said, “Y-yes, miss,” before running off.
‘Sorry, Lem. Am I becoming a total villain?’
I sighed, holding the knife. Suddenly, Noah walked up and took it away from me.
“……?”
“You were holding the blade.”
He looked at me like he was upset.
Why is he mad? It wasn’t sharp.
“Oh, my hand was slippery.”
I grabbed the roast turkey knife with my bare hands, so it was greasy. I started looking for a wet wipe, then shook my head.
‘Silly me. There are no wet wipes in this world.’
Tap. Noah placed the knife carefully on the table instead of throwing it.
He was so proper and neat.
“Give me your hand.”
Noah took out a handkerchief and gently wiped my hand.
His careful touch made me feel like a puppy being cleaned by its owner.
‘Why am I thinking like this… Have I been acting like a dog lately?’
I’ve been acting wild around the baron these days. I felt guilty, but Noah’s touch was gentle.
‘He handles my hand like it’s breakable glass, but it’s just an ordinary hand…’
I’ve never had precious hands or lived pampered.
Noah’s gaze was calm but kind, and his hand was cold like winter wind.
‘Wow…’
But his blue eyes, shining like jewels, looked so beautiful as he glanced down at me.
