Chapter 09
I feel like my mind is going crazy. How on earth did I end up like this?
It seemed like the master didn’t care whether I repeated the rote-learned lines with a face like I’d chewed on bugs or not.
“Call me Eden at the party.”
“Y-yes…”
“If you do well today, I’ll give you a week off.”
“Paid leave?”
“Of course not. Unpaid.”
Ha.
But he flung open the door before I could even brace myself. The person waiting outside to open the door looked taken aback.
Our Eden Croydon wouldn’t bow to anyone. He casually ignored everyone staring at him and reached out his hand to me.
“Let’s go, darling.”
I stared at that hand for a long moment before finally taking it.
“…Alright, Eden.”
The party hall was smaller than I had imagined. And there were more people than I expected.
In other words, it was crowded. And they were all looking at us. Or more precisely, at me—the mysterious woman holding the hand of the Marquess Croydon.
Eden, however, seemed completely unbothered. He leaned close to me with a joyful smile and whispered:
“I wish my father could see this.”
“Oh? Why?”
“He’d probably pass out with anger, seeing his son holding the hand of a commoner he always ignored.”
“That’s unfilial.”
“He said my existence itself was unfilial. This is nothing in comparison.”
Then he suddenly pulled me along. I met his eyes helplessly, and he pressed his lips to the back of my hand with a sly smile.
“Such cuteness.”
“…”
I could almost hear whispers around us. My face flared red, and reflexively my hand moved downward. Seeing me instinctively reach for my gun, he slapped the back of my hand.
“No, darling. Did you forget our purpose?”
“Our purpose is to irritate Arthur Camelon. I haven’t forgotten. Yes.”
I wished the world would just end. Right now, with no trace left.
Without realizing it, I was hoping for the destruction of the world. Was this the influence of the original story’s villain? An evil influence?
What on earth was God’s intention? Did He really send me to make Eden Croydon destroy the world?
‘Then did He also anticipate that I’d kill Eden Croydon to awaken his abilities?’
But I had only accidentally killed him while trying to steal his money.
‘Then I must be the one with the most obvious thief tendencies…’
While I was lost in this confusion, my partner was carrying me straight across the party hall. By the time I realized where he was headed, I gasped.
Blond hair. Blue eyes.
‘Arthur Camelon!’
If no one were around, I would have screamed. My steps slowed naturally as I realized we were heading straight toward Arthur Camelon.
Eden, still smiling lightly, wrapped his arm around my waist.
“Walk faster.”
“…Can’t we just end the world now?”
“No.”
Was this how a condemned person on the execution platform felt? Why was I tearing up just by looking at the ridiculously handsome Arthur Camelon?
‘He is indeed very handsome.’
If our master was a handsome man with refined and delicate features, Arthur Camelon was a bright, sunny youth. Just looking at him gave a comforting, uplifting feeling. Seeing him, I immediately understood why he was the protagonist.
Giving such a face to anyone else would be a waste of the protagonist’s role. Arthur Camelon looked like a prince out of a fairy tale.
Arthur Camelon noticed us approaching and a warm smile spread across his face. He opened his arms to welcome us.
“Thank you for coming, Marquess Croydon.”
“Sir Camelon.”
‘What a nuisance.’
Regardless, Arthur Camelon looked genuinely happy. He spoke to Eden.
“I was worried you wouldn’t come again this time. I’m so glad you made it.”
“I didn’t expect to come here myself.”
“You are always so cheerful, sir.”
Was that charm or just cluelessness?
‘Cheerful my foot.’
Arthur Camelon’s gaze shifted to me.
“And who is this?”
Our eyes met. His piercingly blue eyes seemed to look straight through me. There was something strange in his gaze, as if he had discovered something remarkable.
‘Is he surprised that a partner of a personality wreck showed up?’
But the peculiar look soon disappeared. Eden wrapped his arm around my shoulders.
“My lover.”
Pfft! Someone nearby almost spit out their drink.
“Darling, aren’t you going to greet him?”
Eden whispered into my ear, sending shivers down my spine. I wanted to show my goosebumps, but I held back and extended my hand.
“Nice to meet you, Sir Camelon. It’s an honor to meet a hero of the Empire.”
“You flatter me.”
Arthur Camelon shook my hand with a smile. He must have been surprised by Eden’s declaration, but he didn’t show it.
‘Such good manners. Unlike someone else.’
“You are helping me with my work, Luana. Together, we aim to achieve great things.”
Even though the words came out suddenly, Arthur Camelon accepted them gently.
“I see. I’m very curious what kind of work it is.”
“Curious? If you are, come to the balcony later. I’ll show you something amazing.”
With that, Eden wrapped his arm around my shoulders and led me away. A few nearby nobles approached, but Eden simply smiled and nodded at them, sending them off. When I looked back, their jaws were practically on the floor, staring at us.
The sight almost made me laugh, so I bit my lip to contain it. Noticing my expression, he leaned down and whispered:
“Oh? You’re laughing?”
“You didn’t see anything.”
“Even a messenger of God can lie, right?”
“I’m not God’s messenger.”
I insisted again, but he wasn’t really listening. He nodded carelessly, as if a dog was barking at him.
Eden led me to the balcony. Pulling aside the thick curtains revealed a sofa for people to rest temporarily.
‘I’m saved!’
I was about to kick off my uncomfortable shoes and sit down. But Eden stopped me.
“A maid sitting in front of her master?”
“…”
I lifted my bottom off the sofa slightly. He giggled again at my awkward posture. My legs hurt from standing, and I leaned clumsily on the balcony railing. The bare floor felt cool under my feet, and the breeze was pleasantly refreshing.
‘The person I’m with isn’t great, though.’
Then Eden spoke to me.
“Tell me. Are you really from the heavens?”
