Chapter 39
With my stern and serious voice, Babel came running and handed me the Cloud family’s flag.
Well, since my husband was the one who suggested this duel first—
‘Losing is not an option.’
I gripped the flag tightly with both hands and waved it hard.
Martin glanced my way and gave a slight nod.
That tiny gesture was filled with determination. Somehow, it felt like the flag in my hands was giving him strength.
‘Am I cheering properly?’
I sneaked a glance to the side—Erica was yelling at the top of her lungs.
“Aaron! Crush him!”
…Crush him?!
Wasn’t this supposed to be a friendly match? Wasn’t she getting a little too fired up?
My eyes drifted to Martin’s pale skin, in contrast to Aaron’s tanned one.
Rolling up my sleeves, I shouted toward Martin with all my strength.
“Show him what you’re made of!”
…What did I just say?
The words slipped out before I realized.
Earlier, when I waved the flag, Martin clearly drew strength from it.
But now—he actually turned his head away… and smirked?
‘Is he… ignoring me? No—was that a mocking smile?’
I decided to call it a smirk.
The sharp crack of wooden swords echoed as Aaron and Martin clashed.
Their blades locked, testing each other’s strength, before springing apart again.
Martin countered Aaron’s quick strikes with light, practiced footwork.
The way he read Aaron’s moves and responded so calmly—it was the aura of an experienced fighter.
‘So the rumor about him sparring with Sir Stuart was true after all.’
Before I knew it, I was staring at Martin in awe.
If not for Erica’s sharp voice, I might have forgotten myself completely.
“Our Aaron is doing well, isn’t he?”
“…Since when did Aaron become our Aaron?” I shot back.
Caught, Erica laughed awkwardly.
“Sister-in-law, you’re funny. When someone looks cool, I just call them that. That’s all.”
“Well… I suppose he is cool.”
I must’ve said that while still looking at Martin.
Because honestly, I hadn’t even seen what Aaron was doing—my eyes were only on my husband.
Erica and I each focused only on our chosen “champions,” cheering them on.
Their heavy breathing filled the training yard.
Sweat dripped down their foreheads, and Erica looked frustrated that she couldn’t rush over to wipe Aaron’s face.
Then it happened.
Martin thrust his sword forward, pressing it right up to Aaron’s nose.
Aaron’s weapon flew from his hands. After a short silence, Martin lowered his blade.
“So your name is Aaron? I think I’ve found a promising talent.”
“Your praise is too much,” Aaron replied humbly.
Martin extended his hand, and the two clasped hands firmly.
Even after the duel ended, the tension still lingered in the air.
“I’d like to repay you somehow. If you’re willing, consider becoming Erica’s guard knight. Come find me if you decide.”
Erica’s eyes widened, and mine did too.
This wasn’t in the original story at all.
A guard knight?
Had Martin really been that impressed by Aaron’s skills?
Ecstatic, Erica hugged my neck tightly.
Then she turned and scolded her brother.
“You’re so heartless, Brother!”
“Sorry, but… I had my own reason not to lose today.”
When Martin said that and smirked at me, my heart jumped.
It almost felt like he had won because of my support—and I couldn’t help but feel proud.
The warm spring breeze surrounded us.
Martin was about to head inside to wash up, but Aaron suddenly stopped him.
What he asked next left me stunned.
“Can I really become part of the Cloud family?”
“Don’t get ahead of yourself just because you passed the first test,” Martin said, waving a hand as he walked off.
“Woohoo! Don’t you dare take that back, Brother!” Erica shouted after him, bursting with joy.
But I couldn’t be as happy.
If Aaron really became Erica’s guard knight, he’d practically be living here at the mansion.
Was that… really okay?
I tried to warn him.
“Aaron, dear… just my advice. The more time you take to think, the better.”
But Aaron only smiled.
“I already made up my mind the moment we dueled.”
…Made up his mind? About what exactly?
“To become part of the Cloud family.”
Good heavens.
It sounded like a declaration of war.
As his words struck home, Erica hugged my neck again, beaming with joy.
I couldn’t move, pinned in her arms, while a thought chilled me—
In the original story, none of this had happened.
It felt like Aaron and Erica’s fates were becoming deeply entwined.
Later, I hurried straight to Martin’s study.
I needed to know why he was seriously considering hiring Aaron.
Babel was there, putting the Cloud family flag back in its place.
Remembering how I had swung it like crazy earlier, my cheeks burned with embarrassment.
“Babel, about that…”
“I never knew you had such a strong voice, my lady.”
Thinking of how I had shouted things like show him what you’re made of! made my ears turn red.
‘Ugh, such a black mark on my history…’
Still, I told myself—it wasn’t weird to cheer for my husband. That’s what a wife should do.
I forced a sheepish smile and stepped inside the study.
“What is it?”
Martin had just come from washing up. His dark hair was damp, and he wore clean clothes.
“I have a question.”
“Go on.”
“Are you really thinking of making that boy a guard knight?”
“Yes. Maybe not right away, but I want to keep him close and let him learn.”
He opened his palm, showing me the calluses on his hand.
“His hands are covered in calluses. And from his stance, I could tell—he has solid fundamentals. Like someone taught him properly.”
Martin’s voice was bright, almost cheerful. It reminded me of how Erica looked when she was happy.
But… if someone had taught Aaron, then who?
True, Aaron had held his own even against Martin.
But I couldn’t shake my doubts.
“You wouldn’t make a decision this important just for that. There must be more.”
Martin was known as a cold, calculating businessman.
For him to invite Erica’s friend into the mansion after just one duel? It didn’t fit.
Martin rubbed his callused hand again.
“Do you remember what you said to me once?”
“What did I say?”
“That Aaron seemed a little like me.”
It was true. I still thought so.
“Oh, right. I do remember.”
“After you said that, I thought hard about what I needed most at that age.”
“…And?”
“What I needed desperately back then… was someone’s help. Someone who could help me stand up again.”
His words meant one thing: he wanted to give Aaron the chance he himself had needed.
Martin went on.
“Besides, he can’t work at his friend’s family orchard forever.”
He was right. Helping Hans’s family with apple deliveries couldn’t be Aaron’s future.
Martin clearly wanted to give him a proper foundation.
A mix of relief and respect washed over me.
I quickly changed the subject.
“Well, even I could tell he was good. To stand up to you like that—it wasn’t ordinary.”
I remembered the way Aaron had fought evenly against Martin.
But why was Martin smiling?
“Why are you smiling? I wasn’t praising you.”
“Because I nearly bit my tongue out there, thanks to your cheering.”
…So that was it.
I had waved the flag so hard earlier… and he remembered.
He chuckled softly, as if I was the amusing one now.
“You weren’t ‘nearly’ serious. You were very serious.”
“No, no. If I had gone all out, that would’ve been dangerous.”
For once, even his bluff sounded cute.
I couldn’t deny it—he had fought with real skill.
His grin lingered, and I found myself smiling back.
“I trust you have no objections to me bringing Aaron here?”
“…No. I don’t.”
I had no reason to object.
Even if it was a change from the original story, there was no good excuse to stop it.
It might even be good—Erica would have someone close to lean on.
And Aaron had no family of his own. At least here, he wouldn’t be alone.
My earlier warning to him—about thinking carefully—came from fear.
Fear that if I failed to change the original story, Aaron too might die.
“All right. Let’s prepare to welcome a new family member,” Martin said, his voice light with excitement.
The next morning, the whole mansion was bustling with activity, ready to receive Aaron.
A room had been prepared for him, cleaned and furnished.
‘Still, would he really come in just a day?’
Surely he would need time to wrap things up at Hans’s orchard.
He couldn’t just quit overnight.
But I had forgotten his words—
[From the moment we dueled, I already made my decision.]
[I want to become part of the Cloud family.]
And by midday, my doubts were crushed.
Just as Martin had hoped, Aaron arrived at the Cloud mansion.
He didn’t come empty-handed, either—his meager belongings were already piled in the hall.
Scratching his head shyly, Aaron gave a sheepish grin.
Martin greeted him with a broad smile.
“Welcome, Aaron.”
