Chapter 69
“Why aren’t you entering the knights’ tournament?”
It was a competition Martin himself had recommended Aaron try, praising his abilities highly.
Since it was a tournament held by the royal family, it was a golden opportunity—one where proving himself among formidable knights could earn him real recognition.
Not only might the way others treated Aaron change, but it wasn’t the kind of chance that came to just anyone who wanted it.
Martin had reached out to Aaron because he reminded him of himself when he was younger—so why had Aaron turned it down?
“I was curious. I thought it would be a good opportunity for you, too.”
“I suppose… I lacked ambition.”
It was an unexpected answer. With a self-deprecating tone, Aaron criticized himself.
“I was just grateful for the position I’d been given. Maybe I was already satisfied.”
“……”
“To others, my current position probably seems more than I deserve.”
It seemed Aaron was well aware of the resentful looks some of the knights cast his way.
They didn’t represent everyone—but sometimes, the stares of a few could cut the deepest.
Aaron absentmindedly touched the scabbard at his waist.
From the training grounds came the sharp shouts of knights in the midst of practice, slicing through the air.
After a brief silence, I spoke.
“How about being a little more honest?”
Judging by how his hand kept drifting toward his sword, he didn’t seem like someone without ambition.
Training day and night—if that wasn’t desire, then what was?
“The truth is—”
Aaron’s gaze shifted, turning fierce.
“I want to be ambitious, too.”
There was strength in his voice, and determination in his eyes.
If he proved himself through skill, those sharp looks would disappear. Especially if he earned recognition from the royal family.
They wouldn’t be able to say a word then.
Erika was always running to the training grounds to cheer for him—it wouldn’t have gone unnoticed how she felt about Aaron.
And the more obvious her affection became, the harsher the scrutiny directed at him likely grew.
Yet somehow, his words—I want to be ambitious—sounded different to me.
If he’d tried to stay content in his assigned place, like others expected, but in the meantime his feelings for Erika had grown…
“So, you really do like our lady, don’t you?”
And not just a little.
“Yes.”
Even though it must have been an unexpected question, Aaron nodded without hesitation.
He confessed with a firm voice, as though it didn’t matter at all that I’d seen through his feelings.
Almost as if he were speaking to himself.
“I want to win the tournament and stand proudly.”
To stand proudly—surely, he meant before Erika.
Perhaps, as her future sister-in-law, I had wanted to see that kind of confidence in him.
Without realizing it, a smile spread across my face.
His affirmation was stronger than any words, and my heart opened to him little by little.
I began to see Aaron differently—wanting to cheer for the path he chose.
Thinking that true happiness might lie in each person’s own hands made something that had long been tangled inside me finally loosen.
“Then I hope you win. Truly, Aaron.”
The shouts of the knights rang out once more.
Aaron’s steps toward the training grounds looked lighter than ever.
* * *
After finishing my conversation with Aaron smoothly, I headed straight for the study.
It was time to find a clue about the marriage contract.
A white document I’d once glimpsed in Martin’s desk drawer.
That must have been the contract Viscountess Harold mentioned.
I need to see it with my own eyes.
Before asking Martin directly, I wanted confirmation.
Carefully, I cracked open the study door—and found Martin already inside, working.
“…My lady!”
Startled by my sudden appearance, Martin hurried over.
“Is your leg all right? I heard you went out early this morning and was worried. You’re injured—where did you go?”
He wasn’t scolding me. His tone, once so flat, was now thick with concern.
I told you—he’s actually gentle.
So he’d been looking for me since morning.
Suddenly, I felt awkward for coming here with the sole purpose of finding the contract.
“Ah, well… my leg is fine. Thanks to someone who took good care of me.”
“That someone would be me, I presume.”
I couldn’t deny receiving devoted care in his room the night before.
Martin smiled proudly, like a child waiting to be praised.
Nope.
I shook my head, trying to pull myself out of the moment.
I couldn’t let his smile derail what I came here to do.
I appreciated his concern—but I couldn’t forget my purpose.
Right now, the most important thing was finding that contract.
Scratching my head, I tried to think of a way to search—but it didn’t seem like Martin planned on leaving the study anytime soon.
Once he sat down to work, he usually stayed put for hours.
I sat on the sofa, watching his movements carefully.
I need to find an opening.
There was none.
As expected, he resumed his work without budging.
In the end, unable to hold back, I asked—
“Aren’t you going out today?”
“No. I have paperwork to handle.”
Figures.
“Oh, but—”
“…?”
“It sounds like my lady really wants me to leave.”
I laughed awkwardly, trying to play it off—but Martin narrowed his eyes.
Did I look that suspicious?
With only the sound of papers flipping filling the study, I realized there was no hope.
In that case, I’d have to ask directly.
“Do you know anything about… a ‘contract’?”
The rustling of papers stopped.
Though his gaze remained on the documents, I could feel him watching me from the corner of his eye.
Swallowing nervously, I waited.
“A contract… you say?”
When I nodded, Martin flipped the papers quickly, glancing at me as though checking my reaction.
Was he flustered, trying to hide something? Or had he intended to hide it all along?
The longer he stayed silent, the more confused I became.
Then I’d have to corner him.
“You said we signed a contract.”
“…!”
Only then did Martin look at me.
His pupils shook violently—yet he looked strangely pitiful.
“I just came back from the Harold estate. Is it true?”
Martin stood and strode over, placing his hands on my shoulders.
The fact that he didn’t deny it outright meant it wasn’t something he knew nothing about.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
I hadn’t meant to interrogate him—but it must have sounded like a reproach.
The grip of his hands slowly loosened.
“That’s because…”
I took his hands in mine.
“I’m not trying to blame you. Your feelings matter to me. If there were no contract, would you break off our engagement right now?”
Even as I asked with confidence, my mouth went dry.
I was afraid of his answer.
If he said he’d break it off—
I didn’t want to think about that.
But his feelings mattered.
There was nothing more miserable than maintaining a marriage by force.
“Please be honest. I respect your choice.”
I knew he was caught off guard by this sudden situation, but—
What, does he really not want to live with me?
The delay made me resent him.
And then—
The study door burst open.
“Oh my, you two really shouldn’t be doing this in the study. This is a shared space, you know.”
In the middle of such a serious conversation—
With Martin’s hands on my shoulders, it must have looked to Erika like a scene overflowing with affection.
I pressed my aching forehead.
“We’ll continue this conversation later.”
Martin whispered—so I thought—
“What conversation? I can hear everything.”
Apparently, Erika had heard it all.
“So, miss, did you come to read again today?”
“That was the plan—but the weather’s just too nice to ignore.”
Ignore what, exactly?
Stretching lazily, Erika said,
“How about a picnic?”
The way she asked meant—
“You want to go with me?”
“Yes! Today’s a date with my sister-in-law!”
It was sunny and warm—a picnic did sound nice.
And it had been a while since I’d spent time alone with Erika.
Considering how she usually brushed things off, this was unexpected.
I glanced at Martin. He looked deep in thought, clearly bothered by the unfinished conversation.
Hmph. I was already annoyed at not getting a clear answer from him.
“All right, miss. Let’s go on a date.”
I accepted Erika’s picnic invitation pointedly.
She bragged about having ordered a huge list of food from Chef Baba.
Which reminded me—I really should have taught her earlier that excess isn’t always good.
W-What is all this?!
Sure, she ordered several dishes—but this was way too much!
Enough for five people, easily.
“I think you ordered too much, miss.”
“But I want to eat it all.”
With her hands clasped behind her back, Erika played dumb.
“This won’t do.”
I’d planned on a date with just the two of us—but it couldn’t be helped.
And no, it definitely wasn’t because I didn’t want Martin brooding alone in the study.
“Then I’ll call your brother. You call Aaron.”
“Why my brother and Aaron?”
“There’s too much food. We need more people.”
“No taking that back, sister-in-law!”
As if she’d been waiting for this, Erika ran off excitedly.
Wait a minute.
Looking at this… wasn’t she doing it on purpose?
It was a reasonable suspicion.
Was this another one of Erika’s schemes?
The thought made the back of my head throb.
Not long after, Martin and Aaron appeared.
Having brought Aaron with her, Erika walked ahead chattering cheerfully, while Martin stayed close beside me and asked,
“Didn’t you say you were going on a date with Erika?”
“I did. But life doesn’t always go according to plan.”
I simply shrugged.
