Chapter 09
“…….”
Zerden was momentarily lost for words at Rubelia’s confident statement.
Of course, if she was Rubelia, becoming friends with her naturally meant being friends with Rubelia’s friends.
“……I was just joking for a moment. Haha.”
Rubelia forced a slightly awkward smile at Zerden’s silence.
She needed to think of a reason somehow, but the bitter taste of the tea from earlier seemed to have frozen her brain.
This was the first step in preventing Zerden’s rebellion, after all.
“Hmm, just a moment.”
Rubelia crossed her arms, closed her eyes, and thought deeply.
Zerden let out a small chuckle at her and patiently waited for her to finish.
“Alright, I’ve got it now.”
Rubelia opened her eyes brightly, satisfied.
“If you stay with me, you’ll never be bored.”
“That seems likely.”
Zerden agreed. Even so far, he had never been bored or had a dull moment with her.
“And I’ll buy you lots of delicious things.”
“There’s already plenty of money in the Grand Duke’s family.”
“Eh, but it’s different when someone else buys it for you than when I buy it myself.”
Rubelia shook her finger from side to side, as if he didn’t understand.
“Fine, fine.”
“And I will really treat you well.”
“Hmm.”
Zerden tilted his head slightly at her claim.
“Finally, if you become my friend, I will always be on your side, Your Grace.”
Rubelia spoke seriously.
She had thrown out a few reasons that sounded good, unsure of how to convince Zerden to become her friend.
But the last reason was different. It was what Rubelia had always wanted.
Friend or family, Rubelia had always longed for someone who would stand by her side. Someone she could rely on and trust completely.
Someone with whom she wouldn’t have to worry about being judged or misunderstood.
But finding such a person had never been easy.
She had always been alone. No one had ever truly stayed by her side. People turned away when it became inconvenient or they had nothing to gain.
“……Can you promise that?”
Zerden, usually indifferent, asked with a lowered gaze.
“Yes. I can. That’s what I think a friend should be.”
“Better not to decide so easily.”
Nothing lasts forever, and in the face of danger, nothing else matters. Even if she stood by him, if he were harmed because of it, she would have to turn away.
“I’m not deciding lightly. At least, that’s what I think a friend should be, and I keep my promises.”
“I see.”
Zerden looked at her calmly, though his eyes showed a hint of unrest.
“Of course, if Your Grace does something really, really terrible or evil, then… I might not be able to stand by you. But unlike others, I won’t blindly judge or turn my back. At least, I will think—why did you do it? Why was it necessary?”
Unlike the bright and light-hearted image he had seen before, this serious Rubelia quietly commanded his attention.
“Unless it’s something truly awful, I will be on your side, no matter what. Even if Your Grace danced naked in the city square.”
“……That won’t happen anyway.”
“It’s just how strong my will is.”
Rubelia smiled softly, her face relaxed.
Even though her goal was to make Zerden her friend, she wasn’t treating friendship lightly. She intended to be sincere and genuine.
Meeting Zerden in person, she realized he was not a bad person. Even if he acted annoyed at times, he always listened and cared.
“Think about it.”
Zerden, focused entirely on her, spoke.
“Eh? You’re thinking about it? Not just saying yes?”
Rubelia looked shocked.
But Zerden didn’t answer. He had indeed been moved by her words. Her sincerity was impossible to ignore.
He thought she might be a friend, yet he didn’t immediately say yes. Perhaps he wanted to leave some room for possibilities.
“Alright. Then we’ll be provisional friends.”
“That seems fair.”
Zerden nodded without hesitation.
“Then, Your Grace, I look forward to working with you.”
Although not formal friends, this was already a success.
“Before that.”
“Yes?”
“I don’t like calling you ‘Your Grace’ while we’re provisional friends.”
“Very well, Zerden!”
Rubelia confidently called out his name.
Zerden was a little surprised by her boldness. She hadn’t even hesitated. Normally, people needed permission to use his first name.
“Zerden, you can also call me Rubelia comfortably instead of ‘Miss’.”
“Alright, Rubelia.”
Rarely, Zerden smiled gently at her.
Rubelia enjoyed the day feeling refreshingly happy.
Yesterday, she had made some progress preventing Zerden’s rebellion, and today there was no visit from the bothersome Aria and Hasedian.
Because she had visited the marquis for two consecutive days, she wouldn’t come again this week, as per her promise.
“Ah, what a happy day.”
She felt relaxed and planned to do absolutely nothing today.
But then, an unpleasant feeling suddenly crept over her.
‘What is this feeling?’
It felt as if someone would suddenly appear and hit her from behind.
‘No, it’s worse than that.’
It felt like she would end up married to Hasedian and have a daughter like Aria. The worst feeling imaginable.
‘Tch, I just wanted to rest today.’
She reluctantly got out of bed, feeling compelled to go somewhere, though she didn’t know where.
Meanwhile, Zerden was busy tracking a group of criminals who had come to the capital.
They were clever and skilled at hiding, but after a persistent chase, Zerden finally located their hideout at the end of a deserted alley.
“Who’s there!”
The men inside raised their weapons and prepared to fight.
“A fitting place for rats,” Zerden muttered, displeased by the stench and dust as he entered.
The men were wary but dared not attack. Zerden’s presence alone was intimidating.
“Just as well,” Zerden said coldly.
He was in a bad mood today. His nightmares had been particularly relentless, and he was exhausted from sleepless nights.
Without hesitation, he drew his sword.
Two men fell instantly. Another charged, only to collapse uselessly.
“Is that it?”
Within five minutes, Zerden had defeated almost ten men. His gaze was dark as he looked at the blood on his sword.
‘It’s not enough.’
He felt a strange thirst for more blood but forced himself to restrain it.
‘Is there anyone left?’
There was no one else. Soon, the guards could take the criminals away.
As Zerden walked down the alley, one of the criminals who had briefly gone out returned, wielding a poisoned dagger.
Suddenly, Zerden felt dizzy from fatigue and didn’t notice the attack.
His body staggered, his mind blurred.
The criminal was now right behind him, dagger aimed at his back…
The chapter ends on this tense cliffhanger.
