CHAPTER 79…………………………..
Unlike the noisy party hall, the room was filled only with silence.
The dim interior seemed meant for rest, with only a soft light faintly illuminating the side of the bed. The only figure visible was the person lying on it; there was no sign of any maid or attendant.
‘……’
Not wanting to disturb the quiet, Kylily, who had been running so hard moments before that her soles practically burned, unconsciously swallowed the breath rising in her chest. She slowly approached the bed, saw the figure lying there, eased her tension, and exhaled.
Long, wavy white hair spread out, a woman breathing faintly with a slight furrow between her brows.
A face Kylily knew well—Temia.
She hurriedly stretched out both hands and compared Temia’s forehead temperature to her own.
As a child, Temia had always collapsed with high fevers.
“I hope you’re not sick…”
But the heat she felt on the other woman’s skin was minimal.
The sweat on her forehead seemed to have been wiped by the maid who had gone ahead, and her face showed no sign of great disarray.
Only her complexion was a bit pale.
Her breathing was steady, and her expression was peaceful to the point of perfection.
“That’s a relief…”
Realizing that, Kylily plopped down onto the side of the bed. At that moment, Temia’s tightly closed eyes slowly opened.
“Who…? K–Kylily?!”
Seeing Temia startle, Kylily pressed down firmly with the hand she still had on Temia’s forehead. Thanks to that sudden pressure, Temia, who had been about to sit up, could only blink in surprise.
“You were about to get up, weren’t you? I heard you collapsed. Stay lying down.”
“No, but if I’m the only one lying down, that’s a little…”
“It’s fine. Just lie down and listen.”
Putting on a deliberately strict expression, Kylily spoke. Temia knew that determined tone very well and obediently relaxed her body. Only then did Kylily’s expression soften.
“……”
“…….”
Their eyes met, and both thought of the same thing at once. It was a familiar scene from their childhood. Without anyone prompting, they burst into laughter.
“Haha! This really feels like it’s been a while. When we were little, I only ever saw you lying in bed.”
“Right, and whenever no one was around, you’d sneak onto the bed to lie next to me. We got scolded so badly back then, remember?”
“Of course. That was the first time I’d ever been scolded that hard by anyone.”
Sharing memories of the distant past, the two laughed like they had when they were children. Once the laughter faded, a natural silence settled over them.
After a moment, Kylily spoke first.
“There’s something I want to apologize to you for.”
Temia unknowingly inhaled sharply. Seeing her with Lowell earlier—was it finally happening? Whether by choice or circumstance, had their relationship progressed? And had Kylily kept it hidden all this time?
She remembered teasing Kylily before, asking if she had feelings for Lowell, and they had both agreed to deny it so nothing would ever develop between them.
‘Is she apologizing because she thinks she deceived me…?’
The thought made her body stiffen.
In truth, Temia already knew most of what had happened. Kylily hadn’t deceived her; she had simply complied with her family’s summons.
And yet—
And yet…
‘I was jealous.’
A sharp emotion had pierced its way through her heart despite everything else.
It was strange.
Of course, Lowell being strange was nothing new. But more than that, seeing Lowell and Kylily standing together filled her with a sense of wrongness that weighed heavily on her heart.
At first, she thought it was because the sight reminded her of their tragic pasts, each walking into misfortune.
But thinking back, it had been the unpleasant emotion seeping between them that had stolen her breath.
Throughout all this time trying to get close to that man, she had always been the one standing beside him.
Even if their relationship had been one of using and being used, they had run together, hoping for a peaceful future.
That reason—the root of it all—had been the precious friend right before her, Kylily…
‘Ugh, I’m disgusting. Lowell and I aren’t even anything.’
Unable to brace her heart, Temia wanted to plug her ears. But reality never follows one’s will.
“Well… I’m engaged to the mage who works at your workshop. I know you had feelings for him, but my father… I’m really sorry. Someone must have told him I liked a servant.”
Thump—her heart plummeted again.
Whether it was fortunate or not, this time the shock came from the fact that events seemed to be unfolding exactly as before.
Temia swiftly collected her emotions and grabbed Kylily’s arm, blurting out in panic:
“S–So?! So, it’s confirmed?!”
Seeing the color drain instantly from Temia’s face, Kylily panicked and rushed to add,
“No! It’s not real! You don’t need to worry!”
“…Huh?”
Engaged but not really? What does that even mean?
It made no sense to Temia. Seeing her confusion written plainly on her face, Kylily began pleadingly explaining:
“I mean, yes, we’re engaged, but it’s a fake engagement! I swear I don’t have any feelings for him. I promise.”
“A fake… engagement?”
But what the other woman said next felt even stranger.
Eventually Temia couldn’t hold it in anymore and shouted:
“What is that supposed to mean?! Explain properly!”
“So, the thing is…”
With a deflated look, Kylily finally revealed the truth.
It was right after their group had wrapped up the incident in Kalis Land.
Lowell, having finished writing the report earlier, was facing the servant who had guided them to the carriage while Temia finished the remaining tasks.
“…The condition was that we handle the issue in Kalis Land. I think we’ve done enough to be considered finished. Surely you didn’t hire us for the cleanup too, right?”
“As expected of Sir Lowell. I’m sure the master will be satisfied with this much.”
“Yes. We’ve already done more than what was asked. We’ll cooperate as needed given the situation, but this is as far as we go. Please make sure to relay that.”
“I will inform the Duke. Although depending on circumstances, additional requests may be sent… We’ve confirmed through this incident that your group is the most suitable for investigations.”
“No, I’m declining for now. More importantly, isn’t there something you’re supposed to give us?”
He stared coldly at the servant. But the servant merely kept a polite, painted-on smile and bowed.
“Of course. The additional information we promised will be delivered now that the task is complete.”
“Since this information is coming through you from the Duke Withro, it’d better be worth something. If not, I think I might get pretty angry.”
“You needn’t worry. We’ve brought one of the most entertaining rumors circulating through House Trea.”
Even before hearing it, Lowell had a bad feeling. With their packed schedules and lack of sleep, he rubbed his dry eyes.
You really have a talent for bringing me new headaches every time.
“An engagement is being arranged in Trea—using your name, Sir Lowell. Perhaps you’ve already been informed?”
“I haven’t received anything ‘official’ yet. It didn’t matter since I was going to refuse anyway. But this isn’t exactly new. Don’t tell me that’s all?”
“You are quick as always. Then, perhaps you already know who the partner is, and the reason for the engagement?”
“…!”
“Haha, seems our information is indeed worth the price. Wonderful.”
The smug pretense of relief was sickening. Lowell didn’t bother hiding his annoyance.
“Stop dragging it out and talk. I’m busy.”
“The Trea territory isn’t particularly fertile, and with poor management, production has been decreasing annually. Yet the Count of Trea is famous for living luxuriously as if nothing is wrong. You’re aware of that, of course.”
“I said I’m short on time.”
“You visited Kalis Land recently, yes? Did you know the Trea Count has been frequenting that place as well?”
“…Why should I care what gambling den he goes to?”
“But aren’t most of those funds being supplied by you? Then you should know where and how the money is being used.”
The servant smiled pleasantly. Lowell clenched his fists before he realized it.
“His gambling debt has grown so large that your money no longer covers it. At this point, the financial hole in House Trea has become public knowledge.”
“…Ha.”
“The lady chosen to be your fiancée is from quite a wealthy family.”
Unbelievable. I send them a large sum regularly, and now he’s trying to sell me off too?
Before the explanation was even over, his head began to throb. Sensing his agitation, he waved for the servant to continue.
“Of all the possible candidates, why me… You yourself said House Trea has a bad reputation. I thought everyone knew that by now.”
“If it’s a mage, honor is guaranteed. Your name carries far more weight than you think, Sir Lowell. You’re also known as a clean young man without any scandals. Sometimes not appearing in society works to your advantage.”
“Is now really the time for flattery?”
“Oh, I meant it sincerely. And it seems the other family was also desperate to secure a fiancé. As if their young lady needed her marriage decided quickly…”
