Chapter 57
A Secret Mission of a Lifetime
“Honest? What… what do you want me to say? I’m sorry, but I’m not in a position to be completely honest with you. So please, ask moderately.”
“Yes… um…”
She muttered a vague answer.
“Do you… happen to have someone you’re seeing?”
“No! Not at all!”
The answer came instantly, without a moment’s hesitation.
“Me neither. Or, perhaps, someone you like… not officially dating yet, but someone you might meet in the future… is there anyone like that?”
Cailian asked nervously, thinking briefly of Eron.
“No, there’s no one like that either.”
Ha… that’s a relief.
He silently exhaled and smiled in relief.
“Haha, me neither.”
You do! You just don’t realize it yet! Ugh, frustrating!
Himena frowned involuntarily at Cailian, who smiled obliviously.
“Then what’s the problem?”
“Excuse me?”
“Even if it’s just acting, if we express affection for each other while there’s no one around to be hurt, what’s the problem? That’s not cheating. Cheating is when you have a lover and let your eyes wander.”
“But… what about us?”
“Hmm?”
“We do have someone, right? Even if this is a contract romance, we’re not actors… can we kiss without feelings like this and not get hurt?”
“Ah, that…”
Cailian was at a loss, caught off guard by her point.
From his perspective, the kiss was full of genuine affection and desire, but Himena didn’t feel the same.
She didn’t love him the same way he loved her.
“I hadn’t thought of that…”
“To be honest… I didn’t know you’d act so well, Cail. I’ve never heard you had much dating experience in society, and you yourself said earlier that you haven’t dated much, but… just now, you acted so naturally… I was taken aback…”
Cailian finally understood her behavior and felt truly sorry.
…Damn. I was too hasty and thought only of myself. I was using this contract romance as an excuse to satisfy my own desire. Foolish… I should have approached more slowly…
“I’m sorry. I was thoughtless. Listening to you, I realize I acted too… rudely.”
“For me… it’s not about whether it’s the first time or not… I just think these things should be shared with someone you truly love. Of course… now that I’m likely to grow old as an old maid, that chance is gone anyway…”
“Old maid? Why would you—”
“That scandal spread even to Acticos, didn’t it? That means it spread across the whole country… No matter how much your reputation improves, the past doesn’t change, right? So… marrying is out of the question now.”
“Haha, don’t worry. I’ll take responsibility then.”
“Tch… by that time, you’ll be busy having children and living happily, without a care for an old maid like me… without knowing my situation…”
Himena pouted and muttered.
“Himena, don’t be so quick to decide. Who knows what will happen between us, or what might come?”
I know. I know all too well. If it weren’t for that serial killer variable, everything would go smoothly. Sigh…
Cailian, looking at Himena crouched with a sulky face, gently took her hand and kissed it.
“…Himena, it’s too late tonight, so I’ll head back. I’ll be more careful from now on, so when you feel… you’re losing self-control, don’t get angry and just give me a heads-up, okay?”
“Heads-up?”
“Ahem. Maybe pointing a knife at my neck or kicking me is a bit extreme… what should we do instead…”
“Hmm… then I’ll stomp your foot!”
Himena’s face lit up with a mischievous sparkle.
“Himena, you call me perverted, but you secretly have a violent streak, don’t you?”
“I-I’m sorry!”
“Haha, anyway, you figure that part out. I’ll think about our engagement ceremony.”
“Engagement… ceremony…”
Cailian noticed her mood drop when he mentioned the engagement as he tried to stand up after letting go of her hand, making him feel uneasy.
“Ahem. I think it’s best to have the engagement before the royal sponsorship event, if possible.”
“What? That soon?”
“If we have the engagement first, then announce it at the royal banquet, Prince Diego won’t be able to interfere, right?”
Cailian tried to hide his worry that she might change her mind and proposed seriously.
“That might indeed be the most certain method. Then we can have a simple formal ceremony…”
“Oh, if you feel uncomfortable coming to Acticos, we can have the ceremony here. You can choose what’s easiest for you. I’ll accommodate.”
“…Yes, thank you.”
“By the way, one more thing…”
Looking at Himena, who was pursing her lips in thought while planning, he suddenly remembered and asked.
“Do you have any long-distance travel plans during the Beast-Slaying Tournament? For example, going briefly to Anatole or somewhere else… any long trips?”
“Long trip… plans?”
Himena, caught off guard, suddenly had a good idea.
Oh? I need to return to Acticos as Hermes anyway. Perfect timing to ask this.
“Oh! How did you know? Yes! I was planning a long trip. I tend to like moving around a lot… hahaha.”
“Haha, that’s a relief.”
Cailian smiled, relieved for a moment.
“Relief? Why?”
“Well… the Beast-Slaying Tournament is dangerous, right? I was worried you might get hurt if you stayed there, but since you’ll be traveling then, I can be at ease…”
“Oh, of course! It’s dangerous! Don’t worry, I’ll avoid it! Haha.”
“Good. Then I’ll come see you in a few days. By then, think about how you want the engagement, and we’ll inform the Duke as well.”
“…Yes, I will. It’s late, so be careful going home.”
“You won’t see me off?”
“Oh… yes, yes, I will.”
Himena took Cailian’s offered hand. He held it tightly and asked:
“Do I have permission to hold it like this?”
“Ah… yes…”
His large hand wrapped around hers felt reliably warm.
As they walked out of the parlor holding hands, the household staff, including the butler, peeked their heads from behind the doors and pillars.
“My goodness!”
“Did you see that?”
“I did… but what did I just see?”
Sophia finally peeked between them, murmuring in awe:
“I might start a business. The shop name… School of Seduction Techniques!”
“Finally… you decided that way…”
“Yes, Whale. So there will be a lot to prepare when we return.”
The next day, in the carriage back to Acticos, Cailian discussed the engagement plans with Whale.
So he’s planning to end things with Hermes. Even love is sacrificed for the greater good.
Whale’s expression darkened as he cautiously asked:
“…Are you alright?”
“Haha, I’m fine, but I feel sorry for suddenly causing trouble when the Beast-Slaying Tournament is so close. Things will be hectic.”
“No worries. I’ll do my best to prepare. Did you discuss the time and place? The lady surely wants a grand engagement ceremony, right?”
“No. We decided to have it simply at the Duke’s residence. She even avoids coming to Acticos. Haha.”
“Why? I thought she’d want a grand ceremony to make it known.”
“We’ll announce it at the royal banquet after the tournament. By then, Prince Diego will have no choice but to give up. So no need for grandeur. But I want to properly give the engagement gift. You’ll handle that part carefully.”
“Yes, understood.”
“Also, one more thing.”
“Yes, Commander.”
“When Hermes returns… I want to arrange a better room for him…”
“Hermes?”
“Yes. Not the old servant quarters, but somewhere safer and better, closer to my room. Last time, it looked… shabby…”
Whale, momentarily startled, quickly recovered and said:
“Yes! Of course! That must be done!”
I see! He’ll marry the lady for duty, but his heart hasn’t let go of Hermes. So Hermes… is like a mistress! Yes!
Excited, Whale’s heart raced as he swallowed nervously.
The Commander never intended to give up on Hermes. I must support their secret affair! Morally questionable with an fiancée, but nothing compared to Princess Silvester’s scandal!
He eagerly suggested:
“Commander, why not officially hire Hermes as your personal assistant when he returns?”
“Hermes? But you’re already my secretary…”
“Yes, but it’ll help me, and having one more person under me will make things smoother. Hermes can handle simple tasks, and moving him will look natural.”
“Hmm… true. It might be more natural if he’s always nearby.”
Relieved Whale could help without knowing the full story, Cailian smiled and reluctantly agreed.
“Alright, let’s do that. Haha, though rumors of me liking handsome men might spread further.”
“I’ll make sure to control that. Staff, knights, everyone! Nothing will reach Princess Silvester’s ears, so don’t worry.”
Watching Whale’s determined expression, Cailian smiled inwardly.
Haha, my friend is oblivious. Hearing it from Himena… what a situation.
“Understood. I trust you. Do it.”
“Yes, Commander.”
It hasn’t even been a day since we parted, and I already miss her. I wonder what she’s doing right now.
Looking out the window and thinking of Himena, Cailian couldn’t help but smile, and Whale steeled himself with even greater determination.
Just thinking of Hermes makes him so happy… This might be my most important secret mission ever. A secret mission even the Commander doesn’t know! A mission to protect their secret love! I will accomplish it!
Choking back tears, he silently clenched his fists, determined to carry out his secret mission.
