* * *
Right now, I have to play along and entertain the Viscount.
“It feels like two months flew by in a blink. I heard monsters suddenly started going berserk—have you been alright, Viscountess Rosie?”
“The monsters that usually don’t even come near the mines keep poking around lately—it’s driving me crazy. They’re a timid species that never used to approach if people were around.”
“That must be stressful. Should I step in and take care of it?”
“No, it’s fine. You came once before, didn’t you? Their breeding rate is so fast that even if you thin them out, they just come right back. It’s annoying, but not enough to be a serious problem.”
Ah, so that’s why I came before.
Now that she mentions it, the memory’s starting to come back.
“In that case, maybe it would be better to assign a permanent guard detail around the mines?”
“Right? But my husband keeps complaining about the cost. If the head of the family wants to do it, he should just go along with it. Why’s he always so stubborn?”
“He probably can’t shake the frugal habits he picked up from managing a declining household. He must be concerned in his own way. If you’re patient with him, I’m sure he’ll come around.”
“Oh, don’t sugarcoat it like that. He didn’t live frugally—he was practically sold to me to get some money flowing back into his failing family. There’s not much to show for them besides their prestigious name.”
You say that, but you’re the one who bought him because you liked that prestigious bloodline.
Now you’re complaining?
Honestly, nobles…
That’s what I thought, but of course, I didn’t say it out loud.
As I kept humoring her, Viscountess Rosie laughed and looked more and more pleased.
By the time the sweets on the top tier of the tray had all disappeared, she ordered the maid to brew more tea.
It was just a pretext—since she was her personal maid, she wouldn’t normally handle that task.
Basically, she was telling her to give us some privacy.
What does she want to talk about?
As the maid left with the empty teapot, Rosie smiled gently.
“So, you’re dating the Adventurer King, huh?”
Ack.
I nearly spat out my tea.
“How’d you two meet? Don’t worry, I won’t blab—come on, tell me!”
Well, considering the spectacle we made in Grid and how openly we acted at the Swindlin Adventurer Guild HQ, it’s more surprising that the rumor didn’t spread.
No wonder she jumped at the chance when I contacted her about visiting.
I thought she had a job for me or something.
“I… chased after him pretty hard.”
“Don’t give me that obvious answer. You think the Adventurer King is the type to just let someone chase after him?”
“Maybe… he just liked my face.”
“Oh my! Did the Adventurer King say that? That your looks are exactly his type?”
Well, not in so many words.
He never outright said I was handsome either.
I just… kind of interpreted it that way.
But how the heck am I supposed to explain this?
He said he got curious—he thought it was weird that we were both good-looking, but he had no friends while I did.
That’s what got him interested.
How do I say that out loud?
He has zero social skills but still gets lonely—it’s kind of adorable, but also kind of a weakness.
If that ever got out, people would be all over him trying to cozy up.
I was able to win him over because I helped him when he collapsed from hunger… but there’s no way I’m saying that either.
That’s a real weakness.
I’m never telling anyone that.
Though, come to think of it, it’s a little surprising Gaspar didn’t know.
They were together a long time.
Maybe Bati worked extra hard to eat properly because he didn’t want to show weakness to a mentor he found awkward.
That thought makes me feel kind of bad.
I’ll make sure he eats properly from now on!
Ah, that’s it.
“He’s got a real sweet tooth. Stuff like this.”
I tapped the second tier of the tray, which was still loaded with cakes and cookies.
“I bribed him with them and he actually took it pretty well. Maybe it was the combination of the right gift and a good-looking face?”
I’d already blabbed about his sweet tooth back in Swindlin, so it’s not like I could hide it now anyway.
“Is that so? Then why don’t you take some with you?”
Oh.
“Really?”
“Of course. With the Adventurer King around, I wouldn’t even need to hire long-term guards. He could just wipe out the monsters at the source. If I could build a connection, that’d be ideal.”
Trying to use me to get close to Bati, huh? Nope, not happening.
Nobles never offer favors without expecting something in return.
I wasn’t planning on agreeing anyway, but thanks to her bringing it up, I now had an opening to bring up the topic I wanted.
“I appreciate the offer, but Bati won’t be working with high-ranking folks for a while. He got tangled up with a real piece of work…”
At that, Viscountess Rosie’s eyes narrowed.
Her previously sparkling gaze—so full of excitement at the chance to build a connection with Bati—shifted subtly, and I tensed.
Was she offended by the rejection?
Or was it something else?
I studied her expression to get a read.
It didn’t seem like she was exactly upset…
“You mean a real piece of work, or people?”
Her question had a casual tone, but there was a hint of weight behind it.
Like she was trying to probe me.
When I said “a piece of work,” I meant Gaspar.
But when she said “people,” she was referring to the nobles who supported Gaspar—wondering if she was one of the ones I was pointing fingers at.
Was I here to make a deal against other nobles?
Seems like she’d already been looking into Bati, maybe considering hiring him herself.
She knew about our relationship and that the more petty nobles were giving me a hard time.
‘So yeah, she is here to try and use me.’
Still, I’d listened to her gripe about her husband and the mines, even joined her in badmouthing him.
She’d been all laughs and smiles until now, and the moment she suspects I have an agenda, she switches up her attitude?
Couldn’t she cut me some slack?
Anyway, even if she’s right, I have to deny it.
“Of course not. I’m sure those fine gentlemen are far too busy with their duties to have heard the rumors about that trash.”
I flashed the most innocent, cheerful smile I could muster.
I don’t know if it’ll work, but hey—I’m good-looking.
Hopefully that counts for something.
We’re close, right?
“But if they ever found out that the guy they backed, thinking he was the poor victim, is actually a hopeless liar who even deceives nobles… well, I imagine they’d be heartbroken. That’s what worries me.”
Viscountess Rosie gave a soft chuckle at my best attempt at wide-eyed innocence.
“You really know how to talk, don’t you. Well, honestly, I thought that was a pretty disgraceful move myself.”
She was siding with me, at least a little.
But I couldn’t relax yet.
* * *
