* * *
As the books were cleared away one by one, the once-cluttered room now felt almost barren.
“Are the books being cleared out?”
As I settled into the sofa, enjoying the emptiness, Klen walked in, passing the attendant who carried a stack of books.
“Yes.”
Watching him made me feel like I understood what a leisurely, carefree life looked like.
Not that I disliked that sort of thing myself—so I had no intention of criticizing him.
He approached lightly and took a seat across from me, glancing around the room.
“You’ve finished reading?”
Since he was the one who had selected and brought these books, it was only natural he’d be curious.
He probably wouldn’t feel great if I returned them unread after all his trouble.
“…More or less.”
“Did you understand the contents as well?”
“Eh? Um…”
While I rolled my eyes around, stalling, the attendants kept busy carrying books.
They didn’t seem at all interested in saving their master from this awkward moment.
Or maybe they were just as curious themselves.
“…”
“…”
Only an awkward silence settled between us.
A maid brought him tea as well, but Klen merely sipped from his cup without speaking.
He was clearly waiting for me to say something.
If I didn’t, this uncomfortable tension would never end.
I had no choice. I quietly inhaled.
“You can’t even draw a magic formula if you don’t understand the spell. But if you have the knowledge and enough mana, you can draw it even with a twig. However, if you draw something beyond your capabilities, your mana will drain instantly. Big spells—you can’t even complete a quarter of one in a day, and overdoing it could kill you. And…”
I began summarizing the book’s contents aloud, but partway through, I started to wonder if Klen even understood any of this.
He simply watched me quietly, listening without a word.
There was no discernible emotion in his gaze.
Surely, like me, he leaned more toward swordsmanship than magic.
‘Does he really understand? Or is he just listening because I’m talking?’
I continued, observing his expression.
“Mana is similar to life energy. Even if you use it all, it replenishes over time. But that’s only if there’s something left. If it’s completely depleted, you die.”
“You’ve studied quite hard, Adrian.”
“…”
As I finished speaking, he gave me a soft smile.
It was a smile full of affection, even pride.
He didn’t touch me, yet I felt as though he had just ruffled my hair like I was a child.
Not that it pleased me—I’m no child, after all.
‘Did he even understand all that? Why did I bother explaining it in detail?’
Time passed, and the day of the hunting competition finally arrived.
“We should go with an amethyst brooch to match Lord Adrian’s eye color.”
“For the cuff buttons, silver detailing would be best.”
“As expected, a neat look suits your handsome features better than something overly flashy.”
“…Handsome?”
My small mutter didn’t seem to reach the maids bustling around me.
They had been fussing over my appearance since early morning.
I was already dressed, yet they insisted on adding more ornate touches.
I had rejected the extravagant earrings, necklaces weren’t even up for discussion, and I had firmly declared I would wear only the Valuncio family ring given to me upon marriage.
That finally shut them down.
Though they didn’t protest outright, the maids clearly weren’t pleased.
Watching them fret over whether I’d stand out enough, I let out a silent sigh.
Was I going to a ball or a hunting competition?
I honestly couldn’t tell.
‘Even if it were a ball, I’d never wear all those clunky accessories.’
I didn’t like such things to begin with—they were only uncomfortable.
I’d considered asking Klen for help, but he’d already been whisked away to change elsewhere.
His sluggish expression as he was dragged off had looked like someone being hauled to prison.
“All done, my lord.”
“As expected of Lord Adrian. Just a little touch-up and your exceptional looks shine through.”
Apparently dissatisfied, one maid emphasized the phrase “just a little” with pointed clarity.
Standing in front of the mirror, I saw I had my hair neatly slicked back today.
My outfit was simple, dark-toned, with subtle hints of elegance.
The amethyst brooch stood out the most.
Even I had to admit—I looked quite good.
“With this look, you could capture the hearts of many young ladies…”
“I mean—you’ll surely win over Lord Klen’s heart!”
Startled, the maid next to her elbowed her sharply in the side, causing her to gasp and slap her hands over her mouth.
“Right. Lord Adrian is already married…”
“Lord Adrian, it’s time to depart. Please hurry.”
Her once-spirited voice now dropped like a stone, devoid of its earlier fire.
Still, the head maid promptly stepped forward to escort me.
“All right.”
Before stepping out, I glanced back at the maid.
Her face still looked full of regret.
‘Should I say something to cheer her up?’
She wasn’t just anyone—she had often gone out of her way to accommodate me.
And she was quite a bit younger, too.
She looked so downhearted it made me feel bad.
I wanted to offer at least a word of comfort.
But what should I say to someone disappointed that I shouldn’t be winning over other women?
Time to put my acting skills to use.
The image that came to mind was Klen’s bright, gentle smile.
“Then… I’ll make sure I win Klen’s heart instead.”
“…Huh?”
“…?!”
My casual smile and comment didn’t just startle the maid—it shocked everyone around me.
Their eyes widened in unison.
Honestly, now I was embarrassed.
“It was just a jok—”
“Don’t worry!”
“When he sees you like this, he’ll fall for you all over again!”
“Hasn’t he already fallen?”
“Haha…”
I responded with an awkward laugh and gently pushed the head maid’s back, stepping outside.
Through my palm, I felt her shoulders shaking—apparently even she found the situation unexpectedly amusing, despite being the calm one.
A sudden, sharp sound striking a single point startled me, and I turned my head.
It wasn’t a loud noise that everyone could hear—it was low and forceful, spreading out with weight.
Soon, I could feel Countess Valuncio’s gaze on me.
On the table in front of her, her index finger stood out, slightly extended.
That sound just now had definitely come from there.
As I turned my head, the corners of her eyes lowered, and her expression softened.
“This person here is none other than Adrian Valuncio, the bearer of the Sacred Oath and the spouse of my son, Klen Valuncio.”
“As I thought…”
“Him?”
The curious stares already fixated on me grew sharper.
From some of them, I even sensed faint disappointment.
The reason she insisted I attend this hunting tournament, despite knowing how frail I was—it was to present me to the retainers as favorably as possible, and quickly at that.
Not a bad intent.
We’re married anyway, so better to leave a good impression.
I decided to meet her expectations.
Rising slowly to my feet, I raised a hand before smoothly returning it to my chest and bowing low.
A gesture I had rehearsed countless times in my life, and executed flawlessly now.
Then, standing straight, I curled my lips into a bright smile and made eye contact with each person, one by one.
“I’m Adrian.”
Someone’s eyes turned faintly red. That was all the proof I needed—I had succeeded.
* * *
