<CHAPTER 10>

‘He does have a point… But still, he could’ve at least heard me out before making up his mind, couldn’t he?’

Emotions flickered across Alosha’s face one after another.

Emil watched her intently, his sharp eyes never leaving her.

He had brushed it off by claiming he thought she was a swindler, but even Emil had never imagined she’d actually march straight to the Oclair Merchant Guild.

I’d better not provoke her any further.

Letting out a quiet sigh, Alosha lifted her teacup.

“So after confirming that my ring was genuine, you rushed all the way here?”

“I won’t deny it.”

Although he had recognized the ring as authentic from the very beginning, Emil conveniently left that part out.

“Then shall we discuss business?”

“Can the Laos Merchant Guild truly offer better terms than the Oclair Merchant Guild?”

“Every season’s newest dresses and jewelry? I thought you were a far more practical person, my lady.”

Judging by the expression on his face, which practically screamed You’re not seriously falling for something that simple, are you?, Alosha decided to take it as a compliment.

“I happen to adore beautiful dresses and jewelry. If someone’s offering them to me, why would I refuse?”

“…If they mean that much to you, then I’ll personally send you finer dresses and jewels than theirs. Entirely separate from our business arrangement.”

There was no reason to reject a gift freely offered.

With a relaxed smile, Alosha studied Emil before finally steering the conversation where she wanted it to go.

“Oh? So you’ll send me every new collection of dresses and jewelry, regardless of whether we strike a deal? You really are far more calculating than I expected, Guildmaster.”

Emil had long believed he had mastered the art of pleasing weathered merchants and arrogant nobles alike.

Yet the young noblewoman before him was… different.

Oddly enough, he found himself enjoying the conversation.

Stroking his chin thoughtfully, he seemed to arrive at a brilliant idea.

A leisurely smile spread across his lips.

“What about me?”

“…Pardon?”

“Didn’t you say I was handsome? Then how about trading the Phoenix Ring… for me?”

“What kind of impossible windfall is th— No! What are you even saying? I may have a weakness for handsome faces, but don’t tease me like that!”

As Alosha exploded in protest, Emil gently took her hand and pressed a soft kiss to its back.

“Tease you? I’m completely serious.”

“Good grief! Guildmaster Laos!”

“‘Guildmaster Laos’ sounds so formal. Why not call me Emil instead?”

With that, he flashed her a playful wink.

Seriously? Where did this shameless flirt come from?

Admittedly…

Emil’s face was exactly her type.

Watching such a handsome man fool around was undeniably pleasant.

And yes, she was hopelessly easy to sway, her resolve was about as sturdy as wet paper, and she had an endless supply of admiration for attractive men.

But this…

This was supposed to be a serious discussion.

How could he keep playing with her like this?

“Though I may be praising myself… I’m exceptionally good to my woman.”

“……”

Only moments ago, she’d been so furious she’d nearly leapt out of her chair.

One sentence later…

She quietly sat back down.

Good at… what exactly?

“Excuse me… what did you just say?”

Half convinced her own desires were making her hallucinate, Alosha asked him again.

“I said… I’m quite good.”

A suggestive smile tugged at Emil’s lips as one finger slowly brushed across them.

Judging from both his words and his actions, this was undeniably real.

And now Alosha found herself desperately wanting to drag him somewhere private so he could explain—in great detail—exactly what he was supposedly so good at.

Why is that line making my heart race? Get a grip! Haven’t you fallen for this trick enough times already?

It was just like those scenes where the hero and heroine climbed into a carriage, making it seem as though a passionate kiss was about to happen…

…only for him to lean over and fasten her seatbelt instead.

Those deliberately ambiguous lines always filled readers with impossible expectations before the censors mercilessly cut the scene short.

Don’t fall for it.

Unless it was the uncensored edition, nothing would ever come of dialogue like that.

She herself had used this exact trick countless times while writing novels.

Readers knew perfectly well they were being baited, yet they still smiled and imagined the rest for themselves.

It was simply one of those irresistible clichés.

“My lady?”

“…I’m sorry. What did you say?”

“Whatever your preferences may be, I’m confident I can satisfy them all. Choose me. You won’t regret it.”

This novel isn’t rated R.

And it’s a fantasy story with absolutely no romance.

Closing her eyes, Alosha silently repeated the reminder to herself before taking a deep breath.

“Thank you for the offer… but I’m afraid it’s not what I’m looking for. Of course you’re handsome, Mr. Emil, but I’m not sure you’re worth that much to me.”

“Really? Then why have you been holding my hand this entire time?”

“W-When did that happen?! Bad hand! Bad hand!”

Her body and her brain really needed to start communicating.

Why did she keep losing control like this?

At least she hadn’t started drooling.

Mortified, Alosha repeatedly smacked the back of her own hand.

“My lady, why are you hitting yourself all of a sudden? First your cheek earlier… now your hand… Ah. Could it be that’s your preference?”

“Absolutely not! My tastes are incredibly consistent! I am definitely not into that!”

Even the cheap web novels she paid to read were always tagged with things like:

#ObsessiveMaleLead #PossessiveLove #DevotedHero #OnlySoftForHeroine #HappyEnding #RomCom #CompetentMaleLead

Definitely not… that.

“…And what exactly do you mean by ‘that’?”

“……”

Reading stories where sly men toyed with innocent heroines had always been hilarious.

Actually becoming the heroine being toyed with…

That was infuriating.

I can’t believe I’m sweating this much over a single fictional character’s words!

What on earth had her friend been thinking?

This wasn’t even a romance fantasy, so why create such an infuriatingly smooth-talking character?

Utterly defeated in their battle of words, Alosha glared at Emil, who was quietly trying to suppress his laughter.

“Stop laughing.”

No.

Actually…

Laugh harder.

Laugh until you stop breathing.

Meet your ancestors and high-five them on your way to the afterlife.

Perhaps sensing the murderous thoughts behind her smile, Emil quickly cleared his throat and composed himself.

“Ahem. Very well. Contrary to the rumors, my lady… you have quite an adorable side.”

“…You don’t have to dress up ‘she looks like an idiot’ in prettier words.”

She had been absolutely certain that if she were ever reincarnated into a novel, she’d become one of those unbelievably competent heroines who solved every crisis with effortless brilliance.

Instead…

She turned out to be this hopelessly awkward fool.

Watching her face cycle through every imaginable shade of embarrassment, Emil gazed at her with warm amusement.

“So… what do you think of my proposal?”

“I’m afraid I must decline. I’ve admired someone for a very long time.”

“You admire someone? It can’t be a fiancé—I was informed you aren’t engaged. Then who is this fortunate man?”

Though he clearly wasn’t all that curious, Alosha deliberately kept him waiting.

Then she proudly declared,

“The man I admire is Duke Whisler!”

The moment the name left her lips…

Emil thought he’d misheard.

Then disbelief gave way to outright horror.

“Surely you don’t mean that Duke Whisler Demesis Alten? The blood-soaked butcher whose path is littered with corpses? The madman said to behead anyone unfortunate enough to cross him?”

The description was even more over-the-top than she’d expected.

Then again…

If someone was destined to become the final boss, absurdly dramatic titles were practically medals of honor.

“R-Rumors are just rumors!”

She refused to lose the argument.

Unfortunately, her trembling voice completely betrayed her confidence.

“My lady…”

Emil sighed deeply.

“I’m not talking about mere rumors. Unless you have a death wish, stay as far away from Duke Whisler as possible. That man… truly is a monster.”

Alosha already knew.

Setting aside the original story, destiny, and everything else…

She wanted nothing more than to retire to some peaceful seaside town, spend her fortune freely, fall in love, get married, and live a quiet, happy life.

But if she selfishly allowed the original plot to unfold unchanged…

Then starting with the deaths of her brother and herself, half the Empire would be consumed by war.

How could she simply ignore that?

“Words like that will never change how I feel about Duke Whisler!”

Seeing the fierce determination blazing in her eyes—the unwavering resolve to seduce that terrifying man and survive at all costs—Emil let out another long, exhausted sigh.

His expression practically screamed that he couldn’t understand her at all.

“When you walked in carrying the Phoenix Ring I’d spent years searching for… I honestly thought you intended to marry me.”

So that’s why he was acting like such an insufferable jerk.

Alosha shook her head.

“I don’t want anything else. Just help me end up with Duke Whisler!”

“…How?”

“Huh?”

“I have no particular connection to Duke Whisler. Nor do I possess the power to teach a monster what it means to have a human heart. So how exactly am I supposed to help you win him over?”

“I’ve already thought that part through. I just need your support for my plan, Emil.”

Looking her up and down with deep suspicion, Emil slowly shook his head.

“I think that’s asking the impossible. I fully recognize your charms, my lady… but not a single beauty has ever managed to capture Duke Whisler’s heart.”

“So you’re saying I’m not pretty enough to seduce him?”

“I didn’t say that.”

He hadn’t said it.

But judging from his face…

He was definitely thinking it.

“Well, if he’s really that abstinent, at least I won’t have to worry about him chasing after other women.”

“Please don’t be so stubborn. Honestly… it’d be easier if you told me you planned to start a war and overthrow the Empire. I’d gladly help with that instead.”

Alosha stared at him in absolute shock.

Seducing Duke Whisler is harder than starting a war…?

How could he say something so devastating?

Besides…

A war?

She was going through all this trouble precisely to stop one.