6. I Came to Propose
“…Ah, my head.”
How much did I even drink?
My head felt like it was going to split apart. My stomach burned, my waist ached as if it would snap. My entire body throbbed with a dull, heavy ache, as if I were sick all over.
Water. I need water.
Unconsciously, I reached out, and my fingertips brushed against something soft. Something that felt like human hair…
Huh? Hair?
Riley jerked upright.
Gasp!
Startled, she quickly covered her mouth.
A strange room. A strange bed. Strange blankets.
And lying next to her, a stranger. Not just a stranger—a man. And a naked one at that.
The toned physique of a man without a stitch of clothing immediately drew her gaze. It was so raw and provocative that the remnants of alcohol in her system evaporated instantly, leaving her mind shockingly alert.
“No way… no way.”
The vivid image of that exposed flesh—something she never wanted to remember—flashed before her eyes like a panorama. A face damp with sweat, slightly flushed.
“Mo-more… give me more. Just a little more.”
I’m insane!
If it were an accident from being drunk, at least I’d forget it! But why does last night’s memory remain so painfully clear?
Riley, realizing the full extent of her reckless act, sat dumbfounded, recalling every detail of the night.
What was it like, spending the night with a stranger for the first time?
Her first experience, a single deviation. It was less frightening than intoxicating, less painful than exhilarating. She felt a knot inside her unravel. The suffocating tension dissolved, and an indescribable, refreshing sensation swept through her body.
But that wasn’t all. She had never felt such pleasure in her life. Her whole body felt squeezed by an overwhelming bliss, and her mind was so dazed that, for a moment, she felt she could die and it wouldn’t matter.
It was incredible… Even though they were complete strangers, the act itself had left her overwhelmingly satisfied.
To be honest, she thought she could do it again.
Yet, alongside the pleasure came a crushing sense of guilt.
The furious face of Count Ermeintz, cutting across the grand party hall; the countless gazes of strangers; the faces of her uncle, aunt, and Claire. They all came rushing to mind.
This situation had become far more complicated than she anticipated. And now, this accident on top of everything…
“Should I wait until he wakes up? No… maybe he won’t remember anything. He only helped me, and this happened… He’s bound to be in a difficult position.”
Surely, he wouldn’t respond kindly. A Master of the Magic Tower having spent a night with a lowly baron’s adopted daughter? The odds of that being received favorably were slim.
Riley quickly gathered the clothes strewn on the floor and changed. She considered retrieving the dress she wore yesterday but gave up. She simply wanted to leave as quickly as possible.
Dressed, Riley bolted from the room without looking back. She ignored the staff trying to assist her and ran outside.
The dawn had just begun to break. It was early, and the streets in front of the hotel were empty.
As she tried to move, grateful that she hadn’t woken amidst a crowd, she paused.
“But… where do I go?”
There was nowhere to go.
The reality crashing down on her felt like a tsunami. It was too much to handle alone. She didn’t even know where to start or what to do. She just stood there, numb. What was happening…
“…In this vast world, there’s not a single place for me.”
Yet, fortunately or unfortunately, Riley’s despair was short-lived.
Two men suddenly appeared, surrounding her.
“Miss, the Master is waiting.”
“…?”
“Let’s go without causing a scene.”
They were men sent by Ryan.
Riley let out a bitter laugh. No matter what she tried, this was the inevitable outcome. No matter how hard she struggled, she would always end up back under Ryan Earadlin’s control.
There was no escaping. Not while alive, at least.
“I’ll go on my own two feet.”
“Then let’s go.”
Riley followed obediently. At this point, she no longer cared.
It was strange. Despite the aftermath she had to face, she felt more relieved than scared.
Was it because it was her first real act of rebellion? The first time she defied someone by her own will?
Her steps felt lighter than they had in years.
Like running and playing with her father long ago.
Gibnen, who had been lying with his eyes closed, slowly opened them.
He blinked lazily, then rubbed his forehead as he sat up. The blanket covering his upper body slipped to the floor, revealing a completely naked torso.
He never had the habit of sleeping without clothes, even in bed. He liked to be well-dressed anywhere, including the bedroom.
For him to be completely unclothed meant only one thing.
He glanced to the side. Seeing the empty bed with indifference, he gestured subtly. Instantly, the clothes on the floor were neatly gathered into a laundry basket, and a cup of water was filled.
At that moment, Sak entered, looking slightly troubled.
“Have you forgotten the directive to refrain from using magic unnecessarily? Why waste your power and strain your body needlessly? Every wizard must follow health guidelines, Master. Even trivial magic without permission is illegal.”
“Nagging me first thing in the morning?”
“Morning? The sun is already high in the sky.”
“…I must have slept a long time. I must’ve been exhausted.”
“If you were tired, you should’ve slept quietly alone. How did you cause such a massive accident?”
Sak handed him a newspaper. As Gibnen opened it, the paper faintly glowed and then the photos began moving.
A scene of Gibnen and Riley entering a hotel together played out vividly before him. He commented briefly.
“The photographer couldn’t even take a proper shot. You can’t see their faces clearly.”
“Even if the faces aren’t clear, Master’s personal life has already been exposed. You showed yourself to everyone yesterday. By the way, what exactly is your relationship with this woman?”
“Relationship? We’ve never met before.”
“Oh! So, you went to the hotel in such a scandalous way with a woman you didn’t even know? And… after the incident? Incredible! Even if it’s personal, it’s like publicly spreading rumors nationwide. Master, do you want me to die early?”
“It’s not like it’s the first time. Haven’t you gotten used to it yet?”
Damn it.
Sak barely restrained himself from swearing and forced a businesslike smile.
“Why create such noise yourself? Is this why you invited the Earadlin baron family?”
Gibnen paused mid-sip. Slowly setting down his cup, he asked with curiosity:
“What are you talking about?”
“You mean…?”
“Why mention the Earadlin barons all of a sudden?”
“Because the woman you brought along is revealed to be the first daughter of the Earadlin barons.”
Gibnen’s eyebrows twitched slightly for the first time.
“She’s Riley Earadlin?”
“You didn’t know?”
He didn’t. They hadn’t even exchanged names. Who she was, her age, or where she lived—none of it mattered. She was just a woman to keep temporarily.
Even the unintentional night together didn’t concern him. It was just an accident from drinking. He didn’t even care that she wasn’t beside him when he woke.
“Riley Earadlin… huh.”
Gibnen rose.
“Where is Baron Earadlin now?”
“Likely at a nearby hotel, though I haven’t confirmed the exact location.”
“Contact Baron Ryan Earadlin immediately. I need to meet him urgently.”
“Now?”
“And the documents I asked for before?”
“All the papers for the guardianship application are ready.”
“Discard them. Prepare different documents instead.”
“…Yes?”
“The plan has changed. Adjust accordingly.”
“What kind of documents?”
“A proposal.”
What the hell is this madman thinking?
“You… want me to prepare a marriage proposal? Suddenly? Out of nowhere?”
“Hurry. There’s no time.”
Sak, still reeling from the unexpected command, followed Gibnen into the bathroom.
“Wait, Master. What about the rumors in the press?”
“Has Riley Earadlin’s identity been exposed?”
“No. Her identity hasn’t been revealed yet.”
“If so, leave it be. No action required.”
“Understood.”
“Make sure the journalists don’t uncover her identity. If an article mentioning her appears, report to me immediately.”
“Yes, Master.”
Sak mulled over the orders repeatedly. Gibnen spent the night with Riley Earadlin. A proposal. And now a meeting with Baron Earadlin needed to happen immediately.
He shivered at the thought of what might unfold.
“No, it can’t be… can it? Surely not. Yes… it won’t happen.”
He tried to shake off the foreboding feeling. First, he had to arrange the meeting with the baron.
Riley drew a small communication owl into her palm and infused it with magic. The owl’s eyes blinked open, and it flapped its wings.
Sak commanded the owl:
“Deliver this message to Baron Earadlin immediately: The Master of the Magic Tower wishes to meet him at once.”
[Scene shift: Ryan Earadlin’s household]
Smack—
Pain tore across her cheek as she turned her head. Blood dripped from the split lip.
Riley covered her flushed cheeks and looked straight ahead, seeing an enraged Ryan glaring at her.
“How dare you! Do you even realize what you’ve done? You… you ruined everything?”
The engagement was canceled.
“Why should I! Why should I endure that humiliation because of you? Why!”
With the engagement canceled, the business funds provided as a dowry were withdrawn.
A vast sum vanished instantly, naturally causing her eyes to widen in shock.
“You ungrateful wretch! After everything I’ve done for you, you repay me like this?”
“Do you really think so?”
“What?”
“Did you genuinely take me in out of kindness, Uncle? Not just to sell me off at the right moment?”
“Don’t you dare open your mouth like that!”
Smack—
This time, her other cheek was struck. Luckily, it wasn’t strong enough to split her lip.
It hurt. Yet she laughed. The thrill of canceling the marriage was far greater than the pain on her cheeks or the loud nagging of her uncle.
“You’re laughing? Now?”
“Of course. The marriage I hated so much fell apart! I have no choice but to laugh!”
“You foolish girl! Kicking away such a good match? Don’t you understand the worth of the Ermeintz family?”
“I’m not afraid anymore.”
She meant it. The people who once terrified her now seemed small and laughable. A slap on the face wasn’t even that frightening.
Compared to a lifetime of being a toy for an old man, this was nothing.
“So, what now? You going to kick me out?”
“…?”
“…Delete my registration, there’s no point in pretending to be a family now.”
Ryan laughed suddenly, then stopped, scowling.
“Why should I? How much have I invested in you? Who would benefit from kicking you out? And what would people say if I did?”
“….”
“Yes, I’d love to throw you out right now. And maybe even kill you. But that won’t do. You were brought here as a commodity. You must at least recoup what I spent on you.”
“…Where would I go? The marriage with the Ermeintz count is off. Is there a better match?”
“Anywhere. Consider yourself lucky you’re not ugly. Otherwise, you’d be dead already.”
Ryan pressed his foot against her leg in irritation.
“Ugh.”
“One more stunt like this and you’ll be maimed and sold to a trafficker.”
“….”
“Don’t provoke me.”
He called the housekeeper, Macdallin.
“Yes, Master?”
“Take this eyesore away immediately. One week of confinement awaits her. Nothing but water!”
“Yes, Master.”
Other servants tried to move Riley, but another approached urgently.
“Master, the Master of the Magic Tower is coming here.”
“What? Now?”
“Yes, just received word. Prepare to receive him.”
Ryan ordered Riley to get dressed. She was forced to change and tidy herself, then brought back to his room.
The baroness and Claire arrived shortly after.
Claire smirked at Riley’s swollen cheeks.
“Hah, see? What did you do to yourself?”
“….”
“Do you think you could find a better match? Kicking the baroness’s seat? What a fool.”
Riley laughed bitterly.
“If you want that old pig’s mistress seat, go ahead and take it yourself.”
“What did you just say?”
At that moment:
“The Master of the Magic Tower has arrived.”
Gibnen and Sak entered.
The room, humble compared to the hotel, fell silent as Gibnen scanned it. He extended his hand to Ryan.
“I am Gibnen Rianster.”
“Ah, welcome! I am Ryan Earadlin. It’s an honor.”
Gibnen’s gaze moved across Ryan’s family, stopping at Riley.
Their eyes met. Riley quickly looked down.
“These are my household members,” Ryan introduced. The baroness and Claire spoke in turn, and Riley whispered, “…Riley Earadlin.”
Her heart shrank. What was he doing here? Surely not to scold her for last night?
Ryan changed the topic:
“But why is the Master here…?”
Gibnen ignored him, looking at Riley.
“I’ve come to propose.”
The statement struck like a bomb, filling the room with icy silence.
Ignoring the shock, Gibnen approached Riley, took her hand, and added:
“I want to marry Lady Riley.”
