10. Want to Stay the Night?
“This doesn’t feel real.”
While packing her things, Riley suddenly felt that just standing here was surreal. Could everything she had experienced here have been a dream?
She still had to return to her original home in Luflare, but the thought of going back to that hellish cage terrified her.
Sure, the cage door wouldn’t be locked shut anymore, and she wouldn’t have shackles on her feet—but even so, she feared that once she returned, everything she had experienced here would vanish like a dream.
She was afraid it would all turn into lies, illusions, things that had never happened at all.
“Once you return, you’ll need to prepare for the wedding. You’ll have to handle the move, organize the minor lord’s affairs, and transfer duties to the appropriate successor. You’ll also need to undergo the minimum education required to become the lady of the Leannster family.”
There was so much to do once she got back. Things were different now. Like Claire, Riley could receive an equal education, and they even promised to provide a private tutor.
It was really good, really fortunate.
“But… I don’t want to go.”
Once she left, she wouldn’t be able to see him for a while.
Strangely, his upright, handsome face came to mind. She wanted to see him just one more time before leaving.
Come to think of it, she hadn’t thanked him. Everything—from saving her from Count Ermeints to stopping her engagement—was thanks to him. He even proposed marriage, sparing her from being locked away alone.
But she probably wouldn’t get to see him. He was a busy man.
Having finished packing, Riley stepped out of the room—and at that moment, a shrill cry rang out.
“Why her? This is unfair! Why her?! Why do I have to feel this miserable while Riley gets everything?! Why!”
“Claire, calm down…”
“You should have opposed the marriage! Both of you! Why did you approve of Riley’s marriage? Why! She’s your own daughter!”
Her cries of grief carried all the way outside. There was nothing objectively tragic about it, yet Claire wailed as if the world were ending.
“I’m so annoyed! I wish I were dead!”
“Calm down. Even if the master of Horizon’s Arcane Tower is perfectly fine, rumors are not good. You know about all the scandals surrounding him! He’s too good for you, remember that.”
“…Even with all those rumors, there’s never been a woman who decided to marry him!”
“…Just calm down. There’s nothing we can do now. Actually, it’s for the best. Once your family becomes related to the Leannsters, you’ll have more marriage prospects coming your way.”
“And what good would that do?! The Leannsters are a third-generation duke’s family! Other duke families wouldn’t accept me!”
“Well…”
“Why should I marry into a family inferior to Riley’s?!”
Oh dear. Was this really a reason to cry? Listening to such desperate shouting left her speechless.
When Riley’s engagement to Count Ermeints had been announced, Claire had sung in celebration—but now she was crying, wailing, and throwing a tantrum like a child.
“Calm down and pack your things. It’s time to leave. And stop acting so unruly! What if your voice carries outside?!”
It had already been heard.
Soon, Claire emerged with the servants carrying luggage. Riley expected her to vent her anger, but when Claire saw her, she gritted her teeth and walked past without a word.
Huh? Riley had expected a scene, but nothing happened.
“Riley, there you are. Good! Let’s go.”
Even her always-sharp aunt’s voice was unusually gentle.
It was nice that their treatment of her had changed overnight, but how could people change this much? She couldn’t get used to it.
Now that she realized their true nature, she could only laugh. Honestly, if she had been treated this way back when she was desperate for their affection, she would have obeyed them unquestioningly, thinking of them as her family.
“Miss Riley.”
Even the maids now treated her with utmost respect.
“Yes?”
“The master is calling you.”
What could it be this time?
Riley headed to Ryan’s room, where he was staying.
Knock knock.
“I’ll come in.”
The door opened, and an unexpected figure greeted her.
“…What brings you here, Count?”
Givnen Leannster—why was he here?
As Riley stood there, flustered, Givnen approached.
“I just couldn’t let you leave without saying goodbye properly.”
Perhaps because Ryan was present, he was perfectly polite. The expression of adoration on his face was an added bonus.
What…?
Ryan, who had been silent until now, cleared his throat.
“The Count wants to spend some time with you.”
“…Excuse me?”
“Don’t worry about your luggage. We’ll move it.”
“Does that mean you want me to stay here?”
Givnen smiled and answered for him.
“I’d like that, but it’s not possible. There’s too much to prepare… You could have come empty-handed.”
“…Ah.”
“Then, if you’ll excuse us, sir.”
“Yes, please take care of my daughter, Count.”
Givnen took the lead.
Following him out of the hotel where Ryan stayed, Riley could only stare, dumbfounded.
“Why here…?”
“I said earlier—it’s because I wanted to see you.”
“I thought that was just an excuse.”
“It’s both—an excuse and the truth.”
“….”
“And you don’t need a reason to meet someone, do you?”
Technically true—they were going to be married, after all.
But wasn’t this supposed to be a contract marriage?
“…A marriage of convenience, right?”
“Yes, but that doesn’t mean you have to be awkward around each other.”
True. Even if it was an arranged marriage, the relationship didn’t have to be formal.
But… hadn’t this man been someone who clearly separated business from personal matters?
From the first meeting to their initial relationship, even when he brought a marriage proposal, he had been strict about boundaries.
“I thought you were someone who separates business and personal life clearly.”
“Well… yes.”
“Then why…?”
Givnen stopped walking, showing a perfect, radiant smile.
“I’ve developed a personal interest.”
Her breath caught at that bright, perhaps perfunctory, yet sincere smile. Standing against the wind, he looked almost unreal—a picture-perfect scene she couldn’t believe was real.
He reached for her hand.
“So, give me some time, sister.”
Riley, almost hypnotized, had no choice but to take his hand.
Riley nervously gripped her skirt.
“What… what am I supposed to do?”
She remembered playing with many friends as a child, but her memories were hazy. Since being adopted as a ward of the Eardalin family, she had rarely interacted with others. The idea of spending time alone with the man who would become her husband made her extremely nervous.
Her mind went blank. She didn’t know what to say or do.
“Why are you so tense?”
“…It’s just… my first time doing this.”
“This?”
“…Spending time alone with someone.”
“You know…”
“?”
“The time you spent with me that day.”
“Ah…”
“Well, technically, it wasn’t your first.”
Back then, she hadn’t been in her right mind. Now, she was fully aware and coherent.
Riley felt overwhelmed by the situation. Talking to the master of Horizon’s Arcane Tower like a friend? Walking together alone? It was utterly confusing.
Seeing her stiff demeanor, Givnen smirked.
“Relax.”
“….”
“You don’t have to do anything. A gentleman leads the lady.”
He guided her skillfully.
They boarded the same floating carriage they had used to escape the reception hall and moved to an unknown destination.
Through Riley’s tense eyes, the cityscape came into view. Things she hadn’t noticed before now stood out vividly.
Magic fireflies flew through the air, small black spheres rolled along the streets collecting trash, and clouds drifted above the houses, raining over flowerbeds.
It was a completely different world from her previous estate.
People carried one or two magical tools by default, and magical devices worked everywhere on the streets. Even domesticated magical beasts were visible.
“…So we’ll live here after the wedding, right?”
“Yes. Why, don’t you like it?”
“No, it just feels unreal. This place has so many fascinating things—it’s nothing like where I used to live.”
“Magical tools have only recently been widely distributed, and Blestidge is one of the few places where they are commonly used, so life here is very different.”
Everything was unfamiliar and new. Once married, she would feel the differences even more.
“What should I prepare?”
“Prepare?”
“To live as your wife. I… don’t know what I’m supposed to do.”
She had learned nothing, so of course she had no skills. She had eagerly accepted his proposal to escape Count Ermeints, but now she was a little afraid.
The world she had known was completely different. Could she adapt? She worried about her lack of knowledge.
Even for a contract marriage, marital duties still had to be fulfilled. That meant she had to take her place as the lady of the Leannster family. Could she manage it?
“Don’t worry about preparing anything.”
“But you said I have to fulfill my duties as your wife. I’m not confident I can manage that.”
“I said you need to fulfill your duties, but I don’t expect perfection.”
“….”
“Better than preparing, just think about what you want to do.”
“What I want to do…?”
“There are so many things you haven’t experienced yet.”
Riley was dumbstruck, as if her head had been hit by a hammer.
It had been a long time since anyone had said something like this.
“Riley, you only need to do what you want. I want you to live freer than anyone.”
“Of course! I’ll live doing what I want! I have so many things I want to do!”
Her father had said to do what she wanted, and her uncle had said to do nothing at all.
But this man said the same as her father—think about what you want, not what you must do.
Such a simple statement struck her deeply.
“…I’ll think about it.”
Riley turned her gaze from him to the window. Her chest tingled for some reason. Meeting his eyes felt slightly embarrassing.
The place they arrived at was familiar.
Hotel Insignia, where she had spent a night with him.
But this time, the destination was not a room—it was the restaurant atop the observation deck.
“Welcome. Master, I will show you to your seats.”
Below them, the dazzling night view of Blestidge stretched out.
“Pick something.”
He slid the menu toward Riley.
Everything on it was unfamiliar. She returned it to him.
“I don’t really know this stuff. Can you pick something for me?”
“Sure.”
Used to simple bread and bland soup, she knew anything he chose would taste delicious.
Givnen ordered the food, and soon it began to arrive.
In a space playing refined jazz, enjoying an extravagant meal while gazing at the city lights, Riley couldn’t believe such a day had come.
She timidly picked up her fork and knife.
Although she had been scolded endlessly about table manners, she had learned enough to avoid mistakes—but still, she was nervous.
Seeing her hesitation, Givnen smirked and placed a piece of meat on her plate.
“You’re not eating me, so don’t get tense at the table. That would be embarrassing.”
“Ah… sorry…”
Used to being scolded, she felt intimidated. She swallowed the rest of her words and bit into the meat. The juices burst in her mouth, and it melted effortlessly. How could something taste this good?
“Wow.”
She blurted out, covering her mouth. Givnen laughed.
“I’m glad you like it.”
Relaxed, Riley began to enjoy her meal. Then she noticed something odd.
“There aren’t any other guests.”
She assumed it must be expensive here, so few could afford it.
Givnen casually added,
“I rented the entire place.”
“…?”
“So you could eat comfortably.”
Ah. That was considerate. And on a very grand scale.
The menu alone had been expensive—how much would it cost to rent the whole restaurant? Her head spun.
“…Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Even a man notorious for countless rumors could be genuinely thoughtful. Maybe he wasn’t as bad as people said.
Even if the rumors were true and he was a libertine, it didn’t matter—he had helped her when it counted.
“I enjoyed it. The food was delicious.”
Meal finished, it was time to leave. Riley felt a little regretful—they wouldn’t see each other for a while.
“Thank you so much for helping me. I’m glad I came here.”
“Shall we go?”
As Riley stood, Givnen grabbed her wrist, smirked, and asked,
“Want to stay the night?”
