Parsed with an automated reader. The content accuracy is not guranteed.
(Bonus chapter: 9/10)\n
âYou shouldnât asked him like that.â\n\nAssistant Ortzen stared at us and asked, âDid you guys have sex?â\n\nâNo.â\n\nâNo.â\n\nWe replied at the same time. Not to mention marriage, we even havenât had our engagement yet. What kind of nonsense was that? Besides, this engagement was a fake one to begin with, so why would we have to go as far as having sex?\n\nAssistant Ortzen expressionlessly stared at Clauen as if he was saying, âDo you hear that?â\n\nClauen pulled out his own hair. âCaptain⊠that matter⊠shouldnât you understand what it means?â\n\nâYou should just expect what could be expected.â\n\nI didnât understand the exchange between Clauen and Ortzen. I reached out for Captain Julliusâ arm beside me and whispered to him in a low voice, âWhat are they doing right now? Why did they ask whether if weâd already have sex?â\n\nâI donât know either.â\n\nTurns out Captain Jullius also didnât know whatâs with them. It made my heart rather calm.\n\nClauen who was chattering something I have no idea about, casted a blaming gaze on me.\n\nâEven though Captain is slow, Miss Epheria prentended not to understand anything when you clearly know about it, didnât you?!â\n\nWhat does he mean?\n\nOrtzen patted Clauenâs shoulder who was feeling that heâd worried over nothing.\n\nâI think we also canât expect much from Miss Epheria over that matter.â\n\nâWhat? Does it even make any sense?! Nevertheless, I refused to acknowledge this marriage!â\n\nClauen screamed his objection while jumping madly on his spot. Meanwhile Captain Jullius and I could only silently look at his madness. Honestly, whats wrong with him? Hasnât he already known that this engagement is fake?\n\nâA sly woman is many times better! If they became a couple, it would be completely ruined!â\n\nHe was insulting me, wasnât he? I frowned while sneakily reaching out my hand toward the Calitus that hanged on Captain Julliusâ waist. Captain Jullius looked down and saw me but he didnât try to prevent me from what I was going to do. That means I could beat some sense to that silly brat, right?\n\nShingâŠ\n\nâActually that kind of womââ\n\nThat silly brat quickly shut his mouth up as soon as he heard the sound of a sword being unsheathed. He stared at the Calitus inside my hand with his surprised rabbit eyes.\n\nâW-why does that woman wield that swordâŠ?!â\n\nâBecause youâve insulted me, I challenge you for a duel. Draw your sword now!â\n\nâWhat kind of duel is it against a noble lady?!â\n\nâMen, women, elders, and even children are equal before a sword.â\n
Well, I obviously exaggerated it, although I could face up against men and women, I have never even for once aimed for children. I had no intention to back down and my action indicated for him to just shut up and draw his sword. Clauen slowly retreated back behind Ortzen.\n\nAssistant Ortzen sighed and flapping some documents in his hands.\n\nâLetâs stop talking about this matter. Now we have to talk about the main problems here. I got a complain notice from the Countâs residence regarding the commotion yesterday.â\n\nTechnically speaking, itâs as expected of them to file a complain. ButâŠ\n\nâI had already made an appointment with Captain Jullius beforehand but the gate keeper of the Countâs residence and the guards was trying to prevent him from seeing me. In truth, they were the one who behaved rudely in the first place.â\n\nâGood. Iâll handle this mess based on Miss statement just now. But, perhaps Miss would face some troubles in the process.â\n\nâDuring the day, I would get more scoldings at most. At night⊠well⊠whatâs bound to happen will eventually happen anyways.â\n\nEven without this incident, those âuninvited guessâ would still come though.\n\nâWouldnât it be dangerous?â\n\nâDonât worry. There wonât be any danger. Donât you think so, Captain Jullius?â\n\nRight after I said it, his pale grey eyes reflected my face, then he nodded in agreement.\n\nâMiss Epheria will definitely be alright.â\n\nâSee? Captain Jullius also said that Iâll be alright! Assistant Ortzen doesnât need to worry about anything.â\n\nâIf Captain has said so⊠then everything should be alright, right?â\n\nAssistant Ortzen seemed a bit reluctant, but he chose not to give further comments and put the documents onto the table. Afterward, he picked up an invitation card wrapped in gold color envelope. Right after I saw that invitation card, I suddenly remembered something Iâve forgotten a while back.\n\nâOh, right! In four days, ugh⊠now itâs only two days left⊠there will be a banquet hosted inside the Countâs residence⊠but I donât know if they will also send the invitation to Captain Jullius or not.â\n\nâA banquet hosted inside the Countâs residence is indeed interesting, but on that day youâve to attend another banquet.â\n\nâAnother banquet?â\n\nâYes.â\n\nAssistant Ortzen gave a faint smile.\n\nâThis banquet will be where the Captain of Special Task Squad, Jullius Rizar, officially introduce his fiancee. This banquet will be hosted by the First Imperial Princess, Princess Aranea.â\n\nThe image of a red-haired woman appeared in my mind. Oh, that rude princessâŠ? Duh, weâre not that compatible with each other.\n\nâDo I really have to go?â\n\nâOf course. Miss absolutely must go.â\n\nDamn it⊠if that banquet was held on the same day as the banquet at Countâs residence, that means the time I have left to prepare was less than two days! The thought of memorizing the womanâs dance part and getting used to the mannerism at the banquet in just two days time, were enough to blow up my mind. I wonât be able to sleep again.\n\nAssistant Ortzen got hold of Captain Jullius so that he wouldnât be able to escape and in exchange, Ortzen had Clauen to take me home. I still clearly remembered those pair of pale-grey eyes that looked pitifully at me after hearing Ortzen stated that Captain Jullius didnât have any reasons to escape anymore. I feel bad for him⊠well, but my own situation wasnât any better. To be honest, all of these happened because of me. Iâm really sorry, Captain Jullius. But, this was the fastest and the most certain way for me to meet with the High Priest. I felt really guilty inside my heart.\n\nI have to treat him better.\n\nI had to treat Captain Jullius for delicious foods after I completely seized up the Countâs wealth. Right after I decided it to myself, Clauen who was walking besides me, started talking to me.\n
âMiss Epheria.â\n\nâHuh?â\n\nâIâve already heard that the engagement is fake, but honestly, I think that itâs all a lie.â\n\nAfter some thoughts, seems like this brat had long decided to speak using informal speech to me. Looks like his age and my previous age were quite closed.\n\nâThe engagement is indeed a fake one though.â\n\nâHowever, it will be more advantageous for Miss Epheria not to cancel this engagement and continue to be engaged.â With a disdain looks, Clauen continued to talk. âIf the Countess was found guilty, Miss would become a fallen noble. Although Miss has said before that you intended to join the church⊠but to be honest, being Captainâs wife is many times better for a woman than being a clergy, isnât it?â\n\nI was shocked hearing what he just said. What? I canât take over the Countâs family?! On second thought, what he said is right. Even if Iâm innocent, but the title and wealth of Epheria family would be confiscated because this matter was related to rebellion.\n\nâIf by any chance the Count family could escape the punishment, based on my understanding, there isnât anyone inside that family who treated you well. Itâs unlikely for Miss to find any better fiancee than our Captain. On contrary, they would probably get rid of Miss by marrying you to the Countessâ underling like the previous Viscount Schwart.â\n\nHah! Damn it! Should I start to keep some valuable things from the mansion now? I donât really understand about the matter related to nobles⊠I think I should consult with assistant Ortzen. I do not expect much. At the very least I want to get myself a house. Hmm, does the Imperial family the one who have the right to confiscated all the property? Canât it be donated to the church instead?\n\nââŠ, Miss Epheria?â\n\nâHuh?â\n\nâAre you listening?â\n\nâYes, Iâm listening.â\n\nI thought, I would become filthy rich after this matter is solved but Iâm screwed. Does the Goddess wish for my return to be a clergy? Iâd joined the church since I was just a little child and dedicated my whole life to the church for twenty years. That should be enough, right? The Goddess was being too harsh on me!\n\nââŠ, I donât think so.â\n\nâIâve already told you that I hear you, deputy.â\n\nâSee! You arenât listening!â\n\nDuh! I unconsciously replied out of habit. I glanced at Clauen with guilty face.\n\nâI was thinking about something else for a moment.â\n\nâPlease listen when someone speaks!â\n\nâOkay. Okay. Iâll listen.â\n\nââŠ, until which part have you been listening?â\n\nâUntil I would become a fallen noble.â\n\nâIn short, it will be more beneficial for Miss Epheria to remain engaged to the Captain. And thus, I was thinking that although Miss said the engagement is fake, but actually Miss might have hidden agenda.â\n\nWhat he said does make sense. If I didnât rejoin the church, then being Captainâs wife is many times better than being a penniless fallen noble. Furthermore, thereâs also a talented chef who could make delicious desserts at Special Task Squadâs headquarters. WhoaaâŠthatâs quite a good plan, wasnât it?\n