NOVEL NEXT Chapter 448
Gossip about the Karpel Barony has started circulating.
This winter’s war led to the grand ceremonies of promotion and funerals held in the barony. During this time, the head of the family, who just recently entered the house, is preparing something substantial. It is none other than the proposal for engagement.
Naturally, many merchants who are centered in the city of Karpel Barony cannot help but be sensitive to this rumor.
“Have you heard who our head of the family’s fiancé is?”
“Of course, there’s no fool around who doesn’t know that news. It seems to be the second daughter of the Duke. The head of the family and the young lady have known each other for a long time, so it should go well.”
“So, look at this…”
“What is this—”
“Taking advantage of this timing, the Count’s House has secured a contract. There will be much interaction between the two families in the future, so this means they’re first to stake a claim in one field.”
As winter passes and the season of fresh sprouts begins in spring, everyone in the barony busied themselves with their respective movements.
It’s only natural that everyone within the Baron family was bustling too.
“It looks like there have been quite significant losses due to this war, but the Count’s House will soon recover and continue the development of the Demonic Realm. If the engagement succeeds, it will definitely yield benefits in many ways.”
“That’s all well and good. The true value lies not in our Baron family being subservient to the Count’s House, but rather tying blood relations. In the long term—”
The retainers were deeply discussing the implications of this engagement, busying themselves with the prospects of the newly promising Baron family.
The servants were preparing and tidying the place where Shione would stay before arriving at the barony, working hard.
As for me, I too waited for Shione, reflecting on my meaning in welcoming her, with nothing left to hide.
“Head of the family, the young lady is about to enter the Karpel Barony.”
“Has it really come to that already?”
“Yes, it seems she will arrive about half an hour earlier than the time initially informed by the Count’s House.”
“In that case, let’s prepare to host our guest.”
Before meeting Shione, I finalized the last of the preparations.
Not only did I don my formal attire for the head of the family, but my greatest weapon for this engagement, rather than my archery or spirit magic, was my face. After being caught by the insistently pushing retainers—
I found a moment of respite only after the servants had put makeup on my face.
“Head of the family, Count Shianella’s carriage has entered the lord’s castle.”
“Already? Has the time come? Sir Vener, please welcome them and tell the young lady to come to the reception room.”
“It’s been a while since I last saw you, Princess Shione. I shall follow the Baron’s order.”
“Thank you, as always.”
In no time, Shione entered without a chance for me to breathe, straight into the reception room.
Since I was quite familiar with Shione already, I thought I wouldn’t be too nervous. However, as I spent time absentmindedly, a vague feeling began to sprout within me.
Finally, the door to the reception room opened, and the awaited guest made their appearance.
“Have you been waiting long, Baron Karpel?”
Shione appeared with a surprisingly different atmosphere than I expected.
Wearing a blue-based semi-dress, she entered with a more graceful stride than usual.
Her long hair, which she had been letting down, was now styled in a half-updo, creating a modest ambiance.
‘…The Shione I knew didn’t have that vibe.’
At least in front of me, the innocent puppy-like image had disappeared.
Now, she had the mystique of an enchanting fox, her small smile radiating.
“Thank you for your long journey. Please come this way.”
“Excuse me.”
As if unwilling to let it end this way.
She provocatively sat down close to me and started sipping the tea she had prepared.
Even while drinking tea, she looked up at me with wide-open eyes.
Unable to hold back any longer, I shrugged my shoulders and said.
“So, when do you intend to keep doing that? There’s no one here to see or hear what happens in this reception room, so please stop.”
“Uh…! Pff….”
If such words could break her so easily, why did she even start in the first place?
In the end, while she tried to spit the tea she had in her mouth at me, she barely avoided the worst-case scenario.
“…You almost made me spit because of you, Ray.”
“The one you’re glaring at shouldn’t be me but you, you know? If you had spat, all the makeup would have flown away.”
“Still, is it okay to act like that before you’ve even swallowed?”
In the end, Shione countered back without losing a word.
But thanks to that, the formerly tense atmosphere faded away, and a comfortable ambiance filled the reception room.
“Anyway, it’s good that we met again at the Baron’s place, and have you read the engagement proposal well?”
“Of course. It was quite a challenge to read it in front of the entire family.”
“Did Sion tease you? Or was it Sister Siabel?”
“…That did happen. But when I was reading the letter, I was worried I’d end up smiling like a total idiot.”
“Seems like it piqued your interest then.”
“Of course. After all, I promised when I burned your Slave Document, didn’t I?”
Shione picked one of the delicacies she had prepared according to her taste and began to savor it.
Whether it was the sweet taste melting on her tongue or the enjoyment of the present situation, as she finished the treat, a corner of her mouth lifted in a smirk.
“So the engagement means—”
“Even so, I have no intention of agreeing to it here right away.”
Contrasting with her charming appearance created by the bright dress, she seemed to harbor some ulterior motives.
With her makeup being even more colorfully done than usual, her expression exuded an alluring vibe.
“Since we are no longer in a position to read each other’s moods, and since the engagement proposal was actually sent by you, Ray, if you really want me from the Count’s family, don’t you think you should take me out on a date so I can score some points with you?”
“Isn’t escorting something the women do in this world?”
“Why does it matter now? It’s no longer relevant to us. You can take charge in the Baron family, while I can in the Count’s family.”
With a wave of her hand dismissively, Shione brushed it off.
“If you wish to be engaged to me, then at the Baron, you should date me like I’m the most devoted lover in the kingdom. Treat me so that there’s no space for anyone to interfere between us—”
Shione boldly crossed her arms in front of me and crossed her legs, revealing her bare skin, as she provoked me.
“If you want to have your way with me, I’ll gladly oblige. What do you say, isn’t it a worthy challenge?”
“That’s a bold challenge you’ve thrown. It feels like it would only take a day to exceed your expectations, so I accept that challenge.”
As I accepted, she broke into an even deeper laugh and asked.
“By the way… you said no one can see or hear us in the reception room?”
“I’ve cast a spell so that any information can’t leak out, apart from calling the servants inside.”
“Then—”
In an instant, Shione leapt from her seat and swiftly settled next to me on the large sofa, even crossing her arms.
“So, there was no need for you to sit opposite me, was there?”
“Isn’t this too close for comfort?”
“Don’t worry, if my makeup smudges, it’ll show, so I can hold back for now.”
“I didn’t say anything.”
“…Shut up.”
After chatting pleasantly while sitting beside each other for a while, it seemed the time was nearing to conclude our conversation in the reception room.
The Count’s House and the Barony weren’t far apart. But considering they came by carriage, it’s only natural they’d be weary from the journey.
After I suggested it was time to rest, Shione nodded, and we reached the conclusion of today’s story.
“So when is a good time for our date?”
“Tomorrow would be great, but I’ll give you time to prepare. We’ll start from the morning two days from now. What do you think?”
“Sounds good. I’ll come to find you directly in two days.”
“I’m worried I might lose sleep from excitement. You feel the same, right?”
“I won’t be sleeping either as I plan the date course.”
“True, that makes sense.”
Without caring who was first, we stood up, tidied our clothes.
Before opening the reception room’s door and stepping outside, I left my last words.
“From the moment we step out of this door, I will speak freely and lower my voice outside. It’s not like I’m in the special mission team; I’m the head of the family and she’s the young lady.”
But for some reason, I couldn’t understand.
Shione appeared to be licking her lips, like a fox waiting for its moment, after I said that.
*
The Barony is wider than I thought.
And the wider it is, the more diverse and beautiful places abound.
Since I wasn’t from the Karpel Barony, I decided to borrow the collective wisdom for a pleasant date atmosphere.
“Sir Vener, do you happen to know any famous spots in the Baron’s lands?”
“Well, the famous spot… has to be the vast lake in the Barony. It’s quite popular for boating, you see.”
After receiving Sir Vener’s response, my agent.
“Could the servants help me out? I’d like to know the notable spots in the Barony.”
“…I’m sorry, Head of the family. During holidays, we’ve been too busy digging up local taverns, you see. But I can recommend well-furnished commercial areas.”
Beyond the boisterous servants who could relish in drink.
“…A weapon shop for a date? No way! Absolutely not!”
After listening to Tania’s advice, who was dead-on serious about watching romantic dramas.
In the end, I ended up creating a last-minute date plan that differed from what I had bragged to Shione.
“Ah.”
Finally, the morning came when my date with Shione was set.