The Villainess Has Proposed a Contract Marriage

18 – Arrival

I hugged Tina and left the sanctuary where her foster mother had sorted out their connection. As I did, I wiped away Tina’s tears that kept flowing with my sleeve.

“Sob… I’m sorry, I’m sorry…”

“What is there to be sorry about, my dear?”

“I, sn sniff, I… I tried to leave Dad and Mom… But Dad kept, kept helping me, I’m so sad…”

“There are many things that can make you sad.”

It’s often difficult to understand a child’s sadness with an adult’s sensibility. From my perspective, Tina’s guilt seemed excessive, but she herself looked so sorry that her tears couldn’t stop.

“You didn’t try to leave, did you? You were trying to find them.”

“Sob… Yes…?”

“Well, of course. You’ve seen how I win every word chain game, right? I’m the smartest.”

“That’s… sn sniff, right…”

“It’s not your fault, so you can stop crying. Okay?”

“Huff, okay…”

Tina forcefully tries to stop her tears and puts all her strength into her eyes. It looked as if her eyes were about to burst.

It was so cute and adorable that, even though I knew I shouldn’t, I couldn’t help but laugh softly.

“Why, why are you smiling?”

“Because.”

“Because?”

“Starting from today, we can truly spend time together. I’m happy about that.”

I gently put Tina down on the ground and stroked her head. In response, Tina fixed her gaze on the ground and mumbled.

“I’m… happy too…”

Tina’s faint smile made me worry on one hand. It must have been because the atmosphere when we got off the carriage was quite tense.

“After leaving with a grand farewell for an adventure, it feels like meeting in a village tavern the next day, doesn’t it…?”

I was worried that Tina might feel embarrassed. Especially since that scoundrel Julian’s child enjoys teasing people.

If he dares to make even a slight joke, I’ll give him a good smack on the head.

“Oh…”

My worries were rendered meaningless as Tina hesitated, but the one she was hesitant to respond to wasn’t the children.

Instead, it was Elphesia, who had read books to them with a beautiful voice at the orphanage, who seemed awkward.

Like me, she had chosen her birth mother over her current mother, so she seemed to feel guilty.

“You.”

“… Yes?”

Tina tensed up and raised her head at Elphesia’s seemingly cold call. However, contrary to Tina’s expectations, Elphesia quietly extended her hand without a word of reproach.

“What are you doing? Let’s go back quickly.”

“Where are we going…?”

“Wherever it is, it’s somewhere.”

Elysia turned her head at an angle.

“… It’s our home.”

Ograd’s eyebrows raised slightly, as if he was not used to receiving comfort, but the effect seemed to overflow. Tina, who had been hesitating, ran forward and grabbed Elysia’s hand, shaking off her uneasiness.

“Well, at least it won’t be empty.”

“Shall we play hide and seek when we get back? Julian and I will be the seekers!”

“If I have to put it bluntly, I don’t like that idea.”

“Hmm… Thank you. Both Julian and Glen…”

A warm atmosphere spread among the children who had boarded the carriage first. Indeed, perhaps children healing each other is the best thing. It is an inviolable realm that cannot be touched even by divinity.

“Elysia.”

“What is it?”

“Escort.”

I extended my hand to Elysia after giving her the lead. Elysia exhaled as if she was taken aback, but eventually, she took my hand and got on the carriage honestly.

Lastly, after I boarded the carriage and closed the door, I clapped my hands to get their attention.

“Well, our little friends. I have an important announcement.”

“An announcement?”

“What is it?”

Glen and Julian immediately reacted, while Tina tilted her head in confusion as she didn’t understand English.

It was a strange feeling.

Internally, I felt both regretful and happy to be able to deliver this news.

“In reality, we’re not going back to the orphanage yet. Instead, we’ve decided to enjoy a party at Beherit Changeback’s mansion!”

“Dad? What’s the occasion for the party?”

“Well, you see, if Tina doesn’t leave, we decided to have a lively party as a comfort.”

“Because of me…?”

“It’s a party exclusively for Tina, 100% pure… and also, 100% Elphicia’s idea!”

“Hey, you…!”

Elphicia immediately tried to object. However, unable to lie about the truth, she just tightly sealed her lips.

“As expected of Elphicia. Kinder than anyone. You won’t hear the words ‘villain’ for a lifetime.”

“Do it properly, will you…?”

Elphicia, threatening and biting down on her lower lip.

This was quite creepy.

Nevertheless, the fact remained unchanged that she was the one who suggested heading to Beherit Changeback’s mansion.

‘I wonder how it will be at that time…’

The journey towards change – inside the carriage.

It was just before Elphicia made a dreadful mistake, leaving a kiss mark on my cheek.

She wanted to prepare for the possibility that Tina and her mother’s reunion wouldn’t end in a happily ever after.

Considering Tina might be heartbroken, it was her way of suggesting some alternative.

In the midst of a few exchanges, Elphicia’s proposal was a small party at Changeback’s mansion.

Elphicia immediately responded affirmatively to the question of whether it was possible.

Aaron Behirot, a renowned warrior, had a deep respect for Elphicia, considering her superior to himself.

And Elphicia was the bloodline of Luminael, the Duke known as the Empire’s First Sword.

Having had a close relationship for a long time, and with the conditions being excellent, there was no need for hesitation.

I readily agreed, and Elphicia nodded willingly.

… What happened immediately after was the incident known as “＜Daddy, there’s still a kiss mark on Mommy’s cheek＞”.

“Thinking about it again makes me feel flushed… sigh.”

It was an actual event, so calling it a coincidence would be cutting it close… perhaps it was a close call. But that doesn’t mean there’s no sense of guilt.

Anyway, the children’s reactions to our plan were very positive.

“Wow…”

Tina, who listened to the story until the end, sparkled with excitement. Especially her eyes widened, enough to make Elphicia feel burdened.

“Mommy. You know…”

“Tell me.”

“Can I sit on your lap?”

“T-Tina?”

This time, I was taken aback.

Although Tina was small in stature, it was clear that she was already ten years old. It would have been too heavy for Elphicia to have her sit on her lap, even if I could manage it.

However, while I was anxiously considering it alone, Elphicia gave her permission with a cold voice.

“Hmph, if it’s just for today… there’s nothing I can’t do.”

“Elphicia…!”

“Harte, are you trying to make me a person who speaks with one bite?”

“Well… um, I’m sorry…”

“I didn’t really expect an apology.”

Next, Elphesia murmured softly.

“… Anyway, you worried about me.”

“Ahahahaha, I’m glad about that.”

Tina climbed onto Elphesia’s cold knees and leaned against her back. Even for a moment, I thought she would show signs of distress, but surprisingly, she seemed very calm.

Elphesia seemed like a strong person, more than I had thought.

Externally or internally.

“But when I sit on your knees like this, I can smell my mom. It’s not like I’m wearing perfume, but it feels like there are roses.”

“Then Tina shouldn’t have any expectations?”

“Why?”

“Because roses have sharp thorns. You’ll definitely get pricked.”

“I won’t get pricked. Why are you saying such nonsense to a child?”

“Nonsense… is it?”

As I expected, I thought Elphesia resembled a rose.

Even if I spoke to her in a slightly friendly manner, she would respond coldly, as if she had thorns. It didn’t mean that I disliked it. I just thought that Elphesia was a woman who suited such thorns.

“Hmm…”

As I pondered over my observation, I ended up feeling awkward and sealed my lips.

In such a lively and vibrant atmosphere where there was no room for boredom,

We finally set foot in the mansion of Viscount Behirot.

◇

Although Harte believed in Elphicia’s reassurance, there was still a lingering sense of unease. After all, they had come to the mansion of the influential Behirot family without even notifying the Marquis or the Duke, who were respected by the noble society.

Even a commoner like Harte knew how rude an unauthorized visit could be.

However, as soon as they arrived at the Viscount’s mansion, all doubts seemed to wash away. It was because as soon as Elphicia revealed her identity to the guards, Aaron Behirot came rushing out with a flushed face.

“What’s this? Lady Luminele! What brings you here without any notice?”

“I have a matter to discuss. Would it be alright for me to stay here for a night?”

“Well, how could I overlook the daughter of Marquis Luminele? Please make yourself at home as if it were my own!”

“Thank you for your kindness, Viscount. However… there is one thing I need to clarify.”

“Hmm? What is it?”

Elphicia slipped her fingers into Harte’s hand and led her. Then, she confidently extended their recently exchanged wedding rings.

“I have been married for quite some time now. The title of Lady seems inappropriate, unlike before.”

“What…?”

The extent of his surprise was considerable, as his mouth hung open in astonishment.

Regaining his composure, Viscount Behirot scratched his stubbled cheek.

“Well, even though the news of your marriage has been delayed, I had no idea that Lady Luminele, the daughter of Marquis, was married to Duke Gumsio. This is… embarrassing, very embarrassing.”

Then, he asked for their names.

“Right, what is your name?”

“It’s Harte.”

“Surname?”

“None.”

“Uh… Well…?”

His expression betrayed bewilderment.

Unless Elphesia was teasing, the answer that she had married a commoner was inconceivable. However, even for Duke Luminel, this was an impossible matter, akin to a needle, not dirt, entering his eyes.

“Um… Excuse me, but did the two of you elope out of love or something?”

“It may be hard to believe, but it was a marriage directly led by the duke himself.”

“Is there… a specific reason?”

“Well, perhaps his exceptional swordsmanship appealed to her heart?”

“Oh…!”

Indeed, Aaron Behirot quickly accepted it, in a manner befitting someone who revered martial skills.

It seemed that if he accepted it, the duke would also follow suit with that logic.

“Just call me by my name if you don’t mind.”

“Alright. By the way, I’m curious about your husband’s skills… if it’s not impolite, may I request a duel? The fact that Duke Luminel brought a commoner in as a son-in-law is a bit… intriguing, to say the least. It raises questions.”

“If you want to challenge my abilities, feel free to do so anytime.”

“Cough!”

He realized his rudeness only after Elphesia pointed it out.

But Harte’s perspective was slightly different.

Despite the discomfort, he wanted to protect Elphesia’s honor. If they just let it slide, everyone in the Earl’s household would doubt his qualifications as a husband.

Thus, if he had to sacrifice his own honor alone, he would endure it. However, now that they were bound by marriage, honor was also a collective matter.

Therefore, as a husband, Harte chose to elevate his wife’s honor.

“Count.”

“What is it?”

“I will accept it. The duel you proposed.”

A calm declaration.

Elysia immediately objected.

“Harte! There’s no need for that. Especially when you don’t even like fighting!”

“It’s okay, it’s not a fight but a duel, right?”

“A play on words…”

Elysia was dissatisfied with Harte’s actions. She learned in the evening that he was someone who avoided showing off to others.

“This… I feel sorry because it seems like a marital dispute because of me…”

“What marital dispute? It’s absurd…”

Elysia shuddered uncomfortably at Harte.

“Do as you please. Just keep it reasonable.”

“Sure, got it.”

In response to the agreement between the couple, Aaron Béhirot let out a hearty laugh.

“All right, Captain! Head to the training ground right now…”

A very fleeting moment. Yes, that’s the only way to describe it.

His words couldn’t continue due to the resounding roar that followed.

Quaaa!

It came without warning, accompanied by a vast shadow.

Descending from the heavens, the colossal creature exuded a tremendous presence.

Truly, it was an arrival.

With a small flap of its wings, a storm raged.

Uprooted grass soared on the updraft, turning the expansive garden into rubble with just the aftermath of its landing.

“What in the world is this!?”

Aaron Behirot, scanning the creature from top to bottom, was astonished.

Pink scales covering its skin, an abnormal energy pulsating through its vertical pupils of blue.

In addition, the overflowing energy materialized and fell to the ground like blood.

He knew of only one creature with such distinct characteristics.

“A Bloody Dragon…!”

Snap!

It tore through the roof of the carriage.

Meanwhile, the horses had given up on being scared and were lying flat on the ground instead of running away.

Finally, the pink dragon struck language directly into his mind.

“I sensed a similar energy, so I was curious…”

It gleamed with interest.

“It seems a half-breed like me has been born.”

It was the beginning of a catastrophe.

In that moment when it snatched the only offspring’s blood and soared into the air.

“Tina!”

“Dad!”

Kwang!

Harte agilely reached out, but couldn’t quite make it in the nick of time. Aaron, who reacted a bit late, drew his sword, but it was impossible to target the dragon, which had exponentially increased its speed.

The sudden arrival of the dragon was overwhelmingly brief.

It vanished without a trace, like a ruthless incarnation of violence, leaving no remnants.

What had proudly displayed its crimson body transformed into a point in the empty space in the blink of an eye.

“… Ha.”

In the silence where everyone held their breath, only one person sighed as if trembling.

Elysia.

She was fixated on only one person, Harte.

Elysia had only looked at her husband’s eyes, devoid of any traces, once in her entire life.

Recalling that moment made her head throb with pain.

“To face such a limp person without any answers… you really did well. Damn snake.”

Tsk.

She clicked her tongue mercilessly.

At the same time, she brushed away the accumulated dust of memories engraved in her mind.

According to Elysia’s recollection, that day was the day the map was redrawn.

Also.

Thus, it was also the day when one person’s execution was decided.

The radiance of divinity shone like a blessing.

It covered the vast garden and was a sacred presence that remained.