The Villainess Has Proposed a Contract Marriage

5 – Illegal Auction

There is a child, crouched down, sleeping on the grassy field.

His small, slender pupils reflected the night sky, illuminated by fireflies.

Pale moon, a shooting star with a tail, sparkling starlight. Despite the passage of time since ancient days, the night sky was still as beautiful as it was cruel.

History compresses the boy’s past into just one phrase.

‘A child of a defeated nation.’

Or, a youngest prince of a country that unilaterally violated treaties with the empire and coerced them, surviving as the last royal in a fallen kingdom.

But now, the boy, no more than a stray, vividly recalled the fading memories of the palace. Narrow corridors, muffled words, and the time when he couldn’t survive without the help of those around him.

Much has changed.

Unable to linger in the dusty memories any longer.

Sometimes wandering, occasionally stealing, always having to navigate through an endless loneliness with no visible end.

Believing firmly that there is something at the end of the journey.

That moment.

Drip…

A growl echoed from the hungry stomach. Despite being a familiar sensation, the beautiful starry sky made the boy feel miserable. He detested the splendid sky that contrasted with his situation.

“Ah…”

Suddenly, he felt insignificant.

Should he resent the sky for not having a hated opponent?

To expose his own weakness in vain. This way, he couldn’t fathom the reason for surviving until now.

…

Closed his eyes.

Let’s wake up at dawn and walk again.

Living ruthlessly, let there be a substantial reward that encompasses the past and the present.

He harbored his own grand aspirations.

But on that night, the boy, in his dreams, was unaware that the deep darkness would be longer than usual.

◇

Like any other morning.

The uninvited guest knocked on the door of the orphanage without any reservation.

“Hey there! Are you inside?”

The man who knocked on the door was the lord of the estate. He was supposed to be staying at the palace as a courtier at this time.

I rushed to open the door when Super Gap appeared.

“Welcome, Viscount. Are you here to see Julian… I mean, that person?”

“Ah, um. I came to confirm with His Highness the prince… and take care of some other matters… anyway.”

It was hard to guess the count’s rambling thoughts, so I advised him to come in as calmly as possible.

“Would you like a cup of tea first?”

“I would appreciate it.”

The count sent his attendant away first and entered the nursery alone. Then, he looked around and casually spoke.

“I knew it would be small, but it’s even narrower than I expected. If I had known, I would have invested a little more…”

“If your finances were traced back to you, it would be troublesome in many ways, Viscount.”

“That… is true.”

Even now, I receive a certain amount of living expenses in return for taking care of Julian. But it’s only to a reasonable extent, and if the amount keeps increasing, there will be more than a few suspicious glances.

First, I sat the count down at the table and made a suggestion.

“Shall I call for him?”

“Just call him Julian, as it says in the letter. I’m afraid even the walls might have ears after spending so long in the palace.”

“That’s true.”

At the same time, the count nodded his head in agreement.

I immediately called the kids and brought them in front of the count, who was about to touch his teacup.

“We’ve been respectful. Julian.”

“You can be casual. If the headmaster insists on being formal with only the count, wouldn’t that be strange too?”

“That… um, yes. Ah, I see.”

The viscount responded awkwardly, as quickly as he had grasped it. Meanwhile, his eyes scrutinized Yurian’s condition, keen to see if there was any sign of discomfort.

“Are you getting by… reasonably well?”

“It’s an okay life. Sometimes I feel this small orphanage is more spacious than the grand palace.”

Yurian’s assessment was more positive than I had anticipated. I could only look at Yurian with admiration in my eyes.

‘Oh…’

Usually twitching and giving a nonchalant vibe, but internally, he had such sincerity. In the future, I could be more actively playful with him.

Meanwhile, after exchanging a few words with Yurian, the viscount finally showed interest in the girl hiding behind me.

“Hmm, has that girl recently joined?”

“Well, yes. Before… I mean, I should greet you, Viscount, right, Tina?”

“Oh, hello… My name is Tina… I’m ten years old…”

Tina seemed somewhat uneasy around strangers.

Considering that she had lived her entire life being cautious of people, even exchanging greetings was a commendable step.

Upon this, the viscount smiled warmly and said,

“Oh, she’s around the same age as Yurian. Please get along well with each other.”

“…Yes. I understand.”

Tina gave a formal greeting, standing straight.

The viscount was visibly impressed by her adorable demeanor.

“We have a really cute newcomer. Especially her eyes, they’re so beautiful, giving her an angelic quality.”

“hahahaha, our Tina may not be entirely human; she has an angelic side.”

“So it is.”

The Marquis’s intuition was as sharp as a well-honed knife. Tina was well aware that she had transcended half of humanity.

Even after suppressing the instincts of the dragon, Tina’s pupils had become remarkably human-like…

It was a moment when I could freely let out a foolish laugh.

The Marquis, giving a subtle hint, spoke quietly.

“Well, I’d like to have a conversation with you from now on.”

“Oh, sure. Will Urien and Tina be playing on the second floor?”

“Understood.”

“Yes!”

Even though the Marquis passed it off casually, Urien’s face betrayed a rough anticipation of the content. He must have quickly sensed the Marquis’s desire to share a confidential conversation.

When the children’s presence disappeared like that, the Marquis stacked the blocks with his hands.

“The situation going back… is not easy.”

“Are you talking about the affairs of the imperial palace?”

“That’s right. I’ve been so focused on the wars that I haven’t looked back at my own territory. If I had known, I should have prepared for this side too…”

“I’m not sure why I’m saying this, but honestly, people here are living well. I don’t know what the problem is.”

The standard of living here is much more luxurious compared to other territories. Not to mention the tax rate is not high. At least I haven’t heard complaints from the subjects.

“It’s not a problem with the people of the territory. It’s just that… the bureaucrats are pushing me into a corner, allowing lawlessness to run rampant.”

“Lawlessness?”

“Yes. I didn’t know, but there are those conducting illegal auctions in my territory.”

“……Ah!”

The moment I heard the Count’s words, Tina came to mind. To be precise, it was the memory of seven hunters who had headed to the mountains to capture Tina.

They had intended to sell Tina, but instead, they fell victim to a counterattack and ended up unconscious.

The next day, I managed to surpass them…

“I heard rumors about vampires and such. Honestly, it’s absurd, but there were buzzards trying to catch them again. However, it all started when their recruits happened to venture beyond my jurisdiction.”

‘What…?’

“They claimed that the illegal auction was taking place right within my territory…!”

‘This can’t be…’

I thought they would take Tina and move to another territory. After all, the Count’s territory was too peaceful, and I couldn’t imagine illegal auctions happening there.

‘No, is it because it’s too peaceful…?’

If I had taken advantage of the darkness under the lantern, it would have been a perfect opportunity to strike from behind.

While I was sweating cold, the Count spoke in anger.

“…So, I became an accomplice to illegal auctions in my sleep. Until this is resolved, I can’t even set foot in the palace.”

“Ah… Aha… Um…”

In conclusion, the Count’s difficult situation… was due to me saving Tina and rolling the snowball.

However, the Count expressed his opinion calmly.

“I know you took care of the human hunters. But there’s no reason to blame you. You merely fulfilled your duty as a human residing on my land.”

“My lord…”

Honestly, I’m impressed.

How can one completely separate reason and emotion in human nature? Moreover, considering the class difference, not harboring resentment toward the cause of pushing oneself into a corner. Because it is right, for one reason alone.

‘There’s nothing I can do…’

Upright individuals are not unwelcome.

Above all, even if I have to sacrifice an arm for Julian and Tina, I should step forward here.

“Count, have you identified the location of the illegal auction?”

“I, too, returned with a chilly blow to the back of my head, so it’s still early. If the rumors spread, they’ll likely relocate their base… I can’t figure out what to do about it.”

“Indeed. We should start from there for now.”

“Start? You?”

“Well, there are several reasons, and to some extent, it seems to be my responsibility… above all.”

I deliberately spoke in a jokingly exaggerated manner.

“Things like illegal auctions… aren’t good for the kids’ emotions, right? So, we should handle it quickly. Besides, you’re a respectable orphanage director.”

“Ha, hahahahaha… true. I guess so.”

The Count let out a disappointed laugh and compassionately leaned his shining head in my direction.

Actually, just by saving your son’s hair, it’s worth receiving treatment as a benefactor. Well, whatever.

If the Count looks back, I’ll be even further from a bad ending.

This was quite a profitable deal.

“Now that it’s settled… can I ask what you’re up to?”

“Well, nothing special, for now…”

I spilled out whatever came to mind.

“Should I earnestly offer a prayer?”

If faith reaches, surely the Lord will respond.