Chapter 7

"…You and Lady Lisette, right?"

"I can't guarantee the taste, though."

"If it's something Lady Lisette offers, I'll gladly drink it, even if it's muddy water or anything else."

"That's scary."

I only invited him to have some tea, yet he looked as if he couldn't believe it and was overjoyed.

I led him into my house for the first time. Grandma seemed to have gone to a friend's house early in the morning.

"This is Lady Lisette's room…"

I guided him to my small, shabby room and offered him one of the chairs that looked like it could break at any moment.

Ralph sat down on the creaky chair and looked around the room, his face showing a look of shock.

"Is something wrong?"

"No, it's just… I was thinking that my dog lives much better than this."

"Are you picking a fight?"

His reaction was too honest. It seemed that he was currently living quite comfortably. As for me, I'm used to this kind of life from my previous life, so it's not hard for me.

"It's strange that you live such a luxurious life while Lady Lisette lives like this."

"Really, I'm doing this because I like it. Don't worry about it."

Even though I said that, Ralph still looked unconvinced.

I brewed two cups of tea with cheap tea leaves and placed them in front of Ralph and myself. I also added some sugar I received from the neighbor the other day.

"I've never had such delicious tea before."

"Really?"

"I can stake my life on it."

"Um… sure…"

Even though he should be used to drinking high-quality tea by now, Ralph kept saying it was delicious. He looked so happy, like a child, that I couldn't help but smile.

"…I've never let anyone other than Grandma into this room."

"Really?"

"Yeah. You're the first."

When I said that, he said, "Is it okay to be this happy?" and "I like you," with a bashful smile.

"Grandma's grandson sometimes comes over, but I always try to stop him from entering."

"…Is he a man?"

"Yeah. He's a nobleman of my age."

"In that case, it might be better to kill him."

"Kil…?"

Occasionally, Ralph would make dangerous jokes that didn't match his beautiful face. Maybe it's a trend in the city.

Eventually, he looked serious and stared at me.

"What do you think of your current life?"

"…I think it's peaceful and happy."

Of course, if I said I was satisfied, it would be a lie. Although I'm used to this life, it's far from the kind of love or marriage I dream of. After all, 99% of the people here are elderly.

But to avoid dying, I have to live here.

"Do you really like this place?"

"……"

As if reading my mind, Ralph continued.

"Do you have no intention of living as a noble in the future?"

"No."

"Is it because you dislike nobles?"

He remembered that I said I didn't like nobles a month ago. That was more of an excuse, and I only dislike people like my stepmother and stepsister, not nobles in general.

"It's not that I dislike them, but… I don't have the manners or education of a noble. If I were to enter society in this state, I would just be a laughingstock."

"If anyone makes fun of you, I'll take care of them."

"…What do you mean?"

"I'll kill everyone so they can't make the same mistake again. You can rest assured."

Once again, dangerous words came out of Ralph's well-shaped lips. I thought it might be a misunderstanding, but his response was even more dangerous, which was shocking.

He continued to smile softly, making him even more terrifying.

"I'll protect you from anything."

"…Ralph?"

"I'll never let you suffer. I'll provide you with everything you want. I'll do anything I can."

It sounded like a proposal. As I thought about it as if it were someone else's story, he continued.

"Will you live in the capital with me?"