Chapter 10

"Ta―――――!?"

In shock, Bertha let out a strange cry and jumped up. She leaped onto the sofa, pressed her back against the backrest, and curled up, hugging her knees. She clutched the hand that had been about to kiss her and screamed in her heart, "No contact! Safe!"

"What is this all about!?"

Bertha was confused. More confused than when she was adopted by the Earl.

Even though she was a commoner, she understood that since she had been taken in by a noble, she had to follow the teachings of the nobility. If she was chosen for her excellence and invested in, she had to live up to that. She understood that the Earl, as her adoptive father, would choose her marriage partner. She knew that noble marriages were contracts between families, something she had well understood during her time at the academy. She knew that the Rumbek Earl's family, while not wealthy, was of high standing. She knew that they had lost money due to a flood in their territory but would likely regain their funds in a few years if they didn't make any major mistakes. They just lacked money now. Looking at the long term, it made sense to offer aid and create a debt. She knew that several families were aiming for this. She knew this.

What she didn't understand was that her betrothal had already been decided without her knowledge, and the person she was to marry was Hannes.

Why, why would a former commoner be betrothed to the heir of a Marquess, the next Prime Minister?

For nobles, marriage is a contract. An agreement between families. A mutually beneficial relationship is desirable. There are various reasons, such as being chosen or being in debt, but generally, it is a contract between families. In this case, the Rumbek Earl's family would receive aid from the Yefoshu Marquess's family. But what benefit would the Yefoshu Marquess's family gain? What benefit would they get from Hannes and Bertha's betrothal? There is none. Bertha has no such value.

"Didn't you understand from my explanation? I tried to convey that there is no place to run."

"Huh…!?"

What does "no place to run" mean?

As Bertha's eyes darted around, Hannes moved closer. He kneeled on the sofa and leaned his arm on the backrest. Bertha lost her physical escape route as he loomed over her. Is this what he meant by "no place to run"? Indeed, it's gone. Goodbye. No, there must still be help!

She hurriedly turned her gaze to Hannes's back, where Matthias, her adoptive brother, stood. She sent a distress signal with her eyes, but he sipped his tea, looking in a different direction, as if it had nothing to do with him. Why? He was looking this way just a moment ago. Why?

"Should I explain what will happen if you don't become my fiancée?"

"Why?"

"You would probably regret being born if you were to marry anyone else."

That's not it. That's not the point of my confusion.

Being taken in for her excellence doesn't change her birth. It's natural that many value bloodlines in noble marriages. If the marriage is for the Earl's family, Bertha wouldn't do. It wouldn't work.

...It wouldn't work... yet, if the betrothal has already been established, what is the reason? Why?

"...Why, why would you, Lord Hannes, want to be betrothed to me? There must be better candidates..."

As she spoke, she recalled the young ladies at the academy. Recalling... Ah, most of the well-born young ladies had recently been engaged. They were already taken. Were there any good candidates? What about the engagement rush? She tilted her head in confusion. She had no idea that she had been unknowingly facilitating these engagements. She was completely unaware.

"If we're talking about family background, you're right. From the sister of Lady Margareta to the youngest daughter of a Margrave, there are many suitable young ladies to choose from. I am not only the heir of a Marquess but also, honorably, the next Prime Minister. My wife should be sociable and capable of managing the household as a lady of the house."

"Clearly, I don't fit the criteria."

"No, if I educate you, you will become a more excellent lady than anyone else."

Hannes's eyes gleamed. Bertha shrank under his unwavering gaze.

"You are a rare woman with so much potential for education. You don't need to worry too much about being sociable. Your diligence will make you an excellent lady of the house."

"There's no way that's true."

"Moreover, even if the social status matches, it's meaningless if the person doesn't have the right qualities. Being sociable but full of flaws is useless. You are a gem in the rough. You just haven't been educated yet. With proper training, you will be an excellent lady. Fortunately, I won't inherit for a few years, so we have plenty of time."

It sounded like he was saying he had plenty of time to mold her. She shivered.

She couldn't understand why Hannes would value her so much.

The adoption was something she could somehow accept. No, she still couldn't accept it. She didn't understand why she was valued so highly, and even more, why she was desired as a bride. ...But if he saw her as a gem in the rough, someone who could be educated and had time to be molded, perhaps he liked her current blank slate.

Could this be... an attempt to cultivate the "best wife" he could imagine...?

Is there a possibility that he wants to shape an unknown commoner into a lady to his liking?

Is he the type who has such a fetish?

Bertha's eyes widened as she turned pale, still looking at Hannes.

"――――All of that is just a facade."

His white-gloved hand touched her pale cheek.

"I need you."

Their gazes met, and his eyes softened. The intense, predatory gleam faded, and his brown eyes took on a tender, loving look. Bertha, who had never seen such a look, widened her violet eyes. Who is this? Is this really Hannes Yefoshu?

"I want you."

He cupped her cheeks with both hands, leaned in, and pressed his forehead against hers. His eyes, close and sweet, smiled.

The only thing she could see was the color of his eyes. Hannes thoroughly kept her from looking away. She suddenly realized that his eyes weren't just brown. They had a reddish tint...

"Prince Benedict and Lady Margareta have given their permission for you to be happy―――the rest is just for you to accept that there is no place to run."

His eyes curved. The color reminded her of something.

Fox.

Fox-colored.

"Don't worry. I'll be gentle, like playing with a kitten."

Hannes, with his fox-colored eyes, smiled genuinely and embraced Bertha, as if to say he wouldn't let her go. The sense of being captured overwhelmed her more than the sweetness. His arms held her firmly, preventing any movement.

Through the gap in Hannes's shoulder, she met Matthias's eyes, which had a Buddha-like expression. Her distress signal was ignored again. He slowly shook his head, as if to say, "Give up."

As nobles, they couldn't defy the Marquess's heir.

Bertha wanted to be a fox borrowing the tiger's might.

But in the end, she was just a powerless kitten.

The kitten that wanted to borrow the tiger's might was firmly caught by the fox borrowing the tiger's might.

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End of Main Story

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