Chapter 28
Chapter 28
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: It Seems I've Received a Proposal
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That method of gifting something to Laura to improve our relationship had worked.
Strictly speaking, it was a bit ambiguous to call it a success on my part.
It wasn't me giving her a gift; it turned into an exchange.
Even more so because we'd both prepared bookmarks, as if we'd planned it together.
I'd been anxious seeing her smile at my gift, but the moment I saw hers, it all made sense.
'Ah, so that's why.'
No wonder she was smiling.
People's thoughts really do run along similar lines.
For a fleeting moment, I wondered what might have happened if I'd gifted her a library instead of a bookmark—
But anyway, the result was good, so it was fine.
All I felt toward Robin, who'd insisted on a bookmark over a library with gritted teeth, was gratitude.
'That guy... did he predict this?'
Sorry for thinking novels are just novels...!
Robin, I acknowledge you as the 'Undisputed King of Romance'.
With those thoughts, I inwardly worshipped Robin as I pulled out the bookmark I'd received.
I'd gotten Nicholas's advice on this, so I wanted to report back on how it went.
Absolutely not because I wanted to brag about the gift I'd gotten.
But Nicholas seemed utterly uninterested in my report... or rather, my bragging.
Nicholas was lost in thought, seriously stroking a chess piece.
Anyone could see he had something weighing on him, so I quietly tucked the bookmark away and asked,
"Something bothering you?"
He looked up in surprise at my words, then clouded over again.
And then, as if it were nothing, he said,
"I've been pondering a problem lately that I just can't seem to find a solution for."
It was clearly evasive language.
When I pressed a bit more, he dodged by bringing up 'interpersonal relationships'—a touchy subject.
Reading his demeanor, I was about to back off as usual—
But then I changed my mind.
'We're friends; shouldn't I meddle a little?'
After accepting all the help I could get from him, it felt wrong to bail when he was the one troubled.
But judging by his attitude, he wasn't about to open up to me.
And I wasn't exactly confident in my persuasive skills anyway.
So I decided to provide indirect help to Nicholas.
'If I can't do it, someone else can.'
Trouble with interpersonal relationships?
Then Kiara was perfect.
She had a wide circle of connections and was great at pushing people into action.
On top of that, I had some personal curiosity.
'I was thinking of introducing Kiara and Nicholas before.'
Outgoing and nosy Kiara.
Reserved and introspective Nicholas.
Their personalities were polar opposites.
Which meant they complemented each other's shortcomings perfectly.
And above all—
'I wonder what Kiara will think of Nicholas?'
It seemed entertaining.
So I told Nicholas I'd introduce him to Kiara, and he nodded readily, apparently intrigued.
When I explained the situation to Kiara and brought her over, she nodded enthusiastically.
"Sure! If he's Leon's friend, I can at least hear him out!"
And so their first meeting came to pass, and I stepped away from the scene.
Since it was Nicholas's problem that he hadn't shared with me.
I could hear about it later once things wrapped up.
With that in mind, I gave them space and headed to the library to kill time.
Reading a book after so long was surprisingly enjoyable.
And the next day.
I met up with Nicholas and asked about what happened yesterday.
"Did it resolve your issue?"
Honestly, I wasn't expecting much.
No matter how good Kiara was at communication, solving someone's deep-seated worry in one go was tough.
Besides, Nicholas's expression didn't look like that of someone whose troubles had lifted.
If anything, it seemed more complicated than yesterday.
Seeing that, I started to worry a bit.
'Did it go badly?'
If he'd gotten an opposing opinion and it only deepened his dilemma—
I'd feel bad for meddling unnecessarily.
Nicholas hesitated at my question for a while before finally opening his mouth, as if resigned.
"Well..."
"Something happen? Was Kiara too rude?"
"No, nothing like that..."
Nicholas, still looking confused, gathered his thoughts.
And in a voice lacking conviction, he said,
"It seems I've received a proposal."
"What?"
What the hell was that supposed to mean?
I blinked dumbly at the completely unexpected answer.
According to Nicholas's account, this was what happened.
"She said 'become mine'?"
"Not exactly those words. It was more the nuance..."
The two had exchanged small talk before diving into the consultation, building some rapport.
Their conversation flowed well, and they took a favorable view of each other, apparently.
Up to here, it matched my vague expectations.
But once they got to the main issue, Kiara's attitude turned strange, he said.
Like she was targeting him, perhaps.
At first, he thought it was just his imagination and kept talking, but she grew bolder and more overt.
And the final 'solution' she proposed was that line about becoming hers.
But when I heard exactly what Kiara had said, I tilted my head.
'Does that... really mean that?'
Kiara had said, 'How about borrowing the power of my family?'
The power of her family.
It wasn't exactly something you'd throw at a stranger you'd just met—
But knowing the extent of Kiara's nosiness, those two things didn't sound the same to me.
So I asked cautiously,
"Isn't that just offering to help with her family's influence?"
"What noble in the world offers the power of their house to a total stranger—especially a commoner?"
...Well, that's true. Fair point...
But Kiara wasn't exactly your typical worldly noble.
I couldn't quite bring myself to say that outright, and as I hesitated, Nicholas raised his voice excitedly.
"If she herself offered to help, I wouldn't misunderstand. But for the heir of her house to say that to the opposite sex—there's only one meaning!"
"That it's marriage?"
"Exactly!"
"So what did you say?"
"I... turned it down for now."
"Why? Didn't like Kiara?"
"Absolutely not...!"
Nicholas protested vehemently before abruptly cutting himself off with a sharp intake of breath.
His face flushed as he mumbled,
"Shouldn't we get to know each other more first...?"
Hmm.
I got the full picture.
He's totally fallen for her, Nicholas.
Not head-over-heels in love yet, but he's definitely very conscious of her as a woman.
I'd pegged him as a total blockhead, but to go down this easily after one flirtation...
At this point, I was worried as a friend.
'How the hell has he survived this long?'
Even as a street rat, someone this naive must've gotten into serious trouble multiple times.
If he were a novel's male lead, he'd have showered Laura with everything he had and ended up dumped at the end.
Though he didn't fall for Laura, so maybe not.
Anyway, I nodded along moderately.
"Right, got it. I'll root for you."
"No need to go that far..."
"Oh? Then I won't set up another meeting?"
"...But since he's your acquaintance, wouldn't it be good to stay on friendly terms?"
Your attitude flip is dazzling, Nicholas.
I nodded with an inward chuckle.
After hearing Nicholas's full testimony like that, I next met Kiara and relayed what he'd told me.
And Kiara's reaction was—
"What? A proposal? From me? Ahahahaha!"
She clutched her stomach and laughed heartily.
Even ditching her usual 'ohoho' ladylike giggle meant she found it genuinely hilarious.
After laughing until tears welled up, she composed herself and said,
"No way. First time meeting the guy, right? Even if he's Leon's friend, that's way too soon. Unless it was love at first sight."
"So you had no such intentions?"
"Nope. Still, that was funny. A proposal... Is it because he's a mage with such a wild imagination?"
Kiara kept giggling to herself.
Sadly, Nicholas's feelings were one-sided.
But there was more to probe, so I continued,
"Then what was that about your family's power? Was that a misunderstanding too?"
"No, that was my actual suggestion."
"Why? Even if he's my friend, that's going too far."
"Yeah, just because he's your friend would be excessive. But that's not the whole story, and besides—"
She paused, shifting her expression.
From her earlier gleeful grin to a serious look.
Kiara leaned in and whispered conspiratorially,
"Some high-and-mighty type seems to be playing annoying games, you know? Can't just sit back and take their nasty pranks."
Pranks from some high-and-mighty person?
My face hardened at those words.