Chapter 6 Engagement (4)
The Engagement (4)
"Ugh..."
At the break of dawn,
Adel buried her face in her pillow and began pounding the bed with her fists. How had she ended up in such a state?
It was undoubtedly that man's fault.
During their tea time, Adel had wanted to fluster Abel somehow. She had been curious about how his perpetually composed expression might change if caught off guard. That was why she had tried to throw him off balance—even if just a little.
Yet, in the end, she was the one left reeling.
'How on earth could he say something so cringeworthy?!'
And to think—she was the infamous villainess. How could anyone say such things to someone like her?
"So won't you call me Abel as well? My beloved Adel."
The memory of his voice echoed in her ears. Adel let out a sigh and sat up.
'I could never say something like that.'
She wasn't some protagonist from a romance novel—how could anyone even utter such lines?
'...Right. This is a RoFan world.'
In that case, maybe it wasn't so strange after all. Cringeworthy lines like that were probably common in RoFan stories.
So she needed to calm down.
No matter what, if she kept getting flustered over something like this, it would be an embarrassment to the name of a regressor. As she thought this, memories of the past surfaced, stirring an unpleasant feeling within her.
The agony of slowly dying from poison.
The pain of having her heart pierced in an instant.
The suffocating torment of being strangled to death.
"Haa..."
Finally regaining her composure, Adel exhaled deeply and checked the mana within her body.
She could cast shield magic about five times in an emergency. It wasn't much, but it would be enough.
Besides, she also had Evan, the escort knight Abel had assigned to her. If anything, it might even be excessive—considering the considerable level of martial prowess Evan had displayed.
Just as she was thinking this, a knock sounded at the door.
Knock, knock.
"Come in."
Assuming it was Lily arriving unusually early, Adel called out—only to freeze in shock the moment she saw who stood beyond the door.
Ash-gray hair and steel-colored eyes.
The man standing at her door was unmistakably Abel Hardenberg—the very culprit who had robbed her of a proper night's sleep.
"Did you sleep well last night?"
"...Your Grace."
At her words, he frowned slightly before asking,
"Hmm? My beloved Adel. Why do you address me so formally?"
'Ah, right...'
Adel recalled what she had said to him the day before. That they should call each other by name, as if they were lovers who had fallen at first sight.
What on earth had possessed her to say such a thing back then?
"Abel... nim."
"Drop the honorific. Say it again."
"...Abel."
"Hm... Well, that will do for now. You'll grow accustomed to it in time."
Abel nodded in satisfaction before continuing,
"It's almost time for breakfast. I've already had your maid roused, so prepare yourself and come down."
"Understood."
"Oh, and no matter how warm it is, at least fasten your buttons properly. I'd find it rather unpleasant if others were to see you like that."
At his words, Adel immediately realized that the buttons near her stomach were undone and hastily covered herself with both hands.
Watching her reaction, Abel chuckled softly before saying,
"Well then, I'll take my leave."
Click.
As the door closed behind him, Adel hurriedly began buttoning up her nightgown, her face burning as if scalded.
She let out another sigh.
He truly was an incomprehensible man.
At first, she had been incredibly tense upon learning he was the so-called "mastermind" from the original story. Even their first meeting had seemed to align with that impression.
But ever since their contract was established, all he had shown her was this infuriatingly playful side of himself.
Always the one to fluster her while remaining perfectly composed—she couldn't stand that smug demeanor of his.
"Tch..."
'How did I end up tangled with a man like this?'
The phrase self-inflicted floated through her mind, and Adel irritably buried her face back into the pillow.
***
'...That was close.'
I almost lost my composure.
I had gone to wake Adel as part of playing the role of a doting fiancé—only to find her in a vulnerable state, dressed in sleepwear.
Fortunately, the poker face I had unintentionally honed since childhood held firm.
Judging by the resentful expression Adel wore as I left, at least.
'Bad for my heart...'
Sighing, I took a seat at the dining table.
Soon after, maids and butlers arrived carrying trays of food, beginning the preparations for breakfast.
Just as the table was set, Adel appeared in the distance, walking toward the dining hall. Wearing a fresh one-piece dress, she took her seat across from me.
"I trust you slept well last night?"
"...Thanks to you. With no threat of assassination, I slept quite soundly."
"I thought you might stay awake all night after yesterday's incident, but it seems my concern was unwarranted."
"Ugh—"
At my words, Adel's hand holding the fork trembled slightly, as if flustered.
Surely she didn't actually stay up all night?
Come on. No matter how you look at it, there's no way she'd lose sleep over something like that.
Frankly, it would be absurd for either of us to lose sleep just because we called each other by name—engaged or not.
Fortunately, as if refuting my thoughts, she spoke with a firm expression.
"...Why would I? How about you, Abel?"
"Hm? Ah, no need to worry. I always sleep well."
"That's... a relief."
With that, we focused on our meal.
Perhaps because it was breakfast, the table was set lightly—just soup, bread, and bacon—rather than anything too heavy.
Come to think of it, it's been a while since we've dined without maids or butlers present.
Whenever they're around, I have to pay extra attention to etiquette, which is exhausting.
The slightest breach of decorum would earn a reprimand, so I've never been able to eat comfortably.
Allen, who's lenient about most things, is uncharacteristically strict when it comes to etiquette.
But now, with just Adel here, I don't have to worry about minor formalities.
She's a modern person at heart, so she probably doesn't care much for such rigid manners either.
The rare comfort of this meal brought a satisfied smile to my face.
"Abel?"
"Hm?"
"May I ask why you're smiling?"
"I smiled because I'm satisfied to be sharing breakfast with you, just the two of us. Is that a problem?"
"...I see."
At my words, Adel lowered her head and muttered something under her breath. Did I say something strange?
It's not like such words are inappropriate between fiancés. And it wasn't even a lie.
"How are the bride lessons going lately?"
"...Just call them lessons, please."
"Hm? Are you embarrassed?"
"Of course not. But isn't it odd to call them 'bride lessons' when it's just the two of us?"
Well, it's not just the two of us... but there's no need to mention that. I shrugged and replied.
"There's nothing odd about it. You are taking bride lessons, aren't you?"
"...Sigh. Fine. The bride lessons are going well."
As if conceding defeat, Adel nodded and answered my question.
"I've heard you've been receiving quite outstanding evaluations."
"It just... happened that way, I suppose."
"Seems you've been taking those lessons more seriously than I thought."
"That's... not exactly it."
"No need to be shy. If we're love at first sight, shouldn't we be able to pull off at least that much?"
"I suppose you're right."
With that, the conversation lulled. We simply focused on finishing our meal in silence.
How much time passed like that?
Once we were done, Adel turned to me.
"Thank you for the meal."
"How was the ducal residence's fare?"
"Quite satisfying."
"Good. I was worried it might not suit your tastes."
"I'm grateful you always consider me."
"Naturally. Isn't it basic courtesy for a fiancé to think of his fiancée?"
Smiling faintly, I said it lightly—but Adel exhaled and nodded with resignation.
"Is that so? Whoever ends up as your future wife will have quite the ordeal ahead of her."
"That might be you."
"We'll see about that."
"Hmm. A shame."
Truthfully, I've even considered marriage as a means to secure Adel. Her existence is that crucial to my plans.
Her ability, Infinite Regression, is downright broken.
Even accounting for the randomness of her Save Points, Adel alone could probably topple an entire kingdom if she wanted.
'...Using marriage as a tool.'
My past self would've foamed at the mouth hearing that. Back then, I still had some romantic notions about marriage.
Not that I'm completely devoid of them now, but...
After meeting countless noblewomen, I gave up on marriage built on love. Our values—and even personalities—rarely aligned.
Well, most highborn ladies are cut from the same cloth anyway.
"I'll take my leave now."
"Very well. Take care, Adel."
"...I will. Abel."
With that, Adel departed. Left alone, I rested my chin on my hand and sank into thought. Closing my eyes, I reviewed my plans.
Trust-building with Adel isn't solid yet.
It hasn't even been a week since we started living together—expecting trust already is unreasonable.
Time will handle this.
As for the Imperial House's movements—still nothing.
They must at least be aware I'm acting in the shadows.
Their silence means my actions are still within their expectations.
No disruptions to the plan yet.