Chapter 46
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: True Feelings in Teatime
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“Even though relations soured quite a bit starting from our predecessors' time, you're saying the Emperor of this empire—protected by my ancestors at the cost of their lives—scattered monster aphrodisiacs in the forest just to screw over the North?”
I asked incredulously, double-checking if I'd understood right, but Leonier simply nodded silently.
‘...Ha, this is beyond absurd.’
If that was really true, the late emperor deserved to go down in history as one of the most pathetic rulers ever.
Not even full-scale war or dispatching assassins.
Not intrigue or coups either... All he could muster was sprinkling aphrodisiacs? Ha, unbelievable.
“Sigh... Alright, got it. Now that we know the cause, time to devise a solution. Burn the Winter Forest to the ground or selectively eradicate those flowers—there has to be a way.”
I pressed my throbbing temples and straightened the stack of documents.
My head already ached thinking how to explain this nonsense to Viscount Dordeo, but at least the biggest mystery was solved.
“Thank you for the valuable intel, Lady. This'll make handling it much smoother. You must be exhausted—go get some rest.”
I dismissed her and picked up my pen again.
A mountain of territory business still awaited.
On top of that, I needed to plan how to deal with that damn Succubus Lily—and fast.
But at the moment when I should've heard her chair scrape back, there was nothing.
“...Lady?”
Looking up in puzzlement, Leonier hadn't budged from her seat. She was just fiddling with her teacup.
One difference from moments ago: her face burned even redder than when we'd discussed the flowers.
Avoiding my gaze, she hemmed and hawed, eyes darting every which way—like someone with unfinished business.
“Is something wrong? If your injury's still bothering you, I can call the medics...”
“N-No! I'm fine—perfectly fine! I could fly if I had to!”
She startled, waving her hands frantically, then ducked her head and mumbled at her lips.
“It's... not that...”
“Not that, then what?”
“Um, well... I did get permission from Seria, but...”
Permission from Seria?
I listened quietly, wondering what bizarre tangent this was, as she whispered in a voice like a mosquito's.
“If it's okay... could I stay by your side just for today...?”
“......”
“N-No, it's not because I spilled the truth about being your wife before the regression, or played on your sympathy with my injury to get approval! I swear! I just... fairly... no, honestly begged...!”
As I stared silently, Leonier flailed her hands like a thief caught red-handed, babbling excuses.
With every frantic clarification, her face ripened redder, like a perfectly baked apple.
The Lady Baldinmar of legend—a woman who'd even lived through regression—fidgeting like this over a simple plea to stay close.
‘...What is this? Why's she so damn cute?’
A chuckle slipped out unbidden.
I set down my pen and leaned back comfortably into the chair.
“Very well. If Seria approved, who am I to object?”
“R-Really?”
Her eyes went wide as saucers.
“Of course. Actually, perfect timing. I was just thinking we need more time to get to know each other... And I'd love to hear more about that future you remember.”
I swept the documents off the desk to one side.
“Work like this? Tomorrow's problem.”
“Ah...”
Leonier's face lit up with pure joy.
Like a kid who'd won the world, she scooted her chair even closer to mine.
“Then... where do we start? The day we first met? Or... our wedding day?”
“Hmm, from the first meeting, I think. What was I like back then?”
“You were... ice-cold, through and through. But I knew. The warmth hidden behind that frosty mask...”
Warm afternoon sunlight bathed the office.
We faced each other, pens and papers forgotten, as we began unraveling tales from a time long paused.
About two days shy of when Archaíos was due to awaken again.
After my usual light morning training, skipping lunch to tackle the steady stream of reports.
Scratch, scratch.
In the quiet office, only the pen nib scraping paper broke the silence, steady and rhythmic.
Having read every report stamped with those familiar crests, I broke into a satisfied smile.
“Smoother than expected...”
It was from Viscount Dordeo.
They'd successfully torched the Succubus Lily colony deep in the Winter Forest.
Monster activity had visibly dropped as a result—welcome news.
I read to the final line, signed off in the approval section, and reached for the next.
But this one furrowed my brow on instinct.
[Request for Increased Funding: Nobles' Social Gatherings Within Territory]
“...Tch. Some fools still haven't wised up. They know the North's crisis and still beg for party money.”
I scrawled rejection without a second thought, crumpled the report, and chucked it aside.
Better to buy the soldiers a feast than fatten useless lords.
Deep in the grind, the sun dipped low beyond the window before I knew it.
I rolled my stiff neck side to side and checked the clock.
‘About that time.’
Daily teatime with my fake fiancée—once a day, no exceptions.
Rumors had spread beyond the Loen Empire across the continent as some doomsday romance nonsense, so maybe dial back the theatrics?
She'd suggested as much.
But familiarity bred fondness—or whatever. Time with her was genuinely fun, so even sans overacting, I couldn't skip it.
Plus, updates on the antidote production to leash the assassin guild master.
As I rose from my chair with those thoughts—
Woooong—!
“...?”
A low hum vibrated from one corner of the office.
Tracing the sound, my eyes locked on the sword mounted on the wall: Winter Fang.
Its blade, usually moonlight-silver, now blazed with eye-searing blue, shuddering violently.
“Oh, already stirring.”
The dragon's awakening—two days ahead of schedule.
I approached the rack cautiously and gripped the quivering hilt tight.
That instant—
It's been a while, Contractor.
A deep, familiar voice boomed in my head.
Blue Dragon, Archaíos.
No troubles while I slumbered?
“Troubles...”
I chuckled and hoisted the sword to eye level.
“More like earth-shattering upheavals.”
Oh ho?
“Safely slipped out of the dragon lair while you slept. Got ambushed by assassins right when I got home. All cleared up now, though.”
I gave a casual rundown of recent events.
After a breath, I cut to the chase.
“And... that 'curse' and 'piercing regret' you mentioned? Got a lead.”
[......]
“Woman named Leonier Baldinmar—deep ties to the curse. Heart aches every time she's hurt... She's clearly central to my lost memories and the regression.”
Explanation done, Archaíos stayed mum—no yes, no no.
Long silence later, a low thrum built as he finally spoke.
Hmm... Solid reasoning.
He muttered on, like fitting puzzle pieces.
Pain keyed to one soul amid humanity's masses. Could be a spell she cast... or she herself the root of your ticking doom.
“That's my top bet too. More precisely, doubt she cursed me. Latter feels right.”
So you think? Either way, fascinating. Utterly fascinating.
The blade's blue glow rippled thoughtfully before he pressed on.
Contractor. Any plans to venture beyond the territory soon?
I scanned the schedule atop my desk.
Monster hunts? Viscount Dordeo had it covered. Now was for fortifying home base.
Attack rumors rife across the North—some nobles stirring trouble again.
“No. Mountains of work to handle here.”
Fortunate.
Archaíos infused his tone with approval.
Then I'll shadow you from today onward, seek answers to your curse and fated end. Probe that foul aura in your heart... Might even unearth your lost past life memories—and why.
“For real? Thank you, Archaíos.”
A dragon tackling it personally? Couldn't ask for better backup.
Part of me wanted to pull an all-nighter hashing it out.
But the wall clock mocked me—appointment time.
‘Late again, and the nagging starts.’
This world's women—few as they'd been—weren't big talkers.
But the soul possessing Roselia de Loen? Peak Korean woman: chatty, demanding.
Not that it grated—added a unique charm, really...
Swallowing regret, I stood.
“More to discuss, but prior commitment—rain check for tomorrow. Someone's waiting.”
Oh? Someone awaits you. Rare sight.
“Funny choice of words. Anyway, a soul from another world—like the last one you met.”
Ah, her? Fine. My aim's dissecting your curse—keep this Winter Fang close.
“Will do.”
I buckled Winter Fang securely at my waist, gave my attire a quick once-over.
Then stepped out of the office.