Chapter 34
Chapter 34
“It’s Overtime, You See”
In the first-floor reception room, softly lit by a magnificent chandelier,
Lady Freesia sat on a luxurious sofa laid over a premium carpet, legs crossed, waiting for me with an arrogant posture.
“Why are you standing there like a fool? Come closer.”
“…May I ask why you called for me?”
As I hesitated for a moment and stepped toward her, she snapped her fan shut with a sharp sound and fired back.
“Hmph! Did you think I wouldn’t notice how desperate you were to catch my attention all day?”
“…Pardon?”
“Do not pretend otherwise! You kept stealing glances at me while grinning during work, and even after I went inside the mansion, you clung to the window trying to get another look at me with those impure eyes! Did you truly think you wouldn’t get caught?!”
For a moment, the gears in my head screeched to a halt.
What the hell. I was listening for information about the Valentine family, not staring at you!
It seemed my desperate attempt at eavesdropping had been completely misunderstood by this high-and-mighty noble lady as me being infatuated with her.
But I couldn’t exactly say that the truth was I had been trying to secretly listen in.
Before I could even stammer out an excuse, Lady Freesia continued proudly.
“Well, I understand.”
She elegantly unfolded her fan and lifted her chin.
“A trivial street commoner like yourself has encountered someone like me… Have you ever, even once in your life, seen such a superior! Noble! Perfect beauty who shines upon the empire’s social circles like the sun?”
“….”
“Even masterpieces that would last for centuries cannot steal even a glance beside me… It is only natural that one would lose their senses upon seeing a beauty as radiant as a galaxy in the night sky!”
She is pretty, sure… but where does that level of confidence even come from…?
I was left speechless, but she only grew more excited as time went on.
“Ohohoho! Countless men fall at my feet begging for my love, but…”
…
“But a being as perfect as I am exists only once in this world…”
…
Her red lips showed no sign of stopping.
…
‘Is she actually scolding me right now?’
Outwardly, she was sharp and scolding, but ninety percent of what she said was just self-praise and bragging about her own beauty.
If anything, she looked like she was enjoying it.
‘…This is dizzying.’
Was there some kind of epidemic of inflated egos among nobles in this world?
Either way, if I tried to say something like “No, I wasn’t staring at you, I was just cleaning,” it would definitely turn into something even more troublesome.
Ugh… I just finished work, please just let me go home…
Without hesitation, I dropped to my knees and cried out in the most remorseful voice I could muster.
“Ah! Everything you say is absolutely correct, my lady! I have never in my life seen someone so radiant, so I was unconsciously drawn to look! Please forgive this lowly one’s rudeness!”
“Ohohoho! As expected! Even the dull eyes of an uneducated commoner cannot help but recognize my brilliance!”
It was clumsy flattery, but undeniably effective.
The corners of Lady Freesia’s lips curled upward endlessly.
Though she covered her mouth with her fan, her arrogant laughter still spilled out.
“I like your honesty! Well, you’re not the only one, so there’s no need to feel too discouraged. Even that unpleasant Baron Drake earlier couldn’t keep himself together in front of my beauty. When I appeared at the banquet wearing that dress, everyone—”
The problem was that my praise had fueled her so much that her bragging went into a second, third, and even fourth round.
Kneeling quietly, I gave mechanical, soulless responses.
“Indeed.” “As expected.” “Amazing.” “Truly impressive.” “My lady, you absolutely stole the show.”
…
How long did her endless rambling go on?
When I glanced outside, the red sunset had already disappeared, and darkness was settling in.
Camellia must be really worried…
I had gone out saying I’d do some light rehab, yet here I was still not home after sunset. Her menhera tendencies might already be creeping back.
And Erica is probably starving, waiting for me to come back…
I couldn’t delay any longer.
Seizing a brief pause in her speech, I carefully spoke.
“My lady… It is the greatest honor of my life to hear your words, but as the sun has set, I believe I must take my leave now.”
As politely and pitifully as possible, I looked up at her with the desperate eyes of someone yearning to clock out.
Then—
Smack!
Lady Freesia snapped her fan and declared firmly,
“That will not be allowed.”
“…Pardon?”
“I cannot permit you to leave. You will not be leaving this mansion tonight.”
What?
Did I mess something up?
Were my reactions too half-hearted?
…Is this one of those rooms where you can’t leave until you listen to all the bragging?
Feeling a threat to my life, I immediately slammed my forehead to the ground.
Thud!
“Please spare me, my lady! I must have committed a grave offense against your dignity as an ignorant commoner! Please forgive me!”
Looking down at me trembling flat on the floor, Lady Freesia let out a small sigh.
“If you truly wish to be forgiven…”
She trailed off, then leaned her upper body toward me.
A faint, elegant floral scent brushed past my nose.
“Become my lover.”
“…Huh? What—”
My brain short-circuited, and casual speech slipped out without thinking.
A woman I had just met—who had been looking down on me just moments ago—was suddenly asking me to be her lover?
Was I still dreaming on my bed with a cast on?
As I stared blankly, mouth open, Lady Freesia’s face flushed red as she pointed her fan at me.
“Do not misunderstand! Do you think a lowly commoner covered in dirt like you could ever be worthy of my true lover’s position?! Look in a mirror! Well… you’re not terrible-looking, but a commoner is absolutely out of the question!”
“Ah, yes. Of course. Naturally.”
“It is a fake, of course! I am asking you to act! In two days, to drive away those bothersome flies like that Baron Drake all at once, the most efficient method is to use a man with no backing, who will do anything for money, has a somewhat decent appearance… and will not cling to me afterward, as a shield!”
The moment I heard her words—
A strong sense of déjà vu flashed through my mind.
Driving away annoying suitors.
A “contract relationship.”
Scenes from stories I had read before coming to this world flashed by.
Ah.
You’re telling me that cliché… is happening to me?
This absurd world, which until recently felt like a grim tragedy, was now shoving a classic trope straight into my hands.
“My lady, Lady Freesia.”
I cleared my throat and spoke as calmly and rationally as possible.
“I fully understand your difficult situation. I completely understand your desire to get rid of those troublesome people. But for such a ‘fake lover’ role, is there really any reason to choose someone like me, a mere cleaner?”
“Hm?”
“If you go to a theater troupe in the central district, you’ll find plenty of actors more handsome than me and far better at acting. If you pay them and keep their mouths shut, you could deceive everyone perfectly. Why insist on a nobody like me?”
“Those actors may already be known, and they have loose lips—rumors would spread in no time! And if I ask another noble, who knows what kind of price they would demand later? It would be nothing but trouble!”
Her eyes sharpened.
“On the other hand, a commoner like you will take the money, keep your mouth shut, and disappear quietly. You have no connections in high society, making you the safest and easiest shield to control!”
“…There were other workers. Why me?”
“I observed everything.”
“…Observed what?”
“While the others rested in the shade, you alone kept scrubbing the walls, sweating endlessly just to earn a bit more. Someone that foolishly diligent and responsible will certainly do the job properly for the money I pay.”
She coughed awkwardly and averted her gaze.
“And besides… you look…”
“Yes?”
“For a commoner, you’re not bad-looking… No! I mean—if we clean you up and dress you in proper clothes, at least you wouldn’t look disgusting standing next to my perfect beauty!”
She quickly turned her head, covering her slightly flushed face with her fan.
“Just barely! If we claim you’re a noble from a distant land, you might pass well enough! D-Don’t misunderstand! I’m not saying you’re handsome!”
Anyone could tell she had chosen me because I looked the best among them, yet she went through such a long, roundabout way to say it.
I thought she was just a proud noble lady… why is she acting like a tsundere now?
“…Even so, announcing that you’re dating a commoner would damage your family’s reputation—”
Before I could finish, she poked my chest with her fan.
“That is why, for the next two days, you will become a noble from a distant land.”
“…Me? That’s impersonating nobility—”
She pressed her fan against my mouth, cutting me off.
“Silence! It is only acting! Acting!”
“Even so…”
“No objections! Once I have decided, the shield will be you! How dare a lowly commoner defy my decision?!”
No matter what I said, it all led back to her stubborn insistence.
In that case…
“…Will I be paid?”
A pathetic, but realistic question.
But—
It seemed to be the most pleasing thing I had said all day.
A satisfied smile spread across Lady Freesia’s lips.
“I will pay you generously enough that you won’t even dare refuse.”