Chapter 24: Now That You're Healthy, Keep Our Promise

The storm-like first semester flew by in the blink of an eye. Summer vacation started tomorrow.

In that time, Piarot had changed dramatically. Gone was the reclusive loner. Now she went grocery shopping by herself as a matter of course and spent her days devouring magic theory books in the library. Her hunched shoulders were held proudly straight, and her steps carried the innate nobility of a marquis's daughter.

As I grinned with a proud dad smile, Piarot sidled up beside the sofa and flashed a grin.

"Evan, could you check this out for me?"

She tossed a thick envelope my way.

"What's this?"

"Open it."

I opened the envelope curiously. Inside were three main items.

The first thing that caught my eye was the settlement statement.

"I sold off all the stocks ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠you told me to, right at the peak."

"Let me see... whoa?!"

I rubbed my eyes and counted the zeros again. How many were there? This was on a whole different level from my ant-level investments with my hard-earned part-time cash. The units were off by three!

"Th-this money is all..."

"Yeah, it's all yours, Evan."

"Wait, no no, what are you talking about? I just gave you the info—I didn't put in a single coin of principal. This is clearly House Evangeline's assets."

I hurriedly pushed the papers back. Sure, money was nice, but I wasn't about to play house husband.

But Piarot tilted her head, looking genuinely confused.

"What are you talking about? You're going to marry me, right?"

"......Huh?"

"We're going to be husband and wife, so half my money is yours, and all your money is mine. What's mine and yours between spouses?"

"......?"

Hold up. Why is all my money yours? Doesn't that mean it's all yours in the end? Ah, wait.

"Wha... marriage?"

"Yeah. Don't you want to?"

Her eyes narrowed in an instant. A dangerous glint flashed in her red irises.

"N-no... it's not that I don't want to, I just haven't thought that far ahead specifically yet..."

"What? You planning to break up with me?"

Tears welled up in her eyes immediately. One poke and she'd burst into sobs.

"No! No way! You're the only one for me! I'll never leave you! I swear!"

I waved my hands frantically.

"Then you're just gonna date ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠me forever without marrying? No responsibility? So that's the kind of guy you are, Evan."

"Ah, no!! I will!! Let's book the venue right after graduation!!"

"Really?"

Her face brightened instantly.

"Yeah! So this money is our joint assets. Got it?"

"Uh... yeah. I guess?"

I felt like I'd been tricked somehow. That sly way of talking... it felt familiar.

"Your speech patterns... they're starting to sound like mine."

"Heehee... I learned it all from my future husband."

Piarot smirked like a fox. Ha, what a piece of work. The student surpasses the master.

"Yes, yes, I am eternally grateful, Lady Evangeline."

I chuckled dryly and picked up the second document.

"This?"

"A gift."

"A gift? This is way too big."

"No more work-study. I can't bear watching you peel onions in the cafeteria."

She whispered as she squeezed my hand.

"Focus on your studies from now on. I'll handle all the money worries."

"Ha......"

I'm going insane. I must've saved the country in my past life. Probably rowed the turtle ship right beside Admiral Yi Sun-sin. And now, as payment for getting Piarot, I have to save the empire again this time.

I was gonna go squeeze some cash out of that jerk Neil, but no need now.

That four-eyed punk can wait till second semester.

With trembling hands, I unfolded the final document.

This wasn't some half-assed self-diagnosis like last time. It was a meticulously detailed full exam result, stamped by the academy infirmary head.

"......"

I set down the report and slowly looked up. There was no trace of illness left in her.

Was it the three square meals a day, religiously enforced, and our morning runs together? Her scrawny limbs had filled out nicely, her baggy clothes now hugged elastic curves. The pallid cheeks that once lacked color now glowed with a healthy peach-like blush.

"You haven't forgotten... our promise, right?"

Piarot stepped closer. Her red eyes burned as if to devour me.

"Yeah... I remember."

"No more dark circles, and the doctor's verdict is 'healthy.'"

She grabbed my shirt collar and tugged me close.

"No more excuses, right?"

"......"

I swallowed hard.

"Ehehehehe..."

Piarot let out the world's most wicked—and adorable—laugh as she shoved me back onto the sofa. Her hands slithered down my waist like snakes.

Dangerous. This was seriously dangerous. My last thread of reason was about to snap with a ping.

"W-wait!! Not in broad daylight!!"

"Ehehehe, the night is short. Evan... it has to be now. Or it'll be too late. I need more."

"N-need more of what...?"

She licked her lips and straddled me.

"Everything."

Shlick— Her fingers deftly undid my shirt buttons. Goosebumps rose where her soft fingertips brushed bare skin. Her hot breath grazed my nape, her wet lips trailing down my collarbone.

"Haa... Evan... you smell so good..."

Am I seriously gonna die happy on top of her and make the news today?

Dying in bliss sounded nice, but not yet. Can't go out in bed before ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠slaying the demon king!

Summoning superhuman survival instincts, I bolted upright.

"No!! I really have something I must do today!!"

She brushed back her disheveled hair, puffing her cheeks like a sulky puppy as she glared.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"What is it? More important than loving me?"

Her pouty lips were so cute it was killing me. I straightened my clothes with a dramatic, resolute expression.

"Heh heh heh, of course it's about you."

"Me?"

"Yeah. A surprise gift for all your hard work this semester."

"Surprise... gift?"

Her red eyes sparkled with curiosity at the word. Gotcha. Good thing she's so straightforward.

"You'll love it. I've been waiting for this day."

I extended my hand politely toward her.

"What do you say, wanna go together? My princess."

Piarot glanced between my hand and face, pretending to think, then burst into a beaming smile.

"Yeah!! Let's go!!"

She grabbed my hand, interlocking our fingers tightly.

......

A little later, after running our errand, we laid out three steaming-hot documents side by side on the dining table.

"Evan... remodeling? When did you plan this?"

"From the first day I came to your house... Been researching and sketching blueprints on the side."

I answered seriously.

"Truth is, I can't stand this layout where outside dirt tracks right into the bedroom."

A house means kicking off your shoes at the entrance! Padding barefoot across the sticky floor—that's the rule. Western raised-floor culture? My hygiene standards say no.

"Huh? Doesn't everyone live like that?"

"But it's unsanitary. I want to give you the best environment. And I'm pretty good at cleaning, right?"

"Yeah, thanks... hehe, feels like house-hunting for our honeymoon."

She giggled and wriggled against me. Ugh!! The cuteness is unbearable. But... just one week left.

"Timeline's two weeks starting next week. Construction dust means we can't stay here."

"Then... where do we stay?"

Piarot asked with worried eyes. I slid the second paper forward like I'd been waiting.

"Where else? Beach for summer break..."

"Ah, so that's why..."

"Southern tip of the empire, Ostia Beach. The priciest resort there."

Her red eyes went wide.

"Paradise? Even nobles have trouble booking that!"

"Nothing money can't buy. Especially with our stock profits."

I shrugged and grinned. Taste of capitalism. This is flexing.

"We'll rest up during the two weeks of construction. Blue ocean, fresh seafood."

"Ocean... with Evan..."

She clasped her hands, overwhelmed just imagining it.

"I've never been to the sea... only read about it in books."

"Really? Then I'll show you plenty this time. Teach you to swim too."

"For real? I can't swim... you'll have to hold me?"

"Of course. Can't let go, or it's trouble. I'll hold on tight."

"Hehe... sounds great! Love it!"

Piarot reached across the table and clasped my hand. The mood was perfect. Now.

"Yeah... so. I'm spending our first night together there."

"Ah..."

Her pupils shook at my firm declaration. I pressed on, channeling K-drama director vibes.

"First night is a guy's dream too, y'know."

"......!"

"In the most perfect, beautiful place... holding only you all night long."

"Ah......"

Her eyes shimmered with emotion. Nice, K-drama vibes work anywhere!

I lightly kissed the back of her hand.

"So just hold out one week. Then... I'll love you all you want."

And summer vacation began.