Reversed Relationship (3)
"Why did you make me choose something like that?"
As they walked down the street under the evening sunset, Erin asked Eunhyeon.
Why had Eunhyeon passed the decision about treating Viscount Berman—Marva's father—onto her?
She didn't even have the ability to save him herself, and more than that, deciding the life or death of another person terrified her.
That wasn't all.
There was something else Erin feared.
Marva Berman was one of the students at Aiter who had tormented her the most during her isolated days there.
She was also one of those who had insulted her brother, Elvin.
Now, for her to come begging for help from Erin—it was laughable, cunning, utterly repulsive. Erin wanted to scream at her to remember everything she'd done, to lash out in rage.
But despite all that, Erin hadn't. Part of it was her belief that "life is precious," as she'd told Marva. But the real reason, the ugly truth she didn't want exposed, was something else.
What if she gave in to her honest impulses, rejected Marva's plea outright, and vented her anger at this sudden show of desperation?
Would Hyeon be disappointed in me?
She feared that Eunhyeon might look at her outburst with disappointment or contempt.
So Erin had hidden her true feelings and suggested to Eunhyeon that they treat Viscount Berman.
She depended on him excessively now, craving his approval and dreading his disdain. Her need for affection ran deep.
"Someday, you'll face a moment where you have to make a choice. Something similar to this, but far more cruel."
"A choice?"
Erin tilted her head, not understanding.
"Soon, people will flock to you, trying to get close and forge connections. You've reclaimed your junior baron's title—you're nobility now."
"Ah…."
"Some nobles eyeing your achievements might push for a political marriage to bring you into their fold. Others will offer support for your growth as an excuse to pull you under their wing. You'll get all sorts of proposals with hidden motives."
"Ugh… I hate that…."
Erin grimaced, openly rejecting the idea.
Even with her junior baron's title restored, it didn't feel real to her yet. Queen Dianne's declaration in the trial had reinstated the Hersha family's status only a few days ago—nothing around her had changed much.
If anything, the biggest shift was how students and teachers at Aiter treated her now. Their sudden attitude change only burdened her; it helped in no way.
And marriage? That was horrifying.
To Erin, men were mostly those who leered at her with lustful eyes.
Her father, staring at her with unnatural gazes as she grew to resemble her mother more.
At Aiter, the insults hurled her way often dripped with such desires, and she'd grown numb to their vile stares that sought to bind her.
Before meeting Eunhyeon, those degrading looks and mockery had crushed her self-esteem, leaving her curled up defensively, weak and self-protective.
That changed the moment she met him. Her phobia-like fear began to heal.
Starting with Eunhyeon, then Alex, Riod—men beyond Elvin who thought of her, respected her.
Erin believed it was all thanks to Eunhyeon.
But Hyeon….
Naturally imagining marriage to him after graduating Aiter and reaching adulthood wasn't too much for a seventeen-year-old girl's rich emotions.
W-what am I even thinking?!
She startled at the sudden fantasy, shaking her head to banish it.
H-Hyeon already has Illyana….
It was a problem with no answer, one she couldn't ask about. Erin refocused on the conversation.
"You're still young."
Even with her title back, Erin was a seventeen-year-old girl, immature and not fully discerning.
"Those proposals will mix good intentions, bad ones, and complexities beyond your grasp. You'll face choices where neither option appeals, yet you must pick one."
Life was an endless chain of choices.
Erin silently listened to Eunhyeon, his face grave and bitter. She sensed this came from his hard-earned experience—a sincere warning.
"Choices you don't want to make. Ones your heart rejects. Yet you must, because they're the 'right' ones—forces almost like compulsion."
That was why Eunhyeon had given her the choice about Marva's request.
Follow your emotions, or make the 'proper' choice mindful of others' eyes?
A binary dilemma.
In countless such moments, Eunhyeon had always chosen reason over emotion—efficient, rational paths.
He knew Erin would eventually face the same.
"Honestly, I wanted you to just ignore Marva's plea and follow your feelings."
"Ah…."
Erin stopped walking, her eyes trembling as she looked at him.
His words were so unexpected, they shook her.
Eunhyeon stopped too, turning to gaze at her shaken expression.
"You seem to think I'm some noble saint or overly kind soul, but I'm not."
"But…."
You saved me.
The words nearly escaped, but she held them back. His face looked so desolate.
"I wanted you to think only of yourself, your goals, your people. Be selfish like everyone else."
Not breaking laws.
But the world was too cruel for bare-minimum conscience and kindness. Survival meant prioritizing self and loved ones.
Someday, Erin might have to choose between a precious someone and the whole world, just as he had.
"But today's choice is part of you too."
She was too kind, too pure for such ruthlessness.
"Yeah…."
Erin nodded faintly.
"Let's keep working at it. Even more from now on."
"Got it."
Eunhyeon resolved to respect her choices while supporting her from behind, ensuring she wouldn't break.
"Hey! You! Are you really going to do this?!"
"What's the matter?"
Elenoa stormed into Illyana's mansion, grabbing Eunhyeon's collar and shouting fiercely.
Eunhyeon knew why she was furious but played innocent with his usual nonchalance.
"E-Elenoa! I don't know what's wrong, but calm down first…."
"Calm down? Do I look like I can?!"
"No."
Her fury was plain in her face and actions; Erin, clueless, answered instantly.
"I told you not to use me as some ridiculous 'recovery shuttle'! And you did it again!"
"Well, you were the only option that came to mind, Lady."
"Is that an excuse?!"
Elenoa flung the paper she'd clutched onto the floor.
Erin, unfolding the oddly familiar stationery that rolled to her feet, felt a strange sense of déjà vu.
"Ah! This is…."
Wasn't this the letter Eunhyeon had written and sent via Marva to the ducal house from the Berman estate before?
Its contents read:
Something urgent came up where I need to use the 'recovery shuttle.' Somehow, I'm in a situation where I have to treat Viscount Berman, a victim of the recent attack. I've cleared the disease from his body, but it'll take too long for his condition to recover enough for his immune system to kick in on its own. So, could you visit the Berman estate tomorrow right away and give him one prayer of holy magic? Pretty please. You wouldn't abandon a poor sick man, would you, 'Flower of Fernin'? And we're in a 'symbiotic relationship,' right? ^^
Hyeon… even for you, this is a bit much.
Erin gave a wry internal smile. No wonder Elenoa was livid at this perfectly manipulative plea, complete with a smiley for false friendliness.
"Even so! You could've given some prior notice! Instead of telling the Bermans—who had to receive me—you should've at least tipped them off! Do you know how flustered they were the moment I arrived?!"
"Hmm? I had his daughter deliver the letter to you, Lady. Wasn't that discussed then?"
Eunhyeon countered, prompting Elenoa to grimace and explain.
"I was out of the mansion that day. I only read your letter late at night."
So Marva had delivered it to the ducal house, but not directly to Elenoa. No conversation happened between them, so the Bermans were clueless about her visit.
To a viscount's house—low in noble hierarchy—welcoming a ducal daughter without preparation was thunder from a clear sky.
Elenoa understood the miscommunication and didn't mind, but if word spread of their shoddy reception, they'd face scorn or ridicule.
"Ahh, that's awkward."
Honestly, considering what they'd done to Erin or how they'd toyed with kingdom assets, they deserved worse. But this was purely Eunhyeon's minor oversight in communication.
"Awkward? That's all?!"
In noble society, such slips weren't overlooked—plenty would use it to swallow up a weakened viscountcy.
"Well, at least Viscount Berman didn't die. Good is good—let's move on."
"Ha…."
Elenoa glared, exasperated.
Eunhyeon always orchestrated unbeatable scenarios with meticulous prep, but in daily life, he seemed oddly careless.
He'd flawlessly execute his envisioned outcomes for problems he cared about, but shrug off everything else with extreme individualism.
His casual "let's brush it off" attitude now made her want to smack him.
"More importantly, what's the real reason you're here?"
Eunhyeon didn't think she'd come just to scold him over this. She had a true purpose, and seeing his face had triggered her anger.
"Sigh… fine."
With a deep breath, Elenoa pulled out three sealed letters bearing the Armitas ducal seal—one each for Eunhyeon, Illyana, and Erin, who were all at the mansion.
"Is there one for me too?"
Erin's eyes widened as she asked; Elenoa nodded affirmatively.
"The Armitas ducal house is hosting a banquet at the ducal mansion."
"A banquet?"
A social gathering for nobles of Pernias Kingdom—including the Armitas—and foreign nobles too.
"I'd like to invite all three of you."
"Uh… c-can I even go to something like that…."
"Me too. Why would I."
Illyana loathed mingling with nobles, domestic or foreign; no way she'd attend a massive party like that.
Eunhyeon hated showing his face at such events too. Recall how much effort it took for Consort Helena—with Yuria in tow—to even ask him once.
Seeing Illyana's scowl, Eunhyeon wryly thought it was hopeless as expected.
"Sure."
"As expected… huh?"
Elenoa's eyes widened at the unexpected reply.
"Erin needs to be there at least. I'll go as her guardian. Illyana?"
"Hmph… fine, if you're going, I'll tag along."
Reluctant, but not opposed to his invitation.
"W-why do I have to go?!"
Erin blurted in shock; Eunhyeon answered casually.
"I can guess the banquet's purpose. The 'sub-duke' matter, right?"
"Yes, exactly."
Elenoa turned to Erin.
"Erin, this banquet is for the new sub-duke's inauguration."
"A new… sub-duke…?"
"Yeah. My brother was just appointed the new sub-duke, officially named heir to the Armitas ducal house."
"That means…."
Ashton—who'd kidnapped and cornered her—was truly fallen.
"This invitation is approved by me and my brother, but Father was the first to suggest inviting you."
"The Duke… did?"
"Yes. He wants to talk with you this time. He's formally inviting you to the sub-duke inauguration banquet."
"Ah…."