"You shouldn't asked him like that."
Assistant Ortzen stared at us and asked, "Did you guys have sex?"
"No."
"No."
We replied at the same time. Not to mention marriage, we even haven't had our engagement yet. What kind of nonsense was that? Besides, this engagement was a fake one to begin with, so why would we have to go as far as having sex?
Assistant Ortzen expressionlessly stared at Clauen as if he was saying, "Do you hear that?"
Clauen pulled out his own hair. "Captain… that matter… shouldn't you understand what it means?"
"You should just expect what could be expected."
I didn't understand the exchange between Clauen and Ortzen. I reached out for Captain Jullius' arm beside me and whispered to him in a low voice, "What are they doing right now? Why did they ask whether if we'd already have sex?"
"I don't know either."
Turns out Captain Jullius also didn't know what's with them. It made my heart rather calm.
Clauen who was chattering something I have no idea about, casted a blaming gaze on me.
"Even though Captain is slow, Miss Epheria prentended not to understand anything when you clearly know about it, didn't you?!"
What does he mean?
Ortzen patted Clauen's shoulder who was feeling that he'd worried over nothing.
"I think we also can't expect much from Miss Epheria over that matter."
"What? Does it even make any sense?! Nevertheless, I refused to acknowledge this marriage!"
Clauen screamed his objection while jumping madly on his spot. Meanwhile Captain Jullius and I could only silently look at his madness. Honestly, whats wrong with him? Hasn't he already known that this engagement is fake?
"A sly woman is many times better! If they became a couple, it would be completely ruined!"
He was insulting me, wasn't he? I frowned while sneakily reaching out my hand toward the Calitus that hanged on Captain Jullius' waist. Captain Jullius looked down and saw me but he didn't try to prevent me from what I was going to do. That means I could beat some sense to that silly brat, right?
Shing…
"Actually that kind of wom–"
That silly brat quickly shut his mouth up as soon as he heard the sound of a sword being unsheathed. He stared at the Calitus inside my hand with his surprised rabbit eyes.
"W-why does that woman wield that sword…?!"
"Because you've insulted me, I challenge you for a duel. Draw your sword now!"
"What kind of duel is it against a noble lady?!"
"Men, women, elders, and even children are equal before a sword."
Well, I obviously exaggerated it, although I could face up against men and women, I have never even for once aimed for children. I had no intention to back down and my action indicated for him to just shut up and draw his sword. Clauen slowly retreated back behind Ortzen.
Assistant Ortzen sighed and flapping some documents in his hands.
"Let's stop talking about this matter. Now we have to talk about the main problems here. I got a complain notice from the Count's residence regarding the commotion yesterday."
Technically speaking, it's as expected of them to file a complain. But…
"I had already made an appointment with Captain Jullius beforehand but the gate keeper of the Count's residence and the guards was trying to prevent him from seeing me. In truth, they were the one who behaved rudely in the first place."
"Good. I'll handle this mess based on Miss statement just now. But, perhaps Miss would face some troubles in the process."
"During the day, I would get more scoldings at most. At night… well… what's bound to happen will eventually happen anyways."
Even without this incident, those 'uninvited guess' would still come though.
"Wouldn't it be dangerous?"
"Don't worry. There won't be any danger. Don't you think so, Captain Jullius?"
Right after I said it, his pale grey eyes reflected my face, then he nodded in agreement.
"Miss Epheria will definitely be alright."
"See? Captain Jullius also said that I'll be alright! Assistant Ortzen doesn't need to worry about anything."
"If Captain has said so… then everything should be alright, right?"
Assistant Ortzen seemed a bit reluctant, but he chose not to give further comments and put the documents onto the table. Afterward, he picked up an invitation card wrapped in gold color envelope. Right after I saw that invitation card, I suddenly remembered something I've forgotten a while back.
"Oh, right! In four days, ugh… now it's only two days left… there will be a banquet hosted inside the Count's residence… but I don't know if they will also send the invitation to Captain Jullius or not."
"A banquet hosted inside the Count's residence is indeed interesting, but on that day you've to attend another banquet."
"Another banquet?"
"Yes."
Assistant Ortzen gave a faint smile.
"This banquet will be where the Captain of Special Task Squad, Jullius Rizar, officially introduce his fiancee. This banquet will be hosted by the First Imperial Princess, Princess Aranea."
The image of a red-haired woman appeared in my mind. Oh, that rude princess…? Duh, we're not that compatible with each other.
"Do I really have to go?"
"Of course. Miss absolutely must go."
Damn it… if that banquet was held on the same day as the banquet at Count's residence, that means the time I have left to prepare was less than two days! The thought of memorizing the woman's dance part and getting used to the mannerism at the banquet in just two days time, were enough to blow up my mind. I won't be able to sleep again.
Assistant Ortzen got hold of Captain Jullius so that he wouldn't be able to escape and in exchange, Ortzen had Clauen to take me home. I still clearly remembered those pair of pale-grey eyes that looked pitifully at me after hearing Ortzen stated that Captain Jullius didn't have any reasons to escape anymore. I feel bad for him… well, but my own situation wasn't any better. To be honest, all of these happened because of me. I'm really sorry, Captain Jullius. But, this was the fastest and the most certain way for me to meet with the High Priest. I felt really guilty inside my heart.
I have to treat him better.
I had to treat Captain Jullius for delicious foods after I completely seized up the Count's wealth. Right after I decided it to myself, Clauen who was walking besides me, started talking to me.
"Miss Epheria."
"Huh?"
"I've already heard that the engagement is fake, but honestly, I think that it's all a lie."
After some thoughts, seems like this brat had long decided to speak using informal speech to me. Looks like his age and my previous age were quite closed.
"The engagement is indeed a fake one though."
"However, it will be more advantageous for Miss Epheria not to cancel this engagement and continue to be engaged." With a disdain looks, Clauen continued to talk. "If the Countess was found guilty, Miss would become a fallen noble. Although Miss has said before that you intended to join the church… but to be honest, being Captain's wife is many times better for a woman than being a clergy, isn't it?"
I was shocked hearing what he just said. What? I can't take over the Count's family?! On second thought, what he said is right. Even if I'm innocent, but the title and wealth of Epheria family would be confiscated because this matter was related to rebellion.
"If by any chance the Count family could escape the punishment, based on my understanding, there isn't anyone inside that family who treated you well. It's unlikely for Miss to find any better fiancee than our Captain. On contrary, they would probably get rid of Miss by marrying you to the Countess' underling like the previous Viscount Schwart."
Hah! Damn it! Should I start to keep some valuable things from the mansion now? I don't really understand about the matter related to nobles… I think I should consult with assistant Ortzen. I do not expect much. At the very least I want to get myself a house. Hmm, does the Imperial family the one who have the right to confiscated all the property? Can't it be donated to the church instead?
"…, Miss Epheria?"
"Huh?"
"Are you listening?"
"Yes, I'm listening."
I thought, I would become filthy rich after this matter is solved but I'm screwed. Does the Goddess wish for my return to be a clergy? I'd joined the church since I was just a little child and dedicated my whole life to the church for twenty years. That should be enough, right? The Goddess was being too harsh on me!
"…, I don't think so."
"I've already told you that I hear you, deputy."
"See! You aren't listening!"
Duh! I unconsciously replied out of habit. I glanced at Clauen with guilty face.
"I was thinking about something else for a moment."
"Please listen when someone speaks!"
"Okay. Okay. I'll listen."
"…, until which part have you been listening?"
"Until I would become a fallen noble."
"In short, it will be more beneficial for Miss Epheria to remain engaged to the Captain. And thus, I was thinking that although Miss said the engagement is fake, but actually Miss might have hidden agenda."
What he said does make sense. If I didn't rejoin the church, then being Captain's wife is many times better than being a penniless fallen noble. Furthermore, there's also a talented chef who could make delicious desserts at Special Task Squad's headquarters. Whoaa…that's quite a good plan, wasn't it?