'This brazen man came here with a plan from the start.'
Marquis Branford couldn't help but let out a faint laugh, inwardly impressed by Ghislain's audacity.
Normally, even hinting at such intentions would have earned a sharp rebuke, but the circumstances this time were different.
Tap… Tap… Tap…
The Marquis drummed his fingers on the armrest of his chair.
Everyone in the hall remained silent, awaiting his response.
The Marquis had never taken on the role of a guardian for anyone. Such a decision could risk the reputation and authority he had built over the years.
Ghislain observed the Marquis in contemplation and clicked his tongue inwardly.
'You said I could ask for anything. What's with all the hesitation?'
He smirked slightly, his lips curling in annoyance. The Marquis regarded him with a detached expression.
'This one has no small ambition. Agreeing to this will bring headaches.'
The Marquis closed his eyes, sinking deeper into thought.
'But… he's one of the more promising young nobles I've seen lately.'
He had heard reports of Ghislain's accomplishments after the war, but had assumed they were exaggerated due to the contrast with his earlier reputation as a scoundrel.
Seeing Ghislain's peculiar actions firsthand, however, made the Marquis realize the reports may have actually underestimated him.
'There are aspects that irritate me, but… he's worth backing.'
With his cosmetic ventures alone, Ghislain was bound to rise to prominence within a few years.
Additionally, with his father, Count Perdium, having absorbed Digald's territory, a little more support would make Ghislain a valuable asset for the Royalist faction.
After careful consideration, the Marquis slowly nodded.
"Very well."
The unexpected response shocked everyone in the audience hall.
Despite the pretext of an agreement, no one thought such an absurd request would actually be granted!
While others reeled in surprise, the Marquis straightened his posture and spoke firmly.
"Let all those present bear witness. I, Marquis Branford, declare myself the guardian of Baron Ghislain Fenris, pledging my support. His enemies will be my enemies, and anyone dealing with him must remember that I stand behind him."
The Marquis's piercing gaze swept the room as he posed his final question.
"You must also act in a way that does not tarnish my honor. Do you agree?"
"Yes, I will always conduct myself to uphold the Marquis's honor," Ghislain replied, bowing his head with a knowing smile.
'Got it.'
With the Marquis's backing secured, it was time to tackle the pressing matters he had put off.
'He wouldn't have agreed to this just because of a promise. He must see some advantage in aligning with me.'
Marquis Branford was a shrewd politician with years of experience. If he hadn't wanted to agree, he could have easily found an excuse to deny the request.
The fact that he chose to grant it indicated he saw potential benefits.
'Maybe he plans to use me as a figurehead for the Royalist faction.'
It was possible the Marquis intended to pit him directly against the Ducal faction.
But Ghislain was already at odds with them. Even if the Marquis had ulterior motives, there was no reason to refuse. Having the Marquis's overt support would make it difficult for the Ducal faction to act against the Perdium territory.
'This buys me more time. Those bastards must be fuming right now. Heh.'
It wouldn't last forever; in his previous life, the Royalist faction had eventually fallen to the Delphine Ducal faction.
But for now, the Marquis would be a formidable shield.
The Marquis surveyed the room and commanded, "Everyone also remember that dealing with Baron Fenris is dealing with me. Butler, inform the royal court and other nobles of this arrangement."
"Yes, my lord," the butler replied with a bow.
Ghislain casually glanced around at the Marquis's vassals.
Their faces were etched with shock, doubt, and thinly veiled displeasure.
Noticing their expressions, Ghislain grinned.
"Looking forward to working with you all. Judging by your faces, though, I get the sense you don't like me very much…"
Before he could finish, the vassals simultaneously bowed their heads.
"Oh, so you don't even want to look at me?"
The vassals, visibly alarmed, hurriedly raised their heads again.
"Ah, so that's not it! For a moment, I thought you all despised me!" Ghislain said playfully.
"Of course not," one of the vassals stammered with a strained smile.
Seeing the proud vassals, usually so self-assured even among the capital's elite, reduced to this state, Ghislain nodded in satisfaction.
The Marquis chuckled in disbelief.
'What a peculiar man.'
In all his years, he had never encountered someone so shamelessly audacious.
'Still, that kind of nerve makes him worth supporting.'
Just as the Marquis was about to discuss the specifics of their arrangement, a guard at the door spoke hesitantly.
"M-my lord, the young lady has arrived."
The Marquis raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"…Didn't I instruct her to meet me later?"
"We did convey your message, but…"
The butler looked flustered.
"Well, since she's already here, no need to send her away. Let her in."
The door creaked open.
At the entrance stood Rozalin, elegantly dressed in a refined gown, her chin held high.
Ghislain turned to look at her.
Her face, now spotless and radiant, bore no trace of the red blotches that once marred it.
Her cold gaze and firmly set lips exuded a presence that bore an uncanny resemblance to her father's.
Step.
Rozalin gracefully entered the hall.
The butler rushed forward, his face lighting up.
"Young lady! You're already up and about? Are you feeling all right?"
"I'm fine."
"You look absolutely stunning, young lady, all dressed up and with your makeup on!"
"Don't embarrass me… I mean, thank you. You've worked hard."
Rozalin offered a faint smile and gave a brief response before turning to the Marquis and bowing.
"Father, I apologize for not properly greeting you earlier. Have you finished your discussion with Baron Fenris?"
"Yes, I've agreed to become his guardian as a reward for treating you."
Rozalin's eyes widened as she glanced at Ghislain.
For her father to grant such a favor was unprecedented.
'He really is extraordinary.'
With a faint smile, Rozalin approached Ghislain.
As she drew nearer, Ghislain's expression grew wary.
Her enigmatic smile was unnerving.
'She's acting too calm. This feels suspicious. I doubt she's here to thank me.'
Suddenly, Ghislain recalled the things she had said during her treatment:
– "You quack!"
– "I'll kill you for this."
– "You won't die peacefully. I guarantee it."
'Yeah… she probably meant every word. She wouldn't actually attack me here, right?'
Even without her father's influence, Rozalin wielded considerable power.
If she still harbored resentment toward Ghislain, things could get messy.
Many in this world repaid kindness with cruelty if they felt their pride had been wounded.
And Ghislain knew he had pushed her buttons harder than most.
'If she slaps me, I'll just take it.'
After all, she was a noblewoman, and he had indeed treated her harshly.
He wasn't one to care about such formalities, but she likely did.
'Still, it was all for her treatment. And the mood wasn't bad at the end, was it?'
As Rozalin moved closer, the hall grew tense with silence.
She stopped in front of Ghislain and spoke.
"Baron."
She paused, placing a hand over her chest before bowing deeply.
"Thank you. Because of you, I've been freed from the curse that bound me."
Her unexpected gratitude left everyone in the hall stunned.
'Y-Young lady Rozalin is thanking him?!'
Even Ghislain looked unsettled, slightly leaning back.
'What's with her? This doesn't suit her at all.'
When Rozalin lifted her head, she looked around with an innocent expression.
"Oh my, why are you all staring at me like that? Is something wrong? Ah, you must not be used to seeing my face yet. How embarrassing."
Her feigned ignorance and audaciously shameless demeanor left everyone speechless.
Unable to hold back, Ghislain cautiously asked, "Are you really all right?"
"Pardon? What do you mean?"
"I mean… just yesterday, you said you'd make sure I paid for this…"
"When did I say such a thing? I would never use such harsh words."
"You said you'd tear me apart…"
"Oh dear, it seems the treatment took a toll on you. You must have been hearing things."
Rozalin turned to one of her maids.
"Did I ever say anything like that?"
The maid, expressionless, replied, "No, young lady. You did not."
"There, you see?"
Ghislain's jaw dropped in disbelief.
'She's pretending she didn't try to stab me in the head with a dagger? Is this her way of tormenting me?'
He muttered in frustration, "You called me a quack and said you'd kill me…"
Before he could finish, Rozalin snapped her fan open and covered her face.
She peered over it with fiery eyes and spoke sweetly.
"Oh my, I told you that's not true. Please stop saying such things; people might get the wrong idea. Even if you're my savior, it's not fair to damage a lady's reputation."
Her tone was gentle, but her eyes radiated an intense, menacing aura.
Seeing her fiery gaze, Ghislain awkwardly laughed and replied, "Y-yeah. I must have misheard."
'It's clear she wants to pretend it never happened… but does that even matter at this point? It feels pointless.'
Snap!
Satisfied with his answer, Rozalin closed her fan and spoke sweetly.
"If I was rude during the treatment, please forgive me."
"…It's fine. You endured immense pain, and just making it through to the end is remarkable in itself."
Even a grown man would struggle to withstand such a grueling treatment, and for that, Ghislain couldn't deny her resilience.
Rozalin seemed pleased with his response, her lips curling into a faint smile.
"I will be sure to repay the favor of your treatment, using every bit of my ability. If there's anything you need, just let me know."
"There isn't."
Ghislain rejected her offer without hesitation.
[T/L: Please support me and read extra chapters here: https://ko-fi.com/revengerscans ]