The Regret Novel Female Lead with Unbreakable Mentality Chapter 57

“…”

 

Vientin thought it was unlikely that Giselle wanted to be in his arms. After all, he had never seen anyone approach him in that manner before. Yet, since it was Giselle, he found himself uncertain, thinking it was possible. Giselle sometimes acts in ways that defy common sense.

 

He took a deep breath. For some reason, after hearing Giselle’s story, he felt his earlobes reddening involuntarily, and he planned to alleviate the embarrassment through a physical action.

 

“But Brother, isn’t Lady Giselle quite fascinating?”

 

“Yes, she is fascinating.”

 

“I mean, you were only gone on a business trip for a week, and she came up with such a romantic comment! It really is like you two are newlyweds! Looking back, were there any signs?”

 

“Signs?”

 

“Yes. Wasn’t it like a fateful encounter? Something truly dramatic!”

 

Vientin recalled Giselle, who had made a scene at the party in her ragged clothes.

 

“Yes, it was quite the dramatic meeting.”

 

“My goodness, you acknowledge it too, Brother!”

 

“Well, you can’t help but acknowledge a first meeting like that.”

 

Of course, they each had their own version of the story, but Count Teren, oblivious to this, beamed and continued.

 

“Oh, and couples usually have nicknames for each other, don’t they? Like animals! My partner’s nickname is ‘bunny’.”

 

“Animals? Bunny?”

 

“Yes. Don’t you have a nickname for Lady Giselle, something that suits her? If you called her that and hugged her, I’m sure she’d love it!”

 

Vientin suddenly remembered the giant chick monster he had seen recently. The giant chick monster, about one meter in size, had been wreaking havoc by digging up fields with reckless abandon. It was a chick full of zest for life and a ravenous appetite for food.

 

“There is one.”

 

“Oh!” Count Teren let out an excited breath.

 

Vientin spoke casually. “She reminds me of a chick.”

 

“Brother! My goodness! That’s true love! A chick of all things!”

 

“…”

 

Vientin didn’t respond. Truth be told, Giselle often occupied his thoughts. Watching the giant chick tear up the fields had indeed reminded him of Giselle’s chaotic antics.

 

“Don’t be so quick to conclude.”

 

Love was nonsense. However, Count Teren was already lost in his own world.

 

“Brother, you’re embarrassed, aren’t you? Well, who would have predicted that true love would find you! A chick, wow, really…”

 

The chick monster was a vicious creature that destroyed crops. No matter how kindly one spoke of it, it couldn’t be considered cute, but Count Teren’s mind was already filled with wild fantasies. He clasped his hands over his chest and murmured.

 

“Brother.”

 

“What?”

 

“So you need to hold on tight. Now, you must treat your wife with the utmost care. Understood?”

 

Vientin slowly bit his lip and mumbled. “I’m treating her well enough. We’re already close.”

 

“If I may speak frankly, I’m not sure you’re treating her well!”

 

“…What exactly does treating her well mean?” He was gradually becoming closer to Giselle, so he wanted to treat her as well as possible.

 

Count Teren interpreted his brother’s demeanor in some way, covering his mouth with a sly smile. “As a husband, you should be seductive and a little cheeky.”

 

“Explain in detail.” He picked up a fountain pen and some documents, fixing his gaze on Count Teren. He was ready to hear everything.

 

“Well, first of all… use formal language!”

 

“…Why, all of a sudden?”

 

“Using formal language means you love and respect your wife! Just like Father always uses honorifics with Mother!”

 

“And what comes next?”

 

* * *

Why do I feel uneasy?

 

Through my eloquence, I had managed to turn many doctors into my allies. Including the sales of <Goph>, it was clear I would become wealthy thanks to the exclusive sale of potions at my coffee house. Moreover, I had received a textbook and tried basic magic training, which was incredibly successful.

 

Is it because of that absolute scumbag whose future I can never predict?

 

With a single note handed to me by Liliv, I was filled with rage.

 

[Giselle Florette. Why haven’t you replied? How arrogant. Tomorrow afternoon, come to the place near the outskirts, where there’s an old green door. I said I’d meet you, didn’t I? Come immediately. Oh, and by the way, that coffee house you started seems to be doing well. But if people found out that a worthless woman like you owns that place, would they still come? How long do you think I’ll keep your secret? You’d better think carefully.]

 

He dares to threaten me? That b*stard! I clenched the note in my hand, burning with anger. I used it as fuel for my training! Just imagining setting that guy’s bangs on fire made my flame magic work perfectly!

 

I returned to the mansion, smiling with satisfaction at the unexpected success… At that moment, I finally realized the source of my ominous feeling.

 

“Wife, I have something to tell you.”

 

…Duke Kalinos, sitting by the bedside, had summoned me.

 

Just when I was getting used to lying next to him in bed, I felt like I’d been hit with a sudden bombshell. W-Why is he suddenly using formal language?

 

From my experience, when an employer suddenly starts speaking formally and treating you nicely, it’s for one of the following reasons:

1. They feel guilty and are about to recommend resignation.
2. They’re displeased with your performance and being sarcastic.
3. Someone is watching, and they want to maintain their reputation.

 

Let’s rule out the last one. So it’s one of the first two… What could it be?

 

I looked at him with a suspicious expression. Of course, it might be an exaggeration to read too much into just one instance of formal language. But it’s also true that I haven’t been able to pull off anything significant lately. Especially since Hennessy and Neslan have started to acknowledge me, which makes it even more problematic.

 

His face was hidden in the darkness, making it hard to see clearly. Earlier, when the moonlight briefly shone, he seemed to have a terrifyingly blank expression.

 

Oh, crap. Could he have found out I was secretly taking the textbook and practicing magic? If that’s the case, I need to quickly let him know that I saved his father. When I couldn’t play the role of troublemaker properly, I’d planned to say, ‘Actually, I saved your father! Now give me five billion!’ as a way to save myself. Such a shame. Moreover, the whole ‘secretly strong’ keyword was actually pretty fun.

 

Watching his reaction, I wetted my lips and spoke. “Y-Yes, what is it?”

 

Then, in a tone that felt like a death sentence, he whispered. “Let’s go on a date tomorrow.”

 

“A date?”

 

…It’s such a sudden suggestion, making me flustered. Well, he’s unpredictable as ever, so who knows what he’s thinking? Is this a contractual couple’s duty? In other words, telling me to fulfill the business agreement? Duke Kalinos, having returned from his territory, must be testing me.

 

I quickly spoke up. “Yes, sir.”

 

“…?”

 

“I will carry out your command immediately.”

 

All sorts of scenarios for how to cause the most trouble flashed through my mind. Come to think of it, I have the perfect victim for this! I’m talking about Marquis Berto! Coincidentally, that guy has an appointment set for tomorrow, doesn’t he? He messed up with the wrong person.

 

“Um, my employer. About the date.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“How about we do it at the place and time I choose?”

 

I clenched my fist. I could hear the crumpling sound of the note inside my fist. And then the sound of grrr. It was the sound of my molars being gritted.

 

* * *

“Ha… Why on earth do I have to come to a place like this?” Marquis Berto grimaced, pressing his temples as if his head was splitting with a headache. Having to meet that woman secretly is annoying. He had traveled intentionally far enough to require a teleport scroll.

 

Marquis Berto glared at the old house he had chosen for the meeting and tried to open the door roughly. At that very moment, the handle, unable to withstand his force, fell to the floor due to its age.

 

“Ha.” He swept his hair back, looking incredulous.

 

And just then, Giselle, perhaps alerted by the commotion outside, opened the door and stepped out.

 

“Oh? Who… huh?”

 

It was indeed a reunion after quite some time. Though it stirred no particular emotion.

 

He frowned at the dress Giselle was wearing. “You always used to wear worn-out clothes, but what’s with that dress? Did you steal that from Ronus Boutique? Or have you started indulging in luxury now? Pathetic.”

 

“…?”

 

Giselle just opened her eyes wide at his insult, as if she were completely clueless.

 

Marquis Berto looked at her expression with disgust, but then paused. Normally, after this kind of insult, Giselle would start sobbing endlessly, so weak and foolish. What is this? Why isn’t she crying?

 

But today, she was different. She just stared back at him expressionlessly.