Arthas April 07, 2024 No comments
Don't forget to rate and review the novel on Novelupdates
"I simply cannot fathom the reason behind this," Isabel's cold voice pierced my ears.
I could only blankly blink my eyes in response.
"And what might that reason be?"
Isabel's blue eyes cooled with a sharp gaze, as if ready to confront me right then if the reason proved unsatisfactory.
"I told you, didn't I? I don't love you anymore."
"...Did you expect me to bat an eye at such a claim?"
"Does this seem like a joke to you?"
"Come to your senses. There is no precedent in history of a betrothal between noble houses being annulled in such a manner."
Whether by coincidence or not, the very lines I had spoken in my previous run to forcefully pursue my engagement with Isabel now came out of her mouth verbatim.
I let out a sigh of "huuh" before taking a sip of my black tea.
Then I calmly declared, "Then I suppose we shall be the first."
I will absolutely break off this engagement.
For my sake, and for Isabel's as well; this tangled knot that has become too twisted needs to be cut from the start before it grows any larger.
"I'd rather spare myself such embarrassment."
Isabel eyed me with a wary gaze.
Well, this was an impossibility for the usual Kyle Winfred.
But I was just as disconcerted by her changed demeanor towards me.
Hiding my bemused expression, I looked back at her.
"What seems to be the issue?"
"................"
"You used to sing songs about breaking off our engagement? And now you wish to refuse? Could it be you're tempted by the Winfred family's wealth after all?"
Her face hardened, as if her pride had been greatly hurt.
But it was only momentary. She once again smiled leisurely as she brushed her golden locks behind her ear.
"Kyle Winfred."
She let out a mocking laugh, as if she had finally figured it out.
"This is just your usual antics, isn't it?"
"................."
"I may not know what new trick you're attempting, but it would be best to drop this charade soon. Not only will your obstinacy fail to derail our engagement, but I certainly won't think any differently of you."
What was she going on about now? Did she think I'm just trying to get her attention with this act?
There's no way Kyle Winfred wouldn't love me — that was the sincere conviction in her unflinching gaze.
And of course, I understand why.
Kyle Winfred loved Isabel passionately.
Among the myriad routes, he had never even flirted with another woman besides her - a veritable paragon of pure love.
By this point, I was genuinely curious as to why she was making such a fuss.
I asked her, seemingly nonchalant, "It's not like you have feelings for me."
"Wh-what...?!" Her face turned almost as red as a beetroot as she stumbled over her words. "Please refrain from speaking nonsense without considering the situation. It's unpleasant!"
"Then why is your face all flushed?"
"Th-that's none of your concern."
"Or is it?"
"How insolent...!"
An incredulous laugh escaped my lips; that she would display such a range of reactions before Kyle Winfred.
It was something I could have never even imagined.
"I said let's call off the engagement."
"No."
"But you don't like me, do you?"
"Who said that? That I dislike you?"
Who indeed said that? Those were the very words you lived by to shake off Kyle.
"............"
What are Isabel's true intentions? No, putting intentions aside, is she really the same Isabel I've known for decades? It was utterly baffling.
Every conversation with her was akin to a tug-of-war concealing hidden motives.
Then could it be...
✦ Penalty
: ☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐
'The penalty, perhaps?'
Yes, this penalty that has been entirely censored could very well be connected to this somehow.
Or it may simply be Isabel's capricious whim.
Now that I've brought up annulling engagement, her bruised ego may be prompting this childish pique out of spite.
'Though I need Isabel's cooperation...'
Calling off the engagement requires agreement from both houses.
So rather than trying to persuade the two houses alone, I thought it would be more efficient for me to persuade her.
Which was why I proposed annulling the engagement to Isabel...
'But it may be faster to just force it myself.'
Belzer Winfred.
The Patriarch of this House and Kyle Winfred's father.
Rather than wasting time arguing with Isabel, it would likely be quicker to persuade him instead.
Though as this was a unilateral annulment of the engagement, I would have to pay a hefty compensation fee to Isabel's family. But that was simply a matter of offering equal recompense to Belzer Winfred.
The scales tipped swiftly.
"...This is just a waste of time."
With a tsk, I rose from my seat; there was no point wasting any more time here.
As I turned to leave,
"Stop," Isabel's firm voice filled the air, "Stop, Kyle."
I found myself halting unconsciously.
"I have not the slightest intention of annulling this engagement."
As expected.
In the end, she obstructs my path.
"Do you remember?"
Isabel's left hand rested on the side table; the ring on her fourth finger glinted in the sunlight.
The engagement ring Kyle Winfred had gifted her.
"You were the one who proposed this engagement. You forced love upon me. It was all you."
Her voice trembled faintly.
I wondered how Kyle would have responded in this situation.
But the answer came swiftly.
"Indeed, I did."
That this woman, who once loathed Kyle so, now speaks of love.
It was laughable.
"............"
Soon, Isabel's gaze began searching for something.
"You..."
And I read that gaze.
She was looking at my left hand.
"Ah, this."
The engagement ring she had given me.
The ring that should be on the fourth finger of this body's left hand was nowhere to be seen.
I stated dismissively, "I got rid of it."
"..............."
With that, I turned my back on her.
Though I could faintly hear Isabel's voice calling after me, I paid it no mind.
Not a single drop of the tea she had prepared passed my lips.
Dying from poison was quite agonizing, after all.
"Young master."
As I opened the door to leave, the waiting butler approached me; he looked quite perturbed, likely from eavesdropping on the conversation.
"Where is my father currently?"
"You mean the Duke? He has been in his study attending to work since morning."
"Take me to him."
"...Pardon?"
"Guide me to where my father is. I have something to discuss with him."
The butler's eyes widened, as if asking if I had lost my mind.
To find the Sacred Artifacts, I must leave the Northern Territories and head for the Imperial Capital; that's because the few official settings in the game all point to the Imperial Capital as the location of the Sacred Artifacts.
There was no other choice.
I will persuade the Duke, cleanly annul this engagement, and then depart for the imperial capital.
There I will find the Sacred Artifacts, and return to my original world.
But a problem arose.
"Y-Young master."
The butler hurried over from the study.
"The Duke has... refused to receive you."
"What did he say?"
The butler's adam's apple bobbed up and down; then, as if the words were being wrung from him, he continued, "That is... he ordered me to kick you out immediately..."
Fucking hell.
Nothing is ever easy, is it?
* * * * *
The Duke's stance was unequivocal.
No matter how persistently I requested an audience, the Duke refused my plea without the slightest concession, citing he had no time to spare for a bastard - nay, a disgrace to this family.
Of course, the quick-witted servants of the mansion would have noticed this atmosphere and before long, gossip began circulating about the Duke's treatment of me.
"What bullshit."
There was no doubt about it.
The Duke must have heard that I had proposed to Isabel to break off the engagement.
"Through the butler? Or did Yustia make a move already?"
I didn't know how they found out, but it had made the situation much worse.
At the very least, if I had a chance for an audience, I could have attempted some bargaining.
With time, the situation only became more disadvantageous.
The engagement date had been set, and once that ceremony was conducted, terminating the engagement would be impossible.
Knock! Knock!
It was then that a familiar knock sounded.
"Young master."
Sure enough, when the door opened, the old butler duly recited the Duke's reply to me once more.
"It is that... the Duke has ordered..."
"Don't tell me, not again today?"
"Yes, should you linger before his study, he commanded to drive you by force if necessary..."
SNAP—
I felt something inside me snap.
"This madman..."
My patience was wearing thin.
The engagement date was approaching, and I needed to get this settled as soon as possible.
"Wait just a moment."
I stopped the butler as he was turning to leave.
"I didn't want to resort to such measures, but..."
Opening the desk drawer, I took out a crisp sheet of paper and a quill pen.
Then, taking up the pen, I scribbled something onto the paper.
The butler blinked his eyes, observing my actions closely.
After a while, I wore a satisfied expression as I slid the paper into an envelope and sealed it.
With a perplexed look, the butler accepted the letter I handed him.
"Young master?"
He gave me a questioning gaze, seeking an explanation.
I smirked and waved my hand dismissively, "Just deliver it as is."
The butler alternated glances between me and the letter for a while before leaving with the envelope in hand.
No doubt the Duke's reaction will come soon after.
And quite a vehement one at that.
"Haaaah."
As I let out a long yawn,
Sure enough, the pale-faced butler soon came rushing back in a panic.
"Y-Young master."
After catching his breath, he relayed his message to me.
"The Duke has read your letter."
"And?" I asked cautiously, and the butler continued, "He demands you be brought before him at once."
It was a success.
At this rate, an audience with the Duke was all but assured.
However...
"...But upon reading the note, he flew into quite a rage. He seemed ready to draw his sword at any moment."
It seems I struck a nerve as intended.
Unsurprising, given the situation I've engineered corresponds to one of the routes in the game where Kyle Winfred meets his demise.
No matter.
This was all intended, and I've made meticulous preparations for a countermeasure.
"This way."
Following the butler, I headed for the study.
Guards trailed behind, blocking the few remaining escape routes should I attempt to flee.
Creeak—
As I opened the door and entered,
"......!"
A chilling gust sliced across my skin.
The thick killing intent made it difficult to even breathe.
Turning my head, I saw a dignified man leaning against the wall, sword unsheathed with a menacing gleam.
"Kyle Winfred."
The Duke spat out the words through gritted teeth.
"You had best offer a thorough explanation. If you value that worthless life of yours."
It seems he was quite angered.
Arthas April 07, 2024 No comments
Don't forget to rate and review the novel on Novelupdates
"I simply cannot fathom the reason behind this," Isabel's cold voice pierced my ears.
I could only blankly blink my eyes in response.
"And what might that reason be?"
Isabel's blue eyes cooled with a sharp gaze, as if ready to confront me right then if the reason proved unsatisfactory.
"I told you, didn't I? I don't love you anymore."
"...Did you expect me to bat an eye at such a claim?"
"Does this seem like a joke to you?"
"Come to your senses. There is no precedent in history of a betrothal between noble houses being annulled in such a manner."
Whether by coincidence or not, the very lines I had spoken in my previous run to forcefully pursue my engagement with Isabel now came out of her mouth verbatim.
I let out a sigh of "huuh" before taking a sip of my black tea.
Then I calmly declared, "Then I suppose we shall be the first."
I will absolutely break off this engagement.
For my sake, and for Isabel's as well; this tangled knot that has become too twisted needs to be cut from the start before it grows any larger.
"I'd rather spare myself such embarrassment."
Isabel eyed me with a wary gaze.
Well, this was an impossibility for the usual Kyle Winfred.
But I was just as disconcerted by her changed demeanor towards me.
Hiding my bemused expression, I looked back at her.
"What seems to be the issue?"
"................"
"You used to sing songs about breaking off our engagement? And now you wish to refuse? Could it be you're tempted by the Winfred family's wealth after all?"
Her face hardened, as if her pride had been greatly hurt.
But it was only momentary. She once again smiled leisurely as she brushed her golden locks behind her ear.
"Kyle Winfred."
She let out a mocking laugh, as if she had finally figured it out.
"This is just your usual antics, isn't it?"
"................."
"I may not know what new trick you're attempting, but it would be best to drop this charade soon. Not only will your obstinacy fail to derail our engagement, but I certainly won't think any differently of you."
What was she going on about now? Did she think I'm just trying to get her attention with this act?
There's no way Kyle Winfred wouldn't love me — that was the sincere conviction in her unflinching gaze.
And of course, I understand why.
Kyle Winfred loved Isabel passionately.
Among the myriad routes, he had never even flirted with another woman besides her - a veritable paragon of pure love.
By this point, I was genuinely curious as to why she was making such a fuss.
I asked her, seemingly nonchalant, "It's not like you have feelings for me."
"Wh-what...?!" Her face turned almost as red as a beetroot as she stumbled over her words. "Please refrain from speaking nonsense without considering the situation. It's unpleasant!"
"Then why is your face all flushed?"
"Th-that's none of your concern."
"Or is it?"
"How insolent...!"
An incredulous laugh escaped my lips; that she would display such a range of reactions before Kyle Winfred.
It was something I could have never even imagined.
"I said let's call off the engagement."
"No."
"But you don't like me, do you?"
"Who said that? That I dislike you?"
Who indeed said that? Those were the very words you lived by to shake off Kyle.
"............"
What are Isabel's true intentions? No, putting intentions aside, is she really the same Isabel I've known for decades? It was utterly baffling.
Every conversation with her was akin to a tug-of-war concealing hidden motives.
Then could it be...
✦ Penalty
: ☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐
'The penalty, perhaps?'
Yes, this penalty that has been entirely censored could very well be connected to this somehow.
Or it may simply be Isabel's capricious whim.
Now that I've brought up annulling engagement, her bruised ego may be prompting this childish pique out of spite.
'Though I need Isabel's cooperation...'
Calling off the engagement requires agreement from both houses.
So rather than trying to persuade the two houses alone, I thought it would be more efficient for me to persuade her.
Which was why I proposed annulling the engagement to Isabel...
'But it may be faster to just force it myself.'
Belzer Winfred.
The Patriarch of this House and Kyle Winfred's father.
Rather than wasting time arguing with Isabel, it would likely be quicker to persuade him instead.
Though as this was a unilateral annulment of the engagement, I would have to pay a hefty compensation fee to Isabel's family. But that was simply a matter of offering equal recompense to Belzer Winfred.
The scales tipped swiftly.
"...This is just a waste of time."
With a tsk, I rose from my seat; there was no point wasting any more time here.
As I turned to leave,
"Stop," Isabel's firm voice filled the air, "Stop, Kyle."
I found myself halting unconsciously.
"I have not the slightest intention of annulling this engagement."
As expected.
In the end, she obstructs my path.
"Do you remember?"
Isabel's left hand rested on the side table; the ring on her fourth finger glinted in the sunlight.
The engagement ring Kyle Winfred had gifted her.
"You were the one who proposed this engagement. You forced love upon me. It was all you."
Her voice trembled faintly.
I wondered how Kyle would have responded in this situation.
But the answer came swiftly.
"Indeed, I did."
That this woman, who once loathed Kyle so, now speaks of love.
It was laughable.
"............"
Soon, Isabel's gaze began searching for something.
"You..."
And I read that gaze.
She was looking at my left hand.
"Ah, this."
The engagement ring she had given me.
The ring that should be on the fourth finger of this body's left hand was nowhere to be seen.
I stated dismissively, "I got rid of it."
"..............."
With that, I turned my back on her.
Though I could faintly hear Isabel's voice calling after me, I paid it no mind.
Not a single drop of the tea she had prepared passed my lips.
Dying from poison was quite agonizing, after all.
"Young master."
As I opened the door to leave, the waiting butler approached me; he looked quite perturbed, likely from eavesdropping on the conversation.
"Where is my father currently?"
"You mean the Duke? He has been in his study attending to work since morning."
"Take me to him."
"...Pardon?"
"Guide me to where my father is. I have something to discuss with him."
The butler's eyes widened, as if asking if I had lost my mind.
To find the Sacred Artifacts, I must leave the Northern Territories and head for the Imperial Capital; that's because the few official settings in the game all point to the Imperial Capital as the location of the Sacred Artifacts.
There was no other choice.
I will persuade the Duke, cleanly annul this engagement, and then depart for the imperial capital.
There I will find the Sacred Artifacts, and return to my original world.
But a problem arose.
"Y-Young master."
The butler hurried over from the study.
"The Duke has... refused to receive you."
"What did he say?"
The butler's adam's apple bobbed up and down; then, as if the words were being wrung from him, he continued, "That is... he ordered me to kick you out immediately..."
Fucking hell.
Nothing is ever easy, is it?
* * * * *
The Duke's stance was unequivocal.
No matter how persistently I requested an audience, the Duke refused my plea without the slightest concession, citing he had no time to spare for a bastard - nay, a disgrace to this family.
Of course, the quick-witted servants of the mansion would have noticed this atmosphere and before long, gossip began circulating about the Duke's treatment of me.
"What bullshit."
There was no doubt about it.
The Duke must have heard that I had proposed to Isabel to break off the engagement.
"Through the butler? Or did Yustia make a move already?"
I didn't know how they found out, but it had made the situation much worse.
At the very least, if I had a chance for an audience, I could have attempted some bargaining.
With time, the situation only became more disadvantageous.
The engagement date had been set, and once that ceremony was conducted, terminating the engagement would be impossible.
Knock! Knock!
It was then that a familiar knock sounded.
"Young master."
Sure enough, when the door opened, the old butler duly recited the Duke's reply to me once more.
"It is that... the Duke has ordered..."
"Don't tell me, not again today?"
"Yes, should you linger before his study, he commanded to drive you by force if necessary..."
SNAP—
I felt something inside me snap.
"This madman..."
My patience was wearing thin.
The engagement date was approaching, and I needed to get this settled as soon as possible.
"Wait just a moment."
I stopped the butler as he was turning to leave.
"I didn't want to resort to such measures, but..."
Opening the desk drawer, I took out a crisp sheet of paper and a quill pen.
Then, taking up the pen, I scribbled something onto the paper.
The butler blinked his eyes, observing my actions closely.
After a while, I wore a satisfied expression as I slid the paper into an envelope and sealed it.
With a perplexed look, the butler accepted the letter I handed him.
"Young master?"
He gave me a questioning gaze, seeking an explanation.
I smirked and waved my hand dismissively, "Just deliver it as is."
The butler alternated glances between me and the letter for a while before leaving with the envelope in hand.
No doubt the Duke's reaction will come soon after.
And quite a vehement one at that.
"Haaaah."
As I let out a long yawn,
Sure enough, the pale-faced butler soon came rushing back in a panic.
"Y-Young master."
After catching his breath, he relayed his message to me.
"The Duke has read your letter."
"And?" I asked cautiously, and the butler continued, "He demands you be brought before him at once."
It was a success.
At this rate, an audience with the Duke was all but assured.
However...
"...But upon reading the note, he flew into quite a rage. He seemed ready to draw his sword at any moment."
It seems I struck a nerve as intended.
Unsurprising, given the situation I've engineered corresponds to one of the routes in the game where Kyle Winfred meets his demise.
No matter.
This was all intended, and I've made meticulous preparations for a countermeasure.
"This way."
Following the butler, I headed for the study.
Guards trailed behind, blocking the few remaining escape routes should I attempt to flee.
Creeak—
As I opened the door and entered,
"......!"
A chilling gust sliced across my skin.
The thick killing intent made it difficult to even breathe.
Turning my head, I saw a dignified man leaning against the wall, sword unsheathed with a menacing gleam.
"Kyle Winfred."
The Duke spat out the words through gritted teeth.
"You had best offer a thorough explanation. If you value that worthless life of yours."
It seems he was quite angered.
