𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟕: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

Well, since I am employed by the Duke Marcus family, it is only natural that I protect my older brother, who is the head of the family.

We both stare at each other, wearing the same expression of “What is this person talking about?”

“But, from now on, you will serve Onii-sama, right? I am no longer in a position to employ Cid. I will just be Viara, a fallen girl.”

“A fallen girl doesn’t have that much money.”

“Oh, right.”

Indeed, that’s true. In my bag, there are coins that can buy a house, although it’s only half the amount Onii-sama intended to give me.

“Are you suggesting that I employ Cid with this money?”

If that’s the case, then maybe it’s a good idea. . .

Wait, will he come with me?

However, he smiled wryly.

“I don’t intend to take money from Miss.”

“Then what do you mean?”

He put his hand on his chin and thought seriously, then his hands gently rested on my shoulders and firmly grasped them.

“Vi-sama, I have realized something amazing.”

“What? What is it?”

The sky gradually darkens. It’s almost time to depart.

When I look up at Cid’s face, he is staring at me with a mixture of joy and confusion.

“If you’re just a fallen girl, then I might have a chance too, right!?”

“Huh?

What’s that supposed to mean!?

“I’ve decided! I’ll marry you, Miss!”

“Wait a minute!”

Despite my flustered state, Cid approached me forcefully, slid his hand under my knees, and held me in a sideways embrace.

“Kyaaa!”

I let out an unrefined scream, but Cid kicks the ground and boards the carriage.

Then he immediately signals the coachman to depart.

“Yes! Let’s go! Take off right away!”

“Yes, sir! Aniki, I will take you anywhere!”

Why ? Even though Cid is clearly younger, why is he being called Aniki by an old man?

I was seated on the cushion of the carriage, staring blankly at the coachman’s seat.

Huh.

What did Cid say???

From “There might be a chance” to declaring “I’ll marry you”?

Huh, what does that mean?

Did Cid just confess to me???

Wait, but he didn’t say he loves me, right?

Question marks started floating above my head one after another.

My heart was pounding, and I was having trouble breathing.

Cid leaned out of the coachman’s seat, looking happy and shouting, “Let’s go, let’s go!”

“Wait.”

“Yes, what is it, Miss?”

What do you mean, “What is it?” You’re the one causing confusion here.

And if it was a proposal, couldn’t it have been a bit more romantic and heart-fluttering?

“Cid!”

“Yes?”

Cid finally turns around and kneels in front of me. Sitting on the carriage bed, blushing with embarrassment, I asked him.

“Are you serious about coming with me? We don’t even know what kind of life awaits us.”

Is he in his right mind?

Proposing to a woman who is being chased out of the country.

But he casually says, 

“Yes, of course.”

“Do you understand? We’re seeking asylum in Fumble, you know?”

“Oh, no. We’re changing our destination to Nice.”

“What?!”

When did that happen? You mean we’re changing the ship we’re boarding?

“I already told Onii-sama that we’re going to Fumble!”

“It’s okay. I’ll tell him later.”

Cid pointed to the coachman and laughed.

Isn’t this considered kidnapping from Onii-sama’s perspective?

Oh, but technically, it would be treated as running away from home, right?

Wait! Could it be!

“Does this count as eloping. . .?”

It feels like a romance novel!

I can’t help but blush a little.

“Huh? No, it’s not. At least for now, no one has tried to stop us, so it’s not eloping.”

Huh? Is that so?

As I’m puzzled, Cid rummages inside his robe and takes out a note. It’s written in Onii-sama’s familiar handwriting, saying:

[Take care of my little sister!]

This must be a request to act as my bodyguard, right? It can’t mean anything else.

As I hold the note and looked at Cid, he smiled mischievously.

“I interpreted [take care of’ as ‘forever and ever.] In other words, it means permission to marry!”

“You’re taking it too far!”

Onii-sama didn’t say anything about getting married, and he didn’t even think about it, right?!

Looking at me, who was flustered and confused, Cid had a big smile on his face.

“I meant it when I said I want to marry you. . .?”

“Huh, really?”

He said it so easily! Even though it’s such an important thing, 

I never imagined we’d both have feelings for each other.

My lips tremble, and heat rushed to my face.

“Miss.”

However, Cid suddenly extends his right hand in front of me and stops me. 

In the swaying carriage, we gaze at each other.

“Cid. . .?”

“I understand! I know that Miss only sees me as a bodyguard!”

Huh? What is he talking about?

Could it be. . .Could it be. . .

My feelings didn’t get through to him at all?!

Even though I love him?

Even though I’ve been feeding him every day?!

“I will wait until Miss falls in love with me! I will cherish you!”

“Uh?!”

“To ensure that your fiancée doesn’t suspect infidelity, You haven’t had any contact with other men until now, right? So, I understand Miss’s feelings of not knowing about love!”

No, I have no idea how it turned out like this.

I have only had contact with you!

And I love you!

I understand love!

“Eeek!”

Cid, who is getting closer and closer, wraps both of my hands in his own and pleads with me at a distance that seems like he’s about to kiss me.

“From now on, we will always be together! We have plenty of time, so please fall in love with me.”

“Yes. . .!”

Please fall in love with me? What is that?!

“You’re going to give me a hard time, I think, but well, let’s figure it out together!”

“You should at least say [I won’t give you a hard time]!”

“I won’t give you a hard time.”

“You’re too late! It’s too slow!! Fine, I’ll give you a hard time! It’s my fault, so let’s face the hardships together! Oh. . .”

I felt dizzy. I screamed too much. . .!

Even though I’m not a weak-willed young lady who would faint from such things, the truth is that I used too much magic when I punched the prince.

I felt lightheaded. I couldn’t take it anymore.

“Miss?”

“Sorry, I’m going to sleep for a bit.”

Before I finished speaking, I collapsed and Cid caught me in his arms. By the time we reached the harbor, I should have recovered enough to be able to say “I love you” to Cid.

“Miss, please rest.”

His voice was gentle.

Wrapped in his warm arms, I closed my eyes.

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