65.

Startled, I instinctively turned towards the balcony where the sounds were coming from. I had checked earlier that no one was on this floor, so the noises were likely coming from upstairs.

Whoever these lunatics were, they were out on the balcony in the winter, causing a scandalous scene.

‘Are they so blinded by lust that they don’t care if they freeze to death? Doing this in a lounge is unacceptable. They should go to an inn!’

Desperately, I turned back to Norma. Our eyes met again, both of us unsure of what to say.

Should I explain? Yes, the lounge at the masquerade was indeed a place where such activities took place, but not to this extreme. And I certainly didn’t bring him here for such intentions…

“This is— well, um.”

I stammered, not knowing how to start, when suddenly, Norma reached out with both hands toward my face. He bent down to my height, closing the distance instantly.

His large hands covered my ears.

“…What are you doing?”

I muttered unconsciously, staring into his golden eyes from just inches away. His actions, reminiscent of a naive boy, left me bewildered.

It seemed Norma was trying to block out the embarrassing sounds since he couldn’t stop them. His face steadily turned red.

“Y-you seemed startled.”

“You seem more startled than I am.”

At my words, Norma’s face blushed furiously. He looked down at the floor, his head hanging low.

Though I was momentarily flustered by the moaning, his reaction made me want to laugh. I bit down on my molars to hold it in.

‘He doesn’t seem like someone who’s trying to swindle me or has any ill intentions.’

Norma Diazi often appeared surprisingly innocent for his age. My fierce suspicion quickly faded, replaced by a mischievous urge to tease him.

“…Why did you follow me here? This is what masquerades are like. ‘Diazi’ isn’t cut out for these kinds of events.”

He didn’t know it, but I wasn’t either. My heart was still racing from the shock.

Norma lifted his head slightly, his expression pitiful. Teasing him was immensely entertaining. It made me think back to how he had troubled me in Katam.

He mouthed for me to cover my ears for a moment. His hands weren’t effectively blocking the sound, but his earnest attempt was endearing.

When he insisted I keep my ears covered like a mother chiding a mischievous child, I couldn’t hold back my laughter.

Norma quickly closed the balcony doors and returned to me, crouching down to meet my eyes. I was still laughing, nearly to the point of tears.

“You might not know much about masquerades since you wouldn’t typically attend one, but you do understand what those sounds mean, right?”

“…Yes.”

Despite everything, he knew enough, as his face reddened again. I decided to stop teasing him before his face exploded.

“Especially at masquerades, the lounge is used for private encounters between men and women. So, if it’s occupied, you’re not supposed to enter.”

He nodded along to my explanation, looking like an obedient puppy despite his towering height and handsome features.

“I momentarily lost my mind and put you in an awkward position.”

“…”

“It seems you have something to discuss with me, but it’s late… and this is certainly the wrong place. Luckily, no one saw us, so let’s hurry and leave.”

As I started to rise, Norma spoke urgently.

“No, Lady Aisa.”

“Yes? Then why did you come here if you have no business with me?”

“I am not innocent.”

He declared this in a trembling voice, as if making a confession. I hadn’t expected him to deny his innocence. It felt like I was getting entangled in his emotions again.

“You seem quite innocent to me…”

“I know what this place is for. I came here to see you, fully aware of that.”

Norma Diazi sometimes spoke in the most peculiar way.

His statements, which could easily be misunderstood, were delivered with such sincerity. His habit of blushing at his own bold words remained unchanged.

“So, it must be a very urgent matter then.”

I managed to steer the conversation back on track.

“I didn’t plan to discuss it today. I only wanted to see you… But now, I want to speak.”

Norma’s poignant reply made my attempt to salvage the situation futile.

He hadn’t planned to say this here and now. He wanted a better setting. But his instincts told him that now was the time.

I had no way of knowing this, and my forehead creased with an unsettling sense of anticipation. Norma, who had been crouching beside me, took one knee, reaching out a hand like a scene from a chivalric romance.

“Lady Aisa, may I propose something to you?”

The mention of a ‘proposal’ triggered the same irritation as before. Ignoring the surge of annoyance, I stood up slowly.

“You say I am your benefactor, but you are also my benefactor.”

I continued, looking down at him with a dry expression.

“I can’t refuse to hear my benefactor out. Go ahead.”

“Lady Aisa, you are looking for a new fiancé, are you not?”

“What?”

“After you annul your engagement with Lord Morfolk through the temple trial, you will need a new fiancé.”

Of course, I needed a new fiancé. Adorable Archie had made a big fuss about my happiness, but that was a separate matter.

However, the unexpected topic caught me off guard. The memory of him noticing the scattered portraits of young nobles on the table when he visited the drawing room flashed through my mind.

Damn it.

“…What, are you here to play matchmaker?”

“Not at all.”

Norma felt a moment of dizziness but managed to maintain his ‘charming Norma Diazi smile.’ He had barely navigated the conversation without realizing the atmosphere had shifted.

‘She really does only like my face. It’s clear she never considered I could be her partner.’

Although he was aware, Norma felt a wave of sadness. But he was a seasoned man. Having started the conversation, he had to persuade her here and now.

“You intend to marry to adopt Lord Archie, correct? I can be a better father to him than anyone else.”

His gentle voice was clear, but his words were hard to process.

A father to Archie? If I heard him correctly, he was suggesting…

“Do you realize what you’re saying?”

“Yes, Lady Aisa.”

“I really dislike jokes like this.”

“There are few in McFoy who can handle divine power. I can be a good friend, teacher, and father to Lord Archie.”

Despite my warning, Norma answered without a flicker of doubt.

“I have experience taking care of children that age.”

I knew he had practically raised his much younger brother, Nicholas Diazi. But his sudden self-promotion was disorienting.

“If Norma Diazi becomes the fiancé of the McFoy family, no one would dare say that McFoy lacks divine favor.”

That’s true. He was the eldest son of the beloved Diazi family and a holy knight.

“Is there anyone more suitable than me?”

Could there be? No, that’s not the point. I almost nodded in agreement, swayed by his logic.

“You are seriously mistaken if you think I’m looking for someone to do nothing.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to choose someone ambitious about looking after Lord Archie and managing the household over someone who does nothing?”

Norma’s eyes sparkled. I hadn’t realized he had such a passion for childcare and household management.

Was he serious? Did he fall in love with the McFoy estate during his last visit? Did he like Archie that much? Enough to want to become family?

But even so. Considering marriage with me? Norma Diazi must be out of his mind.

In the empire, Norma Diazi was once the top and still a highly desirable suitor.

Despite the aftermath of the curse, his appearance, personality, and abilities remained intact, and he now had the title of the ‘miracle man.’

What about me? If I were a man, it would be different. But in the marriage market, my standing was poor from the past to the present.

First, no high-ranking noble wanted the position of fiancé to the McFoy family, so I had to lower my standards. Besides, I ran a business, was an old maid, and had a bad reputation. I was well aware of my standing.

Therefore, the handsome man in front of me seemed like a lunatic. I thought the aftermath of the curse must be severe, so I cautiously opened my mouth.

“It’s true that there’s a lot of work in McFoy Castle and that Archie needs a good friend and mentor, but—”

I decided to guide him back to the right path with mercy. Norma Diazi should be grateful for my leniency.

“It seems you are indeed naive. I’m glad you enjoyed your stay at McFoy Castle, which speaks well of my stewardship. But for ‘Norma Diazi,’ there are plenty of good matches available. You understand what I mean.”

“Lady Aisa, you are very kind to me.”

“…”

“But there’s no need to worry. The one who benefits most from this proposal is me.”

“How do you figure that? Anyone can see—”

Only I would benefit. I deliberately didn’t finish the sentence. For some reason, I didn’t want to point out the obvious flaw in this deal—that it clearly disadvantaged him. It might have been a matter of pride.

“This proposal is ultimately about fulfilling my desire to be by your side.”

“That’s why. What benefit would—… Pardon?”

Every word that came out of Norma Diazi’s mouth today was hard to grasp.

“My sole desire is to be by your side.”

He said something incredibly serious in a lighthearted manner.

“So if you accept me as your fiancé, that’s my gain. If it benefits both of us, isn’t that the best marriage?”

He placed his hand over his heart and spoke earnestly. His soft tone made my stomach flutter.

Mutual benefit, very good. Especially if I gain more, it’s perfect…

‘No way.’

If he’s speaking so plainly, even a fool would understand.

This could no longer be a misunderstanding.