BGFV Chapter 103

Chapter 103

“Well, if you think about it, aren’t you the same?”

She is not the only one who can find love. There is always a chance that Luciard will be attracted to someone right away, too.

“I’m fine.”

“Then I’m fine too.”

Seeing Luciard’s frustrated expression, Hestia spoke again.

“I’m really okay with it. If I couldn’t handle it, I wouldn’t have said it in the first place.”

It might have been said in the heat of the moment, but she had calculated everything before speaking.

Besides, didn’t everyone accept their relationship as soon as they mentioned the engagement?

“And if you think about it positively, it helps keep weird people away. You felt it too at the festival today, didn’t you? Even though we attended together as partners, people still swarmed around us.”

Recalling the crowd of people, Luciard shuddered.

“Some may have approached casually, but others clearly wanted to use us to get closer to Winston. If people believe we’re engaged, wouldn’t that stop them from trying any tricks?”

“That’s true…”

Luciard finally started to see the benefits of their fake engagement.

“We’ll stop unnecessary approaches, avoid misunderstandings, and still act freely. It’s a win-win-win situation.”

Seeing Hestia’s bright smile, Luciard let out a deep sigh.

“Well, what’s done is done.”

“Exactly. Let’s think positively.”

“But there’s still one problem.”

“What is it?”

“How are you going to explain this to the Baron?”

Hestia’s smiling face froze.

“The baron will understand if we explain…”

Luciard hesitated mid-sentence.

Derrick had strictly warned him to keep the ‘wolves’ away at the party.

But if Derrick found out that the ‘wolf’ was actually Luciard himself, he’d surely be furious.

Luciard decided to set Derrick’s reaction aside for now.

“…Anyway, we just need to explain it well. But the real problem is Leon.”

He remembered it vividly.

His nephew had been pushing for them to fall in love and get engaged.

Leonhard had been overjoyed when he mistakenly thought they were engaged.

If he found out it was just a fake engagement to deceive others…

“He’s definitely going to cry.”

“I’m more worried that he might accidentally tell others the truth…”

Their whole plan would be ruined if Leonhard started spreading the news that their engagement was fake.

“Sir, My Lady, we’ve arrived.”

“Eek!”

Before they could even finish their conversation, the carriage reached the townhouse.

Who would have thought being close to the palace could be a disadvantage?

Both Luciard and Hestia got off the carriage, sweating nervously.

Inside, the townhouse butler greeted them.

“Welcome home, Sir, Lady Frost.”

Seeing no one else around, they looked around the house.

“Where is everyone?”

“The baron and his wife, the children, and the young master have all retired for the night. Your guests arrived a little while ago.”

Their tense expressions immediately relaxed.

“Of course! They wouldn’t still be awake at this hour!”

“It’s already 11 o’clock! Right?”

Staying late at the party discussing the refugee issue turned out to be a lucky break.

“For now…”

“…Let’s deal with it later.”

They planned to head south immediately after the festival’s closing ceremony tomorrow.

They would have to explain eventually, but at least they had a brief break period.

Feeling slightly relieved, the two climbed the stairs with carefree expressions.

As Hestia hummed and headed to her room, she noticed Luciard turning in another direction.

“Where are you going?”

“I’m just going to check on my team. They got back recently, so I figured I’d chat with them a bit. I haven’t had time to properly check on them lately.”

Realizing he was going to see the Blaze Mercenaries, Hestia nodded. Then, reflexively, she yawned.

“Haaam, it’s late, so don’t stay up too long.”

“Yeah, goodnight.”

Hestia entered her room, removed her makeup, changed into her nightwear, and lay down on the bed.

“Ugh, I’m exhausted.”

All she did was attend one party, yet so much had happened.

Gabriel showed interest in her. She danced with the emperor. She got involved in politics.

‘But at least I got to see Count Kenneth again.’

She had been watching him ever since she got back, and she respected him.

He was a natural politician, making it difficult to build any real connections. But who knew their paths would cross this way?

Overall, the day had more gains than losses.

In that sense, even the engagement…

As she thought about it, she suddenly froze.

The images of Luciard filled her mind.

His face when they accidentally got too close in the carriage.

His sulking expression when she told him to dance with someone else.

His soft smile.

His voice when he said, “Goodnight.”

Blinking, Hestia suddenly pulled the blanket over her head.

“…What’s wrong with me?”

She couldn’t fall asleep.

---

Birds chirped outside, and morning sunlight peeked through the curtains.

“Ugh… so tired.”

Completely drained from the three-day festival, Hestia buried her face back into the blanket.

Just as she was about to fall back asleep—

“Wahaha!”

Children’s laughter echoed from downstairs.

Giving up, she washed up quickly, threw on a shawl, and headed to the dining room.

“Good morning, sis.”

“Good morning, Lady Hestia.”

“Hestia, come sit here.”

“Hestia! The pancakes are amazing!”

As soon as she stepped in, her family, Leonhard, and the mercenaries welcomed her warmly.

The children were busy chatting excitedly.

Derrick and Anna were deeply engaged in a business discussion.

The Blaze Mercenaries…

“Are you guys okay?”

“Ah, Lady Hestia…”

“We’re fine… Ugh.”

“My stomach feels terrible.”

Except for Lavio, the rest of the team looked completely drained.

“We had a few drinks in the festival’s bustling streets and continued to drink after we returned. Because of this, everyone is like this.”

“You’re fine, Lavio?”

“Yes, I drink in moderation. You never know when something might happen.”

“That’s just because you have high alcohol tolerance!”

“You drank more than us!”

“We shouldn’t have let the boss drink with us last night.”

Lavio was getting playful complaints from his teammates.

Hestia, laughing awkwardly, caught something in their words.

“So… Luciard drank with you guys?”

“Yes, he came not long after us. You were at the party together, right? How was it?”

“It was okay. Not exactly fun. I was too tired to even talk to him afterward.”

“Understandable. But it’s a shame. The boss looked really good yesterday.”

“Yeah, he said Lady Hestia was the most beautiful woman there.”

Agreeing, Brina and Neville chimed in.

As Hestia nodded absentmindedly, something felt off.

“Who… said that?”

“Of course, the boss did.”

The images of Luciard’s face filled her mind again.

‘What exactly did he say…?’

She knew it wasn’t anything strange, but for some reason, she felt weird.

Before she realized it, the corners of her lips twitched.

“Oh? The boss is here.”

Luciard entered, looking utterly exhausted.

“Ugh… so tired.”

“Are you okay?”

“My stomach feels awful.”

“Here, have some stew. It’s perfect for a hangover.”

While eating, he suddenly felt someone staring at him.

“What? Do you have something to say?”

“N-No, nothing…”

As Hestia quickly turned away, Luciard tilted his head in confusion.

As everyone enjoyed their peaceful breakfast—

“The newspaper…”

Derrick finished his meal and picked up the newspaper. As he sipped his coffee—

“Pffft!”

He suddenly spat it out.

Everyone jumped in surprise and turned to look at him. Elvin, who was sitting next to him, patted his back.

“Dad, are you okay?”

“Honey, what’s wrong all of a sudden?”

Instead of answering, Derrick’s hands, still holding the newspaper, trembled. Then, he abruptly stood up and glared at Hestia and Luciard.

At first, they had no idea what was going on. But then, as they realized something, their faces turned pale.

“An engagement?! What on earth is this about?!”

The newspaper in Derrick’s hands had an article announcing Luciard and Hestia’s engagement.

---

At the same time

Lasie let out a mocking laugh and tossed the newspaper onto the table.

“An engagement? Just a few days ago, they were headed in completely different directions.”

She glanced at Gabriel, who was sitting beside her.

“I’m just as shocked. When I spoke briefly with Lady Frost yesterday, I never would have guessed…”

Who would have thought they weren’t just lovers but actually engaged?

“On top of that, I heard they’ve teamed up with Count Oklin to solve the refugee issue.”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Tsk. Useless. As expected, Winston doesn’t suit our side.”

“Are you not planning to recruit him?”

“If we make a move too soon, we’ll only reveal our own hand. It’s better not to do anything at all.”

“But, Mother, if you think about it carefully, he might still be useful—”

“Gabriel.”

Lasie’s cold voice made Gabriel stop talking immediately.

“Something feels off since this morning.”

“First, I had to find out about this engagement from the newspaper instead of from you. And now, you’re talking back to me more than usual.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“Is it because of Lady Frost?”

Gabriel flinched.

“I heard from Chloe last night. Apparently, you were the one who asked her to dance first?”

Gabriel clenched his fist for a moment, then smiled slightly.

“You need to get to know your opponent if you want to understand them.”

“That’s not entirely wrong. But Chloe said the way you looked at Lady Frost was… unusual.”

“I don’t think Chloe is in any position to talk. She couldn’t take her eyes off that illegitimate child, either.”

Lasie stared at him silently, and Gabriel stopped mocking Chloe.

“Yes, I admit it. I’m interested.”

“Oh?”

“Not only is she beautiful, but she also has an intellectual charm that you don’t find in most women. Her stance on the refugee issue may be different from ours, but think about it—how many noble ladies even understand the problem in the first place?”

“…Not many, that’s true.”

“I won’t make any reckless moves. But if there’s a chance, I’d like to bring her to our side.”

Gabriel’s eyes gleamed with desire.

Lasie had never seen her son show this much interest in a woman before.

Whether it was just amusement or something deeper, she couldn’t tell yet.

“Do as you please. But if you mess up my plans, I will never forgive you.”

“Of course, Mother.”

Gabriel’s lips curled into a bright, confident smile.