I Became the Youngest Sister-in-law of the Ruined Reverse Harem’s Male Leads

#.08

Leopold checked his wristwatch for the fifth time already.

The time he had agreed to meet Regina was 2 PM.

No matter how he thought about it, it was 2 PM, not 2 AM, and it was today—not yesterday or tomorrow.

Yet, Regina had not shown up for three hours now.

“Did she stand me up…?”

Leopold glanced at the bouquet with a gloomy expression.

The flowers looked as though they might wither under the scorching sunlight of Trovancha, much like skin baking under the heat.

“Hah.”

He had been certain that day that there was an undeniable spark between them.

He couldn’t deny the massive feelings that had begun to grow within him.

— Mr. Leopold, do you have a fiancée or a wife?

Even though Leopold wasn’t well-versed in understanding women, he knew enough to realize that a woman wouldn’t ask such a question to a man she wasn’t interested in.

That’s why, despite Marius being present, he had asked her out on a date.

— Then let’s meet again three days from now at 2 PM at the same café.

She had only agreed because her sister Liliana had burst into tears and caused a commotion.

But what if it had all been a misunderstanding, and she had no interest in him whatsoever?

As the thought crossed his mind, a wave of fatigue and immense despair washed over him.

At the same time, he felt that he had waited long enough.

Waiting endlessly for someone who wouldn’t come was no different from burdening the other person.

He slouched his shoulders and returned to the lodging.

“Why are you back so soon? Did she reject you?”

Marius, who had been packing his bags, opened his eyes wide.

He had been the most supportive of his friend and subordinate Leopold’s first love.

“No… I was stood up.”

Not just rejected—completely stood up.

Feeling sorry for his friend, Marius tried to comfort him.

“You only met her once anyway.”

“Whether it’s once or ten times, does it matter? What’s important is how my feelings for her burned intensely.”

Marius studied his friend’s face with a troubled expression.

Leopold, usually reserved and poor at expressing emotions, now looked like a sensitive adolescent boy.

Not knowing how to comfort him, Marius hesitated, trying to choose his words.

Leopold erased the emotions from his face and calmly asked,

“Today’s the day, right?”

“Yes, someone from Trovancha will come soon to guide us.”

Since they had entered Trovancia earlier than planned, the government had advised them to move to a hotel for security reasons.

With the summit approaching, Marius decided to follow their recommendation, and a government representative was expected to arrive soon.

Leopold, who had packed early in the morning to meet Regina, asked while gathering his bags by the door.

“But why is François Cassel already in Trovancha? He was supposed to come here for the oath of souls, but it’s strange for him to arrive this early.”

“They said he has some business to attend to.”

“I’m curious about what that business might be. It’s been bothering me.”

“Who knows? It’s probably something personal. Maybe he’s also taking the chance to research people with abilities while in Trovancha.”

Marius feigned disinterest, pretending to focus on his packing, but Leopold, busy fiddling with the now-useless bouquet, didn’t notice.

“True. Since Trovancha’s entry permits are not easily granted, he might’ve decided to take advantage of the opportunity.”

Just as Leopold reached this conclusion, there was a knock at the door.

It was the Trovancha government representative.

Leopold opened the door while Marius hastily shoved clothes into his bag.

Standing beyond the door was a woman in a tidy pantsuit.

She had long black hair and wore leather boots instead of heels, leaving a cool impression.

“I’m Leopold von Baltrahein. This is—”

“Marius. Nice to meet you.”

Marius, upon recognizing the government official, smiled brightly and extended his hand for a handshake.

The woman’s deep blue eyes briefly rested on his hand before accepting it. She greeted him as they shook hands.

“I’m Alice Berchio, Superintendent of the Coast Guard Department of Trovancha’s Marine Police. I’ll be in charge of your security during your stay in Trovancia.”

Her voice, unlike her cold demeanor, was clear and refreshing, carrying an almost mysterious softness.

Marius’s eyes briefly glimmered with an unidentifiable emotion before returning to normal.

He then spoke in his signature playful tone,

“By any chance, are you Regina’s sister?”

At the unexpected mention of a name from Marius, Alice widened her eyes.

“I just thought I’d ask, and it turns out you’re family. What a small world.”

“Do you know my younger sister?”

“Ah, yes. We met by chance, and I ended up being their guide for a day.”

Marius hesitated briefly, wondering if he should mention that Regina had almost gone on a date with Leopold.

However, he decided it was better not to stir up trouble and kept his mouth shut.

Still, he couldn’t help but glance at Leopold, whose demeanor had slightly stiffened upon hearing the name “Berchio.”

“You’ve got the same eyes. Ah, come in; let’s talk inside. I haven’t finished packing yet.”

Marius forcefully shoved the remaining clothes into his bag.

Alice, looking puzzled, asked,

“I heard the attendants are arriving on the scheduled date separately. Is it inconvenient for you?”

“It is inconvenient, but I like it. When else will I get a chance to live away from prying eyes? It seems the emperor’s position doesn’t suit me anyway.”

Winking playfully, Marius managed to close his bursting bag.

Leopold quietly observed Alice.

The firm muscles evident under her slim physique, the sword resting at her side, her smooth intonation, and upright posture—all caught his attention.

Unlike the Empire, Trovancha was a country without a social hierarchy.

Yet she exuded more nobility than most of the Empire’s aristocracy, with a dignity rarely found in ordinary people.

Leopold, always sensitive to matters of security, asked her,

“Did you come here alone?”

“I’m enough on my own.”

“I wasn’t doubting your abilities. If I offended you, I apologize. I was simply concerned that the maritime police would handle such matters themselves.”

“In Trovancha, which is a small island nation, the maritime police hold more influence than the regular police. Besides, deploying soldiers to escort the two of you wouldn’t have been feasible.”

Alice finished her words while confirming that Marius was ready to leave.

“I’m a direct descendant of the Berchio family.”

The Berchio family is a prestigious political lineage in Trovancha.

Not only have they produced countless politicians, but during times of war, they’ve served at the frontlines regardless of gender.

Of course, given the family’s long history, there are many politicians using the Berchio name, but the weight carried by the direct bloodline is distinct.

In other words, sending a direct descendant capable of guarding the emperor alone was Trovancha’s way of showing sincerity.

“If you’re ready, let’s move.”

They took a carriage to the hotel.

In the silent atmosphere, it wasn’t the tense Leopold or the reserved Alice who broke the ice, but Marius.

“How’s Liliana doing?”

“You know Liliana?”

“Of course. We’re pretty close—didn’t you know?”

“If you mean Liliana, she’s been hospitalized due to a severe fever for a few days now. Regina and another sibling are taking care of her.”

“Oh.”

Leopold let out a soft sigh without realizing it.

He hoped that Regina hadn’t skipped their meeting because she disliked him but because she was busy caring for her sister.

His face quickly brightened.

Marius silently chuckled as he continued the conversation.

“Is she very sick?”

“When I saw her this morning, she seemed fine, but her fever tends to spike again at night, so it’s hard to say. More importantly, did you enjoy your trip to Trovancha?”

“Of course. I’ve heard Trovancha has many beauties, and it turns out to be true. It’s made things quite complicated for me.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ve decided to arrange a political marriage based solely on strategic considerations, but they’re all so beautiful it’s making the choice difficult.”

Although his tone was playful, the underlying message and his gaze were anything but lighthearted.

Alice was slightly surprised by the information Marius revealed but responded calmly without showing it.

“I heard you were preparing a soul oath for the peace treaty. I didn’t expect you’d also be considering a political marriage. That’s unexpected.”

“A soul oath ends if either party dies, but mixing bloodlines ensures the agreement lasts for generations.”

His voice carried a coolness that felt like shade on a hot summer day.

Marius, with a mix of humor and genuine curiosity, asked in an ambiguous tone,

“I came here early to find a suitable partner from a prominent political family for a political marriage. What do you think, Alice? Do you have any recommendations?”

One of Alice’s eyebrows arched slightly.

Her gaze, like ice submerged under turbulent waters, fixed directly on Marius.

“Do you have any specific criteria for the woman you’re seeking?”

“I plan to propose without prior notice, so she should be someone who aligns well with this kind of thinking. A family with a notable political reputation would be ideal, and…”

His playful expression and upturned lips seemed lighthearted, yet the atmosphere surrounding Marius was anything but.

There was an aura of raw intensity, the kind that could only come from a man who had risen to the top with blood-stained hands.

“I think you wouldn’t be a bad choice, Alice. What do you think?”

Alice’s eyelid twitched.

It became clear that the emperor had targeted her from the beginning.

In the Empire, she was the direct bloodline of the most prestigious political family, one that could bring powerful abilities to the royal lineage. Few in Trovancha could match her status.

“Well, it depends on what you can offer me.”

Alice’s lips curled into a sly smile.

Though she was a kind older sister to her siblings, she was by no means an easy woman.

Someone soft wouldn’t have risen to the rank of chief inspector at such a young age.