MIDV: Chapter 89

“Uh…….”

Ludger’s suggestion caught me completely off guard, and I turned around instinctively. But because of our position, I couldn’t see his face.

“Well, it’s not something we can really talk about like this. Here.”

Thinking that it wasn’t a good posture for a serious conversation, Ludger loosened his grip on my waist and set me down beside him, adjusting us to a more proper posture for talking.

His face, once we were settled, was completely serious, no trace of humor was in sight.

“Let me clarify, this isn’t something you must do. Our actions, as stated in the contract, are meant to be ‘consensual’. I understand that you’re caught off guard.”

“No, it’s fine. It was just too sudden.”

Ludger rubbed his chin thoughtfully and continued speaking.

“Actually, more than anything else…. I just want to ensure your safety.”

“You mean in terms of physical protection? I’m a knight, so I’m fine for the most part.”

Of course, now that I was engaged to the Young Duke, living in my humble quarters might indeed become dangerous. There could be cases where someone might try to kidnap me for money.

But I was confident I could handle such attacks on my own. Of course, if a group of experts came at me all at once, even I wouldn’t stand a chance, but from the perspective of a criminal organization, that would be too inefficient to be worth the effort.

“Ah, I’m not just talking about physical danger.”

“Then……”

“There’s a good chance reporters and onlookers will swarm your residence. Your personal life could become a spectacle.”

His words sank in, and I finally understood his concern. I had lived my whole life without dealing with such worries, but Ludger, being someone who was often featured in the newspapers (even aside from the Heilbronner matter), must have a more personal understanding of it, having experienced it firsthand.

It was hard to imagine, but when I did, it certainly seemed like it would lead to a lot of trouble. Especially if people started flocking to the building where I lived… I might end up getting kicked out first and blamed by the landlord.

“I hadn’t thought of that. It’ll create problems not just for me, but also for those around me.”

“Reporters tend to flock like scavengers, chasing any hint of a story. The Kassen family can certainly exert some pressure, but we can’t protect every part of your personal life.”

“Right……”

I had thought about the aftermath of the engagement, but this was a perspective I hadn’t considered at all. Ludger’s words made sense.

However, there was something that bothered me. Perhaps my expression showed it, as Ludger asked.

“Is there something you’re unwilling about?”

“It’s not so much that I’m unwilling, but more of a practical issue. The Duke’s residence is a bit far from my knights’ office.”

“Hmm, your house is indeed very close to the office. But since you’ll be traveling by carriage, you shouldn’t need to worry about it.”

“Going to work is one thing, but I’m used to working late….. I preferred a place that’s convenient for commuting, where I can get a few hours of sleep before heading back out.”

“That doesn’t sound like a very healthy lifestyle.”

“It’s fine. I’m a Spirit user, after all.”

“……Being a Spirit user doesn’t make you invincible, so stop relying on it as a shield.”

‘Still, it’s true that I’m stronger than an average person.’

I grumbled to myself when Ludger spoke up.

“Well… if that’s the case, then a townhouse should work.”

“A townhouse? I thought the Kassen family only had the Duke’s residence, but not any townhouse?”

“We have a ducal residence, yes. But our family holds more than just that title.”

Ludger said, fiddling with his hair.

“There are several townhouses we maintain under different titles. One of them is located quite close to the knights’ office. It would make commuting much easier.”

“Is it vacant?”

“Yes. Though it’s regularly maintained.”

The thought of using one of the Duke’s townhouses made me pause. Most nobles struggled to maintain even a single residence, but the Kassen family had multiple properties just lying around unused.

That’s probably why Ludger’s uncle, Count Rentorich, was eyeing his position.

The townhouse would surely be grand, though not as imposing as the Duke’s manor, but I guess I’ll get used to it as I live there. Yeah.

And honestly, I felt a bit relieved that it wasn’t the Duke’s main residence. Living with Ludger would have definitely been nerve-wracking. Though… even if we were living together, what would it really mean, living just the two of us in such a large mansion?

But then, as I felt a sense of relief wash over me, Ludger spoke again, and it felt like lightning struck my brain.

“I’ll move in there too.”

“What?”

“Didn’t I say it when I first brought this up? That I think it would be best for us to live together, so you could get used to being close to me.”

“I… thought you were joking.”

“I was being completely serious.”

“……”

It felt like I had avoided a ghost only to run into a tiger. Isn’t a townhouse smaller than the Duke’s residence? Then… wouldn’t that mean a higher chance of running into Ludger? No, wait, that’s the whole point of living together, but still…!

As my head spun in circles, Ludger gently added.

“Living together would make our relationship much more believable to everyone around us. Don’t you think so?”

“……That’s indeed true.”

Getting engaged and then living together wasn’t enough, now the Young Duke Kassen, who had been staying at the main estate, was going out of his way to move closer to his fiancée’s workplace? If it were someone else’s story, I’d find it a juicy bit of gossip to chat about over lunch. The problem was, it was my story.

“Well, now that you’ve agreed, I’ll make sure this part is handled quickly before we announce the engagement. I’ll have Derrek handle the arrangements.”

“Understood.”

I nodded with a sigh. There was no point in resisting something that was already decided. In the end, the fact remained that whenever I was around Ludger, we had to look like a natural couple in the eyes of others.

“Then, shall we continue?”

“What……”

Before I could voice my doubts, Ludger gently cupped my cheek. I flinched at the warmth of his hand, warmer than before, and he calmly added.

“We need to practice until you stop reacting like that.”

“….yes.”

I could hardly argue. His actions only proved the point.

“Uh, I’m sorry, but would the Young Duke like to sit on my lap this time?”

“What?”

“I think that would be fair! Ah, of course, since I’m all muscle, it might not be that comfortable.”

Ludger stared at me with an expression of disbelief, then lowered his head and laughed, almost as if he were sobbing.

“Really… really, you’re a formidable opponent…”

“Yes…?”

“Truly, you’re completely unpredictable. Hah…”

His finger gently brushed my cheek before it pulled away. I was a bit more used to it now, so I wasn’t as startled as before.

“If you’re going to lend me your lap, how about offering it as a pillow?”

“A, a lap pillow?”

“Yeah. Don’t couples do that often?”

“You aren’t thinking of sitting on my lap…..”

“No.”

Ludger gave a brief reply, then stretched out his arm and gently lifted me. In the blink of an eye, the distance between us closed, and I found myself sitting on his lap again.

“Then, let’s continue what we were doing.”

“Is there no other way, Young Duke?”

“Seeing you flustered, it seems like it’s quite effective.”

“……”

I awkwardly placed my hand on his shoulder, barely managing to maintain some distance.

“By the way… I’ve just realized something.”

“……?”

“Don’t you think our way of addressing each other is a bit too formal for a couple?”

“Yes…..”

I rolled my eyes. I had a rough idea of what he was about to suggest just from the look in his eyes.

“I’d like it if you called me by my name. I’ll do the same for you.”

“Aren’t there couples in the world who don’t necessarily call each other by name?”

“That’s not exactly common. Since we need to maintain a façade, we should go with the most typical and convincing setup.”

“……”

“…Don’t you think so, Clara?”

It was amazing how a simple change, dropping my formal title, completely altered the atmosphere between us. It felt more intimate, more… affectionate.

“Come on, your turn. You have to call me too.”

Ludger’s hand gently stroked my back, as if urging me on. For a moment, it felt like my heart was tingling.

In my mind, I had called him all sorts of things; this guy, that guy, even just ‘Ludger’ without a second thought, but saying his name out loud was a completely different matter.

All the more so now, when it was meant to create the mood of being ‘lovers’.

I opened my mouth, but before I could say anything, there was a knock on the door.

“Young Master, shall I bring in the tea? Is it alright if I come in?”

As soon as I heard that, I was startled and pushed Ludger’s shoulder hard.