SOWD Chapter 105

Chapter 105

“If that man tries to take Idel away, I will really kidnap her and hide her if I must.”

“Calm down, Madam. Let me find another way. First, we need to get her a pardon. Even if she regains her noble status, her future will be difficult if she remains a criminal.”

“…Can I trust you?”

“If you couldn’t, you wouldn’t be talking about kidnapping Idel in front of me, would you?”

When Laszlo smiled faintly, Barbara responded with an embarrassed smile of her own.

“If there’s anything I can do to help, please tell me. I can’t bear to watch Idel fall into despair again—it’s too painful.”

“Then please gather information about the Canyon Count’s family. I’m already investigating on my end, but the more sources, the better.”

“Alright. I’ll do what I can.”

For the first time since meeting, the two exchanged a firm handshake and parted ways.

Unbeknownst to Idel, she had become a bridge between Chrysus and Celestine.

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“Brother, you’re home?”

The voice greeting Laszlo when he returned home sounded different than usual.

Laszlo looked suspiciously at Rinia, who was smiling brightly.

“Where are the butler and the head maid? Why are you here?”

“I told them I wanted to greet you today because I have something to discuss. What, you don’t like it?”

“It’s not that… it just feels ominous.”

Instead of answering, Rinia smacked her brother’s arm hard and linked her arm through his.

“Stop saying mean things and just follow me.”

Laszlo let himself be dragged to his office by Rinia.

As usual, tea was prepared on the table, but the fact that it wasn’t Idel serving it gave Laszlo a strange feeling of disappointment.

“So, what’s with all the suspense? What do you want to talk about?”

He asked Rinia, who was pouring the tea. At that point, he thought it was probably just one of her usual trivial matters.

Rinia often made a big fuss over nothing.

‘It’s probably about something she wants me to buy her, or maybe she’s made a new friend or received an invitation somewhere.’

However, as Rinia wrapped her hands around the warm teacup, the words she spoke were something Laszlo could not have predicted.

“Brother, Idel is young.”

“You don’t think I already know that?”

“Then, you’re not planning to let her grow old and die while working for us, are you?”

Laszlo frowned at Rinia’s words, which echoed what Barbara had said earlier. But unlike Barbara, he didn’t think Rinia’s words came from serious consideration.

“What are you getting at?”

“It might be a bit early, but I was wondering if you could find someone for Idel to remarry before she gets any older.”

“Out of nowhere?”

“The fact that you’re saying ‘out of nowhere’ means you’ve never even thought about Idel’s future, have you? All that talk about ‘owing her a debt’—was that just lip service?”

Rinia’s unexpectedly sharp remark pierced Laszlo’s heart.

“No, it’s just… I don’t know what Idel wants or what kind of man she likes. How am I supposed to choose someone for her?”

“Anticipating that, I did some research. You should be grateful to have such a capable sister.”

“…What?”

Laszlo was taken aback by the unexpected turn of the conversation. Rinia, however, adjusted her posture and spoke seriously as if she had prepared for this moment.

“I’ll share some information about Idel’s taste in men. Hmm… actually, it might also be information about you, but whatever.”

“…About me?”

“According to Idel, you’d be considered a pretty decent man in high society—as a romantic partner or even a husband.”

“…What?”

Laszlo’s dumbfounded reaction didn’t faze Rinia in the slightest.

“She also said you’re thoughtful, respectful, and have strong values. Oh, and that you’re a good conversationalist—wait, she told me not to say it like that. I mean, she thinks you’re a great person to talk to.”

Shrugging her shoulders, Rinia shook her head in mock disbelief.

“It’s like the Laszlo Chrysus I know and the one Idel knows are two completely different people.”

“Wait a minute. Idel wouldn’t just bring this up out of nowhere. What exactly did you say to her?”

“Oh, and another thing—Idel thinks you’re attractive and have a great physique. Personally, I’m not a fan of muscle-bound brutes, but Idel likes men who can lift her up effortlessly.”

“Any man should be able to lift a woman, no big deal.”

“Ugh, typical muscle-head logic.”

Rinia found it both amusing and ridiculous how her brother eagerly took the bait she dangled before him.

‘How much do I have to spell it out before he realizes he likes Idel?’

She wanted to tell him outright, but knowing Laszlo’s shy and prideful nature, doing so would only make him retreat and hide his feelings.

Meanwhile, Laszlo couldn’t stop himself from imagining the idea of marrying Idel, especially after hearing her flattering words and Rinia’s suggestion about “remarriage.”

His ears turned red, and Rinia seized the opportunity to douse his thoughts with cold water.

“Anyway, that’s all I found out. I used you as an example because I couldn’t ask her directly, but now you have an idea of what she likes—so go find someone suitable.”

The idea of finding another man for Idel felt like a slap to the back of Laszlo’s head.

Feeling as if his thoughts had been exposed, he awkwardly cleared his throat.

“Ahem… But we still need to ask if Idel even wants to remarry—”

“Brother, do you not understand Idel’s personality by now? The moment you mention remarriage, she’ll wave her hands and refuse. Do you really want the only romance in her life to be that sixty-year-old duke? That wasn’t love—it was just a dirty transaction.”

“…Well, you’re not wrong.”

Laszlo’s tone was reluctant, but Rinia pressed on as if she hadn’t noticed his unease.

“Maybe the royal guard members are too stuck-up… but how about the common-born knights from the Imperial Order? What do you think?”

His expression twisted into something difficult to describe—part frustration, part reluctance, and part disappointment.

After rubbing his face with both hands, Laszlo finally regained his composure and sighed.

“It’s not that simple. Idel is still a criminal and a commoner. Even if she’s pardoned, we don’t know what rank she might be granted.”

“And?”

“Besides, how many men would be willing to marry the infamous ‘Duchess of Lancaster’?”

Rinia scoffed and tilted her head.

“Brother, for a man, you really don’t understand other men, do you?”

“What?”

“Idel is beautiful.”

“…So?”

“What do you mean, ‘so?’ That’s all that matters.”

“Wha—what? What are you even saying?”

“If a woman as beautiful as Idel smiles at a man, he’ll fall for her. Do you really think there’s a man who wouldn’t?”

Staring at her in disbelief, Laszlo struggled to respond as Rinia delivered the final blow.

“Brother, if Idel smiled at you like that and said, ‘I like you,’ are you saying you wouldn’t fall for her?”

 

Just the thought made his heart pound, and Laszlo knew he wouldn’t be able to resist.