TLWFL 06

Chapter 06

Lestern accepted my proposal to meet. I paused for a moment in front of the restaurant he had designated as our meeting place, saying he had already made a reservation.

I checked the list I had written out all night once more.

[Lestern’s List of Strengths. I will try my best to put my sincere heart into it.]

Honestly, how much had I cursed the male lead while reading the novel? I read all the way until the female lead returned, just to see the male lead rolling around on the ground, and then I possessed the character.

Phew, it felt like I had stopped mid-sip of a refreshing drink.

If I could just see the sight of that bastard clinging and begging…… No, wait.

I’m here to compliment Lestern right now. Pull yourself together, Roseel.

I lightly slapped my cheeks.

Actually, the Lestern I had met in person didn’t seem like he was *that* indifferent.

“Though he does have a garbage view on marriage……”

Right before Lestern married Aileen, there was a carriage accident in which the Dowager Duchess died. I remember it being about a month or two before the wedding.

According to the novel’s description, there was a secret behind that carriage accident, and it seemed to have caused the Duchy to falter.

“So I guess that’s why Lestern was even more consumed by work.”

His marriage to Aileen was also the Dowager Duchess’s dying wish.

“……The carriage accident.”

I thought I should probably look into this carriage accident as well. When exactly did it happen? It was only mentioned in passing occasionally in the original work, so I couldn’t know the details.

I wish I could prevent the death of the Dowager Duchess of Cheskant. There must surely be a way for that too.

I glanced up at the restaurant.

Let’s go.

All preparations for going to war are complete; now it’s time to march.

With a resolute step, I moved forward. As I entered the restaurant, the manager recognized me and guided me inside. It was an open space, in a reasonably secluded corner.

He chose the spot well.

“Lestern.”

“Roseel.”

“I received your impressive letter well.”

Was my letter even impressive? I thought it was just ordinary.

“Really?”

“You said you would absolutely never give me any romantic pressure.”

“That’s my pure, honest sincerity.”

I said this with a serious expression. It would be really problematic if Lestern misunderstood and thought I was looking at him with romantic interest again.

My goal was to maintain a friendly relationship with Aileen and Lestern, and to appropriately step back from between them.

“You don’t need to talk about that anymore, Lestern. I didn’t come here today to talk about that.”

I had thought about ways to persuade Count Loteroa, but it was impossible for me to do it alone. After observing the Count’s tendencies while spying on the Count’s household, I found he had a materialistic disposition, absolutely hating to suffer losses.

There needed to be a reward given to Count Loteroa so he would release the Muteso trees for free to resolve the landslide.

I need to solve this quickly; I have so much to do. I have to fix Lestern’s mindset too, and when Aileen arrives, I need to give her the warmest welcome.

To do that, Lestern needed to lend a little bit of his strength.

“Lestern, I think Loteroa should take responsibility for this Muteso matter. I intend to have them donate the Muteso trees for free to rebuild the village.”

“But?”

What is it? Why is he so calm?

It was as if he already knew I was going to say this. But Lestern’s minor reaction wasn’t that important. What mattered was whether Lestern would accept my proposal or not.

“I need your help to persuade my father, Lestern. And…… it certainly won’t be a bad proposal for Cheskant either. Strictly speaking, Cheskant is also involved in the Muteso matter. This definitely isn’t ill-intentioned.”

Lestern smiled leisurely.

“I won’t think it’s ill-intentioned.”

“Thank you…….”

Hoo, it’s really hard to speak while being so conscious of his mood. Still, I was relieved that Lestern didn’t seem to be in a particularly bad mood.

“I’ll make sure Cheskant’s name is also mentioned in regards to donating the Muteso trees. Since Cheskant was originally scheduled to receive the Muteso trees, it will definitely be helpful.”

At that moment, Lestern gave a crooked smile.

I distinctly heard a small laugh, like a popping bubble.

Lestern’s expression hardened slightly.

“I said I wouldn’t think it was ill-intentioned, and then you say something bad.”

A chill ran down my spine for a moment.

But this reaction from Lestern wasn’t entirely unexpected.

“Roseel, as you know, we have only found a trading company to supply the wood. We also said we could give up if it was too much for Loteroa.”

“I know. But regardless of that, people associate Muteso, Loteroa, and Cheskant together. What I want isn’t difficult. My father wants to think I have an opportunity too.”

“What do you mean?”

“Let me meet the Dowager Duchess of Cheskant, Lestern. Hmm, I want to give my father hope that if this Muteso matter is resolved well, the Dowager Duchess will reconsider our marriage.”

Lestern curved his lips thinly. Fortunately, he didn’t seem to be in a bad mood.

This was the method I had thought of. And it would also give me a chance to approach the Dowager Duchess, look into the carriage accident, and think things over.

“But I can swear on it.”

I placed my left hand over my chest.

“I swear on my heart, this is absolutely not said to give you any romantic pressure regarding marriage. Truly!”

I have pure intentions, really.

Lestern answered lightly.

“I believe you. And as you said, it doesn’t seem like we’ll be at a loss. It seems things will be resolved more easily if I meet Count Loteroa.”

“That’s exactly it!”

Is now the time for compliments! I quickly set my tongue in motion.

“I didn’t realize it before, but Lestern, your thoughts are as impressive as your looks! And you’re smart too.”

“So you mean you didn’t think that way before. Did you think I was just a pretty face, an empty shell?”

No, why are you taking a compliment that way……?

“That can’t be, Lestern. I, yes, I’ve thought that way from before.”

I inadvertently stammered. I should have practiced telling lies like this more often. I bit the tip of my tongue lightly. In truth, I had thought Lestern was just an empty shell with a decent face.

This is why good-looking people get by on their looks.

“What? An empty shell with just a smooth face? Thanks for the compliment, Roseel. I’m glad you seem to acknowledge my appearance.”

No, is this right?

That wasn’t the kind of compliment I meant.

“That’s not what I meant, Lestern! I thought you were a solid person, full on the inside and out! Really.”

“A solid person? Full on the inside and out?”

Lestern smiled faintly.

Okay, so you’re taking that as a compliment, right?

“That’s right, Lestern. You are completely packed – with a handsome face and a smart head.”

“Thank you, Roseel. That’s somewhat comforting. I almost got hurt.”

I smiled awkwardly and added another evaluation of Lestern.

This guy is twisted. More than I thought.

Aileen, I’m sorry, but it seems like you’re the only one who can save this guy.

Fighting!

—

Lestern wiped his face, full of laughter, with his palm.

After stepping into a dark alley and coming back out, Lestern had transformed into Lindbergh. Lindbergh, letting out a soft chuckle, opened the door to the weapons shop.

“Welcome back, sir?”

“I’ll be heading into Cheskant soon. I might not be able to come for a while, so take care of any urgent matters now.”

“Yes, Your Grace the Duke.”

Lestern entered the office first. He sat in the chair with a relaxed posture.

Was Roseel always this expressive?

She’d look serious, then flustered, then smile.

And she even completed the homework Lestern had given her quite excellently. Lestern had given Roseel the direction to solve the current situation but hadn’t told her the method. He was curious how Roseel would persuade Count Loteroa.

He knew Roseel was smart, but he hadn’t known her ability to grasp the situation was this outstanding.

‘I swear. I will absolutely never give you any romantic pressure.’

And such a cute oath.

Of course, he didn’t believe everything Roseel said. If Roseel found herself in a more favorable position, she might demand marriage again, citing the dying wishes of the two deceased.

However, there would be no problem in going along with Roseel for just a short while.

Besides, Roseel had also completed the second homework quite well.

‘You’re a very solid person, full on the inside and out!’

Her solemn face as she repeated that phrase was quite interesting and amusing.

Lestern thought of that phrase and burst into laughter again.

He’d truly never heard a compliment like that before.

As Lestern was chuckling to himself, a knock was heard.

“Um, Mr. Lindbergh. Boss. A customer is here to see you.”

Lestern raised an eyebrow.

“It’s Lady Roseel.”