TLWFL 11

Chapter 11

What’s the point of struggling desperately to cultivate a peaceful future? The family is already out there scattering ashes everywhere!

*’I thought I possessed a good family, but I was wrong!!’*

I needed to find out what exactly they had been hiding. This was no time to be casually asking Lindberg for ‘good ways to compliment men.’ I needed to commission him to find out what Roteroa was hiding, and about the Dowager’s grudges.

*’As soon as I get back—no, it’s a bit late today. I’ll go out first thing tomorrow and meet Lindberg!’*

At the very least, the Lindberg mentioned in the original work seemed to be on the side of justice, so I should be able to ask for his help. It would cost some money, though.

*’They say you should earn like a dog and spend like a statesman, right? Count Roteroa seems to have earned like a dog, so I should spend like a statesman!’*

Rose El added, grinding her teeth.

“You were really impressive today, Grandmother.”

Rose El gave two thumbs up. Yurasel looked flustered for a moment, then let out a faint laugh.

“Me?”

“Yes, you, Grandmother. You were so charismatic… Without you, we wouldn’t have accomplished this much.”

At that moment, Reston appeared behind Rose El.

“What are you doing?”

“Ah, Reston!”

“Did you find the missing person?”

“Just one. There are still two left.”

Rose El’s face brightened.

*’The protagonist buff—it’s time to reap its benefits!’*

After all, a protagonist is supposed to part the seas, snatch victory from absurd 1000-to-1 odds, and even rise from the ashes!

Perhaps, with Reston’s buff, they might be able to rescue both remaining missing persons safely. Hope sparkled in Rose El’s heart at that thought. Thanks to that, she was able to greet Reston with a brighter face than usual.

However, that radiant smile appeared slightly different to Yurasel.

*’…It seems Rose El still likes Reston. Is she trying to give up on him so she won’t be a burden?’*

Yurasel narrowed her eyes.

*’…Seeing them like this, they do seem like a good match.’*

And Reston was having a similar, yet different, thought.

*’…What’s she so happy about, smiling like that. When did she become like this. Back when she said I didn’t feel like a man because I lacked wildness.’*

It was a slightly misinterpreted thought.

Reston frowned and poked Rose El’s cheek.

“Why are you smiling?”

“Because I’m glad to see you. Welcome, Reston. I really needed you.”

Rose El had no idea how that statement could be misinterpreted. Most of the people present had the same thought.

*’…The young lady must have been scared. She needed someone to rely on, didn’t she? They do seem to suit each other. It’s a good time, a good time.’*

At that point, Rose El grabbed Reston’s wrist.

“I believe you can do anything, Reston.”

Deep faith is born from affection. Everyone was captivated by this magical notion.

*’It’s love!’*

Only Rose El was completely unaware of their romantic misconceptions.

—

The distance from Muteso to the capital was just over two hours.

Yurasel asked me if I’d like to stay at the Ducal residence instead of Roteroa, to finish up the Muteso affairs. Yurasel was a straightforward person, and having always been a grand noble, she didn’t mince her words.

*’Your father is a man with dirty hands and a murky past, unlike you. My dear, Rose El. I saw the sincerity you showed today very well. You seem more like a kindred spirit to me than to Roteroa. If you’re agreeable, why not stay with me for a while?’*

Of course, Yurasel wasn’t wrong.

Even right now, there’s so much I don’t know. Or was it that the original Rose El knew, and only I didn’t? Because it’s a secret revealed in the latter half of the novel?

Or maybe Yurasel is testing me. To see if I’m the same kind of person as Count Roteroa.

Anyway, to catch a tiger, you must enter the tiger’s den.

When I said I was going back to Roteroa, Yurasel pushed Reston towards me.

‘It’s a late night road.’

It was a season with long daylight hours, so it wasn’t that dark yet. What night? It seemed Yurasel had attached Reston to me as a watcher.

Well, seeing what Viscount Muteso was like, anyone would be suspicious.

There’s no one to help me. No, did they throw the possession buff to the dogs?

“Are you tired? You look pale. You seemed to be overdoing it.”

“…I’m fine.”

It wasn’t that today was tiring and hard; it had been tiring and hard since I possessed this body.

“More importantly, Reston. You can really just go back. You look tired. What could happen while I’m riding in the carriage? How about I drop you off at the Ducal residence and then go on my way?”

If possible, I should have sent him off in his own carriage or the Dowager’s earlier. I needed some time alone. I had a lot to think about.

And besides, we’re not even dating, so this escorting feels a bit burdensome, doesn’t it?

I glanced at Reston. He didn’t seem to harbor any particular suspicion or displeasure towards me.

Why,

*’You pestered Grandmother to make me do this, didn’t you? So it was a lie when you said you wouldn’t put any romantic pressure on me.’*

He didn’t seem like he’d say something like that. It was fortunate that his personality was straightforward.

Still, seeing him sincerely participate in the volunteer work today, I felt like I saw a faint glimmer of hope regarding Reston’s character.

In the midst of that chaos, while the missing person’s wife was dazed, a child who looked about five years old burst into tears, and Reston himself comforted the child. The way he held the child and soothed it gently was quite impressive.

Is this a good time for a compliment?

“Reston. What did you say to that girl earlier?”

“I told her to stop crying. That crying wouldn’t bring her father back. Oh, and I told her that her crying was distracting.”

The warmth in my heart turned cold.

I stared blankly at Reston. Come to think of it, in the original story, Reston had said to Aileen: *’I don’t like children, Aileen. I have no intention of having any. I plan to bring in a successor from another relative’s child. So don’t bother me with that. I didn’t expect that from you in the first place.’*

I can’t believe that trashy iconic line came to mind right now.

I remembered the comments from that chapter: *’I’ll hold on until the day Trash-ston rolls away.’*, *’Anyone going to dispose of Trash-ston? Author-nim, please give us a new male lead.’* The ratings for that chapter had dropped to the 6-point range because of it.

Ha, I could feel that glimmer of hope from earlier sizzling out.

“…You don’t like children, Reston?”

“As you know, I’m not particularly fond of them. Even if I get married, I don’t think it’s necessary to have children.”

Reston answered bluntly. I held my head. The road ahead was achingly long. It seemed I needed to bring Aileen here as soon as possible; my resolve hardened.

“R-Right. Still, I’m glad the child stopped crying earlier.”

“She asked if I’d find her father if she stopped crying. So I said I would.”

Reston kept his promise. Although the missing person showed signs of dehydration due to the time spent isolated, they were found safely. And the last person was found dead. It was also Reston who took responsibility for recovering the body and handing it over to the bereaved family.

In a way, he’s a truly upright and sound young man.

But the way he talks makes me want to punch his mouth.

“Still, if you get married, you might end up having a child. Of course, it could happen even if you don’t intend to. What will you do then?”

“Hmm. I’ve never thought about that hypothetical. Would I ever make such a mistake?”

“Nothing is perfect. Just imagine it now.”

Try using all that dried-up imagination of yours. Reston chuckled.

“I’d have to take responsibility. If it’s my bloodline.”

I ignored the last part he added.

“See, Reston? You might actually be better with children than you think. You could become a cool dad who always keeps his word to a child.”

I wanted to prevent him from using his cursed mouth to make Aileen lose affection for him. Aileen was a person who loved children and dreamed of having a lovely family with Reston. That statement had been a deep wound for Aileen, and she had become increasingly passive.

“…Is that what you want?”

“Me? No, not me. Since I won’t be marrying Reston anyway. I was thinking that Reston’s future wife might want that.”

I firmly drew the line where needed, and said what needed to be said clearly.

Aileen, can you see my blood, sweat, and tears?

“As your friend, I just want you to have a happy marriage.”

“You said you want me to be happy.”

“Right, exactly that.”

Reston stared at me with an odd look in his eyes. I smiled brightly, trying to look sincere. Reston looked at me for a long while, then turned his head towards the window.

Reston, who had been silent for a long time, finally spoke just as I was about to get off.

“I’ll come pick you up tomorrow, too.”