Chapter 8-1
In original, there were no descriptions of the interactions between Sion Laird and Hanette Adelaira, nor of their respective feelings.
Sion Laird existed only as the fiancé of Hanet Adelaira, the Extra.
‘… No. There can’t be any variables now.’
For an unforeseen change to occur, one would have to actively intervene in the narrative flow, or take some sort of action.
But so far, Sion hasn’t taken any action.
He has merely been preparing to wield his Demon Sword and carrying on a normal conversation with Hanette.
‘She must be scared because she’s about to marry a complete stranger.’
He knew he wouldn’t be marrying her, so he was able to act nonchalant.
But Hanette was still thinking about it and planning her escape.
Given their different circumstances, their positions were bound to differ.
“I want to be nice, but… but I don’t want to seem shallow.’
If Hanette was going to be a spoilt brat, I had to pretend to be a little rude.
Of course, I had to moderate the level of rudeness depending on the place and time, and I only did it when her parents were around.
If he gave in to Hanette’s every whim, there was a good chance she’d use it against him.
“Is it just a matter of keeping what needs to be kept?”
“Simply put, I guess that’s right.”
“Are you going to change your words after getting married?”
“Do I have to write up a contract to satisfy you?”
“When did I say I was going to write a contract? It’s just that I don’t know what will happen in the future…”
Hanette trails off as she speaks.
She wasn’t solely focused on the idea of running away.
If she could find a suitable compromise with Sion Laird, accepting the marriage wouldn’t be too bad.
“Are you worrying too much? You could break up before getting married.”
“… That’s not going to happen.”
“Well, I guess that’s true. It won’t be easy. But there’s always a chance of ‘what if,’ right?”
“Where’s the ‘what if?’ For a break-up, one of us has to make a move.”
It was rare to see two families calling for a break-up at the same time.
Either one would do something wrong first, or one would push for it for some reason.
Both were common, but more often than not, they just let it go for each other’s sake.
“Even if we get married… as long as we don’t fight.”
“How can you be sure we won’t fight?”
“Uh… Maybe? I’m kind of nice.”
Sion pretended to think about it, then blurted it out.
It was a marriage he wasn’t going to sign anyway.
There was no point in talking about what would happen.
“What makes you nice?”
“Better than an idiot.”
“Drinking and gambling aren’t necessarily bad things, are they?”
“Wouldn’t it be better if you didn’t?”
“Are you already interfering in my life?”
“What if I can’t even say these things?”
“Why don’t you use your brain? Think before you speak.”
“I can’t help but laugh when I hear you say that. Ha, ha!”
“Where did the nice person go? I can’t argue with you anymore.”
“My sister is making me look like a bad person.”
“Why are you blaming me for your faults?”
“Why is this my fault?”
“If you say you’re a nice person, shouldn’t you at least acknowledge that?”
Hanette glared at Sion and pressed him relentlessly.
Sion is aware of the level of dialog, but he can’t help himself.
“You said I’m not a good person, isn’t that settled?”
“Ha! You admit that now? I can see how well you’ll fight once we’re married!”
“From your perspective, yes, but from mine, it’s being nice.”
“Just because you say it doesn’t make it true. If you have a conscience, you should at least be quiet!”
“You have a conscience and still act like this?”
“What can I do when you behave like this, I just followed your example once, what else could I do?”
“You’re trying to lower my level to match yours? You have good skills.”
“Do you think your level is higher? I just told the truth.”
“You’re lying whenever you open your mouth.”
“You’re saying that even after seeing your own appearance?”
“What’s wrong with my appearance? Am I not very handsome and polite?”
“Huh! Are you kidding me right now? You think you’re handsome? Polite? Are you out of your mind? How did I end up engaged to someone like you?”
Hanette bursts into laughter and shoots a cold gaze.
While Sion was somewhat good-looking, he lacked manners.
Of course, Hanette was a bit picky, but Sion was mocking her more than necessary.
If she married someone like him, wouldn’t she be tormented for the rest of her life?
“Didn’t I tell you then? I’m too good for you.”
“What’s so great about you when you don’t even know how to do anything?”
“Relative to you?”
“Isn’t it weird to call someone a Crazy just because they drink and gamble? You’re no different from them.”
“Oh… are you denying reality now? Are you going to deny reality even after we get married?”
“Do as you please. I’m going to live like this and die.”
“People who drink well don’t usually live long…”
“Yeah, you live longer than me. What’s so great about living long?”
Hanette turns her head, abruptly, unable to say what she really wanted to say.
She wanted to ask about having children after marriage, but the conversation got tangled up and she gave up.
Even if she asked, she would only get a formal answer or a lie that would reveal nothing.
‘… But it feels good to deceive myself.’
Hanette felt a vague sense of satisfaction and cautiously smirked.
Sion was looking around the garden without changing his expression.
She had never had such an easy conversation with anyone in her life.
As with the engagement ceremony, she quite liked his personality and way of speaking.
‘Have I been lonely all this time?’
Hanette occasionally felt lonely but tried to ignore it.
No one would understand her feelings, and she would continue to live alone in the future.
However, encountering someone who provokes her for the first time made that loneliness even more vivid.
‘Until I run away, I guess I won’t be bored.’
Hanette shows a lonely gaze before slowly coming to a stop.
Now that she thinks about running away, she feels a little regret.
Why does she feel this emotion?
“Am I feeling reluctant because of one person? That’s not possible…”
“What are you doing? You should guide me properly.”
“Hey! Am I the one who’s supposed to guide you?”
“You introduced yourself as a guide, so you should take responsibility.”
“When did I say that?”
“You asked for some ‘Time’, right? You give and you take.”
“Hah! You’re really funny.”
“You think it’s funny? I’m dead serious. Did you forget that you promised to help me?”
“Oh, come on…”
Hanette lets out a hollow laugh and reluctantly follows Sion.
He was overly nonchalant and had a relaxed demeanor.
How did he live his life to become so shameless?
‘He’s all talk. He’s also young…’