Gilbert, who also seemed to dislike sweets, didn’t touch the dessert in front of him.
“…You’re not being forced into a marriage you don’t want, are you?”
“What?”
Out of nowhere, Gilbert posed the question, his gaze unusually serious.
Isaac was briefly stunned before answering in a reluctant tone.
“Even if I don’t want it, I have to. It’s the Emperor’s command.”
“But until now, you’ve remained single, haven’t you?”
“Hm…”
As Gilbert said, the original Isaac was a bachelor.
Usually, those who inherited a title at a young age married quickly, but Isaac hadn’t—an unusual case.
As the author of the original story, the writer had likely found it simpler to leave Isaac, the villain, unmarried.
Having a spouse would’ve complicated the narrative, and Isaac’s domineering personality suited a solitary existence better.
But the original story was over now.
Isaac’s role was finished, and all he wanted was to survive.
That meant obeying the protagonist’s command to marry Luinael, at least outwardly.
“As you know, I lost. Honestly, I’m just grateful to still be alive.”
“…”
“If marrying His Grace the Grand Duke can ensure my survival, then I’ll consider it a blessing.”
Isaac spoke with calm detachment and took another sip of tea.
He was secretly planning to escape before the grand wedding, but there was no need to share that with Gilbert.
“Still, thank you. No one has ever asked for my thoughts on this before.”
“Your Grace…”
“I’m fine.”
Isaac set down his teacup and let out a small chuckle.
What he’d said to Gilbert was half-true.
No one had indeed asked his opinion about marrying Luinael.
He had deliberately played the role of a villain, but there were moments when the reality of it all left him feeling bitter.
To think he’d be asked such a question by someone he least expected.
Life was unpredictable, indeed. Isaac shook his head as he mused to himself.
“If there were a way to avoid marrying His Grace the Grand Duke, what would you do?”
“…What?”
Isaac’s eyes widened in shock at Gilbert’s words.
Not marrying Luinael?
Was that even possible?
In this empire, the Emperor’s command was absolute.
Surely, Gilbert, his loyal subordinate, knew that.
“What do you mean by that?”
“…”
Startled, Isaac asked in a serious tone.
Little did they know, someone outside the room was eavesdropping on their conversation.
* * *
“Quite literally, what would Your Grace do if there were a way to show your loyalty to His Majesty without marrying the Grand Duke?”
“Another way…?”
Isaac tilted his head in confusion.
Another way to win over the protagonist without marrying Luinael?
If such a method existed, he would’ve switched to it a long time ago.
But no matter how hard he thought about it, he couldn’t come up with anything else.
By the end of the original story, the protagonist had achieved everything.
The long, grueling civil war had ended, and he had ascended to the throne, making the entire vast empire his own.
Even the neighboring countries had been subdued, all thanks to Luinael’s efforts in the war.
Other than marrying into the royal family and offering the duchy to the imperial house, what better strategy could there be?
Isaac cast a doubtful glance at Gilbert.
“Do you really think there is such a way?”
“If there is, hypothetically speaking.”
“Hah…”
See? There isn’t one. Isaac clicked his tongue.
“I dislike the word ‘if.’ Reality is what matters most right now.”
“…”
“The Grand Duke is a sensible man, fortunately. In the current situation, I see no need to seek out alternative methods.”
For a moment, he wavered, but Isaac quickly abandoned the thought.
Trying to seek another path and leaving the Grand Duke’s residence would only lead to greater suffering.
Not to mention, it would deviate from the system’s intentions, and he couldn’t possibly endure the penalties for that.
For now, his best option was to stay here, enjoy the hospitality, steadily accumulate points, and leave once he had taken the protagonist’s place.
Surely, no better method existed.
“Is that so?”
“…”
Gilbert nodded, but his expression didn’t look good for some reason.
What was he thinking?
Surely Gilbert knew by now that there was no way to cancel the marriage with the Grand Duke.
So, why was he bringing this up? Isaac sipped his tea, sneaking glances at Gilbert’s hardened face.
Knock, knock.
“…!”
A soft knock interrupted them.
Thinking it was Noah again, Isaac replied in a casual tone.
“Come in.”
But the person who entered wasn’t Noah.
Seeing who it was, Isaac shot to his feet in surprise.
“Your Grace.”
“Have you been resting well?”
“Why didn’t you send a servant? Why come in person…?”
“I was curious to see if Isaac was resting properly.”
“…”
Luinael smiled brightly at him.
For a moment, Isaac thought he saw pure white flowers blooming and floating around Luinael.
Shaking his head to clear the illusion, Isaac looked at him again.
The imaginary petals quickly disappeared.
As Luinael approached, he noticed Isaac’s puzzled expression.
“Isaac?”
“Ahem. Aren’t you busy, Your Grace?”
“Not particularly.”
“Is that so…?”
“Yes.”
Luinael nodded enthusiastically, but Isaac couldn’t shake his doubt.
Surely, as the newly-appointed Grand Duke, there must be countless matters demanding his attention.
Even this townhouse, recently gifted to him, likely required much supervision.
Isaac himself had faced chaos upon first taking over his current body.
Fortunately, Isaac’s memories had resurfaced quickly; otherwise, his awkward behavior would have raised suspicions among his attendants.
“Were you having tea with Sir Gilbert?”
“Yes.”
“May I have a cup as well?”
“Of course.”
It wasn’t as though he could refuse the master of the house.
Nodding, Isaac rang for Noah and asked him to bring another cup of tea.
Noah swiftly returned with an extra teacup, but he also brought something else.
Along with the tea, a jar that appeared to contain honey was placed in front of Luinael.
Isaac raised an eyebrow and asked casually, “You like sweet things, I see.”
“Yes. Isaac doesn’t, though, right?”
“…”
Luinael was spot on.
Pausing briefly, Isaac nodded.
“Yes, I suppose I don’t. Though, I believe my tastes were a bit different before…”
“Really? Were they?”
“…”
Luinael’s wide eyes and curious tone suggested he genuinely believed Isaac had always disliked sweet things.
There were three possibilities: Luinael’s memory was incorrect, Isaac’s preferences had temporarily changed at the time, or…
‘The Isaac Luinael met wasn’t really Isaac.’
But that last possibility was absurd.
He had seen in a dream how young Isaac and Luinael met.
Most likely, Isaac’s tastes had temporarily shifted, or Luinael’s memory was mistaken.
Dismissing the thought, Isaac shook his head.
“It’s not that important.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
Not wanting Luinael to dwell on it, Isaac quickly responded.
Luinael, after sweetening his tea with honey, took a sip and smiled brightly.
“Regardless, there’s no way I could be wrong about Isaac.”
“Haha…”
Luinael’s confident statement left Isaac forcing an awkward laugh.
Isaac suddenly recalled their first meeting.
At the time, Luinael’s age had been difficult to guess, but by calculation, he must have been around twelve or thirteen.
Small and delicate, he had seemed even younger.
How reliable could the memory of a child that age be?
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