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Join the ServerTo be fair, no matter how one looked at it, Balian was just trying to help her out of a tight spot.
But still—when a man says he wants to accompany a woman he’s interested in on a walk (interested, as if! She almost puked at the thought!), that’s a date in any culture, isn’t it?
‘Haji Balian, you’ve learned to play high and mighty and use public office for private gain!’
“Fine, Balian, you can accompany Aurora for a walk.”
“I’ve changed my mind! I don’t want to go out!”
Aurora turned her face away in a huff.
“Oh! My little rose, what’s wrong now?”
“He doesn’t know how to stroll at all! Father, did you know? Last Christmas, he took me to the training ground to spar with swords. Honestly!”
“Ah, but you do know how, don’t you? Just pick a place?”
“I don’t know either!”
“Then who does? Tell me what to do.”
Marquis Ed leaned back helplessly against the sturdy chair.
Balian was completely baffled, unable to understand why Aurora had suddenly changed her mind about going out.
Aurora smirked inwardly.
‘This is called retreating to advance, fabricating leverage out of thin air!’
‘I’ve been a child dealing with parents at least twice as long as you. Trying to play this game with me? You’re still green!’
Aurora did need to go out, but she couldn’t let Balian seize the initiative.
If she let him drag her through a typical date routine, then going out would be a complete waste.
Aurora lowered her head, one hand on her chin and the other tapping the table rhythmically, feigning deep thought, conflict, and distress.
After a long moment, she let out a resigned sigh.
“Let’s take Vapgis along. She’ll pick the place. Her family’s from the Lowlands Duchy—she’s great at strolling.”
“?”
Vapgis had a black question mark over her head.
Aurora secretly kicked her to signal for help, not to blow her cover.
Vapgis quickly chimed in, “Yes, strolling! I love strolling! When I had free time at university, I often… uh… I’d go out and buy a bunch of white bread, bacon, and sausages, toss them in the dorm, and that would last me a week.”
Aurora glared at Vapgis in annoyance.
‘Dude, who buys bread and sausages while strolling?’
But luckily, the two gentlemen present were even less skilled at strolling.
They both nodded in agreement.
“Indeed, just as expected of a young lady from the prosperous Lowlands province. So different from our border region.”
The Lowlands Duchy was the domain of the Hermes family, also known as the Duchy of Hermes, located in the northeast of the kingdom, bordering a neighboring country.
Though it was a border province like Aurora’s home territory of the Olivia Border Marquisate, the neighboring country here—the Holy Goddess Empire—had a stable and relatively reasonable rule. Meanwhile, Aurora’s family faced a mess of chaotic city-states and vicious mercenaries.
This gave the Lowlands Duchy a strong commercial atmosphere and a luxurious lifestyle. In contrast, the Olivia Border Marquisate was quite rustic and rough.
But the dark truth known only to Vapgis was:
She had run away from home to study. She couldn’t even afford meals, let alone go strolling?
Strolling? What for?
She went out to hunt!
After all, Vapgis was a powerful mage capable of casting two third-circle spells. Robbing a few thugs was child’s play.
“Then it’s settled! Vapgis, don’t leave. Sleep in my room tonight, and we’ll go strolling after we get up tomorrow!”
Aurora quickly made the decision.
Before Ed could speak, she grabbed Vapgis and got up to head back to her room.
Balian immediately objected. He jumped up, took a few big steps to block Aurora, and questioned, “Miss Vapgis is a guest. Sleeping in your bedroom? Isn’t that too rude?”
“She’s my friend. This shows intimacy.”
“I’ve known you for a long time, but I’ve never received such intimacy.”
“Oh, come on. Watch your gender, will you? Do you think I’d let you into my room?”
If she let him in at night, the next day would be a three-way!
A male best friend is still male. Males aren’t allowed in!
With that, Aurora pushed Balian away forcefully and dragged the bewildered Vapgis back to her room.
Balian and Ed looked at each other.
After a long silence, Ed encouraged Balian, “She’s shy. Too bad you’re still in training and can’t indulge in carnal desires. Otherwise, if you chased after her now, she wouldn’t be able to resist.”
“Uh… I’ll heed your advice, Marquis.”
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Aurora grabbed Vapgis’s hand and ran all the way back to the bedroom. She turned around and dragged a chair over to block the door.
“Hey! What are you doing?”
Vapgis looked at her resentfully.
When Vapgis came to the Olivia family, she only had one thing on her mind: eat, eat, and eat.
She had no intention of standing out, but Aurora dragged her into her complicated romantic issues. Not only had she shown her face in front of the Marquis, but she hadn’t even finished her meal before being pulled away from the table.
Aurora used a little trick to appease her. “I won 20 livres gambling. Listen to me, and I’ll give you half.”
“Ten livres?! Really?!”
Ten livres was a genuine fortune, enough to buy white bread for a year.
“Oh, think bigger. Do I look like I’m short on money? Stick with me, and you won’t lack for cash.”
“You mooched off me for a whole month when you were feuding with your father…” Vapgis said gloomily.
“I paid you back later!” Aurora argued.
“Alright, enough of that. I pulled you over because I have a plan.”
“A plan?” Vapgis wanted to avoid Aurora’s little schemes like the plague.
A sneeze from the marquis’s daughter could become a hurricane for her.
“Ten livres~”
“Ugh, fine!”
But ten livres were ten livres. With that money, she wouldn’t need to hunt for a whole year.
After an inner struggle, Vapgis finally yielded to the temptation of money. “Okay, tell me what to do. I’m in!”
“Tomorrow during the ‘date,’ I’m going to sneak out to investigate something. You need to help me.”
“Sneak out?!” Vapgis exclaimed. Luckily, Aurora was quick. She slammed Vapgis onto the bed and covered her mouth before she could say another word.
“Keep your voice down! Balian might be listening outside!”
“Mmm mmm mmm!” (‘My god, that’s pervy!’)
“I’m telling you, he’s a pure case of sexual repression. Anyway, help me. When you prepare spells tomorrow, have Disguise, Invisibility, and Sleep ready.”
“Can’t you just tell him directly? You’re so close.”
“He’d just turn around and tell my father. So no.”
“Beg him for help?”
“No, I don’t want to owe him anything.”
“Your family relationships…” Vapgis’s inner rant burned fiercely. But then she thought, she too had run away from home because she didn’t listen to her family. Neither of them could judge the other.
However, Vapgis had run away because her betrothed was an ugly, bald, perverted old man. Balian seemed fine—young, handsome, strong, upright, and brave.
She really didn’t understand why Aurora didn’t want to marry Balian.
Could Balian have some unspeakable problem?
Hmm…
Was Balian gay?!
The adventure continues! If you loved this chapter, The Boy Who Bit Moma's Leaf is a must-read. Click here to start!
Read : The Boy Who Bit Moma's Leaf
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