9. It’s Not Like You’re Going To Marry Me

---

Nikolai couldn’t believe his ears.

“Shall we rest there for a while?”

This phrase was typically used by men to seduce women into spending a night together.

Yet Katya said it with such an innocent expression.

Nikolai, his ears turning red, swallowed involuntarily.

Fortunately, due to the dim surroundings, Katya couldn’t see his face, which was filled with impure thoughts.

Katya, watching his Adam’s apple move, tilted her head in puzzlement.

“What’s wrong?”

“…Rest?”

“Yes. Until the rain stops.”

“And if it doesn’t stop?”

“Then we’ll just spend the night together.”

Katya shrugged nonchalantly.

‘Is it just me who’s trash?’

Nikolai was a bit bewildered.

He didn’t know what to make of this woman who casually suggested spending the night together.

Or maybe it was a high-level strategy.

Nikolai was already not knowledgeable about women, but perhaps southern women were more straightforward and bold than those in the north.

So was she trying to seduce him?

“Is this situation common in the South?”

“What situation?”

“Going to an inn together.”

“Well, I wouldn’t know since I’ve never stayed at an inn. I always sleep at home.”

“Then you’re saying you’ve never said something like this to anyone other than me?”

Nikolai’s eyebrows twitched subtly.

“Why so many questions? What are you talking about?”

“The part about resting for a while.”

“Oh. It’s my first time being outside at night in the rain. We need to take shelter. The horse is too tired to go any further.”

Katya said, gently stroking the horse’s mane.

The horse neighed softly, leaning into her touch.

She was genuinely concerned about the horse’s well-being, which is why she suggested taking a break.

So the conclusion was—

‘I’m the only one who’s trash.’

Nikolai ran his hand through his rain-soaked hair, trying to erase the thoughts that had filled his mind.

He felt somewhat relieved that he was the one who heard those words from her.

Imagining Katya saying such words to other men with dark intentions made his head spin.

‘Wait. Why should I feel dizzy?’

She was truly a woman who confused people.

Katya, misinterpreting Nikolai’s silence, smiled and spoke.

“Is it because of money? Don’t worry about that. I’ll pay.”

As she rummaged through her pocket, she soon looked up with a blank expression.

Her wallet was missing, likely dropped during the scuffle with Ivan’s men on her way back from the cabin.

It was what Bianca had packed for her at the villa, so Katya had nothing else with her.

“I’ll cover the lodging cost. I have enough money, thanks to you saving mine at the office.”

The man offered, but as the lord’s daughter, she couldn’t take advantage of a resident.

“Still—”

“I can’t live with debts, whether they’re favors or grudges.”

“Then I’ll end up owing you again. For saving me, for carrying me, and now for the lodging.”

“If it bothers you, pay me back someday.”

Nikolai shrugged.

Of course, he had no intention of receiving anything from her.

He had helped her simply because he felt drawn to do so, and they wouldn’t meet again after today.

“How do I know who you are or where you live? What if I just take advantage and run?”

“You’re welcome to do so.”

“Don’t say that. I can’t live with debts either. At least tell me your name.”

“My name?”

“I need to know your name to find you and repay the debt.”

“…Niki.”

After some hesitation, Nikolai answered.

It was the nickname his late mother used to call him.

For 13 years since she passed away, he hadn’t allowed anyone to call him that.

Nikolai realized why that name slipped from his lips.

“Sorry for the late introduction. Nice to meet you, Niki.”

It had been a long time since he was called by that name.

Watching her smile brightly and extend her hand to him, he felt a strange sensation.

He liked hearing his name pronounced in her voice.

Nikolai was about to take her hand but stopped and spoke instead.

“What’s your name?”

He already knew from Boris, but he wanted to hear her name.

“Me?”

‘Katarina Smirnov’ was a name known to everyone around here.

Even if they didn’t know her face, the name alone made people think of the ‘Villainess of the South.’

She didn’t want to leave such an impression on the first man who showed her genuine interest.

“Do you have a better choice than me?”

“Three social seasons have passed. Most young ladies get married right after their coming-of-age ceremony at eighteen, and Lady Katya, you’re already twenty-one.”

“Others may want to marry Lady Bianca, but I think life with Lady Katarina would be more interesting.”

“You said hunting is your hobby. You know, there’s a thrill in taming a wild beast.”

Katya had heard such remarks before.

Southern men split into two groups when they met her.

They either fled before getting more involved or tried to intimidate her by belittling her.

Nikolai, unlike any man she had met before, did not attempt to judge her rashly.

Caught off guard by his counter-question, Katya blinked her green eyes, which resembled a forest, before speaking.

“Tia.”

She gave a shortened version of her nickname, Katya.

It wasn’t her full name, but it wasn’t a lie either.

“Tia. That’s a nice name. It’s nice to meet you too.”

Nikolai smiled leisurely and shook Katya’s hand.

But that smile didn’t last long.

***

“There’s only one room?”

Nikolai asked again, his face filled with disbelief.

“How many times do I have to say it?”

The innkeeper, picking his ear as if annoyed, replied, and Nikolai quickly became prickly.

“You’re not trying to charge extra, are you?”

“What did you say?”

At his words, the innkeeper stood up from behind the counter with a menacing expression.

The innkeeper was quite large, second to none in the area, but he was no match for Nikolai, one of the tallest in the north.

Moreover, Nikolai’s body, trained through martial arts, was all muscle.

Seeing the height difference, the innkeeper hesitated for a moment but couldn’t back down, so he glared at Nikolai, who met his gaze without yielding.

Katya, who had stepped between them, clung to Nikolai’s waist and intervened.

“Why are you talking like that? It seems there really aren’t any rooms. It’s beneficial for the owner to give us two rooms.”

“That’s what I’m saying! Has this young brat been living a life of being deceived?”

“What did you just say? Brat?”

“Yeah, I said brat. What are you going to do about it?”

As the two growled at each other like beasts, Katya, who was looking around while rubbing her throbbing forehead, suddenly pointed to the fireplace.

“That’s a lot of guns. Are you a gun collector?”

“Just as a hobby. Are you interested in guns, Miss?”

“Yes! Can I touch one?”

“Go ahead.”

At those words, Katya picked one from the wall and took a stance.

It felt perfect in her hands.

“Wow, this is something that’s been gone from the market for a long time, hard to find, and few know about it. You must have a keen eye for firearms. Your taste is impressive.”

As Katya, fascinated by the various firearms, exclaimed in admiration, the innkeeper lifted his chin in pride.

“I’m kind of like that.”

“With so many guns in your possession, I assume they’re all registered with the state?”

When the innkeeper turned to refute Nikolai’s words, Katya stood on tiptoe and covered his mouth with her hand.

“What’s the big deal when there’s no gunpowder inside anyway?”

“Ahem, right. If it’s not for practical use, there’s no need to register. How can a commoner like me afford to pay gun taxes? Even if I want to use them, they’re just for display.”

“Exactly. With taxes, gunpowder costs, and maintenance expenses, it’s a money pit.”

The innkeeper’s expression softened at Katya’s words, even as he grumbled while speaking.

“So, are you staying or not?”

“How much did you say the room was earlier? This is all we have…”

Katya, taking money from Nikolai’s wallet and placing it on the counter, said with eyes like a rabbit’s.

“Well, I’m in a good mood. I’ll just take this. There’s only this one inn here, and you have nowhere else to go in this downpour.”

“Really? Thank you!”

Katya replied with an exaggerated expression of joy as she received the room key.

There was a reason why she had been so friendly with the innkeeper.

“Treat your lover well, man.”

“…Lover?”

Before Nikolai could say more, Katya pulled his arm and led him to the stairs.

“Are you going to spoil the mood after I managed to lower the room price?”

Katya whispered as she led the way up the narrow stairs, holding his arm.

“Just how poor do you think I am? Do I look so destitute that I’d haggle over such a small amount?”

“Whether you have money or not, saving is living well. They say that even if you live as you please when you’re single, once you’re married, money just flies out.”

At those words, Nikolai stopped walking and turned her towards him by holding her hand.

Katya stumbled and placed both hands on his shoulders.

Nikolai held her slender waist firmly so she wouldn’t fall.

“Why do you keep bringing up marriage?”

“What?”

“It’s not like you’re going to marry me.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Or do you really intend to?”

He said, looking up at Katya intently.