“Allenheim still believes you were kidnapped.”

‘Wasn’t I actually kidnapped?’

The thought crossed my mind, but I didn’t voice it and instead listened attentively to Martha.

“There’s no need to deliberately foster hostility toward House Cayenne. I think it’s better to make the announcement before they cause any trouble. What do you think?”

“Hmm.”

I thought for a moment.

‘She’s definitely right.’

At this rate, not only Allenheim but other nobles would develop negative impressions of Cayenne.

And above all…

‘If things continue like this, events might follow the original plot.’

The original story where my brother, Jean Allenheim, infiltrates House Cayenne to rescue me and ends up driving a wedge between the three Cayenne siblings.

Of course, unlike the original, I hadn’t died, and many other things had changed, but it would be best to prevent even the smallest possibility in advance.

Although I couldn’t be sure if Allenheim would accept the marriage news so readily…

“Sounds good. I’m excited!”

I answered without hesitation.

Martha seemed a bit surprised by my response.

She must have thought I would hesitate.

“When His Majesty fully recovers, I plan to hold a banquet to pray for the well-being of the imperial family and the empire. I’m thinking of announcing the marriage then.”

Martha was indeed clever, befitting her role as the brainy female protagonist.

Currently, Cayenne was receiving negative attention due to rumors about kidnapping me.

At this rate, even if they held a banquet, no one would attend.

‘But if there’s a justification that it’s for the imperial family…’

Those who don’t attend would be the ones criticized instead.

Moreover, if it follows right after contributing to breaking the emperor’s curse, the imperial family would view Cayenne’s banquet positively, making it even harder for others to decline attendance.

“That’s a great idea. If you do that, even Allenheim will be cautious.”

Martha smiled with satisfaction. Her expression said she was pleased that I understood quickly.

“Indeed. Since it’s a banquet in the name of the imperial family, they can’t act recklessly.”

In other words, no matter how absurd the news of my marriage to Arkle might be, no one could overturn the banquet hall shouting, “I object to this marriage!”

I couldn’t help but laugh at Martha’s meticulousness.

‘I was already wondering when to announce the marriage news.’

The quick-calculating female protagonist had laid the groundwork for me.

“Then I’ll tell Arkle and Naran at breakfast tomorrow.”

Just as I was about to leave the office, Martha called me back.

She handed me a blank check and said,

“This is compensation for your efforts. I added extra for taming the sorcerer.”

Once again, it was a dizzying amount.

I quickly stuffed the check into my pocket.

“…I’ll work harder.”

That was all I could say.

Martha chuckled and removed her glasses to clean them with a handkerchief.

“Actually, I was hoping to hear an objective report about me…”

‘Objective report’ refers to the flattery I used to shower her with, using all my fangirl powers.

“Shall I start right away?”

There was nothing I wouldn’t do for Martha now.

I was mentally preparing by recalling some of my past fangirl comments when Martha spoke in a gentle voice.

“No, that’s fine. You must be tired. Now, truly get enough rest.”

‘I would have licked her shoes if she’d asked…’

That was my mindset, but I really was tired, so I smiled, said goodbye, and turned to leave.

“By the way.”

Martha’s voice came from behind me.

“I’ll prepare a separate wedding gift.”

“……”

Long live the female protagonist.

Martha Cayenne is truly the light and salt of this world.

❖ ❖ ❖

The next day, as promised, Martha announced at breakfast that she planned to hold a banquet where she would announce my marriage to Arkle.

At those words, Arkle, who had been eating quietly, silently stopped his hand, and the employees seemed a bit surprised but soon offered sincere congratulations.

“Now everyone will know Miss Lize is part of the Cayenne family!”

“Cayenne can boast about having Miss Lize!”

Everyone was delighted.

Except for one person.

“……”

Naran, looking displeased, suddenly stood up from his seat.

With trembling lips, he forced a smile.

“Con… congra… congratu… congratu… lations. Li… ze, damn it, I can’t do this!!”

Then he turned abruptly and ran out.

It was déjà vu of the day I first announced my contract marriage with Arkle.

“Damn it—!”

Even without seeing, I could guess who ran out after him.

The first time it happened, I was taken aback, but the second time, it didn’t seem like a big deal.

‘I should find Naran and Sylvia separately to comfort them.’

I thought while focusing on my steak.

Without realizing it, I seemed to have developed quite a knack for living at Cayenne.

❖ ❖ ❖

After comforting Naran and Sylvia in turn, I returned to my room for some time alone.

‘Everything has been going smoothly so far.’

I caught and tamed the sorcerer, a future golden goose.

I earned Martha’s trust by going to Kelston in her place and received a hefty allowance.

But why do I feel…

‘Like something is missing…’

Ah.

I jumped up from my seat.

“My movie!!”

I hadn’t watched it even once because I was preoccupied with other matters!

The video stone was hanging on a statue in the corner of the room. I quickly grabbed it and went to find Juan.

“Juan— It’s urgent! Can you teach me how to splice videos?!”

When I burst through the door, Juan was so startled he nearly had a seizure.

He adjusted his glasses as if trying to calm his startled heart and said.

“…Yes, welcome back. I’m glad to see you again too.”

Come to think of it, this was our first conversation since I returned from Kelston.

Juan had missed breakfast due to an errand, but he seemed to have heard about the upcoming announcement of my marriage to Arkle.

“What concerns me is that, as you know, the banquet will essentially be Miss Lize’s official debut in society, and other nobles…”

He seemed to want to discuss this matter further, but…..

“Right now! Some unknown nobles aren’t important! Nothing will change by worrying about it now, so why bother with useless things!”

“…But I’m still worried—”

“I appreciate your concern, but what good does your worry do, Juan! Whatever happens, I’ll handle it.”

“……”

“So hurry up and teach me how to splice videos. I’m going to create a masterpiece like no other in the world.”

Juan looked like he had more to say, but he sighed softly and replied, “Understood.”

With Juan’s help, I began splicing, cutting, and editing the videos I had captured in the video stone.

Thanks to the horror genre rules ingrained in my mind, the work itself wasn’t difficult, but one unexpected thing was that Juan was incredibly timid.

“…And if you press this device— Aaaah—! Turn it off, please turn it off quickly!”

“So I press this, right?”

“I said turn it off!! I know you haven’t turned it off yet. I can hear the sound!”

Because he kept closing his eyes and covering his ears even during scenes that weren’t scary at all, the work wasn’t finished until evening.

“Thanks, Juan. I think I can handle it on my own now.”

“……”

“Would you like to see the finished product if you want?”

“…No, thank you.”

Somehow, his eyes seemed more sunken than before.

As I was leaving the office, Juan desperately called out, “Please don’t close the door—!”

In the end, I left the office with the door half-open as Juan requested.

As I walked through the corridor back to my room, lightning flashed outside the window.

‘This is the perfect weather for watching a horror movie, isn’t it?’

I was about to quicken my pace in excitement when a thought crossed my mind.

“Let’s go home now. Let’s watch the movie together when we get back.”

‘That’s what I said to Arkle back then.’

I wondered if Arkle would remember those words.

‘…Should I ask him to watch it together?’

❖ ❖ ❖

I went to Arkle’s room, but he wasn’t there.

When I asked a passing maid, she said he seemed to have gone to the training ground in the garden.

“Even with all this rain?”

When I asked in surprise, the maid nodded in agreement.

“That’s what I thought. He’ll probably return in a few hours. Should I tell him you came by?”

“Hmm… no. I’ll go out to see him.”

It might just be my imagination, but Arkle seemed a bit strange since returning from Kelston.

He was always quiet and emanated a dark aura, but….. he seemed even gloomier somehow.

‘Plus, it feels like he’s avoiding me in a subtle way?’

I felt uneasy, wondering if he suddenly wanted to terminate our contract.

‘Talking to him directly will be the quickest way.’

So I followed the maid’s directions to the training ground in the garden.

“Ah, I’ll go alone from here.”

At the door leading to the garden, I smiled and took an umbrella from the maid.

The maid nodded and went back inside the mansion.

In the training ground a short distance away, I could see Arkle practicing swordsmanship in the rain.

“Wow….”

Despite the unfavorable weather for training, his movements were admirable.

Moreover, his figure under the moonlight was so beautiful that I couldn’t think of anything else.

To the point where I completely forgot why I had come here.