Pardon the Abduction, Holy Knight - It's an Emergency - Chapter 1.8

***

“This is the payment for this consultation, please accept it.”

“Thank you.”

I received the money pouch that Serena handed over.

The heavy feeling was pleasant.

“How can I trust you? Especially a shop that just opened. I’ll only pay you when you fulfill your role well. 10% at a time. No complaints, right? “

Despite my worries that she might run off after saying that, Serena paid diligently, contrary to my concerns.

I had already received 50% of the total amount.

“Well, I guess I have to acknowledge it now. Your ability. How on earth do you read Marquis Berto’s mind so well?”

Serena, who had been skeptical of my advice on the first day, was now faithfully following my words with blind trust.

“That’s a trade secret.”

I answered with a grin, and Serena narrowed her eyes.

But soon, she excitedly recounted her experiences with Marquis Berto as if it didn’t matter.

“Ah, right. While we’re at it, there’s one more thing I’d like to request.”

As time passed Serena was preparing to leave.

As I was slowly getting up from my chair to see Serena off, something caught my eye.

“…?”

Behind Serena, the bedroom door that should never be opened was opening.

And…

W-what?!

I made eye contact with Adriel, who was trying to crawl out through the gap in the door.

I stared at the door gap with eyes that seemed about to pop out.

Wit, where’s Wit?

Reflexively turning my head towards the window, I was shocked to see Wit planting tomatoes in the garden.

As I was fidgeting nervously, Serena spoke.

“I want to make Holy Knight Adriel my lover. That’s possible too, right?”

At Serena’s statement, Adriel’s face behind her stiffened.

“Ah, perhaps the proprietor doesn’t know who Adriel is?”

No. I know very well.

We’re even making eye contact right now…

“But where have you been looking…”

As I lost my words and stared blankly somewhere, Serena tried to turn around with a suspicious look.

I called out to Serena urgently.

“Customer…!”

“Hm?”

“…Didn’t you say you loved Marquis Berto?”

“What? Of course, I love the Marquis. But why?”

Serena asked me back with an expression that truly didn’t understand why I was asking this. I wanted to ask why she had such an expression, but.

At least I succeeded in diverting her attention.

I secretly sighed and asked.

“If you love the Marquis, I don’t understand why you’re looking for a Holy Knight.”

Serena blinked silently for a moment, then chuckled as if looking at an innocent child.

“Yes. I love the Marquis. I’m sincere enough to look forward to a distant future with him. But proprietor, husband, and lover are separate entities, aren’t they?”

Husband and lover.

Even in the novel, it was common for married nobles to have separate lovers.

That’s why the title of this novel was <Don’t Regret It, Prince>.

The male protagonist, Deus, couldn’t acknowledge his feelings and went around meeting other women, only to regret it later.

I definitely shouldn’t judge the people of this world by my own standards.

“Adriel is a young and handsome knight that many noble ladies and young misses in the capital’s social circles are eyeing. He’s also a talented individual who has secured the position of deputy leader of the temple at a young age due to his outstanding abilities.”

That great person is right behind you.

Looking at us with disgust as we have this conversation.

“But well, even so, he’s a commoner, so everyone just wants to make him their lover.”

Adriel isn’t a commoner though.

But I had to swallow my true thoughts since I couldn’t reveal the truth that only I knew.

Serena, thinking I didn’t understand because I remained silent, frowned as if frustrated.

“Think about having a man desired by everyone as your lover. Still don’t get it?”

“……”

“Hah. I guess it’s no use, proprietor. Will you help me this time too? I’ll pay you handsomely. You can name your price.”

I glanced behind Serena as she sighed.

Adriel’s red eyes were darkly sunken.

He had an aura like a cat with raised fur as if he wouldn’t let anyone touch him even slightly.

How could she think of making such a person her lover…

“Why aren’t you answering?”

I turned my gaze back to meet Serena’s eyes.

In any case, there was only one answer I could give.

“I’m sorry, customer. But I cannot accept this request.”

Even if I desperately need money, there are things I must give up.

I can’t let anyone find out that Adriel is here.

“Why not? Is it about money? If that’s the case, I said you could name your…”

“That Holy Knight is mine.”

I gently cut off Serena’s words and smiled.

“Please refrain from touching him.”

It was fortunate that I could firmly refuse since the Marquis Berto request wasn’t finished yet.

“What…”

As I spoke firmly with a smile, Serena seemed flustered and couldn’t continue her words.

After a moment, Serena raised one corner of her mouth tremblingly and let out a hollow laugh.

“What, proprietor… You knew who Adriel was?”

But soon, as if trying to maintain her last bit of dignity, she raised her chin haughtily and said,

“Forget it. Come to think of it, that mere commoner isn’t that important anyway. Ignore what I just said and just focus on how to turn Marquis Berto’s heart.”

“Yes. Of course, I’ll do my best to serve you.”

I glanced behind.

Wit, who had somehow entered the house, was urgently pulling Adriel into the room.

…But why that expression?

Adriel didn’t take his eyes off me until the door closed.

That expression, how should I describe it?

He looked a bit dazed.

I carelessly turned my gaze back to Serena.

“As always.”

Once I receive all the consultation fees, I should sell some jewels and repair the door.

***

Time passed, and it was during the 10th consultation with Serena.

“What on earth is the problem?!”

Serena started to vent her frustrations.

“Did you practice everything I told you without missing anything?”

“Yes! I’ve tried everything you said. Makeup, dress, perfume, and even the way of speaking, everything!”

Serena’s breath trembled with indignation.

After being unable to calm her excitement for a while, she finally seemed to try to calm down and sank back into the chair.

“Of course, it’s not that your advice was useless. It was visible how pleased the Marquis was with my changes.”

“Then why…”

“That’s what I want to ask! Why can’t we progress further from here? He won’t even ask me to be his lover! He readily agrees to date appointments though!”

I narrowed my brows and tapped the table with my pen.

Of course, it was an act to appear serious.

I knew why Serena couldn’t completely win Marquis Berto’s heart.

Until now, Serena had only been winning Marquis Berto’s heart with the filtered answers I provided.

In other words, it meant that a powerful final blow to completely win Marquis Berto’s heart was lacking.

I couldn’t tell her this.

If I tell her that last method, Serena would cross a river of no return.

Even if I tell her, it’s uncertain whether Serena would actually do it.

No, forget about doing it, she might even slap me for daring to suggest such a thing.

“Think about what the problem could be!”

As I half-listened to Serena’s anger, I thought of the money pouch that would be safely stored under the bed.

I’ve already received 60% of the total amount so far.

People usually ruin themselves by being too greedy.

This should be enough.

There’s no need to take risks for the remaining amount.

“I’m trying my best too… but I really can’t figure out the reason.”

“Ha… what?”

Seeing my perplexed appearance, Serena sighed and turned her head towards the window.