TOM Chapter 8

Even though they were wearing a mask, I could feel the employee's expression change. Their shoulders tensed and their movements became rigid. I looked at Kruelo.

Let's see what your guild has to say about this.

"Information about the target is—"

"When larks sing at midday, and shadows walking the path reach the ridge."

Kruelo, who had been observing the situation, interrupted. Was he unable to bear being left out and trying to draw attention to himself?

But unexpectedly, the employee answered that strange question.

"...The snake that waited in darkness will shed a thousand scales and welcome them."

It sounded like poetry, like a Zen riddle. And also like... a code. Wait, could it actually be real?

"Payment is required in advance."

The other party spoke in a much more businesslike and rigid tone. In contrast, Kruelo didn't change his demeanor at all and pulled out a voucher from his coat.

I couldn't see the amount, but it certainly wasn't pocket money for snacks.

"This should be sufficient."

"What specific information would you like to know?"

Instead of answering, Kruelo looked at me. It seemed like he wanted me to ask the questions.

Did he think I'd be too intimidated to dig for information about someone right in front of them? Not a chance.

I immediately opened my mouth. First, I started by cleaning up the nonsense I'd spouted earlier.

"What type of person does the Duke prefer?"

Since Kruelo had been informal, I didn't bother being polite either.

"Nothing has been officially disclosed. Shall I provide information compiled from the common traits of his fiancées?"

"Fiancées... plural?"

Plural?

Did Kruelo have fiancées other than 'Amy'?

At least during my time as Biga, he didn't have anyone else, but... hmm. There was a four-year gap between when I died in Biga's body and became Siora. He had inherited his title during that time, so it wouldn't be strange if he'd gone through some marriage negotiations.

Still, feeling somehow unsettled, I asked.

"How many fiancées were there in total?"

Kruelo laughed beside me.

It was a sound that stirred foreboding, and sure enough—

"Nine in total."

"Nine..."

That was a jaw-dropping number.

Really? Eight more in just four years?

My head began to ache, and I pressed my forehead.

"What were the reasons for the broken engagements?"

"One entered a convent. Five reached mutual agreements through deals. Two fell ill. Two died."

"...So the women's side requested all the broken engagements? If they were going to do that, why not refuse the marriage proposals from the start?"

"When marriage proposals were refused, he exposed their corruptions. Four families collapsed that way."

I couldn't even imagine what kind of corruption could bring down entire families.

Should this be called reaping what you sow?

"Live honorably then! At the very least, don't get caught with weaknesses! Why should the Bonetti family become the Duke's plaything because of father's corruption!"

Now I truly understood the meaning of those words.

"Still, this is Whitedesert we're talking about—was there really reason enough to refuse marriage proposals to that extent?"

"This is my personal opinion, but I believe they judged there would be no benefit."

"No benefit?"

"Because he's no ordinary person. Even after engagements, he wouldn't give up any of his interests and would casually expose the corruption of his partner's families. There was even a case where the family head was assassinated by an unidentified assassin."

"..."

"His usual conduct is quite colorful as well. Notable examples include the execution proxy incident and the ballroom assassin slaughter incident."

Just from the incident names alone, these were details I really didn't want to know. At this point, it was almost like begging for broken engagements.

How considerate?

"Then why did he pursue marriage proposals in the first place? Does he have quite the appetite for women?"

I asked with a bitter laugh. Kruelo was right next to me, but I didn't care. Honestly, I wanted to ask him directly, but given the location, I had to pretend I was asking the employee.

The person in question was laughing so hard he was making sounds, as if something was incredibly amusing.

"Sexually, he's rather fastidious. Apart from dancing, he wouldn't even hold hands. The reason he pursued marriage negotiations so frequently is, and this is also my speculation—"

It probably wasn't groundless speculation, so I nodded for them to continue. The employee hesitated slightly before speaking.

"After the Duke's first fiancée died—"

At that moment, a cracking sound swallowed their words.

Suddenly, the lamp hanging from the ceiling shattered into pieces, and glass fragments scattered in all directions.

No one was hurt, but with even the dim light gone, our vision was plunged into darkness.

I groped through the darkness and turned toward Kruelo.

His red eyes glowed like lanterns. I could faintly sense magical energy within them.

Kruelo spoke slowly,

"The guild building is in quite a state."

"...My apologies, customer. We would appreciate it if you could return after we complete maintenance."

"I suppose so. Shall we go?"

Though the view was dark, his voice, tinged with laughter, was clear. I nodded without hesitation.

We left the building, but the surroundings were still dim. When had the sun set?

Dark blue evening covered the sky. The air had grown quite cold, making my body shiver.

I wanted to steal Kruelo's coat.

"Are you disappointed?"

Kruelo suddenly asked.

"I thought you knew but were pretending not to, but you seemed genuinely surprised, as if hearing it for the first time."

"Well, I hardly ever left the house. You know that, right?"

"I was told that, but..."

His eyes narrowed.

He seemed suspicious, but right now, I was the one who should be interrogating.

Disappointed, he asked?

I stopped walking abruptly and asked.

"May I ask just one thing?"

"I might not be able to answer."

"Your Grace's former fiancées who died... including those who fell ill."

"..."

"Did they end up that way because of Your Grace?"

I knew the fate of one of the deceased better than anyone, but I couldn't be sure about the other cases.

So I needed to make this clear before moving on.

Kruelo couldn't answer immediately.

Realizing my mistake, I corrected my question slightly.

"Did you kill them with your own hands?"

"...No."

Kruelo rubbed his face wearily.

"I didn't do it."

"Then I'm not disappointed."

I was surprised in many ways, but actually, it wasn't even surprising.

I already knew this.

What I heard today was exactly as described in 《Destiny》.

The notorious scoundrel, a walking bomb, wasn't that what they called him?

At least he had barely managed to maintain justification by only tormenting corrupt families.

Of course, it was disheartening.

I had hoped Kruelo would be a better person than this, and I had worked hard for that purpose.

But as long as my involvement hadn't made the situation worse, I could somehow accept it.

"Do you still want to marry me?"

"Yes."

"I can't tell if you're lying or if you're being willfully ignorant out of desire."

"Let's say it's both."

"There's no guarantee I won't touch the Bonetti family even if we get engaged. Are you really okay with that?"

"That's for the guilty parties to deal with—why should I care?"

"Do the other Bonetti members feel the same way?"

"At least Minuet seemed to like it. She must be confident she can profit from it."

Come to think of it, she had the same mindset in 《Destiny》.

She really didn't want to marry Kruelo, but since things had come to this, she was determined to squeeze every advantage out of it.

She even planned to assassinate Kruelo and devour all of Whitedesert—quite impressive in many ways.

"What's the real reason?"

The real reason?

I stared at Kruelo intently and ended up laughing.

"World peace?"

This is an answer as crazy as anything Kruelo would say.

As I giggled to myself, he looked at me like I was strange.

But it's true.

"So why did Your Grace come today? From how you were waiting by the carriage, it seemed like you came looking for me."

"Well, to protect the peace of the streets?"

Ah, seriously.

Cruello's unfunny joke buried even my sincerity.

The surrounding air felt chilly too, so I rubbed my arms, and Kruelo took off his coat.

"Actually, there's a snake roaming the streets. That snake..."

As he draped the coat over my shoulders, the man smiled with a peculiar expression.

"I came because I was worried it might devour my darling."

Days passed since I encountered Kruelo, and I visited the information guild again, but it wasn't even open.

After that, uneventful, leisurely days continued. Perhaps instead of 'leisurely,' I could say 'luxurious.'

Money came in monthly under the name of maintenance allowance, the dining table was abundant, and I even received an apology from Betty for leaking information.

I got my own room and could finally escape the bedroom. Since this was my first time being properly treated as a noble child, I indulged in laziness to my heart's content.

And as of today!

"Congratulations, Siora. They say the adoption process has been completed."

I had become Siora Bonetti.

Wow!

How anticlimactic.

I never expected it to end so simply with just one word from Minuet. I didn't even see the Countess's face—just received documents saying she agreed to the adoption.

The Count was still under investigation at the imperial palace, so he wasn't even at the estate.

Even though we had become family legally, I never expected it to be this cold.

"A High Priest will come soon to give you a blessing."

I take back what I said about it being anticlimactic. Having someone else's clergyman bless me—how sacrilegious!

"No, the High Priest must be busy—there's no need for him to come specially."

"You look openly disappointed. Well, what meaning would a blessing have if you don't receive it immediately on the day you're registered?"

"Right? Then it would be better not to receive it at all?"

"So I'll throw you a party instead."

"Suddenly?"

"I didn't mention it, but I've prepared everything. I've sent invitations to suitable people too. Oh."

Minuet suddenly handed me something as if she'd just remembered.

It was a stack of documents so thick it was like a decent-sized book, making me feel ominous for no reason.

What is this? I glanced through it and saw people's names written.

Wait, could this be...?

"You said you have a good memory, right?"

"Actually, I'm just slightly better than a goldfish."

"Oh dear, you'll have to keep working hard right until the party."

"You really want me to memorize all of this?"

"You'll have to if you don't want to make mistakes at the party."

Minuet smiled with a benevolent face.

"Tomorrow is practically your debutante ball—you're not planning to make mistakes, are you?"

"It's my first time, so a few mistakes—"

"What? You're going to damage the family's honor as soon as you become a Bonetti?"

She left me speechless.

I pressed my lips tightly together and glared at Minuet.

She wore an extremely satisfied expression as she left the room.

Tch.

The next day, morning.

I was able to meet all of the Bonetti family's specialists. Hair, makeup, dress, and accessories—there were so many experts.

I was on the verge of exhaustion when Betty finally nodded.

"Good, it's perfect."