If I Were Reborn, I Wouldn’t Marry You - Chapter 39
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 40
There was one thing I learned while sharing and organizing the future memories I had with Leonhardt.
‘In three years, there will be a severe drought in the south where the Ravish Marquis’ Estate is located.’
The southern territories were generally agricultural areas, so drought was fatal.
The Ravish Marquis family, which was already struggling financially, had to sell most of their territory due to the debt incurred at that time.
‘If she’s an intermediate water spirit user, she could help solve the southern drought.’
I hoped Merlin would awaken before the drought if possible.
“I’ve been thinking about what you said last time…”
Leonhardt’s information was indeed a bit more detailed than what I knew.
“So you’re saying that Windermere’s awakening wasn’t simply due to being in an extreme situation related to his potential attribute?”
“Right, there was exactly one more condition. It had to be a place where natural mana was particularly strong.”
Mana was generally non-attributed, but rarely there was mana with specific attributes.
The mountain where Windermere was buried happened to be a place where earth-attributed mana had accumulated.
“Windermere’s potential was weaker than the other children Prince found. But the reason only Windermere succeeded in awakening was because of that.”
“We’ll need to find a place where water mana has accumulated.”
Since mana having attributes was temporary, it would be tricky to find, but I was Lady Roderick.
‘Since Merlin has strong spirit affinity, just going to a place where water mana has accumulated would be a great help.’
Until now, we thought we were helping Merlin.
But the ones who really received help were Leonhardt and I.
The picnic in the garden ended harmoniously and enjoyably without any incidents.
‘Except for Lester constantly watching Leon’s mood, which was uncomfortable, and the strange atmosphere between Lionel and Merlin.’
Lester returned to his room to do homework he had postponed for the garden picnic, and Lionel headed to the Ravish Marquis family with Merlin, saying he would escort her since the sun was about to set.
Even our parents went to a party together, so once again only Leonhardt and I, the leisurely children, remained.
‘The relaxed life of a child is truly the best.’
I changed into indoor clothes and came to the dining room to wait briefly when Leonhardt appeared.
“Where are the young masters?”
Leonhardt asked, looking at the empty dining room.
“Lionel hasn’t returned yet, and Lester said he’d eat in his room.”
“Really? It’s been a while since just the two of us had dinner.”
Even though there were many empty seats, Leonhardt habitually sat in the chair next to me.
‘This actually works out well.’
I had something to discuss secretly right now.
After the maid served the appetizer and left, I poked Leonhardt’s side as he picked up his utensils.
“Hey, Leon.”
“What?”
When I subtly drew out my words, Leonhardt put down his utensils and looked toward me.
His indifferent attitude was problematic, but Leonhardt was a sincere listener.
‘And he’s the only person I can talk to about this kind of thing.’
I glanced unnecessarily at the tightly closed door and asked.
“What do you think about Merlin and Lionel?”
At first, Leonhardt looked puzzled as if he didn’t quite understand what I meant, but soon grasped the implication and asked back.
“Do you mean whether there seems to be some romantic interest between them?”
“Yes. Exactly that.”
I nodded my head vigorously in response.
‘Am I getting too excited right now?’
But watching other people’s romance is fun.
Especially when it involves my brother, who in the first round got engaged due to his sense of duty as heir but eventually broke it off and declared he’d rather live as a bachelor than not meet his destined love, and my new friend who’s gotten remarkably close to him lately.
When I urged him for an answer with sparkling eyes, Leonhardt pondered and gave his response.
“It does seem that way.”
Objectively, it was an ambiguous statement to call positive, but after hearing Leonhardt’s answer, I laid out all the things that had happened as if a seal had been broken.
“It’s not just ‘seems that way,’ it probably is! You should see how shy Merlin gets every time she looks at Lionel. And even though my friend’s brothers always join our plans, she’s not uncomfortable about it – she’s disappointed when she can’t meet with them.”
Based on my romance novel experience, this was at least attraction.
Leonhardt chuckled, seemingly amused by my clenched fists as I spoke.
“I’m seeing that young lady for the first time, but if you say so, then it must be true.”
It was more like going along with what I said rather than the answer I wanted.
“But…”
“Wait a moment.”
Leonhardt gently interrupted and handed me the fork and knife that had been left untouched.
“It’ll get cold. Let’s continue this conversation while eating. Okay?”
The way he spoke like he was coaxing a child would make anyone think Leonhardt was older than me.
When I pouted, Leonhardt placed his hand over mine holding the fork and picked up a piece of grilled tomato.
The grilled tomato with oil dressing looked really delicious.
“You do need to eat.”
It was almost time for the maid to bring the next course anyway.
I chewed and swallowed the tomato earnestly, then continued speaking in a much calmer tone than before.
“But Lionel is a bit ambiguous. He’s definitely more affectionate than when dealing with other young ladies, but I can’t tell if it’s because she’s my friend or because he likes her.”
I hoped it wasn’t the former…
I had a small ulterior motive, but I liked Merlin.
I wanted Lionel to meet someone he loved and be happy too.
So it would be great if the two of them worked out!
But I was gradually losing confidence.
‘At first I was like “Lionel definitely likes her too!” but…’
“If you keep running into someone you like, wouldn’t it show? Or maybe he was interested at first but then cooled off…”
I grumbled while poking broccoli with my fork.
“From what I can see, Lionel seems to be showing it quite obviously.”
Leonhardt answered while taking the broccoli from my plate.
‘I didn’t want to eat it anyway, so that works out.’
I moved even the last piece of broccoli to Leonhardt’s plate and waited for him to continue.
“Just today, he volunteered to escort her personally.”
“Wasn’t that because it was late? Lionel usually follows those old-fashioned etiquette rules well.”
Leonhardt’s eyes hardened slightly upon hearing my rebuttal.
Like someone who wanted to be polite to a person who kept spiders as pet insects but found it overwhelming.
“I guess this is why men should observe other men.”
Leonhardt muttered to himself, then spoke louder and continued his explanation.
“Lionel was the one who made the schedule run late in the first place.”
Come to think of it, Merlin had said she wanted to take a walk after having lots of tea and snacks, and the walking route Lionel recommended was a bit long, so her return home was later than expected.
‘Lionel said he didn’t consider other people’s walking pace…?’
But I’ve taken walks with Lionel in that direction several times.
Among the people who were together today, I was the slowest walker.
“Ah?”
When I made a dumbfounded sound after belatedly understanding the situation, Leonhardt smiled faintly.
“He’s just playing coy too perfectly. Without even thinking that the other person might get confused.”
Leonhardt concluded definitively.
“Oh, that sounds plausible.”
I clapped my hands as if I had heard an excellent researcher’s presentation.
But suddenly, one question occurred to me.
‘If he knows this much, why couldn’t he date anyone?’
It was certain since he never had a single romantic rumor before marriage.
‘Until now I thought Leon wasn’t interested in romance because he was a workaholic.’
I asked Leonhardt following my stream of consciousness.
“But how do you know all that when you’ve never even dated? Is it because you’re both guys?”
“I just had a feeling I’d know.”
Leonhardt’s expression looked strangely bitter.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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