Let’s Make Saving a Habit - Chapter 89

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 89
Elysion, who had been quietly studying my face as if at a loss for words, pressed his index finger firmly against the tip of my nose.
“Tania, you seem to have forgotten—the Magic Tower doesn’t need to worry about money anymore. Besides, I’m not the type to be constrained by finances in the first place.”
“Then what do you want?”
“….”
Judging by his expression just moments ago, he clearly had something in mind.
So why was he clamping his mouth shut now that I’d asked directly?
“What is this? You say all that and then claim you don’t want anything?”
“How about granting me one wish?”
“A wish token? …I’m not naive enough to sign a blank contract.”
At that, Elysion burst out laughing and added a condition.
“If you can’t fulfill the wish I ask for, you’re free to refuse.”
A refusal clause made it reasonable. Besides, I couldn’t imagine Elysion making unreasonable demands of me.
“Fine. What’s the time limit?”
“…Do you really have to be so businesslike about this?”
“Businesslike? The most crucial part of any contract is setting a deadline. One year should be plenty, right?”
As I said this, one of Elysion’s eyebrows arched skeptically.
I quickly caught myself and corrected course.
“…Or so I was about to say. But what are we to each other? I’ll make it two years.”
“….”
“…Five years?”
“…Is our relationship only worth five years?”
“Right. Actually, let’s make it indefinite. I’m not one to back down easily, and you really drive a hard bargain.”
With his swift change of approach, Elysion chuckled and ruffled my hair playfully.
“You should have said that from the start. I was about to feel hurt.”
I endured his mussing of the hair I’d carefully brushed that morning and began plotting my revenge.
Just you wait—I’ll make you regret adding that refusal clause.

✦ ✦ ✦
After my visit with Lady Rivera, I recruited several more young noblewomen to Bilbergia.
As I deliberated over who my next target should be.
An invitation arrived from the Princess, apparently having heard that I’d been engaging in social activities.
While I could refuse others, I couldn’t simply decline an invitation from the Imperial Family, so I ultimately accepted her invitation.
Of course, I couldn’t refuse—it wasn’t that I didn’t want to go.
What a stroke of fortune this was.
No matter how hard I tried to charm other young noblewomen, I couldn’t match the value of winning over the Princess herself.
On the day I was to meet the Princess.
I rose at dawn to prepare and made my way to the Imperial Palace.
But perhaps my enthusiasm had gotten ahead of me.
I arrived far too early for the appointed time with the Princess.
“I have time to kill.”
Raspi took my hand as I descended from the carriage and offered a suggestion.
“Since we’re here early, wouldn’t a stroll through the Garden be pleasant? I’ve heard there’s an open garden that anyone may enter.”
“Hmm, perhaps.”
“If you remain in the carriage, I’ll go inquire about the location.”
“Very well, go ahead.”
“…Just to be safe, please stay inside the carriage.”
“What could possibly happen in such a short time? And in the Imperial Palace, no less. Just go and return quickly.”
“Understood.”
Raspi hurried away, though he kept glancing back with evident concern for me.
As I watched him disappear into the distance, I indulged in idle thoughts.
A garden stroll with just Raspi. Whenever I’d taken walks before, Lena had always accompanied me.
Would Elysion grow jealous if he found out?
But Raspi wasn’t truly a man—he was a loyal retainer I’d raised well.
When I visited the Magic Tower recently, his jealousy was rather endearing.
It seemed certain that he harbored affection for me, but when would he confess?
Given that he’d kept it hidden even in the future timeline, it seemed that day was still far off.
Besides, he hadn’t even reached adulthood yet, and a confession now would only complicate matters on my end.
As I wandered aimlessly about the surroundings, lost in the stream of consciousness.
“…Miss Tania?”
At the unfamiliar male voice, my scattered thoughts snapped back into focus.
I turned toward the source of the voice and found a noble gentleman regarding me intently.
“So it is Miss Tania. Do you remember me? From the Tempus Duchy…”
Upon hearing the name Tempus, the name Hugo suddenly came to mind.
A boy with ashen hair and silver-gray eyes, everything about him rendered in near-monochromatic tones.
That fifteen-year-old boy from before, with the same colorless features, had now matured into a complete man.
“Hugo…?”
A gentle smile graced his face, confirming that I’d gotten his name right.
“Yes, that’s correct. We only crossed paths briefly, yet you remembered me so well.”
“Well, you were the young master of the Tempus Duchy, after all.”
I’d failed to recognize someone of such standing twice over—what misfortune might that bring upon me?
“Right. I heard you inherited the Tempus Family and became Duke. Congratulations, though it’s come a bit late.”
Duke Tempus answered with a bitter smile.
“Thank you. I had hoped my father would maintain his position in good health for many years, but things turned out this way.”
He had inherited the position of head of the Tempus Family before reaching adulthood.
The succession occurred as the previous Duke’s health deteriorated rapidly during his recuperation in Tempus Territory.
Since the family was so reclusive, I didn’t know the full circumstances, but that’s what was known publicly.
“I suppose I should address you as Duke Tempus from now on.”
“You’re welcome to call me Hugo informally.”
Hugo….
It was a name rarely used these days. How should I put it—rather old-fashioned, perhaps.
Yet the head of the Tempus Family suited the name Hugo remarkably well.
That was precisely the impression he gave.
“No, I couldn’t possibly presume to address you by your given name.”
“Well… if Miss Tania finds it uncomfortable, then there’s nothing to be done. I won’t insist.”
“Thank you, Duke Tempus.”
Silence descended after that.
I didn’t know what else to say.
After all, I still vividly remembered Aiden telling me to avoid entanglement with the Tempus Family….
I had no desire to grow closer to them.
When had I ever wanted to make friends?
As I kept my lips sealed, it was the head of the Tempus Family who broke the silence first.
“Come to think of it, we only seem to meet at the Imperial Palace. May I ask what brings you here today?”
“I received an invitation from the Princess, so I came. But I arrived so early compared to the appointed time that….”
“So you were wandering about to pass the time.”
“Yes, well…. And what brings you to the Imperial Palace, Duke Tempus?”
I didn’t want to continue the conversation, yet curiosity got the better of me.
Someone from the Tempus Family, who never attended any social gatherings or banquets and remained secluded….
Why did I keep running into him whenever I came to the Imperial Palace?
Had I been viewing him through prejudiced eyes all along?
The answer the head of the Tempus Family gave was perfectly reasonable and comprehensible.
“I visit the Imperial Library frequently. It’s my only hobby, given how rarely I venture outside.”
“Ah, so that’s why I saw you in the Imperial Library last time….”
“Yes. There’s no place that possesses such an extensive collection of ancient texts as the Imperial Library. I’m quite fond of very old things.”
No wonder. The name Hugo truly suited him well.
The head of the Tempus Family smiled kindly and extended his hand to me.
“If you have time to spare, would you care to visit the Imperial Library with me?”
“Ah, I was hoping to take a walk through the Garden.”
“Then shall we take a stroll through the Garden…?”
It was at that very moment I found myself cornered into taking a walk through the Garden with the Duke of Tempus.
Behind the Duke of Tempus, Raspi—who had ventured ahead to scout the Garden’s location—approached alongside someone who appeared to be a maid.
“New Maid, the Princess wishes to see you.”
It seemed word had reached her that I’d arrived earlier than scheduled.
Nice timing, Raspi.
Nice timing, Princess.
I felt her favorability rising despite never having met her before, and I furrowed my brows apologetically.
“I’m so sorry. Let’s continue our conversation next time we meet.”
With those words, I quickly excused myself before the Duke of Tempus could detain me further.
As I hurried along in the maid’s wake, that was when it happened.
Raspi leaned in close to my ear and whispered something urgent.
“Did that fellow happen to make advances toward you?”
It was a remark the maid guiding us would have been shocked to overhear.
“How did you know? He kept pretending to be familiar and asking me to go places with him. It was quite troublesome.”
“…He’s been staring at you continuously. Even now.”
A chill ran down my spine at those unsettling words.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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