The Villain Who Will Kill Me Is Too Handsome, It's Troublesome - Chapter 93

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

Chapter 93.
When had she called for Bailey?
He stood in a deep navy suit, the cravat knotted with exacting precision.
And his hair—recently combed with careless hands during those solitary days—now gleamed with careful grooming. His bangs swept back with refined elegance, every inch the gentleman.
In his hands, he held an enormous bouquet. The picture he made was indistinguishable from a prospective son-in-law calling to pay his respects.
He’d seemed unusually excited at the mention of visiting her home.
“Um… is this alright?”
Kirien’s pupils dilated the moment he caught sight of Artiela still in her armor.
“No, it looks wonderful, but…”
Artiela glanced down at her own appearance. Would they look mismatched walking side by side?
“I thought you meant we were going to introduce ourselves formally to your parents…”
She’d confused it with something he’d said right after the Emperor sent the betrothal gift. Yusiel had urged him to propose the moment the Marriage Ban lifted, and the children had echoed the same sentiment today.
Kirien raised the bouquet to cover half his face, mortified.
“Your mother will be delighted when she sees these flowers.”
An even lovelier bloom rising above them all.
Had he caught her teasing? Kirien turned toward his room.
“I’ll go change.”
“No, I’ll change instead. I told Yusiel I’d be staying the night at home.”
It had been so long since she’d visited her family. She should go as a daughter, not as a holy knight. And Kirien would go as the young man her daughter had invited home for the first time.
Artiela quickly changed and emerged.
It was the casual dress she usually wore on investigative rounds—a beige blouse with restrained pleating and a ribbon tie that emphasized elegance, paired with a high-waisted long skirt in matching tone.
“Well? What do you think?”
She spun around once in front of him for no particular reason.
“This suits you equally well. I’d assumed you never wore anything but armor or training clothes.”
“I deliberately dress like this so often that people don’t recognize me when I go out investigating in something like this.”
“I see. I certainly never suspected it myself at first.”
That dress from those days had been ruined, though it still remained at the Duke’s estate.
Kirien smiled softly, then extended his hand to her.
“Thank you for granting me the honor of escorting a lady.”
She placed her hand in his. There were no gloves, no high heels, yet being supported with such formality didn’t feel unpleasant. She, the knight, had always been the one to step forward and care for others.
“It feels strange to be treated like a lady.”
“To me, you are both a knight I respect and a lady I hold dear.”
“Thank you.”
Artiela smiled with a soft laugh and walked with him out of the dormitory. They would have to walk to the main gate to board the carriage.
The moment they emerged, all eyes turned toward them.
The priests who always enjoyed watching the holy knight’s romance, the children learning the ways of the Temple, the faithful visitors—
And apparently, some nobles who had come by to gather information, having already heard rumors of the Emperor’s relentless gift offensive.
“News of us will reach the Imperial Palace.”
Kirien leaned down and whispered softly to Artiela.
“I know. I just hope someone finally gives up.”
Either way, if his memory returned, wouldn’t he abandon his pursuit out of shame and gratitude for her kindness in saving his life?
They crossed the Temple with deliberate affection and boarded the carriage. Before long, they arrived at the Count’s residence.
“Miss!”
The butler of House Solthis rushed forward joyfully at the sight of Artiela.
“It’s been so long.”
“You should visit more often.”
The butler genuinely looked disappointed, judging by how he never left Artiela’s side.
“Ha, I’m sorry—I’ve been busy. I gave you short notice, didn’t I?”
“Not at all. But this gentleman must be…”
The butler’s face went pale as he noticed Kirien, who stood rigid with tension.
“Yes, Kirien. The boyfriend from all those rumors.”
“Oh, indeed. It’s an honor to meet you.”
Why was he pulling out a handkerchief?
The butler was so visibly moved that Kirien could only maintain an awkward smile.
He’d seemed to improve, but perhaps strangers still made him uncomfortable.
“Everyone’s waiting inside. Do come in.”
“Is Bleo here as well?”
“The young master has much to do today and will return a bit late.”
His health seems fine then.
But was he throwing himself into work to overcome heartbreak? Or was he unable to let go of his feelings for the Princess and continuing to pursue her?
“Sigh, what’s troubling you?”
“What do you mean, Miss?”
“I’m worried about House Solthis’s future.”
“Ha, you’re something else, Miss. Just last night the Princess came to the house late, wanting to check on the young master and nurse him through the night, wasn’t she?”
Yesterday, from the way the Princess had reacted, it didn’t seem like they’d part so easily. She’d kissed Bleo so many times, swearing she’d save him.
Did that mean she didn’t need to worry about the two of them?
Yet still, an uneasy feeling lingered that she couldn’t quite shake.
Though her mother’s remark had made her forget her worries for a moment.
“My goodness, who is this?”
“I’ve arrived, madam.”
The moment Kirien saw a familiar face, he promptly pressed the bouquet into Lillian’s hands.
“Oh my, such extravagance. Though I suppose the Duke is a flower himself.”
Artiela’s mouth fell open slightly. Kirien, feeling the embarrassment, laughed bashfully. The servants of House Solthis were in a frenzy, stealing glances at him.
“Really, House Solthis has it good.”
“Let’s work here for life.”
Artiela struggled to stifle her laughter at the maids’ exclamations.
Kirien’s ears grew steadily redder, yet he didn’t seem to dislike it. There was something genuinely pleasant about being welcomed by her people in a space filled with her memories.
“It has been some time, Count.”
Though he tensed again before her father.
“The master has prepared quite thoroughly, Miss.”
Just then, the Butler spoke from behind.
“He means to put you through several tests, it seems.”
Several tests? Artiela’s eyes widened in surprise even as her father was already leading Kirien toward the parlor.
“What was done to your maternal grandfather—he intends to repay that in kind to your prospective son-in-law.”
Ah, yes, she’d heard of it.
Men who drank wine and showed their nature weren’t fit to cherish a wife, so he’d made her grandfather drink wine until he was drunk. Beyond that, there was a physical trial as well, and he’d have to compete at Chess to prove his strategy.
Father had apparently struggled in both the physical trial and at Chess.
“Do you play Chess, Kirien?”
“I was taught by my father and my siblings.”
“Are you good at it?”
“I’m not certain—I don’t think I’ve won very often…….”
Oh no.
It seemed Kirien wouldn’t be returning to the Knight Order tomorrow without incident.
“He has to win to leave.”
“Duke, would you care for a quick match with me before dinner is served?”
In Kirien’s eyes as he was led away, there gleamed a solemn determination.
* * *
Sernia sat in a chair arranged in the break room of the Finance Ministry Building.
She sipped her tea with practiced elegance while reading a book. The title was “Collected Imperial Marriage Customs.”
Persel, who had been observing her, quietly went to report to Piter.
“The Princess reads while waiting for Lord Bleo.”
“And last night?”
Persel watched Piter with sorrowful eyes as he read through the previous session’s aristocratic records, not once looking at him.
And also at the perfectly intact stone fragment in his own hand.
“When she said she would go to House Solthis to nurse Lord Bleo and stay the night, the Countess sent her back. Today she spent all afternoon in the Library alone. She met with no one else.”
So she was trying so faithfully to carry out his orders?
Without any hidden agenda?
“What book is she reading?”
“A book on Imperial Marriage Custom. Having seen that His Majesty sent a proposal, isn’t she gathering her resolve and preparing to aid His Majesty?”
That would be inconvenient.
Had Sernia not been someone who needed to move, he wouldn’t have broached the subject. But according to the chamberlain, Artiela had taken the Duke Rupel to House Solthis.
If even the Countess, who had secretly marked him as a suitable son-in-law, changed her mind, then he would have nothing left to lean on.
“Tell the First Princess: tonight, act at once.”
So that the peaceful family gathering would be broken up immediately.

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