After Starting a Thread as a Reincarnated in an Unknown Otome Game, I Got Caught in a Battlefield of Beauties - Chapter 28: Things Couldn’t Just End Peacefully… Right!?

Chapter 28: Things Couldn’t Just End Peacefully… Right!?

“—R-Really, is this all you want…?”

The king groaned, looking perplexed as he signed the bill of debt.

Sigh… The king doesn’t understand the bliss of a life without debt.

I savored the reality of finally paying off the debt that had tormented me for years. (Not saying I paid it off myself.)

“Of course it is…! Ah… Finally, the burden of debt repayment that lasted for years is gone… Haha… Hahahahahaha!! Now I can proudly cut ties with those horrible parents! Serves them right!!”

In my overwhelming sense of relief, I burst into laughter, not caring who saw.

Haha, right now I feel like I could take on any troublemaker head-on and beat them senseless.

Seeing me, the king, completely taken aback, muttered,

“…Y-You really seem happy…”

“Of course I am! Can you understand, Your Majesty!? It wasn’t even my debt, yet somehow I was the one forced to pay it! I even got close with those thuggish debt collectors because of it!!”

I started repaying the debt when I was 10 years old.

At first, I just added a little to the amount my parents paid, but for the past year or two, I’ve been covering the entire amount by myself.

Because of that, I became close friends with the tough debt collectors, Mr. Han and Mr. Zen. We got so friendly that on the nights I repaid the debt each month, they treated me to a fancy dinner. 

In the beginning, they even helped with my training.

Thanks to those two, I also toughened up mentally. I should treat them to something nice next time. 

Oh, and I remember Mr. Han mentioning his daughter would be joining my academy.

I should ask about her and maybe meet up.

While I was thinking about the debt collectors I was closer to than my own family, Leticia, who had been silent until now, tugged at my sleeve. 

When I turned to her, she asked with a completely expressionless face,

“…Alto, are your parents dead?”

“Uh… they’re not dead, but…”

“Then why are they making you pay their debt? What are they doing?”

“Aren’t they managing the estate? I haven’t had a proper conversation with them in years, so I’m not really sure.”

“I see… then, as a punishment for making my Alto suffer, can I go punch them myself?”

“Oh, please do. Actually, I’d be grateful if you could knock some sense into them.”

Even though I said that, inside, I was trembling.

This is terrifying… I know she’s angry for my sake, but it’s still scary. 

I’ll make sure never to anger her… 

Oh, but she can totally punch my awful parents.

I clenched my fist and made a vow, all while feeling the fear from Leticia’s murderous intent. 

Trying to escape that deadly aura, I quietly stepped away—

“Alto.”

I was about to leave when Duke Xenon suddenly called me from behind, making me jump.

My heart almost leapt out of my chest.

“W-What is it…?”

“You mentioned living expenses, but if you’re marrying Leticia, you won’t need them, right?”

“Uh, well…”

“He won’t need them. Alto, who has worked so hard until now, doesn’t need to work any harder. Of course, the Freezing family will cover everything until he dies.”

Kyaa, Lady Leticia is amazing!!

So, I’m getting married—married, huh. 

But doesn’t this mean I’ll end up as a useless husband who relies on his wife for money?

…If I want an easy life, that’s not bad… no, I’d probably get kicked out first.

While I was having this internal monologue, Duke Xenon made a suggestion.

“If you don’t need living expenses—how about my daughter?”

“Huh?”

…What is this man saying??

Leticia is standing right next to me??

By the way, I’m too scared to look at Leticia. I also turned down Princess Lara, so I’m too scared to see her face as well.

But… I can definitely feel their gazes from different directions.

Sweating nervously in this worst-case scenario where one wrong word could lead to disaster, I cautiously asked,

“Um… are you talking about marriage?”

“Yes. Of course, Leticia would be the main wife, and my daughter would be a concubine. She wouldn’t be happy with just getting some land anyway. I will offer compensation, but that’s not enough for me. What do you think? Sena is 21, and even without my bias, she’s quite beautiful and capable.”

“But… wouldn’t Lady Sena have to agree…”

I grasped at a tiny hope and asked hesitantly.

“Don’t worry, Alto. You’re exactly the type of man my daughter described. She likes taking care of people, so she prefers someone kind and a bit hopeless.”

Wow, he just insulted me so naturally.

…Well, the stares from behind are starting to hurt now.

So this is what it feels like to have a blade to your throat… I really didn’t want to know…

Just as I was inwardly complaining—

“—That is unacceptable, Lord Xenon. I was the one who proposed marriage first. And—actually, we’ve already kissed.”

““!?!?!?””

Princess Lara dropped an unexpected bombshell.

The atmosphere completely froze. 

The king and Duke Xenon stared at me with wide eyes. 

The king’s gaze was particularly intense.

Leticia, who already knew, waited for my response without showing any emotion. 

That was scary in its own way.

“Alto…?? Is what Lara said true…? Did you kiss a woman you don’t intend to marry…??”

“Ha, haha… hahaha… so this is how it ends…”

I raised my arms to form a ‘T’ and shouted,

“—Time out!!”

Alright—now it’s up to you, forum members!!

Please, help me!!

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