Life as an Adventurer with the Banished Marquis' Daughter - Chapter 09: Continued – Carriage Journey with the Exiled Marquis’s Daughter, Part 2

Chapter 09: Continued – Carriage Journey with the Exiled Marquis’s Daughter, Part 2

The moment Erika Solnzari herself said those words, I was overwhelmed with a feeling similar to euphoria and invincibility, and then, in an instant, I felt the blood drain from my face.

To her, it might have been just a simple confirmation.

But for me, it wasn’t.

To affirm those words, even if it was just a nominal role in a farce, it required seriousness and determination.

I realized my face had slightly stiffened.

Seeing that, she raised her eyebrows a little.

“Yes, I am the man who will be your husband.”

I felt sweat trickling down my back, but it didn’t feel unpleasant.

Erika Solnzari stared at my face and then gave a bitter smile that was almost a wry grin.

“You can make such a noble-like face too, huh?”

Wondering what kind of face she meant, I saw her looking nostalgic.

“If I had known you could make that face, I might have introduced you.”

Who would she have introduced me to? 

Since she mentioned “noble-like,” maybe someone important? Not that I care.

“So, what is your goal? I can mostly guess, but…”

She tilted her head slightly, resting one hand on her cheek, and it was almost too much to bear.

“Which means I don’t understand why you are here.”

Huh? Why am I here?

I pondered for a moment, unsure how to respond.

I couldn’t exactly say, “I was thrilled to take on the role of being nominally married to the girl I like,” even though it was true.

I knew better than that. Coming from a poor viscount family with no experience in wooing women, I wasn’t used to dealing with them, but even I understood that saying such a thing would be weird.

But how should I respond?

What would a popular guy say in this situation?

She noticed my affection and asked why I was here. How would a charming guy answer that?

Ah, Erika Solnzari is waiting for my answer. I can’t just stay silent.

Desperately, I managed to say, hoping it wouldn’t come off as creepy,

“I just wished to be by your side, even if only a little.”

Was this the right answer? A different kind of nervous sweat trickled down my back.

“Seriously…”

Erika Solnzari spoke,

“For someone who says it with such a face, you sure chose a roundabout way.”

She looked at me as if she were looking at something troublesome, but there was no disdain or disgust in her voice. Instead, it felt like she was showing concern for someone clumsy.

At least, she didn’t seem to find me creepy.

And what did she mean by roundabout? You’re right here in front of me.

“So, how long will you stay with me?”

“Huh? How long?”

When I asked back, she responded with a tone of impatience, yet still like she was advising a younger brother who just didn’t get it.

“The period you’ll stay with me. You must have negotiated that with my father, right?”

Negotiate with the chancellor? What was she talking about?

Erika Solnzari had a habit of jumping ahead in conversations, probably because she was too smart.

I couldn’t keep up with her quick thinking, but I tried to understand.

I didn’t recall negotiating with the chancellor, but we did meet and talk. 

I think he said something like, “Take care of my daughter.”

What did she mean by the period? Wait, she meant the time I’d stay with her?

Oh, I see… What a misunderstanding I had.

She had no obligation to seriously go along with this farce.

Erika Solnzari could live perfectly well on her own.

The period she referred to must be the time she’d go along with the farce and keep me by her side.

I felt embarrassed, realizing how shallow I had been to think I could stay by her side just by taking on a role in this farce.

It wouldn’t be easy to stay with her.

I looked straight into her eyes.

If I said forever, would you accept it?

For some reason, Erika Solnzari seemed to be taken aback by my gaze.

“Could you allow me to stay by your side for a year? Just one year?”