Reincarnated as a Villainous Aristocrat in an Otome Game, So I Bought the Main Heroine with Money - Chapter 66: Seeking Liese’s Advice

Chapter 66: Seeking Liese’s Advice

《Cerios’ Side》

The rhythmic sway of the carriage echoed through the quiet air as I gazed out the window, watching the passing scenery.

The road back to Egrid territory was peaceful, the crisp wind slipping through the cracks and chilling the air inside.

Beside me, Liese sat with a small, tired frame. The exhaustion in her posture was undeniable, yet she still managed a gentle smile.

“Truly… thank you, Lord Cerios. You’ve done so much for me…”

Hearing her gratitude, I let out a small, wry chuckle.

She was too sincere—it almost hurt to hear.

If she knew the truth… that I had taken her under my protection not just out of kindness, but also as a way to shield myself from condemnation… I wondered what kind of expression she would make.

I was afraid to find out.

If only things were simpler—if only I could just hold her close without hesitation.

“It’s my duty to protect you. You don’t need to thank me.”

As I responded, Kiru’s words echoed in my mind once again.

“Duke Everett said this—‘You have yet to prove your resolve.’”

…My resolve.

That phrase had been lingering in my thoughts ever since.

What exactly did the Duke expect from me?

And more importantly…

Was this somehow connected to Clarice?

“Lord Cerios, is something wrong?”

Liese’s gentle voice pulled me from my thoughts. She must have noticed how quiet I had become.

“No, it’s nothing serious… I was just lost in thought.”

“Lost in thought…?”

She tilted her head slightly, watching me with curiosity.

Taking a deep breath, I turned to face her.

“Liese, there’s something I want to ask you.”

“Me…?”

Her eyes widened in surprise.

I didn’t often ask for her opinion, so I could understand why she seemed taken aback.

But she was the protagonist of this world—someone who always found a way forward.

Maybe, just maybe, she would come up with a perspective that I hadn’t considered.

“This is something I heard from Kiru. It seems he had been receiving support from Duke Everett… and he passed along a message to me.”

“A message…?”

Liese asked quietly, her expression turning serious.

“Apparently, the duke said this—‘Cerios von Egrid, you have yet to show your resolve.’“

“Resolve…?”

She murmured the word under her breath, lowering her gaze in thought.

I wanted to figure this out—with her help.

If there was something I hadn’t realized, maybe she could see it from a different angle.

“Liese, what do you think? What kind of resolve is the duke expecting from me?”

She fell into deep thought, then slowly lifted her face to meet my gaze.

“Perhaps… it’s the resolve to carry the weight of a ducal house?”

“The ducal house?”

Her words made me furrow my brow.

It felt like there was a deeper meaning behind them—something I hadn’t considered.

“Lord Cerios, I believe Duke Everett moves with only one thing in mind—his house.”

“His house…“

“Yes. Even with Lady Clarice, instead of simply disowning her, he’s ensuring she can still marry into a royal family of another kingdom, isn’t he?”

Her words struck me.

Was the duke merely pretending to cast Clarice aside—while actually setting the stage for her future?

“…You have a point. I can’t imagine the duke would just throw Clarice away so easily. But that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s what’s best for her, does it?”

“Even so, it might be what he sees as the best decision. To protect Lady Clarice—and to secure the future of House Everett.”

Liese spoke with quiet confidence, as if she understood the way the duke thought.

And despite my initial hesitation, I couldn’t deny that her perspective made sense.

“If that’s the case… then the resolve the duke expects from me is…”

“Perhaps it’s for you to determine what is truly best—for your own territory and for your own house.”

Liese’s voice was steady, her gaze unwavering.

And in her eyes, I saw nothing but absolute trust in me.

“…What should I do?”

“Yes. I believe Duke Everett is watching—waiting to see what kind of resolve you will choose to act upon.”

Her words made me hold my breath.

The duke is testing me.

If that were true, then everything—the strange series of events, his cryptic words, even his actions toward Clarice—was starting to fall into place.

“Liese… you always help me see things clearly.”

“That’s not true. I only want to support you, Lord Cerios.”

Her soft smile eased the weight in my chest, as if the fog clouding my thoughts had begun to lift.

“Thank you, Liese. Once I’ve safely brought you to Egrid, I’ll face the duke again—with my answer.”

“Please be careful, Lord Cerios.”

Her gentle voice resonated deep within me, grounding me.

And for the first time in a long while, the weight on my heart felt just a little lighter.

As the carriage swayed with the road, I stole a glance at her beside me, my thoughts settling on the path ahead.

(Resolve, huh…? Duke Everett, if it’s an answer you seek—then I’ll show you what kind of man I am.)

For Clarice.

For my land.

For the future I must protect—

I steeled my resolve.

To prove myself.

To rescue Clarice.

And to make Duke Everett acknowledge me.