“Ha! Who studies romance from books?”
“If not books, how should one study?”
“Do you really need to study it?”
I, Siella, despite having had a trashy relationship with my ex-boyfriend, still have five years of dating experience.
Placing my right hand over my heart, I offered advice as a senior in love.
“Romance is done with the heart.”
“The heart?”
“Sir, you do like the young lady, don’t you?”
“Mm.”
The man’s earlobes and cheeks turned red. Seeing that, I solemnly asked.
“Do you love her?”
“……”
“You do love her. You want to make her happy, right?”
“That’s right.”
“You want to show her only beautiful things and feed her only good things?”
He nodded.
“What are your plans for children?”
“Two sons, three daughters… wait.”
He answered absentmindedly and then stopped.
Five children, whoever she is, she’ll have a hard time. If it were me, I’d run away.
Anyway, for that many kids, the man’s role is crucial. Before he could protest why I asked such things, I quickly continued.
“Then you should read other kinds of books.”
“Other kinds?”
“Yes. Like ‘24 Hours of Fiery Passion,’ or ‘The Secret Lives of Lovers in Bed’…”
“Don’t you have any shame?”
The man interrupted, turning his head sharply. His face was flushed as if he’d been gravely insulted.
“You asked for recommendations, so I gave them.”
“How can I read such things when we aren’t even married yet?”
“I didn’t mean read them together. Read them alone. Or after you get married, read them together. You’ve already planned for children.”
“……”
“Holding hands doesn’t make babies.”
“……”
“If you want five kids, you should start studying diligently now, don’t you think?”
“I suppose… so.”
“Of course.”
“…Name them again. What were they?”
I listed all the titles of the “red books” I knew.
The man, though embarrassed and groaning, diligently wrote them down as I called them out.
“-Lastly, I recommend ‘Why She Cries Every Night.’ If you read it thoroughly, you’ll be much loved.”
“…Have you read all these?”
“That’s a trade secret.”
I shrugged. Though we hid our identities from each other, I did feel a bit embarrassed.
The man, whose face had returned to its normal color, stared at me intently.
“It seems your advice comes from experience. Your lover must adore you.”
“Ahem, ahem. Anyway, books are books, but there’s something more important.”
“What is it?”
“Talk a lot. Fights always start from small misunderstandings. Remember, only open-hearted conversations create healthy romantic relationships.”
“Aha.”
The man nodded and noted this down.
Seeing his diligent attitude, I got excited and, feeling like a teacher, told him everything I thought made an ideal relationship.
After teaching so much, it was time to wrap up. The man, having closed his notebook and prepared to leave, looked at me with satisfaction.
“Thank you. You’re really capable.”
“Indeed, I am.”
Hehe, praise is always nice.
Smiling broadly, I folded the map on the table and picked up the money pouch. Another task completed.
Listening to others’ romantic stories is always fun. If only I got requests like these every day instead of those asking to catch cheaters.
“Take care.”
The man stood up. I saw him off with full sincerity.
“Come again.”
“I will.”
He left the guild satisfied, not forgetting to leave a five-star review.
*** *** *** *** ***
After a successful consultation, I returned to the master’s room to find Rader grinning from ear to ear.
“Count Essite wants to make an additional request.”
He handed me a ledger showing our earnings so far, and I understood why he was so excited.
“This guy is a total sucker, isn’t he?”
The ledger showed an amount exceeding the annual budget of Marquis Labyrinth.
He spent this much just to find out my fake whereabouts.
Essite wouldn’t go bankrupt from this, but it was a significant achievement for such a short time. He’d likely spend more in the future.
Seeing me nod, Rader spoke up.
“This is just my opinion, but how about starting a business with this money?”
“Do you have a knack for business?”
“No.”
“Neither do I.”
I had thought about starting a business with the money gathered by the guild. But I could lead the Sielle Romance Manipulation Guild because it was a small scale.
If I had someone to help, maybe, but leading a large-scale business would feel burdensome.
Is there anyone I can partner with?
‘The wife of the notary was said to have a great business sense in the original work.’
Oh, right. Speaking of the notary, I remembered something I’d forgotten.
‘Why hasn’t the notary come?’
According to imperial law, to draft a breakup document, the signature of the notary who attended the engagement ceremony is required. This rule applies to nobles and royalty alike.
The notary who attended the engagement ceremony of Duval and me was Count Valentine of the east, famous for his gold mines.
Although he has passed away and his successor took over, I just needed the signature of the current Count Valentine.
‘I asked him to come to the capital for the signature, and he agreed readily, so I thought he’d come soon.’
‘It’s been over a month since I called him, why hasn’t he come?’
That night, I wrote a letter to Count Valentine.
When are you coming? If you’re delayed, at least let me know your schedule. I’m waiting.
But he still didn’t reply.
“New request. It’s an infidelity case.”
A few days later, I heard news related to him through a request Rader handed me.
*** *** *** *** ***
Soon after, I heard that Count Valentine had come to the capital and went to find him.
Staying at a high-end hotel in the city center, he was quite flustered to see me, not expecting my visit.
“Apologies for not replying. I’ve been busy and couldn’t confirm a date.”
“Understood. I won’t waste time. Just sign this.”
Rader had told me he wasn’t busy but rather indulging in wine and gambling.
Not wanting to converse with an adulterer, I placed the breakup document on the desk.
But then,
“…I’m sorry to say, but I can’t notarize this.”
The count averted his eyes and said this.
Annoyed, my voice turned sharp.
“Why?”
“Count Essite said he has no intention of breaking the engagement and asked me to refuse if Lady Labyrinth requests notarization.”
“Isn’t it because you’re dating Count Essite’s sister?”
Startled that I knew, the count flinched.
I pulled out a recording device. Pressing the button, Duval’s irritating voice played.
[I wasn’t here for this, but since it’s come to this, I’ll say it now. Break off the engagement. I’ll pay you well for the trouble.]
“Even with this evidence that Count Essite wants to break off the engagement, you still won’t notarize it?”
“Count Essite claims he wasn’t in his right mind then.”
“Once said, words can’t be taken back, even if not in the right mind.”
“…I’m sorry.”
So that’s why he hadn’t replied to my letters.
Sending a refusal would make him uneasy; agreeing to notarize would anger Duval and risk breaking up with his lover.
So, this is your stance.
“Fine.”
Smirking, I packed up the breakup document.
“As long as I get the signature of ‘Count Valentine,’ it doesn’t matter who signs. It doesn’t have to be you.”
“What?”
The count, confused by my words, flinched. I mocked him with a sly smile.
“Well, have a lovely romance.”
Though it’ll be over soon.
Without bothering to add that, I left the room.
Recalling the request Rader had received.
[Help me divorce my unfaithful husband. Requester: Countess Valentine]
You’re done for, count. I’ll handle this faster than any guild task ever.
With that resolve, I suggested to Raynous that we go on a date to an art exhibition hosted by Essite.
*** *** *** *** ***
I waited for Raynous under the clock tower in front of the building where the art exhibition was held.
Seeing him from a distance, I waved, and he hurried over.
“Sorry, did you wait long?”
“No, you could’ve taken your time. There’s still plenty of time left.”
I had come early to enjoy a stroll.
Saying it was fine, Raynous wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve, muttering something I couldn’t understand.
“Talk- talk a lot. Only open-hearted conversations create…”
“Pardon?”
“Nothing.”
Raynous looked quite hot.
The casual clothes worn by royal knights were long-sleeved and long-pants, even in summer. Though made of thin material, it was still hotter than shorter clothing.
I took out a white handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his cheek. Red flowers bloomed where the handkerchief touched.
Raynous’ face had turned red.
“You seem to get hot easily.”
“No, I don’t usually. Actually, I don’t feel it much. This is…”
He trailed off and then took the wet handkerchief from me.
“I’ll wash this and return it later.”
“No, it’s fine.”
“I insist.”
I eventually gave up the handkerchief.
Raynous folded it carefully as if handling something delicate and tucked it into his pocket.
“What did you do yesterday?”
Holding his hand, I led him to the exhibition hall, making small talk. For some reason, his face flushed at my question.
“Yesterday…”
He mumbled for a while. When I stopped and looked back, he finally answered in a barely audible voice.
“…Read a book.”
“Pardon?”
“I read a book.”
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