Chapter 9
The moment Erika Solnzari said those words herself, I was flooded with a feeling like euphoria and omnipotence—and then all the blood drained from my face.
Maybe to her, it was just a simple confirmation.
But to me, it was anything but.
Even if it was just a name in a farcical play, affirming those words required seriousness and resolve.
I realized my face had stiffened slightly.
Seeing that, Erika Solnzari raised her eyebrows just a little.
"That's right. I'm the man who will be your husband."
I could feel the sweat running down my back, but it didn't feel unpleasant.
Erika Solnzari stared at my face for a moment, then gave a smile that was nearly a wry grin.
"You actually can make a face befitting a noble, can't you?"
What kind of face does she think that is? Erika Solnzari looked at me with nostalgic eyes.
"If I had known you could make that kind of face, I would've introduced you to someone."
Introduced me to who, I wonder?
If she says 'noble-like,' does that mean someone important? Not that I care.
"So then, what is your goal? I have a general idea, but..."
Her tilting her head slightly while resting her hand on her cheek nearly made me lose it.
"In that case, I don't understand why you're here with me."
Huh? My goal?
I thought for a moment, then found myself struggling with how to answer.
There's no way I could honestly say, 'I was happy to accept because I heard I could become a married couple—even in name only—with the person I love.'
Even I know that much. Sure, I'd never had any experience being popular with women as a member of a poor viscount family, and I'm aware I'm not used to women, but still—I know.
I know how gross that answer would sound.
But then, how am I supposed to answer?
How do popular guys deal with this kind of situation?
She's already noticed my feelings—she even said, "You were watching me," and now she's asking why I'm here. So how do popular guys answer that?
Oh no, Erika Solnzari is waiting for an answer—I can't just stay silent.
I somehow managed to force the words out, praying she wouldn't call me gross.
"I just... I just wanted to be by your side, even if only a little."
Is that answer okay? A different kind of nervous sweat trickled down my back.
"Honestly..."
Erika Solnzari opened her mouth.
"For someone who says that with such a face, you sure chose a roundabout way."
She looked at me like I was a handful, but there was no contempt or disgust in her voice—rather, it had a tone like she was concerned for someone clumsy.
At least it seemed I hadn't grossed her out.
Also, what does she mean by 'roundabout'? You're right here in front of me.
"So then, how long do you intend to stay with me?"
"Huh? How long?"
When I asked back, she responded with a slightly exasperated tone, yet still like a big sister scolding her hopeless little brother.
"The duration you'll be staying with me. I assume you negotiated that with Father."
Negotiated with the Prime Minister? What's she talking about?
Erika Solnzari had a habit, even back at the academy, of thinking several steps ahead in conversation—probably because she's too smart.
In other words, I couldn't keep up with how fast her mind worked, but I tried to think.
I don't recall negotiating with the Prime Minister, but I do remember meeting him and having a conversation.
I think it was something like, "Please take care of my daughter."
Wait, what does she mean by "duration"? No, hang on—"the duration you'll be staying with me"?
Oh... I see now. What a huge misunderstanding I've been under.
She had no obligation to take this farce seriously.
Erika Solnzari could easily live on her own.
So "duration" meant the length of time she'd go along with this farce and let me stay by her side.
I felt ashamed, as if she'd seen right through my shallow thinking—that I could stay by Erika Solnzari's side just by taking on the role in this farce.
There's no way staying by Erika Solnzari's side could be something so simple.
I looked straight into her eyes.
If I said "for life," would you accept that?
For some reason, Erika Solnzari looked startled when I said that.
"Would you allow me to stay by your side... for a year? One year?"