93 – Sushia’s Awakening
＜Think about the person’s face. Does your heart suddenly race? Do you feel somewhat floating? Congratulations, you’re in love.＞
Sushia tossed aside the romance book she was reading.
Having read for about five minutes, her head was starting to throb.
The more she read, the more Sushia felt cornered.
Especially the absurdity of falling in love with Ascal Erendale—
“That’s impossible. I’ve been fine until now. Could it be a spell?”
The page of the fallen romance novel fluttered.
＜Your feelings can change for a friend or colleague you always see. A simple act such as covering you with a blanket or giving you a small gift can kindle love.＞
A cause.
――You are in love, Ascal.
“aaargh! It’s back again! Please leave my head!” Soosia was befuddled.
What if her chest started to feel strange after witnessing someone else’s confession?
By the accidental blow of the wind, the pages of the book flipped.
＜Have you fallen in love with someone who is in a relationship? It’s okay. This happens more often than expected. Interestingly, men who you had no interest in when they were single suddenly appear attractive when they have a lover.＞
The book seemed to read her thoughts.
Interest piqued, Soosia picked up the book and flipped to the next page.
＜There is a certain thrill in winning over such men. Now let me tell you how to steal a man who has a girlfriend…＞
“Gasp!”
Soosia abruptly shut the book.
―12 ways to steal that man.
“Why is this book in the library?”
The book was a bad influence. Soosia hid it in a place out of the sight.
She glanced at the book one last time before sighing deeply.
“I need to compete and see it for myself.”
She would proudly date a boyfriend and go back to the review board. And then, in front of Askal and Lia, she will proudly gloat.
‘Why do you show me such a scene…… I will get my revenge.’
She was in a fury.
Even though it felt like her intentions had been mixed up, Soosia decided to ignore it.
Negotiations.
And so, Shushia decided to have a matchmaking session.
Marriage would mean becoming the Duke of Senestia. It was like a surefire lottery win. Naturally, the number of men lined up to enter the matchmaking was numerous enough to trample underfoot.
It was grand enough to be mentioned in the imperial newspaper.
＜Declaration of the Duchess of Senestia: Men who suit me, come to Senestia!＞
Of course, Shushia never said such a thing.
Regardless, with several incidents accumulating, even the butcher Jax in the neighborhood knew Shushia was having matchmaking.
“It’s a complete life turnaround if successful.”
“Wealth, honor, and a lady, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have it all at once.”
“Princess Shushia was almost a saintess, wouldn’t she naturally be beautiful?”
The venue for matchmaking was in the Senestia mansion in the imperial capital. Men who harbored large ambitions all headed towards the Senestia mansion.
Indeed, the grand age of matchmaking has begun.
―You have a criminal record, eliminated.
―You are short, eliminated.
―You are bald, eliminated.
―Please take care of your existing wife, eliminated.
But the wall of reality was high.
Most couldn’t pass even the first test and went home in solitude.
＜Out of 1123 participants, 512 were eliminated.＞
＜Remaining number, 611.＞
Those remaining 611 were allowed to set foot in the Duke of Senestia’s mansion.
The spacious courtyard of the duke’s mansion.
As if proving it truly was the most prestigious noble house in the empire, the courtyard was adorned with various magnificent decorations and rare flowers.
“Once I pass the trial, this entire mansion will be mine. hehehehe.”
Knight Ladeon was bloated with ambition.
Upon scanning the other men who had passed the first round of testing, he was filled with the surety that he was the best among them. Shortly after, the butler, who was running the show, took the stage.
“Everyone’s assembled. We will now begin the second round of testing.”
Then, servants approached the contestants, holding out containers with something in them.
“Everyone, please select a slip of paper from the container.”
With some confusion, Landeon picked a paper.
It was white.
‘Is the second exam this simple?’
When he glanced to the side, he noticed a pot-bellied man who had drawn a black paper, looking puzzled as he stroked his chin.
‘Our papers are different colors. Why?’
Once all the contestants had picked a paper, the butler spoke.
“Those who have picked a black paper can go home.”
There was a flurry of whispers.
Landeon, who drew a white paper, breathed a sigh of relief.
However, the prevailing question did not disappear. What was the significance of this paper?
The men who had drawn black papers were protesting with red faces.
“I can’t go all this way and go back empty handed. Give us a reasonable explanation!”
The butler answered simply.
“The second test is a test of luck. In a way, you could say that everything in the world is determined by luck. Unfortunately, you were simply unlucky.”
This test seemed to have eliminated about five hundred people.
Predictably, there were complaints from all corners.
Among them were noblemen and famous knights, who were now forming a faction to reject the results of the test.
“We cannot accept this. Bring us another test.”
Suddenly, the situation seemed as if the contestants were on the verge of forming a mob.
The butler looked at them coolly.
Then.
“If you didn’t make it, you’d go home, clean your feet, and sleep. Everyone seems dissatisfied. Do you still have strength left? Then why don’t you try harder?”
A man who had been flapping his ears dramatically appeared.
In his hand was a white slip of paper.
His name was Arthur Debreu.
He was the winner of the Horse Mounting Competition and a promising candidate for the next Sword Master.
There was even a rumor that he frequently frequented the Crown Prince’s office.
“Ha ha. Luck is an important factor too. I, Thomas Villain, concede.”
“Me too.”
“Hmm.”
Most of them tucked their tails and disappeared.
That’s how much influence Arthur Debreu had accrued in the capital.
“Thank you, Lord Debreu. You’ve eased my burden.”
“What’s the third test?”
“It’s a simple test. The remaining contestants will hold a tournament and only the top four will earn the privilege to directly face the princess.”
A martial arts tournament.
Simple and very appealing.
Arthur Debreu was not confident.
In his ability to lose.
‘Son, you’re about to have a stepmother.’
Arthur Senestia.
It’s not a bad sound to it.
Arthur quickly advanced to the upper round.
There is only one match left for the top four.
Arthur’s eyes narrowed as he stood in the dueling arena.
His opponent was a familiar face.
More than familiar, he saw himself in the opponent’s face.
“My son. Why are you here?”
“…A lot has happened. I came to see Su Shia, but she wouldn’t listen to me.”
Ascal Erendel.
His opponent this time was his own son.
“Should I forfeit now?”
“No, let’s fight as we haven’t for a long time. The wound I got last time still hurts when it rains.”
Archer couldn’t forget the battle on the beach.
Even though he was struck by a cowardly pincer attack, defeat was still a defeat.
“Then, I’ll go.”
“Come on.”
Archer also knew that his son’s skills had recently improved tremendously. But to his eyes, he was still far from enough.
Archer was sure of his victory.
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And with just one move, his thoughts changed.
“What has happened during this time?”
“There’s something difficult to talk about.”
Archer drew his sword straight.
Archer couldn’t tolerate anyone stronger than himself.
A hint of hostility lurked in his eyes.
“You’re stronger than me.”
And with that, Archer leaped into enemy range.
At this moment, his opponent was not his son. He was an enemy that needed to be defeated. But…
With a clatter, Arthur’s sword fell to the floor.
“It was a good match.”
“No, it was one-sided. Say it right.”
“Yes. I bested you, Father.”
“…”
Arthur said through gritted teeth.
“You’ve broken through my wall.”
“That’s what happened.”
“Congratulations.”
His son had become a Swordmaster, ahead of him.
“Now, go…! As it has come to this, take the Senestia family into your hands instead of me. Aim to be a duke, Ascal!”
Ascal passed by Arthur, who was slumped and sitting on the ground. And he relayed his wishes to the head butler.
The head butler nodded.
“What did you do?”
“I forfeited.”
“Why?”
“Well, I didn’t come to face him in the first place. I came to see Susia.”
“But, you could see her in the bedroom.”
“Then, I would be confined by Ria. forever.”
The third test.
The martial arts tournament was over.
Four Proceeded, One Withdrawn.
The remaining participants― three.
1.
The handsome man with red hair― Ignatius Chesterfield
2.
The middle-aged man with a past― Alexis Drummond
3.
The innocence of a blond boy― Rone DeMarco
“So it has been narrowed down to these. Miss, is there any one of these men that catches your liking?”
Su-shia, dressed and with her hair done, looked at the three men present in the reception room.
Ignatius gave a wink when their eyes met.
Alexis looked at Su-shia with desolate eyes.
Rone laughed innocently.
Among these, who will be the one who will be chosen by Su-shia?
“All are wonderful gentlemen. Quite overwhelming for me.”
As she spoke, Su-shia’s gaze was indifferent.
“But, still, I don’t think so. I’m sorry. I must have made you feel like it was all in vain.”
The answer: All eliminated.
Depressing.
Su-shia sighed as she propped her chin in the reception room.
“Will you be okay, miss? Were not you hoping for this?”
“Actually, the expectation I had was that I could return to the evaluation after seeing the matches, not the matches themselves.”
Evaluation meant a big deal to Su-shia.
“Do you perhaps have a specific type in mind? I will look once again.”
“Um… black hair, with a moderately high nose bridge, sloppy as if his side has ruptured but occasionally showing serious appearance, moderately competent, and a chaser of luck… oops.”
Su-shia swallowed her words.
“This is a nightmare.”
Inevitably, even my ideal type was eroded away.
“There was one such character among the participants.”
“Really? Where is he now?”
“He withdrew, but he did say he wanted to see you. I’ll call him.”
The butler left the room.
Suzia stared at the door with a face full of anticipation.
‘Finally, my fated man…’
Then, the door opened.
“Huh? Red hair?”
He was not the man Suzia had been expecting.
It was Ignace Chesterfield, one of the previous losers.
“I can’t leave now. I must get my hands on the Senestia clan, even if I have to use force.”
Ignace lifted his hand to his eye, which was covered with an eye patch.
“The wound the empire inflicted still throbs. Princess, you must become my captive.”
Ignace, no, the leftover leg of the spider.
‘One-eyed’ walked towards Suzia with a limp.
Suzia backed up.
“He, help! Anyone!”
“Calls for help are futile. I’ve set up soundproof magic.”
Suzia pointed behind him.
“Be, behind you!”
“What kind of trick is this? It won’t work.”
“Bl, black hair!”
THUD!
Ignace fell there on the spot.
And beyond him, a man with black hair came into view.
It was Ascal Erendale.
“It’s disgusting to even look at you, Susia.”
“Minister…”
Looking at Ascal with glistening eyes, Susia soon turned into a serious expression.
“Why haven’t you been attending the Evaluation Bureau these days? That’s unauthorized absence.”
“It’s all because of you, Minister.”
“Why?”
Susia puffed her cheeks and threw a word with a sulky face.
“You should be only decently attractive, ugh. I lose.”
She admitted.
In the end.
Susia admitted that she was in love.
The Evaluation Bureau.
“Ack! What the hell are these people!?”
“Oh, they’re freelance hired Lion Tribe warriors. If it’s hard to walk around, ask them to give you a ride.”
A hundred shirtless Lion Tribe warriors were roaming around the Evaluation Bureau.
It was decided that they would temporarily stay in the Evaluation Bureau until they caught the dragon.
“Ask for help whenever you need a hand. These guys are pretty strong.”
“What on earth happened while I was gone…?”
“It’s nothing really.”
Just pulled the legendary sword, defeated some ancient monsters, evolved Pegasus into Golden Pegasus, Fergus became a dragon horse, grew a sea turtle, and the Lion tribe got a contract with the appraisal department.
Nothing special happened.
“A… counseling room? When did this appear?”
“Hmm. It must have appeared recently. Why don’t you take a look inside?”
Sushia opened the door to the counseling room.
As soon as it was opened, a beautiful woman with blonde hair smiled.
“Welcome. What troubles are there for you, young lamb?”
“…Saint?”
“Please call me your teacher here. Oh my, is it that late already?”
It was time for Aileen to go off work, smiling she left the counseling room. Her destination was Haven Academy.
“Is it okay for a witch and a saint to be in the same place?”
“Is there a problem with that?”
“Sigh… Nevermind.”
Sushia opened the door of her office.
A familiar place.
“Welcome, Sushia.”
Ria greeted her with a nod.
“I’m back.”
Sushia picked up a cookie.
“Today’s cookie is… 9 points. If it were just a bit sweeter, it would have been perfect, what a shame.”
“Rating right off the bat, huh?”
“You’re an employee of the appraisal department, aren’t you?”
Sushia smiled.
A book fell out of her bag.
“…Is it possible. That Sushia reads books?”
“How do you see me? I’m the heir of a cultured ducal house. I do read books.”
As soon as Sushia, who had spoken sternly, saw the fallen book, she quickly knelt down and picked it up.
‘She didn’t see it, did she?’
Sushia put the book deep into her bag so it couldn’t be seen.
The title read like this.
– The 12 Ways to Steal That Man.
Denial, anger, negotiation, depression, acceptance.
And.
Awakening.