174. The Rivalin Merchant Group
Eleanor de Rivalin.
The owner of the Rivalin Merchant Group, woke up from a rare sleep-in and thought to herself, basking in the morning sunlight
‘How can I have him?’
Of course, to talk about 'have him’, we’d have to go back to her recent conversation with the princess.
Nox von Reinhaver.
The person who saved her, and was also Shane.
Someone who had the strength to defeat a dragon and captivated her with his sharp, honed swordplay.
No matter how much she thought about it, Eleanor couldn’t quite grasp her own feelings. She wasn’t used to expressing herself and knew she was lacking in that regard.
But recently, there was one thing she became certain of.Nox von Reinhaver.
She liked him. maybe even as more than a friend.
'Not that I even have friends to begin with…’
Shaking her head to chase away the sad thought, she continued to think about Nox’s face. His sharp jawline, his straight nose, his flawless white skin, and more than anything, his beautiful snow-like white hair.
Though it’s a bit wavy, she remembered it.
Then she suddenly recalled it all.
The memory of that day.
She couldn’t shake the sight of Nox, who had helped her.
His courage and quick thinking in dangerous situations.
The elegance of his swordsmanship when he cut down the giants, and even his calmness when the threat approached at the end.
When she thought about it, every part of him was captivating.
Even, he stated that he had never hated her from the beginning. With that, Eleanor’s heart couldn’t help but sway completely.
Her gratitude for him had only grown, and her guilt felt like a heavy burden pressing down on her.
Even though he knew he was hated, he saved her anyway, didn’t he?
And she only found this out on her own. Otherwise, she’d never have heard it directly from Nox himself.
She kept repeating the thought a dozen times.
Also, when on the way back, she held on to Nox’s waist as they rode Astrid’s back together and felt the blood-soaked wounds he carried, wounds she had caused. And the painful ache she felt in her chest as she realized this.
Based on all of these, she finally reached a conclusion.
She loved Nox von Reinhaver. They are feelings she had yet to believe, but Eleanor was someone who could be objective about herself. This kind of sensation had driven her growth so far.
But at just fifteen, there’s no way she’d have many experiences with romance. In addition, she’d never really built ordinary relationships either.
Eleanor found herself earnestly wondering how she could approach Nox and make him look at her.
“…How can I let him know how I feel?….”
After days of restless wondering.
Eleanor finally decided.
The best way was to show herself as a capable woman!
She had to play to her strengths!
The result left Nox exhausted, but it was typical of her.
—————————————
It was almost a time of war.
A point right before the Arkheim Empire was almost swallowed whole.
I’m now looking at Zitri with a bewildered expression and asking,
“…Is this all from the Rivalin merchant group?”
“Yes. surprisingly”
“Why so? Zitri, did Eleanor somehow hear I’m terminally-ill or something?”
“No, I didn’t remember I’d heard anything about that…”
Zitri and I were both flustered. Rona, somehow, was unpacking the gifts with a delighted expression, and Prim, my servant, sat on the ground looking unimpressed.
No, if Rona would just stay still… No.
This time, this was genuinely surprising.
“I think they are at least seven million gold or more. And this is only part of it?”
Such a thing…
She give at least over ten million gold for me?
for just a non-royal family?
Has she lost her mind?
I nearly blurted that out but managed to hold it back.
Why is she suddenly acting like this? I couldn’t hide my shock. I could even sense the envious glances of the academy students around us.
What is going on here?
But the biggest shock was yet to come.
None other because Eleanor, as calm as ever, arrived in Sidus’ hall and greeted me.
“Hello, Nox. It looks like the gifts I prepared have arrived. Only one-third of them have arrived so far, but the rest should be here in a few days.”
“….?”
I was so speechless I just kept my mouth shut.
I didn’t even know what to say.
It was so absurd.
But Eleanor simply calmly went on.
“Just leave those down here. Oh, and could you handle that one especially carefully? It’s important and shouldn’t be broken…”
“Eleanor, what on earth are you doing?”
Watching Eleanor casually give instructions to the workers moving her gifts, I finally asked her. It felt a bit like opening Pandora’s box, but how could I not ask?
With so many gifts, I knew some strings might be attached if I just accepted them all.
“Yes? What do you mean?”
“All these gifts… why did you send them to me? And so many, no less.”
“You saved me, did you? I’ve said it before, but my life worth is….”
“Of course, but a life can’t simply be bought with money. That’s true for everyone. No life can be bought with money.”
“Well, that’s true, but”
Eleanor answered with a sullen voice, but I knew that was acting. Isn’t it time she told me frankly?
“So what’s the reason? What is it that you want from me?”
“Reason, huh…. There was a reason, but I don’t want to answer that right now.”
As Eleanor casually said those words, it made me even more curious, to the point I’d lose it. Why is she doing this to me?
‘Maybe she still thinks it’s dangerous?’
That could be it.
If it’s Eleanor, she probably said those things because she’s concerned about her own safety.
But.
At this point, there’s no way Eleanor will die.
The faction lines have been drawn, and a battle is looming where only one side will win.
She’s already survived the harsh Winter Bridge, so there’s no doubt she’s got her survival secured.
Besides, the mana pact she made with Shane.
This naturally also binds me, Nox von Reinhaver.
Even if she doesn’t bribe me with those gifts, I have to protect her. That’s our contract.
So, I can’t cool down this feeling, I have no choice but to ask.
"Why can’t you tell me? From you, of all people, to say something like that. It’s a bit strange”
“That day.”
Eleanor cut me off.
Although a little, her tone became more serious, and her playful demeanor faded. I couldn’t help but focus on her words, wondering what her real intentions were.
“I told you in the [The Frozen Frostwood Forest]. That if I were to face a life-threatening situation that couldn’t guarantee your safety, you should abandon me. That would be better for you.”
“…Right.”
“But did you do that? You didn’t, were you? You even questioned why I thought you would. You saved me.”
Did I really say that…?
I suddenly found myself lost in thought, looking back on the past.
It had been such an intense situation that I barely remember what I said. But it seems like I did. Well, I couldn’t say anything if it was to save her.
"Even if I was only trying to use you by keeping you close, you didn’t act that way….. So this is a payback. You can call it a gift but, well, maybe a bribe.”
“What?”
“Nothing. Then, you can move those next items over here!”
Her last words were too quiet so I didn’t really hear it, when I tried to question her again, she ignored me and quickly changed the topic.
Honestly, I saved her. If she’s making a big fuss about it. How I’m supposed to survive? In any case, all of my units are good-natured, but they all have the personality to do as they please.
'Haa’.
As I sighed, it was pretty entertaining to see how my units reacted around me.
“A, alchemy tools! And they’re the highest rank!”
“Erina! Don’t touch those so recklessly…!”
Mei reached out in panic, but she’s already escaped. Eleanor just gave a slight smile.
“It’s fine. I’m giving these as gifts anyway.”
“But….”
Despite May’s attempts to stop her, Erina kept inspecting the herbs, observing here and there.
Her eyes sparkled with curiosity. Besides, with Eleanor’s permission, who they consider the owner.
Mei eventually gave up, watching from a distance.
“Hu, husband…. how on earth are these tools..?”
Erina, who somehow didn’t drunken, was inspecting the herbs and tools with a serious expression.
Next, the one who was making a ruckus was Rona. She’s in the middle of exploring various luxurious items.
“Young Master! There are many ancient books and texts left by the greatest magicians! And even some incredibly expensive paintings…!”
“….That makes sense, they’re from the Rivalin merchant group, after all.”
“Oh my. So you do know?”
Eleanor was completely unfazed by my sarcasm, and just said that.
Other units.
Even the likes of Kushan or Paracelsus, were curiously crowding around the items. In a rather lively atmosphere.
Can’t bring myself to say anything. I covered my face with my palm.
Feeling a bit overwhelmed by Eleanor’s bombardment of gifts.
Maybe I really am a Hikikomori that doesn’t fit in with this kind of atmosphere.
“So, to wrap this up… You’re saying you gave me all of these gifts purely because you wanted to, with no conditions attached… is that it?”
“That’s right,”
she answered with a smile.
“Haa. Alright, I get it… Everyone, back to the house…”
“Young master, Please look at this! Wow! This vase is worth over a million gold! It’s as expensive as the ones at the Reinhaver family!”
“With these tools, I could even brew the hearts of magical beasts into medicines!”
“You truly are incredible, my lord. To be receiving such incredible support already…”
“Everyone… just shut up. Please”
I was serious, but, Eleanor was just quietly chuckling. It’s not like I disliked receiving gifts, but being the center of attention like this was overwhelming.
“oh?”
And then, I suddenly thought.
Have I ever seen Eleanor laugh like this in Inner Lunatic? And in front of so many people?
'I don’t think so.’
It didn’t seem like a fake smile.
I looked at her, tilting my head in confusion, and when Eleanor met my gaze, she smiled at me again? I wondered.
Did Eleanor unusually drunk from drinking too much alcohol?
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