Little Rabbit Can’t Escape Her Enemy After Reincarnation! - Ch 4

Clyde was reading a book under the oil lamp in his study surrounded by stacks of books. The fire burning was bright yellow and it shines brighter than a candle.

Fernan, the butler, brought him a cup of tea. Fernan is in his early thirties. He has a soft demeanor, but his work is quick and precise. He has been working in the mansion since the time of the previous Marquis Sargent, and Clyde very much relies on him.

“I was told by the maid that Miss Ashley has fallen asleep. It may be thanks to the scent of the pillow that Master Clyde has given to the maid.”

“Well, she seemed to be very tired.”

It’s natural since she suddenly came to an unfamiliar place as a fiancée.

“I never thought that Master Clyde would get engaged. Even I, who had been serving you all this time, was surprised.”

“Because it’s the king’s order. It can’t be helped.”

He was summoned to the royal palace by the king, his brother. However, it was just nothing but a hassle. He decided to pretend that he couldn’t meet him due to the wrong time and as courtesy, he only went to greet his sister-in-law, the queen, before leaving.

It was only by chance that he helped Ashley when she was about to fall. Afterwards, he met the old royal commissioner in a corner of the corridor.

“Lord Clyde. No, your royal highness.” He called out. Clyde had no choice but to stop.

“It’s the royal commissioner. It’s been a long time.”

Clyde was not happy to see him at all, but he responded with a smile.

“It has been a long time since I’ve heard from you. It’d be nice if we could see you more. His majesty, the king, wishes that you would settle down soon.”

‘Again.’

He was inwardly annoyed. Ever since four years ago, when he took over the Marquis Sargent title, they had been nagging him to get married. He has politely but firmly declined each time.

However, every time Clyde meets him, he’d always act and talk to him about it as if he has been reminding him for the first time. It’s as if he’s a dog.

“I appreciate your concern, but I’m still a young man. I will take my time and think about it.”

“That’s a pity. I’ve heard that you’re very much in demand by many women. Besides, His majesty is worried about your Highness Clyde. Lately, he has been taking medications for an upset stomach.

“Isn’t that just because he’s eating too much?” There is no way for that ill-tempered brother of his to get an upset stomach from worrying.

However, the royal commissioner shook his head, “His Majesty has been worried. From the time Lord Clyde had announced on taking over the Sargent family title.”

Unlike four years ago, the worries in the royal commissioner’s face have accumulated over the years.

Clyde let out a sigh in his heart, ‘—I guess it’s about time.’

He has been thinking about this for quite a while and it’s not a good idea anymore for him to keep on refusing. It’d be troublesome if he finds out what they’re up to.

“Very well. I have been won over by the royal commissioner’s earnestness. I shall be engaged.”

“So– what..?” The royal commissioner was stunned. He assumed that Clyde would run away.

“However, I’ll be the one who chooses the other party myself. The young lady that I met earlier in the audience room. I will choose her.”

The royal commissioner raises his eyebrows with doubt at the fact that Clyde had agreed so easily after his four years of persistence.

Clyde smiled wryly, “Please don’t look at me like that. I was thinking about it in my own way, myself. After all, I can’t let my brother’s stomach hurt any more because of his incompetent brother.”

“…” The royal commissioner’s face contorted even more with suspicion. He couldn’t read the meaning behind Clyde’s words, he is very much on guard, “…so who is the woman you choose?”

“Ashley El Wollett, I believe. I first met her in the audience  room with the queen. She’s a petite young lady with dark hair and purple eyes.”

“You met her for the first time just now?” As expected, the royal commissioner’s face contorted. The first time Clyde met her was in the audience room just a few minutes ago. If he has a complaint, then he’ll be able to make an excuse and pretend that the engagement never happened.

The royal commissioner had a thought and smiled at him knowingly, “Is that so? Sir Wollett’s eldest daughter, correct? Ah, Sir Wollett is my hunting companion. He is a jolly, fun-loving man but he is also a tight-lipped man. You’ve chosen a good partner. Let’s see what I can do and arrange it right away.”

“……” Clyde let out a sigh of resignation.

Then, the royal commissioner bowed politely with a smile, “I congratulate you on your engagement, Your Highness.”

“–Thank you. Please give my regards to my brother.”

The continent of Kiel consists of about twenty countries of various sizes, both small and large. Tolfa, however, is the largest in terms of territory and wealth located in the southeastern part of the continent. It is a country with a mild climate bordered by the sea from the east to south. Tolfa was originally a small country, its turning point of gaining power happened six hundred years ago.

“”

While other nations had their territories repeatedly rising and destroyed, it was the Demon Kingdom ruled by the demon king that prospered at that time. Surrounded by high mountains and the sea at the eastern edge of the continent, the Demon Kingdom, which emitted miasma, was steadily expanding its territory by invading neighboring countries eventually reaching Tolfa. The demon king’s army was strong. However, when Tolfa was about to fall, a brave man with his comrades and the remaining Tolfa army stood against them. They defeated the demon king and invaded the center of the Demon Kingdom, absorbing it which expanded their territory.

In the midst of warfare, Tolfa even took over other neighboring countries, which eventually became the largest country in the continent.

—”Miss Ashley is a lovely and honest young lady. Isn’t she?” Fernan said,  his voice bringing Clyde back from his thoughts.

It was pitch black outside his study’s window. The hooting of an owl can be faintly heard.

“Yes, she’s good.” It makes him laugh whenever he recalls.

Fernan sounded unusually anxious, “But, how about the stables? How will you explain what’s inside?”

“We’ll have to keep it to ourselves, we have no other choice.” Clyde took out the handkerchief that he had in his pocket when he went to the palace. It was soaked with the smell of miasma which Clyde suppresses in a barrier. Did the miasma in the stables spread in it? He didn’t notice.

‘Anyway, what did she mean “smells good”?’

He remembered her muttering it in nostalgia. It was a miasma emitted by demons. It couldn’t possibly be something that smells good for humans. As proof, when he smelled it, he felt sick and uncomfortable.

‘She’s a strange young lady.’

It’s true that the Wollett household is a bright family, and what’s more, she looks even happier too and that makes him smile. However—

He pushed down the guilt he was feeling buried in his heart and took a sip of the steaming tea. Although the tea was of the highest quality, it tasted terribly bitter.

It didn’t matter who he married. This engagement aims to be a disguise for Clyde’s purpose. Though, if he has to marry someone, he feels that at least this woman is less resistant to the smell of miasma, they would more likely get along with him.

“Master Clyde.” A small voice came from outside, as if seeking his presence.

“There has been another mishap with the demon in the stable. I need you to come down there as soon as possible.”

“Alright. I’ll be right there.” Clyde stood up with a sharp look on his face.