Regnum Aetern: Dual Rebirth

Chapter 119: Proposal for partnership

Adrian stood by the window of his room, quietly looking out at the world drowned in shadows, dimly illuminated by the pale moon hanging above the night sky.

Sir Avalon’s words were still on his mind, as if echoing inside.

’For some reason... I feel that Grandmother would’ve given me a similar answer.’

Adrian’s thoughts still hadn’t changed, nor had his beliefs.

Still...

’It wouldn’t be bad to at least try.’

And with that thought, Adrian turned away from the window and lay down on his bed.

***

’Am I in trouble?’

Evangeline couldn’t help but think that for the nineteenth time. It was early in the morning, and she was still sitting in the guest room of the Ravenshade mansion.

Yesterday, when she was about to get inside her carriage to return home, a servant came to her and told her that—

’Young Master Adrian wishes that you return home tomorrow. He had said that he had business with you, but he is in no condition to talk about it today. He asks that you remain in this mansion until tomorrow morning. Of course, you are free to refuse if you wish.’

And so, Evangeline was still in the Ravenshade mansion, waiting for him to come and talk about the business he had with her. It was early morning, and the birds’ chirping was clearly audible from outside the window.

’Does he want to get back at me for yesterday’s spar?’

She shook her head. That was probably not it. Adrian didn’t feel like someone who would be that petty. Well, probably...

’No wait. I totally forgot that "defend my honor" thingie. Maybe he wants to challenge me to another spar to reclaim his honor? Oh, that could really be it.’

If that really did happen, would she be able to win? She shook her head.

’He’ll absolutely destroy me.’

She knew that Adrian had more tricks than the ones he had used in that duel. Like that black ball-like magic he had used against that beastman.

Just then, she heard a knock on the door, and a maid’s voice came soon after.

"Young Lady, Young Master Adrian is here to meet you."

She hurriedly turned to the door and spoke somewhat rigidly.

"Ah, yes. I mean, okay."

The door opened, and she saw Adrian standing by the entrance, still as expressionless as ever. But...

’Um?’

He was... dressed up? He was wearing a scaled-down version of the aristocratic high-collar coat and pants. There was even a sword in a scabbard hanging by his waist.

Looking at her briefly, he nodded and spoke in his usual dull tone.

"You are ready, it seems. Let’s go."

Saying that, he began walking away. Evangeline could only look at his back in confusion. Moments later, he paused and looked back at her.

"What are you doing? Follow me."

She was still confused about the situation, but she stood up absentmindedly and began following behind him. They walked out of the mansion and were walking towards the large golden door.

She could see a Ravenshade carriage—similar to the one gifted to her—parked ahead. Evangeline finally opened her mouth and asked hesitantly.

"So... where are we going, exactly?"

He replied without looking back.

"Didn’t you want that wand that shoots out magic if you feed it mana? We are going out into the city to buy it."

Evangeline’s expression turned strange.

’But there’s still an entire month before our birthday, though. So why is he...’

More importantly, why was he even going to buy it with her? It was so strange.

Evangeline glanced at the sword hanging at his waist.

"Hey, Adi, why the sword?"

He glanced back at her briefly.

"My personal maid insisted I should carry it for self-defense. It was probably because of the incident that happened last time. I didn’t think I would need it since a knight will be following us in another carriage, but she was so insistent that I gave up in the end."

’I see.’

The maid’s personality sounded similar to her own mother’s.

They soon reached the carriage and got inside. The two of them sat facing each other, and it was quite awkward for Evangeline. The memories of yesterday’s spar kept coming back to her, and that somehow made it hard for her to meet Adrian’s eyes.

She couldn’t quite put it into words, but it felt as if the dynamics established between them had somehow changed because of the duel.

’No, maybe it’s all in my head.’

The two of them remained quiet as the carriage soon began moving. Evangeline didn’t know what to say to him, and Adrian continued staring at her expressionlessly.

’Ugh, this is so awkward.’

The silence was getting too unbearable for her, so she slowly opened her mouth to say something. But Adrian spoke to her right as she was about to speak.

"I have a proposal for you."

As his words settled, Evangeline tilted her head in confusion.

’Proposal?’

"I have been thinking about it since yesterday." He continued. "You have a lot of potential, and most of it is currently being wasted. I can help you with that. I can help you better utilize your potential, and in exchange, you will help me with things you can. How does that sound?"

He paused and then added.

"Think of it like a cooperative partnership where we both benefit from each other."

’What is he even saying?’

From what she was able to understand, he was asking that the two of them help each other out. But the way he phrased it made it seem like he was proposing some business deal, like in those movies back on Earth.

’He is so strange...’

Lost in thought, she didn’t give any reply to his supposed proposal, looking at him blankly.

Perhaps mistaking her reaction, he added.

"If you don’t believe me, I can demonstrate how useful I can be to you and how beneficial this cooperative partnership can be."

Evangeline tilted her head.

"Demonstration?"