This Novel is not my Novel

Even after checking again, I couldn't find anything that would make Vigdís reluctant.

On the contrary, from beginning to end, it was filled with clauses favorable to her.

"Is there anything you would like to add or change?"

"Before we discuss that... may I ask why you decided to write a contract like this?"

While looking at me with wary eyes, Vigdís held the contract tightly against her chest with both hands.

From that gesture alone, I could feel her determination to protect the contract [N O V E L I G H T] at all costs.

After all, my signature was already on it.

That was probably why Vigdís was able to look at me suspiciously and ask such a question.

If I hadn't signed it beforehand, she would never have dared question me like this, no matter how suspicious she was.

Because if I were to suddenly change my mind and refuse to sign, she would be the only one left at a loss.

"Think of it as compensation for having to put up with me last semester."

"Compensation...? By breaking the engagement?"

Rather than easing, Vigdís's confusion only deepened at my answer, and her pupils wavered uncertainly.

Regardless of how this body is treated within his family, from the perspective of the Count Sjalfráði family, becoming related by marriage to a ducal house would be a tremendous honor.

Not only honor, but also considerable wealth and power would follow.

Therefore, Vigdís's reaction was not strange.

But instead of empathizing with her, I sneered while raising one corner of my mouth.

Because the ones who would benefit from marrying Karvaldr were not Vigdís, but her father, the current Count Sjalfráði, and her younger brother, who was set to inherit the family.

"Why that reaction? I'm sure you wanted to be free from me, didn't you? Have you never imagined that if you married me as things are now, you would practically be imprisoned in the house, unable to use the swordsmanship you worked so hard to learn, living a life completely cut off from the outside world?"

"...!!"

"You agreed to the engagement with me not because it was your own will, but because it was your father's wish, did you not? And even if your own will was reflected in it, your only goal must have been to enter the academy and learn swordsmanship. I don't think you ever intended to go so far as marrying me."

"Th-that's..."

Unable to refute my words, Vigdís bit down hard on her lip.

She even lowered her head and could no longer meet my eyes.

'It's not as easy as I thought to draw out the lines I want from a character in a novel written by someone else.'

I tried hard not to show my frustration as I took a sip of coffee, pretending to remain relaxed.

If Vigdís stayed silent until I finished my coffee, I would simply have to say the prepared lines first.

It couldn't be helped if the flow of the conversation became a little unnatural.

Just as I had drained about half the cup while thinking that...

"Yes. I agreed to the engagement because I wanted to escape my family's restraints and wield a sword freely. And... I dreamed of breaking the engagement because I wanted to live freely, away from your obsession."

"Then why are you hesitating?"

"To be honest, I can't trust you. I suspect you might be testing me. And that's because... Kar, the obsession you showed toward me wasn't at a normal level, was it...?"

The words I had been waiting for finally came out of Vigdís's mouth.

Thanks to that, I was able to naturally deliver the opening lines I had prepared.

"That's right. I believed that if I saved you from your father's oppression and inability to pursue your dreams, you would naturally develop a blind affection for me... something I had long yearned for."

I deliberately set my cup down roughly with a thud.

And I did not forget to look at Vigdís with a cold gaze, as though disappointed.

Whether my acting was convincing enough, I could see her flinch.

"Th-that, I had some idea of that. Though I never expected to hear it directly from you like this..."

"I did not wish to say it either. But in order to explain why I no longer need you, I had to clarify why I wanted to become engaged to you in the first place. That way, you would readily accept breaking the engagement, would you not?"

"It's not as if your desire to be loved has disappeared... don't tell me you found a woman you truly love during the vacation? In that case, there would be no need to postpone breaking the engagement... But if that person is a commoner..."

Vigdís muttered to herself and arrived at the wrong conclusion.

I couldn't allow her to continue developing such a strange misunderstanding. I needed to quickly finish the lines I had prepared.

"I was a fool. Romantic love between lovers is a flimsy emotion, difficult to obtain and quick to fade. To think I entered into an engagement with someone who did not easily submit to my control while expecting such a thing..."

"...Isn't it because you've found someone who will love you?"

"I have. A being who reassures me of unconditional love every moment without effort, who always puts me first without needing control, and who moves solely according to my will. Therefore, a being for whom I need not waste mental energy or become disgustingly obsessed."

At my words, Vigdís's expression subtly changed.

She looked as though she wanted to ask where such a being could possibly exist, yet kept her mouth shut because she couldn't bring herself to ask.

So I decided to show her that the being in question was right in front of her. Not through words, but through actions.

At that moment, Yor was eating a powdered sugar donut with Bavarian cream smeared all around her mouth.

I took out the handkerchief I had been unable to give to Vigdís earlier and wiped Yor's mouth clean.

As I did, a soft smile naturally escaped me.

There was no need to deliberately force the expression.

Simply letting go of my possessed-body acting for a brief moment was enough.

Yor was such an incredibly lovable being that it was only natural for my gaze to be filled with affection as I looked at her.

And because of that, Vigdís immediately realized how much I cherished Yor.

I was able to notice that fact so quickly because astonishment colored her face.

It must have been that unexpected for a gentle smile to appear on Karvaldr's face.

"If only I had met you a little sooner, why was my past self in such a hurry?"

"Nyaong, nyao, nyan nyaang~."

Yor was adorable today as well, but I had absolutely no idea what she was saying.

I had bought her a portable whiteboard and marker yesterday while buying donuts, but since she hadn't taken them out, it probably wasn't anything important.

So I let it pass and turned back toward Vigdís, naturally putting my arrogant and cold mask back on.

"As you can see, I now have a new family. A being who always stays by my side, who instinctively loves and follows me. Therefore, I have no need for someone like you who struggles against being bound by me. And yet, I promise to maintain this engagement until you have established your own foundation. You should be grateful."

I uttered unpleasant words that reflected Karvaldr's twisted personality.

Whether I had properly imitated the original owner's way of speaking, Vigdís erased the astonishment from her face and put on a very familiar expression.

But she did not immediately thank me.

"While you are being so generous, could you also add a clause to the contract guaranteeing my continued attendance at the academy? If you do, I would truly be grateful. As you know, what matters to me is not maintaining the engagement, but being able to attend the academy."

Vigdís's face remained stiff with tension, and her shoulders were still hunched.

Her tightly clenched fists were also trembling slightly.

And yet, she neither avoided my gaze nor mumbled her words. She met my eyes and clearly voiced what she wanted.

'Is it because she now clearly realizes that Karvaldr is unlikely to obsess over her anymore?'