(EP-242.2) Son-in-law? #2
242 – Live-in son-in-law? #2
"Like turning into a log. That's why it's used as a slang…"
"That's right. It's not a pleasant topic. Offering humans as sacrifices was condemned a heinous act by the Belters Council 400 years ago."
"So, Sir Theo, do you have any more questions?"
At Mirna's question, I rummaged through my head.
Soon, I concluded that I didn't have anything more to ask. From now on, it was time to sort through these thoughts on my own rather than asking Mirna.
So this unidentified slave didn't have any consciousness to begin with…
Perhaps his soul was already dead.
Maybe it was because of this gap that I, Lee Sung-eum, ended up inhabiting this body, leading to the current situation. This could explain why there was only one soul within this body.
Why was the last heir of the Angmar family left as a log? I had so many questions.
I immediately wanted to head over to the Witch Forest to find the place where this body was discovered.
The martial festival was going to be held in the Tarantera's territory, the Witch Forest. Perhaps it wouldn't be a bad idea to take some time to explore and wander around then.
Someone suddenly flicked my forehead. Thanks to that, I snapped out of my thoughts. I looked up, only to see Mirna with cheeks lightly puffed out and wrinkled brows.
"Sir Theo, you weren't listening to me at all, were you?"
"Sorry, I was lost in thought."
At my honest apology, Mirna snorted.
"I've heard that deep thinking is said to be the quality of an excellent mage. But, I'm a little disappointed that you're not focusing on me, even though you're with me." Ṝ𝙖₦Ö𝐁Ěŝ
"So, um, what were you saying?"
"I was saying that I have something to ask you, Sir Theo."
"Yes. So, how did it go with borrowing money from the Bellhawk family? I doubt those cunning, profiting elves would stay still."
Mirna seemed curious about the deal with the Bellhawk family.
However, the details of the deal between the Bellhawk family and the Angmar royal family were strictly confidential. It must be kept secret from Mirna, who could be considered a third party.
"… You are very strict about business. Are you not going to tell me, even between us, Sir Theo?"
Mirna pursed her lips and made a face, seemingly displeased. But with her naturally chubby cheeks like a squirrel's, and an endowed chest, she just looked cute.
"Even if I keep it a secret, will you still not tell me?"
Seeing her coquettish grumbling like aegyo, I thought it might be alright to share a bit, assuming confidentiality was guaranteed. However, a contract was something that must be upheld.
Regrettably, I could not divulge any information to Mirna.
Moreover, explaining that a 'marriage of convenience' was discussed with the elves would lead Mirna to demand an explanation, and I'd spend a lot of time explaining it.
"Unfortunately, I can't tell you right now."
"… Hmph, I guess it can't be helped."
It was good that Mirna was broad minded and understood my situation. I had worried she might sulk or throw a fit, but she was mature about it.
Her not prying was a virtue.
I'd give Mirna an extra +10 points for her honesty!
While I was amusing myself with these thoughts, Mirna, who had finished watering all the flowers in the garden, said while tidying up her tools.
"By the way, Sir Theo, I heard that you joined Professor Stella for a meal at a restaurant?"
There were no secrets in this world. With watchful eyes everywhere, it was difficult to move freely outside. This must be how celebrities felt.
"They said it looked like a date between lovers…?"
"How could that be? Miss Mirna, you know how terrible things are between me and Professor Stella."
Mirna didn't look pleased. For whatever reason, the fact that I had met and dined alone with Stella didn't sit well with her.
At a time , I knew exactly what to do.
That was to gossip about Stella to Mirna.
"As Mirna-nim knows, Professor Stella is quite a bratty person. She's supercilious and extremely self-serving. I don't know what's with her."
"Well, that's true…."
Although Mirna replied nonchalantly, she seemed quite pleased with my criticism of Stella. Soon, she spoke in a more relaxed manner.
"Still, Professor Stella isn't all that bad."
"A long time ago, she was a promising talent alongside her older brother Opal. In some areas, they even said she surpassed him."
A talent, huh? That word didn't quite fit with Stella….
If anything, she seemed more like a disaster. Unaware of my thoughts, Mirna continued as if defending Stella, whom I had slandered.
[T/N: There's a play on words here as talent and disaster are the same word in Korean]
"But after Opal's death, things got out of hand. Some say she does stupid things on purpose because she doesn't want to be the heir apparent."
Looking back at the history of my world, there had been people who went astray because they didn't want to become heirs. Could Stella be one of those?
Although I doubted it at first, thinking about the gaps in what I knew about her made me consider the possibility.