# Chapter 13
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Episode 13
married.
Anita's mind went blank when she heard those words.
Her eyes were unconsciously fixed on Lancelot's face, and she carefully observed the changes in the expression of the person looking at her.
Lancelot remained silent.
The slight excitement and embarrassment that should have been conveyed by the proposal was nowhere to be found.
It was serious, but that was it.
It was as if the marriage proposal had never left her tightly closed lips.
'...What are you thinking?
There is no way Lancelot would look at me as a woman.
Thanks to that, Anita's heart stopped just before jumping to a level where nothing could be done.
"I'll just ask you one thing.
"It's not a joke, right?"
"Is there any trash that makes jokes about marriage?"
"Then I have to refuse.
Sorry."
Lancelot didn't seem particularly hurt or shocked by her rejection.
Instead, he asked casually, as if saying hello.
"Why are you refusing?"
"Well, you don't have a proposal ring."
At first, I intended it to be a little playful.
Once again, she realized that Lancelot didn't really feel anything for her.
If only he had considered Anita as the opposite sex.
If he had been feeling the slightest of feelings, wouldn't he have proposed by holding out a small ring?
'Ah.'
Calm down, Anita.
Why are you sad?
Why do you keep trying to get more of him?
Lancelot's indifference is not a sin.
The cause was all due to Anita herself, who wanted his attention without even understanding the subject.
Instead, Lancelot cared a lot about Anita.
People talk together.
You seem special to him.
I'm just kind to you.
You are always the exception.
'You're saying this because you don't know anything.'
That's kind of a line.
Because you are my 'closest friend'.
The line you will be treated accordingly.
The phrase that if you don't betray me, mock me, or despise me, I will also become a strong ally.
Lancelot doesn't love Anita and never will.
They have no desire to love and they don't want to love.
These are words I heard directly from Lancelot's mouth in the not-so-distant past, so nothing will change.
'Then I also have to keep the line.'
Because I want to remain at least your friend.
Is it because I have my mind under control?
The feeling of shame and misery that had been arising melted like snow.
I was worried that my disappointment would be seen, so I gathered my low energy and spoke.
"What I just said was a joke, so please pretend I didn't hear it.
"I really want to ask, are you really trying to take responsibility for me for Edenbahir's respect?"
However, even if you pull it up, it is a problem because it is pulled too much.
Anita cleared her throat slightly to calm her voice, which had become more lively than necessary.
"hmm.
Of course, I know very well that you are not the type of person to do that."
"The term 'cold-blooded' is often used indirectly, but this is true."
Anita smiled awkwardly and nodded silently.
But even the great lady knows that she has no sympathy for Lancelot.
Lancelot, who was silent for a moment, leaned against the back of the sofa and asked.
“If you work as a maid.
What did you plan to do next?
“I probably had no intention of working this job for the rest of my life.”
It was a question that changed direction without warning, but Anita answered without being embarrassed.
"After I saved some money, I tried to find my father."
"when?"
"well.
As soon as this winter passes...
."
She paused for a moment and asked again as if she was just wondering.
"Didn't you hear anything?"
"What story?
Your father's disappearance?
Or the fall of the Wöröni family?"
Unnecessarily direct speech is no longer surprising.
That's why Anita could be sure.
"You know something."
At least when it comes to her father's disappearance, Lancelot knows more of the truth than she does.
As soon as I realized this fact, my fingertips started to tremble.
Anita opened her mouth calmly, catching her shaky breath.
"What the hell happened...?" No, if I don't tell you first, it might be difficult for you, so I'll ask you later.
Even so, father...
My father's condition is good...
."
"Calm down, Anita Wöröny.
"Do you think I'm going to pretend I don't know your personal history?"
A cold, firm reprimand.
A voice that doesn't have the slightest hint of kindness.
Yet, strangely, I could breathe.
Probably because Lancelot knows that he is not a person who lies.
"Keep talking.
You said you were looking for your father?" "I wonder what you plan to do if you can't find him."
"I will find it until the end."
"Even the remains?"
"Please, can't you just tone down that question a little?"
"I will be careful, so marry me, Anita."
It was definitely a tone not different from the first proposal.
The tone is so innocent that it wouldn't be strange to ignore it.
But this time something was different.
'...OK.
There is no way Lancelot would mention marriage for some trivial reason.
Marriage to guarantee status?
For that reason alone, the heir to the duchy takes a woman of humble status as his wife?
It was an offer that went far beyond the limits that Lancelot maintained as a friend.
"Take revenge by marrying me."
plural.
To Anita, these words sounded like "your father is dead."
"Your father was the most complete man I've ever known.
It doesn't make sense for the Wöröni family to fall overnight.
For now, make it look like you're broke...
."
smart.
With the sudden knock, both eyes turned to the person who approached the door without making a sound.
"Lancelus."
The visitor was none other than Jill.
Lancelot's expression looking at him is not good.
Even though I was gritting my teeth at the insult, I ended up choosing Jill.
"Anitta.
"We'll talk about this in detail later."
Anita hurriedly asked him in response to the congratulatory sword spirit.
"Lancelus, who is your father?"
"I'm not sure about that part yet.
Just know that people are being released from Edenbahir to investigate.”
Oh, thank God.
I'm so happy.
Lancelot wasn't sure about his father's death, but it seemed like more than half of the anxiety of the last few days had disappeared.
"Thank you very much, Lancelot.
I'm...
I'm going back to my room.
"You seem busy.
There is still hope.
That fact alone was enough for Anita.
***
After Anita left the office, only Lancelot and Jill remained.
Jill craned her neck towards the corridor and, seeing that Anita's silhouette had completely disappeared, quickly approached Lancelot.
"I'm sorry.
"I know you're having an important conversation, but I thought I should let you know quickly."
Even if you don't add that as an excuse, you already know that.
It has been two years since Jill, who helped her father, moved in with Lancelot.
His remarkable ability to understand the situation and his sense of humor allowed him to survive even in the position next to his new boss.
Lancelot knew he was very demanding.
His natural temperament and meticulousness created a rare synergy with the sensitivity of his stubbornness, and he caused three of his aides to resign.
Heir to the evil temperament of making enemies.
Still, there were advantages.
From then on, he was guaranteed a certain degree of freedom by the elders of his family.
This freedom was also what Lancelot intended.
"to say."
"Rumor has it that Prince Reinhard of Hespain will visit the royal castle this month."
Prince Reinhard.
Lancelot showed no particular reaction to the name.
'You've been thinking a lot.'
But just because Lancelot's lips were silently closed, Jill felt that her head was spinning unnaturally.
The heir to the Duke of Edenbahir was a master at hiding his emotions.
His consistent anytime, anywhere attitude led his opponents to take control of the atmosphere.
Lancelot's innate psychotic nature also played a role in this, but...
.
'More than anything else, the fact that he was the successor of the Edenbahir family probably played a big role.'
Of course, although Jill was born as the heir of this duchy, she was not sure that she would become like Lancelot.
"The Queen's birthday banquet, which will be held a week later, is the most likely.
"Although there is little traffic, the Queen and Prince Reinhardt are first cousins."
In the Kingdom of Montebbio, the queen is called queen.
This followed the notation system of the Atlantean Empire and originated from the imperial law that the companion chosen by the emperor had equal status with the emperor.
This notation was generally followed by royal families who claimed descent from the Atlantean Empire.
"I can't help it.
Send a letter to the Queen right now.
"My marriage to Anita Wöröny has been confirmed today and I'm just going to wait for the date."
confirmed?
Jill, who was thinking about Anita's sad expression, nodded slowly.
Thinking about her personality, it didn't seem easy to move forward, but thinking about her personality again, it seemed like the plan would somehow come to fruition.
Because Anita Wöröny is weak to Lancelot Edenbahir.