I Thought I Was Married, But I Was Left Alone, So I'll Live as I Please. So Please Don't Mind Me Anymore, My Lord of the Border - Chapter 7

“…Guh.”

A foolish sound escaped me reflexively, but it couldn’t be helped.

Standing there, of all people, was the “Margrave.”

I did a perfect double-take before averting my gaze.

While displaying the “Open” sign, I tried to quietly pretend I hadn’t seen him and began closing the door.

In that brief gap, he forcefully twisted his foot inside.

Incredible reflexes.

As expected of an active knight. His reaction speed was terrifyingly fast.

He tried to wedge his hand in the gap and force the door open.

Him trying to open it, me trying to close it.

A quiet, desperate struggle began in the small shopfront.

“My apologies. Might I have a word?”

“We have nothing to discuss. If you have business with an alchemist, please go to the Association.”

“It’s not about alchemy. It’s about you personally.”

“I have nothing to say.”

The door didn’t budge beyond a certain point.

True, he had the advantage in physique. But unfortunately for him, I can use body enhancement magic!

His muscles strained against the wood, while the doorknob I was pulling with enhanced strength groaned in protest.

Sweat beaded on my forehead from our deadlocked struggle where neither side yielded an inch.

But I hadn’t even used half my strength yet. I didn’t feel like I could lose this fight!

Just as I was about to enhance my body further with magic.

Someone lightly tapped me on the head from behind.

“Hey, kid. What are you doing? You’ll break the door.”

“Ouch, Tom!”

“There’s a customer outside, right? What’s going on?”

“He’s an unwelcome guest!”

“Customers aren’t about being welcome or not. Now open up.”

“Yeees…”

Reluctantly easing my strength, I sensed a relieved sigh from outside.

That alone made irritation pool in my chest.

“Shopkeeper, my apologies.”

“L-Lord Margrave!?”

Seeing the man who entered, Tom looked like he might collapse.

While hurriedly supporting him, I cursed inwardly.

Damn you, scaring Tom like that is a sin.

“…Don’t glare at me like that. Well, it’s entirely my fault.”

His slightly shadowed, apologetic face. I saw it yesterday too, but now it was different.

Every time I see a new expression from him, I remember that time when he wouldn’t even look at me, and my chest prickles with pain.

“You know the kid?”

“Yes, somewhat. My apologies, but might I have a word with him?”

“I have nothing to say to him.”

I turned my face away.

But Tom cheerfully said, “Now, now, please come inside,” and led him to the back.

That traitor.

When Tom indicated the living room table and told me to sit, I reluctantly did so, then gestured for the Margrave to take the opposite seat.

Confirming we were both seated, Tom placed tea before each of us.

Even though I’d whispered that I wanted him to stay, he just patted my head, told me to talk properly, and left.

Traitor!

Silence across the table.

The dazzling noble looked completely out of place in this lived-in room filled with morning sunlight.

A wordless stretch of time.

Honestly, I had nothing to say.

If he had business, I wanted him to say it quickly and leave.

Not hiding my feelings, I stared at the table and started counting the wood grain to kill time.

“You listen obediently to that old man, don’t you?”

When I’d reached 217, his voice made me look up.

Of course, I do. You and Tom are on completely different levels of trustworthiness.

“He’s my benefactor who took me in when I had nowhere to go.”

“…I see.”

That quiet murmur of “I see” sounded strangely gentle, and it felt like something was clawing at my heart.

His voice wasn’t like this before.

Back then, his voice was cold, like a winter blade.

Not wanting Tom’s carefully prepared herbal tea to go cold, I picked up my cup.

Seeing this, he mimicked the motion.

“…It’s good.”

“Right? The medicinal herbs in this territory are the best.”

That was my genuine, unfeigned opinion.

“Is that so? I’m glad to hear that.”

That soft smile of his was troublesome again.

His gentle expression as he looked at me. I saw it yesterday too, but now it was different.

Seeing that calm face made me remember his cold attitude from the day we first met, and my irritation resurfaced.

It just made me angrier. Why make that face now?

If you decided I was unnecessary from the start, then stick with that attitude.

Are you flipping your opinion just because I’ve become useful now? This is why nobles!

I’ll conveniently ignore that I’m nobility too.

After all, I’m commoner through and through.

“So? What business brings you here alone, without your attendants, barging into someone’s home so early in the morning?”

Under normal circumstances, these words would be heading straight toward lese-majesty. But I didn’t care.

This would likely be the last time we faced each other directly anyway.

I’ll say everything I want!

“Ash Kreuz, son of Baron Kreuz.”

Hearing his name called, the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

“So, you did know who I was.”

I smiled faintly and returned the sarcasm.

“I’m sorry. Yesterday, my aide Nia reminded me. I’d forgotten that I had a fiancé.”

“I figured as much.”

I couldn’t even muster a bitter smile.

A brief silence fell. Deep in my heart, I felt something shatter with an audible crack.

So that’s all I was worth to him, huh?

A sense of bitter disillusionment overflowed uncontrollably.

“And so, I want to apologize for treating you coldly.”

“That won’t be necessary.”

“…In that case!”

Perhaps misunderstanding my words, his face brightened instantly.

As if things could be that convenient.

Cursing inwardly, I opened my mouth to crush that hope.

“You recognize me as a useful alchemist for this territory, correct?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Then, I will contribute to this territory as the alchemist Ash. …That is all.”

“…That is—”

“The Ash Kreuz who was your fiancé left the mansion that day and never returned.”

“…”

“Here stands merely an alchemist who happens to share the face of the man you deemed unnecessary and discarded.”

Your fiancé Ash Kreuz was thrown away as unnecessary that day and no longer exists.

When I said that, the Margrave’s face turned pale.