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 9

As usual, sunlight streamed into the spacious alchemy workshop of the guild.

Amid the mingling scents of medicinal herbs, the alchemists and I were repeatedly experimenting with new material combinations.

Then, hurried footsteps came pattering toward the room.

And the door was flung open with all their might.

“Hey, Ash! Your hubby’s here!”

Quinn, with his characteristic messy orange hair, came running in, his lively large brown eyes sparkling.

“He’s not my hubby! And you should call him Lord Margrave, you disrespectful brat!”

I gave Quinn’s head a light tap as he approached.

“Ehh, but come ooon~”

“Well, I guess he is your hubby, huh.”

“He comes to visit almost every day without skipping more than three days in half a year.”

“He’s your fiancé, right~?”

“Then he’s your hubby, alright.”

Watching our exchange, the other alchemists in the room cast teasing, lukewarm glances my way and started making fun of me.

“I said it’s not like that!”

“Come on, hurry up and go.”

Quinn forcefully pushed my back, shoving me out of the room as I tried to argue back indignantly.

“Grr…! Don’t act so amused! Even though you were the one who said you’d fight alongside me at first!”

Led by Quinn, who’s the same age as me, alchemists of various ages were all grinning at me.

“Well, of course~ We’d get mad hearing our precious young master was treated roughly.”

“Though I thought he must be some cruel man.”

“Can’t believe anyone would dump a pretty boy like our Ash.”

These were my comrades who, out of their fondness for me, had traveled all the way from the nearly-ruined Kreuz territory to the remote Margrave of Graphica.

Though they’re usually skilled and reliable alchemists, when they tease me like this, I just want to tell them to get lost.

…But I know perfectly well that if they really did leave, I’d be the one crying—which just makes me angrier.

I may be a noble, but back in Kreuz territory, social status was practically meaningless.

The townsfolk and the lord were close, and my parents worked alongside them as fellow alchemists.

Since childhood, I’d practically lived in the town’s alchemy workshop, helping out.

Even after being confined to the mansion’s workshop, I’d sneak out to town to conduct alchemy experiments with them.

It wasn’t like I was imprisoned or watched. As long as the medicine stock in the warehouse increased, no one said a thing.

Our reunion was like something out of a comedy.

They all arrived separately, without any prior arrangement, yet they all ended up asking around, “Where’s the most skilled alchemist?” and apparently found Mr. Tom’s apothecary first.

They couldn’t just go to the Count’s residence—the class difference was too great.

So, they figured if they asked for the alchemist who made the highest quality medicine, they’d eventually make contact.

They never doubted that I’d still be practicing alchemy.

Having known me for so long, they understood me well.

Still, they seemed puzzled to find me working at the shop counter, since they’d assumed I was just supplying medicine.

When they asked, “Why aren’t you with the Margrave’s family you’re engaged to?” and I laughed and said, “They said they didn’t want me,” they got angry for me.

Then, voices laughing, “Let’s show that lord what we can do with alchemy!” filled the air.

Before I knew it, this place had become our new home.

And now, we’ve built good relationships with the local residents too.

Some have found lovers, others are about to get married—it’s a mix of happiness and frustration.

“Alright, alright, Ash. Go on, go on~”

Quinn pushed my back again as I’d stopped.

Why are you so determined to make me see him?! Be on my side! You’re my friend, aren’t you!

“Hurry up and make up, young master!”

“Our Ash is so stubborn. He won’t manage well if he doesn’t play his cards right.”

“Ah, I get it.”

Having been together since we were kids, we know everything about each other’s personalities.

But that doesn’t mean I like being told whatever they want.

“Shut up! Ugh, enough!”

“He’s waiting for you~?”

I resisted as Quinn kept pushing my back, but he didn’t budge an inch.

…Dammit, we’re about the same size, so why can’t I overpower him even with body enhancement?!

Quinn, who’s also skilled at body enhancement, is somehow better at maneuvering and I always end up losing in a pure contest of strength.

Resistance futile, I was shoved out of the workshop.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Lord Margrave.”

Quinn stepped back from me with a polite bow.

“Not at all, I haven’t been waiting. You all seem as lively and cheerful as ever today.”

“…”

When I looked up, Lord Oliver was standing there, wearing his usual gentle smile.

Every time he looks directly at me like this, I feel like my escape routes are being blocked off one by one.

That’s why I hate dealing with him directly…

I know that if I say “I’m busy,” he’ll obediently back off.

I’ve turned him down again and again, and each time, the guilt just piled up until I couldn’t take it anymore. That’s how I ended up going along with it.

I thought if I kept pushing him away for a month, he’d give up, but he never complains or grumbles, just keeps visiting with a straight face, saying, “I wanted to see you.”

That’s just unfair.

There’s no way I could ever hate him.

Plus, the more I learn about Lord Oliver as a ruler, the more I can’t help but respect him.

He never shows weakness in front of the people, always acts first, and rests last.

Knowing that someone like that is cutting into his own time just to see me… I started thinking maybe it’s okay to spend a little time with him.

The alchemists were won over by Lord Oliver too.

In a way, maybe his strategy worked.

“Hello, Ash. You’re as beautiful as ever today.”

Saying that, he took my hand and, with a fluid motion, kissed my fingertips.

“…Seems like lords have a surprising amount of free time, huh.”

I know he’s busy, but I want him to at least let me get in a sarcastic remark.

“I wanted to see you. I’m very happy to see your face.”

Don’t say things like that with a straight face.

…You’re making me blush, you know.

“Whoa, that handsome guy’s amazing~”

“Is that how nobles flirt?”

“Look, Ash’s face is bright red!”

“All of you, get back to your experiments!!”

Suddenly feeling embarrassed that everyone was watching, I shouted loudly.

“Woo-hoo!”

“Ahh, youth~ so nice.”

“Have fun on your date!”

They said whatever they wanted, and the workshop door closed.

…I wish they’d all explode together.

“Hehehe, as always, Ash, you’re quite popular.”

“They’re just playing with me. …So, what brings you here today?”

“I managed to get a reservation at that café you said you wanted to visit. Would you like to go together?”

“…Grr, I’ll go.”

“Great.”

It’s frustrating, but the fact that he always picks exactly the places I want to go shows how sharp he is.

I only mentioned those things casually in conversation before, but he remembers every single one—it’s infuriating.

It’s frustrating. I’m aware that he’s seen right through me and is leading me around, which makes it even more frustrating. …But the fact that I can’t refuse is the most frustrating part.

Because he pays for everything, and I can do whatever I want.

On top of that, the places he invites me to aren’t just cafés.

There are places cultivating rare medicinal herbs, special processing workshops—places ordinary people can’t enter.

As an alchemist, I’m dying to see those places, and he offers them to me without hesitation. It’s unfair.

…How could I possibly pass up an opportunity like this?

So, once again, I ended up accepting Lord Margrave’s invitation.

…I’m not that easy. Not easy at all.