Marien clung tightly to Odette’s side, grinning like a sycophant.
‘Trying to appeal to Odette’s reason, were you? You simple-minded Northern Bastard.’
Of all the examples to bring up, he just had to mention the Haman Kingdom. That was the country where Odette’s mother was born and raised.
Seibril must have told her daughter many stories about her homeland while raising her alone—the snacks she ate as a child, the neighbors, the scenery of the streets. The longing that seeped through those stories must have left an impression on young Odette as well.
Like Cain, Odette didn’t believe in superstitions. But apart from that, she was also not the type to stand by and watch her mother’s country be disparaged.
*‘Chop it off! [Clap!] Chop it off! [Clap!]’*
Marien clapped her hands together in her mind, chanting along. Whether it was his hair or his manhood, she wanted to chop off anything that belonged to Cain.
Of course, Cain wouldn’t cut his own hair.
In truth, if it weren’t for the tax contract, that was money he would have had to pay anyway. The Blackwood family wouldn’t falter just from paying that amount.
But Cain’s hair was different.
No matter how much he coveted Marien Didi, Cain would never cut the source of his irreplaceable power on his own. Especially not right here, as if being pushed into it by his fiancée!
‘It’s satisfying to see that arrogant Northern Bastard finally cornered, though.’
Marien watched Cain’s face intently.
‘Surely… it couldn’t be, could it?’
She felt strangely uneasy.
‘You may be deranged, but you wouldn’t just hack off your hair…’
Just then, Cain opened his mouth.
“Cutting it is not difficult. What I am curious about is how you intend to verify the change in my power once the hair is cut.”
Cain was trying to bluff. This much was within her expectations.
“The only person in this country capable of splitting a thick log with his bare hands is you, Duke. But after hearing your question, I’m curious as well. I wonder how much strength would remain if you cut it to shoulder length.”
“Your Highness already knows the answer.”
Cain lowered his voice.
“My power will not change. Because, in the first place, hair has nothing to do with strength.”
“Nothing to do with it, my foot…”
Marien grumbled. Cain immediately shot her a look filled with icy murderous intent. It was laughable that she would even consider taking such a man—who glared at her as if he wanted to kill her—as a lover.
‘Is it just me who finds this funny?’
She had felt it with Leslie too, but what was wrong with the men in this country? Regardless, Marien kept her guard up and listened to what Cain said next.
“Your Highness, I already told you I would forgo the 100-year tax exemption. And now you’re asking me to cut my hair on top of that.”
The way the conversation was flowing felt ominous.
“I will cut it.”
“Hey.”
Since when were you so obedient?
“After I cut it, I will even demonstrate splitting a log for you. Is that enough? Once I’ve done that, will you hand over that aide who dared to spout false rumors about the Duke of Blackwood to me?”
That statement didn’t sound like a bluff. He was actually prepared to go through with it. Marien rolled her eyes frantically.
Now that Byleon was her lover and Odette was her direct superior who held her life in her hands, she honestly didn’t care about Cain’s hair.
If he went bald, fine; if not, that was fine too. She just thought it would be funny to see him look like a peeled hard-boiled egg. What was truly important to Marien was Odette’s intent.
She couldn’t just wash her hands of it when he was going to such lengths. It would be a disaster if Odette agreed and sided with the Duke.
“Hey, hey, wait a minute!”
A commoner-born aide shouting "hey" at a Duke because she was too panicked—that was her.
“You, stay quiet for a moment.”
Marien hurriedly gauged Odette’s mood. Her face twitched slightly as she tried to force a smile that didn’t betray her anxiety.
“Your Highness, I’ve been thinking.”
“Finally?”
Marien pursed her lips like a rabbit and looked at Odette with resentful eyes. Even if she seemed to rely on her cute looks, she was actually the type who took a long time to think.
“Duke Blackwood is a valuable talent of the Empire. As a civil servant living on Imperial soil, I oppose any reduction in the Duke’s power. That would be a national loss.”
Marien rattled off words that contained absolutely no sincerity. As she did so, she pulled a notebook and pencil from her pocket.
‘Can I convince Odette that I am worth more than the 100 years of taxes from the Blackwood estate?’
Marien scribbled a phrase on the paper in a rush. Then, she held the notebook out toward Odette. The Princess, seeing this, wore an unreadable smile.
Marien’s heart shriveled. Had her persuasion worked? Or had she failed?
“…My joke went too far. I apologize, Duke. Please, do not cut your hair.”
It worked!
Marien snapped the notebook shut with a sharp sound. She couldn’t hide the smile spreading across her lips. Byleon had been right; she had no talent for hiding anything.
“No, I will cut it. Do not stop me.”
“Is that so? Even though there is absolutely no benefit to you in cutting it? I will not decide the fate of Aide Didi here today.”
Cain’s brow furrowed at the sudden change in his opponent’s attitude.
“Because…”
Odette raised her index finger, signaling that she hadn’t finished speaking.
“The Duke’s visit today was not scheduled. As the Duke already knows, due to my health, I cannot receive more than two guests a day. And I do not wish to handle important matters regarding our contract with such banter.”
Therefore, she told him that if he wished to amend the contract, he should formally schedule an audience and visit the Fourth Princess’s Palace.
Although Cain Blackwood was a madman, his judgment wasn’t so impaired that he would force the issue with Odette. There was no benefit to him in pushing the decision-maker, Odette, any further.
Not having to cut his hair was just a bonus.
“In any case, may I take it that you have not refused?”
“Yes, it simply means we shall discuss it later.”
“…Understood.”
Cain glared at Marien as if he would devour her. The threat that she shouldn’t fear the consequences was evident. Marien scoffed.
Marien Didi didn’t know what “consequences” were. If she had been afraid of such things, she wouldn’t have made such a fuss about cutting the hair of the Black Reaper of the Battlefield in the first place.
As long as the great Original Female Lead was on her side, well.
‘Everyone else is just small fry.’
Unlike when he entered, Cain bowed with proper etiquette.
“I shall take my leave. I will visit again soon.”
He left the drawing room. A brief silence flowed between the Princess and her aide. Odette stared at the closed door of the drawing room before opening her mouth.
“I never thought the day would come when I would agree with your words…”
The Princess’s expression looked somewhat complex.
“You once said that if you have someone you like, you must try to win their favor. Absurdly, you brought up peach cake while saying it. The day you went to the temple to meet the priest.”
“Yes, I remember.”
“That it is only right to find out what that person thinks and what they like, and then target those points.”
“Of course, of course.”
“But I didn’t think a person could be easily swayed by such things.”
It was a remark befitting their cool-headed Original Female Lead.
“But it turns out they are.”
“…”
“They are swayed.”
“…”
“Because you think the thoughts I would normally have, as if you were looking inside my head. And it’s not just that I’m swayed; I find myself turning toward you. It’s quite a fascinating experience.”
Marien grinned. It was only natural that Odette would feel that way. Because the sentences she used were the very words Odette had muttered to herself in the original novel.
*Do not give the other party what they want. Only let them know that you could give it to them. What you can get with a one-time gift is only a one-time reward.*
The value of Cain Blackwood was higher than the 100 years of taxes that could be collected from the Blackwood estate. That was true even if one only considered the Duke’s individual martial prowess.
Therefore, if the Duke developed a strong desire for something, one should not hand it over immediately to receive money, but rather delay the delivery as much as possible.
Marien had awakened Odette to that fact.
By borrowing the very words Odette would say to herself in the latter half of the original story.
“I wonder how Sir Biers came to like you, when you have nothing in common with him. Isn’t it too extreme to say your differences are your charm? I’ve often wondered that while watching you. Now, I think I understand a little.”
Odette continued.
“You have a way of reading people’s hearts at unexpected timings…”
The moment, which could be called quite impressive, did not last long. Because before Odette could even finish her sentence, Marien’s stomach let out a loud growl.
It wasn’t the level of a cute little tummy rumble. Odette fell silent at the sudden, intrusive roar. When a second growl followed, the Princess asked, “Are you raising a toad in your stomach?”
Marien loudly cleared her throat, desperately changing the subject to save face.
“Since Priest Anais has turned his back on you anyway, gathering evidence shouldn’t be difficult. Do you intend to inform His Majesty that the Second Prince is behind all of this?”
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