Chapter 35: Baron Bartfort.

An awkward silence stretched for nearly ten minutes after Angelica's vassal had already departed.

For nobles who value etiquette, it is considered exceedingly impolite and distasteful for a lower-ranked aristocrat to address a higher-ranking noble, when the latter is interested in something else.

Conversely, if a high-ranking noble, rather openly expresses interest in a lower-ranking individual, it becomes impolite for the latter to remain silent and expect the higher rank noble to initiate conversation.

This expectation is particularly strong if the higher-ranking aristocrat has already employed a messenger or intermediary to facilitate the introduction, like now.

However, Angelica herself was unbothered by such formalities, already having anticipated this interaction, which was why she had dismissed her entourage earlier.

Just as she thought the stillness stretched for too long, and she considered breaking the silence to prevent further discomfort, the baron—though not quite of baronial status—spoke with an amused yet cordial tone.

"Lady Redgrave, is there something more you wish to say?"

The question seemed... Weird?

Angelica's brow arched slightly—it was not with irritation but mild surprise and a hint of confusion.

"I already accepted your invitation, so I was just surprised you showed up."

"Oh?"

"Pardon me for asking, but did you not remember?"

"I don't believe I forgot anything." She responded curtly.

As Angelica spoke, the baron's gaze drifted towards Olivia, the apparent intermediary of this conversation.

Seeing her bewildered and subtly flustered expression, Angelica realized something, as did Leon.

Yet, without any particular reaction, Leon simply bowed to Angelica.

"I apologize, Lady Angelica."

It was indeed rude not to have sent an immediate reply, but this wasn't the reason Angelica was there today.

"I understand. Do not worry about that," she replied, gazing at the edge of the table she was tracing with her finger.

"I just came for a small talk," without any movement of her chin, her eyes moved to Leon, who did not seem any flustered than he would have been should he was alome with the scholarship girl.

"I am not a very amusing talker, am I?"

"Quite a rude fellow, aren't you?"

Leon smiled slightly, raising his hand to pat the head of the girl beside him.

Whether involuntarily or from experience, the girl adjusted her posture under his touch, even though she was visibly flustered.

Angelica, who was shown this interaction rather openly now showed a hint of irritation and exasperation.

"Judging from the message was delivered to me, am I to assume you want me as a future vassal of His Highness the Crown Prince, yes?"

Her smile was strained as she replied, "Indeed."

"I would like to formally decline the offer."

Angelica sighed roughly and attempted to stand, but Leon spoke once more before she could even move.

"However, I do not wish for you to misunderstand."

Before Angelica took notice, Leon's hand had already left the girl's head.

And, with a focused, intent expression, he spoke, more serious than before. "I wish to become your knight, not his."

A long silence followed—it felt like hours but was merely a few seconds.

"Of course, I want you to formally announce it after I assist you in the dungeon."

'What does he want from me?' Angelica wondered, glancing at the scholarship girl beside Leon.

"You understand our position, don't you?"

Whether or not Leon grasped the depth of her question, he brushed it off simply with a carefree, confident reply, "Of course, a knight must serve his lord dutifully. Even if the lord wishes to challenge a kingdom, so it shall be."

'He didn't refuse; does he truly not understand?' Her mind swirled with confusion. 'No, he must want something from me.'

"If you do not speak up now, I shall not grant you anything if you mention it later." Her tone was skeptical, 'In fact, please say it directly, I'm already weary of headaches.'

"No, I have nothing materialistic I want from you nor the duchy."

"So it is something non-materialistic?"

"Yes..." Whether it was genuine or a performance, Leon shifted his gaze, as if embarrassed. "I... want to be popular with the ladies."

"... What?" Angelica's eyes moved to the seat beside his' again.

In a tone tinged with scarlet embarrassment, Leon raised his voice slightly, "I said, I wanted to use the duchy's influence to be popular with the ladies."

Angelica couldn't trust such a simple, whimsical reason. Yet, she focused her gaze on Leon, who looked down, whether because of embarassment or something else altogether.

"It didn't appear to be necessary though?"

The man look at olivia and sigh lightly, "My Lady, for a low feudal lord, such as myself, it is necessary to have a wife who is of the same rank or higher."

Then realization struck her again, an information, which, frankly she had forgotten due to her life which had become extremely hectic.

Slightly, very slightly trusting him, she probe again, "Are you willing to sign a contract in the name of your family?"

"Yes." The response was instant.

Though still puzzled, it reassured Angelica, who was always in the midst of a political storm.

Just as she was about to trust Leon completely, a flaw of reasoning struck her, and she sharply addressed it.

"If you want fame, why not under the Crown Prince?" As she said it, she grew increasingly more convinced thay Leon indeed had a hidden agenda.

But, simply, Leon replied disinterestedly, "Oh, because the prince is too handsome."

"Pardon?"

"The prince is too hands—"

"No, I heard you correctly the first time. Explain why that is a negative for you."

Although, as a woman deeply in love, she couldn't help but feel pleased when her beloved was praised, she didn't lose sight of the bigger picture, as shrewd as she had always been.

"My Lady, imagine an utterly ordinary rock—no shape, no color, just a plain rock, with a unique hardness—among gold coins and diamonds. What would a typical person choose?"

Angelica was dumbfounded but persisted in questioning.

"Even so, being a direct knight under His Highness would still offer you a good mate, no?"

"Yes," he looked away again, but the tone seemed unhappy of something. "But that person's first choice would not be me."

"How would that change under me?"

"It wouldn't, but it would soften the blow if we're not too close to His Highness."

'He... is an odd fellow.' But then, she recalled the low to mid-noble girls with multiple slaves who indulged freely.

But still she spoke up again, looking at the commoner sitting beside him. "You are very hypocritical Baron."

"Well..." Whether beacause he had no argument or he believed not replying would convince the lady he did not spew more words.

But, realizing what Leon, as a baron of low aristocracy, desired, she looked at him with more sympathy than she'd previously shown.

Her eyes softened, and her voice followed suit. "I see... But for safety, we'll sign a contract. I'll announce you as my personal knight after your first commission."

Leon stood and bowed, deeper than before. "Thank you very much for accepting my proposal."

'He sounds happy.' Angelica couldn't help but smile involuntarily.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I'm back guys. I'm finally prepared to write some romance. Whose character should I develop first? Clearice, Deirdre, Angelica, Olivia

I initially, as you know, write this ff because I was bored, but now I have become attached to it, so I figured I must at least gave a proper emotional attachment for you folks. Chose.