Chapter 8

“Is that so? Your Grace, every day with you feels like a new experience.”

“Aren’t you getting tired of it?”

“Well, I can’t speak for others, but I’m confident in at least one thing – I’m a skilled artist.”

Scheuer clenched her fist tightly, exuding confidence. Raygrain’s gaze lingered momentarily on her face and her clenched fist.

“Drawing a well, are you?”

He said with a hint of misunderstanding but didn’t bother correcting it, finding it somewhat endearing. Scheuer shifted her gaze slightly, checking his hands. Raygrain was empty-handed except for a piece of paper.

Scheuer extended her gaze beyond him and asked,

“Is that all?”

“Didn’t you say you wanted a signature and an autograph?”

“I just want to watch. Can you change your clothes? I won’t smell or lick them, I promise.”

“Considering My Lady’s past behavior, it’s hard to trust that.”

Raygrain placed the paper on the table, took a seat across from her, and retrieved a fountain pen from his pocket. He offered it to her. When Scheuer presented a crisp new shirt to him, his eyelid twitched slightly.

“This isn’t an exchange, so don’t misunderstand.”

“Really?”

“If you want my signature and seal, then you need to give yours here as well.”

So this was also an exchange. It seemed that she could get my signature just by scribbling my name. Without hesitation, she picked up the pen and quickly signed it, asking, “

What is this for?”

Even when Scheuer asked the question, he still maintained an indifferent expression. Raygrain responded in a resounding voice,

“A marriage registration form.”

Thud

Scheuer halted the pen that was previously moving.

“M-Marriage… registration?”

“This is my answer to your confession.”

Even though he made a stunning statement, Raygrain’s expression remained eerily calm. It was only belatedly that Scheuer noticed the top of the document. In sharp handwriting, her name was written next to Raygrain’s name. Her signature was already there, and Raygrain proceeded to sign the paper.

“But there are conditions.”

As Raygrain signed, Scheuer, who had been watching his actions absentmindedly, finally snapped out of it. Marriage! Not divorce, but marriage! She slapped her own cheek as if to wake herself up from what might have been a dream.

However, before she could fully feel the pain, Raygrain grabbed her wrist.

His reaction was lightning-fast.

“That’s a bad habit.”

He held her wrist with a matter-of-fact tone, as though explaining the results of her actions. Scheuer didn’t mind and held his hand in return, her skin initially cold like his but quickly warming from the contact.

“So, does this mean we’ll share the same last name?”

“If the proper procedures are followed, that should be the case.”

Scheuer Blen. It was an extraordinary outcome she never even dreamed of.

With her heart pounding, she tightly held onto Raygrain’s hand and exclaimed with excitement,

“So, does this mean I can legally adore you?”

Raygrain’s sharp gaze pierced her like a dagger as she continued,

“It means I have no official role, I can’t just watch your face or see you change your clothes.”

Scheuer pretended not to notice and added,

“Even when you sleep, I can’t admire how beautiful you look.”

Amidst this banter, her crimson hair twisted in embarrassment as she tucked it behind her ear with one hand, all while ensuring she didn’t let go of his hand.

Since she was in the Northern Territory for a short visit and couldn’t expect to change Raygrain’s emotions so quickly, she decided to make the most of her time there. With the idea of staying close to him and trying other ways to win him over, her proposal seemed like the perfect excuse.

If she could catch him off guard or make him flustered, it would be even better. However, she acknowledged that it might not work in such a short time, so she tried to be genuine about her feelings.

Seeing him in person only fueled her desire to be close to him. Although she wished she could change his feelings immediately, she knew it wouldn’t be that simple. Therefore, she decided to stay in the Northern territory, observing him closely and finding the best way to protect him.

Despite her yearning, she had a sense of decency. She was curious about his bedroom, something not mentioned in the novel, but she resisted the urge to enter it out of respect for his privacy.

However, there was still a lingering attachment in her heart. If only he were to accept her proposal…

“Everything will be resolved in one fell swoop!”

Scheuer’s eyes sparkled as she stared at him with a mixture of hope and affection.

Raygrain, who met her gaze filled with anticipation and love, withdrew his hand from hers and responded gruffly,

“What do you mean by that?”

Family, goals, and hope.

Hadn’t he provided her with a reason to move forward after she had lost everything? She didn’t want to feel that sense of helplessness again, where she couldn’t even bring herself to write due to the excuse of a novel. She didn’t have the desire to seek something in return from him. After all, he had always been just someone to watch from afar. For her, simply seeing him alive and well was enough.

“It’s an emotion that doesn’t make logical sense,”

Replied Raygrain in a matter-of-fact tone as he extended the paper once again. Well, if someone had proposed to him, it was only natural to expect their love and affection.

“Smile Love”