Chapter 9-2


    Second floor corridor, Duke Adiras mansion.


    Hte strolled down the corridor with a sullen expression on her face.


    She had only just returned from a meeting with her father, where she received semi-forced instructions from Robbins.


    If she followed the conditions, she would benefit, but if she didnt, her pocket money would be reduced.


    <em>Ha Youre trying so hard to set me up with him.</em>


    It was quite unfair from her point of view, but she couldnt ignore it.


    All of her money came from Robbins, and it wasnt a small amount.


    She would have rebelled if hed just told her he was going to cut her allowance, but now that she was given a choice, she had to back down a little.


    Whyplicate things by asking me to apany him?


    Robbins terms were simple enough.


    Whenever you go to the pub or the gambling establishment, take Sion Laird with you.


    If she did, he would double her pocket money, but if she didnt, he would cut it in half.


    In other words, half of her pocket money would fall and rise depending on whether Sion was with her or not.


    <em>Drinking, gambling, whats the fun in that</em>


    Hte sighs and heads up the stairs.


    Shed only ever used alcohol and gambling as a way to stockpile funds.


    If Sion Laird were to follow her, it would only hinder her from siphoning off her pocket money.


    <em>At least hes giving me half the money.</em>


    For now, Hte was focused on saving as much money as possible.


    If she could get Sion Laird to cooperate, another half of her pocket money would follow.


    She couldnt pass up this opportunity.


    <em>How do I convince him</em>


    Hte came to a halt in front of Sions room, pondering.


    She had already agreed to team up with Sion Laird.


    If he was paid for his efforts, he would do as he was told.


    <em>I suppose we could split it equally.</em>


    Hte cleared her throat and knocked on the door.


    The door opened, and Sion was immediately visible, sitting at his desk.


    Can I have a word with you? she asked.


    My time is expensive. Did you bring payment?


    Hah What do you want from me?


    I dont want anything, Im just kidding.


    Youre a real brat.


    My sister is excellent at catching my words.


    Hte strode into the room with a scowl on her face.


    Sion offered a faint smile and moved to the round table.


    So, what do you have to say?


    I want you to do me a favour. I just need you to stay with me while I go somewhere.


    Where do you mean Do you mean the pub or the gambling establishment?


    Exactly, and if you do, Ill get extra half of my pocket money.


    Hmm What do I get if I do what my sister says?


    Ill give you half of the extra money. Isnt that good?


    Based on the conversation, Sion quickly understood Htes situation.


    From her perspective, she wouldnt want to go to a bar or gambling house with someone else.


    Sure, shed benefit from going with him, but shed be siphoning off money, so it wasnt a great option.


    It would be a risky proposition, with both benefits and losses.


    So if you dont go with me, youll lose your pocket money?


    Youre a smart one. So will you or wont you?


    Your reasoning is wrong. If I dont go with you, youll lose money, right? So how about you give me everything you gain by going with me?


    What? You think Im doing this for your benefit?


    I have nothing to lose, so why not give it all and keep what you have?


    You


    Hte clenched her fists and red at Zion.


    He may be young, but what he was doing was cunning.


    Regardless of the benefits, she didnt like his answer.


    Forget it! Ill rather have a lesser allowance and not go with you, who do you think you are?


    Hte raised her voice and stood up.


    She felt stupid for expecting anything from him.


    It would have been better to give up half her allowance rather than lose her pride and receive his help.


    Um did I offend you?


    Forget it, Im not going with you anymore.


    Dont be like that, at least listen to what I have to say.


    Listen to what? Yourepletely ignoring me, and I cant believe Im caught up with a guy like you


    I cant even joke? Sit down, Ill only take half of it.


    I dont know. I wont.


    Despite her answer, Hte did not leave the room.


    Sion covered his mouth, barely holding back theughter from escaping.


    I was just kidding, what would I spend my sisters pocket money on?


    I dont know, maybe you have plenty of ces to spend it, or you wouldnt be asking for it.


    Kuku Okay, fine, I wont do that again.


    Add one more thing.


    Add what?


    Dont call me a crazy in the future. You think anyone listens to that because they want to hear it?


    You dont want to hear that, noted. I wont, so take a seat.


    Hte still red at Sion, but then carefully sat down.


    The smile slowly fades from his face, and he resumes his conversation.


    Ill do what you want. But on one condition.


    What are they?


    When you leave, you have to leave after sunrise, and when you return, you have to return before sunset. Can you do that?


    Okay.


    Hte replied bluntly, but she understood where Sion wasing from.


    He probably had his own schedule and things to do, and she couldnt just ask him to show up.


    Depending on the situation, she might have to adjust to his schedule.


    I have things to do, too, so I cant always be there.


    I wont force you, I just need you to stay with me for a while.


    Oh. Just so you know, I cant drink, though I might gamble once in a while.


    Im not asking you to drink. Whether you want to gamble or not is up to you.


    Not for long.


    I dont n on staying long.


    Sion didnt want to interrupt Hats ns.


    He might be a minor character, but that didnt change his mind.


    It was easier to see into the future when the flow of content remained constant.


    <em>Ill pretend to fit in.</em>


    It wasnt time to move on yet.


    I didnt have the Sword I wanted, and the main character hadnt even shown up.


    For now, he had to cooperate with Hte and y nice.


    <em>I dont think shes very good at drinking</em>


    * * *


    A luxury tavern in the capital of the Kingdom of ine.


    Unlike the moremon taverns, luxury taverns had a strictly targeted customer base.


    Only nobles were wee, and they were served and paid for ordingly.


    Commoners could only enter if they had a lot of money or were apanied by a noble.


    Didnt you say you couldnt drink?


    I did.


    Ill order you something else, but you can have that.


    Hte sat down first, looking rxed.


    Sion sat down behind her, ncing around.


    The only people he could see were richly dressed nobles, with the asional sound of conversation orughter.


    Youre only a child, after all. Who cant drink?


    Do you expect to be treated like an adult because you can drink?


    What do you think I want from you? Just wait and see.


    Hte opened the bottle and poured the alcohol straight into the ss.


    Sion watched with a faint unease.


    He wondered if she was going to drink too much, just to show off.


    Drink in moderation. Its not healthy to drink until youre drunk.


    Are you worried about me? Looks like I got a good fianc.


    Im worried about me, not you. I dont think I can handle a wasted person.


    I dont drink that much.


    Hte smirked and raised her ss.


    Sion, on the other hand, sipped his tea, trying to shake off his anxiety.


    But the thing he feared would happen eventually did.


    Hey You think youre better than me, and thats why youre making fun of me, huh? If youre going to call me sister, at least be polite, you b**tard.