A Blend of Romance and Fantasy Chapter 18

“Are you insane?”

That was the first thing Leonard said the moment we stepped outside.

“And you say that while you’re the one insisting on coming with me?”

…And you’re still blushing like crazy.

I wanted to point that out—but decided against it. He might actually die of embarrassment.

So instead, I just dragged him along through the garden.

People were staring. Nobles, attendants, everyone.

But I had already decided—I was going to act like I had chosen this man.

Might as well end the banquet cleanly.

With Leonard right beside me, I deliberately waved at Prince Hans, who had proposed earlier.

Right then—

Leonard stopped walking.

“…How can you say ‘I love you’ so easily? Love is something precious. You shouldn’t throw it around lightly. And contract marriages—those are far too common in your genre. Think of the children! Marriage should be—”

“Stop. You sound like a moral studies textbook.”

I lightly smacked his mouth.

“…Did you just hit me?”

“Yes. I’m telling you to be quiet. We’re here to discuss strategy, not romance tropes. And for your information, contract marriages exist in fantasy too.”

He blinked.

Actually stunned.

After a moment, he fell silent.

Then, as we continued walking, he asked:

“…Why did you change your mind?”

“About what?”

“Your goal. Weren’t you planning to find a good husband at this banquet?”

“My goal was polygyny, actually.”

“…Polygyny?”

I nodded gloomily.

“But then I realized it’s ridiculous for me to enjoy myself while Singcester is facing a crisis.”

A laugh escaped him.

“The more I learn about you, the stranger you seem. Were you always like this in your past life?”

“I’ve been called a ‘handsome-men hunter.’”

“…Hahahaha—!”

This time, he really laughed.

Not a smirk. Not a chuckle.

A full, unrestrained laugh.

It caught me completely off guard.

Even the knights behind us looked shocked.

Eventually, his laughter faded.

And I found myself staring into those burning red eyes again.

There was something strange about them.

They looked like flames—but underneath, there was a calmness.

Like he had already seen everything.

Like nothing truly surprised him anymore.

…It made me want to provoke him.

Just once.

To see those eyes lose control.

“Charlotte.”

I flinched.

“Yes?”

“Since we’re cooperating, there’s something I should tell you.”

His tone changed.

“You asked what happened to the protagonist of this world.”

“I did.”

He held out his hand.

“For a handshake.”

Then—

“I killed him. To become emperor.”

“…What?”

My mind went blank.

Leonard just kept his hand out, waiting.

“Aren’t you going to shake it?”

“…Why do you want to become emperor?”

I asked slowly.

“Most transmigrators don’t aim that high.”

There was a brief pause.

Then he shrugged.

“Do I need a reason? You want a reverse harem. I want power, wealth, and status. Being a prince is… quite comfortable.”

…Liar.

That wasn’t the truth.

Not even close.

I narrowed my eyes at him—but he didn’t look away.

“…Fine. It doesn’t matter.”

I placed my hand in his.

“We just need to cooperate.”

We shook hands.

“But honestly, shouldn’t we be holding hands instead? This feels too formal.”

“Ah—well… that’s true.”

He stumbled over his words.

This man.

He could casually admit to killing the protagonist—

but this embarrassed him?

Unbelievable.

In my mental “Leonard file,” I added another trait:

• terrible sense of direction

• kind of cute

• petty

• socially awkward

That made four.

Dangerous.

I absolutely must not get close to him.

“Stand closer. What happened to all that confidence when you were grabbing my waist during teleportation?”

“That was different. This is public. Appearances matter.”

“You really are like an old-fashioned scholar. Were you a teacher in your past life?”

As we bickered, something occurred to me.

“…Wait. I know nothing about Blake.”

I stopped walking.

“If I’m going there, I need information.”

The realization drained all my energy.

Leonard looked at me and said simply:

“You don’t need to know everything.”

“…What do I need, then?”

“Just one thing.”

He smiled slightly.

“How to survive.”

“…That’s terrifying.”

“But I won’t let you die.”

“Coming from someone who kidnapped me, that inspires zero confidence.”

He chuckled.

“I wonder when you’ll start trusting me.”

We reached the edge of the garden.

An awkward silence settled between us.

Then he leaned in slightly.

“I’ll send you information tonight. Through a familiar.”

A familiar…?

That night—

I collapsed into bed.

“I’m exhausted…”

Between the nobles, Erdan, and Leonard—

my brain was fried.

And the fact that I had lied to everyone weighed on me.

I tossed and turned for a long time.

Then—

tap, tap

I turned my head.

At the window—

was a tiny red creature.

“Gasp—!”

I rushed over and opened it.

It had wings.

Claws.

“…This is a dragon?”

I carefully picked it up.

The tiny dragon flailed its short legs in outrage.

“Put me down! I am a dragon! A Red Dragon! If not for that wretched prince’s contract, I wouldn’t look like this—!”

“…You’re Leonard’s familiar?”

At the name—

it shuddered.

“Leonard, that scoundrel! He tricked me! A vile, deceitful human!”

It puffed out a tiny flame.

…Warm.

That was it.

Adorable.

I leaned in, barely holding back laughter.

“Oh no… how terrifying. Then tell me why the familiar of that awful man is here.”

“Hmph! I won’t say anything unless you put me down!”

I set it on the windowsill.

It puffed up proudly—

then suddenly reached into its belly.

…Wait.

Do dragons have pouches?

It pulled out a small bundle of rolled papers and handed it to me.

“Here!”

“What is this?”

“You fool. It’s an item. A summary booklet.”

“…What?”

“Touch it.”

I poked it.

A screen appeared.

In Korean.

[Write a representative Korean dish. (Hint: dfwfw)]

…

…

What is this terrible sense of humor?

I just stared at it, completely dumbfounded.