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TL: ALT
Chapter 33 – The Baron’s Approval
A bad answer would make Moye unhappy, and he might be punished.
Under intense pressure, Wataru had to quickly gather his thoughts to figure out how to answer.
He didn’t want to let go of Mariel.
But if he didn’t, the lives of all of them might be taken.
His rational mind and his emotions went back and forth like two sides of a scale.
“(But if I betray Aire’s expectations here, or if I let go of Mariel, I will regret it for the rest of my life. There is only one way that I will truly not regret…!)”
Wataru made up his mind, suppressed his trembling body with his will, and bowed his head as he answered the question.
“I am truly sorry, but I must decline your offer.”
“Master!”
“Do you know what that means?”
“Ha… I’m truly sorry. Therefore, I humbly request that we negotiate over the artwork. Please forgive me.”
The man’s voice began to mix with a chilling sound.
There was no doubt that he was extremely angry.
Mariel grabbed Wataru’s sleeve, trembling with fear.
She was a former noble, so she must have experienced the horror of disobeying a noble’s words.
“(I’m sorry. You’re afraid because of me.)”
Behind Wataru, Aire carefully scanned the area around them, ready to defend Wataru and Mariel at any moment.
Although the guard’s words earlier were true, Aire also had to fight while protecting Wataru and Mariel.
Above all, the guards were well-equipped.
As opposed to fighting regardless of the damage, she could not be optimistic.
Wataru’s face was drenched in sweat, and his limbs were cold.
Nevertheless, he had no intention of letting go of Mariel.
He bowed deeply again.
“I am well aware that this is impolite.”
“Then why do you not understand? She may be beautiful, but she is still a slave.”
“Mariel is a slave. But she’s mine now, and she’s not just a slave to me. I’ve only known her for a short time, but I think she’s a wonderful woman. I have no intention of letting her go, no matter what it takes.”
“Ma-Master… You think so highly of me?”
Mariel looked at Wataru with a look of emotion on her face.
But Wataru had no time to waste.
He had to read all of Moye’s expressions, and if things really went badly, he had to move on to the next option.
Moye’s face looked stern, with furrows between his eyebrows.
“So you’re giving up on the negotiations?”
“I have the object of the negotiations with me. I want you to take a look at it at least once and make a decision. Could you please continue the negotiations?”
He cannot stop the negotiations.
However, he also cannot accept the proposal.
Moye stared at Wataru with piercing eyes, but then his gaze turned to Mariel.
“Hmm… Mariel-kun, are you living well with this man?”
“Yes. He treats me very well.”
“Are you being forced to live a life you don’t want to live? If that is the case…”
“He showers me with more affection than I deserve as a slave.”
Wataru was moved by Mariel’s decisive words.
Although it had only been a short time, less than a month, Wataru’s desire for Mariel to live comfortably had certainly been conveyed to her.
“But this man works hard for his other slave, Aire.”
“It doesn’t matter. The master treats his slaves well and loves them without distinction.”
“Is that so? That’s the kind of relationship you have.”
“…Yes.”
Moye was silent for a while after Mariel’s comment.
It was not uncommon for slaves to be bought as mistresses or concubines.
Sometimes, they would win the favor of their masters and end up as second wives or something while still in the position of slaves.
Even in a master-slave relationship, it is possible for a man and a woman to love each other beyond their status.
From his stern expression, it was clear that he was still in a bad mood.
If this didn’t work out, the worst that could happen was that he would have to borrow Aire’s power and go on a rampage.
As Wataru’s thoughts turned to the impossibility of a proper negotiation, Moye’s expression suddenly relaxed.
“Hahaha!”
“Baron Moye?”
“Hahaha, I’m sorry. I guess I was a little rude.”
Moye’s laughter relaxed the atmosphere.
Aire had relaxed as well.
The tense atmosphere that had emanated from the guards surrounding the Baron had also eased considerably.
The real danger seems to have passed.
“If a girl I know is a slave, I thought I could take care of her a little… I had no idea that you two were in love.”
“I-in love with each other…”
“A-awawa…”
“What? Are you not?”
“N-no. That’s not what I mean, Well, that’s right.”
“Yes. I adore my master. Hauu…”
If Wataru says something unnecessary here, he will really have to let go of Mariel.
At least Wataru is seriously attracted to Mariel as a woman.
Mariel’s pale face turned red, and she became visibly upset.
Her grip on Wataru’s sleeve tightened, and Mariel’s agitation was also transmitted to Wataru.
Not only that, but the feeling that things were going to be okay somehow made the tension that had been building up melt away, and he felt so exhausted that he felt like he might collapse.
“(Why do important people always try to test people so quickly?)”
Of course, he wasn’t in a position to complain.
But he wanted to say something.
“But what should be the conditions?”
“I have heard that Baron Moye is also interested in collecting art.”
“That is true. Personally, I am more interested in that. However, this sword is a very fine blade. Can you provide me with something that will satisfy me?”
“I have prepared such a thing. Please take a look at it and then make your decision.”
“Well, now that you say it like that, I’m starting to get interested as well. I’ll give it a try, but if I’m not satisfied, then, of course, this conversation will have been in vain.”
“I am well aware of that.”
“Then that’s fine.”
How much can he offer?
Moye’s eyes smile with amusement.
Wataru hopes that the negotiations will go well and that he will not disappoint Moye.
With a feeling of anxiety and also a strong premonition that things will surely work out, Wataru takes out a very small cylindrical object.
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