Sigrid Novel Chapter 140

Marie-Chez said with a faint smile.

"Really?"

"Yes. Everyone says, 'They're just staying together because they can't break up,' and they casually talk about their affairs, gossiping about who's having an affair with whom, so I like hearing stories like this. I hope my story has a happy ending too."

"Marie-Chez is a romantic after all."

At Lowengrin's words, Marie-Chez snorted and said,

"Call

a practical romantic."

"So that's why you're troubled."

"That's right."

Marie-Chez sighed. Stroking the luxurious fur on her dress, Lowengrin said,

"Anyway, so the conclusion is it can't work out, right?"

At those words, Marie-Chez hung her head low. Then she said in an irritated voice,

"Why does Alkerto have to be poor?!"

"But he's not that poor now that he's received a title, is he?"

Sigrid said without thinking.

"He's poor enough for ."

"Well, that's......"

Sigrid closed her mouth, thinking, that's true. Marie-Chez said,

"Lowengrin, who married a future marquis, wouldn't understand this feeling."

Lowengrin had an "Ah" mont of realization. So that's why Marie-Chez had been a bit snippy lately. Lowengrin calmly retorted,

"Then Marie could have just had a strategic marriage too."

"But I want to be in love too...!"

"Then you're bound to struggle a bit."

"Lowengrin gets along well with Hatien too."

"We've been ant for a strategic marriage since we were young, so of course we do?"

"I didn't get any strategic marriage proposals from marquis families when I was young."

"But there must have been similar count or viscount families, right?"

"Well, that's true, but there were no impressive n."

"What's impressive about a strategic marriage?"

"There is."

"Even Hatien when he was young—"

Lowengrin frowned for a mont before relaxing her expression and saying,

"Was just a skinny little kid."

Marie-Chez opened her mouth at those words, then closed it. She turned sharply to look at Sigrid, who flinched.

"I'm jealous of Siri too~ To think, that Beramund Lunatil."

"Didn't you say you disliked n who weren't diligent?"

When Lowengrin spoke teasingly, Marie-Chez pouted.

"But he is diligent! He was actually diligent. Kind, sensitive, understands won's hearts well, capable, and handso."

"And he fell in love with Sigrid."

At Lowengrin's words, Marie-Chez said, "That's right," let out a deep sigh, and continued,

"I'm jealous, I'm so, so jealous of both of you."

"Well, that's because you're only comparing the good points."

Lowengrin said coldly.

"There are tis when I'm envious of Marie too."

Sigrid said with a grin. Marie-Chez asked back, "Really?" and she nodded.

"You're skilled at conversing with people, and you dress with good sense. No matter how hard I try, I can't do it as well as when Marie helps . You also get along well with your family."

Marie-Chez's face turned red.

"Ah, I feel so pathetic and embarrassed right now."

"Huh? Why?"

Sigrid asked in surprise, and Lowengrin chuckled. Marie-Chez hugged Sigrid, who was sitting next to her, tightly and said,

"Oh, you're really too kind! Our Siri! Really kind! I like you so much, really like you!"

"Ma-Marie?"

"I'm so happy that you're doing well. I'm really glad Siri is successful."

Marie-Chez, who was clinging to her, slled like candy.

"Thank you."

Sigrid replied with a smile, and Marie-Chez let go of her and said,

"I'll tell my maids to teach Siri's maids."

"Huh?"

"About how to style clothes and hair. Today's outfit is pretty, and your hair is pretty too, but if it were , I'd use a silver belt instead of this embroidered waistband. And I wouldn't style the hair this high, but a bit lower. Use smaller accessories, but more of them."

"Really?"

"Yes. My maids are good at it, so if you'd like, do that."

"I'd be grateful."

"Good. Got it."

Marie-Chez nodded and added, "Send them to my room later." Lowengrin watched Marie-Chez's emotional ups and downs with interest.

Getting so depressed like that, then recovering so quickly. Moreover, expressing herself so directly and honestly, laughing, and clinging—these were things Lowengrin couldn't do. Just then, Marie-Chez glanced at Lowengrin.

"Lowi~ I'm sorry for being a bit snippy earlier."

"It's okay, I spoke a bit harshly too."

"You need to say that much."

Lowengrin chuckled at Marie-Chez's words.

"So what about your love troubles?"

At Lowengrin's question, Marie-Chez crossed her arms and said,

"I don't know, I'll just suffer a bit more. This is a problem without an answer. Instead, let's drink a lot today! I'm going to empty Sigrid's wine cellar."

"Sounds good. I'll bring out what I brought too. But first, let's change into comfortable clothes."

"Alright."

The three won quickly stood up.

While their atmosphere was cheerful, the n were also having their own kind of lively conversation.

Karsus took a sip of whiskey from his glass and sighed.

"This is really good. The empire really does have the best alcohol after all. The stuff in the south is so crude."

"Isn't there a famous alcohol made from so kind of cactus there?"

At Beramund's question, Karsus reached out to pour more alcohol and said,

"I prefer this alcohol."

"That's expensive stuff."

"How stingy of you, noble sir."

Karsus looked at the label on the bottle, then held it out to Alkerto.

"Would you like another glass?"

Alkerto nodded at the friendly offer accompanied by a grin.

"Ah, yes. Thank you."

"Acting like it's your own alcohol."

"Oh, he knows it's my alcohol, idiot."

Karsus blinked and said in an innocent tone, "You don't need to explain separately?" Beramund felt his irritation rising and took a drink.

Alkerto chuckled lightly and said,

"You two seem to get along well."

"Like lovers?"

"We get along?"

Karsus and Beramund answered almost simultaneously. Then they looked at each other.

"Well, I don't want to waste my throat— Darling, how could you do this to !"

"Do you really want to lose your tongue?"

"My, such kindness not to ntion slitting my throat! Such tender consideration!"

"Ah, really—"

Beramund felt the urge to smash that heavy bottle over Karsus's head, but he knew Karsus would easily dodge it and only the precious glass bottle would break, so he refrained.

"You're quite different from what I imagined......"

At Alkerto's words, Karsus turned to him with a "Hmm?" and rested his chin on both hands, smiling.

"What did you think I was like?"

"Well— that is, I thought you were a more dignified person......"

It was clearly a choice of words that had been sanitized. Karsus blinked as he looked at Alkerto, then smiled seductively. It was the kind of smile that could charm even a man, and Alkerto unconsciously averted his gaze.

"You're cute. Want to play with

tonight?"

"Wh-What?"

As Alkerto looked at him in surprise, Karsus grinned.

"I've never done it with a man—!"

Bang!

Beramund reached out and grabbed the back of Karsus's head, slamming it onto the table. It was lightning-fast. Seeing this, Alkerto was suddenly reminded of the day he first t Beramund.

'I got the sa treatnt back then.'

"If you spout such nonsense to my guest in my castle, you'll really die. Karsus Rian."

Beramund's voice was no longer just irritated. It carried a proper warning, so Karsus raised both hands with his forehead still pressed to the table.

"I'm sorry. I was wrong. Sir, I was just joking. I prefer won."

"Ah, y-yes......"

"I apologize on his behalf."

At Beramund's words, Alkerto shook his head.

"It's fine. There's no need for you to apologize, Beramund."

"Still, he's my acquaintance. There's no need to put up with every one of this bastard's vulgar jokes."

Beramund pressed Karsus's head harder against the table.

"Wait, Ber? Is my head going to crack? Ow ow, really, my skull is creaking? Is my pretty face getting squashed? Wait, why are you putting more force—"

Beramund released his hand. Karsus quickly lifted himself up with a "Whew" and touched various parts of his face and head, saying,

"The treasure of humanity almost flew away. Really. By the way, why didn't that magician co out?"

"Arkana?"

"Yeah, doesn't he usually eat together? Is it because he's a vassal?"

"No, he usually eats with us— He hasn't been eating with us since you arrived. He said he doesn't want to eat with an idiot. Well, to be precise, he said, 'I'd rather skip the al than dine with soone whose brain would only make popcorn if fried.'"

"That's harsh....... My fragile heart is all torn up."

"Get torn up a bit. Sir, is there anything you need?"

Beramund asked with a grin, and Alkerto replied with a light smile,

"No, I have enough."

Just then, Karsus blurted out,

"Ah, by the way, Siri's friend is cute."

"Who?"

"I an Miss Marie."

"Ah."

Judging by appearance alone, she's certainly cute. A slim body with voluminous blonde hair, a face with cat-like cuteness, charming gestures and voice.

She had the look of what could be called a universally charming beauty.

"Well, objectively speaking, that's true."

But he prefers Sigrid. Her upright posture, face that shows every emotion, her awkwardness, her goddess of war-like presence—he likes her more.

"Is she seeing anyone?"

At Karsus's question, Alkerto flinched. Beramund tilted his head and said,

"Not that I know of. Do you know sothing?"

At Beramund's question, Alkerto thought for a mont before saying,

"I don't think Sir Rian would be Marie's type."

"Co on, just call

Karsus. We can speak casually, right? You too, speak casually. I'm not her type? Ah, I see. Is she into Ber's type?"

Karsus tilted his head.

Certainly, so people prefer thicker n like Beramund rather than lean muscular types like himself. Alkerto shook his head.

"No, it's not that. She prefers diligent and kind n."

"Oh? Surprisingly wholeso? I thought she'd be the type to fall for bad boys and cry her eyes out."

Karsus said in amazent. It was such a rciless remark that Beramund coldly said,

"She's Siri's friend. Watch your mouth."

"Ah, if it were the Countess, I feel like she'd throw a glove at

the mont her friend was insulted."

"You're the type to fall for so weird woman and waste your life, aren't you?"

Alkerto said with a bright smile, making the two n wonder if they had heard wrong. The blue-green eyes of the smiling Alkerto were coldly sunken.

"I'd appreciate it if you didn't evaluate my precious friend like that in front of . Marie is a good girl."

Karsus rested his chin on his hand and said,

"Then why don't you just confess?"

Alkerto responded calmly, not even surprised by this statent.

"That's impossible."

"Why?"

"The third condition is 'a rich man.'"

Karsus chuckled at the words spoken with a bitter smile.

"You really are wholeso."

"I am wholeso."

Alkerto replied, swallowing a sigh. Beramund slightly frowned.

'I was right, wasn't I?'

When he had asked Sigrid about their relationship before, she had clearly said 'No.'

'No, I guess that's correct. They're not dating after all.'

Sigrid is Marie-Chez's friend, so she must know well what Marie-Chez is like. Beramund nodded inwardly and said,

"So you're just giving up?"

"If I confess, I'll be rejected, and if I'm rejected, I won't even be able to be a good friend like now."

"So you're going to stay as a good friend forever? Giving the first congratulatory speech at her wedding?"

Karsus asked, jabbing sharply. Alkerto flinched at those words and then let out a sigh.

"That's what I'm worried about too. That I won't be able to stay a good friend."

"It didn't seem like the Count's daughter was completely indifferent to you. Judging by her reaction earlier."

At Karsus's words, Beramund recalled the incident when Marie-Chez had abruptly stood up from her seat. She must have been imdiately upset when Alkerto complinted Sigrid.

"That's why it's even harder. To remain good friends."

Alkerto said as he emptied his glass. The ice clinked in the glass he set down. Beramund silently poured him another drink.

Karsus also stopped provoking Alkerto further. After downing three or four more glasses, Alkerto smiled and asked,

"So, are you enjoying married life? Black Knight Beramund?"