My Childhood Friend is Like a Stone - Chapter 30

Chapter 30. Chapter 6. Still the same, yet different (1)

 

“Cyril, as you know, this marriage isn’t our plan.”

 

“That’s right.”

 

“Just really by chance, um— a marriage that was decided after a number of circumstances.”

 

This marriage was a typical political marriage. This political marriage is only a little different because the other person is a childhood friend.

 

To be honest, Adrienne had a vague fantasy about marriage. This was the case until she came up to Ruther.

 

By far the most significant factor was her father, Count Cassinel.

 

A father who loved her mother all his life and raised twins without ever remarrying.

 

Count Cassinel would bring tears to his eyes whenever he saw the portrait of his deceased wife. How many times did she witness him wiping away tears while appearing to be the strong knight?

 

So, Adrienne wanted to get married from a young age. It felt like a wonderful thing for her to love someone so much and to be loved again.

 

And at that time, she wanted that someone to be Cyril. Adrienne had no intention of denying that.

 

‘I was very young.’

 

However, Adrienne, who had experienced the capital’s social circle, realized that all of her thoughts were wrong.

 

Marriage was just a tool for the nobles of the capital. The name was only getting a little longer, and people living like others were everywhere. They took it for granted that they had lovers regardless of whether they were doing it or not, and that they were secretly sending gaze to it.

 

Adrienne was afraid she would do the same with Cyril. Because there are so many people who go by the names of husband and wife despite being inferior to others.

 

She obviously liked Cyril, but it wasn’t just love at every moment.

 

If she looked at each one, there were times when she cherished Cyril with feelings similar to friendship and siblings, and there were times when she just smiled comfortably because of their friendship.

 

So, the meaning of Cyril to Adrienne was varied.

 

Another brother and sister, a mean enemy, a friend who she doesn’t hate, and the first love she’ll remember forever.

 

Cyril Valentin was the only name that existed on top of all that relationship.

 

So, if she forced herself to live as a married couple, at some point, wouldn’t it ruin all the memories or even the happy moments? Such anxiety distressed Adrienne.

 

If so, how can she keep this relationship?

 

After fierce consideration over the past 15 days, Adrienne was finally able to set the direction.

 

“Adrienne. So what do you want to say?”

 

“I don’t want you to be tied to this marriage.”

 

With this in mind, it was decided not to bind Cyril to that duty in the name of a married couple.

 

Even if they couldn’t be friends completely, they wouldn’t break like others, so it seemed like an appropriate alternative.

 

The combination of Cassinel and Thesar will last a long time, so she wanted to give freedom in other areas.

 

Of course, they should have children—.

 

Adrienne was a little dizzy just thinking about it, but first, she stopped thinking and continued.

 

“Coming up to Ruther, I’ve seen a lot of things. How the couples here get along and what marriage means here. I didn’t know before, but now I know.”

 

“—What do you want me to do?”

 

“I mean, you don’t have to be indebted to me.”

 

Adrienne smiled gently. Hoping that her meaning will be conveyed properly.

 

“Do you want me to meet someone now?”

 

“I mean, well. It’s your freedom.”

 

In a time when religion was also weak, the couple had no right to bind each other. According to the law, there would be divorces, but so far there have been very few families who are willing to divorce because of love.

 

Adrienne thought that Cyril would be sorry to hear this.

 

Unlike his rude tone, he was a good friend, so he would be sorry as if he didn’t know she would consider it this far.

 

“What you’re saying is— This was not the marriage we wanted, so live freely after marriage.”

 

Cyril, who slowly pondered the words, didn’t look sorry at all. Rather, he seemed a little angry.

 

“There’s a tendency to summarize too easily— That’s what I’m saying.”

 

Adrienne unknowingly responded by imitating Reid’s tone attached to her mouth.

 

Ha.

 

Cyril, who laughed in vain, bit his lips well and trembled his eyes. He didn’t stop there but even swept his hair roughly back.

 

“You’ll make me feel free, and you’ll feel free, too?”

 

The words that seemed to have been spit out were alive with the meaning of each word. Anyone who saw him will imagine him giving a campaign speech.

 

“You don’t want to be free? Or— No way, do you want to bind me?”

 

This was also an unexpected development.

 

No way.

 

When Adrienne was a little surprised and asked back, Cyril paused. He looked like he was caught off guard.

 

“Of course— No. I was just surprised because it was exactly what I thought.”

 

“So that’s what you thought, too.”

 

“Of course. It’s good to be able to live freely. What exactly is restraint? I can support your love too, Adrienne. I might be able to help.”

 

He doesn’t have to be that active—.

 

She hadn’t expected much, but Cyril had a sickly look on his face. The word ‘bind’ seemed to annoy him quite a bit.

 

As always, Cyril’s determination to win was amazing. He had such a strong desire to win, she didn’t know why he had to lose the shooting needlessly.

 

‘At that time, how much I was mistaken.’

 

If she looked closely, Cyril did a very good job of making a misunderstanding. He was caught up in the action dozens of times.

 

He seemed to give a little space, so when she walked in, he closed the door like an iron fortress, making people very tired.

 

After that time of agony, she didn’t know if it was fortunate enough to be able to do anything without a blink of an eye.

 

“I don’t have anything to help, but just in case, I’ll tell you if I need help.”

 

“Okay. Make sure you tell me. I’ll do my best to help you.”

 

The scorching eyes were just like the thrill of holding the sword for the first time.

 

In any case, it was fortunate that the meaning seemed to have worked.

 

Adrienne was able to return with a very relieved mind, not knowing that Cyril’s expression, which was left alone, was dead.

 

******

 

Hmm.

 

Maxel hummed and entered the headquarters building. He had just picked up 20 silver coins from Lieutenant Perrault, who worked at the Supply Department.

 

Even with the blessing of the dice god, it was really fortunate that the appropriate number of tosses fell.

 

Maxel, who was walking down the hallway with a cheerful step, encountered Sergeant Arzil, who was walking in the opposite direction.

 

“Lieutenant, Captain Thesar is calling you.”

 

“Okay. I’m going to go now.

 

Maxel, who was in a good mood due to an unexpected windfall from the morning, readily responded.

 

Sergeant Arzil trembled and added Maxel more quietly.

 

“Uh, Lieutenant Langred? The captain is a little weird right now. Be careful—”

 

“Ah,  yes—”

 

Maxel stood up for his superior while he was in a good mood.

 

In fact, Cyril was so good that it was a problem.

 

Now that he has been promoted to captain, he uses his own office, but when he was a lieutenant, Maxel lived comfortably when he shared the office with him.

 

It’s a little annoying when he talks to him, but he’s quietly accepting him and answering him occasionally—. He didn’t even use double lust or violence. If he stopped, it was the best as a boss.

 

‘Captain, you’re so cool the more I think about you.’

 

It felt like loyalty suddenly soared, which had never existed before.

 

Of course, silver coins jingling in the pocket must have played a big role.

 

“Captain! Did you call me? Lieutenant Langred is here!”

 

Anyway, the good thing was the good thing. Maxel feels good for the money, and Captain Thesar is good to be respected by his lieutenant.

 

“Yeah.”

 

Maxel, who bravely announced himself, opened the door of the office and entered.

 

“Dear Captain Tessar! I’m here—.”

 

—came back as it was.

 

Maxel, who closed the door hastily, looked around and caught a second lieutenant nearby.

 

“Wait, Lieutenant. Lieutenant Jacobin, I— What’s the matter, Captain?”

 

“Yes? What are you talking about?”

 

“Suddenly, what grass— what flower— why are you doing that with your bare hands?”

 

“Yes—?”

 

Suddenly, Lieutenant Jacobin, who was caught, twitched his face like a person who heard nonsense.

 

“My eyesight is accurate. No matter how far away, the center of the target is clearly visible. It’s my hand’s problem to miss, and my eyes are innocent.”

 

“Ah, I see—”

 

Lieutenant Jacobin first nodded. He wasn’t even interested in Maxel’s shooting skills as much as a speck of dust, but he had to listen to what he said as a superior first.

 

Jacobin or not, Maxel was serious. As soon as he opened the door, the sight of Captain Thesar was so strange that he almost got a thorn in his mouth without making a noise.

 

Just imagine. The appearance of a handsome man who even meets a person he met by chance stares at him as if possessed, a man with a strong physique and a tall stature, playing with grass like a minnow.

 

It would be ridiculous even if a man he didn’t know was doing it while walking down the street, so his opponent was superior.

 

Captain Thesar, who is also famous for mysophobia.

 

“But what’s wrong—”

 

“Maxel.”

 

Sergeant Arzil’s advice came to mind, but it was already too late.

 

At the voice heard from the door, Maxel let go of Jacobin that he had been holding and turned helplessly.

 

“Yes. I’m here—”

 

“That’s right. There’s something I need to know.”

 

His voice became small as if he was hiding through a mouse hole, but luckily Cyril didn’t care.

 

Maxel glanced over the desk, looking around.

 

The grass was still placed on the palm. There seems to be some flowers, but he didn’t want to know in detail.

 

“Yes. Ask me anything. I’ll answer sincerely as far as I know.”

 

“Good.”

 

It was definitely a compliment, but he couldn’t find it as a spirit.

 

Cyril’s gaze remained consistently on his palm, and Maxel lost his words and looked around the office.

 

A desk with clear glass and no dust. The displayed plaques and decorations all shimmered like new.

 

In the familiar landscape, the only strange thing was that grass.

 

“The daily newspaper that the lieutenant enjoys. Where is the newspaper company?”

 

“Yes? Oh, are you talking about that Menestrel? Or Le Premiere? Bavarre? I don’t know which newspaper you are talking about.”

 

“I don’t care where it is. Bring them all together.”

 

“—Do you mean everything? How long do you mean when you say everything—.”

 

“Half a year’s worth.”

 

“Yes, yes.”

 

Maxel answered politely and hurried out of the office.