Extra Chapter: Arranged Marriage

Extra Chapter:
Arranged Marriage

 

ONE WEEKEND AFTERNOON, I was loitering around town when I happened to spot Ms. Elena. I had to wonder what she was up to. I could tell from a distance that she was unusually doom and gloom about something. Curiosity got the better of me, so I approached her to say hello, but when she turned around she really did look like she might drop dead any second.

“Oh, it’s you, Noir…”

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost. What’s wrong?”

“Kind of rude to the ghost, there. But I guess I really do look bad, huh?”

“Are you headed somewhere you don’t want to go?”

“You’re a sharp one. I’m going somewhere extremely important. Think of it like a training ground for adults. You wouldn’t understand.”

“Why you gotta be so prickly? Just tell me where you’re going.”

Ms. Elena stared at the ground with hollow eyes. She sighed, and responded in a serious tone. “When I was a mercenary, there was a person who always had my back, and I’m going to meet someone they want to set me up with, for an arranged marriage.”

“An a-arranged marriage?!”

It really was surprising to hear. Arranged marriages were typically something only high-status noble families did, but I was pretty sure Ms. Elena was of common birth.

“Out of concern for me, my friend set me up with an upper-class guy.”

Well, that made sense. Ms. Elena was beautiful and capable; she wouldn’t be out of place among nobility. But for some reason, she was extremely depressed.

“Do you have a boyfriend or something, Ms. Elena?”

“For your information, I do not.”

“D-don’t be mad at me. So, it’s not that you’re already in love with someone else?”

“No, that’s not it. I just…don’t have any interest in marriage. So why would I want to get married to someone I don’t even like? But I owe my friend so much, I can’t turn down the invitation to meet the guy.” Ms. Elena looked really concerned as she raked her hands through her hair. I’d never seen her so shaken up.

I wanted to help. “Is there anything I can do?”

“That’s just what I wanted to hear!”

Oh no. I had sealed my fate.

Ms. Elena grabbed my shoulders with a sparkle in her eye. “Will you be my boyfriend for the day?”

“I-I think that might be a bit too much of a stretch?”

“Oh. Well, of course. I wasn’t even being serious…”

I didn’t think I stood much of a chance of passing for a twenty-something. And even if I could, student-teacher romance wasn’t exactly socially acceptable.

Ms. Elena sighed. “I just know I won’t be able to advocate for myself, and I’ll just go along with it and end up married… I wish you were ten years older.”

I was suddenly struck with an idea. I might be able to make a skill that could help. I considered doing something to age myself. I could always use Editor to disable the effect once I was done. Of course, it would cost LP.

First I did a little research. Skills to lower one’s age were ridiculously expensive, but you could add on some years pretty cheaply. It made sense—in more simplistic terms, it was just aging. Adding ten years would only cost me 300 LP.

“I might just be able to grant that wish, Ms. Elena.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I might be able to physically transform myself—temporarily. But only on the condition that you don’t ask any questions and you agree to help me out.”

“O-okay. I accept your terms!”

“Okay, let’s find an alley or something.”

“Oh, that, huh? That’s the kind of help you need?”

“Exactly, he he he.”

“Well, I guess we don’t have any other choice, he he.”

Ms. Elena and I had developed a mutually beneficial relationship, but it wasn’t something we could flaunt in the middle of a busy street. We headed off the main road to somewhere more secluded.

When we found a spot shrouded in shadow, I lay down face up on the ground and told Ms. Elena to do her worst. She nodded enthusiastically and sat down on my stomach, then repeated the action over and over.

“This is a pretty good ab workout,” she said.

“Hngh hngh hngh, I’ll be ripped in no time,” I said.

“You know it. I’m moving to your chest next.”

“W-wow, there’s so much pressure…”

“I probably shouldn’t tell a student about this, but back when I was a mercenary, I received hundreds of compliments on my pert ass.” She had a far-off look in her eyes as she gazed up at the sky.

I could understand why so many people praised her taut, muscular body, but my “weight training” was getting a little rough.

“Just a little more, Noir. We’re doing your cheeks last.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

I turned my face to the side and she ground her ass into my cheek. I absolutely did not want any passersby to see that, but…it did get me a lot of LP.

Once we were done, we were both sweating. I felt kind of refreshed, like I’d just finished a workout.

“Is that all you needed?”

“Yup. Now I’m going to transform myself.” I made myself the age-up skill. I could hear my bones growing as my shape changed. I got taller, and my shoulders got broader. My arms and legs thickened a bit too. I felt a little muscle pain, but it wasn’t anything I couldn’t endure. All in all, I was impressed at how much my body had changed.

Meanwhile, Ms. Elena’s jaw was on the floor. But how could I blame her? I had aged ten years before her eyes. “Noir, is that really you?”

“In the flesh. My body is in its mid-twenties now.” Wow, even my voice had gotten deeper.

“Y-you’re actually pretty handsome. And you’re taller than me now.”

“I dunno if I believe you, but I appreciate the sentiment.”

I wanted to get a better look at my face, but we were short on time. Just to be sure, I checked that I could undo the aging skill with Editor. It wasn’t going to be a problem at all with the LP I had. That was a relief.

“We spent too much time training,” she said. “We need to get going.”

“So, should I just pretend to be your boyfriend?”

“I said I didn’t have one before, so let’s go with the story that we met yesterday and it was love at first sight. Play along.”

“I’ll do my best.”

We hurried to the restaurant where they were supposed to meet.

 

***

 

Ms. Elena’s friend was waiting at the finest restaurant in town along with the person she was being set up with. Most of the customers were nobles, so even a cup of tea was expensive. They turned away any shabby-looking common folk at the door.

Somehow, we got past the strict eye of the host and went inside. The oak furniture seemed profoundly expensive and everyone looked wealthy. We found the people we were looking for at the back.

“Hey! Over here, Elena.” The person who waved at her was a middle-aged man with white hair. He had a gentle face, but his skin was covered in thin scars from a long history of combat. He had an imposing aura, just like Ms. Elena’s.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Mr. Hazlo.”

“Heh, no trouble. This is the person I was telling you about, Amoir.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Elena! I’m the eldest son of the Elliot Viscounty, Amoir.”

Amoir had a gentlemanly air. He looked to be in his mid-twenties and was quite handsome. His brown hair was as shiny as a girl’s, and his teeth were sparkling white. I did wonder what the red rose in his breast pocket was all about. Ms. Elena seemed a little put off by it.

“Pleased to meet you. I’m Elena, and I’m currently working as an instructor at the Hero Academy.”

“Look, we can chat all we want while we drink some tea. By the way, Elena, who is this young fellow?”

“Oh, let me explain.”

We took a seat across from them.

“My name is Noir and I work at a restaurant.” I’d decided to conceal my connection to the Stardia family. We didn’t have any adult children in the house, so I figured lying was the best option.

“Are you of noble birth or a commoner?”

“Common as common can be.”

“I see, then do take this opportunity to enjoy the tea here. I’m sure you rarely have the chance to come to a place like this.”

I couldn’t tell if Amoir was trying to be nice or belittle me.

“As I am also a commoner,” said Ms. Elena. “I’m looking forward to tasting the tea here too.”

“Oh, you may be a commoner, but you’re special, Elena!” said Amoir. “You want to hear something funny? I actually happened to see you once, when you were still a mercenary. You were so beautiful, your eyes so piercing and unwavering, and you had such a regal bearing. One look and I was a total goner. I begged Mr. Hazlo to set this up.” It didn’t sound like a lie. He was so excited that his face was as red as the flower in his pocket.

Ms. Elena, on the other hand, just looked embarrassed. “Umm, so I appreciate the interest, but I can’t return your feelings. You see, Noir here is my boyfriend…”

“Oh no!”

“What? I thought you said you weren’t seeing anyone?”

“I’m sorry Mr. Hazlo, but it happened so fast. We only met yesterday. I’m a little embarrassed to admit, but I fell head over heels the moment I laid eyes on him.”

Said out loud, it was pretty out there. Ms. Elena jabbed me under the table.

Yes, I get it, I’ll play along. I nodded. “It was the same for me, I’m afraid. I just knew we were soulmates—that I was put on this earth to meet her.”

Elena subtly raised her eyebrows at me.

Don’t give me that look! I know I went a little overboard.

But the other two seemed to buy my little act. Mr. Hazlo even looked up at the ceiling, troubled. “Well, I’m at a bit of a loss. I’m so sorry, Amoir…”

“It’s not your fault. These things happen. I guess we can chalk it up to fate.” Amoir’s shoulders drooped and he gazed mournfully at his tea. I felt bad for him, but I was doing this all for Ms. Elena, and her needs came first. The atmosphere had grown heavy, so we looked for the first opportunity to escape. Though the tea was delicious, ultimately I only got a few sips…

As we left the restaurant, Ms. Elena’s expression finally relaxed. “Ah! What a weight off my shoulders!”

“I felt kind of bad for Amoir, though. Are you sure you shouldn’t have given him a chance?”

“No, he’s not at all my type. He’s probably a total snake underneath that gentlemanly facade.”

“You really think so?”

“He was glaring at you the whole time. I could tell he was struggling to choke back his anger.”

Honestly, I did get that feeling. But If I’d been in his position, I’d probably have felt similarly.

“Anyway, I owe you for that. Is there anything you want?”

“Oh, I don’t need anything. I should be going.”

“What? You’re leaving already?”

I was totally thinking about showing off my twenty-something body to Emma and my family. Would they even notice? Probably, right?

After I said goodbye to Ms. Elena, I was headed off to find one of them when something grabbed my shoulder. I should have guessed who I’d find when I turned.

“Amoir?”

“Hey, I just wanna talk. You got a second?”

“Uh, what?”

What could he want? I followed Amoir into a narrow side street and, when he was sure no one was around, he suddenly shoved a bag of money at me. “Would you accept this to break up with Elena? I’m desperately in love with her. I just have to make her mine.”

I was so shocked, I was at a total loss for words.

Seeing my befuddlement, he pressed. “If it’s not enough, I can give you more. But let’s keep this between us, okay?”

“Um, I don’t know how I feel about taking a bribe to break up with her.”

“You can’t even begin to understand what an astounding creature she is. You couldn’t make her happy. I’m far better suited.”

“She doesn’t think you’re her type.”

“Oh, really? Hmph. I guess this would be faster after all.”

Fwump! His fist flew right toward my face! I dodged instinctively. That would’ve hurt if it’d connected. I opened some distance between us with a practiced back step. At that, Amoir looked surprised.

“You’re no ordinary waiter, are you?”

“I don’t approve of the way you conduct yourself,” I said.

“Shut up. I’m not going to miss next time.”

I used Discerning Eye—Amoir was much weaker than either Ms. Elena or Mr. Hazlo. The only thing he had over any ordinary person was C-Grade Martial Arts. His confidence wasn’t entirely misplaced. But, unfortunately for him, he was a step or two below most of the other people I’d fought.

I started by firing off a Lightning Strike when he tried to kick me.

“What?! That’s dangerous!”

I was impressed that he managed to dodge, but he was wide open when he landed. His stance was all off too. I took one step toward him and smashed my fist into his diaphragm.

“Gah!”

His tongue flopped out as he fell over. That ended that. But just to be safe, I didn’t drop my guard.

“I-I’m the son of a viscount. You’re not gonna get away with this…”

“Talk about lame.” Ms. Elena made her entrance with spectacular timing. Had she been watching the whole time? Her eyes were cold as ice. “You couldn’t buy him off and you couldn’t beat him in a fight, even with the advantage of surprise. You’re zero for zero here. And yet, even when faced with overwhelming proof of the difference in your abilities, you refuse to admit defeat and brandish your family’s status like that means anything—minus 100 points for that. If you were one of my students, I’d fail you.”

“E-Elena… Why are you…?”

“I had a feeling you might try to do something to Noir, so I followed you. And now your amateur hour has put me in a bad mood.”

“I could make you so much happier than some guy you just met!”

“Well, as far as I’m concerned, I only just met you too. At any rate, not only am I not interested in you, I’m so repulsed that I never want to see your ugly mug again. If you’re after a fight, come at me directly next time. Bye.” Ms. Elena clapped, commanding him to begone.

Amoir couldn’t defy her.

“You carried yourself well,” she told me. “That surprise attack didn’t even ruffle you.”

“I have your brutal training to thank for that.”

“Don’t compare me to a scoundrel like him. But I have to admit, I have caused you a lot of trouble.”

I insisted that I didn’t mind, but that didn’t satisfy her. She locked arms with me and said she’d treat me to a meal. “I’ll be your girlfriend, just for today.”

“Oh, uh, I don’t really—”

“What was that?”

“N-nothing. I would love a delicious meal.”

“Good.”

Heck, I didn’t have any reason to turn it down, especially if it was going to make her feel better after this crappy day. Though on our way to her favorite restaurant, I heard her whisper to herself. “Hrm, if only you’d been born five or ten years earlier…”

“Does that mean the twenty-six-year-old me is your type?”

“Don’t get ahead of yourself.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

I let myself be dragged along, just like a frog being stared down by a snake. Whoever Ms. Elena ended up marrying, he sure had a big job ahead of him.