Chapter 11: 11. Fiance or Finance?

Remember how I mentioned "Fiance" before?

That "fiance" is the person who just called me. Melana Verpen. 4th Year Academy student.

To be honest, I don't really care about her.

I haven't really interacted with her ever since I became Roan Ludwer.

Why bother? She's going to be in Edward's harem by the end of it, right?

"... Roan? Are you there?"

Oh, I forgot to reply.

"Yeah."

"It's been a while.. H-how've you been? "

"Good."

"... Anything else?"

"No."

"..."

"..."

An awkward silence ensued.

Take a hint lady.. I don't really want to talk right now. (8000 Cromwells)

...

I'll just say it right here. Melana Verpen is a real beauty.

Maybe top 5 in the Empire in terms of facial features?

I remember exclusively that she was one of the most popular heroines to go in Edward's harem.

If I was any normal person, such as the original Roan Ludwer, I would probably be heads over heels for her.

Thing is, I'm not into NTR.

Fuck. That. Shit.

I'd rather not attach and give my love to someone who is going to fall for someone else.

It makes sense right? You won't be heartbroken if you don't have a heart for said person! (Anti-NTR Directory Plan#001, officially funded by the Empire's Ministry of Directive Measures)

Suddenly, Melana opened her mouth.

"Lets take  walk. Together."

Suddenly?

Well too bad! I've got a shit ton of work to do! I fell unconscious for a whole day. You think I've got time to be walkin' around?

I've got finance documents, internal affairs profiles, contracts to overview, people to interview, and more.

I'm going to say, I can't walk!

"I ca-"

"..."

As if Melana knew what I was about to stay, she stared into my eyes.

'Fuck. That's terrifying.'

She gave me a stare that is scarier than the Finance President at 3AM. 

"... Sure."

"Good.."

'Good?'

Melana and I started walking in the direction of a officially designated "walking zone".

***

Thing is, nothing improved while we were walking. The silence resumed, again, just like before.

I'm a real no-brainer in small talk. That's why I always end my sentences abruptly. I can't think of shit to say.

As if wanting to get out of the silence, Melana opened her mouth.

"How's your brother?"

 

'Wait.'

I've got a good idea on why Melana wants to talk with me.

It's to ask about my brother, Edward!

Now it makes sense. 

Melana has developed interest in Edward.

She couldn't get close to him without being awkward and suspicious as she's a 4th year.

So she prompted to ask me about Edward, so she can get closer to him via myself.

I'm sort of like a telephone between Edward and Melana! (Fuck.)

Not giving a shit about my role in this novel-world being deduced to a telephone, I wondered.

'She wouldn't be interested in him during this stage of the book though?'

It was a bit too early for Melana to be interested... or was it?

'It's me!'

In the novel, originally, Roan Ludwer showed a SHIT ton of affection to Melana.

However, me?

I completely fuckin' ignored her every-time she tried to meet.

Due to that reason, she probably felt alone, so she opted for a better choice. My brother!

'Grade-A solid plan Melana.'

Well, time to reply.

"My brother's been good. Why?"

"Not much."

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"Is that so?"

Melana replied without a care in the world.

And then the silence continued.

I was pretty bored, so I just zoned out.

However as I was walking, I noticed the texture of my boots grinding against the concrete road.

It didn't produce the smooth edge and sound high-quality concrete would have. Instead, it had a bit of moss, dirt, and grainy areas.

'Damn. Shit's looking cheap.'

The roads were very low-quality. So much that the funding of the Academic Road Procurement didn't even make sense.

The annual budget of the Academic Road Procurement Office to upkeep it's roads are around 500 Million Cromwells.

That's well more than enough to maintain the Academy's Road in a pristine condition.

However, the road leading from here up till around 500 steps were of very low-maintenance and cheap quality.

The roads from Precinct 23A to 24A, 500 steps. 500 steps of my government-issued boots colliding against low-quality concrete.

Possible chance of some embezzlement within here.

To confirm my suspicions, I asked Melana.

"Doesn't the roads here seem off?"

"Hmm? It does?"

"Nevermind."

'Shit.'

Why would I even begin to ask.

Well, I've got more work to do. I better bail.

"I seriously have to go. I'll treat you to a coffee some time."

"Wait-"

I ran off.

I'll introduce you to my brother later, I promise.

***

Melana watched as Roan was running away.

'Hmph.. I only wanted to talk.. Is that so bad?'

It's been a while since Melana saw Roan.

She was really surprised when he was here in the Academy.

She was pretty excited.. she might be finally able to fulfill one of her wishes.

However, she also noticed that he was wearing his government uniform on.

'Here for work. Huh?'

Work.

Ever since Roan Ludwer started working, he changed.

Roan, before was full of affection.

She could tell from his love-struck eyes a few years ago.

When Melana received a marriage proposal from the Ludwer Viscount she was happy.

She couldn't have asked for more of a handsome, intelligent, and kind partner.

He might've been a mere Viscount, but she didn;t care.

She was looking forward to her future.

That didn't last.

 

A certain event changed him.

Roan started deliberately ignoring her.

He seemed too busy to meet with her sometimes. She could understand that.

However, she could notice after some point. Roan just didn't want to see her.

'Why?'

Why did Roan change so much? What caused his lovestruck eyes to change?

So, a year ago, she did some digging - with the strength of the authority of the '1st Daughter of the Verpen Marquiss' on her side.

And she realized.

'It was a mistake.'

It was a mistake to dig in. His disappearance for 2 years. What he's done.

But now? She's went over it.

She was ready to accept Roan for who he was.

So, she proposed to take a walk. It's hard to even meet Roan. When's she going to have a chance to even see him next time?

Roan "Accepted".

 

Still, looking at the events a few minutes prior of Roan wanting to deliberately leave, made her feel down.

'Why?'

Why.

Why was Roan Ludwer, ignoring her?

 

 

 

 

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