# 9
### Chapter Nine
“Um…this response was far from what I expected.”
I rolled my eyes, watching Kayden.
Was it hard for him to believe that I no longer loved him? Was he really shocked by my confession?
“I will never love you again, and I won't start any conversations with you either.”
“If you don’t love me, isn’t that all the more reason to take the money and leave?”
“I can't do that.”
"Why not? It's not like you like my brother too."
Kayden's eyes hardened.
"You're right. I don't like him romantically. But I do."
"You? You love my brother?"
"Yes."
This was the truth. While reading *Fallen Noblewoman Captures Prince*, my favorite character was always Harold. Even now that I am in Diana's body, my feelings have not changed.
When I barged into his life, Harold didn't kick me out. He gave me a chance to prove myself and treated our arrangement fairly. He could have exploited my power, but instead he chose a suitable, legitimate deal.
Maybe it's because things seemed a bit easy after I found myself in this world, but there were moments when I felt grateful for it. Sitting in a warm room, wearing fine clothes, and enjoying good meals, sometimes I felt as if Harold had saved me, rather than the other way around.
'Ah, if I waste any more time here, won't he come looking for me?'
I couldn't keep using the giant mosquito excuse. We'll be sleeping together every night from now on, and I didn't want to make things awkward.
“Lord Caiden, I have to go.”
“Don't go, Diana.”
As I turned to leave, Kayden grabbed my wrist.
“We're not done talking yet.”
“Harold is waiting for me. Let me go, Lord Caiden.”
“Diana.”
“Lord Kaiden, I am the Duchess. Please, remember that I am of a higher rank than you.”
“…”
Kayden's eyes fluttered in confusion, and I slowly pulled my wrists free.
"Good night."
Without looking back, I ran towards the couple's room. But as I turned the corner, my forehead collided with something hard.
Why was there a wall here?
I rubbed my forehead, pulled back, and my eyes widened.
“...Harold!?”
He was standing there, looking down at me in his nightgown. So, he actually came looking for me.
“You handled it well on your own.”
“How long have you been here?”
“Since you told Kayden that you don't love him anymore.”
So, he heard most of the conversation. Embarrassed, I scratched my cheek.
“Shall we go?”
"Yes."
I nodded and walked beside him. I glanced at Harold, noticing that he seemed...strangely pleased.
“Is there something that makes you happy?”
"I?"
"Yes."
He touched the corner of his lips, as if pondering the question, before giving a rare, brief smile.
“…Well, Kayden’s reaction was definitely amusing.”
As I expected, they were like oil and water.
When we got to the bedroom, I looked around. On the bedside table, there was a light snack, a glass of wine, and a cup of tea.
Harold sat down in front of the teacup first.
"You must be hungry after not eating much all day. Eat a little something before bed."
“Wow, whoever made this really has great taste.”
I sat down in front of my glass of wine and wasted no time getting to the point.
“Harold, Lady Amanda and Ella came to see me today.”
I told him all about the agreement they tried to get me to sign and the money they offered. I didn't want any misunderstandings later.
“Do you want me to hand over the check you gave me?”
"did not?"
“Because it's money I got by…selling you. It seems wrong to keep it for myself.”
"Forget it. I don't need that dirty money."
'Dirty money,' he says. This is convenient.
Harold glanced at me and suddenly laughed softly.
“Your face just lit up.”
“That money isn't 'dirty' to me.”
Feeling more comfortable, I took a bite of the canapé and sipped the wine. The flavors made my senses dance.
“Canapés are small appetizers placed on pieces of bread or biscuits, topped with layers of cheese, meat, or something else, and are often served at parties.”
“But Harold, aren’t you going to eat?”
“This tea is enough for me.”
While I enjoyed the canapes and wine, Harold just continued to sip his tea. His day was busier than mine. No way he would have had a proper meal.
“Come on, you should eat a little too. The canapés are very delicious, and the wine is smooth and light.”
I looked around, realizing there was no second glass of wine. After a brief moment of hesitation, I offered him my glass.
Harold stared at the glass of wine, not immediately refusing. Taking that as a positive sign, I continued.
“Food is more delicious when we eat it together. Besides, good food can lift your spirits and relieve your fatigue.”
“You really mean it.”
“Isn't enjoying good food one of the most important things in life?”
Anyone who has ever had to eat tasteless bread will agree with me.
Finally, Harold accepted the glass of wine. He took a bite of the canapé and swirled the wine into the glass before raising it to his lips with an easy grace. After a sip, he stared at the cup, as if the taste was unfamiliar.
“So, this is what wine tastes like.”
“You've never tasted it before?”
"Not really. I have to be careful what I consume."
“Oh…”
Right, this guy was...
I felt a twinge of discomfort in my throat as if a thorn had become lodged there. The feeling of saliva sliding down my throat was very palpable.
Harold checked the time and got up from his seat.
"It's time for bed. You should sleep too, Diana. Eating more will only hurt you."
"…Good."
I got up embarrassed.
Holding hands wasn't the most effective way to develop our relationship, but that's what we agreed on. So, Harold and I will sleep together holding hands, nothing more.
"Like I said before, we'll just hold hands tonight. Even if you fall in love with me, don't cross the line, Diana."
"I won't! And like I told Kayden, I don't like you that way."
“Who knows? You used to hate me, and now you claim to love me.”
"Hah! What matters most to me is the money I get from you. That's my only goal."
the money! The key to a comfortable, luxurious life!
I spoke with absolute confidence, pouring 200% of my sincerity into my words.
“If Kayden offers more money than me, then what?”
“Even if he hated me, I doubt he would offer 10,000 gold coins...”
10,000 Gold Coins was not an alias.
“If that happens, I will run straight to you and ask for more. You know that I am greedy for money, so you will give me more, right?”
“Excellent answer.”
Harold laughed, though I couldn't tell if he was truly amused or pleased by my answer.
“It's reassuring that your goal is money.”
“Heh, thanks for the compliment.”
I lay in bed and extended my hand to him. His large, strong hand quickly covered mine.
Before, I was so exhausted that I couldn't wait to sleep. But now that I was in bed, sleep did not come.
I forced my tightly closed eyes open. Feeling Harold's warmth through our joined hands, I turned to look at him. Moonlight filtered through the canopy, illuminating his face. He seemed calm, deeply asleep.
'Poor thing.'
Harold Payson. The supporting character in this novel. The hero's tragic older brother who becomes the cornerstone of the hero's growth.
From the hero's perspective, I've only scratched the surface of his struggle to live an extra day. I knew he lost his battle with his illness in the end, and it made me think about how miserable he would be later.
In that future... how miserable were you?
The inner thoughts of supporting characters in novels are rarely revealed. So I had no idea what Harold was thinking as he faced death. The more I fantasized, the sadder I felt.
“Harold, are you asleep?”
“……”
Of course, there was no response. I didn't really expect one; I was talking out loud, hoping he would be awake.
“You know, if Caiden offers more than 10,000 gold coins, I won’t run away, even if you can’t offer more. I know you might not believe it.”
“……”
"I want you to live. I hope you can eat all the delicious food you want, not just the wine. I want you to be happy."
“……”
“I'll make sure you stay healthy.”
At first, this deal was for my survival, but now I really wished for his health.
I wanted him to live not as a supporting character, but as a hero in his own life.
“I am happy that I have this strength.”
As I spoke, sleep began to overwhelm me, and my eyelids slowly drooped.
“Yawn—goodnight.”
However, I surrendered to the embrace of sleep.
* * *
In the quiet room, Diana's steady breathing echoed softly. Harold raised his eyelids, staring at her.
He was unable to sleep at first, feeling strange with someone else beside him. Just as he was about to slip into the brink of consciousness, she spoke, surprising him.
“To say things like that and then go to sleep...”
He laughed softly to himself, a hint of disbelief in his smile.
He put his arm over his eyes, trying to block out the light. He knew he should sleep, but sleep kept eluding him.