The Possessor Mistook the Genre for 20 Years

73 – The Hero’s Unconscious Mistake

Eustia and Yuna headed to a teahouse near the Magic Tower.

The two were quite famous, so a small commotion arose in the teahouse.

It was only natural, as two members of the Hero’s party had gathered in one place.

However, the commotion didn’t last long, and soon silence fell.

Slurp-.

Eustia took a sip of tea, then put down the teacup and started the conversation.

“How have you been?”

Eustia had many things she wanted to ask Yuna, but out of courtesy, she asked about her well-being first before getting to the main point.

‘Last time was a big deal.’

Since her family had been through such an ordeal, it was only natural to be concerned as a friend or an acquaintance.

“Yes, thanks to you, my family and I have been well.”

Yuna had a smile on her lips.

It was a genuine smile, not one forced to forget the pain.

“That’s a relief. Only good things will happen from now on.”

“I hope so. Eustia, good things will happen to you too.”

“Thank you for saying that.”

The exchange of words was truly heartwarming.

Eustia laughed softly, like any noble lady, and took another sip of tea.

But something felt off.

‘This, this isn’t right…’

When she came to the teahouse, she had intended to inquire about her relationship with Franz, but she was caught up in Yuna’s bright smile.

Finally, Eustia regained her composure and got to the main point.

“Yuna, you met with Franz recently, right?”

“Yes, we had a meal together at my house.”

“What? What I was going to say…”

What Justia was going to say was, of course, about the time they captured the cultist, Belphegor.

Franz had said that thanks to Yuna, they were able to decipher the code and capture him.

But what on earth is this?

‘Eating at home…?!’

Not only did they meet for official business, but it seems they also had a private meeting.

Even going to his house and eating together, this is like…

…Wait, there was one thing to confirm before that.

“Was there family at home?”

It was none other than Franz who saved Yuna’s family, so he might have been formally invited for a meal.

If that were the case, it would be understandable to go to his house and have a meal.

But Yuna’s answer was far beyond Justia’s expectations.

“No, we ate alone.”

“…A-alone?!”

Justia, who unknowingly raised her voice, glanced around and then continued in a low voice.

“Why? Why did you have a meal alone?”

“I had a lot to thank Franz for, so I wanted to treat him to a meal at least once.”

“Are you talking about the time he saved your family?”

“That too, and he also put a lot of effort into finding me a house this time.”

Huh?

Justia’s eyes widened.

He put effort into finding a house? What on earth does that mean?

Is he an onion? The more you peel, the more new things come out?

“Can you explain that in more detail?”

“Oh, yes. I had said before that I wanted to live in a big house, right? It’s because of that…”

Yuna explained in detail what had happened with Franz.

From wanting to live in a big house, to the cultist being in the back mountain of the house they found with difficulty, and finally, that she was going to live in the Ishtar mansion.

After hearing all that, a question arose in Justia’s mind.

“So, in conclusion, Franz is going to receive a dukedom, and you are going to live in his house.”

“Well, if you put it that way, yes?”

Yuna answered calmly.

As if it was nothing.

But Justia didn’t take it that way.

‘Living in the same house, what on earth…?!’

No matter how deep the friendship, where is the man who asks a woman to live in his house?

“Ho, are you two planning to get married or are you in love or something?”

“No way. What do I have to marry Franz? He’s a commoner and not even smart.”

“What if Franz says he likes you…?”

Justia asked very carefully, watching her expression closely as she waited for an answer.

Yuna seemed momentarily flustered, then smiled awkwardly.

“Well, I don’t know? I’ve never thought about it….”

“Then think about it now.”

What on earth was she saying?

Justia felt foolish for her own words.

‘Why am I like this…?’

Lately, she had been reacting strongly to anything related to Franz.

Even when they captured the cultist a while ago.

Normally, she would have been glad not to get involved in troublesome matters, but for some reason, she felt a bit disappointed.

She decided to let it go.

Just as she was about to speak.

“Sorry. This conversation….”

“I think I would accept it…?”

Yuna’s words meant that if Franz liked her, she would accept his feelings.

It was such an astonishing answer that Justia’s mind went blank for a moment.

‘So Yuna has feelings for Franz too…?’

Originally, she intended to wrap things up around this point, but since Yuna had given a clear answer, she couldn’t just leave it at that.

“Why…?”

“Honestly, he’s too good for me. He’s handsome, his family is much better than mine, he’s an unprecedented great wizard, and a hero who defeated the Demon King. He even saved my family.”

It was all so true that she couldn’t argue against it.

‘Honestly, he is handsome.’

He denies it when women compliment him, but honestly, objectively speaking, he has a rather handsome face. No wonder he thought he was given looks but not personality.

“…I understand.”

“Well, what about you? Think purely as a woman, without the title of a saint.”

“M-me…?!”

Yuna’s question flustered Justia.

Only now did she realize how difficult the question she had asked was.

‘So, you’re saying I should marry Franz…?’

If it were during the hero party days, she would have refused no matter how much money was offered.

Back then, he was nothing short of a wild cat.

Not only was his personality always sharp, but he was also a perfectionist, which she really disliked.

But now…

‘Maybe…’

Wouldn’t it be okay to consider it a little?

His personality has softened a lot.

Honestly, it’s hard to find fault with other aspects.

It might be nice to take a walk in a quiet forest together.

Picking mushrooms and putting them in a basket, then going home to cook.

‘No, no. What am I thinking…?’

Justia shook her head vigorously to erase the thoughts.

It was an absurd idea from the start.

For a saint like herself to like him, to marry him, everything was impossible.

So there was no need to think about it.

“I-I don’t know.”

But even so, she couldn’t clearly say that such a thing would never happen.

For some reason, she didn’t know why.

The two continued to spend time having unproductive conversations.

After a while, they emptied their teacups and left the teahouse.

“Oh, right. I forgot to mention. Franz is out with his secretary right now.”

“Really? Then I guess I have no choice but to go back.”

“I had fun today. Take care.”

“Yes, I had fun too. And Justia, you should come over to our house next time and have a meal. Franz said it was delicious, so I’m sure you’ll like it too.”

It might sound like a subtle brag, but knowing Yuna’s personality, it probably wasn’t.

So, I should take her words at face value.

“Yes, I will.”

“See you next time.”

Yuna waved lightly and left.

Justia watched her back as she walked away and let out a deep sigh.

For some reason, her chest felt a little tight.

* * * * *

The sun that had been hanging in the sky was now precariously perched on the ridge of the mountain.

The sight of the sun resting on the snow-covered mountain was truly beautiful.

Perhaps it felt even more so because she was seeing it from inside the car.

“We’re almost there. Once we get over this hill, you’ll see it.”

Arian, who was sitting next to her as both a navigator and secretary, said.

‘Come to think of it, this is the first time.’

Even though she had lived in the empire for over 20 years, this was her first time coming to the north.

If the transportation had been developed enough to make a day trip possible, it might have been different, but it took more than two days one way, so traveling was not easy.

Not that she had the time for it anyway.

Maybe this is a good opportunity to consider making a large bus.

A tourism project planned by the Magic Tower. This will surely be a success.

While Franz was happily imagining this in his head.

As the car went over the hill, the sight of a large city began to appear in the distance.

They had finally arrived at Serpa, the ice city of the north, where the Duchy of Frigia was located.