For Sale: Male Lead, Obsession Included - Chapter 49
“…Not 3 gold, but 30 gold?”
Feyden asked in a dazed voice, and I nodded again. The brothers, still in disbelief, looked at each other as if they were dreaming.
“The destination is Dongguk, and the duration is up to five years, until I reach adulthood. I can draft the contract immediately.”
“Wait, five years?”
Truu instinctively clung to his brother’s arm, while Feyden placed his hand over Truu’s and glared sharply at me.
I had expected this reaction. No brother would willingly leave his younger sibling behind to go abroad for five years.
But I needed him. He was destined to become one of the best sword masters in the Empire, and crossing the dangerous eastern continent would be impossible with just any mercenary.
I felt like the villain, trying to separate these two, but just as I needed him, he would need me too.
Because…
“I’ll guarantee Truu’s admission into a temple seminary for priest training. I’ll cover the full tuition and dormitory fees.”
Truu was deeply religious, carrying around a pendant of the Angel Natasia everywhere. Becoming a priest in this world was as good as a path to success.
“How are you going to get him into a temple seminary? They don’t just take anyone—”
“Large donors can get someone in. And I’m one of them.”
The brothers looked even more bewildered than when I had mentioned 30 gold. Truu’s wide eyes darted back and forth in confusion.
“I’d love to give you more time to think about it, but I don’t have any. I’m leaving tomorrow. If you’ve made up your mind, come to my lodging—it’s the inn in front of the temple.”
As I dusted off my dress and began to walk away, Feyden’s low voice stopped me.
When I turned around, he was staring at me with a serious expression I hadn’t seen before.
“Why are you doing all this for us? It’s suspicious, to be honest.”
I nodded slowly at his pointed question. His suspicion was only natural. A random girl shows up, offering an enormous amount of money and to send his brother to school—who could believe that?
But sometimes, unbelievable things do happen. For instance, me transmigrating into a novel world.
And all I wanted was for them to think of me as a lottery ticket that they had stumbled upon.
“Feyden, I’ve heard you’re strong. I need someone strong to protect me. And you, with your dire situation and young brother to take care of, are drawn to my absurd offer. That’s all.”
And that’s how I truly felt.
With the two brothers standing there, dumbfounded, I slowly walked away. The shadows grew long, and I figured the sun would set in a couple of hours.
‘Recruiting my second travel companion is proving to be quite a challenge.’
***
After gathering all the necessary supplies and information for the trip and stopping by the public offices, I finally finished all the preparations. The sun had begun to set, casting a red glow over the streets.
“So busy…”
After moving all the luggage for three people into the inn, I stretched my stiff back. I wanted nothing more than to collapse onto the bed and fall asleep, but I had another appointment to keep.
Sighing deeply, I dragged myself back out onto the street. If I wanted to leave tomorrow, I had no choice but to keep moving.
‘I brought this all upon myself, after all.’
With merchants calling out their greetings, I made my way to the Golem Trading Company.
It was the day before Declan and I were set to leave the capital, after the downfall of House Glioced, when Ribolto sent a messenger to me. He claimed I was responsible for the family’s collapse, and that I had to take responsibility for ruining his business venture with the household.
At the time, I had forgotten about Ribolto, too busy with my plans for revenge against my family. But after some thought, I decided to accept his offer.
Ribolto was a sharp businessman, and he was the first to recognize my potential. I saw no harm in keeping that connection.
‘And more importantly…’
I wanted to find out why Ribolto had sent me the magical device that decrypted the code. How had he known I needed it? What other plans did he have? It was time to get some answers.
With these thoughts swirling in my mind, I knocked on the office door.
“Come in.”
Ribolto’s cold voice, as always, called from the other side.
