Chapter 13: Sophie decides to get to know Lynn better

Hearing Lynn’s affirmative reply, Sophie finally spoke slowly, “You… you see, it’s been so long since you went out to buy groceries. There probably aren’t any vegetables left at home, right?”

Lynn was a bit confused.

What on earth is this girl talking about?

As the son of a duke, all of Lynn’s daily necessities were naturally handled by dedicated staff.

When would there ever be a need for Lord Lynn himself to go out and buy vegetables?

Lynn felt there was definitely something off about her.

Sure enough, seeing that Lynn didn’t object, Sophie continued, “So… so, let me go buy the groceries for you!”

“But… since I don’t really have any experience buying groceries, can Lady Livia come with me?”

So that’s what this is about.

Lynn suddenly understood.

She was waiting for him here.

This girl really was stubborn and wouldn’t give up.

Although this excuse was a little clumsy, it really wasn’t easy for Lynn to refuse.

After all, Sophie’s reason sounded perfectly reasonable.

Lynn frowned.

He’d wanted to find an excuse to brush her off and make her change her wish.

But thinking about it, even if she did change it, it would probably be almost the same anyway.

Sigh, what a sly girl.

In that case, he might as well just go along with it and let Livia refuse her in person, completely dashing Sophie’s hopes.

Wouldn’t that be far more effective than his own warnings?

Besides, he could also take this chance to see if anything would trigger Livia’s fatal ending if she spent a long time with someone else.

It was a chance to test the limits of that death trigger.

If anything really happened, Lynn would be there to back Livia up.

Truly, killing two birds with one stone.

Thinking this, Lynn hesitated no longer.

“In that case, thank you very much.”

Lynn smiled and nodded, then tossed his wallet to Sophie.

“Make sure to come back early.”

Sophie was taken aback, obviously not expecting Lynn to agree so easily.

“Thank you, Lynn—”

Sophie laughed and pounced into Lynn’s arms, hugging him tightly.

Click…

A crisp sound.

Lynn sucked in a cold breath, his face turning pale.

He knew his back was pretty much ruined.

“Well, I’ll be off then, Lynn.”

“Mm, take… take care on the road…”

Lynn supported his waist, forcing out a smile uglier than crying.

Atez Royal City, marketplace.

It was noon, and the marketplace was bustling with people.

Sophie pulled Livia along, weaving through the crowds.

But the latter seemed completely uninterested.

To be more precise, Livia’s face was now filled with utter despair.

She’d been dragged out while still weak, all to go grocery shopping with this girl.

And she’d claimed that Mr. Lynn had asked her to come.

Fine, if Mr. Lynn had spoken, what else could she say?

But the problem was…

Why did her energy recover so quickly!

Wasn’t she just on the verge of death yesterday?

Livia felt that, in this situation, it was less like grocery shopping together and more like she was walking an energetic pet dog…

Forget it, just bear with it for now.

That’s what Livia thought.

It was still better than having this girl and Mr. Lynn shopping together.

“Oh, right.”

Livia suddenly remembered something.

“It’s getting cold lately, I really should buy Mr. Lynn a few pieces of clothing.”

“Huh? Would Lynn ever be short of clothes?”

Sophie was a bit curious.

In a big family like Lynn’s, shouldn’t he have enough clothes to change several times a day?

Livia smiled slightly.

“Mr. Lynn is still growing, you know. Last year’s clothes must be too small by now, right?”

“And besides, if I don’t buy that idiot some clothes, he’ll probably wear the same thin outfit all winter.”

“No… no way.”

Sophie was a little surprised.

He’s a grown man, can he really not tell hot from cold?

Seeing Sophie’s look, Livia couldn’t help but lift her head in pride, her words carrying a hint of arrogance.

“Someone like you wouldn’t understand, of course.”

“Ahaha… I-I see…”

Sophie scratched her head awkwardly.

“But, now that you mention it, you really care a lot about Lynn…”

There was a hint of disappointment in Sophie’s voice, tinged with sour jealousy.

“Is Lynn… really as good as you say?”

Without thinking, Sophie blurted out what was on her mind.

“Of course!”

At the mention of Lynn, Livia’s fatigue vanished, her eyes shining with excitement.

“Mr. Lynn may look weak, but in reality, he’s methodical and careful in everything he does.”

“As long as he promises something, he always follows through!”

“And, and, even if he faces an opponent a thousand times stronger than himself, he’ll never give up!”

“So, I’ll never give him up to anyone else.”

Livia folded her arms and glared at Sophie with full vigilance.

Her meaning couldn’t be clearer.

Annoying little vixen, keep away from my Mr. Lynn!

Normally, with such a bold declaration of sovereignty, any ordinary love rival would surely back down.

Unfortunately, what Livia didn’t know was…

The two of them were never even on the same page.

“I see…”

Sophie nodded thoughtfully.

Indeed, after spending the past two days together, Sophie had noticed that Lynn really was different from other boys his age.

He had a calm maturity that didn’t fit his years, as if he could foresee whatever happened ahead of time.

This guy really was interesting.

Sophie thought.

If she wanted to win Livia’s heart, the first thing she needed to do was fully understand Lynn.

And then, do better than him!

At that thought, Sophie’s eyes lit up.

“Let’s hurry and pick out some clothes!”

Without waiting for Livia to react, Sophie dragged her straight to a clothing store.

“What size does Lynn wear?”

“What styles does he usually like?”

“What’s his favorite color?”

Standing by the clothes rack, Sophie pulled out a small notebook from who-knows-where.

She looked eager for answers.

“You—!”

Livia was shaking with anger.

Even after she’d made herself so clear, did this girl still have to challenge her right to her face?

Absolutely infuriating!

“I! Don’t! Know!”

Livia’s face was filled with rage as she flicked Sophie hard on the forehead.

“Ow—!”

Sophie saw stars from the hit.

By the time she recovered, Livia’s figure was nowhere to be seen.

“How can she not know…”

Sophie rubbed her fair forehead, thoroughly confused.

In the next moment, as if jolted by electricity, she suddenly slapped her thigh.

“That’s right! I was so focused on wanting to understand Lynn, I forgot to think about Lady Livia’s feelings!”

“I should get Lady Livia a pretty dress first!”

Lynn had been following at a distance, seeing everything.

Only when he saw Livia leave safely did he finally cross another possibility off in his notebook.

“Could it be that the trigger for the fatal ending only concerns myself?”

Lynn shrugged.

Whatever, once all the impossible options are eliminated, whatever’s left must be the answer.

And judging by Livia’s reaction, Sophie should be able to quiet down for a while, too.

So Lynn thought.

“But then again, am I really that kind of person in Livia’s eyes…”

Lynn smiled wryly.

She seemed to have gotten some strange ideas about him.

How could he be so scheming?

He was just an ordinary guy who wanted to spread the idea of equality to the world, nothing more.