I’m Really Not Trying to Be Chased by the Heroine as the Villainous Playboy! – Chapter 542

Chapter 89: Bloodshed is the Last Resort

Roy recognized the two people.

Count Kuma Barry, former Grand Duke of the Empire and a trusted aide of Xue Nuo’s father, was an old minister who helped defend Snowy Fortress. It was said that he was a battlefield hero, taking on thousands in his youth, but now he was more known for his crafty and smooth tactics.

It’s fair to say that after the Andevis family faced calamity, they could still keep things running. Xue Nuo managed to grow up safely and even had the leisure to train at the academy, all thanks to the Count’s superb skills and years of hard work.

As for Lady Kuma, Britanny, her background was much simpler.

Just two words: tough as nails.

Britanny entered Sequence 6 at a young age and became famous as an A-Class Adventurer of the Empire. In the Academy City, where talent was plentiful, the number of A-Class Adventurers could be counted on two hands. During her time, Britanny was among the best, with suitors including many noble sons.

The self-important warrior looked down on these noble boys, boasting that she would hold a tournament to find a husband—whoever could defeat her, she’d marry. She aimed to crush the dreams of those infatuated with her.

But, surprise surprise, she crossed paths with the young Barry Kuma.

Back then, Count Kuma wasn’t the slick operator he was now; he was a hothead who would throw punches after three sentences if things didn’t go his way.

The two engaged in a fierce battle, creating enough chaos to tear the Adventurers’ Guild apart.

Interestingly, even though Britanny emerged victorious in the end, the young Count still got the girl.

You get it, right?

Regardless, these two were Xue Nuo’s staunch supporters, the ones who raised her, making them her most trusted allies in the borderlands.

Sadly, when the next crisis struck, they just couldn’t keep up…

“Lord Roy, after such a long journey, you must be exhausted. How about I call someone to take you to your room to rest?”

“I was just thinking the same thing.” Without refusing the Count’s offer, Roy smiled at the Silver-Haired Girl: “Xue Nuo, you go ahead and attend to your business. We’ll meet again in a bit.”

“Mm.” The Silver-Haired Girl gave a small nod, her expression neutral.

However, until the Black-Haired Boy departed, she reluctantly turned her gaze away.

Then she caught sight of the couple’s amused expressions, causing her lips to twitch.

After saying goodbye to Roy, Xue Nuo joined the couple in the parlor.

Just as they sat down, before the maid could brew tea, Britanny plopped down next to Xue Nuo, eager to pry: “So, what’s your relationship with that Ayenbrad guy?”

“Let me clarify. I mentioned in my letter that we’re simply a master and apprentice, so please don’t misunderstand.” Xue Nuo replied coldly, maintaining a serious face.

Unfortunately, her stern demeanor couldn’t stop Britanny’s curiosity.

“Tsk, tsk, still playing it cool, huh? Speaking of that letter, wow, the way you praised him! Extraordinary talent, friendly, noble character, loves learning… and good-looking too! What next, you want a pretty face for your apprentice, huh?”

Xue Nuo couldn’t help but lower her eyes, her toes curling in her boots from the embarrassment.

Even the Ice Rose found it hard to cope under the elder’s interrogation.

Looking back at the glowing words about Roy in her letters, Xue Nuo now regretted being so enthusiastic.

“It’s just… the plain truth. Because he really is that good.”

“Let’s go with that, then. But what’s the deal with your outfit?”

Giving the young girl’s sable coat a scrutinizing look, Britanny raised her eyebrows, immediately recognizing the high-quality fabric—this was not cheap. Additionally, the sleeveless blue dress that barely reached her knees and the knee-high black stockings were all the latest from the Blue Moon Merchants.

You should know, Xue Nuo was a typical imperial lady: conservative and plain in her clothing, preferring not to reveal too much skin or wear overly bright colors. She could wear a dark blue waist-length dress for a year without changing.

Yet now, she looked like a rose covered in snowflakes—if she was previously cold and aloof, now she radiated an icy beauty.

Britanny couldn’t contain her laughter: “Dressed up so beautifully, and you still claim he’s not your boyfriend?”

“Deny it! No! This is just a gift from him…”

“!”

As her words hung in the air, Britanny’s expression turned more lively, prompting Xue Nuo to hastily correct herself: “I just wanted to wear it for him…”

“!!!!”

Seeing the glow of warmth on Britanny’s face, as if a cabbage had finally grown, Xue Nuo sighed, giving up the fight.

How did it get to the point where even she felt like her interactions with Roy resembled that of a couple?

Wait a minute.

He was her apprentice! How could she entertain such thoughts that stained the master-apprentice bond?

Luckily, Barry spoke up with a wry smile: “Britanny, give the girl a little breathing room.”

Mr. Barry was clearly discerning, unlike his sister who was an absolute goofball. Xue Nuo felt relieved and grateful for the Count’s assistance.

But the next thing he said threw her off track.

“After all, we have plenty of time, right? We can talk about boyfriends over tea and snacks later.”

Xue Nuo: “???”

I already said he’s not a couple or a boyfriend!

Fortunately, the old Count didn’t joke for too long and quickly adopted a serious expression, turning to Xue Nuo.

“Alright, it’s about time we discuss serious matters.”

“Miss Xue Nuo, I believe you’ve heard by now, during this winter festival, Prince Winter is bringing a host of inland nobles and personal guards. The scale is immense, and their intentions are not friendly.”

As soon as he said that, Xue Nuo’s gaze turned cold, and Britanny’s face also darkened.

The imperial borders had long-standing grievances with the royal family, but historically, the royals had kept a distance from border affairs, maintaining a delicate balance.

However, Prince Winter’s visit with numerous nobles was an unfriendly signal.

“Hmph, what good can come from those rotten nobles in the imperial capital? They just want to reclaim military power from the Dukedom and covet our little White Wolf!” Britanny crossed her legs, spitting in contempt, showing no desire to hide her disdain for the royal family.

“If they dare mess around, I’ll be the first to strike! Let’s see if the royal family’s bones are tougher than the axe in my hands!”

Barry frowned slightly, his tone heavy: “Britanny, watch your words.”

The more he insisted on restraint, the more Britanny snapped back: “What’s the point? You know perfectly well! The empress promised mutual support with the border Duke, but what happened? Eighteen years ago, when the Demon Race invaded, they turned a blind eye to the Duke’s pleas for help! For eighteen years, they’ve been constantly pressuring us, reducing aid!”

“The first empress swore to share the bloodline of ‘Ice Soul’ with the Andevis family, and now that they can’t take it back, they’re trying to pressure us in every way possible! Is this something a human can do…?”

“Enough.” The old Count’s low voice rolled like distant thunder.

Seeing Britanny’s face of disbelief—“You actually dared to yell at me?”—the old Count’s expression softened a bit, his voice gentle again: “Your opinion is based on speculation; there’s no evidence.”

“We’re all citizens of the Empire in the end. With the Demon Race threatening from outside, there’s no need to fight among ourselves. I believe the royal family recognizes this as well.”

“Besides, if it comes to that point, the outcome is uncertain and countless lives will suffer…”

The old Count discreetly glanced at the Silver-Haired Girl, a hint of affection and reluctance flickering in his eyes as he sighed bitterly.

“Regardless, bloodshed is the last resort.”