Chapter 237: Chapter 236: She Has Nothing Except Money and Fiancé Chapter 237: Chapter 236: She Has Nothing Except Money and Fiancé After hesitating for a while, Baki spoke up and admitted honestly, “It was Rose who asked me to come.”
“Rose?” Richard’s eyes flickered with a hint of confusion. Hearing the name Rose, it was clearly a woman’s name, but since his arrival at White Stone Tower Academy, he hadn’t meddled with any women, had he? If he really thought about it, it seemed the only interaction he had was with that girl… in the hallway…
However, any contact he had with her had been more than ten days ago. If she really was getting back at him as she had viciously stated then, wasn’t it a bit too late now?
As Richard pondered, Baki started to explain, “Rose lives with you on the second floor of the dormitory building.”
Alright, his guess was confirmed. Richard thought to himself.
“I am Rose’s fiancé, and I reside on the floor below,” Baki continued.
“Hmm?” At this point, Richard looked directly at Baki, his eyes flashing, “Since you’re Rose’s fiancé and also live just one floor below, why did you wait until today to trouble me? Speaking of which, you live on the first floor, so why have I never seen you before?” Given Baki’s physique, Richard believed he would have easily recognized him whenever he appeared.
Baki explained, “Well… I had gone home, and I only returned to the academy yesterday, so we hadn’t seen each other before, and naturally, I wouldn’t have troubled you.”
Richard’s eyes shimmered as he grasped something, saying, “So, you mean, as soon as you returned, your fiancée—Rose—approached you and then asked you to find a way to teach me a lesson?”
“Actually…” Baki hesitated before saying, “It’s not really about teaching a lesson. Rose just wanted me to show some strength, to let you know how formidable she is, that’s all…”
“But you didn’t complete the task,” Richard pointed out sharply.
Baki’s expression stiffened, and his lips parted momentarily as he argued stiffly, “Although… I didn’t complete the task, I did my best. So… that should be enough.”
“That’s enough? Are you sure?” Richard couldn’t help but be taken aback.
“Yes, sure. I’ve said all I needed to say, and there’s nothing else. I’ll be leaving now.” Baki said, and turned to leave, without any hint of hesitation.
Richard watched Baki’s retreating figure and couldn’t help but think: This fiancé of hers seems a bit of a letdown. Could he possibly just be some random guy picked up from the streets?
While thinking this, Richard saw Baki suddenly turn back and walk towards him, a fervent look in his eyes.
Was this a sudden realization of conscience, feeling the need to defend his dignity as a fiancé and prepared to go all out to really teach him a lesson?
As Richard thought about it, he saw Baki, who had turned around and come back, lean in close with a mix of mystery and seriousness in his voice, and ask, “By the way, does Rose like you?”
“Hmm?” Richard raised an eyebrow and asked incredulously, unable to help himself, “You think that’s possible?”
“Yes!” Baki nodded emphatically, then began analytically, “You might not understand Rose, but I know her very well. She has a spoiled, princess-like temperament, brought up to have everyone cater to her. And since she asked me to demonstrate some strength to you, it must mean you’ve gotten on her nerves somehow. Perhaps it’s your particular way of treating her that’s stirred something within her, turning dislike into fondness…”
Listening to Baki, Richard found the conversation increasingly off, and he looked directly at him to confirm, “You are her fiancé, right?”
“Right.” Baki nodded, then continued to analyze, “I think, she might really have fallen for you without realizing it herself, and you haven’t noticed either. So, I think it would be good for both of you to find an opportunity to have a proper chat and try to develop this further, and then…”
Richard reconfirmed, asking, “Are you really her fiancé?”
“Of course,” Baki said, “but don’t mind my identity, just consider me a nobody. After all, true love should overcome all obstacles, no matter how many fiancés Lucy has, she should bravely move forward.”
Richard: “…” Why do I feel like there’s a hidden meaning in these words?
“Alright, alright, I’ll tell you the truth,” Baki said, looking at Richard’s expression, “I am indeed Rose’s fiancé, but that really doesn’t mean much. As a fiancé like me, she has a whole dozen — yep, twelve, not counting the ones she picks up at school.”
Richard glanced at Baki’s muscular body, and his eyes twinkled. The image of Rose surrounded by strong men flashed through his mind: Rose appeared frail, could her needs be far beyond ordinary…
Baki interrupted Richard’s thoughts, continuing with a bit of sorrow, “Actually, being called her fiancé is just like being her servant. Many are here because they borrowed too much money from her and couldn’t repay it, so they had to pledge their bodies instead.
As for me, it’s even worse. When I was a child, because my father — a penniless king, wanted to borrow money from Rose’s father — a wealthy king and couldn’t find any suitable collateral, he pledged me on the spot, and I haven’t been redeemed since.
So, like the rest of us, we are all nominally Rose’s fiancés. The reason for this title is because Rose’s father — the wealthy king, felt that she has been extremely difficult since childhood and would be hard to marry off. If that were the case, and if Rose wanted to get married, then all of her fiancés would have to line up for her to choose — whoever she picks is the unlucky one.”
After a pause, Richard exhaled lightly and looked at Baki, asking, “What exactly is her status? How is she so rich?”
“Yes,” Baki nodded, “right, she’s rich, her father’s rich, her relatives are rich — her whole family is rich! The country she belongs to is near the White Stone Tower on the East Coast, in Wizard Country. It may not be very powerful, but it has a profound heritage. According to the legends, her country was a part of a powerful empire a long time ago.
Back then, the empire had unified the entire East Coast and collected many treasures, all buried underground. Therefore, in her country’s territory, just dig a bit, and you can unearth several chests filled with treasures. That’s why, in her country, they may lack everything, but they certainly don’t lack money.”
Baki sighed, “All in all, Rose is really rich. Even if she spends all her money, just going home, digging a few chests, she’ll have money again. So, if you can, make her really fall for you, see you as a lover, or a true fiancé, then you’re really in luck.”
“So, why don’t you do that yourself?” Richard looked at Baki, “You could try to please her too, right? If you get her to fall for you, the debt could be cleared, right?”
“Uh, this… that…” Baki suddenly stammered, his face slightly reddening and a bit bashful, “This… there’s a reason for that. Although I know making Rose fall for me has many benefits, the problem is I don’t like her at all, she’s too haughty and proud. And… I already have someone I like, so I’m leaving this task to you.”
Richard: “…” Couldn’t help but think: Isn’t this whole situation just a bit too nonsensical?
“Alright, I’ve said all I needed to say. Rose asked me to show my strength to you, and I’ve tried my best. The rest is not my concern anymore, I’m leaving. As for you — good luck!”
Having said that, Baki swung his fist towards Richard and walked away without looking back.
The crisp sound of the Copper Bell marking the end of class timely rang out.