After having breakfast the next day, Mark led them all to the residential district within the academy’s vicinity.
As Mark had stated, he knew the area remarkably well and had a good head on his shoulders.
Despite knowing Solomon was a noble, Mark didn’t take him to grand mansions or sprawling estates.
Instead, he led them to modest two-story houses tucked along neat cobblestone streets lined with flower boxes and trimmed hedges.
“Why so small?” Solomon attempted asking once to pick Mark’s brain, glancing from one house to the next.
“Because you seem like the minimalist type.” Mark smirked as he casually waved at someone he apparently knew.
“You’re not wrong, but I’m also a noble.”
“That’s just a term, young master.” Mark shrugged.
“It doesn’t define who you are or what you choose to be.”
“I guess you do have a point there.”
“I always have a point to make.”
“You’re a cocky merchant.
How am I just noticing that?” Solomon folded his arms, shaking his head with an amused smile.
“My charms blinded you.”
“Nice joke.”
“Take it how you see fit.”
After wandering around for three hours beneath the warm afternoon sun, occasionally stopping to inspect different properties, they finally found one that matched their expectations.
Better yet, it was within comfortable walking distance of the academy, which pleased Solomon greatly.
The house was neither extravagant nor plain.
Its stone walls were clean and sturdy, ivy climbing lazily around one side of the building.
Large windows welcomed plenty of sunlight, while a small wooden fence enclosed the front yard.
A narrow stone pathway led to the front door, and a young tree stood quietly beside the entrance, its leaves swaying gently in the breeze.
Inside, the house was spacious enough to accommodate Solomon, Marvin, Wilfred, and Jessica comfortably.
It had a spacious kitchen, a training yard, four bedrooms, as well as a study.
The second Marvin saw the kitchen, he immediately lost it.
His eyes sparkled as he hurried toward the neatly arranged shelves, already admiring the polished cookware and spotless counters.
“I knew this would happen.” Jessica rubbed her forehead with a defeated sigh before turning toward Solomon.
“By the way, young master.
Why is there a handkerchief tied around your neck?”
“I would also like to know,” Wilfred added, narrowing his eyes curiously.
Solomon immediately broke out in a cold sweat.
“I just like it there.
It’s easy to reach.” He forced a smile and grabbed the handkerchief to wipe his face.
“See?”
Unfortunately for him, in his moment of panic, he completely forgot that the cloth had been hiding the wound on his neck.
As the fabric shifted…
Jessica caught a brief glimpse of the healing cut beneath it.
Her playful expression disappeared instantly.
“Young master…” Her voice became unusually firm.
“Did something happen last night?”
It left Solomon with no room for escape.
Even Marvin, who had been admiring the pots and pans with childlike wonder, paused and slowly turned in his direction.
“Well…”
Three pairs of eyes remained fixed on him, silently waiting for him to continue.
“Well… New chapters come out on g.com first.
at least Mark isn’t here.”
The merchant had stepped outside to speak with the contractor.
“I was attacked last night.”
The first to react was Marvin.
The pot he had been holding slipped from his grasp, clattering loudly against the floor before rolling across the kitchen.
His eyes widened in horror.
“Was it before or after I was with you?”
Solomon gulped.
“Before.”
Marvin lowered his head.
“How could I be so selfish…”
“Marvin, what do you mean?” Jessica inquired, glancing between the two of them.
Meanwhile, Wilfred guided Solomon toward a nearby chair before carefully untying the handkerchief around his neck.
His brows furrowed as he examined the wound, then he quietly began wrapping a fresh bandage around it with practiced hands.
“It’s nothing, Jessica,” Solomon reassured, waving one hand dismissively.
“Me and Marvin just had a little conversation yesterday.”
“I’m sorry, young master.” Marvin bowed deeply.
“I’ll stop my stupid comparisons.”
“You don’t have to, Marvin.”
Marvin slowly raised his head.
“Like I said, everything you feel is yours.
I don’t have to understand it.”
“I’ll still make an effort to change.”
“If that will make you happy, then I don’t mind.”
Jessica looked between the two of them before letting out a small sigh.
“I feel like I’m missing something…
but never mind.” She tapped the spatula thoughtfully against her palm.
“Now, what happened, young master?
We need details.”
Wilfred nodded in silent agreement while securing the final knot on the bandage.
Solomon reluctantly recounted the events of the previous night.
“You broke off the engagement with Princess Lumina?” Wilfred gasped, his eyes widening.
“I knew this peace wouldn’t last.”
“Is that a problem, Wilfred?”
“It’s a huge ordeal.
That decision was made between both your fathers,” Wilfred replied gravely.
“Indeed.” Jessica folded her arms.
“If news of this reaches the Lord, he would be furious.”
“Why do I have to marry someone I don’t know?”
“You’re a noble.
Shouldn’t you know the answer to that?” Jessica asked softly.
Solomon fell silent.
They were far from right.
All he was…
was a book-loving commoner who had happened to die abruptly and wake up in the world of Elaria.
“A woman is meant to rule a household,” Marvin pointed out quietly.
“Men are meant to marry before they can inherit the title of Lord of a household.”
“So a marriage gives you your rights?” Solomon blurted out, his eyes widening.
“Young master?” they called in unison.
“Sorry.”
Solomon couldn’t stand it.
He knew the world was messed up and that was why he had been called here.
He really did.
But he desperately hated the fact that freedom and desires were dead.
The people didn’t even know their rights anymore.
World Progression: 8%
Host has gained more knowledge of the world.
Solomon couldn’t have cared less.
The front door opened.
Mark walked back inside with the contractor following behind him.
“What’s with the tense atmosphere?” he asked, glancing around the room.
“Nothing’s wrong.” Solomon stood up and forced a smile.
“Can we pay for the house now?”
“I already took care of it,” Mark stated matter-of-factly.
Solomon knitted his brows.
“Consider it a thank you for keeping me company on the road…
and a parting—congratulatory gift from me.”
“That’s a lot of reasons.”
“I suppose they are.” Mark chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck.
After that, Solomon and the rest bid Mark goodbye.
“I’ll come check on you whenever I’m around.”
“I’ll be looking forward to it.”
Mark waved one last time before disappearing into the bustling streets.
The rest of the afternoon was spent unpacking and settling into their new home.
Jessica immediately ordered a deep clean, rolling up her sleeves before directing everyone with surprising efficiency.
Marvin claimed the kitchen instantly, happily arranging pots, pans, and utensils as though he’d finally found his paradise.
Wilfred inspected every room in the house, checking the locks, windows, and surrounding grounds with the vigilance expected of a guard.
Solomon simply sat quietly in the living room, watching them move about.
Warm sunlight streamed through the windows, filling the house with a comforting glow, while the distant sounds of academy students and merchants drifted in from outside.
“I bought a house…” he muttered, leaning back in his chair.
The world was beginning to feel more and more like home.
But Solomon knew…
The deeper he fell in love with its sights and its people…
The harder it would be to let them go.