Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 4: Henry Kris
In his previous life, he had worked himself to the bone like a beast of burden, dying before he even had the chance to enjoy life. And now, in this life, he started off in debt. Was he destined to live and die like a workhorse?
No. Absolutely not! Merlin would never be anyone’s beast of burden!
Merlin stared at the handsome face reflected in the mirror. He rubbed his cheeks and thought to himself, With looks like these, I could probably fetch a fine price at the Arcane Academy.
To be kept by a wealthy noblewoman at such a young age—would that be a blessing?
From his memories, Merlin knew well how open the noblewomen of this world were. Those with wealth and power considered it perfectly normal to keep a few young lovers. The private lives of nobles were notoriously chaotic.
But whenever he recalled rumors of “slime games” and “wicked tentacles,” a chill ran down his spine. These noble ladies played far too wildly. A handsome youth like him might not even be able to protect his own rear.
To safeguard his dignity, he had to make money—lots of it.
Now, the Leo family owned only one remaining property under the city governed by the Arcane Academy. According to his father, this was their final gamble.
Truth be told, without lands or fortune, the Leo family could no longer be considered true nobility, even if they still held the title of count.
For a noble, status alone was not enough. One needed luxurious estates and palaces, edifices that cost not only vast sums to construct but also a fortune to maintain.
Their clothing and jewelry demanded immense expense. Just a glance at Merlin’s own attire made that clear. Nobles wore garments of the finest materials and adorned themselves with costly jewels—bespoke and extravagant, all for the sake of appearances.
And then there were the lavish banquets and social gatherings, each one requiring food, wine, entertainment, and decorations that bled money.
Gambling was another bottomless pit. Nobles wagered not only for pleasure, but as a way to flaunt their wealth and status.
Many of them also patronized the arts, sponsoring musicians, writers, and artists, amassing collections of paintings and sculptures—all consuming endless gold.
Charity and public works, too, though outwardly acts of generosity, served as vital tools for nobles to display their magnanimity and cement their reputation.
In short, maintaining influence and prestige in noble society demanded a river of coin.
But all of this had nothing to do with the Leo family anymore. Soon, they would become the laughingstock of the nobility, remembered only for their “bankruptcy.”
Merlin tossed and turned on his bed, unable to sleep. Tomorrow, after classes, he would visit his parents. Their ancestral lands were lost; only a single tavern remained in the city under the Arcane Academy’s rule. Could they really make a comeback with just a tavern?
He would have to study it carefully. There had to be a way to make money.
At dawn, the first ray of sunlight slipped through the curtains, brushing gently across his face. Merlin stirred from the quiet embrace of night.
The deep indigo of the sky softened into pale blue, clouds drifting lazily in the morning breeze.
Though he had hardly slept a wink, Merlin felt no weariness. As an apprentice mage, the training of his spirit allowed him to endure sleepless nights.
Knock, knock, knock—
A sudden pounding at the door startled him. Already dressed, Merlin thought it was likely that fool Louis XVI again. Straightening his clothes, he picked up a book on alchemy and pulled open the heavy oak door.
“Merlin, are you all right? Don’t do anything rash! You’ve got a brother here!”
To his surprise, the voice wasn’t Louis XVI’s, but a clear, feminine voice—though far too loud, making his head throb.
A sweet fragrance rushed toward him, followed by the sensation of slender, boneless hands groping his face and hair as someone threw their arms around him.
“Merlin, are you okay? That idiot Sixteenth told me you’d lost your mind! Don’t scare me like that!”
What came into view was a mane of vivid red hair, as bright as autumn maple leaves. Clearly, it was a young lady. She lifted her head, gazing at him with deep concern. Her features were exquisite, her skin pale and smooth as if dusted with a fine, soft powder, standing in striking contrast to her fiery hair. Her light hazel eyes glimmered with worry, long lashes trembling like butterfly wings whenever she blinked.
She wore a loose cotton blouse, simply cut yet carrying an unintentional air of nobility. The hem was tucked casually into her waistband, outlining her slim figure. Her trousers were deep blue, with frayed edges and decorative bronze buckles—casual, yet distinctive.
On her feet were polished brown leather boots, gleaming clean, their low heels both practical and stylish.
A wide leather belt with a retro bronze buckle circled her waist, accentuating her figure. A small pouch hung at her hip.
Her red hair was tied back with a dark blue ribbon, though a few strands fell loosely across her brow. As she shook Merlin by the shoulders, the simple silver earrings at her ears swung gently, catching the light.
“Kris, I’m fine. Stop shaking me—you’re making my head spin.” Merlin quickly stepped back to put some distance between them.
Henry Kris—the beloved granddaughter of the Duke of Plantagenet, the apple of his eye, and far more important than a marginal prince like Louis XVI.
She was also the only girl Merlin could truly call a friend. Though, truth be told, Kris preferred him to call her “brother.”
Henry Kris, the sole woman who befriended Merlin not for his face but for who he was. Though a young lady, she acted more like a brash and straightforward lad—hot-tempered, quick to anger, and inheriting every one of her grandfather’s flaws. Perhaps it was precisely because she was so much like the old duke that she was so cherished.
Seeing Merlin unharmed, Kris finally let out a sigh of relief—before whirling around to glare furiously at Louis XVI, who was lurking behind her.
“Fitt, you dog! Didn’t you tell me Merlin had lost his wits? Dare to lie to me, do you? Believe it or not, I’ll kill you where you stand!”