Chapter 97
A wholesome romantic relationship?
Hearing something that sounded like it came straight out of a 90s textbook left me dazed. Yet, Elber and Kai looked incredibly serious.
Elber spoke first.
“I have a duty to take care of, watch over, protect, and cherish my younger sibling. Ah! Even if they’re not cute. It’s absolutely not because they’re cute.”
Seraphina frowned at his belatedly declared “concept act.”
“I don’t understand. Just tell me what you think of Sol.”
“She’s a truly precious, admirable, and beautiful little sister.”
“Alright. Then, Kai, what do you think of Sol?”
All eyes turned to Kai, whose eyes sparkled with mischief.
“Hmm… Lady Tylan, Sol, could you each hold one of Sir Schlaiger’s arms?”
Elber gave Kai a glare that clearly said, What is he plotting? But when I grabbed Elber’s arm tightly, his expression softened for a brief moment.
Kai didn’t miss the opportunity.
“I am considering Sol as a fiancée.”
…Elber practically leapt forward. I instinctively wrapped my arms around his bicep.
“Sol, let go!”
“Calm down first, big brother! Don’t shake your arms—do I look like a bug to you?”
Kai seemed to be enjoying this moment immensely. Amusing? Just wait until Elber calms down—then I’ll say, Fiancée my foot—if he was thinking that, we’d never meet again!
But at the moment when even Seraphina was restraining Elber, Kai continued with an unexpected comment.
“But that’s my grandfather’s opinion, not mine.”
“Huh…?”
“As you all know, my grandfather isn’t in good health, and he’s anxious about the stability of the succession.”
“So he picked me as a fiancée?”
“Exactly. Since our families are acquainted, when he heard you had gone to the capital, he said, ‘I hope that child becomes my granddaughter-in-law, and you should go and further the relationship.’”
“No way! That will never happen! I’m not marrying you!”
“Wow, not even worth considering? That’s harsh. I’m hurt.”
Seeing him smile slyly like a fox, he hardly looked hurt at all.
I felt a pang of guilt for speaking so strongly in surprise at the marriage topic. But was he truly unaffected? That teasing grin was unreadable.
…No, why am I even trying to read his mind? I can just ask!
“Kai, what do you actually think?”
“I like marrying good friends too. There are marriages based on camaraderie, after all.”
“…You only see me as a ‘good friend,’ right?”
“Exactly. Therefore, if you have no thought of marriage, I’ll step back immediately.”
Kai shrugged.
Elber finally relaxed his grip on my arm, though he still glared at Kai, not fully at ease.
As expected.
Kai continued.
“But if I tell my grandfather that I was rejected outright, he’ll be shocked.”
“What? Why would it go that far?”
“It’s true. He’s already suffered from illness, and after I lost one eye… he worried about the future of the Lapland territory and became bedridden.”
“……”
“If he hears that I was rejected the moment I brought up marriage, he’ll think I can’t properly raise my grandson, that I’ve become a burden…”
At first, I thought, That’s an exaggeration. But every example he gave hit close to reality.
Even at orphanages, elderly couples sometimes bring children to hand over when raising their grandchildren becomes too much. Their faces bear the weight of all the sins in the world.
The guilt of failing to raise children well. The guilt of not protecting grandchildren. The guilt of not managing one’s health or finances, leading to this point…
Does the Marquess of Lapland wear such an expression too?
…Well, I’m hardly in a position to compare to this silver spoon situation.
My expression softened slightly.
“I can’t marry you. So what is it you want from me?”
“Let’s go on a date.”
Elber leapt up again. Luckily, Seraphina quickly restrained him this time.
“A date?”
“By going on a date, we can see areas where we don’t match and decide not to marry. There are things friendship alone can’t reveal, right?”
“What if I burp while eating?”
“Wow, that would be cute. Sounds like a little chick.”
“….”
Terrifying remark!
“Can’t I already have a lover?”
“If you say that, my grandfather will understand, but the Duke will hear about it too. Are you okay with that?”
“No.”
Something ominous is about to happen.
Kai now looked rather relaxed.
“Here’s the plan. Let’s go on a date when we have free time. We’ll spend time as a man and woman, figure out reasons we wouldn’t be compatible, I report to my grandfather, and we remain friends. How’s that?”
…If only he had said, Sol, I like you, I would have run immediately.
But suddenly bringing up marriage dragged in his grandfather’s story.
Only one date, and drawing a line saying we remain friends… makes it hard to outright refuse.
This guy, a fox indeed.
Well, I could still bluntly say No, but—
Seraphina nodded, clearly impressed.
“I understand. Mr. Kai, you wish to ease your grandfather’s burdens while maintaining your friendship with Sol!”
“That’s right.”
“But do not push Lady Sol against the wall recklessly. She’s a kind girl who always talks with an open heart! Right?”
All I could recall was using Seraphina for my own purposes. Feeling pangs of conscience, I forced a smile.
“Uh, yes.”
“Great! So it’s decided—we’re going on a date?”
“Huh?”
“No!”
Elber exploded for the third time. His sharp blue eyes seemed ready to pierce Kai from above.
“Don’t involve my sister in your family affairs.”
“Don’t involve family matters in friendship. I have Sol’s permission.”
“Permission? You just threw your grandfather’s wishes around as if they were your opinion and got a half-hearted answer—how is that permission?”
“What’s your problem?”
“My problem is that an untested man keeps circling Sol. You couldn’t even maintain a friendship at age ten—”
“Enough!”
Seraphina slammed the floor like a statue, causing a reverberation around us.
Not from divine power, but perhaps from the deity being angered by sacrilege, I thought. Anyway, the deity’s favorite character spoke without hesitation.
“I’ll settle this for you all. One date, possible this Sunday at noon?”
I was fine with it. Kai nodded vigorously when our eyes met. Elber puffed his cheeks like a child—but it wasn’t over yet.
“Elber, if you feel uneasy, come along. Intervene if Kai misbehaves.”
“Wait!”
Kai’s mischievous grin vanished.
“Then what’s different from just now? My brother will grab me by the collar!”
“Who’s your brother?”
“Oh, should I change the title to ‘young master sharing a family register with Sol’?”
“……This…”
Another slam like a statue.
Seraphina spoke solemnly.
“I do not wish for further conflict. I will also accompany the date. Please accept me as Mr. Elber’s partner. These days it’s called a ‘double date,’ right?”
“Uh…?”
“Kai can date, Elber can supervise Kai, and I can make sure Sol isn’t harmed. Isn’t that fine?”
“……”
“What do you think, Sol? Your decision matters most.”
Now I had a valid reason to separate Kai and put Elber and Seraphina together.
No further thought was needed.
“Okay, I’ll go.”
On Saturday, I returned to the Duke’s residence.
I handed over the laundry, chattered about what I’d learned at school last week—why he even wanted to hear this, I didn’t know—and rolled around the wide bed. Saturday passed in a flash.
When I opened my eyes, it was Sunday.
“Ugh… a date…”
It’s fine. Just eat, have tea, and return.
It’s not a formal meeting where I have to impress some superior. I know everyone, so I can relax…
But.
“You’re going out? Shall I lightly dress you up?”
When the maid asked, I thought about the people I’d see today.
The male and female leads of a romance fantasy and the secondary male lead. Just by gathering, it’s like a dazzling fantasy novel cover. And I’m involved? Just imagining it is grim.
“Make sure I’m not ignored, but don’t make it obvious I’m dressed up.”
“A difficult request.”
“Exactly…”
“Hoho, but I understand the meaning. Even a handsome man—”
“Nooo!”
I ruined it. I basically shouted, “Nooo!” The maid’s lips quivered.
“Uhuhu, yes. I’ll do my utmost.”
“…I really mean no.”
“I’ll keep it secret from His Grace. I also don’t want him to make a giant ice meteor over the capital.”
I thought, only the Duke could do that, and then remembered it’s getting hotter.
Will the Duke struggle in summer? The holidays are coming. Should I suggest a summer retreat?
“Um, does the capital have a travel agency?”
“Of course! There are several offices in the busy district. Why do you ask?”
“Father will probably be hot. I thought I’d check some summer getaway options while I’m out.”
“Oh… Your Grace is very fortunate to have such a daughter.”
Soon, my preparations were complete. Not as fancy as the ball, but fine!
Passing by the study, I told the Duke,
“I’m going to meet a friend.”
“…Alright. Don’t overdo it in this heat.”
“Yes!”
After the date, I’d visit a travel agency with Elber.
It’ll be fun!
Latiger watched her long black hair sway as she walked away.
Strange. She’s prettier than usual. Maybe it’s because she’s growing. Every time I see her…
Latiger is not the type to ignore rising suspicions.
As the maid handed Sol a parasol and returned, Latiger asked her,
“Sol, are you really going to meet a friend?”
The maid hesitated, smiling awkwardly. She was clearly weighing her words.
Latiger’s stern voice cut the thought short. He would tolerate this only once.
“Answer.”
“Well, you said not to tell! But it seems the lady cares about His Grace!”
“……What?”
“She thought Father would like a cool place in the summer…”
A world with no concept of filial sightseeing.
Latiger covered his mouth.
How can such a small head come up with such a thoughtful idea? I need to show her affection quickly.
