"Yes."
Sigrid nodded.
Arkana looked around the room and said:
"Her Highness's gift is splendid. What a mansion."
"There's no such thing as a gift without reason."
At Sigrid's response, Arkana smiled slightly and said, "No one's unaware of that." Beramund shrugged and said:
"It's paynt for Sigrid taking care of the Third Prince."
Sigrid let out a deep sigh. This enormous four-story mansion located in the 1st District, which could be considered the heart of the capital, was impeccably maintained in every aspect. It was ready for imdiate move-in with just personal belongings.
"'Taking care' sounds odd. I'm just his guardian."
Sigrid said this and cleared her throat. She glanced at Beramund and said:
"Um, Marie-Chez and Lowengrin are supposed to co today."
"You're eting them right after coming back to the capital?"
"Yes. There's, well, an important matter to discuss, isn't there?"
"An important matter?"
"Yes. So— um, I was wondering if you might have sothing to give
before that."
At Sigrid's words, Beramund tilted his head and looked at her. Sigrid stared at him for a mont, then said "Ah" and shook her head.
"No, it's nothing."
Just then, a servant entered and announced that two people had arrived at the mansion.
"Lady Inglet, Countess, and Lady Alsekidna, Viscountess, have arrived."
"Hmm, then I should make a swift escape."
Beramund shrugged and stood up, brushing off his trousers. When Sigrid extended her hand to him, he gently pulled it and kissed her forehead.
"See you later."
"Yes."
Arkana walked over and opened the door. As Beramund exited, Arkana followed him out, closing the door behind them, and said:
"Is your head empty?"
"......What?"
Beramund turned to look at the other, wondering if he had misheard. Arkana looked at him with a contemptuous expression, snorted, and said:
"It seems it is."
Beramund frowned.
"What are you talking about?"
"Think about it carefully."
Arkana said coldly and then disappeared swiftly, leaving Beramund feeling as if he had been suddenly attacked. He stood there for a mont before hearing approaching footsteps and darting out of the corridor with an "Eek."
Not long after he disappeared, Marie-Chez, wearing a newly tailored dress, ca up the stairs at the end of the corridor.
"Please tell
she's on this floor."
At Marie-Chez's words, Lowengrin chuckled and said:
"She'll be on this floor, of course."
The servant guided them to the room. They saw Sigrid approaching with a bright smile.
"Marie-Chez, Lowengrin."
"It's been a while."
"Sigrid, aren't you a bit tanned?"
"Am I?"
"Ugh, I want to advise you to wear a hat when you're out."
Marie-Chez said with a sigh in her voice. Then she suddenly thrust her face close to Sigrid's. Sigrid was surprised and leaned back.
"Marie-Chez?"
"Why are you in a bad mood?"
"Huh?"
"You look like it."
At those words, Lowengrin said "Really?" and looked at Sigrid. Sigrid hesitated for a mont, unsure what to say, then sighed and said:
"Let's sit down first."
Lowengrin and Marie-Chez looked at each other, then sat down as she suggested. Sigrid asked:
"Would you like sothing to drink?"
"I'll leave it to you."
"Then three glasses of raspberry juice."
Sigrid said, turning to the servant. The servant bowed politely and withdrew. Sigrid sat down. Marie-Chez wagged her finger and said:
"Don't try to deceive my eyes. This feels like so kind of love problem."
At those words, Sigrid's mouth fell open.
"Ah, really?"
Marie-Chez grinned. After paying attention to social gossip for over a decade, she could tell just by looking at soone's expression whether what was happening was gossip-worthy or not.
Moreover, if it concerned soone she cared about, she beca even more sensitive. Lowengrin, amazed at Marie-Chez's ability, looked at Sigrid.
"Is there a problem with Beramund? Did sothing change when you went down to the territory together?"
"Is this the typical 'it was good when we were dating, but seeing each other every day made it not so great' story?"
At Marie-Chez's words, Sigrid shook her head vigorously.
"No, it's not that. Actually, I received a marriage proposal."
"A proposal?!"
Marie-Chez raised her voice in surprise, then put her hand on her chest and said softly:
"Goodness, when? Where? How?"
"Before we went down to the territory, it suddenly ca out while we were talking."
"Hmm—" Marie-Chez's eyes narrowed instantly.
"He at least got down on one knee, right?"
"That— wasn't the case."
"Oh, really now."
Marie-Chez sighed deeply, dramatically lanting where all the romance in the world had gone, then continued:
"So did you accept? You went down to the territory together, right? But you didn't say a word to us? No, don't tell
you want to break off the engagent?"
"No, that's not it."
"Mari, let's hear her out."
At Lowengrin's words, Marie-Chez went "Hmm" and nodded, raising her right hand as if giving permission.
"Alright, then continue."
Just then, the maid returned with the juice and placed a glass in front of each of them. After the maid left, Sigrid continued her story.
"I postponed my answer. As you know, I was too busy with territory matters, right? Besides, I had said before that I didn't intend to marry."
"Ah, you said you didn't want to have children."
Lowengrin nodded. Sigrid sighed and said, "Yes, that was an issue too."
"Wait, so you've been postponing your answer until now—"
"Ma~ri~"
"Alright. Go on."
Marie-Chez said, picking up her juice glass. The bright red juice was generously sweetened, making it both tangy and sweet.
"Oh my? This is delicious."
"Isn't it? Seria said it's a new recipe she made, and it's tasty."
"Yes. It's my first ti having raspberry juice, but it's delicious."
Marie-Chez nodded. Sigrid smiled and continued:
"So I postponed my answer, but he said he'd help, so we ended up going down to the territory together. I was really busy there.......... But, um. I learned that it might be okay to have children. I had said no because I need to continue being a knight, but Arkana said he could help. So—"
Sigrid lowered her voice.
"From here on is confidential. But I think I can trust you two with this."
The two nodded and leaned forward. Sigrid quietly told them about Awen's attempt to assassinate Beramund. Lowengrin was surprised, then nodded.
"I'm immune to that too. If the target was a noble, it's certainly an amateurish thod. It must have been His Highness acting alone."
Sigrid looked at Lowengrin in surprise, saying "You too, Lowengrin?" then turned to Marie-Chez, who shook her head and said:
"Not everyone builds immunity to poisons. It's really dangerous, so you need to work with a skilled doctor over a long ti, and consistently obtain poisons, right? It's a significant investnt both financially and ti-wise. It's too much for the third daughter of a count's family."
"I see......."
Sigrid nodded, learning sothing new, and continued:
"So, when Beramund fell ill, I said let's get married. I was originally going there to say that, but when I thought he might really die, I was so scared......."
Sigrid's voice trembled. She took a deep breath to compose herself and looked up.
"But nothing has happened between us since then."
"Nothing?"
Marie-Chez tilted her head. Sigrid fidgeted with her fingers and said:
"Well, he proposed, I said yes, and then what's supposed to happen next? This is my first ti being proposed to, so I have no idea how it's supposed to go. Is it normally this quiet? But, things like wedding preparations....... I don't know how to do any of that either."
Sigrid's voice grew softer.
"It does feel a bit strange to think about marriage. , getting married? Isn't it weird?"
"It's not weird at all. You love Beramund, don't you? You want to be together?"
Marie-Chez said in a cheerful voice. Sigrid looked at her and nodded. Marie-Chez thumped her chest and said:
"Leave it to ."
"Marie-Chez......."
"Don't worry. I'll help you. By the way, to think Sigrid is getting married before . Getting married!"
Marie-Chez sighed deeply and leaned against the sofa armrest.
"I guess this is what they an when they say it happens for those who are ant to be."
"Marie-Chez will et a good person soon too."
As Sigrid comforted her, Marie-Chez smiled brightly. It was a smile that hadn't lost an ounce of confidence.
"I think so too."
Lowengrin looked at the boastful Marie-Chez, then turned back to Sigrid and said:
"I'll help a bit too, so don't worry too much."
"Yes, thank you both."
Sigrid smiled broadly. Marie-Chez asked sothing else:
"So how was the territory? Was it okay?"
"Yes, things went much better than I expected."
Sigrid nodded. The three moved from talking about the territory to discussing the latest fashion in dresses, and from there to wedding dresses. After chatting like this, Marie-Chez and Lowengrin stood up.
"Well then, Siri, don't worry too much."
"Right."
Lowengrin nodded at Marie-Chez's words. Sigrid saw the two off. As soon as the carriage left Sigrid's mansion, Marie-Chez said to the driver's window:
"To Duke Lunatil's mansion!"
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She crossed her arms and legs, saying:
"What's wrong with his head?! There's still no ring?!"
"Well, maybe Duke Lunatil isn't sure about Sigrid's answer. She gave it when he was ill, after all."
"Then he should ask again!"
"He might be afraid of being rejected if he does."
"Oh, Lowi. You can't gain anything without risking getting hurt."
"True, but— you don't want to get hurt by the person you really like."
"Even so. If this situation continues, Siri will be the first to break down, you know?"
"That's why we're here."
Lowengrin smiled slightly.
"Right, Siri has us."
Marie-Chez smiled too. The carriage filled with the cheerful laughter of the two won.
Beramund swallowed hard as he saw the two won standing, not even sitting, in his house's reception room. He entered the room with a smile.
"Hello, ladies."
"It's not a good hello."
"Hello, Beramund."
Marie-Chez and Lowengrin greeted him in turn. Beramund offered them seats, saying:
"Why don't we sit down to talk?"
"This isn't the kind of conversation to have sitting elegantly."
Marie-Chez said, taking a step forward.
"Duke Beramund Lunatil. What exactly are you doing?"
"What do you an?"
"To Sigrid."
For a mont, Beramund was at a loss for words. He cleared his throat a few tis and said:
"If this is about the unromantic proposal—"
"Ah, of course that was terrible too. But we're not here to talk about that."
Marie-Chez waved her hand.
Lowengrin continued:
"It's not that, we're here to ask why you're not taking any action."
"......Pardon?"
"Sigrid said she'd marry you, but we hear you haven't done anything."
"What?"
"You haven't even prepared a ring yet~"
Marie-Chez said in a clearly sarcastic tone. Beramund felt his breath catch. Marie-Chez jabbed his chest and said:
"What are you doing, Beramund Lunatil? Where's that spirit you had when you broke the fan?"
"I—"
"You weren't sure, were you?"
Lowengrin smiled slightly, then put on a stern face and said:
"Sigrid and I haven't known each other for that long. But I know that she loses her courage, loses her reason, and becos strange only when it cos to you. She's flustered. You're an important person to her."
"I, I know that."
Beramund answered without thinking. Hadn't Sigrid told him clearly?
"Then what on earth are you waiting for?"
Marie-Chez stomped her feet like a rabbit. It would have been a laughable action for most, but it suited her perfectly.
"I'll move imdiately."
At Beramund's promise, Marie-Chez nodded.
"Good. Then we'll help too. By the way, that proposal, don't you want to do it again?"
At those words, Beramund smiled and nodded.
"I promise."
"Alright."
Marie-Chez nodded and looked at Lowengrin. Lowengrin shrugged and said:
"I have nothing more to say. We'll be going now."
"Let's go."
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