Chapter 81

I set down my teacup and spoke calmly.

“Yes. I am well aware of that.”

“You knew?”

There was no way I could have missed it, considering how overtly he used to furrow his brow at the sight of me. After a moment of deliberation, Count Montana continued.

“The world was in an uproar over the sudden engagement. I was curious to know who you were. Since His Grace had permitted it, I assumed you must be an extraordinary young lady. However, I could not help but be shocked to learn that you were the very person who had caused the Young Master’s condition. Furthermore, a member of House Clies, with whom we had no exchange…. You were not even a vassal, but merely one of many baronial houses. It was absurd.”

Count Montana pressed a hand to his forehead, remarking that his head still throbbed just thinking about that time. I listened to his words with composure. From his perspective, the Duke’s intentions must have been difficult to fathom. Honestly, it was hard for me to understand at the time as well. I could sympathize; I would have felt the same in his position.

That was precisely why I had felt such responsibility and guilt. I poured everything into restoring Evan’s health, intending to let him go once he was well. I felt small standing beside him, believed I lacked the qualification, and viewed myself as a sinner.

“I could not understand His Grace’s intention in entrusting a massive merchant guild to such a young lady, wondering what a mere child could possibly achieve. I thought the Young Master was simply keeping a girl he liked close to him.”

At the time, I was nothing more than a child under ten who barely knew the ways of the world.

“It was unpleasant to see you boldly roaming the Weiss Ducal Manor as if it were your own home.”

Though he criticized me in a cynical tone, it actually made me feel more at ease. I acknowledged his points, and seeing Count Montana speak so candidly, I could roughly anticipate what would follow.

“I understand.”

When I smiled brightly, Count Montana fell silent for a moment before clearing his throat. He looked slightly sheepish.

“But I was wrong. You were brilliant and quick-witted enough to bear the name Weiss. It was as if I were looking at my elder sister in her youth. I know well that leading a guild is no easy feat, regardless of the help one receives. And what struck me most was what you did next.”

“I merely did my best with what I could do.”

“In the end, it was you who achieved those feats. What I truly wish to say is… thank you for creating the Young Master’s antidote.”

Count Montana let out a sigh of relief, picked up his hot teacup, and drained it in one gulp. Looking back, even his hostility had been rooted in his loyalty to the Ducal House.

“The Count deserves credit as well.”

It was his ability that had soothed the anxious vassals and kept them focused when the succession was uncertain.

“……”

“Don’t you think we could be excellent supporters for one another?”

If my position as the future Duchess was a settled matter, our paths would cross often. He let out a short laugh at my words.

“You are quite bold. My sister is never wrong.”

Having finished his piece, Count Montana suddenly stood up. I had to tilt my head back to look up at him.

“I shall support you.”

Those were the words that mattered most.

“Your handling of the situation was also excellent.”

“Pardon?”

“I am speaking of the tea party hosted by Her Majesty. Had you ignored it, rumors would have spread that you were arrogant or acting out based on the Duke’s status. I trust you will handle the tasks entrusted to you well. If you perform brilliantly, the number of people who recognize you—not just among the vassals, but among other nobles—will only grow.”

Just then, the door burst open.

“Didn’t I tell you? Our little one would do just fine. And it doesn’t matter whether the number of people who recognize her increases or not.”

“Sister?!”

Count Montana jumped to his feet. I turned my head. There stood the Duchess, wearing a form-fitting dress and a captivating smile.

“M-Mother?”

“Dear. You needn’t pay any mind to the words of this fellow who hasn’t an ounce of flexibility.”

The Duchess lightly dismissed Count Montana and approached me, scanning me from head to toe.

“Tsk. This dress isn’t doing our daughter-in-law’s charms any justice.”

My goodness, she sounded exactly like Evan. He clearly took after the Duchess in this regard.

“If you had told us you were coming, I would have come out to meet you.”

“The banquet ended early, so I thought I’d stop by, especially since I heard our daughter-in-law was attending. Well? Did you enjoy the ball?”

“Yes. Everyone welcomed me so kindly, so it was wonderful.”

“I’m glad to hear it. Since he and Evan are waiting, let’s head back to the hall together if your talk is finished.”

I nodded. It felt as though the conversation had ended quite abruptly, but everything that needed to be said had been said, and the Duchess’s manner was firm. Count Montana, seemingly used to this, simply nodded in agreement.

When I stepped out, the Duke and Evan were standing together.

“Lep, did the talk go well? Nothing happened, right?”

I stole a glance at Count Montana.

“Yes. He gave me his support.”

Then, a hand was placed on my head. It was Duke Weiss.

“He may seem inflexible, but he is a man who acknowledges what needs acknowledging.”

“Yes, I see that now.”

“It seems the Imperial family is trying various schemes with you, but do as you please. As you know, the Ducal House does not need to bow to anyone. My son’s nagging is also getting quite loud.”

It wasn’t much different from what Evan had told me. I couldn’t tell if the entire Ducal family was just like this, or if Evan had given the Duke a tip.

“Evan, did you tell His Grace?”

“No?”

“More importantly, don’t you have something to do? You must drive the stake in firmly, son.”

“I haven’t received permission yet.”

Permission for what?

“Before that, Lep and I have something to do. Let’s dance. Everyone is waiting.”

Evan reached out his hand to me. As he said, everyone was watching us, waiting for Evan and me to have the first dance. The Duke and Duchess also stepped aside and watched quietly. I gently took the hand Evan offered. Did this mean everyone had finally accepted me?

“You don’t have to worry about me collapsing today. Let’s dance the dance we couldn’t dance all this time. And let’s keep dancing together.”

His words about continuing to dance as partners meant that we should enter every ball as husband and wife from now on. Evan and I walked to the center of the room, not blinking an eye under the intense scrutiny of the nobles. As the sweet music began to flow, the surrounding gazes vanished, as if only Evan and I remained.

Evan spoke to me with a trace of apology.

“This was the fastest way to get the vassals to recognize you. I wanted us to be tied together as a pair as soon as possible.”

“Yes, it’s fine. Actually, I wanted that too. Do you know why I wanted to attend the banquet?”

“…?”

“To chase away the vixens clinging to you.”

At that, Evan’s eyes sparkled. It was the look of a child who had finally obtained something they desperately wanted, and I couldn’t help but laugh. After the long dance ended, Evan and I bowed to each other. A storm of applause erupted around us.

I tried to let go of his hand since the dance was over, but Evan gripped it tightly and made a declaration with a determined face.

“Lepina Clies is my partner and will be my eternal companion. Anyone who disrespects her will be considered to be insulting me and judged as my enemy.”

“E-Evan!!”

“That is only natural. Isn’t that right, dear?”

“The engagement has lasted since childhood. Who else could there be?”

With the Ducal couple adding their support, the other nobles could not raise any objections. Evan smiled brightly, seemingly ignoring how flustered I was.

Then came a small kiss. His red lips brushed just past the corner of my mouth. My face felt like it was exploding like a volcano. I heard sounds of congratulations from all around.

‘Congratulations for what?!’

“It’s too early for a real kiss, so I’ll wait until you’re an adult.”

Evan whispered into my ear, touching a finger to his own lips with a coaxing tone. I wanted to scrub my ears in embarrassment. I was so stunned and busy hiding my reddening face that I didn’t have much memory of what happened afterward.

***

“Welcome, Guild Master. Have you come to see the items you requested?”

I had already contacted Eldan to ask for specific seeds. These weren’t ordinary seeds; they were brought over from the Zeiran Empire. The Zeiran Empire suffered from a water shortage even more severe than the Delta territory. While it wasn’t a drought per se, the terrain was desert, making it difficult to obtain water from the land.

Furthermore, rain was scarce and the sun was scorching. It was a place fundamentally disconnected from water. Yet, like any other country, they needed food. In the water-starved Zeiran Empire, there was a useful plant that grew well. These seeds, said to have been created by a famous alchemist, were somewhat difficult to manage but more than sufficient as a food source. If you think about it, even potatoes are poisonous when they sprout, but people eat them just fine.

As I wore a greedy smile and stroked the seeds as if they were a sacred treasure, Fran, who was standing beside me, seemed curious.

“My Lady, what are those round things?”

“Hmm? These are seeds. I’ll protect these seeds just as well as I protect myself. They are the ones who will make me money and the key to solving the drought.”

I showed them to him in detail.

“The Young Lord is going too, but am I… am I coming along?”

“You were the one shouting that you’re my guard and have to follow me everywhere. We’re going far, so of course you’re coming. The Delta territory is dangerous. What if Evan gets hurt?”

“…I don’t think that’s likely to happen.”

Fran tilted his head, and Eldan gave an incredulous smile. I told them they didn’t know what they were talking about.