Am I Really Wanted by Anyone? - Chapter 2

Today, the Duke of Mule’s family hosted a tea party as a gathering for young nobles to socialize. As a result, many people of similar ages had gathered.

I was also participating as the daughter of the Marquis of Bergier.

“Well then, everyone, farewell.”

“Lady Marise, farewell.”

“Thank you for today.”

Lady Marise was seeing off the guests as they left the duke’s garden one after another.

Perhaps I should blend into the crowd too.

I lined up at the end of the queue of people offering their farewells and waited for my turn. Lady Marise must definitely be amused by this.

When my turn came, I maintained a serious expression, fluttering my fan as I offered my greetings.

“Well then, Lady Marise, I shall write to you again. Farewell.”

“Oh, Lady Ginette. Were you waiting? There’s still something I wish to discuss.”

“Oh? I was just wondering if I could leave now.”

Lady Marise stopped me with a daring smile.

I knew it, nothing but bad premonitions!

As I deliberately and exaggeratedly fluttered my fan in response to Lady Marise’s smile, a voice called out to me from behind.

“Lady Ginette, please wait.”

The tea party had ended, and Lord Leo came running over.

“Hehe. Lord Leo, shall we move to the salon? Lady Ginette, you as well.”

Lady Marise began walking toward the duke’s guest salon with a smile on her face. Whenever Lady Marise wears that smile, nothing good ever comes of it.

She’s definitely enjoying this.

The duke’s salon is a place where diplomats visit and negotiations take place. Everything is of the highest caliber, as if to flaunt its dignity.

Lady Marise settled comfortably onto the couch sofa, I sat on the sofa to her right, and the son of Count Barbet sat across from us.

“Now then, Lord Leo Barbet. Thank you for providing such a topic of conversation at the tea party. Lady Ginette will be the center of attention for some time to come.”

Lady Marise laughed with a hint of sarcasm.

“…Lady Ginette, I apologize. I will take responsibility and formally propose an engagement to the House of Bergier.”

“Wha—?!”

So that really wasn’t just teasing after all.

I was at a loss for words, unsure how to respond.

“Your mysterious, moon-like beauty has completely captivated my heart.”

Saying this, he took my hand and drew his face close to mine.

“Lord Leo, Lady Ginette seems troubled.”

“Why is that?”

He looked puzzled. With his handsome face right in front of me and such straightforward words, my face turned bright red as I finally managed to speak.

“U-um, Lord Barbet’s son.”

“Please call me Leo.”

“Lord Leo…”

“Lady Ginette, what is it?”

“As you know, my family holds the title of Margrave. I am expected to inherit the household, but what are your thoughts on that matter?”

Yes, this is the reason I have no fiancé.

My family’s territory borders a deep forest, and we must always be prepared for attacks by magical beasts.

If you are not strong, you cannot survive.

No one volunteers to live in a territory where life and death are constant neighbors.

“I am currently a knight in the Third Knight Order. To be honest, I don’t know how well I could serve in the Margrave’s territory. But my feelings for you are second to none.”

“Lord Leo, Lady Ginette is the heir to the Margrave, despite having a younger brother. Do you understand what that means?”

Lady Marise spoke with an implied laugh, as if to say he understood nothing.

One could say that in the Margrave’s territory, the strongest individual becomes the successor.

This is because magical beasts roam freely in the forest within the territory. To subdue the magical beasts that appear, the lord must be strong.

The strong—those who can survive encounters with magical beasts—are chosen.

For this reason, when it comes to a partner for the Margrave’s heir, neither nobility nor commoner status matters. However, due to various negotiations with the kingdom, a noble partner is preferred.

“Ah, that’s no issue. Once your brother grows up, he will inherit, right? I want to get to know you better from now on.”

“…Is that so?”

His words made me uneasy.

It’s true that if something were to happen to me, my brother would inherit. But in his mind, the successor changing to my brother is just a trivial matter, isn’t it?

Hearing his words, I struggled to suppress the heaviness in my heart.

“Lady Ginette, what are your hobbies?”

“My hobbies? I enjoy embroidery and making sweets.”

“Wonderful.”

“Um, Lord Leo. Why me?”

“Actually, today I accepted this invitation to meet a friend after a long time. My friend had spoken highly of you, and I’ve been curious ever since.

The moment my friend and I took our seats, I spotted you across the room, chatting happily with Lady Marise. Seeing you talk with a smile was like a signal that a story was beginning. It felt as if a light had shone upon you.

I realized there was no one else for me but you. Once I thought that, my body moved on its own.”

His unwavering gaze held a certain intensity as he looked directly at me.

Hearing such straightforward feelings from the handsome Lord Leo made my heart leap pleasantly.

“I don’t know you well, and even if you say this suddenly, there’s also the matter of my household.”

“That’s true. For my part, I’d like to send notice of an engagement proposal to your family right away.”

“Understood. I don’t know how my father will judge the matter, but if you send the notice, we will give you a formal response.”

“I’ll be waiting for good news. Lady Ginette, I’d like to send you letters as well. Would that be alright?”

“Yes.”

With a smile, he bowed to Lady Marise and left the duke’s residence to send the engagement proposal to my family.