Am I Really Wanted by Anyone? - Chapter 3

We sat facing each other once again, elegantly sipping our tea.

“Hehe. This seems like it’s going to be interesting.”

“Oh, Lady Marise! You’re definitely teasing me, aren’t you?! I was so surprised. I came here today to report the investigation results about your fiancé, after all.”

“My, I enjoyed it. It’s been a while since I’ve seen Lady Ginette so flustered.”

“Oh, Lady Marise, you’re so mean. Anyway, I’ve compiled the documents.”

As she said that, her maid Katie, who had been waiting behind her, presented the documents.

“What’s this?”

“The investigation results regarding your fiancé, Lord Eric Chardor.”

“You’re as quick as ever with your work. I’m impressed by the thoroughness of the activity report.”

“Hehe. It’s my specialty, after all.”

“That’s true.”

“I wouldn’t be able to handle magical beasts otherwise.”

“But that alone isn’t enough to become an heir. Though you seem to be keeping it secret from us, I’ve heard that Lady Ginette wields a great axe with monstrous strength that puts knights to shame?”

“I tried to hide it so it wouldn’t be discovered. As expected, the power of a ducal house shouldn’t be underestimated.”

Lady Marise continued our pleasant conversation while reading through the report. It seemed she was pleased with it.

“If Lady Ginette recommends him this much, perhaps I should just marry him as is.”

“Lady Marise, I’m sure you’ll be happier than anyone.”

“I’m glad to hear you say that. What about you, Lady Ginette? Are things going well with Lord Leo?”

Lady Marise must have been somewhat worried. She asked about me with a relieved smile.

“…Well, I’ve only just met him, so I can’t really say yet. I still have some concerns about his words and actions here and there. My father would probably be delighted to have a son-in-law, though.”

“My, I can imagine. But isn’t it wonderful? He has a handsome face. I thought we were both destined to remain single our entire lives.”

“But unlike me, Lady Marise has many suitors.”

“That’s not true. My parents are very strict.”

Saying that, Lady Marise let out a light laugh.

In my family’s case, we need a son-in-law who can survive, but in Lady Marise’s case, they must find someone suitable for the leading ducal house. Above all, her parents’ doting is famous, and very few people meet their standards.

While many people desire her beauty, the reality might be that they can’t voice their intentions.

“How are things moving in the royal capital lately?”

“There haven’t been any major movements. Oh, but there has been one development.”

“A development?”

“I suppose you could call it ‘the matter of the Clementine family’s adopted daughter.'”

“The Clementine family’s adopted daughter? What about that baronial house?”

There are many baronial houses, but the Clementine family didn’t seem particularly notable to me. They have territory a bit away from the royal capital and didn’t strike me as particularly wealthy.

She smiled meaningfully.

…Ah, it must be some scandalous story.

“Did the baronial house do something? Given that it’s you, Lady Marise, I suspect the royal family might be involved somehow.”

“Hehe. Actually, it seems the Clementine family recently made contact with the royal family. The young lady who became their adopted daughter is apparently making her debut this year.”

“…If I recall correctly, the newly listed adopted daughter in the noble registry was named Mira, right? She’s two years younger than us, sixteen, I believe?”

When I said that, Lady Marise nodded slightly.

“What about her?”

“It seems Miss Mira has the royal family’s eyes. Since the lady of the house has already passed away, we don’t know the circumstances of Miss Mira’s birth.”

Lady Marise showed me an unreserved, beaming smile. This situation certainly invites various speculations.

“I wonder why they’re making contact with the royal family now. Is it because of her debut?”

“That must be it. I don’t know much about her either, but something seems likely to happen. I’m looking forward to it.”

Lady Marise spoke amusingly about how it seemed likely to cause some commotion. I, on the other hand, felt slightly uneasy.

I just hope the actions of one baronial young lady don’t involve many nobles and create ripples.

“If it’s a royal debutante, that would be in six months, right?”

“That’s correct. The ball held after the palace-hosted event. I wonder if Miss Mira will be called the third princess.”

“Impossible. It’s hard to imagine they would officially recognize her as His Majesty’s illegitimate child. The queen probably wouldn’t allow it.”

“Indeed. The current royal family already has five children from the queen and the consort, so what difference would it make for a baronial young lady to join the royal family now?”

“I’d like to meet this young lady and see what she’s like.”

While I feel uneasy considering the impact she might have on the nobility, my curiosity wins out. At my words, Lady Marise smiled back.

“Yes, I’m looking forward to the ball in six months. I think Lady Ginette will attend with Lord Leo too, so it works out perfectly.”

“Setting aside my situation, I’ll come out from my territory to see you and Lord Eric looking so affectionate together.”

“Are you planning to return to your territory now, Lady Ginette? Or will you stay at your townhouse for a few more days?”

“I’ll be returning to my territory after this. With Lord Leo’s situation and everything, I can’t leave the territory unattended for too long. I’ll take the dragon express back.”

“The dragon express, huh. As expected of a border count’s family, you’re different.”

Lady Marise chuckled.

Indeed, I think I’m probably the only noble young lady who returns to her territory riding a dragon.

“Well, I should be going now.”

“Lady Ginette, thank you for today. See you in six months.”

After bowing to Lady Marise, I returned to my residence in the royal capital.

The residence where I stay in the royal capital is located in the suburbs, away from the palace and the townhouses where nobles live.

The reason is that the garden contains small dragons and magical beasts to avoid causing trouble for nearby residents.

While our family constantly battles magical beasts, that’s not our only work.

Though the palace has an order called the Magical Beast Knights, most of the magical beasts they ride are raised in our territory. We breed magical beasts and deliver them to the state.

Since various magical beasts like dragons and hippogriffs awaiting delivery are in the garden, it’s no wonder our garden has a completely different atmosphere from other nobles’ gardens.

In our garden, which resembles a knights’ training ground, a cute little dragon is waiting for my return.

Lady Marise’s carriage took me to my front door. After thanking them, I entered the residence.