Am I Really Wanted by Anyone? - Chapter 35

— What Happened to Leo Barbet —

“Leo, at today’s tea party, Countess Caifard made some snide remarks to me.”

I stopped my paperwork, let out a sigh, and looked at Mira.

“And then, I got so scared I started crying. And then, the Countess…”

“…Sara. What exactly did the Countess say?”

“Huh? Well, she said, ‘One eats from the bottom tier of the cake stand first!’ And then she said things like, ‘It’s unthinkable to scrub your mouth with a napkin!’ and ‘Your cup holding is atrocious!’ But I’m trying my best too. It’s awful, isn’t it?”

I tapped my fingers on the desk—tap, tap—and slowly let out a breath as if expelling a heavy feeling.

“Mira, those are basic manners expected of a noble. You’ve been a noble for over three years now. It’s about time you learned the fundamentals.”

“But the Countess is just so mean!”

Mira’s eyes welled up with tears as she pleaded with me.

I used to find that look utterly charming and heartwarming but only during the first few months of our marriage.

As time went on and Sara showed no intention of learning proper etiquette, my passion gradually cooled.

Every time we attended a tea party or ball, other nobles would voice their complaints. The only reason no formal protests were made was because Lady Mira had the royal family backing her.

I never imagined it would get this bad.

Shortly after our marriage, my parents threw in the towel.

They simply told me to send Sara to the estate if anything happened, and then they returned to our lands.

Out of the corner of my eye, I glanced at Sara and thought of Lady Ginette.

I heard she’s now married and expecting her third child. Rumor has it that she and her husband are living happily together.

…If I hadn’t made the wrong choice back then, I would surely be the one by her side.

I felt a fierce jealousy toward Olga Saraphis.

How dare he, the son of a duke’s mistress, be so happy while I’m left miserable.

Damn it.

“Hey! Leo, are you even listening to me!?”

“Yeah, I’m listening. Mira, how about we visit my parents at their estate next time?”

“Really!? I’ve never left the royal capital before. I’m so happy we can go on a trip!”

“Yeah, that’s right. My parents will be glad to see Sara too.”

“Hehe. I’m looking forward to it♪”

“Yeah, me too.”

— What Happened to Ginette —

“Ginette, are you all right? Are you cold? Are you hungry?”

“Oh, Lord Olga, you worry too much. Lately, you’ve been buried in paperwork—if you don’t move your body once in a while, you’ll get rusty.”

“Is that all? Being rusty isn’t a problem. Today, Marilyn and I took down twenty ogres. You’re always my top priority, Ginette. For your sake, I’ll work as hard as I need to.”

“That makes me happy. But please don’t push yourself too hard. I couldn’t go on living if you were gone.”

“Yeah, same here. A world without Ginette wouldn’t be worth living in.”

Saying that, Olga gently embraced me.

!?

“He moved just now!?”

At my words, his eyes widened, and he placed a hand on my belly.

“It’s true. Ginette’s belly is moving—poke, poke. Kicking your belly that much is a sign of health. I’m looking forward to the future.”

Wrapped in Olga’s love, I felt a happiness greater than any I had ever known.

I am truly happy.

[The End]