Am I Really Wanted by Anyone? - Chapter 4

All the maids and servants in the mansion were dressed in military uniforms to greet us. This was so they could join the battle at any time.

“Welcome back, Lady Ginette!”

“I’m home.”

As I entered the front door, I began walking with long strides despite wearing a dress, but no one reprimanded me for it.

“Lady Ginette, will you be departing immediately?”

“Yes. I’ll leave as soon as I change. Katie, are you ready?”

“Of course, my lady. I never thought the day would come when my lady in a dress would be loved at first sight.”

“…Please don’t say that.”

“Your face is turning red, it’s adorable, my lady.”

Maid Katie laughed teasingly as she entered the room and immediately began removing my dress.

Katie also discarded her maid uniform and adjusted the military uniform she wore beneath it. The other maids began putting away Katie’ s and my clothes.

Both of us wearing swords, we walked out to the courtyard. Katie, my personal maid, is a commoner, but she’s more skilled with a sword than most knights.

She’s excellent as a maid too, and I’m always grateful for her help.

“My lady, shall I investigate how the information about you wielding a great axe in the territory leaked out?”

“Yes. I’m sure Father must have mentioned it in the royal capital. He gets along well with the Duke, after all.”

When we reached the courtyard, we saw several servants and two small dragons.

“The riding preparations are complete whenever you’re ready.”

“Thank you. Then I’ll return to the territory. Everyone, please rest when you have the chance.”

“Thank you, my lady.”

The servants simultaneously stepped back and bowed.

I lowered my posture, patted the waiting dragon, and mounted the saddle. The dragon then slowly began to ascend.

Katie’s dragon also rose into the sky, following behind mine.

This feeling of taking off is what I love most about dragon riding.

I wonder if Lord Leo will be able to ride a dragon.

I need to think about what comes after returning to the territory, but every time I recall what just happened, happiness and embarrassment well up inside me, and I struggle to control my emotions.

There are things that concern me, but Lord Leo said it was love at first sight.

I was surprised by the sudden proposal, but I was happy.

And in front of everyone.

I thought such things only happened in books.

Is this something that happens often to other young ladies?

If he decides to marry me…

What should I do!?

Should I call him “my husband”?

We’ll work together as a couple to defeat magical beasts.

I’m happy.

Maybe my dream is coming true.

But he might come to dislike me after seeing my strong side.

After all, several sons approached me during my student days, but they all disappeared after seeing how I am in the territory.

…What if this time, he also becomes disillusioned with how I am?

He went to the trouble of falling for me.

I’m sure it will be fine.

I have no choice but to trust him.

With my expression changing repeatedly, I returned to the territory alone.

“Lady Ginette! Welcome back!”

The villagers waved and called out to me when they spotted me.

As usual, I landed in the courtyard and returned to the mansion. The Bergier territory is an eastern borderland surrounded by forests.

Unlike the buildings in the royal capital, the mansion is a sturdy stone structure surrounded by high walls that have never once allowed magical beasts to enter.

“Lady Ginette, welcome back. How was your first visit to the royal capital in so long?”

“I’m home. The royal capital hadn’t changed much. Is Father in his office?”

“Lord Joseph is currently working.”

“I see.”

The butler Port, who had the appearance of an elderly gentleman with white hair and a beard, followed behind me with a cheerful expression.

After knocking, I entered my father’s office.

“Father, Ginette has returned.”

“Ginette, welcome back. How was the royal capital after so long?”

My slender, red-haired father stopped holding his documents and asked with a smile.

Though he usually appears like a demon of war when hunting magical beasts, seeing him like this again, I realize Father is quite handsome too.

It’s only because of what happened with Lord Leo that I’ve started noticing my father’s appearance.

“There wasn’t anything particularly different. Lady Marise’s potential fiancé seemed nice too.”

I hesitated for a moment before continuing the story. What should I say to Father?

“Ginette, what’s wrong? Did something troubling happen?”

“…No, well, if you could say a problem occurred, then one did occur.”

When I said that, Father’s face instantly transformed into the terrifying expression he wears when slaughtering magical beasts.

“What happened?”

“No, well, um…”

“What is it? Was it such a major incident that you’re hesitating to speak?”

I felt too embarrassed to report that I’d been confessed to by my own parent, and the words wouldn’t come out.

“Forgive my interruption! I apologize for speaking out of turn!”

Katie stepped forward, bowed, and waited for Father’s instructions.

“Katie, what’s wrong? What happened to Ginette?”

“I believe the reason Lady Ginette is hesitating relates to what happened when she attended Lady Marise’s tea party. Lord Leo Barbet, the Count’s son, suddenly proposed to Lady Ginette during the tea party.”

“A p-proposal, you say!?”

Far from getting angry, Father’s eyebrows relaxed and he smiled happily.

After explaining, Katie immediately stepped back.