And Thus… It All Comes to an End - Chapter 40

Anne is becoming Lady Emilia’s daughter?

I was just soaking in how moving that was when Lady Luciana dropped an absolute bombshell.

“That’s wonderful, Anne. Now there is no longer a status gap between you and the person you love.”

…Wait, Anne has someone she loves?

I instinctively looked around the room. No, no, no, they couldn’t possibly be in this room—surely it’s not Lord Julius?

Don’t panic; that’s definitely not it.

Then, was it someone back from when we were at the Royal Palace?

Kh! I knew it. Maybe I should have stayed by her side as an attendant or something after all. I never sensed a trace of a long-distance lover from Anne since she returned from the Capital.

“Shall we proceed then, Marcel?”

“Huh? Ah, yes! Right, let’s move on. First, Her Majesty will speak regarding the various official appointments.”

Hiding my agitation, I managed to keep the meeting going without letting my voice tremble.

Next was Lord Julius.

Everyone watched with expectant eyes. The gaze of the entire room was focused on him. Yesterday, the Grand Duke gathered everyone and privately informed us that Lady Luciana desired Julius as her Prince Consort.

While everyone else had a look of “I figured as much,” the Grand Duke was the only one shocked, shouting, “You all knew?!” When it comes to his granddaughter, his intuition is… well, let’s just say it’s a bit dull.

Though they both try to hide it, anyone can see they care for each other. I had assumed Lady Luciana brought the brilliant Julius here to make him Prime Minister. But something felt off. I even tried to probe Julius to see if he had ambitions for the premiership, but I didn’t sense a shred of political greed in him.

I finally realized: they both just want to be together.

It’s a mystery why they seem to be the only ones who don’t realize it. Well, Lady Luciana has been indifferent to things like “romance” and “love” since she was a child, so I suppose it can’t be helped.

That’s exactly why I’m so expectant.

Will I get to see the great Lady Luciana blushing while she says, “Be my Consort”? How will Julius accept? Will he fall to one knee, express his joy, and counter with a formal proposal?

“Prime Minister or Prince Consort. I want you to choose one.”

“Prime Minister, or Consort…”

Hm? Why is Lord Julius looking at me?

“Lady Luciana—no, my King. Which do you desire?”

“The Prince Consort.”

“Understood. Then I accept the position of Prince Consort.”

“Thank you. Now, regarding Marcel’s position…”

Wait? Uh… what? Is that it?

What is with this business-like atmosphere? Even Lord Gareth looks flustered. A wave of bewilderment ripples through the room.

Seeing everyone’s pleading eyes, the Grand Duke makes a suggestion.

“Ah, yes… Luciana, how about we take a short break?”

Lady Luciana looks at me as if to say, Is it okay to delay your appointment? but I don’t care. Since Lord Rutherford and Lord Julius have both declined, I suppose I’m the Prime Minister now. My eyes narrow instinctively. Prime Minister at my age… Ugh, I hate it. My heart is heavy. I want a break too.

“You’re right. Let’s take a recess.”

“Oh, that’s right, Julius. Why don’t you take a walk with the King while we rest?” Gareth suggests.

Ah, that’s a good idea. I want to believe they were only being so business-like because we were watching and they were shy.

As the two of them leave the room, the rest of us sink into our chairs with a collective sigh.

“Um… shall I brew some tea for everyone?” Anne asks modestly.

“No, that’s alright. Instead, Marcel, you go take a walk with Anne. The courtyard is surely ‘reserved,’ so pick somewhere else.”

—Huh? Why so sudden?

“Why? I’ll wait here with everyone for the two of them to return.”

“Just go, already!”

“Y-yes, Ma’am!”

And so, we were kicked out of the room as well. I wonder if the ones remaining are planning some secret conference. Well, whatever.

“Right then, Anne. Let’s go get some fresh air.”

“Yes, the balcony would be nice.”

As we walk down the corridor, I ask her softly.

“You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to, but who is the person you love? Everyone else seemed to know, but is it someone I know?”

I feel a little lonely that she didn’t come to me for advice. My heart aches seeing Anne’s face turn bright red.

“Eh! That is, um, well…”

“Ah, it’s fine. I won’t force you to tell me.”

“…Okay.”

So there really is someone. I feel like I’m going to cry. Should I just tell her how I feel and prepare for the worst? No, that would make things awkward for our future work.

But she surely thinks of me like a brother. Perhaps it’s okay to tell her, at least in the sense of “affection.”

We step out onto the balcony overlooking the gardens.

“Anne… I’ll likely end up as the Prime Minister.”

“I suppose so,” Anne says with a sympathetic smile.

“I’ll be busy. Even more than now, the time I get to see you will decrease. It’s a shame.”

“Hehe, I am Lady Luciana’s maid, after all. As long as your opportunities to see her don’t decrease, you can see me every day.”

Ah, this flow of conversation has absolutely zero romantic prospects.

The light softly dyes the garden greenery. Leaning my elbows on the balcony railing, I look at the distant fountain and the manicured flowerbeds, letting out a quiet sigh.

“Sigh… I suppose I’ll have to live solely for the joy of drinking the tea you brew…”

“You’re exaggerating.”

Anne smiles, looking a little bashful. Watching her profile, I feel the quiet time flowing slowly. Suddenly, Anne looks at me as if she’s made up her mind.

“Lord Marcel. When you become Prime Minister… will you, um, marry someone for the benefit of the country?”

“Ah… if I can’t be with the one I love, anyone will do. If it’s for the country’s benefit, I suppose that’s fine.”

The words spill out, and my chest tightens slightly.

“You have someone you love?!” Anne asks, her face turning pale.

“Someone like that… someone you love… Um, Lord Marcel! I… I am to become the daughter of a Count’s house.”

“Y-yes, Lady Emilia is a Countess, after all.”

“I won’t go public with it, but I am an Apostle of the Goddess.”

“I know that, but why are you bringing this up so suddenly?”

“Would I not be of ‘benefit’ to the country?”

—A benefit?

“I—!”

“Ah—wait, wait! L-let’s just… let’s both take a deep breath.”

We both take a deep breath.

Anne, who is tilting her head in confusion, is quite adorable. Though I was the one who suggested it, the sight of the two of us deep-breathing… it must look quite strange to anyone watching.

But my head is starting to clear.

Ah, I see. That’s how it was. …What on earth have I been doing?

“Anne… the person I love always looks so happy when she eats sweets.”

“L-Lady Luciana often tells me that I look happy when I eat sweets, too.”

Anne’s voice is trembling, as if she’s about to cry.

“She’s a hard worker, you know? She can do anything. Even though she’s a woman, she can use a sword.”

“I can use one too! Lady Emilia even praised me, saying I was a hard worker. So—”

Seeing her so desperate makes my heart ache, and I instinctively reach out to pat her head.

“She is also very good at brewing tea. Drinking the tea she brews is my greatest joy in life.”

“I am good at brewing tea too. Just a moment ago, Lord Marcel, you said… Eh? Wait! Could it be me?”

The way she looks up at me with a surprised face is also quite lovely.

“Yes. It’s you, Anne. I’ve loved you for a long time.”

“Kh! Truly…?”

I guess I can’t tease Lady Luciana and Lord Julius anymore.

Surely everyone else had already realized. Is that why Lady Emilia suggested the walk?

“Ever since the days when you used to brew tea that was too bitter and strong, it’s always been you.”

“Uuugh, please don’t bring up the past!”

Anne’s cheeks turn a soft shade of red.

“I want us to make time to see each other, just the two of us not just when I’m coming to see Lady Luciana.”

Considering how busy I’m about to be, Anne is my only healing. I will make time to see her no matter what.

“Yes, of course.”

I feel a wave of relief seeing Anne’s happy face.

So, her “mother” is Lady Emilia? I’ll have to get her permission, but judging by her behavior earlier, she’ll likely grant us her blessing for an engagement quite readily. My lips curl up into a natural smile.

Looking out, the sun reflects off the garden fountain, creating golden ripples. A breeze flutters by, bringing the faint scent of garden flowers. In the pale light, the shadows of the trees sway gently.

It feels as though the Goddess is watching over us, quietly giving us her blessing.

THE END