Apparently, I’m a Poisonous Woman Who Sells One-Night Dreams, but I Ended Up Awakening a Hero’s Devoted Love - Chapter 2.6

Princess Melfi’s marriage. She definitely said it, that’s what I heard, Mariadoll thought as she tightened the grip of her clenched fingertips.

(The rumors about me being a poisonous woman have died down, but the balance between me and the hero Lord Jerf is far too uneven. No, even before that, the nearly-ruined Zealand baronetcy and the Stanley dukedom are far too different in lineage and status.)

Since both Mariadoll and Jerf had no parents, there was no one to object to their marriage, but by common sense, it was an impossible match.

In contrast, the combination of the head of the three great ducal houses, Stanley, and Her Highness the Princess was truly fitting.

“…S-so, does that mean… Lord Jerf is going to marry Princess Melfi?”

To have been summoned here just to be told to step aside, forced to see the two of them together, and then persuaded by His Highness Frederic—someone she absolutely couldn’t refute—was far too cruel.

But if it was for Jerf’s sake… As Mariadoll endured with tear-filled, reddened eyes, what she saw reflected in them were the three of them looking utterly bewildered.

“No. That’s not it, but…”

Wondering if his wording had been poor, Frederic shook his head awkwardly, while Melfi waved her hands in front of her chest as if to say “how absurd!” and gave Frederic a light tap on the shoulder.

“Brother, your wording is far too misleading. Goodness, Miss Mariadoll looks like she’s about to cry any moment now. Here, please use this.”

When Melfi offered her a handkerchief, Mariadoll hurriedly tried to refuse, but it was forced upon her anyway. On top of that, being told “Please keep it” left her no room to refuse, so she dabbed her eyes with it. Beside her, Jerf had covered his face with one hand, his shoulders shaking.

She thought she might have heard him murmur “Adorable” in a faint voice, but Mariadoll was in no state to dwell on that.

“Ah, um. It seems I misunderstood, my apologies.”

“No, no, the fault is mine. Jerf, that’s enough getting lost in sentiment, lift your head.”

At the exasperated voice, Jerf gave a light cough and showed his usual carefree expression, but all three noticed his ears were slightly red. They just didn’t mention it. Incidentally, the corners of his mouth were also slightly relaxed.

“Let’s return to the matter at hand. Actually, a marriage proposal has come up for Melfi with Crown Prince Leonidas of the neighboring country, Cortaus.”

“With the Kingdom of Cortaus!?”

It was no wonder Mariadoll was shocked.

Until just three years ago, they had been at war with Cortaus, and since then, they had maintained a certain distance in their interactions.

However, it was decided that neighboring countries couldn’t remain in conflict forever, so full-scale reconciliation and diplomatic relations were established between the two nations.

Thanks to that, Aiden’s Peterson Trading Company was able to come to Dunbargas, but it seemed national friendship wasn’t the only thing the countries had in mind.

The most straightforward method for countries that had been at odds to join hands and build friendly relations was marriage between royalty. Since His Majesty the King of Cortaus had only one child, Crown Prince Leonidas, Princess Melfi was chosen.

With Princess Melfi being twenty and Crown Prince Leonidas eighteen—a two-year age difference—the marriage talks were progressing smoothly.

Relieved that her worries had been for nothing, Mariadoll listened to the explanation, but from the middle, she began stealing glances at Melfi’s expression. Though this marriage proposal must have been unexpected for her as well, she carried herself with such poise, fitting of royalty, that it was painful to watch.

(Even though she’s the same age as me, she’s marrying into a former enemy country for the sake of the nation. She must be terribly anxious inside.)

Despite that, she remained dignified and even showed kindness by offering a handkerchief to Mariadoll, who had teared up over a misunderstanding. Thinking of this made Mariadoll feel childish and ashamed of her own actions.

(Since I’m to become the Duchess of Stanley, I must behave appropriately—not to the extent of Princess Melfi, but still in a manner befitting my station.)

Mariadoll straightened her posture sharply, but the next part of the conversation left her speechless once more.

“And so, in one week, Melfi will go to Cortaus for a formal meeting. We’ve asked Jerf to accompany her as one of her knight escorts.”

“Lord Jerf?”

“Yes. To further strengthen ties between the two nations, a meeting is also planned between Jerf and His Highness Prince Dennis, who commanded the military in Cortaus.”

Mariadoll thought, “Then why not invite him openly as Duke Jerf Stanley, rather than as a knight escort?” But then Frederic explained the finer details.

“The main event this time is the engagement between Crown Prince Leonidas and Melfi. The meeting between Prince Dennis and Jerf is more of a performance to emphasize that. Since there are still nobles in Cortaus who hold a grudge against Jerf as the ‘Hero of Dunbargas,’ we decided it would be best for him to accompany her under the guise of a knight escort, with the meeting being treated as merely incidental.”

Though Dennis held the status of a prince, he had commanded the military on the front lines. Even though they lost the war, had it not been for him, Cortaus’s losses would have been far greater, and he still enjoys strong support from the people. A meeting between such a figure and Jerf would indeed be a major step forward for both nations.

Mariadoll understood that, but a different kind of unease rose in her chest.

(Since Aiden called Lord Jerf the ‘Demon Star,’ the resentment of the Cortaus people toward him must run deep. Perhaps more than Princess Melfi, who was only seventeen during the war, Lord Jerf might be the target of malicious looks and words.)

Worried about whether Jerf would be all right in such hostile territory, Mariadoll fell silent, her face pale. Jerf laid his hand over hers.

“Don’t worry about me. It’s not like I’ll actually be stabbed or have swords drawn on me, so I’ll be fine. Besides, I hear the stay will only be about a month, so I’ll be back in time for the wedding.”

“That may be so, but…”

Even so, his heart would be wounded. Jerf appeared carefree and handled everything with ease, so those around him didn’t notice, but he was sensitive on the inside. Mariadoll knew that Jerf suffered and regretted the decisions he made in the previous war more than anyone.

That’s why she couldn’t let him go to Cortaus alone.

“Um, I know this is presumptuous of me, but I have a request. Could I also go to Cortaus with Lord Jerf?”

“Mariadoll!? There’s no need for you to do such a thing!”

“But you’re essentially entering a former enemy nation. There may be no physical harm, but the days will be filled with tension. I may not be of much use even if I go along, but I can at least be someone to talk to for a distraction.”

Her light blue eyes, looking straight at Jerf, revealed a strong will. Jerf hesitated, wondering how he could persuade her, but before he could find an answer, Frederic laughed aloud.

“Haha, a distraction? For Jerf, you’d be an oasis, heaven, a goddess—”

“Your Highness Frederic! That’s going too far, no matter how you look at it!”

Jerf unintentionally cut him off, and this time Melfi hid her mouth behind her fan, her shoulders shaking.

“So, the rumors that the ‘Demon Drill Sergeant’ dotes on his fiancée were true after all. Then, Mariadoll, would you be my lady-in-waiting while we’re in Cortaus?”

“Me, as a lady-in-waiting?”

“Yes. Can you make tea?”

“Of course. Since I don’t have a personal maid, I handle all my own affairs normally. I can serve tea, do simple cooking, sewing, and laundry as well.”

“That’s reassuring. There are some words with different pronunciations from here, but how are you with that?”

“My parents ran a trading company while they were alive. We frequently did business with Cortaus, so it shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Then it’s settled. Brother, Lord Jerf, do either of you have any objections?”

In response to Melfi’s question, Frederic shook his head, saying “Not at all,” and Jerf nodded, saying “If both of you permit it, then…”

And so, Mariadoll’s trip to Cortaus was decided just like that. One week later, the two of them set sail for Cortaus.