I Got My Engagement Annulled… Even Though We Were Never Engaged - Chapter 16

Father’s gathering had settled down, and all that remained was to wait for nightfall.

We had also managed to defeat the mandrake by trapping it in a sound-sealing barrier, so we obtained the materials without much difficulty. I also got a small magic stone, which I decided would be a souvenir for Mother.

I set up a simple tent in an open area near the river and, just to be safe, placed a barrier around it.

After having a meal of the bread, I brought and the fish Lord Fevan caught from the river, he and I took a break while watching the sky gradually grow darker with twilight.

Incidentally, before our break, after I transported the materials to the mansion’s entrance, Father started gathering materials again nearby, claiming his leather bag had more space.

“By the way, Lord Fevan, how long do you plan to stay at our house?”

It had already been about two weeks. As the eldest son of the Marquis Levesius family, he couldn’t possibly be idling around here forever. He must have social engagements and work to attend to.

“I took about three weeks off, so I still have one more week.”

“Through the Crown Prince’s authority?”

“Yes. I serve His Highness directly.”

In other words, he was the Crown Prince’s close aide. Was it really acceptable for a returnee from studying abroad to take such a long break so soon?

…Well, I suppose His Highness must want to deal with that rumor quickly, but still.

Even if his father is the Prime Minister, if he’s too free with his time, people will start to talk.

I felt a little worried, but if I said anything, he might tell me to just get engaged already, so I kept quiet.

…Still, I wonder when he’ll give up?

Our start was the worst, but I don’t dislike Lord Fevan. I don’t know him well enough to say whether I like or dislike him, but I think he’s sincere and kind. Though he can be clueless, he has a kindness that makes him willing to take the blame to protect the person he’s courting from criticism. Well, I don’t really understand why that led to him saying “I like men,” though.

If he were from an earl’s family or lower instead of the Prime Minister’s house, I might have accepted his proposal.

I have no confidence in my appearance whatsoever, but I do have magical talent and the status of a count’s daughter. If he weren’t from a great noble family, I would have considered myself lucky to have a suitor and married him without hesitation.

But I’m not cut out to marry into the Levesius Marquis family.

Precisely because Lord Fevan is such a good person, I wanted him to give up on me quickly and leave. Before I became attracted to him.

“Are you cold?”

While I was staring blankly at the sky, something warm and soft was draped over my shoulders. It was Lord Fevan’s coat.

Startled, I turned my gaze to him to find him smiling gently.

“Thank you. But aren’t you cold, Lord Fevan?”

“I run hot, so don’t worry about me. It would be terrible if our adorable Adeline caught a cold.”

“Not that again.”

Lord Fevan is the only person outside my family who calls me adorable.

From Lord Fevan’s perspective, I must be like a cat of a different color. Just because I’m a little different from ordinary young ladies… he’s only interested because I’m unusual, and he’ll surely get bored eventually. So, I shouldn’t accept his kindness straightforwardly. I mustn’t misunderstand. I know this, but when he’s kind to me, I start to feel like I might misunderstand.

“Hey, Adeline. I’m not saying we should get married right away or anything like that. Even about the engagement, while I’d like you to consider it with that possibility in mind, you don’t have to take it so seriously. Why not be more relaxed? Let’s see, how about you try dating me on a trial basis? Would that be no good either?”

“That’s…”

“Do you dislike me so much that you won’t even try?”

“It’s not that, but…”

“I want you to date me first and get to know me better. Is that no good?”

“Um…”

Did Mother put some unnecessary ideas in his head before we left? Today he’s being more persistent than usual.

Marriages among nobles are primarily political. It’s not that there are no couples who marry for love, but they’re in the minority.

Since Father and Mother apparently married for love, they’re in the minority, and because they’ve always gotten along well, I used to dream of that kind of marriage when I was little.

But now that I know reality, I have no intention of being that selfish.

What I’m trying to say is that in noble society where political marriages are the norm, men who suggest “trial dating” are rare.

If he said he wanted to date for fun, that would be a common story, but to suggest trial dating with marriage in mind… am I the only one who feels like I’m being asked to fall in love?

As I fell silent, Lord Fevan stroked my cheek. He seems to like stroking my cheek. I feel like he touches me quite often.

“I didn’t think it was that difficult a proposal.”

It might not be for Lord Fevan, but for me it was difficult enough.

…Because what if I try dating him and end up falling for Lord Fevan?

If the trial period ends like that and Lord Fevan decides he doesn’t want someone like me after all, what am I supposed to do?

“May I have some time to think before answering?”

“Sure, that’s fine. Though I should mention I have no intention of giving up.”

Lord Fevan said this while looking up at the now completely dark sky.

“The moon is out. It should be about time, right? …Speaking of which, where did your father go?”

I snapped to attention, let my gaze sweep around the area, then slumped my shoulders in disappointment.

“I think he probably got so absorbed in gathering materials that he wandered away from here.”

Resolving to have Mother scold him when we returned, I activated a search spell to look for Father.