The Story of a Modest Young Lady Who Formed a New Engagement the Day After Her Engagement Was Annulled - Chapter 18

The week in the March’s territory passed in the blink of an eye.

Though the capital city was impregnable and hadn’t been attacked by enemy nations for twenty years, some villages near the border had suffered devastating damage. With evacuated people petitioning to return to their hometowns, though progress was slow, they were apparently moving to fulfill their wishes. Additionally, they were beginning development of lands acquired from enemy nations, leaving the March short-handed.

They seemed to have their hands full recruiting workers from the royal capital for new development projects and seeking settlers. Although I was scheduled to join the Marquis’s household and had received rather strict education, I hadn’t been trained in postwar reconstruction.

When Lord Fels assumes the position of Margrave, I’ll need to prove myself worthy as the Margrave’s wife, but I’m somewhat anxious about whether I can properly manage. Since hiding my worries wouldn’t do any good, I honestly confessed to him, His Lordship the Margrave, and Her Ladyship, and they laughed and assured me I could learn at my own pace.

Though progress may be slow, nothing would make me happier than becoming worthy as Lord Fels’s partner. Having been picked up after my engagement was called off, I feel I must gradually repay this debt of gratitude—not just as a noble, but as a person—so I must do my best.

After completing our inspection of the March’s territory, we returned last night to the Narcissus family’s townhouse in the royal capital. When I headed to the dining room for breakfast this morning, my younger brother and mother were already seated.

Yesterday, after greeting my family and the household staff upon our return, I immediately retreated to my room and slipped into bed, so I hadn’t yet spoken about the March’s territory. My brother’s face clearly showed anticipation, while my mother watched him with a wry smile. As I headed to my seat, a maid pulled out my chair and I sat down.

“Sister, how was the March’s territory?”

Since my brother will need to revitalize the Narcissus County, he seemed interested in what kind of place the Lotus March was.

Considering my brother’s future, I thought it might be good to let him visit the March’s territory. I’ll ask Lord Fels about it next time I see him. They seemed to hit it off well when they first met, and since he likely wouldn’t mind teaching him various things, it might be just the right opportunity.

“Good morning. Well, though the scars of war remain, the people living in the territory aren’t pessimistic and are looking toward the present and future. Since both His Lordship and Her Ladyship are excellent, there probably isn’t much to worry about.”

The capital city was full of vitality. So much so that it was hard to believe they’d been at war for twenty years. The reason supplies and provisions never ran out in what was called a fierce battle zone was likely due to the March capital’s level of development and the Margrave family’s stockpiled food reserves. They definitely had more supplies than territories of similar size. When I wondered if it was appropriate to show such information to someone who was still just a fiancée, I was told the royal family was aware and it wasn’t particularly problematic.

I was astonished by the boldness of both His Lordship and Lord Fels.

His Lordship stated he had no intention of passing the title to Lord Fels just yet. In the meantime, Lord Fels will use the Viscount title he earned through his own achievements. Once I marry him, I’ll also be a Viscountess for some time.

When the engagement offer came from the Margrave’s family, I’d heard I wouldn’t immediately become the Margrave’s wife but would instead use the Viscount title, so it’s fine. We’ve arranged that for a while, to announce that Lord Fels and I are engaged, we’ll attend more evening parties and tea parties than usual.

Lord Fels will apparently travel alone from the March’s territory to the royal capital using teleportation magic. He said with a wry smile that it’s something only an unencumbered man can do, but if I were to teleport from the royal capital to the March’s territory, I’d need several stops along the way, which gives a glimpse of his immense magical power.

——Another week passed.

The fatigue from inspecting the March’s territory had faded, and we finished discussing future plans. The grand announcement of Lord Fels’s and my engagement will be made simultaneously with the engagement itself.

I feel somewhat apologetic that his partner, highly reputed as the God of War within the kingdom is someone as plain and unknown as me. The maids assigned to me and those serving the Count’s family all say, “Our lady will shine if polished!” and they’re fired up to reteach me everything about beauty and fashion with all their effort. Though I asked them to go easy on me since my next year looks like it’ll be intense, they’re excited about the status of being the God of War’s fiancée.

In fact, today I was summoned to the March family’s townhouse in the royal capital, and my entire family saw me off as I boarded the carriage. When I visited the March family’s townhouse, I was surprised to be greeted by Lord Fels himself and Her Ladyship.

“Sorry for summoning you. I should be the one going to Eleanora, but today I need my mother’s help. I can’t very well bring my mother to the Count’s residence, so I had you come here.”

Since Lord Fels had informed me in advance, it wasn’t a problem. Her Ladyship is also gentle and easy to talk to. She seemed delighted that spring had come for Lord Fels, and since they’d only had sons, she said having a girl in the house would make things livelier.

“Lord Fels, thank you for inviting me today. But having a full set of dresses made for me is rather overwhelming.”

Today’s purpose is to have dresses made for me. Moreover, Lord Fels is covering the cost, saying I can order as many as I like and he’ll also pay for any jewelry. Of course, men sometimes give women dresses, but it’s rare for them to be involved before they’re even made. Usually, they either go to a high-end shop in the royal capital or commission their personal tailor and give the finished product.

“As I wrote in my letter, don’t worry about it. It’s somewhat like self-indulgence on my part, and a reward for you having to go along with it. Plus, I’d like to see you dressed up.”

“But Fels doesn’t know anything about women’s dresses. So that’s where Mother comes in.”

Lord Fels and the Margrave laughed softly. Perhaps because they share the same hair color, I deeply felt that they’re indeed parent and child. The cheerful Her Ladyship and composed Lord Fels balance each other out perfectly, or something like that.

“Let’s go,” said Lord Fels, taking my hand and guiding me inside the mansion. In the parlor, the March family’s personal tailor was waiting, and following his lead, I was taken to an adjacent room where seamstresses measured me in what felt like no time. Startled by the suddenness, when I returned to the room, several dress designs were already laid out on the desk. Lord Fels beckoned me, and I sat beside him. They asked about my preferred colors and designs, but with my plain appearance, suitable colors and designs are limited, so I chose safe options.

——A plain woman could never suit fashionable dresses.

Lord Caius’s words resurfaced. They were words he’d told me at a certain evening party venue before heading to war. I fully understand that I’m plain and that fashionable dresses don’t suit me. But back then, wanting to look appropriate standing next to the handsome Lord Caius, I chose subdued colors and attended evening parties, and that was the result.

Anxious about whether I could properly wear the chosen dresses, I looked down at my hands.

“Eleanora?”

“Ah, no. It’s nothing.”

I can’t do this! I need to focus on the present. It would be rude to the two who welcomed me so happily. I looked at Lord Fels’s face.

“I see. If you’re not feeling well, please tell me. It doesn’t have to be today. We can always go another day.”

His expression shifted from concern to a soft smile, and I returned the smile. And so, my dress selection began but I wonder about Lord Fels and Her Ladyship ordering so many dresses made just because they suit me.

They ordered so many that even when I said I’d gratefully received their kindness, Lord Fels, who never spends money and just hoards his personal assets, was firmly told by Her Ladyship that he must circulate the economy at times like this.

And he himself, with a serious look, said he wanted to see me wearing the dresses he chose, so I couldn’t possibly argue. In the end, we selected many accessories too, and I felt slightly dizzy wondering how many evening parties I’d need to attend to wear each dress even once.