The Story of a Modest Young Lady Who Formed a New Engagement the Day After Her Engagement Was Annulled - Chapter 24

We arrived at a certain capital city that would be our lodging for the night before the sun set. After showing our pass at the gate outside the city walls, we were permitted entry, and the carriage began to move slowly. Though it wasn’t as large as the Lotus March or the Narcissus County, the well-maintained stone-paved roads neatly divided the districts, spreading out in a grid-like pattern from the center of the capital or so I had heard.

“We’ve arrived safely.”

“Yes. I’ve heard this territory has some rare dishes. They’re supposed to be served at the inn where we’re staying tonight, so look forward to it.”

The fact that high-class inns for nobles were operating here gave an indication of this territory’s scale. Being close to the royal capital and serving as a relay point connecting various territories, it must have developed easily. Long-distance carriages connecting different territories and cargo wagons loaded with goods were scattered about. Since I could see children heading home and adults around, they must be finishing their errands before it gets dark.

Light is precious and consumed by nobles and wealthy households. Commoners live by natural light. If the economy becomes more active, it might become more widespread, but that’s still a ways off.

“We’re here. Let’s get off.”

When we arrived in front of the high-class inn, the carriage door was opened by one of the guards. Just as I was about to step down from the carriage with Lord Fels’s escort.

“Eleanorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!”

A man’s voice suddenly called my name, and I turned my gaze toward the source. I even forgot that I had someone I needed to protect.

“Huh?”

“—!”

The man skillfully dodged the guards and charged toward us, but Lord Fels blocked him. Without even drawing the sword at his waist, Lord Fels subdued the attacker with his bare hands.

“Lord Fels!”

Lord Fels’s silver-thread hair fluttered before my eyes. Worried he might be injured, I called out his name loudly.

“Eleanor, are you hurt?”

Lord Fels, who had handed the attacker over to the guards, looked at me.

“Yes, I’m fine since you protected me. More importantly, are you injured, Lord Fels?!”

“I’m fine, not a single scratch. …Don’t make that face, Eleanor.”

Worried, I ended up grabbing the sleeve of his clothes. Lord Fels smiled at me and placed his hand on my cheek.

“But your beautiful hair, Lord Fels…!”

The man who attacked must have had a dagger or something, as Lord Fels’s hair was roughly cut in half, creating a terrible situation. Seeing the silver hair fallen on the ground made me unbearably sad. Why couldn’t my plain black hair have been cut instead? I loved Lord Fels’s silver-thread hair that shone through the sunlight, it was so beautiful. I loved how he looked at me and smiled when the sun hit him.

“Don’t worry about it, it’ll just grow back. More importantly, I’m glad you’re not hurt. —Now then. Why did you attack us, Caius?”

The man was Lord Caius. He looked quite haggard, and the clothes he wore were commoner’s attire. A waterskin had fallen right beside him, and the spilled liquid was purple—probably wine. Lord Caius, who took pride in being a noble, was wearing commoner’s clothes. As I stared at him in confusion, Lord Fels seemed to know about Lord Caius’s circumstances and explained in detail.

About half a year ago, following a provisional house arrest, formal punishment was handed down: Lord Caius was disinherited and then removed from the Hydrangia Marquis household. The position of the next Marquis was apparently decided to go to Lord Caius’s younger brother. I see, that’s why Lord Fels didn’t call him by his full name because he was no longer part of the Hydrangia Marquis family.

“Guh. It’s all your fault, Eleanor! My downfall! Being disinherited! Not being able to achieve more military feats in the war! It’s all because I was saddled with you!! Everything, everything is your fault! Your plain black hair and black eyes, and your modest, unnoticeable personality ruined my life!!”

I was at a loss for words. My appearance is innate and can’t be changed. My personality is also inherent and not easily altered. If I had a different appearance and personality than now, would I have continued my engagement with Lord Caius?

But that would be… not me, right? It might be Eleanor Narcissus, but wouldn’t the individuality that is “me” be dead? The person called “me” was formed through the experiences I’ve had until now. If my hair color or face were different, I might have lived a different life, but I have no intention of denying who I am now. Besides, I was able to meet Lord Fels… Even with my black hair, black eyes, plain looks, and modest, unnoticeable personality, he says he loves me.

—Yes, that’s why.

I looked steadily at Lord Caius, who was bound with restraining ropes by the guards and kneeling on the ground.

“There’s something I’ve always wanted to say to you, Lord Caius. I may be a plain woman with black hair and black eyes, just as you say. However, I believe no one should have their character denied based on their hair color or appearance.”

I finally managed to say what I wanted to Lord Caius. Before, I used to belittle my black hair, black eyes, and my own personality. But Lord Fels likes my black hair and black eyes, and he told me that my modest personality has a strong core, so it’s not a problem. That’s why over this past year, I’ve gradually gained confidence and have been absorbing various things as I strive to become the next Marchioness. Now I can say with pride: there’s nothing wrong with having black hair and black eyes, or with my personality.

I never thought I’d look down on Lord Caius in my entire life. Lord Caius was so self-confident that he would detest being looked down upon by me. Lord Fels stood beside me and placed his hand on my shoulder, drawing me closer.

“How dare a woman look down on me—ugh!”

The guards covered Lord Caius’s mouth to prevent him from speaking any further. Since he’s now a commoner who attacked nobles, Lord Caius’s future is clear. He will likely be judged by the lord who governs this land from now on.

“Let’s go, Eleanor.”

“…Yes.”

Carrying a slight, sediment-like emptiness in my chest, I stepped into the high-class inn together with Lord Fels.