The Story of a Modest Young Lady Who Formed a New Engagement the Day After Her Engagement Was Annulled - Chapter 27

Not long ago, I had discussions with the members of the Lotus Margrave family, and we reached an agreement to hold regular healing clinics at the church in the capital city of the territory. Though feelings of joy and guilt wrestle within me over having my selfish request accepted, surely it’s a good thing to be able to extend a helping hand to those in need.

Even though pure aristocrats might give me troubled looks, saying nobles shouldn’t do such things, I can use magic and perform healings, so…

Currently, I’m staying at the townhouse owned by the Lotus Margrave family in the royal capital. We moved from the border territory to the capital because a soirée will be held soon.

The journey by carriage was tough due to the distance, but I was happy to have more time with Lord Fels. He worried considerably that the long travel might be hard on me, so we took the journey slowly, and I barely felt tired. Grateful for his consideration, I’m now enjoying afternoon tea with Lord Fels in the townhouse’s drawing room.

“It’s been a while since we returned,” I remarked.

When I turned my gaze to the window, the garden trees outside swayed in the wind, their green leaves rustling. From around December to August is the social season, and many nobles spend time at their townhouses in the royal capital rather than their territories.

This time, having become engaged to Lord Fels, I’ve been traveling between the border territory and the capital for studies and to make my debut. Though busy, since Lord Fels is with me, I never found it difficult. When I looked away from the window and focused on Lord Fels, he lifted his teacup, took a sip of steaming tea, and gave a wry smile.

“Indeed. Crown Prince Heinrich will be at the soirée the day after tomorrow. He’ll probably say something foolish again, but I’d like you to bear with me a little.”

With the victory in the Twenty-Year War, celebratory soirées are frequently held in the royal capital. Crown Prince Heinrich must be receiving many invitations to attend these events. The soirée in two days is hosted by a marquis family, so it seems His Highness couldn’t easily refuse their invitation. Though I first met His Highness at that soirée back then, he spoke to me quite casually.

Perhaps his kindness was for Lord Fels’s sake, but even so, he tried to ease my nervousness in their presence. Since both he and Lord Fels are kind people, it should surely be an enjoyable time.

“Of course. Both His Highness the Crown Prince and his consort have been very kind to me. I’m truly happy just to have the opportunity to express my gratitude.”

“You’re exaggerating, Eleanora.”

When I smiled back at Lord Fels, he returned the smile. Though the busy days leading up to our marriage are fulfilling, I also love these quiet moments like now. Lord Fels raised an eyebrow and told me there are other people he’d like to introduce me to at the soirée. Since he dislikes soirées, he seems to feel guilty about dragging me along. I assured him it’s fine since I’m accustomed to noble education.

“At soirées, you might get approached by some strange individuals,” Lord Fels said, placing his teacup on the saucer with a wry smile.

Indeed, some people try to probe to gain desired information. In such cases, smiling and giving noncommittal responses is probably the right approach. Eventually, when they realize they won’t get any information, they give up and leave. A strong-willed friend of mine insists we should feed false information to such people, but I’m afraid of being exposed or if they actually believe the lies. Lord Fels informed me about the troublesome people we might encounter at the soirée, telling me whom I can treat dismissively and whom I cannot.

After finishing his explanations, Lord Fels let out a slightly deep sigh.

“Sorry, Eleanora. I wish I could handle things better myself, but it’s quite difficult. I hope you’ll forgive me for having to teach you these things.”

“Not at all. It’s educational to learn about the power dynamics between families.”

Understanding inter-family relationships while expanding social connections is part of a noble’s duties. If I were to act rudely without being taught, it would tarnish the Lotus Margrave family’s name, and studying noble power structures is always necessary.

I hope Lord Fels, who clearly looks apologetic for causing trouble, won’t worry too much. Besides learning about noble family dynamics, I also gained insight into individual personalities. When attending future soirées, there will likely be times when I’m alone, not always with Lord Fels. Knowing this, I can avoid getting near troublesome people during those moments.

While staying at the royal capital’s townhouse with Lord Fels, we prepared for several soirées, and two days later…

The lavish venue hosted by a certain marquis family was filled with many guests. Several people in military uniforms were scattered about, and after we finished greeting the hosting marquis, they seemed restless, eager to speak with us.

Amidst this, a man in a military uniform wearing an eyepatch approached us with echoing footsteps. Just before he closed the distance, Lord Fels whispered in my ear that he was a comrade. The eyepatch-wearing man extended his right hand, stopped, and stood before us.

“Lord Lotus, long time no see! It’s a shame we can’t see your heroic figure anymore, but I’m truly glad the war has ended.”

“Long time indeed. It’s really wonderful that the war is over and peaceful times have come.”

The eyepatch-wearing man grinned broadly, showing his teeth, and exchanged a firm handshake with Lord Fels. He was slightly shorter than Lord Fels but had a much sturdier, well-built frame, clearly trained. The medals on his chest were no less impressive than Lord Fels’s. He must have fought through intense battlefields as well.

I chose to watch quietly beside Lord Fels. Since he’d told me this was a comrade, he probably wasn’t expecting formal noble interaction. After they exchanged a few words, the eyepatch-wearing man turned his gaze toward me.

“But to have a lady by your side… ah, my apologies! I am—”

He introduced himself with a slight bow. Born as the fourth son of a baronial family with no chance of inheritance, he volunteered for the military to become independent. There, he met Lord Fels and they hit it off.

When I introduced myself, he looked surprised to learn I was from the Narcissus family. The eyepatch-wearing man told me he’d met my father on the battlefield and was indebted to him. Though many served in the military, I was astonished to hear about my father from him. The world is truly small, and I considered myself lucky to learn about my father’s battlefield conduct.

“My bad, my bad. I got carried away talking by myself. Battlefield stories probably aren’t enjoyable for ladies, are they?”

As the eyepatch-wearing man gave a wry smile and I opened my mouth to say I was glad to hear about my father, Lord Fels gently pulled me closer to him.

“True. It wouldn’t be amusing if you two talked amongst yourselves and left me out.”

Lord Fels, with a sulky expression, seemed younger than usual. Since he’d called him a comrade, he must be comfortable around the eyepatch-wearing man. Though I felt a bit lonely, I got to see an unexpected side of Lord Fels. The eyepatch-wearing man looked surprised but quickly changed his expression to a smirk and spoke.

“My apologies, Lord Lotus. Then should I tell her about your exploits too?”

“…That’s embarrassing, please don’t.”

The eyepatch-wearing man chuckled, apparently understanding what Lord Fels meant. Lord Fels seemed too shy to have me hear about his achievements. Come to think of it, Lord Fels never flaunts his own accomplishments, and I narrowed my eyes thoughtfully.

“What a pity. Lord Fels’s battlefield exploits are endless but if you refuse, then so be it.”

The eyepatch-wearing man shrugged, not looking disappointed at all. It seemed he’d said it just to tease Lord Fels. He gave me a polite bow and, telling Lord Fels he’d “go find a wife,” raised a hand lightly and left.

After the eyepatch-wearing man departed, a quietness remained, as if a storm had passed. We must have been overwhelmed by his energy. As I watched his retreating back, Lord Fels pulled me even closer.

“He was quite noisy, wasn’t he? Were you startled?”

Lord Fels and the eyepatch-wearing man apparently met on the battlefield and clicked. Though he once left his noble status to become a commoner, he earned achievements and now holds the title of Robe Baron. They sometimes drink together and get excited over silly man-to-man talks.

The eyepatch-wearing man’s hobby is bodybuilding, and his bad habit is passionately discussing training methods and muscles. I chuckled softly hearing about men’s topics from him, but Lord Fels’s voice right above my head made my heart flutter a little.

“No. It’s just… I envy how close you are.”

Since our engagement, I feel the physical distance between Lord Fels and me has shrunk. I want to close the emotional distance too, but figuring out how is difficult.

Since both Lord Fels and the Lotus family are kind, this is a luxurious worry. Yet, whenever one wish is fulfilled, another new desire emerges. Was I always this greedy? As I pondered this, Lord Fels peered at my face with a wry smile. Then he looked in the direction the eyepatch-wearing man had left.

“We sometimes drink together. I’d like to drink with you someday too. What do you think?”

“I’d love that. I’m not very good with alcohol, but the thought of drinking with Lord Fels feels like a dream.”

Lord Fels turned his gaze back to me with a beautiful smile. I can’t believe there might be an opportunity to drink with Lord Fels. But surely, it will come in the not-too-distant future, I thought, smiling too.

“We’re engaged and will be married in a year. Don’t let it remain just a dream.”

Lord Fels leaned close and whispered to me. I can’t believe I’ll be his wife in a year, but it’s a formal contract between the Lotus Margrave and Narcissus Count families.

Though it feels incredibly strange to be loved by him, I don’t want to let go of this happiness I’ve grasped. I steeled myself, resolving to discipline myself to become a proper margravine and support him. Just then, a cute young woman came hurrying through the crowd toward us.

“Lord Fels, it’s been so long!”

“Long time indeed, Lady Livia.”

The girl standing before us was one of the troublesome individuals Lord Fels had warned me about. After giving Lord Fels a cheerful smile, she snorted at me and hid her mouth behind her fan, as if to say I wasn’t worth her attention.