CH 46.3

Should I go back to my own territory, continue serving as a maid of the Knights’ Corps in the palace, or remain as a maid in Rose territory?

Regarding these choices, Reynaldo, who has become the Chancellor, told me that it doesn’t matter which one I choose. Considering how I’ve been constantly changing positions, he wants me to choose what I like without worrying about it.

‘All of these jobs offer enjoyable and wonderful environments and benefits, but…’

In reality, it’s not easy to decide.

While I love my own territory and desire a peaceful life, I also find great enjoyment in being a maid serving the knights I’ve admired. And even though it’s a remote region in the north, I don’t dislike the Rose territory. There are people like Lieber and other servants who have been kind to me, not to mention the delicious food.

Both my father and brother also told me that I could do whatever I wanted.

I had been considering the issue of succession, but when I mentioned it, my brother got angry at me. He said that he would take care of that, so I should do as I please. I could feel the awkward yet gentle kindness in his words.

“What’s the matter?”

Perhaps because I was pondering while waiting for the carriage, I ended up worrying Alberto.

“I’m thinking about the future.”

“The future…?”

“Yes. Whether I should return to my own territory, continue working as a maid in the Knights’ Corps at the palace, or accept the position of a maid in Rose’s territory alongside Reynaldo-sama.”

I honestly conveyed my thoughts to Alberto. Since it’s something that involves him as well, I felt the need to discuss it with him.

“What do you want to do the most?”

“Well, it’s difficult to choose just one… Actually, besides work, I have another concern.”

“A concern other than work?”

I was a little embarrassed, but after some hesitation, I decided to express my honest feelings.

“That, um, it’s also the time when I’m considering marriage, so taking that into account, I’m unsure about what I should do.”

That’s right.

Marriage.

What’s troubling me right now is not just about my work, but actually this matter.

Having already turned eighteen, I was at the appropriate age for marriage. Although my brother told me that I don’t need to worry about the matter of succession, if an unmarried woman continues to work for a long time, she must also consider a potential marriage partner.

“If I were to marry someone in the Rose territory, I would be living there, and it would be lonely to be away from Edigma…”

“….”

“You might think I can’t detach myself from my parents, but I can’t help feeling lonely living in a place far away from Edigma. However, if I were to return to Edigma, it would mean bringing my spouse to a small rural town, and finding someone willing to do that is quite unlikely. I wouldn’t mind finding someone from a commoner’s background, but… I can’t imagine marrying someone from Edigma since I’ve known the people there since I was little.”

The coachman suddenly calls my name. It seems that the carriage was ready.

Feeling embarrassed about discussing such a strange concern, I quickly addressed Alberto, saying, “Looks like the carriage is here,” and hurried towards it.

I informed the coachman of the destination near my brother’s residence and had the carriage door opened for me.

While the coachman held the horse’s reins and prepared for departure, I looked up at Alberto.

Silently, he extended his hand and helped me get into the carriage.

After getting into the carriage and sitting down, I tried to release my hand, but his grip didn’t loosen.

Curious, I glanced at Alberto, who was peering through the carriage door.

“Thank you for today.”

I tried to say goodnight and let go of his hand, but…

“Marie.”

Suddenly, he called my name without any honorifics, and I raised my head.

At that moment, I met Alberto’s gaze, his earnest chestnut-colored eyes staring directly at me.

I waited for him to speak, wondering what was on his mind.

And then…

“Will you marry me?”

He proposed.

“………”

“………”

As we continued to gaze at each other in silence, the coachman called out, “We’re about to depart,” bringing us both back to reality.

What did Alberto just say?

As soon as I remembered, my face turned bright red, and in my confusion, I let go of his hand, but…

It appeared that Alberto’s face was turning even redder than mine.

He seemed surprised by his own words, his hand instinctively covering his mouth.

“Could you please close the door?”

The coachman called out to Alberto, who wouldn’t let go, and Alberto hurriedly closed the door.

Our eyes met through the window, and I could see the astonishment on Alberto’s face.

The carriage started moving.

Alberto’s figure gradually became smaller and eventually faded from sight.

I remained dumbfounded, my mind blank, with a pale complexion and a flushed face.