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The fact that time was running out hasn’t changed, but the preparations went smoothly.
“Thank you for handing over the ownership of the Sentz river, even though it flows more than halfway through Devonshire.”
When Devonshire, the second most prestigious family after Lagrange, gave up ownership of the river first as if to check other families, it was regarded as a signal for other families to wrap up the ownership of the river as if it were a gift.
‘Because everyone doesn’t want to be left out.’
Well, I was aiming for that so I pretended I was looking to be engaged.
Thanks to that, there were letters from young lords that poured in, but I stopped without even reading them.
“It’s all thanks to you Countess.”
“It’s nothing. It’s natural considering our friendship.”
I took the Countess’ hands in gratefulness with a twinkle in my eyes and she gracefully smiled and shook her head.
“I’m glad that the rest of the families followed your wishes, Princess.”
“I know. I had no idea that I would be able to make a deal with Luzen so quickly.”
“Oh my. Are you already in talks with Luzen?”
At my words, her eyes widened in surprise. I smiled brightly and replied in a triumphant tone.
“I also didn’t know, but it seemed that Veronica had already made a deal with their merchant. For now, I think we don’t have to worry about food for this winter.”
When I said that ‘our sister was quite amazing, wasn’t she’ as if urging the Countess, she nodded her head in admiration.
“She’s really amazing. I had heard that Lagrange was running for ownership of establishments, but Luzen is definitely a foreign country.”
“The P-Princess, too!”
Peter Devonshire, who was quietly listening to the conversation without participating, suddenly raised his voice.
“Pardon?”
I felt pity seeing his clenched fist on top of the table, and his face which was red up to his ears.
‘What is he trying to say for him to be that nervous?’
I met eyes with him and smiled gently.
“Please speak, Sir.”
“.....You’re amazing too, Princess. Isn’t it the Princess who came up with the plan to trade with Luzen instead of the South?”
“Thank you for saying that.”
I closed my eyes prettily in gratitude. He couldn’t even look at me for a long time and only trained his eyes on the floor, then he nodded his head and hardened his chin.
‘I don’t think I’ll be cold if I’m by his side even in the middle of winter.’
He was so red from head to foot that I could feel the heat.
Even without Eredia’s ability, I was even embarrassed at the transparent emotions that I could see clearly.
‘I have never received such an intense crush.’
“Uhm, here.”
“What is it?”
Peter swallowed, and gave me a small box wrapped in velvet. Anyone could tell that it was a box with a jewel in it, but I tilted my head as if I didn’t know.
‘It’s kind of burdensome to receive things like this.’
But I couldn’t possibly refuse when he’s beside the Countess.
Even though he would have probably already heard from the Countess that I had no intentions of truly getting engaged, still, Peter sat there with his mother every time I met her.
“It’s nothing much. I was walking through the market and suddenly thought of the Princess. I thought it would suit you.”
“Ha? The only thing you think about when you walk is the Princess.”
“Mother!”
The Countess snorted at the excuse Peter mumbled as if it was ridiculous.
“Please understand, Princess. He’s my son but he’s quite a simpleton. But still, I believe he’ll be a sweet husband like his father.”
I grinned at the words of the Countess, who seemed to laugh at Peter’s behavior but surreptitiously suggested him to me.
“What are you doing? If you bought the necklace then you should place it on her neck.”
“Will that be fine?”
The Countess tapped the case with her fan and told off Peter. I nodded my head, feeling sorry for him for always being scolded by her.
“It’s a pretty necklace. Thank you.”
They were not empty words, I meant them. A necklace made of small but finely crafted heart-shaped rubies looked quite expensive at first glance.
“I’m glad you like it.”
Hic. After taking a tense breath, Peter reached out to my neck with trembling hands.
“.....Princess, I think it’s going to get stuck in your hair.”
I turned my back so Peter could hang the necklace on my neck but at his words, I lifted my head.
‘Uhm?’
Then, from afar, a tall and handsome shadow could be seen. It was Dietrich who came to me with straightforward steps.
‘I think he’s been around every time I meet with the Countess?’
The Countess, who found him first before me, stood up and greeted him.
“I greet His Grace, the Grand Duke.”
“All right.”
“I greet His Grace, the Grand Duke. I am Peter Devonshire. I am the eldest son of Count Devonshire.”
I didn't know what took Peter so long to put a single necklace on me, but even now, he still wasn’t able to hang the necklace around my neck.
He bent over, resting his hands awkwardly on my neck.
“What are you doing?”
Dietrich knitted his handsome forehead and asked. I hurriedly excused Peter’s behavior at the sign of displeasure on his face.
“Milord has given me a necklace as a gift so he was just about to put it on me.”
“To you?”
“Yeah.”
“Why?”
What did he mean why? He had a special affection for me so he must be doing it to look good, that’s why.
But I couldn’t just say that suddenly so I shrugged my shoulders.
“I thought it would look good on the Princess. Even though I knew it was rude, I dared to present it without asking.”
“Exactly. So why?”
I glanced at Peter, who tactlessly answered Dietrich’s interrogation.
‘Just don’t answer, please.’
“.......I heard that the Princess was looking for a fiance. Although she hadn’t made her debut, she is already at the age to get engaged.”
Earlier, he was embarrassed as if the whole world’s shame was riding on his shoulders alone, but why did that suddenly disappear as soon as Dietrich came?
“Ha.”
Dietrich chuckled at Peter’s answer. Of course, it didn’t reach his chilly gaze.
“Is that so?”
“I may not be to your satisfaction, but I also plan to assume my title soon, Your Grace. I don’t think I’ll be lacking in terms of conditions compared to other young lords.”
“Engagement, you say.”
Dietrich murmured lowly while skimming his chin.
“Yes. Of course, I know of the ban on marriage that you passed down, Your Grace. So I can wait until any time.”
The more Peter opened his mouth, the darker Dietrich’s aura went.
‘It’s not even in the middle of a battle, so what’s wrong with him?’
It was so thick, similar to when he was confronting Hermann, that it made me feel suffocated.
“The Princess is still young, and I planned to propose to her formally after I succeed the title.”
‘Close your mouth!’
Even though he was a knight, Peter seemed not to notice the bloodlust Dietrich was emitting and kept on talking with a serious face.
Dietrich still had that picturesque smile. He looked at me with indifferent eyes, creating a gap with the image of his lips which were curved upwards.
“Well, what do you think?”
“Eh? Me?”
“That’s right.”
‘Come to think of it, I never explained about the engagement.’
The air current flowing between us was awkward so I always tried to avoid being next to him thus I had no opportunity to speak to him about it.
Read this translation at https://notmysisteryoufool.blogspot.com/.
‘Of course, he knew about the strategy of buying food from Luzen using the Sentz River, so there was no way he wouldn’t guess what was going on.’
My eyes jumped from Dietrich, Peter, and the Countess.
“Anissa doesn’t seem to agree to your plans, though. I wonder if it’s a futile thing.”
“.....Of course, I’m still thinking about it on my own.”
Peter slowly answered Dietrich, clenching his fists.
“Oh my. It’s quite late. We should be leaving now.”
The Countess, who had instantly read the underlying atmosphere, smiled brightly and pulled her son. I hurriedly nodded to impart she did well.
“Yes, of course, Countess. Do come again next time.”
“Thank you for inviting us today.”
At the urging of the Countess, Peter retreated after kissing the back of my hand.
“I’ll see you again, Princess.”
“Yes. Thank you for the necklace, Sir.”
After seeing off the mother and son who were leaving quickly, I came back to Dietrich who was glaring at me as if he was stuck in his place. The strange smile from earlier had disappeared without a trace replaced by an impassive face.
He picked up the rumpled necklace and beckoned me with his chin.
“Come here. I’ll do it.”
I sat down on a chair without answering when he told me he would place it on me while grinding his teeth. He leaned over and stretched his arms in front of me.
Unlike Peter, his hands didn’t tremble, nor was he at a loss because he couldn’t find the lock, that I wanted to ask where and whose necklace did you put on so much?
Click.
I was about to turn my body at the sound of the chain locking, but he started to skim over the necklace from behind. Because the string of the necklace was short, it fell just below the collarbone so his long fingers ran across the bone.
“I’m not a person who lacks patience.”
A low voice echoed in my ears as I shuddered in surprise. A sigh filled with heat followed.
“There’s too much to endure these days.”
“Huh?”
“I think you should practice caution.”
Uh, huh.
Not knowing what I should be cautious about, I hastily nodded my head.