After being dismissed, of course, I chased after her. However, the Shadelan mansion was vast and complex, and I lost her in the darkness.
Reluctantly, I visited the party venue, the main floor. And I was stunned.
The Shadelans were laughing. They had drunk a lot and seemed thoroughly intoxicated. Their attire was opulent and luxurious—far more expensive than those gray clothes.
Confused, I asked the baron,
"Where is your daughter? Where is she now?"
"Hic. Daughter? Our daughter?"
"Yes, I want to talk to her. Can I meet her?"
"There's no need to meet her; the star of the evening is over there! Please, my lord, take our daughter as your bride!"
As he spoke, the baron drained his glass. Some prospective son-in-law immediately brought a bottle and refilled it. Pleased by the service from a high-ranking noble, the baron drank heartily, gulping down the drink. "Oh, you're drinking too much," the baroness laughed, while greedily eating sweets.
Following the baron's words, I searched for the daughter. Sure enough, there was a noblewoman there.
She had golden hair in an elaborate braid, a pink dress with frills, and was surrounded by men. She was a head shorter than 'her' and seemed two or three years younger.
Her expression was one of confusion and forced smiles. Despite her dislike, she was trying to get through the situation. It was a thin, insincere smile, the same kind of face as the boring women in society.
Is this the 'star' of the evening... Marie Shadelan? I don't care.
I left the venue and searched the garden again. I asked Mio to help, and we searched even the women's changing rooms and toilets. But she wasn't there.
...What is this?
A drunk father, a gluttonous mother.
It's fine for the younger sister to dress up; it's her birthday, after all.
But the older sister's attire is too much, even as a supporting role. Her timid attitude is also incomprehensible.
Where is 'she'? Why isn't she here?
Even if not as much as the star of the evening, shouldn't she be dressed up, enjoying the delicious food and drinks, and smiling—
Why?
—Because I'm not cute—
"Damn it!"
I was enraged.
I tore up the letter of proposal I had intended to give to Marie Shadelan.
To hell with a beauty who busies herself with marriage while her real sister is crying in secret.
"Perish, this family!"
I spewed out curses that no one should hear, was scolded by Mio, and got into the carriage.
As soon as I returned to the earl's castle, I took up my pen.
I wanted to make the 'supporting actress' of that day, Anastasia, my wife.
I prepared a dress suitable for her tall figure, gathered a mountain of treasures, and sent them to the Shadelan family.
"Of course, we are delighted" — the reply came quickly.
I was overjoyed. My anger at the baron and his family, and even his sister, dissipated, and I even thought about being kind to them in the future.
"Great... Anastasia is coming to our house. Great!"
Once the preparations were ready, 'she' would come to this castle.
It was a busy time.
A noble marriage requires the parents' approval.
Though it's embarrassing, it's a noble custom. When I contacted my father, he said to leave it to my mother, Ryu Ryu, because she understands me better.
When I talked to her, Ryu Ryu shed tears of joy. She had secretly worried that I might be a woman-hater or even a man-lover. What nonsense.
To entertain the fiancée, I completely renovated the guest room and instructed the usually rough and easy-going servants to be respectful to the young lady.
Then, I called for a dressmaker.
Anastasia probably hadn't dressed up much at the Shadelan family. If she wore a cotton dress only on family holidays, what kind of clothes did she usually wear?
—I'll shock her.
I'll indulge her in luxury and make her happy.
I'll embroider 'Anastasia' on a dress far superior to what 'sister Marie' wore that day and pile it in front of her.
On the engagement day, I'll stun my relatives and siblings.
Envy! — I'll puff out my chest and say, "Serves you right."
Preparations were complete. I couldn't sleep, so I bought a hugging pillow.
But... the one who arrived at the castle was a dilapidated carriage and a dying driver. They had fallen off a cliff on the way. Anastasia had been swept away by the torrent... and was not found.
Ryu Ryu cried, and Mio silently bowed her head.
I just knelt on the floor and remained dazed for a week.
Mio sighed.
"Looking back, the moment of our reunion was not good. When you shouted, 'Get Marie Shadelan out of here!' your face was like a demon's."
"Was it that bad? But it was just a mistake in names..."
"First of all, that's the problem. My lord, you were completely out of it."
"You misunderstood too, didn't you!?"
No matter how much I shouted, it didn't faze her. I think neither of us is to blame in this matter. Who could have realized that the woman crying in the courtyard after being dismissed was the star of the evening?
...Well, maybe there was a slight lack of information gathering or overeagerness... I admit I got carried away.
"First, my lord, you need to realize that you were rejected."
"...Y...Yes. ...That's right..."
I affirmed it, my insides trembling.
"But that was probably due to this misunderstanding. Marie must think that you dislike her. That 'No' was likely a refusal out of modesty."
"...Is that so? ...Then, if I clear up this misunderstanding, she will happily become my wife?"
"I don't know."
"Hey."
"You have to try, my lord. You're the one who's in love. If you keep being aloof because you've been popular without doing anything, you'll end up as a loveless zombie forever."
"Mio, are you being too harsh on me?"
"Because, my lord, what was that? You turned your back on Marie without saying anything after all the effort she put in."
"...Ugh."
"It's not 'Ugh.' If you had at least whispered, 'You look beautiful,' she wouldn't have looked so sad—"
Mio seemed angry.
Though her usual expression was blank, she was glaring at me seriously.
I looked down.
—Her appearance is etched in my mind without even closing my eyes.
—Her modest personality contrasted with her stunning red hair. Her polished skin was as lustrous as a wet pearl. Her delicate features, enhanced by a little makeup, were flawless, and from head to toe, she was a perfect beauty.
...She was beautiful.
Even if she wasn't beautiful, I would have liked her.
I just thought she should be a bit more refined and ladylike, as befitting a noble daughter.
I never expected her to be so beautiful.
Proposing to her was half out of affection, the rest out of strategy and sympathy for her situation.
But now, that balance has been completely thrown off. It's unexpected. It's a mishap. It's a problem.
The pain in my heart, as if squeezed by a giant's hand, and the intense heartbeat that made my ears ring... I couldn't speak.
...No. I can't keep making excuses. Mio is right; I'm the one who wants her.
I like Marie.
I want to marry her.
First, I need to tell her that properly.
No matter how she responds, I need to start from there.
"...Where is Marie now?"
"She is resting in her room."
"Alright. ...Let's go."
I stood up and headed to Marie's room.
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