--- Up until now, I've been a bit of a grouch, haven't I? --- Johan said.
He was a refugee from the archipelago, and his kingdom language was poor. He had never had the opportunity to learn proper, pleasant speech for nobles. He had been hired by many households, but no matter how well he worked, he was laughed at, belittled, and sometimes harshly scolded. He had even been suddenly kicked out because they suspected he might steal or assault a daughter, even though he had never given any reason to be suspected.
"--- I know how I'm seen. So, I don't really hold a grudge against those young ladies. I just thought I shouldn't cause trouble for the mistress."
He spoke very kindly after breaking down the barrier of formal language.
His voice was low and hoarse, rough but calm and warm, like the way he touched the flowers.
Beside me, while harvesting soybeans, I frowned.
"What kind of trouble?"
"You're going to be a countess, right? Talking to someone like us must be unpleasant. Those young ladies are just being normal."
"Why? Thanks to Johan, we have this garden and delicious meals."
"--- We are just servants."
"You are indispensable. And we live in the same house, so we are family, aren't we?"
When I said that, Johan's eyebrows relaxed, and his eyes widened. Seeing that, I realized I had said something presumptuous.
Right, right. I've only been here for a few days, and the engagement isn't even officially settled yet. I said something presumptuous...
Heh, Johan laughed.
"--- You say the same thing as the master."
At that moment, a voice called my name from a distance. I poked my head out from the hedge and said, "I'm here!" Mio, Thomas, and behind them, Cyrus-sama were approaching.
I ran to greet the three of them as they approached.
"Sorry, I got carried away. Cyrus-sama, is it time to go out?"
"Hmm. Yeah... I guess so."
Cyrus-sama nodded absentmindedly. Mio added,
"Our master of Granado Castle has been up all night and is still half-asleep."
"Up all night? Oh, you must be very busy."
"...Yeah, that's right."
Wow, he really looks exhausted. He's dressed formally, but his green eyes are half-closed. His job must be tough... I wish I could help somehow.
Mio had a half-lidded look.
"Then I'll go load the luggage into the carriage."
With a bright smile and a cheerful voice, Thomas declared. He saluted with his right hand and held Hanna and Ilza by the back of their collars with his left.
Cyrus-sama, still looking dazed, tilted his head and looked at them.
"...Luggage?"
"Master, you're meeting Lord Rui fon at a ball tonight. Please return it."
"Ah... Okay, I got it."
"What luggage!?"
"Don't decide things on your own!"
As the two started to argue, Thomas easily hoisted them up on his shoulder. Oh, as expected of the castle gatekeeper. He's usually gentle, but he's really strong. He's cool.
I couldn't help but clap.
"Let go, you scoundrel! Don't touch me with your dirty hands!"
"What are you so happy about, ugly woman!"
The two shouted. I didn't mind their insults. I'm used to them, and they're true. Thomas seemed to feel the same way and tried to carry them away with an unchanged expression.
Cyrus-sama stopped him by grabbing his shoulder.
Looking down at the two girls with his green eyes.
"--- Where?"
"......Huh......?"
"Say it again. What's dirty about my family? What's ugly about Marie?"
"A... Ah... No... That..."
"--- Do you two have even one thing that's better than Thomas? One thing that's more beautiful or cuter than Marie?
If you do, say it. I can't find a single thing."
The two girls gasped and stopped resisting. Thomas just smiled wryly and carried them away.
Johan chuckled. Mio had her usual expressionless face, as if to say, "Of course."
Cyrus-sama slumped and muttered, "I'm so sleepy," while squatting down.
He must have noticed something, for he broke a vine and stood up in front of me.
His shining eyes looked straight at me.
"...Cyrus-sama?"
"Marie..."
His whisper made my heart skip a beat.
"Y-Yes, what is it?"
Cyrus-sama's hand reached out. It passed by my ear, cupping my cheeks. What? What!?
I didn't understand what was happening, but I braced myself for something big and squeezed my eyes shut.
Cyrus-sama's fingers in my hair. My face felt unusually hot, either because of his warm hand, the approaching summer, or... what? What's happening to me? What's going to happen!?
"Wh-What!?"
I let out a strange sound and opened my eyes to find Cyrus-sama's face right there. As always, he had a very handsome face, looking at me with narrowed eyes. He said,
"...Yeah, it suits you."
"Huh..."
"Red hair with green. Contrasting colors, but they complement each other well."
I noticed the vine woven into my hair.
"Sugar pink or pastel yellow fluffy dresses are cute, but Marie, you look better in vivid colors with a smart line. Your long limbs and good figure stand out. Your hair should be left loose, not tightly tied up with a tiara. This red is beautiful on its own."
"--- Uh... Cyrus-sama..."
"An autumn leaf color scheme would also be nice. With gold thread edging the lace..."
I wondered if this man wasn't an expert in women... I turned to Mio, who had a "Didn't I tell you?" look on her face.
"Trade with the Eastern Republic includes processed foods, industrial materials, precious metals, and crafts. Many of these are beauty and decorative items for women. Despite appearances, the master has a good eye for making women beautiful."
"Is that so..."
"--- Use me, Marie."
While stroking my hair, Cyrus-sama smiled.
"You said you would become my wife. If so, I will use everything I have... the wealth of the Granado Trading Company, the status of a count, and my abilities to make you happy."
"--- Make me... happy?"
"Yes. Every time I go out, I will bring back something to adorn you. Be beautiful, Marie. More and more beautiful."
His warm hand cupped my cheek.
"...Cyrus-sama, thank you..."
But... I'm already very happy...
"Marie"
When Cyrus-sama said my name, a sweet, sleepy feeling made my eyelids heavy. In his hand, I closed my eyes.
And then...
--- Ahem.
Mio's cough made me jump back.
"Sorry, Master, but the time limit is really a limit. You're already late."
"...Ah. Oh."
"Maybe a few more seconds, but that won't be enough. Given the situation, it's better to wait for another opportunity."
"...Ah..."
I remembered my appearance... my room clothes, my muddy gloves, my ragged feet, and my light makeup that had run from sweat.
Looking around, I saw the vegetable garden with tomatoes and cucumbers. Thomas was already gone. Johan, being considerate, had turned his back and was sitting down. But there was one more person, a bath attendant in a tunic, squatting next to him. When our eyes met, she raised a hand.
"I came to get chamomile for a treatment, but it seemed like a good scene, so I thought I'd watch..."
I'm sorry, I want you to leave.
"And, the vine you picked, Master, I think it's something Johan was growing carefully, something important to the beans."
"--- Huh. Ah! Is that so? I'm sorry, Johan. I just thought it was a nice color, but I don't know anything about plants."
Cyrus-sama apologized hurriedly, and Johan, still with his back turned, said softly,
"No... I thought 'Ah' when you reached out, but it was a good scene..."
...I want to go home...
And so, Cyrus-sama was pulled away by Mio, stifling a yawn as he left.
He seemed very busy and wouldn't be back for about ten days. I felt a little sad, but not anxious.
"Goodbye"
At the gate, I saw him off with the other servants. He waved back from the carriage window.
After Cyrus-sama left, I resumed working in the fields with Johan.
In the evening, when Mio called me, I relaxed in a tunic bath and massage. Then I got terribly hungry. I ate dinner made by Topo, returned to my room, and had some tea.
--- It's been almost ten days since I left the Shaduran family.
The days have gotten longer without me noticing.
Summer is coming. In this kingdom, the scorching heat only lasts for a few months.
In three months---
When the tomatoes turn bright red. The engagement ceremony is scheduled to take place in this castle.
And I will marry the man who was my sister's fiancé.
The man is Count Cyrus Granado, who is six years older than me, twenty-four years old.
I know his title and a little bit about him.
He is very tall and handsome, a sweet tooth and a food lover. His face is a bit scary, but he is actually very kind and beloved by everyone in the castle.
I came here as a substitute for my sister.
But it seems he has... a little interest in me.
I also have a little interest in him.
...It's a political marriage, a substitute for my sister, but I hope we can become closer and... happier together. Both of us, together.