After getting out of the bath, I went to the dining hall for dinner, and there, Topo was looking dejected. He was standing with his forehead pressed against the wall, clearly looking downcast.
"…Topo, even though you made dinner for Master, he didn’t eat it, right?"
"Oh… Could it be that Lord Cyrus isn’t feeling well? He seemed fine at noon—"
"He said he didn’t have time to eat… I immediately made him a bento, but there’s a limit to what you can eat in a shaking carriage."
"What, so he’s already left!?"
When I shouted, Topo nodded vigorously.
Oh no… That’s not good.
If I had known, I would have skipped the bath and at least seen him off. I even helped make the bento.
I thought we would finally have dinner together, so I had Tunica help me look nice.
So, that’s it. …That’s it, huh.
"Marie, are you sad that Master isn’t here?"
"Ah!?"
I jumped at the sudden voice.
Tsitsirie was holding the hem of my skirt. Oh, I was so startled. I shook my head vigorously.
"What are you talking about? I’m just worried that Lord Cyrus might get sick from being so busy."
"But Marie, you were really down."
"Huh?"
"You were very down."
From behind, Wolfgang added with a smile.
"Yep, even Topo could tell."
Even Topo… I sat down without saying anything more and started eating my dinner in silence. The servants kept smiling and observing me the whole time. Ugh!
Anyway,
Lord Cyrus really is too busy. According to Tunica, it’s an exceptional situation, so it might settle down soon. Still, isn’t he going out too much?
There are only about fifty days until the engagement ceremony. The dress is being made steadily. As is customary for nobles, the arrangements are being handled by the duke’s family, and the servants are preparing everything perfectly. I think it’s the same in any ordinary household; the bride and groom just follow instructions. We don’t really need any special meetings or practice… but.
I took a big bite of beef stroganoff and sighed inwardly.
The engagement ceremony is literally the day to promise marriage.
The wedding ceremony in front of the gods will be a bit later, but since it’s a grand event with relatives and friends, it’s a big deal.
Especially since Lord Cyrus is the duke’s son, many important people from the country will attend. He will publicly declare his partner in front of them.
This Marie Chaderan and I will get married—
"…Is it really okay for it to be me…?"
That doubt always creeps into my mind.
Lord Cyrus and the servants seem to welcome me… I think. But I haven’t even met the duke yet. I only met the duchess when I first came to the castle. I don’t know much about his relatives, friends, or his work.
We are having a political marriage—of course, it’s important whether I am suitable as the wife of the Granado family. There’s nothing but anxiety. I haven’t been in society, and I haven’t had much conversation with other nobles. I haven’t even received much education for it. I learned how to bow by watching my mother and Anastasia, and my table manners are just textbook knowledge; I’m not sure if they’re correct.
I’m only meeting the duke right before the engagement ceremony, during the final meeting. When I heard that, I almost screamed. That’s really too last minute. If something goes wrong and they say, “This girl isn’t good enough!” what will I do!?
—There’s nothing I can do. I’ll just be put on a carriage and sent away.
As I spend time happily with Lord Cyrus and the people in the castle, my anxiety grows. There’s no basis for thinking everything will be fine.
A teacup was gently placed in front of me. Looking up, I saw the kind smile of an old gentleman.
"Madam, your after-dinner tea is a citrus blend based on chamomile and orange peel."
"Marie, it’s delicious with lots of sugar!"
"Oh, then I’ll bring Topo a dessert that’s not too sweet."
"…Thank you."
When I said that, the servants smiled happily. It’s okay, no matter when we part. I’ve had more than enough wonderful memories.
No matter how or when I’m sent away, I think I can smile and say goodbye.
After finishing my meal and tea, I returned to my room and went out again.
I passed through the courtyard and headed toward Granado Castle. My destination was the library and archives.
The Granado family’s books were stored in the basement of the old castle. The library also had a comfortable reading area, but maps, medical books, and encyclopedias were kept in isolation. It was a remnant from the war when they were treated as military secrets and weapons.
I was carrying an old book there. "The Story of the Tattered Red Cat"—my favorite book, which was in the package from my mother.
The binding cord was broken, the cover was off, and the pages were scattered and crumpled. But they weren’t torn. I had carefully moistened each page, placed weights on them, and dried them to straighten out the wrinkles. It took me several days to repair it, and it was now readable.
The problem was the binding cord. The old binding from Ipsandros was special, and I didn’t know how to fix it.
When I consulted Wolfgang, he suggested that the castle’s library might have—
Unlike the modern library, the old castle had no gas lighting. I held a candlestick and walked down the corridor.
"…It’s so dark… and cold…"
"Perhaps it would have been better to do this in the morning."
Wolfgang, who followed me, said with a slightly displeased voice. I agreed, but—
—But I really wanted to fix it that night. This beloved, nostalgic book. I couldn’t wait to read it again.
"If I find a dictionary with eastern binding methods, I’ll borrow it and come back right away."
"…I apologize. If it were Master or Mio, they might have known."
"Is Mio really that knowledgeable about the east?"
"…No, I don’t have any evidence, but I have a feeling."
"I understand."
We continued talking as we walked.
The library and archives were located in the back, close to the hall. Otherwise, I would have frozen before getting there.
I went down a narrow staircase leading to the basement. At the end was a small door. Without a guide, it would have looked like a storage room.
I tried to open the door with the key I had received in advance—huh? This door doesn’t have a keyhole. When I asked Wolfgang for help, he tilted his head.
"Doesn’t it have a lock?"
I shook my head. Immediately after, the door creaked open.
I couldn’t help but scream.
Someone was there! A person’s face appeared, pushing the door open from the inside.
"…Oh? …Um, what’s your name again?"
When I saw the face, I sighed in relief. Good, it wasn’t a thief. But I tensed up for another reason. I straightened my posture and bowed.
"It’s Marie. I, I haven’t seen you in a while, Lady Ryu-Ryu…"
When I called her name, she raised an eyebrow and then smiled.
Her emerald eyes, the same as Lord Cyrus’s, sparkled brightly in the candlelight.