On that day, Granado Castle was bustling with people coming and going from early morning.
Most of them were commoners, enjoying the feast laid out in the courtyard, singing, and dancing.
What was different from the last time was not only that the number of people had increased several times over, but also that my parents were absent, and many nobles and dignitaries from other countries were seated as guests.
It was summer—the day of the engagement ceremony.
At the recent 'rehearsal,' the hastily arranged decorations had become several times more luxurious, and Granado Castle, decorated with colorful flowers by Johan, was a sight to behold.
The feast prepared for this day far exceeded the number from the previous time. The chefs, led by the head chef Topo, kept bringing out dishes one after another, satisfying the guests' stomachs and hearts.
Thomas, the gatekeeper standing at the main gate, was extremely busy, handling the reception of over a hundred guests.
Mio had been running around all morning. The nobles first greeted Mrs. Ryu-Ryu, seated in the salon inside the castle, and Duke Alfred Granado. Mio took care of their luggage, coats, and gifts, and Tunica styled the hair of the ladies who wished for it.
After that, they proceeded to the courtyard... and in front of the raised platform at the far end of the hall.
Under the bell, a man and a woman in pure white attire stood side by side—today, the newly engaged couple. The guests bowed deeply in the royal style before them.
"Thank you for inviting us today. Lord Cyrus Granado, Lady Marie Chaderan Granado. We sincerely congratulate you on your engagement."
Oh, Lady Granado... Every time I hear those words, my heart skips a beat. Each time, my fiancé chuckles and pulls at my sleeve as soon as the guest leaves.
"How many people have we greeted now? You should get used to it, my lady."
"But... it still feels like a dream. Me, marrying Cyrus—hey, you?"
When I pout, Cyrus blushes even more and crouches down. When I ask what's wrong, he groans, holding his head.
"I've finally gotten used to being called by my first name without honorifics... but you're still breaking the rules..."
Oh? I crouch down next to him and whisper in his ear.
"What's wrong with you? Why are you blushing? We're already married, you know."
"Well, yes, but..."
"Then don't hide your face. Look at me? Come on, you... Cyrus. I love you."
Cyrus, whose head is steaming, is so cute and dear that I can't help but laugh. I hide my smiling mouth with my hand, and on my left ring finger, a ring with a red stone is set.
The engagement ring, a red diamond the same color as my hair. On my right little finger, a small ring with an emerald, similar to his eyes, sparkles.
Once all the guests have been received, they greet us at the raised platform... and then the real celebration begins.
The newlyweds hold hands and perform a dance.
Thanks to all the practice, we managed to dance without tripping and received applause from the audience.
The dance party that follows is spectacular! The number of people is incredible. Not only the noble ladies and gentlemen but also the commoners start dancing as they please. Even using all the castle's courtyards and salon halls isn't enough; people are dancing in the corridors, staircases, and landings everywhere.
As the night deepens, the dances become more romantic.
Not just couples and married couples, but also men and women who meet on the spot invite each other to dance. Even the servants, who have finished their work and are enjoying the food, are occasionally invited.
"Y-You there! After you finish that apple pie, would you dance one song with me?"
"Of course, madam. I'd be happy to."
"Oh... what a handsome cook..."
"Miss, you smell so good. Your skin is so beautiful, what foundation do you use?"
"Hehe, I don't use any foundation."
"Did you grow the flowers, sir? That's amazing! I'll dance for you as a reward."
"......Thank you."
Haha, everyone seems popular.
In the midst of all this... Anastasia was standing alone behind the raised platform. She wasn't wearing a worker's uniform but a white blouse and short pants, dressed in a boy's formal attire. Anastasia doesn't dislike dresses. The Granado Trading Company offered to prepare one, but she refused. Because Norman might be here, she said.
After that—Anastasia didn't return to the Chaderan household.
It wasn't because the Chaderan family was dissolved. She had clearly cut ties with the house, which was no longer her home.
The Chaderan family managed to maintain their baronial title. The Granado family would manage the estate practically, sending capable managers, but the estate would remain in the Chaderan name. The title would eventually be elevated to viscount.
However, whether her father could remain the lord of the Chaderan territory... that was not possible. The title was passed to his six-year-old eldest son that very day. Of course, young Cedric was not yet capable of the duties, so the Granado family would manage until he turned eighteen, at which point everything would be returned.
Louisphon was the one to inform Cedric of this decision.
"Anyway, if Cedric wants to be the lord of the Chaderan territory, we can arrange for him to attend the royal capital's school, where Cyrus and I studied. What do you think?"
"The school the prince attended? I'll go!!"
So, Cedric left home and is currently staying in the student dormitory of the royal capital, in the process of formal enrollment.
Cedric seems excited, but it's said to be quite strict, and Cyrus initially showed reluctance. He was concerned about the mental burden.
I was also very worried, but—
"Listen, listen, Marie. I already made eighty-five friends and seven girlfriends today!"
So it seems.
Well... if it doesn't work out, the Chaderan estate will eventually become part of the Granado family. As long as he's enjoying it, I think it's fine to let him attend.
In contrast, his father...
Surprisingly, he was also thrown into the school and the dormitory. Unlike Cedric, his studies had already started, and he couldn't be expelled even if he cried or screamed. If he failed even one subject, he wouldn't be allowed to leave the dormitory for the semester.
Actually, I was the one who suggested this. After waking up, his father said things like, "Become a puppet of the Granado family? You're mocking me, just kill me!" He had treated his daughters like dolls for years, calling them useless... but he couldn't be serious, right?
Of course, if he completes his studies and graduates, he can return to the Chaderan family, but as the viscount's butler. At least he would have a place to sleep and food to eat. I think it's a very lenient punishment... but when I said that, Cyrus, Anastasia, Mrs. Ryu-Ryu, Louisphon, and Mio all shook their heads.
"It's impossible, of course."
"The worst torture."
"Marie, you must still hate your father."
"It would be easier to just cut off his head."
"Marie, are you worse than me?"
"What a fortunate thing."
"R-Really?"
Well, on the third day of his stay, he climbed a twelve-meter wall and escaped for the eighth time—though he'll probably be brought back by nightfall—so they might be right.
As for my mother... she faced no consequences.
It would be impossible to legally punish her, as she did nothing. She simply did nothing.
After that... I asked Anastasia what she really thought. She said it casually, with the same expression she had when she threw eggs at our mother.
"Don't act like a victim. She's just a lazy person. She was full of complaints about herself but made no effort. Her red hair and other things were just excuses—she kept denying that 'capable' Marie, who looked just like her."
"...Mother lived without ever having anything..."
"It's her own fault. She even had others imitate her idol. She should face what she has created for the rest of her life."
Anastasia is right... and so, alone... Mother lives in the vast Chaderan mansion, doing nothing. A large, empty house with gaps everywhere, and she's the only one there.
Even if family and servants return in a few years... she will still be alone.
She will likely remain so until she dies.
Anastasia laughed cheerfully at this outcome. While laughing, a single tear fell from her blue eyes.
"...I'm not much different, though."
And now, Anastasia is staying in this castle. She has already written to Norman but finds it difficult to meet him face-to-face, so she keeps putting it off.
She says, "I know I shouldn't, but I'll gather my courage," but I think it's fine to take her time. She will definitely take action on her own, not too far in the future.
Dressed as a boy, Anastasia stands in a corner, and only one person reaches out to her.
"Would you like me to take you to Norman's workshop on my horse when the morning comes?"
Anastasia glares at him and shakes her head.
"I'll go and talk to him properly eventually. Even if he rejects me, it's my own fault."
"You don't need to be so serious. If you have nowhere else to go, you can come to the palace."
"...You. You've been saying things like that lately. Stop making creepy jokes. As a prince, you probably have a few fiancées, right?"
Even as she slaps his hand away, he remains smiling. With his usual playful grin, he extends his hand again.
"Yes, five perfect political engagements, arranged before I was born. I have to choose one from five."
"...Five?"
"Even though polygamy isn't allowed in this country, choosing one from five or one from six doesn't change much."
"...I don't know anything about you except that you're handsome."
"I only know you as a very beautiful and interesting woman. Why don't we dance one song to get to know each other better?"
"...Alright. ...Tonight, I'll confirm with my own eyes and then firmly reject you."
With that, Anastasia takes the prince's hand.
The party continues well into the night.
I returned to my room in the mansion. Sitting at the vanity, I was about to touch up my makeup and return to the venue, but I couldn't move. I sighed.
—Knock, knock. Someone knocked on the door.
"...Cyrus?"
When I called out, my fiancé—my future husband—appeared with his shining green eyes, as expected.
Seeing me, he relaxed.
"Ah, thank goodness... Marie, are you tired?"
I instinctively shook my head, but then reconsidered and nodded.
"A little... but I'm fine now. I'll return soon."
"No, you should rest tonight. You're using honorifics again."
"Wha!?"
I quickly covered my mouth. Cyrus chuckled, stroked me, and suddenly picked me up in his arms, carrying me to the bed.
My body sank into the soft mattress.
"Leave the guests to me, Marie. Staying up all night is bad for your skin."
But then, I need to remove my makeup, right? I'm still in my wedding dress and wearing glass slippers. I smiled wryly and accepted his kiss. I had a question and asked him.
"Hey, Cyrus. Earlier... you said 'thank goodness' when you saw my face. You looked relieved. Was something wrong?"
He looked troubled.
"No... you were taking a long time to return. I was afraid you might not come back at all, or that everything was just a dream."
"Oh. That makes me sound like I just arrived here."
I laughed in surprise, and Cyrus smiled self-deprecatingly, lowering his eyebrows. We clung to each other, tangling our hair.
He asked me with his eyes closed.
"...Marie, are you really here? Haven't you disappeared?"
"Yes... I'm here. Always. As long as you're by my side."
"I promise to never leave you. I love you, Marie."
"I love you too... only you."
We whispered to each other between kisses, exchanging words and lips.
My dear one. My reliable one. My precious one. Someone so dear that I could drown in their love.
One of my shoes slipped off as I stretched my toes, but neither of us chased after it. We were too focused on holding each other's hands, intertwining our fingers.
I listened to his hoarse voice calling my name...
—And then, at that moment.
Bang! Clang, clang, clang, BANG!
"Ah!?"
"What!? What's that noise!?"
Startled by the loud noise in the dark night, both Cyrus and I jumped up. Adjusting our clothes, we hurried to the window.
In the center of the dance party, the wedding bell was being rung furiously. Cécile was ringing it wildly, and Mio was lifting it to the ringing height.
Oh no, it's so loud! Checking the clock, it was indeed midnight, but church bells aren't usually rung at such a volume!
Furthermore, from the castle's rooftop, came a series of explosions. This time, it was fireworks. Not the small ones used in the 'rehearsal,' but huge, magnificent fireworks. The banners hanging by the windows were illuminated by the sparks.
"Congratulations on your engagement, from the staff of Granado Castle."
"...When did they prepare all this? Our staff are all... so..."
The castle lord groaned, holding his head.
I laughed out loud, half in exasperation, but with a big smile.
A noisy, chaotic summer night, far from romantic.
I'm sure there will be many more days like this in the future, no matter the season or the year—forever, as long as Cyrus is by my side and I am by his.
The magical reality will continue without end.
Thank you for reading.
For about nine months, this work, "The Ruined Lady is Doted on by Her Sister's Ex-Fiancé," has been supported by many of you. This is the conclusion of the main story.
However, there are still many short stories, side characters' episodes, and future stories I want to write that didn't fit into the main story.
I plan to update them as soon as they are ready.
...And, I will also share information about the book and manga versions, so please keep the bookmark (laughs).
Please share your thoughts and requests for the future.
I look forward to seeing you again soon.
July 2020, Tobira
The first book is now available, and the manga serialization has started.