Chapter 28

"Alright, anyway, I have something I want to consult you about. As you know, my circumstances have changed quite a bit."

"What kind of thing?"

"It's also related to your family, but first, let me tell you about my feelings..."

Ramilio hesitated to get to the point.

"If there's anything I can do to help, please let me know."

Lucretia loved being relied on. Her voice sounded lively even to herself.

"Well, um..."

But Ramilio remained vague.

"...By the way, how is your mother doing?"

"She passed away."

"I see, that's a shame. What about your stepmother?"

"She's my stepmother. She had my sister and then left with another man."

Ramilio's mood visibly sank. He must have been at a loss for words.

"What about your parents, Lord Ramilio?"

"They died in an epidemic, along with most of my relatives."

"Oh... Was it during the epidemic ten years ago?"

"Yes. I was the only one who survived because I was sent to a monastery deep in the mountains."

Seeing the sad Ramilio, Lucretia felt a strange sense of closeness.

"We are quite similar, aren't we?"

"Maybe so."

Ramilio looked straight at Lucretia.

His golden eyes seemed even warmer and softer in the sunlight.

"I never felt you were a stranger. Even when I only knew you through letters, I sympathized with you."

"Lord Ramilio..."

Lucretia couldn't take her eyes off him. She unconsciously pressed her hand against her heart, which was beating faster.

"I understand the frustration you must have felt being asked to marry someone like me. I was confined in a monastery for a long time. That's why I want you to be happier than anyone else. I promise to do anything to make that happen. So—"

Ramilio hesitated.

"...I, um..."

He seemed to want to say something but mumbled indistinctly.

"...So, in other words, I—"

Ramilio stopped talking completely.

His gaze was fixed on the trail of ants on the floor beyond the table.

Lucretia waited patiently.

—Is the consultation really that hard to talk about? Lord Ramilio seems different today.

Ramilio's face was red, almost crimson.

Feeling frustrated, Lucretia decided to try to ease his tension.

"I knew the rumors about Lord Ramilio were exaggerated even before I came. So I didn't find it at all unpleasant."

Lucretia smiled at the surprised Ramilio.

"From the moment I saw the newspaper describe your eyes as 'insect-like,' I thought perhaps I could help you."

"Is that all? There were many other terrible things written. Didn't you find it a bit unpleasant?"

Lucretia couldn't help but chuckle.

"Lord Ramilio, you are so kind. You worry about a stranger and always try to be considerate. But that's not good."

Lucretia wanted Ramilio to clearly recognize this as a bad habit, so she spoke firmly.

"No matter how many times I say I'm fine, it's not good to believe your own imagination. Even if you're worried about me. I didn't come here reluctantly, and I don't feel any frustration."

She emphasized that she didn't feel any frustration.

"Because you are kind, you overthink things. But I'm fine. Please believe me and consult me about anything."

—I hope this will make him more open.

As Lucretia looked at him expectantly, Ramilio leaned forward across the table.

His action suggested he was about to confide something important to her.

"Alright. Since you've said this much, I have to take responsibility."

Ramilio stood up.

To Lucretizia's surprise, he knelt down at her feet.

He took her hand and held it tightly.

"Please, don't say anything. Marry me right now. I want to have a wedding tomorrow and become a complete couple."

Lucretia instantly recalled all the necessary preparations for marriage.

Her face flushed.

"...!?"

Even Lucretia, who was usually composed, was speechless for a moment.

Ramilio's serious eyes told her this was no joke.

"Please wait, we only got engaged a few days ago, didn't we?"

"That's not enough. I... I really want to marry you right now. There are many reasons... but most importantly, I want to."

Lucretia was almost in a panic.

"Dress... banquet menu... and, the cathedral reservation..."

"I promise to have a grand parade for the whole country later. For now, let's have a small family ceremony."

Lucretia, who had been trained to be a marshal's wife, knew this was not a good idea.

However, her heart was racing uncontrollably. She was probably happy, and this made her rational mind waver.

—What has happened to Lord Ramilio today?

He seemed like a completely different person.

She then remembered that she had encouraged him to consult her about anything, which deepened her anxiety.

—Indeed, I did say I wanted him to consult me about anything!

"Why... why such a rush?"

"You want to know the reason. Right now, I can only ask you to trust me. But I promise I will never make you unhappy."

Ramilio continued to hold Lucretia's hand, as if he wouldn't let her go.

The touch was warm, and she was sweating under her silk gloves.

His golden eyes looked up at her.

—What a wonderful man, she thought, inappropriately.

"A... a..."

Lucretia's mind was a blur.

"I, I'm very... very happy, but... but, the ceremony... the arrangements..."

"Are you happy?"

"W, well, of course, but..."

"Then it's settled."

"Wh-what!?"

Ramilio's unusually confident and selfish behavior made Lucretia's heart race, leaving her at a loss.

In her panic, she thought of one thing.

—Ah, that's right. A lady would do this in such a situation.

Lucretia pretended to faint and fell into Ramilio's arms.

"Hey! What's wrong, Lucretia, Lucretia!?"

Hearing Ramilio's urgent voice as he called for a doctor, Lucretia continued to pretend to be unconscious.

She was carried in his arms like a princess and almost screamed but held back.

—Lord Ramilio is so strong... I'm not that light, you know.

She felt guilty for faking an illness but couldn't ask to be put down.

Thus, Lucretia was carried back to her room by Ramilio.

She waited until he left, then jumped up as soon as the room was empty.

—I have to write this in my diary. I need to write it down quickly.

The sudden proposal would surely pique the interest of future generations.

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