Chapter 43

Thank you for the bookmarks and evaluations. This is the second chapter of today.

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It took a few days for Jess to arrange a meeting with Amalie.

During that time, Amalie chatted with her knight friends and casually gathered information about Jess.

Fortunately, they had many mutual acquaintances, so it was easy to get a lot of information.

According to what she heard...

"Jess used to often talk about wanting to build a warm family with a cute wife, just like any ordinary man."

"Jess's brother, despite a politically arranged marriage, ended up with a wife who gets along well with him. She is quiet and reserved but very reliable, supporting her brother and living happily."

"Seeing his brother's happy family made Jess's desire to get married even stronger."

"But at some point, he started to become pessimistic, saying, 'I can't get married anymore.'"

"This is fishy," Noel and Amalie thought as they exchanged glances, and then Jules provided them with more information about Jess.

"Is there a woman spreading malicious rumors about Jess?"

Noel couldn't help but raise her voice.

"Yes, the information from Jules is reliable.

It seems that rumors are being spread about Jess being violent and quick to anger, which are completely baseless."

"How terrible!"

Noel clenched her fists.

"How infuriating!"

"Jess is a royal guard! How can they spread such rumors about him!"

"Jules said he will take action.

But the rumors have already spread.

This might be the reason why Jess's arranged meetings haven't been successful."

Amalie frowned.

"Poor Jess... Why would someone spread such rumors?"

"According to Jules, Jess used to be Prince Sariel's guard, right?

He had an arranged meeting with someone who, around the time Prince Sariel's position became precarious, turned him down.

But now, Jess is the royal guard, which is a promotion.

So, despite turning him down before, they tried to propose marriage again. However, the Merlo family rejected it."

"Of course they did," Noel nodded.

"They must have been upset and started spreading rumors."

"How selfish!"

Noel and Amalie nodded in agreement, thinking, "We have to do something about this."

◇◇◇

A few days later.

Noel and Amalie met with Jess.

Jess looked flustered in front of the two princesses.

"You wanted to talk about my dating life..."

He looked extremely uncomfortable.

Sirius, who happened to be there because he had some free time, felt very sympathetic towards Jess.

"Poor guy..."

Noel and Amalie should probably be given some official duties to keep them busy.

Sirius thought they might be getting involved in other people's love lives and dating just because they were bored.

Ignoring the men, Noel and Amalie were in high spirits.

"Let's chat casually. I'm sorry to bother you during your busy schedule."

Noel called out without any real sense of apology, offering a caramel pudding that looked incredibly sweet.

"These sweets are delicious. They're filled with Falor's fresh caramel. Please try one."

"Rich and delicious. Would you like one? Do you like sweets?"

Amalie smiled.

"I'm not a big fan, but I do enjoy sweets," Jess answered earnestly, taking a forkful of the cake.

He blinked after taking a bite.

"Smooth and delicious."

Jess gave an honest review, and his stern face seemed to soften a bit.

"Right?

So, to be straightforward, have you given up on dating?"

Noel asked a question that would normally be difficult to ask, without any hesitation.

"...I thought I had given up, but it seems my older brother hasn't."

Jess answered with a troubled expression.

"Have you heard from Jules about the harassment from the young lady?"

Noel asked, gauging Jess's reaction.

"Yes.

It's my fault."

"It's not your fault at all. The harassment is entirely her fault!"

Amalie exclaimed.

"The arranged marriage was decided by my late father.

Choosing such a young lady was the initial mistake."

Jess answered calmly.

"Well, that's partly true, but it's still her fault.

Spreading rumors is unforgivable."

"But I also let them believe it..."

"Come on, Jess, don't be so negative."

Amalie started to drop her princess facade.

"The young lady who spread the rumors was just good at it. I think the one who believed the rumors was also careless."

Noel had also struggled with hurtful rumors and even lost confidence at one point. She could understand how Jess felt.

"Leaving the rumor issue to Jules...

Honestly, have you really given up on the desire to get married?"

When Amalie asked, Jess thought for a moment.

"To be honest... I find arranged marriages with noble young ladies very difficult."

Jess finally said, slightly lowering his eyes.

"I understand."

Amalie and Noel nodded in agreement.

"Then, what if we found you a good match who isn't a typical noble young lady?"

Noel probed.

From Amalie's investigation, they had information about Lala. She seemed to be quite different from a typical noble young lady and didn't even seem like a lady at all.

If Jess's ideal was a lady, she would be a bad match.

"Someone more down-to-earth would be better.

I've told my brother about my feelings, and he's trying to find a merchant's daughter for me.

However, his connections don't provide much information in that area, so it might take some time. But I don't mind how long it takes."

Jess answered, looking a bit tired.

Noel and Amalie secretly nodded in agreement.

This could work.

Sirius, who had been observing, decided to try to stop their reckless actions again.

Thank you for reading.

I will post again tomorrow.