Chapter 44

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Today, I will post two episodes. This is the first one.

The information about the noble's background was easy to obtain. That level of information wasn't a secret.

Miss Lara Farol attended a girls' school for noble daughters up until middle school.

She transferred to a magic academy for high school.

It seems she was bullied at the girls' school.

In such schools, it was common for daughters of lower nobility, like baron families, to be bullied. Lara's family had only recently been elevated from baron to viscount, which made her a target.

At the magic academy's high school, she majored in pharmacy and had good grades.

After graduation, she helped with the family business.

She is currently 22 years old, which is starting to be considered late for marriage.

Noel and Amalie had their guards investigate Lara's appearance and condition.

They also heard from Lucian.

"Lara's face is hard to see.

Her hair is always messy and covers her face, and she's hunched over and looking down.

Heine says she's cute, but I don't get it.

Father said, 'If she doesn't clear her hair from her face and lift her head, it's impossible to tell if she's cute.'"

"Then, Madame Marie said Lara is a hard worker," Lucian continued.

"That's why she doesn't act ladylike.

Madame Marie's place is a huge ranch, and it's incredibly busy.

They hire many people, but the whole family works together. Lara looks like she's always working.

She usually wears pants. She works with the cattle dogs, I think. Madame Marie's place has cows, and the dogs herd them.

She takes care of the big dogs, changes the straw, and does all sorts of things. Straw often gets stuck in her hair. Jeth is cleaner than she is.

When she comes to buy eggs and herbs, she wears a dress, but the straw in her hair stays the same.

Also, I think Lara is a bit overweight."

――…It seems it will take some time to improve.

If Heine says she's cute, she must have good potential.

Noel and Amalie resolved themselves.

The maids and head maid thought, "She might shine if polished."

The reports from the guards weren't bad. They confirmed what Lucian had said. She is a hard worker and gets along well with her family and other servants.

Noel and Amalie arranged to meet on the day Madame Marie was visiting the store in the capital.

When they contacted her, the viscount also decided to come.

The two of them approached the meeting day with a mix of nervousness and anticipation.

Madame Marie was as rumored, a plump and pleasant woman.

Viscount Farol was a stern-looking man, tall with a strong face. He looked so stern that Jeth seemed cute in comparison.

Noel and Amalie understood, "If she's used to her father's face, Jeth is fine."

"Is it true that Miss Farol complimented our guards, saying they are handsome?"

Noel asked this when the conversation had warmed up a bit.

"Oh... So you know about my daughter's knight?"

Marie's eyes widened.

"Really, Miss Lara has a one-sided love for Jeth?"

"It's hopeless, of course. It's a perfect one-sided love.

It's been years, about 7 years.

Since she was 15. I'll never forget it.

She said, 'There was a very handsome knight at the Vionne residence,' with shining eyes..."

Marie sighed softly.

For 7 years, that's quite a long time. Since Lucian was a baby.

Noel and Amalie were surprised to learn it was such a deep one-sided love.

"Have you given up from the start?"

"I heard from Lord Heine. Jeth is a knight of the royal guard, from a prestigious earl's family.

While our family isn't bad, it's hard to match a royal guard knight with my daughter.

If there were any chance for them to share feelings, it might be possible.

But with my daughter, who is so shy, reclusive, and socially awkward, it's impossible."

Marie shook her head with a despairing expression.

Noel and Amalie agreed with Marie's reasoning.

It's difficult for a viscount's family, with no connection to the royal guard, to propose marriage.

Moreover, the Farol family was only recently elevated to viscount.

"That's what we're here to talk about.

If... if there's a possibility, would Miss Lara be willing to try?"

Amalie leaned forward.

"Is there a possibility?"

Marie asked back.

"Yes, we're still working on it."

"If it's possible, she would be overjoyed.

But, actually, Lara was bullied severely at the girls' school.

Because she was quiet and didn't say anything, they continued to insult and belittle her.

It was hard to complain because the bullies were from higher nobility."

"That's despicable! The school did nothing about it?"

Amalie raised her voice in anger. Noel nodded beside her.

"The school is trying to dispel the rumors of lower nobility daughters being bullied.

However, the group of girls who bullied Lara also bullied others... They became known as 'vicious women' and lost many good marriage prospects. It was a relief for us."

Marie smiled bitterly.

"Oh, I've heard that story. The vicious women who carelessly insulted a high-ranking official's daughter, and their bad character spread... As a result, they are still unmarried in their late 20s?"

Amalie, who was well-informed, recalled.

"Yes, those are the ones," Marie nodded, "But, our Lara is also unmarried," she smiled bitterly again.

"The reasons for not getting married are different, so it's unfair to compare them."

Noel replied in a comforting tone.

"Thank you. But I feel Lara is still affected by what happened back then.

Her shyness and reclusiveness worsened.

She's uncomfortable around people. She won't lift her head or face anyone except family and servants she's known since childhood.

I think it's fine for her to live with us. We can support one daughter without forcing her to marry."

"Oh, don't say that.

Please wait a little longer."

Noel and Amalie calmed the viscount and his wife.