Chapter 47

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One month later.

Today was the day of Jess and Lala's arranged meeting.

The meeting was scheduled for noon, but Lala arrived early to finish her styling. At the Farol household, they had been thoroughly taking care of her hair and skin as instructed by Claris. When Lala appeared in the dress made specially for this day, Noelle and Amalie were excited, exclaiming, "It suits you!" and "You look cute!"

Although a month wasn't enough for the diet to have a significant effect, Lala's appearance had changed considerably. Thanks to the special training, her hunched shoulders and habit of looking down had improved a lot. Originally, when she worked on the ranch, she didn't have these habits. They were more of a mental issue, stemming from a lack of confidence when in public. Lala had been trying hard to keep her head up for the "arranged meeting with Jess." The transformation was dramatic, almost unbelievable for just one month.

Claris was putting the finishing touches on Lala, styling her hair and applying makeup while looking at her facial features.

"You look very beautiful. You've worked hard."

"I still need to continue the diet a bit more. The extra flesh is getting in the way," Lala replied, blushing slightly.

Although Lala sounded uncertain, her body looked much tighter due to the simultaneous training. The dress she wore today was designed and colored to make her look slimmer, which was a good choice.

"Hehe, just a little more."

◇◇◇

At that time,

Jess was waiting for Lala in the reception room with a view of the beautiful garden.

"...You seem very nervous, Jess."

When Sirius spoke, Jess replied in a barely audible voice, "...Yes."

—That's understandable.

Sirius glanced at the viscount and count couples and thought.

Today was supposed to be just a meet-and-greet. This arranged meeting was not meant to have any political implications. Both families had clearly stated that they only wished for the happiness of the two. Jess was 29, and Lala was 22. Both were mature adults.

Therefore, they had arranged for them to meet and have lunch together. If either of them didn't get along, they could decline. Sirius had told them, "It's just lunch. Try to relax." It seemed unlikely that Lala would decline, but Jess's thoughts were unclear.

Noelle and the others planned to leave after seeing the two. Even with maids and attendants present, the goal was to deepen their relationship.

That was the plan.

However, when the meeting began, everyone had gathered.

Sirius had known the viscountess would come, and the Viscount Farol had also confirmed his attendance.

That was within expectations.

But the Count and Countess Merlo had also arrived.

If it was just the Count, he could have made a round trip on horseback, but with the Countess, they must have come by carriage and planned to stay overnight in the capital.

The Viscount Farol's large frame made the reception room seem a bit cramped.

The Viscount had been present at the previous meeting, silent but worried.

Seeing the stern father who wished for his daughter's happiness, Sirius felt a sense of responsibility.

Lady Marie had a mixed expression of anxiety and hope.

In front of them sat Count Valente Merlo and Lady Lucile.

Jess considered them the ideal couple. Indeed, they seemed to fit well together. Lady Lucile was a gentle, elegant, and delicate beauty. She appeared to be a supportive wife, as Jess had described her.

Jules was also there today. He was concerned about the outcome of his wife's actions.

Sirius understood his feelings. He felt the same way.

The gathered group, different from the original plan, exchanged polite greetings and seemed relaxed, regardless of their true feelings.

Suddenly, there was a faint sound of footsteps in the hallway.

After a light knock, three women appeared.

The two princesses stopped the viscount and count from standing to greet them with a smile.

"Please, take your seats."

The room's attention focused on a particularly charming woman.

Lala had transformed completely.

Her golden, lustrous hair was styled in a soft updo, held together with a silver hair accessory.

The dress was a chic design in a beautiful indigo color with deep blue patterns, making Lala look slender. The subtle emphasis on her ample chest was a key point.

Her makeup was very natural, highlighting the beauty of her skin.

She had stopped hunching her shoulders. Her cute face showed a slight tension, but she was smiling.

She looked very attractive today. Heinrich's eye for beauty was indeed reliable.

Jess was captivated by Lala, looking at her in amazement.

Marie was beaming. The Viscount Farol looked relieved.

The Count and Countess Merlo also seemed pleased.

"I am Lala Farol, the third daughter of the Farol family. I apologize for being late.

It is a pleasure to meet all of you today."

Lala bowed gracefully.

"Viscount, what a lovely young lady.

Shall we begin the conversation?

Let me introduce everyone."

Sirius took charge of the room, introducing everyone with a smile. As the food was served, the conversation naturally turned to the ingredients.

"Viscount Farol, this is Farol's smoked meat, isn't it?"

Count Valente Merlo immediately recognized it and spoke to the viscount.

"Did you notice? Yes, it's our smoked meat.

Well, our main business is a dairy, and we only dabble in meat as a side project.

But it seems you have an interest in it."

Viscount Farol—Alonso Farol—had heard that Count Merlo was interested in smoked meat, so he had it used today.

The "House of Merlo" was quite well-known. It was known for having many magical beasts and the previous count's gambling habits.

Alonso had been present when the previous count lost badly at cards. There were many spectators.

'What a scoundrel,' Alonso had thought.

The previous Count Merlo had emptied his wallet and then paid with gold from a yellow pouch.

That pouch was known to all lords. It contained money from the royal palace, a subsidy.

The previous count had used the subsidy given to his territory to pay off his gambling debts.

Alonso, though it was another family's business, had felt a surge of anger.

When he heard that the scoundrel lord had died, he thought, 'Good riddance.'

He imagined that the Merlo territory might have even fired celebratory cannons.

The young count in front of him now seemed intelligent, and it was hard to believe he was the son of the previous count.

—Perhaps he has some resemblance to his father. If he were told he resembled his father, the count might not like it.

Because of the memory of the previous count, Alonso had a good impression of the Merlo family's children.

The eldest son, who had protected the territory from a foolish father and numerous magical beasts, and the second son, who had become a trusted royal guard, must have found a good match for their sister.

Valente, unaware of the viscount's thoughts, spoke cheerfully.

"Yes. I think the meat of the Spotted Fang, a half-magical beast from my territory, would be perfect for this smoked meat.

I didn't know it was a side project for you."

"I don't produce much.

Spotted Fang is a fierce name. It's not a magical beast or a regular beast, but a half-magical beast."

The viscount's eyes widened.

"Being a half-magical beast, it hasn't decreased in number even with the increased divine protection under King Sirius's reign. It might have even increased."

Valente looked slightly troubled.

"Ha ha, I see.

It's not a dangerous creature, then?"

"It doesn't attack people. It just loves potatoes, which is a problem."

Valente answered with a hint of melancholy.

"Loving potatoes, it sounds like a peaceful creature."

The viscount's expression was carefree, as if it were someone else's problem.

"Well, seeing a large bull eating potatoes is quite a peaceful sight," Valente explained with a wry smile.

"The farmers in the potato fields are struggling. Some of the residents also love potatoes.

So, they hunt the large bulls. The meat is quite good. It's rich and flavorful, not overly fatty despite its size."

"Hmm... I see.

If you can bring the hunted bulls, can I consider them already butchered?"

The viscount seemed interested.

"Of course.

Does the Farol family not butcher them?"

"That's right.

The reason we started making smoked meat is that guests who visit our ranch always ask, 'Is there any meat?' So, we decided to make it a business.

Actually, we don't raise meat cattle.

We buy some block meat from a meat cattle ranch. My father enjoyed smoked meat.

Since then, we've been making it as a hobby and for profit."

"I see.

We'll bring the hunted bulls, already prepared for cooking.

The hunters are skilled.

The meat will be ready to grill."

"Please, bring one."

"I'm looking forward to it."

The stern viscount and the slender count smiled at each other, wearing their business faces.