Chapter 51

Thank you very much for reading.

I am also very pleased with bookmarks and reviews.

The marriage hunt story of Jess has concluded, but I will post a continuation.

I plan to post it at 8 or 9 o'clock.

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Three months later.

Jess and Lala were attending the summer solstice banquet at the palace.

The palace banquet is a social event.

Married women attend with their husbands, and single women are escorted by male relatives or fiancés.

Jess was attending with Lala.

Today, he was off duty as a guard. The king had said, "Since you are newly engaged, you should attend."

Lala had completed her diet and her beautiful figure was accentuated by her dress.

The blue-gray dress, adorned with sequins and embroidery, matched the color of Jess's eyes.

Her hair was neatly tied up with a hair accessory Jess had given her, and the dress was also a gift from him.

The other attendees were paying attention to them, asking, "Who are those two?"

Lala was not well-known, and Jess also looked a bit different.

Jess stood stiffly, trying to act nonchalant despite feeling awkward.

Claris, Noelle's maid, adjusted his eyebrows without asking, which slightly softened his stern appearance.

It might be a good thing, but it felt embarrassing, as if he had become a pretty boy.

—Well, just for today.

Tonight, they had come to dispel the rumors about Jess and show off his beautiful fiancée—according to the queens.

The person who spread the rumors was about to be arrested for defamation and spreading false information about the king's guard, but the noble family had sent their daughter to a harsh and remote convent.

Moreover, it was a place from which she could never return.

They offered to settle out of court and were willing to pay any amount of compensation.

They must have thought their business would fail otherwise. Besides, the daughter had become so spoiled and difficult to manage that there was no hope of finding her a husband.

It might end in a settlement, but it's not certain yet.

The other young ladies who believed the false rumors are left behind.

To Jess, it doesn't matter, but Lala and her family want to settle this.

—It feels like it's already settled.

When a young lady who believed the rumors glanced at them, he could see the fear and guilt in her eyes. She must have been unable to resist the noble lady who was sent to the convent.

The music began, and the royal family entered the hall.

The presence of the king and queens brightened the atmosphere.

Lala knew that the beautiful queens had worked hard to achieve their elegance. She was determined not to return to her former, withdrawn self.

As the next song started, other couples were drawn to the orchestra's music.

Jess elegantly took Lala's hand, and she looked at her fiancé with dreamy eyes.

—It's a bit troublesome to be looked at like that.

Jess had been told by Lala:

"My father is often said to look like the leader of a band of thieves, but I think he looks cool.

You, Sir Jess, look cool and handsome like the boss of an underground organization."

There are various points of concern, but when Lala looks at him with eyes that say "I admire you," he can't help but think it's fine.

—Just focus on the part where she says I look cool, I guess.

◇◇

Sirius had finally relaxed after finishing his dances and greetings.

—No matter how long I stay, I'm not good at these kinds of events.

He noticed the cheerful couple, the Marquess and Marchioness of Merlo. They were a truly loving couple.

The smoked meat business with the Farol family had already taken off. It was going smoothly.

—What is the Marchioness doing?

It looked like she had hidden something behind the vase.

After they left, Sirius approached the table.

—Dragon wine?

It's a strong drink. It's good to drink when you want to get drunk quickly.

—Does the Marquess have a bad drinking habit?

He couldn't figure it out, and it wasn't worth asking.

Sirius left the scene, still puzzled.

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Just a few minutes earlier.

The Marquess and Marchioness of Merlo were chatting at a table on the side, not dancing.

"You came to such a banquet. Were you that eager to see your brothers' fine appearances?"

Lucile teased with a soft smile.

"I wanted to see them. I feel like I have no regrets."

Valente was in a good mood.

When they received information about Lala, it included that she was "gloomy and chubby," which made Valente worried. Lucile, however, thought Lala would be a good match for her brother-in-law based on information like "she was cute in elementary school" and "she helped take care of large dogs on the ranch."

So, she told her husband, "Leave it to the queens. A woman in love can transform herself."

Indeed, Lala had transformed like a butterfly emerging from a cocoon, polished and drawing attention. Most of all, her clingy behavior towards Jess was endearing.

"Hehe. That feeling is too early by 40 years."

"I don't plan to stay in active service for 40 years."

"I'll support you for 40 years, 50 years, or however long it takes.

We don't know if our sons will be reliable yet."

"They might be more reliable than we think."

Valente, slightly tipsy, answered cheerfully and was considering whether to go greet an acquaintance.

Lucile noticed a bottle of dragon wine behind the vase on the table.

—Well, to serve such a strong drink. The palace servants are going too far.

When Valente wasn't looking, Lucile hid the bottle of dragon wine behind the vase.

She knew that Valente would momentarily grimace if he saw the bottle.

Lucile also knew the reason—more like she had guessed it.

To protect the good mood of her kind husband, she quietly moved the dragon wine away.

Valente decided to greet a friend and invited his wife to leave the table.

His usually sharp-tongued friend didn't say much today and even complimented Jess's fiancée.

The two of them enjoyed the banquet in good spirits and returned to their peaceful territory the next day, where the main concern was a potato-loving bull.