Chapter 30

The carriage we boarded was making its way down the grand avenue of the capital city. After watching the outside from the window for a while, I hesitantly turned my gaze to the opposite seat.

Our family's carriage is not that small. However, compared to the large carriages owned by wealthy nobles, it is quite small, so it looks cramped when two tall men sit side by side. Moreover, both of them were dressed for the ball. Even though they were familiar, they seemed unusually imposing, and I felt a bit intimidated.

"…Um"

When I softly called out, both of them looked at me simultaneously.

"What's wrong? We'll be arriving soon."

"Yes, but… I haven't been told where we are going at all."

When I asked about something that had been bothering me, Albes-niisan averted his eyes for some reason. Fil, who had dyed his hair, also averted his eyes, but when I stared at him, he seemed to give up.

"Well, um, you'll know when we get there."

"Why won't you tell me?"

"Well, it's because… I want you to be surprised?"

"I'm not very familiar with the capital, but beyond this road, there are only the mansions of very high-ranking people, right?"

"Um, well, um…"

Fil looked troubled and hesitated, then quickly glanced sideways as if seeking help from Albes-niisan. However, niisan was looking out the window and didn't turn his gaze towards us at all. I see. I understood that he had no intention of answering.

"Fil can wear a mask, so it's fine for him, but we can't wear masks. We can't act strangely, and it would be more comfortable to know some information about the host."

"About the host… you don't need to worry, right?"

Fil's gaze wandered, and he gave a slightly strained smile.

"Um, right! Lucia, you should wear a mask too! Then you won't have to worry about anything!"

"…But Tiana said absolutely not to wear a mask."

"Is that so? …I also thought it would be better for Lucia not to wear a mask. Today, Lucia looks very beautiful, and I really think it would be better to wear a mask. Albes, don't you think so too?"

"I also want her to wear a mask, but we need to find a suitable marriage partner for Lucia. I want to present her well."

As he said this, Albes-niisan finally looked at me. I thought he was joking, but his face was serious. Upon hearing this, Fil turned around in shock, his beautiful face slightly tense.

Fil.

Do you think that just because you don't want to get married, others don't want to either?

…Actually, I don't need to get married right away. I want to use my dowry for managing the farmland.

But, niisan.

Aren't you forgetting about yourself?

"Shouldn't Albes-niisan get married first?"

"I'm fine for now. I don't have the money."

"In that case, I'm fine too. I don't want to waste my dowry."

When I said this coldly, niisan leaned in closer.

"Lucia. If you keep saying that, you'll never get married. It didn't work out this year, but next year we can definitely prepare a substantial dowry. If you want to find a match, you need to start now, or your marriage will keep getting delayed."

"But I'm only eighteen, so a little delay won't be a problem."

I leaned in as well, not backing down.

"The next Viscount Laguren will be Albes-niisan's child. Since niisan is attending the ball, you should use this opportunity to find a wife in the capital. I'll do my best to manage the estate."

"But I don't have the luxury to…"

"Right now, we have my dowry, so we have some financial leeway. Even if we use it all, we can plan to save again in a few years. Hesitation is a poor strategy."

"That… is true, but the weather can be unpredictable!"

"If that happens, my marriage will just be delayed a bit. Maybe someone will be fine without a dowry."

But there probably isn't such a generous noble.

Even though I thought this in my heart, Albes-niisan seemed to be at a loss for words.

"That… does exist. It does, but…"

…Huh?

Does niisan really think such a person exists?

If such a person really exists, they must be an incredibly wealthy person. Someone who can support me until old age without any trouble. If such a generous person exists, I would also try to look my best and actively seek a match.

But such a person wouldn't be left alone by women, and someone with rough hands and skin like mine wouldn't even be considered.

The world isn't that sweet.