Chapter 4

I took a break and, once I had calmed down, I headed to greet him again.

"Your Excellency, the Margrave."

"Miss Stiezen. Have you rested already?"

"Yes, I have calmed down a bit. Thank you for preparing the room for me."

"No, it's the proper response. Is there anything lacking?"

"Not particularly, for now."

"I see. That's good."

He is in his office. Perhaps due to his physique, he doesn't seem to fit in here.

He would look better swinging a sword outside or riding a horse.

"Your Excellency, I have something to discuss about our future. Could I have a moment of your time?"

"Of course. I also have something to ask. ...Ah, ah..."

"Is something wrong?"

"...I might say something impolite, but after you dismiss your maid and guards, and the people here, would you be willing to talk with just you and me?"

Well, my maid and guards can stay with me.

Why do you want to dismiss only the people from your side?

"...I don't mind."

"Thank you."

"Your Excellency..."

Elk, the son of Viscount Seda, who was in the room, called out to the Margrave with a dissatisfied look.

"You won't be able to speak the truth with them around."

"...I understand, but please let me stay in the room. I won't interfere."

"Really? Elk."

"Yes, I will supplement for your lack of consideration, Your Excellency."

Lack of consideration? Well, he does seem more of a physical type than a thinker.

What truth are you talking about?

Anyway, after dismissing the extra people, it was just the two of us. The maid and guards were asked to step back.

"Miss Stiezen."

"Yes, Your Excellency, the Margrave."

"Regarding the marriage proposal you mentioned..."

"...Yes?"

"I consider it a great honor."

Oh? That's not what I expected.

"Is that so?"

"Yes. ...As you might know, Baltsline is a harsh land. I don't think it's a place for a typical noble lady to marry into. This isn't about any hidden persecution. It's just that battles with monsters occur periodically."

"...Yes, I understand."

So far, I have been treated well. There doesn't seem to be any ill will from the people in the manor.

"Therefore, I think it would be better for a lady like you, who would be more suitable for the capital, to choose someone else. That's what I believe."

...I see? I try to gauge his feelings from his expression and gaze.

He doesn't seem to be trying to dismiss me because he doesn't like me.

This statement seems to be a genuine concern for me.

It's still based on my impression, but he doesn't seem to be good at playing mind games.

He might be considering our age difference, which is only five years, in a good way.

He thinks I should decline this marriage proposal for my own good.

However, the people around him seem to be in favor of the proposal. I can sense a pressure to seize this opportunity.

He must have initially yielded to that pressure but decided to speak his mind again in front of me.

Elk's dissatisfied and resigned look suggests that he is well-respected by the Margrave.

In fact, it must be difficult for him to arrange a marriage.

It's not because of any personal issues, but because of the nature of the land.

I see...? As a person, he gives a very good impression. He seems like someone who would take good care of me if I were to marry him.

The people around him don't seem to have any complaints about supporting him.

If I can be of benefit to this land, I think they would welcome me.

"Your Excellency."

"Yes, Miss Stiezen."

"I feel that you are a very trustworthy person."

"...Oh, thank you."

When I compliment him, Elk, who is standing behind, nods in agreement. He is well-respected.

"The problem with our marriage proposal lies more with me than with the border territory."

"...With you?"

The sturdy man tilts his head, looking a bit cute.

"Yes. ...To be honest, I have never faced a monster. I only know Baltsline through words and paper, and I don't think I can truly understand it. If something were to happen, would I just be a frightened little girl, or would I stand up to protect the people and my family, believing in my magical abilities? ...I need to know this. I can't lightly agree to a marriage proposal without understanding this land. If I am weak, I will be a burden to this land and cause trouble for you. I don't want that. This marriage proposal is something I desired."

I looked the Margrave straight in the eye and said this.

"...I see. You received the letter directly from me. Why did you desire a marriage proposal in this land? Can I ask?"

"Yes, Your Excellency. ...Actually,"

I explained my situation in the capital.

Most of it is speculation about the royal family's intentions, so I can't say anything for certain.

However, my father, the Duke, is not pleased with the current situation.

That's why he entrusted me with the right to arrange this marriage proposal and sent me here.

"...If Duke Stiezen made that judgment, it's not entirely off the mark."

"Yes, that's right."

"The first prince, Prince Leonhardt, is a candidate for your engagement."

"More like a 'reserve.' I haven't been treated as a serious candidate. However, I believe that the royal family is holding back my marriage proposal to prevent it from being finalized."

"...So, what are the chances of your engagement to the prince?"

"According to my brother, Prince Leonhardt himself is refusing it. That's just speculation, though. However, I have met the king, and I believe he wants to arrange a marriage with the Stiezen family."

"...So, the problem is Prince Leonhardt. Does he have someone in mind?"

"Perhaps."

I don't understand why the marriage proposal with the person he has in mind hasn't been finalized after two years.

Is it someone who can't be dismissed, even with a proposal from a ducal family?

It seems more like the prince's whims, but the king's treatment of the ducal family is almost insulting.

A daughter of a lower noble? A servant girl in the palace who has caught the prince's eye?

However, if that were the case, it's strange that my father hasn't heard about it.

It should be a rumor in the palace.

If it's someone completely 'impossible,' it's strange for the king to keep the first prince's marriage proposal on hold.

The royal family considers it 'possible,' but why hasn't Prince Leonhardt finalized the engagement?

...Could it be...

"...Could it be that Prince Leonhardt is in love with someone... very young?"

"Ah..."

Is that it? So, the prince is in love with a... young girl.

No, but in noble marriages, a thirteen-year age difference is acceptable...

Two years ago, when I was thirteen, the proposal came up.

If the prince stopped the marriage proposal with me, he would have been fourteen at the time. Could it have been a proposal with a newborn?

I met the Margrave's gaze. He must have thought of something similar.

"Your marriage proposal might be continuously suppressed by the royal family."

"Yes, that's true..."

The royal family wants to secure a 'reserve.' That's why...

"I see. So, you need a suitable partner to decide on your own marriage proposal?"

"Yes, that's right. That's why I desired this marriage proposal. I can't be a burden to Baltsline."

In other words, it's about whether I can adapt to this land.

"I understand. Do you intend to stay in this land for a while, Miss Stiezen?"

"Yes, Your Excellency."

"How long do you plan to stay?"

"...At most, until I enter the Royal Academy."

"Until April next year, about half a year. That's a long time... Is it okay?"

"If the marriage proposal is finalized, I will live in this land for the rest of my life. If I can't handle it in half a year, I should give up."

"I see. You are... a remarkable noble lady. I should learn from you."

Well, a trial period is necessary.

"Then, for up to half a year. If it's too harsh, don't hesitate to say so. You will stay in our Baltsline for that time. Whether to finalize the marriage proposal... is a matter for the future. Is that acceptable?"

"Yes, that's fine, Your Excellency."

"Ash."

"Huh?"

"Ash, without any title... is it too difficult? You can use 'sama' or 'dono.' I allow you to call me by my name."

"Thank you..."

I am a duchess's daughter, but my father holds the title.

In a sense, I am just a noble without a title.

While my family has a backing, Ash, who has already succeeded as Margrave, is of higher status.

Moreover, the Margrave of Baltsline is a family that even the royal family cannot ignore.

Not only because of its importance, but also because it is known as the strongest military family in the country.

If Baltsline were to rebel, it would lead to a prolonged civil war.

That's why I am in a position to be allowed to call him by his name.

...He seems to dislike formal interactions. It's a bias, but maybe he finds it more relaxed to be called by his name.

"Then, Ash, Your Excellency. You can call me Angelina."

"...Understood. Miss Angelina. I look forward to working with you for a while."

"Yes, I look forward to it as well."

Thus, I decided to stay in Baltsline for a while, maintaining an appropriate distance from him.

If the marriage proposal with Prince Leonhardt had been finalized,

I would probably be visiting the palace frequently to receive princess education.

That would be the correct path for a noble lady.

But somehow, I feel that coming to this land was a good decision.

Aria seems to really like me for some reason.

However, if I am treated as a 'guest' forever, it would be meaningless to come here.

I started to actively involve myself in Baltsline. I even joined the knights' training.

In this land, strength is prioritized. If you are weak, you can't protect your family or the people.

Fortunately, even as a woman, if I can enhance my body with magic, I can be a combatant.

If I were visiting the palace, I would have a different kind of training.

I would have focused more on control and avoiding problems in my magic training.

The training in the border region is more practical. The knights here are probably stronger than the famous warriors in the capital.

...I felt that this land might suit me.

It's not suffocating, and it feels free. I also feel that my strength is improving rapidly.

The environment is important. Of course, I haven't neglected my studies here.

"Do you think I can make it here, Ash, Your Excellency?"

"You already seem to be doing well."

"Yes, that's true."

And about the monsters.

Perhaps because I had trained, I didn't tremble in fear when I faced them.

Moreover, when a powerful monster appeared, Ash, Your Excellency, fought bravely and looked very impressive.

He is someone who must stand in this land.

The peace of the kingdom is maintained because of the people who live here.

...I want to be a support for him. I truly felt that. So, I decided.

I decided to become engaged to Ash, Your Excellency.

It was a month before I entered the Royal Academy.