Chapter 12

To put it in Albert Agares' words, it goes like this:

In short, if the king himself cannot be married, then it doesn't matter whether the bride is of royal blood or not, right? ...

She was of common birth, and while there were no issues found during the background check, her beauty and charm were starting to cause disputes among the nobles. So, she was adopted into the Shagran royal family and educated, and then married to the second prince, who was frail and had doubts about his ability to inherit the throne at the time.

Let me make it clear: the difference in national power between the Shagran royal family and the Kouraum royal family is not that significant, and their military strength is also similar.

In short, it was just a matter of maintaining a good relationship on the surface.

The second prince, who married a daughter of the Shagran royal family, was given the position of Duke and was supposed to assist the current king, who is the first prince.

In the end, this plan was thwarted by an epidemic.

"After my brother passed away, at first she was quiet, but men couldn't leave her alone because of her beauty. Well, she was a young widow and even suggested to me that I should remarry her."

When he casually mentioned this, my father seemed to be shocked for some reason.

Oh, is it that?

A woman as beautiful and kind as a goddess (laughs) turned out to be someone who would make a move on her brother-in-law... Is this a kind of arbitrary disappointment?

Men are so unreasonable!!!

After that, my father and Sir Albert Agares wanted to talk privately, so we left to put my mother-in-law to bed, who was in shock.

Leaving my mother-in-law to my brother, I let out a big sigh.

What is this, I came here with high hopes, but this sense of fatigue... Father, you are too pitiful...

◆□◆□◆□◆□◆□◆□◆□◆□◆□◆□◆□◆□◆□◆□◆□◆□◆□◆□

However, the fact that she is not of Shagran royal blood is apparently a public secret, or rather, information that doesn't need to be known, and we were told not to disclose it.

And my father's debt was, as expected, a love gift to the Duchess (laughs).

At first, it was to cover up the failure in managing the territory, but that was also wrong!!!

And the rumor that my mother-in-law is a spendthrift is a complete lie.

Well, as a viscountess, she had to navigate the unfamiliar social scene, and there were signs that she was overcharged, but it wasn't as extravagant as that.

Rather, I couldn't help but wipe away tears when I learned that my brother had started working in the territory.

The reason he didn't reply to my letter was, "I tend to be too dependent on my sister, and I have to debut in society and become a proper man... I am so embarrassed," with a red face. He's an angel!!! My unchanging angel is here too!!!!!

Given how exhausted we were, Caien prepared rooms for me and the Duke, as it would be dangerous to return home in the middle of the night.

At first, Sir Albert Agares intended to return, but he relented after Caien's desperate plea. Thank you.

Father seems to have experienced a heart-wrenching event and has secluded himself in the study, saying he will write a letter but wants to be left alone for now.

He looks like a victim, but he is guilty to our family, isn't he?

Yes, I haven't forgotten.

"Hey, it's Yuria. This house, despite its appearance, has a grand balcony."

"Yes, it seems that my grandmother loved moon viewing... and my grandfather had it custom-made."

"A loving grandfather, huh?"

"Yes, really."

"...You have your hair down, huh?"

"Huh? Ah... this is a bit embarrassing. I let my guard down because I'm at home."

Right, I took a bath, complained to my father through the door, and came to rest after getting that line.

I forgot my glasses. I can't look at the Duke.

Because, you know, the people in this country have such high facial beauty standards!

I don't have a high enough face value to look them in the eye!!! It's a sad reality.

And in my previous life, I wasn't popular, so I get a bit nervous in front of handsome men without my glasses as a shield.

"I remember, you were like that the first time we met too."

"...Yes, I am grateful for your help that time."

Sir Albert Agares smiled nostalgically, and his smile was priceless.

Oh, he occasionally shows such an innocent smile, it's almost a fraud that he's in his thirties.

That's why the younger brother is so cute, and the king keeps pushing him to get married, and there are constant rumors with noble women and love letters from the town.

I can understand why.

He's a wild, handsome type. He's a bit of a meathead.

He's strong, has status, honor, and is handsome. He's a bit of a meathead.

Our meeting in the castle's inner garden was not romantic at all.

A few months after becoming a lady-in-waiting, I found a bird's nest in the garden and was observing the chicks.

Then, my hair got tangled in a branch of another tree, and I ended up crying.

It was Sir Albert Agares who happened to pass by, having escaped from his duties...

At that time, he laughed so hard... I haven't forgotten that humiliation.

But in the end, I was saved, and thanks to his loud laughter, the secretaries who were looking for him gathered and took him away!

"You look better with your hair down."

"Huh?"

"...And, don't hide your eyes."

"I can't. As I've said before, I find it difficult to make eye contact with men."

When I said this firmly while looking down, he laughed again.

The deep, amused laugh made me a bit sulky, but when he touched a strand of my hair, my gaze involuntarily moved to his hand.

His rough, masculine hand was gently pulling my black hair.

He lifted it and examined it.

What is he doing? Is he a hair fetishist?

Despite my silly thoughts, my inexperienced heart, which had never been so close to a man, started beating rapidly.

Calm down, this is Albert Agares, who can have any beautiful woman in the country.

There's no way he would give off such an atmosphere to someone like me, a symbol of unpopularity and a late bloomer!

"...You should be a bit more cautious."

"Huh?"

"There are some who don't meet the aesthetic standards of this country... but you're not bad."

His gaze, full of charm, looked at me.

Just that made me freeze like a frog caught by a snake.

Finding my reaction amusing, the Duke kissed the strand of my hair he was holding.

"Wh-What?!"

"Haha, can't you make a more seductive voice? If you keep this up, Aldar Saul will run away from you!"

"A-A-Aldar Saul? No, what are you saying? No, first, please let go of my hair!"

"Ah, good night, Yuria. Have sweet dreams!"

Albert Agares.

This man is not to be underestimated!!!

He teases too much.

That man is just too much!!!

From tomorrow, I will take extra care of my hair.

And I need to pressure my father!

Ah, and I want to have more fun with my brother.

I'm definitely lacking in healing. I must be causing Lady Primera worry, and I want to return to my usual calm days as soon as possible...