Chapter 3

As we stepped out of the ballroom, Uncle and Aunt came chasing after Theodore and me.

"Ah, Uncle, Aunt! I’m sorry for acting so rashly..."

Aunt gave me a very bright smile as I was about to apologize.

"Synthia, that’s amazing! To have such an excellent person as your fiancé! The Baragoon territory will surely flourish even more from now on!"

Uncle also had a somewhat troubled smile, but he didn’t seem angry.

"You two should leave this place immediately. Leave the rest to us."

"Right, before the princess does anything more."

Aunt cheerfully pushed Theodore and me into the Tarche family’s carriage.

"We’ll return in a different carriage, so you two should have a good talk."

Aunt winked at us.

As Theodore and I sat facing each other, the carriage slowly started moving.

Looking at Theodore straight on, he really is beautiful. And it’s not just his beauty; he seems to exude sincerity from every pore.

No, it’s not just sincerity. He has a noble and elegant demeanor, and a gentle manner. A man like this doesn’t exist in the Baragoon territory.

However, his expression is very tired, and the dark circles under his eyes are worrying...

In any case, he’s completely different from the frivolous-looking Kurt! I can’t help but wonder if they are really siblings.

How do I look to such a wonderful Theodore...? I’m starting to feel anxious.

I was so lost in thought that when Theodore called my name, "Synthia," I jumped in surprise.

"Y-Yes?"

"Thank you again for helping me earlier."

"Y-You’re welcome..."

Thinking about it calmly, I proposed to a duke’s son in a fit of enthusiasm, even if it was to help.

"Um, what should we do about the engagement? First, we should consult with your father, Duke Bailey..."

Theodore looked away from the carriage window, with a somewhat sad expression.

"My father believes that Kurt is more suitable to be the king’s consort."

"Really?"

Theodore nodded.

"My appearance is identical to that of my strict grandfather. He was apparently very harsh on my parents. So, I grew up being disliked by my parents."

"Wait, what? No, that doesn’t make sense! What kind of ridiculous reason is that!?"

So, Theodore is disliked by his parents because he looks like his strict grandfather! I don’t understand!

"Kurt looks exactly like my mother. So, my father dotes on him... No matter what I did, Kurt was always praised, and I was always scolded."

"That’s not just discrimination, it’s abuse! What is the Bailey family, a gathering of fools!?"

Theodore chuckled, and I quickly covered my mouth with my hand.

"S-Sorry!"

"No, it’s nice to have someone stand up for me..."

Tears welled up in the corners of Theodore’s eyes as he said this.

What must it feel like to be unloved and disliked by your family? Just imagining it made me feel so sad that I almost cried.

"In that case, it’s better not to meet Duke Bailey!"

"I would be grateful if you could do that."

I was raised with love from my family. My father is embarrassingly overprotective, and my mother cherishes me a lot. Even my brother, though a bit eccentric, dotes on me. Listening to Theodore’s story, I realized how fortunate I was.

Moreover, Theodore was even cheated on by his fiancée, the princess... Thinking about Theodore’s past, my heart aches.

"I won’t do anything you dislike, Theodore!"

"Synthia..."

"Um, well, the Baragoon territory where I live is very rural and has nothing. But because there’s nothing, it might be good for resting..."

What am I even saying?

"So, even if we’re not engaged, would you come to Baragoon with me? I think what you need now is rest."

I managed to say this, though it came out in a broken manner. I want to be able to speak more confidently.

"…Why do you believe my words and try to help me, even though we just met?"

"Huh?"

"Have you never doubted that my words might be lies? I could be trying to deceive you for my own convenience."

Theodore’s eyes were very serious. Does that mean there are many people in the capital who lie and deceive?

My father’s words echoed in my mind.

—The capital is dangerous.

Indeed, it is dangerous. But I can tell the difference between good and bad people!

"I can tell that you’re not a bad person, even though we just met."

"Synthia..."

Theodore’s voice was hoarse.

Has Theodore never had anyone on his side? Despite the capital being so dazzling and full of people.

"I can’t explain it well, but in the Baragoon territory, we help people who are in trouble."

"So, you helped me because I was in trouble?"

"Y-Yes. No, I mean, if I hadn’t acted then, not only would you have been in trouble, but the guards would have been in trouble too, so I panicked and stepped in."

Theodore’s eyes widened slightly, and he looked at me as if I were a strange creature.

Huh? Did I say something weird? Oh no! Is this kind of thinking only in the countryside? Maybe Theodore now knows I’m from the countryside...

But Theodore didn’t mock me; he smiled gently.

"Synthia, I’ll take you up on your offer."

"Huh?"

"Is it okay if I visit the Baragoon territory?"

"Y-Yes! Of course!"

I answered enthusiastically, and my heart was pounding with joy. When Theodore smiles, my dull world seems to shine beautifully, which is strange.

The carriage carrying Theodore and me arrived at the Tarche family’s mansion.

At the edge of the vast garden, many of my guards from Baragoon were camping.

"Ah, Miss! Welcome back!"

"How was it? Did you catch a good man?"

They laughed crudely.

S-Stop it! Don’t reveal that I’m from the countryside in front of Theodore!

Theodore, with his mouth agape, seemed to be thinking, "It’s true that Baragoon sent an army to the capital just to protect their daughter..."

I told my father to stop being overprotective, but...

I was so embarrassed that I couldn’t lift my head for a while.