Chapter 6

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After finishing work and hearing that the engagement approval had been granted, I returned home.

Today, my subordinates, who had been guarding Prince Shawn all day, teased me, saying, "It must be nice to have a young fiancée waiting at home," and I began to feel a bit more real about Edith becoming my fiancée.

Viscount Aringham and Edith, who visited the castle in the afternoon, had a noticeable difference in their attire that made them seem less like father and daughter.

Viscount Aringham was dressed appropriately for his status, but his daughter Edith wore a poor-quality, dowdy dress that was unbecoming for a viscount's daughter. She also looked unwell and spoke very little.

However, it seemed she was just being quiet, not timid. I was a bit surprised when she offered to cut ties with her family, but it made sense given how she was treated.

I felt a sense of satisfaction when I threw a few sarcastic remarks at her father.

I found myself smiling as I recalled this in the carriage on the way home.

And then there was the look in her eyes when she learned the condition of living in my house during the engagement period.

Her eyes, which were a beautiful shade of violet, sparkled with pure surprise and joy, and I felt a slight flutter in my heart.

I had only suggested to the prince that she not be sent back to that house out of pity, but Edith had smiled happily.

Indeed, a nine-year age difference between a noble couple is not uncommon.

Since I have accepted her, I will treat her seriously as my fiancée unless she dislikes it.

She is a precious woman who says she is fine with my terrifying appearance.

I opened the front door of the mansion after getting out of the carriage.

"Welcome back, Mr. Winters!"

A beautiful woman I had never seen before stood with the butler and two maids.

Unaware of my shock, the beautiful woman approached me.

"Thank you for welcoming me to such a wonderful mansion. I am also very pleased to hear that you have taken care of the room arrangements for me."

I instinctively checked the maids, who were the ones assigned to Edith.

I looked at the beautiful woman again.

Her platinum blonde hair, straight and silky, framed her fair skin and familiar beautiful violet eyes. She was tall for a woman, with long, slender limbs. She seemed to remember my words, as her makeup was very subtle.

"Are you Miss Edith?"

"Yes. I'm embarrassed to say that I didn't have any maids or servants to help me with my appearance, so I looked plain. This is my true self. Do you, Mr. Winters, find me acceptable...?"

She blushed and looked down, her hair spilling over her shoulders.

"No, no, I think you are very beautiful. Honestly, you are too beautiful for me..."

Indeed, according to the investigation report, she had not been well cared for in the Aringham household.

Even if she was beautiful as a child, it was possible that she would not remain so as she grew up, and she had believed that about herself.

But thinking about it, if she already resembled her mother so much as a child, it was not surprising that she had grown up to look exactly like her beautiful mother, who was famous in society.

Even without any makeup or grooming, she was described as a "somewhat plain young lady." Just as a gemstone is more beautiful when polished, she had become this beautiful when properly groomed.

"Oh, how wonderful! But I am now your fiancée in name and in reality, so please don't say such things. I am relieved to be a fitting fiancée for a hero like you."

Her usually cold expression softened, and I felt a sudden warmth towards her.

Her stepsister, who also had a charming appearance that evoked a protective instinct, was delicate and graceful. Despite the differences in their growth and appearance, they were sisters in a sense, and I could nod in agreement.

This would likely lead to many rumors in the future.

But one thing was clear.

Richard Oldcastle, who broke off his engagement with her, would regret it.

"I will also strive to be a worthy fiancée. I will change into my clothes, so please go to the dining room first, Miss Edith. You can start eating if you like."

When I said this, Edith looked slightly displeased.

"No, I don't want to. I was waiting for you, Mr. Winters, and it would be lonely to eat alone."

When a mature beauty does this, it creates a charming vulnerability.

Since the curse of the lion, I had had fewer interactions with women, and this made me feel a bit uneasy.

The plain and pitiful young lady was now a beautiful, graceful woman who smiled happily.

"I see, I apologize for that."

"Oh, don't apologize. I was the one who waited. I'll go to the dining room first, but please come when you're ready. Let's eat together, okay?"

"Yes, I understand."

She smiled and left the hall with the two maids—likely to be her ladies-in-waiting now.

After she was completely out of sight, I couldn't help but mutter to myself.

"...No, that's a bit too much of a change, isn't it?"

The butler, who had served me since I was a child, chuckled.

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I didn't have to wait long for Mr. Winters to return to the dining room.

He had taken off his jacket inside the mansion and was dressed casually.

It was hot, and his shirt sleeves were rolled up, revealing his thick, muscular arms. One button was undone, and his collar was fluffy with hair, which was visible in the area I could see. With such a furry appearance, it was indeed hot to wear tight clothing.

Mr. Winters sat at the so-called "birthday seat" at the table.

I sat opposite him. Although we were a bit apart, the table was large enough that it didn't hinder our conversation. Thinking about how we might sit closer after marriage made it a pleasant prospect.

"I kept you waiting."

"No, not at all."

As we took our seats, the food was brought in.

The meal was luxurious compared to a commoner's but rather simple for a noble.

The flavor was slightly light, emphasizing the taste of the ingredients. It was light yet well-seasoned with spices and salt, making it easy to eat.

I had always disliked the rich, heavily spiced dishes served at noble parties. The light seasoning was genuinely delicious, and I could appreciate it. The meal also included vegetables, cheese, and fish, which seemed healthy.

Unlike lunch, I found it delicious and ate quietly, but the portion was too large to finish.

"Is something wrong? Is there something you don't like?"

Mr. Winters noticed I had stopped eating and asked.

"No, everything is very delicious. The light seasoning made me eat more than usual. I feel bad leaving some, but I'm already full..."

"I'm glad you enjoyed it. I didn't know your preferences, so I ordered a variety, which turned out to be too much. It's fine to leave some. I'll have them reduce the portion next time."

"Yes, that would be nice. It's hard to leave such delicious food."

Thinking I could have eaten more if I could, I looked at the remaining food, and Mr. Winters' expression softened.

Did he just smile?

He seemed more relaxed in his own mansion than when I met him last night or this afternoon.

I sipped some lemon water to cleanse my palate and watched Mr. Winters eat.

He skillfully cut the food with utensils that were a bit small for his large hands and brought it to his mouth. When he opened his mouth, his large white fangs were visible. They were beautiful. He chewed a few times and swallowed.

Carnivores don't have teeth for grinding food, so they can't chew much.

I wonder if he gets an upset stomach from not chewing properly.

Oh, there's a bit of sauce on his lips. How cute. He unconsciously licked it off with his red tongue and then wiped his mouth with a napkin. He licks his lips too, how cute. I can only say "cute," but he really is cute.

He looks so masculine yet has such cute mannerisms, which is the best combination.

"Miss Edith, it's a bit hard to eat with you watching me so intently..."

"I'm sorry. You looked so cute while eating, Mr. Winters, and I couldn't help it."

"...I think you're the only one who thinks that way."

He chuckled at my honest response.

"Many people are afraid of my eating habits. My fangs are visible when I open my mouth, and people tend to imagine being bitten by them."

Mr. Winters stroked his lips and sighed softly.

To me, it's very interesting and cute.

"I see. But Mr. Winters, you're not a beast, so there's no need to worry about being bitten. People are just overcautious, I think."

If I keep watching, I'll see the gentlemanly and human side of Mr. Winters.

"No, it's not entirely wrong. In battle, anything can happen, and I sometimes use my fangs and claws."

"Oh, how splendid. You must be very brave in battle."

Is he a gentleman in daily life but a fierce beast in battle?

That sounds very cool.

The more I learn about him, the more I fall in love with him.

"Yes, well..."

"What does a beast taste like when you bite it? Is it delicious?"

"Generally, it's not. It's also very tough. It's not suitable for cooking."

From the way he sighed, it must not be very tasty at all.

"That's a shame. I would have liked to try it if it were edible."

He laughed softly, almost like a purr.

His happy purring is so cute.

We had a peaceful meal together.

Since my mother's death, I hadn't shared a meal with anyone in such a pleasant way.

Afterward, we moved to the living room to discuss the next day's plans. Mr. Winters had work again, but he mentioned that he had arranged for a tailor to come in the afternoon to buy dresses and everyday clothes for me.

The clothes I brought were all old, plain, and dowdy.

"Even if you are a viscount's daughter now, you should dress appropriately. Besides, a plain outfit doesn't suit your beauty now."

Could I refuse such a compliment? No, I couldn't.

Who wouldn't be happy to be called beautiful by someone they like?

"But I don't have any money..."

"Your living expenses will be covered by the family you are adopted into. Even if not, I believe I have the means to gift dresses to my fiancée."

"Is that so...?"

He called me his fiancée!

I felt my face turn red with joy.

Oh, Rita, Yuna, don't look at me with such a smile. It makes me even more embarrassed.

"By the way, I heard that the royal guards are well-paid. I was surprised to see such a large mansion with servants."

To change the subject, I asked, and Mr. Winters shook his head in denial.

"While my salary is higher than other knights, it's not enough for such luxury. I received a reward for slaying a beast, and I was told that a hero should live accordingly. The main reason I left the knight's quarters was that I couldn't rest with everyone watching. This mansion was also a reward for slaying a beast, so I got it for free, in a sense."

He said it was nothing special.

...This makes me realize how amazing Mr. Winters is.

To receive such a mansion as a reward, he must have slain a very powerful beast. And I imagine he goes out to slay beasts whenever they appear and receives rewards for it.

A well-paid, strong, and handsome fiancé.

"By the way, is it alright for me to be your fiancée? I'm not well-connected, and I don't have any notable qualities besides being a viscount's daughter."

I may have become a bit prettier, but that alone doesn't benefit Mr. Winters in any way.

"You accepted me. That's enough for me."

"Mr. Winters..."

And to have such a good personality is unfair.

"By the way, would you mind if I called you Mr. Riley? And please call me Edith."

"Yes, of course. Since the engagement has been approved, I hope we can get along well as fiancés, Edith."

"Yes, I hope so too, Mr. Riley!"

Hearing him call me Edith made my heart warm.

I will never, ever leave Mr. Winters.

I will make him happy!