Chapter 8

As evening approached, the carriage carrying Lord Riley could be seen returning from outside the window.

I hurriedly got up from the sofa, left the embroidery I was working on on the table, and rushed to the entrance hall. I lifted the hem of my dress, which was somewhat indecent, and ran down the corridor.

I stopped just before the hall, tidied my hair and dress, took a deep breath, and then stepped into the hall.

"Lord Riley, welcome back!"

When I called out, Lord Riley, who was talking to Orwell, turned around.

"Yes, I just returned."

His golden mane and the pure white knight's uniform with gold thread suited him very well.

He suited it so much that I almost got lost in admiration, but I managed to hide it somehow.

"You're back early today."

"I have something to talk to you about. Do you have a moment?"

"Yes, of course."

We exchanged these words, and I headed to the dining room first, while Lord Riley went to his room to change.

I would have liked to take a good, long look at him in that knight's uniform, but I suppose it would be bothersome to say that. It's a shame. He looks about thirty percent more handsome in that uniform, and it's really splendid.

I watched him until his figure disappeared, sighed in admiration, and then started moving.

I wonder if there's anyone who can appreciate that handsomeness.

I want to talk about this heart-fluttering feeling with someone.

"...Well, I can talk to the person himself, can't I?"

When Yuna asked me, "Is something the matter?" in response to my muttering, I answered, "Nothing," and smiled to cover it up.

That's right, I can talk to Lord Riley himself.

Lord Riley thinks his appearance is terribly ugly, so if I keep telling him otherwise, his heart might become a little lighter.

I already messed up at the terrace during the ball when I was with the prince.

There's no point in trying to fix it now.

If I wait in the dining room, Lord Riley will come.

When he asked how my day was, I told him about touring the mansion and the tailor's assistance. I expressed my gratitude for the money spent on dresses and other things, and he nodded in satisfaction. His small, contented hum was adorable.

After the conversation paused, Lord Riley spoke.

"Regarding the matter I mentioned earlier, Prince Shawn suggested the Bentley Earl's family as a potential adoptive family for Edith."

They already found an adoptive family. They work fast.

"An earl's family?"

Moreover, a family with a higher rank than her original one, which is surprising.

Lord Riley nodded, ignoring my surprise.

"According to the prince, 'A wife of a hero should have a rank that matches her status.' The Bentley Earl's family has no children and has already adopted a distant male relative as the heir. They are a kind couple who have built a good relationship with their adopted son. After explaining Edith's and my situation, they agreed without hesitation."

I see. It's a family that has resolved the succession issue and is tolerant of their adopted child, which is excellent.

I might not have many opportunities to interact with them during our engagement, but it will be a great relief for my mental health to be around nice people. Besides, as an earl's family, they are of a higher rank than a viscount's family, so the likelihood of the Aringham viscount interfering will decrease.

"What do you think, Lord Riley?"

"As an individual, I don't care whether your family rank is high or low. However, a higher rank can serve as a shield to protect you. ...The Bentley family is of a higher rank than the Oldcastle family, so it should be fine with your ex-fiancé's family. I have spoken to Lord Bentley a few times, and he has been kind to me."

"I will become an adopted child of the Bentley Earl's family."

Lord Riley's lion eyes blinked a few times at my immediate response.

He seemed more bewildered than surprised.

His round eyes blinking cutely!

"You make decisions so easily."

His voice sounded somewhat impressed and exasperated, and I nodded confidently.

"Yes, if Lord Riley approves of them, I can trust them."

"Indeed, there are few people who treat someone like me without discrimination. It could be a good guideline. ...I will inform the prince to proceed with the matter. You will be summoned to the castle for a meeting, but is that all right?"

"Yes, there's no problem. Thank you very much."

While eating, I thought to myself.

An earl's family. Prince Shawn chose a good one.

If he had chosen a viscount's or a baron's family, it would have been easier for conflicts to arise with the Aringham viscount's family, as they are of the same rank. Although I don't think it will happen, it would be troublesome if the Aringham viscount suddenly demanded my return.

However, if I were adopted into a family of too high a rank, it might cause problems with other high-ranking noble ladies. No one likes it when someone who was below them suddenly becomes their equal.

In that sense, a one-rank increase is common in marriages, so it's less likely to cause friction.

As I thought earlier, the viscount's family won't interfere if it's an earl's family.

Especially since it's higher than Richard's birth family, the Oldcastle family.

I sighed in relief, feeling secure.

Now I can spend my days in peace.

After the meal, we decided to enjoy tea in the living room as we did the day before.

Although there are many things Lord Riley, as a royal guard, can't talk about, I asked questions, and he only answered what he could.

Still, it was interesting to learn about the daily life of a knight, and I was happy to get a glimpse of Lord Riley's usual self through his occasional thoughts and feelings.

"By the way, does Edith have any particular likes?"

I tilted my head, caught off guard by the sudden question.

"Likes?"

"I was asked by a colleague if I had given you any gifts. However, I don't know what flowers or sweets you like. I thought it would be better to give you something you want rather than just guessing."

"Oh...!"

I clasped my hands and looked up at Lord Riley.

After buying me a dress, he's giving me a gift!

Just the thought of it makes me incredibly happy!!

But I need to give an answer, so I had a sudden idea.

"Then, I want a stuffed animal. A golden lion in a royal guard's uniform, just like Lord Riley, would be so cute and wonderful!"

I never received a stuffed animal at the Aringham viscount's family, so I have a bit of a longing for one.

"Is that all right?"

This time, Lord Riley tilted his head.

The way he tilted it sideways was so cute, I wanted him to do it again.

"That's perfect! The fluffy, silky mane, the round eyes, the pure white uniform with the golden mane, and the deep red cape—it's so handsome! Even in a relaxed pose, it exudes a supple charm that makes my heart skip a beat. ...Especially in the royal guard's uniform, it's so handsome that I almost get lost in admiration."

I sighed in admiration, thinking of his knight's uniform.

The knight's uniform, designed for ease of movement, fits his sturdy build well, and the gold thread matches his fur, making the white uniform look natural. The deep red cape and leather belt add a touch of color, making it even more handsome. The way it's tucked from the neck to the wrists and ankles is similar to the suits in the world I used to live in, where the minimum exposure adds to the charm.

And he carries a sword. That's an important point.

No matter how handsome the knight's uniform is, it wouldn't be as impressive without a sword.

The knight's uniform is complete with a sword.

Lord Riley chuckled.

"You are truly unique. To think that you like this ugly appearance."

"That's not right, Lord Riley. You are not ugly. Your lion face is masculine and dignified, your large body is full of warmth, your fur shines like gold, and your eyes and ears are round and cute. You are very strong, yet a gentlemanly and wonderful man."

"...It's strange. When you say it, I almost believe it."

"Well, it's true, isn't it?"

I moved next to Lord Riley, touched the hand on his knee, and it twitched for a moment.

Ignoring it, I lifted his hand and placed it on my knee, enveloping it with both of mine.

"Your fur is so silky. Your palms are large and wonderful. But large hands are common among men, right? Your nails are in the same place as a human's, and they feel warm when touched."

He didn't say anything, so I moved his large hand to touch my cheek.

Lord Riley gasped, but I ignored it.

The silky fur touched my cheek.

"See, Lord Riley's hands won't hurt me. That's why I'm not afraid. They are gentle hands that protect the royal family and the people of the capital. It's impossible for such hands to belong to someone ugly."

I pressed his large hand to my cheek.

It was warm, the fur was silky, and it had a faint, pleasant scent, probably from perfume.

Oh, what wonderful hands. They are large and bony, with a hard, black hand that shows the marks of handling a sword. The fingers are long, and the sharp black nails are neatly trimmed.

Even the fur on the back of his hand is so silky. I wonder what the mane feels like.

Just imagining it makes me smile.

"You are..."

I looked up at the sound of his voice and met his round eyes.

But they were quickly covered by his other hand.

"...You are a rare person..."

He said it in a slightly hoarse voice, and I smiled.

The temperature of his hand had risen.

Oh, how cute. Is he blushing? A tall man, a lion therianthrope, blushing because he's being praised by a younger girl like me is incredibly cute. He's so cute, hiding his eyes with one hand while leaving the other in my care, afraid to move it.

"You are rare to me too."

There are no therianthropes in this world. Only Lord Riley, who is cursed.

He is just as rare to me.

"I surrender. ...I don't think I can win against you."

"Oh, it's a joy to be able to win against the famous hero Lord Riley."

I continued to smile, keeping his hand on my cheek.

Lord Riley smiled back.

A lion's face smiling is full of wild charm and very handsome.

"Speaking of which, don't you think the winner should get a reward?"

When I said this, looking at his lion face, he tilted his head again.

That's so cute!

"Reward? What do you want?"

I deepened my smile and answered.

"Let me touch your mane."

Lord Riley froze.

When I looked at him, his round eyes darted away and then returned.

"......I'm sorry, I'm not ready yet."

"That's a shame. Then, can I touch it someday?"

"Yes, well, maybe..."

I couldn't help but laugh at Lord Riley's somewhat hesitant response.

He looked like a child caught in mischief.

Being cute and handsome at the same time, he's really the best.

Besides, I feel like the distance between Lord Riley and me has narrowed a bit.

After that, I spent some time with Lord Riley's hand.

Later, I received a cute stuffed animal of a golden lion in a royal guard's uniform, just as I had ordered, and I was very happy.

The Riley stuffed animal is displayed in my room, and combing its mane every morning became a daily routine until our marriage.