Chapter 22

The next afternoon, Viela and Lukas, who had been entrusted with the letter of engagement acceptance, returned to the capital by mounting Albertina in the backyard.

Viela’s parents, intimidated by the griffin’s imposing presence, watched the two from a distance.

“Father, Mother, we will explain in person, but please write a proper and polite reply to the letter from the Ambrosius family that will arrive later!”

“Of course! Viela, take care of yourself. Lord Lukas, please be careful as well.”

“Lord Lukas, please take good care of my daughter!”

“I understand. I will take full responsibility. Until the next time we visit, please take care.”

With that, Lukas tightened his arm around Viela, and Albertina kicked off the ground, flapping her large wings.

Thanks to the adaptation on the way there, the return flight went smoothly without any screaming. The only issue was that Viela was constantly held tightly by Lukas from behind.

Even though the wind should have been weakened by the magical device, she felt his strong, close embrace, making her back hotter than her actual body temperature.

However, since it was necessary for safe flight, she couldn’t ask Lukas to “leave a little space,” so she resigned herself to being a stuffed animal and remained quietly embraced. Meanwhile, he seemed unusually cheerful.

Thus, with a strangely restless feeling, they spent a night camping and safely returned to the Ambrosius Duke’s residence in the capital. Immediately at dinner, they explained the situation at the Yubert household and handed over the letter from Thomas to the Duke. The Duke opened the letter on the spot, read it, and relaxed his expression.

“It’s good that the viscount agreed to the engagement directly. There’s a difference in status, and it seems an interesting business is about to start—there was a concern that it might be rumored as a takeover by the Ambrosius family, but now I’m relieved. Most importantly, it’s good that the viscount’s illness wasn’t life-threatening.”

“I’m truly sorry for the trouble. I believe a letter of apology will arrive later, and I would be grateful if you could accept it.”

“No problem. Reading the letter again, I realized... you and your father don’t seem to have any ulterior motives. Even though this is the best opportunity to ask for assistance, there’s no such mention, and instead, your father is determined to do his best to ensure his son doesn’t suffer a poor life. Ha ha, it seems we can build a good relationship.”

“I thank you for your generous heart, Your Grace.”

Viela bowed deeply again.

Even as the third son, the engagement of a viscount’s heir to a lower-ranking girl due to the viscount’s drunkenness would normally cause anger and become a major issue between the families. She could only be grateful for the Duke’s magnanimity.

“Viela, don’t worry. Mistakes due to alcohol are part of life. In fact, it’s all for the best since it led to a good match. If my son is satisfied, I have no problem. Hermine, what do you think?”

“Yes, I feel the same as my husband. Since the viscount is well, the engagement period can be extended, and Viela can stay at the duke’s residence for a longer time. Let’s go out and dress up a lot, Viela♡”

With that, the lady ordered a maid to contact a dress shop. Moreover, it wasn’t just one shop but several popular ones that even someone unfamiliar with fashion like Viela had heard of.

“Lady Hermine, I don’t have the means to buy so many clothes.”

“No problem. We’ll buy them all with Ambrosius money! Since the engagement is established and the viscount has agreed, you’re practically my daughter. Please accept them as gifts without worrying.”

“S-Such a thing…”

Lukas placed his hand on Viela’s shoulder, which was trembling at the enormity of the gift.

“It’s the same path that my brothers’ wives—my sisters-in-law—have taken. It’s my mother’s entertainment, so she’s happy if you can play along like a doll.”

“A doll? Entertainment?”

It seems the wealthy enjoy changing outfits on real people, not dolls.

“Yes, I only have sons, you see? I’ve always envied my friends who choose dresses for their daughters and have always dreamed of it. Since the eldest and second son’s wives are elegant, Viela is the first cute type. I’ve been thinking about what to dress you in every day since the first time I met you.”

She really seemed to be looking forward to it, and the lady blushed with excitement, covering her mouth with her hand and laughing. The Duke’s gaze, looking at his wife, was full of affection.

Refusing too much wouldn’t be good. Viela made up her mind.

“I’m not familiar with fashion, so please take care of it. However, if the prices are too high, I might act suspiciously, so it would be helpful if the amounts were moderate.”

“Yes, I understand. Let’s buy the minimum number of dresses and focus on versatile dresses that you can wear when you return to your territory and go out.”

“Thank you!”

She was relieved that there would be fewer dresses.

The Duke’s gaze shifted to Viela.

“I’m sorry to trouble your wife. When you go out, please also look at dresses for Viela’s mother—the Viscountess Yubert. I want to formally meet her when the viscount recovers, and I plan to invite her to the capital in the next letter. I want her to attend a ball to show that the relationship between the two families is good. Of course, the Ambrosius family will cover the expenses.”

“Thank you so much! Lady Hermine, can you help my mother choose a dress?”

“Of course. I’m happy to have many choices.”

Thus, they finished dinner with smiles and dispersed. Since Lukas offered to escort her, they headed to her room together.

Viela walked, placing her hand on his arm, and looked up at him.

“Lord Lukas, thank you again for this time. If you have a request for a thank you, please let me know. Or have you already decided?”

“If so—”

Lukas stopped, placed his free hand on Viela’s hand, which was on his arm, and looked at her with his blue-gray eyes.

“Could you please call me Lukas… by my nickname?”

“Lukas-sama… Is this okay?”

When she tried it, Lukas slightly relaxed his mouth and nodded, seeming satisfied.

However, Viela was dissatisfied.

“This isn’t a proper thank you. I can’t offer expensive things, but if there’s something I can do, please let me know casually. Is there anything else? Anything at all!”

Hearing this, Lukas widened his eyes in surprise and muttered, “Anything…”

Then he lowered Viela’s hand from his arm and pulled her into his arms with both arms.

Viela, enveloped in his embrace, was flustered. Even though the flight had a similar position, her heart was pounding more than ever, as if it might burst.

A few seconds later, he slowly released her. She was too embarrassed to look up at him.

“W-What was that?”

“I consider that a thank you. I just wanted some comfort.”

“This is a thank you…”

“Yes, thank you. I’ll escort you to your room.”

“Y-Yes.”

Pulled by Lukas’s hand, Viela followed with her head down. When they reached her door, she entered her room alone and dove onto the bed.

“—Huh? Hugging me is comfort? Why!?”

Confused, she tried to understand Lukas’s actions. After much thought, she arrived at one answer.

“That’s right. I’m going to be Lady Hermine’s doll, and Lukas-sama must think of me as a stuffed animal! It must be. Ah, I feel relieved! Ha ha ha, what a relief!”

Thus, Viela, unaware of Lukas’s expression right after he hugged her, lay on her back and started to escape from reality.