Chapter 33

After Lauro joined, we enjoyed some sweets and tea with the young ladies for a while.

Most of the questions came from the young ladies, and they mostly asked about my relationship with Lauro.

It's just as you see, I'm a duchess and he's my dedicated knight, nothing more.

"Is there more to your relationship than that?"

"Is there anything beyond that relationship?"

They asked excitedly, but I didn't really understand.

Lauro is my dedicated knight, and I trust him to protect me.

Lauro was also asked many questions, but he only spoke the bare minimum.

He seemed to like the sweets, though, and ate them as voraciously as I did.

Unlike the young ladies, he doesn't have to worry about gaining weight, so if he likes them, he should eat as much as he wants.

Watching him, I couldn't help but think he looked like a dog, a guard dog, and found it cute.

...Maybe I drank a bit too much tea.

"Excuse me, I'll step out for a moment."

"I'll accompany you, Lady Asaria."

When I stood up, Lauro reflexively stood up to follow me.

"You can wait here, Lauro. I'm just going to freshen up."

"Freshen up? I don't see anything out of place. You look as beautiful as always."

The young ladies around us let out a slight cheer at his words, but I sighed a little.

"Lauro, that's sweet, but that's not what I meant."

"? What do you mean?"

I leaned closer to Lauro and whispered in his ear so the other young ladies couldn't hear.

I think they already noticed, though.

"I'm going to the restroom."

"Ah, I'm sorry, my apologies."

Lauro immediately bowed his head, his cheeks turning red, probably from embarrassment.

I was a bit embarrassed too, but it's understandable with Lauro.

"It's fine. Just wait here for me."

"Yes, as you wish."

"Ladies, I'm leaving Lauro here. He might be a bit lacking in consideration, so please be gentle with him."

As I said this and moved away, I saw Lauro being surrounded by the young ladies and sitting down.

"Lord Lauro, while Lady Asaria is away, there's something I'd like to ask you..."

"I can't speak about Lady Asaria's personal matters."

"No, not that, but about your feelings—!"

I heard such voices, but I left the area to freshen up.

After freshening up, I returned to the venue.

Is Lauro talking to the young ladies properly?

I think he can manage, even if he's not completely at ease.

As I was about to go back to where Lauro was waiting, someone called out to me from behind.

"Lady Asaria."

"Oh, Lord Alexis."

It was Lord Alexis, the heir of the Modenes duchy, who hosted this celebration.

"Are you enjoying the party?"

"Yes, very much. I'm truly grateful for hosting such a celebration for us."

"You protected the honor of the Modenes duchy and the lives of the people. This is the least we could do."

Lord Alexis spoke with his usual calm and composed smile, not the stern look he had on the battlefield.

But he seemed a bit more serious than usual, maybe it was just my imagination.

"Do you have some time now? I'd like to talk to you for a moment."

"Do I have time? Yes, of course, that's fine."

I was planning to go back to Lauro, but a short delay wouldn't be a problem.

"Alright, then follow me."

"Yes."

"...May I take your hand?"

"Ah? Oh, yes, please."

I was a bit surprised by Lord Alexis's request, but I didn't think there was any deeper meaning, so I extended my hand, and he took it as if escorting me.

"Alright, let's go."

"Yes."

Lord Alexis and I left the venue and headed outside.

The sun had already set, and it was quite dark outside.

But the courtyard was lit up by the lights prepared by the Modenes duchy, and the illuminated flower garden was a beautiful sight.

"Since we're quite far from the venue, no one should come here."

"Yes... What did you want to talk about?"

Lord Alexis let go of my hand and turned to face me.

He had his usual gentle smile, but he seemed more serious than before.

"I haven't properly thanked you yet. Lady Asaria, thanks to you coming to the eastern fortress, we were really saved. Thank you."

"About that? You've already thanked me..."

Lord Alexis had thanked me directly, and Lord Mikhail, the head of the household, had thanked me several times.

"No matter how many times I say it, it's never enough. So, I wanted to thank you again. Thank you very much, Lady Asaria."

Lord Alexis bowed his head slightly to thank me.

"I hosted this party as a thank you, but I still haven't repaid the favor. If there's anything I can help you with, please let me know. Even personal matters, I'll use the power of the duchy to assist you."

The party and the delicious sweets were a wonderful thank you, but as a thank you between duchies, it might still be a bit weak.

My brother also mentioned that being able to do a favor for the duchy is a big deal.

I don't plan to use such a favor for any evil schemes, though.

If anything, it might be to help degrade Prince Lewis and Oline, but I want to do that on my own, and I might not really need to use the favor.

I was just grateful to have been saved.

"Yes, thank you, Lord Alexis. If there's anything, I'll let you know."

"Sure, I'll always be there to help you."

We smiled at each other.

But was that all he wanted to talk about?

He could have said thank you without leaving the venue.

"Is there anything else you wanted to talk about?"

"Hmm? Oh, right... I was going to ask you to talk to me without formalities, but—?"

"I've said that before, but since I have a fiancé, it's better to avoid being too familiar with other men."

"But you're going to break the engagement, right?"

Lord Alexis said this with a slight smirk, not hiding anything.

He seemed to have noticed this before.

This is not a conversation to have in the venue.

"...It's not decided yet, so I can't answer that."

"Ahaha, it's just a matter of when you'll break it, right?"

"Well, I suppose so."

"Fufu, you're a bit of a villain. You should just dump that idiot prince quickly."

"I'm fine being a villain. I've decided to live that way."

I smiled back at him, like a villain.

Lord Alexis seemed surprised by my expression, his eyes widening, then he smiled gently again.

"I see... Then formalities are fine for now. But there's one more thing I want to talk about."

"What is it?"

"Will you marry me?"

"...What?"

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