Chapter 34

"Would you consider becoming engaged to me?"

"…What?"

I was taken aback by the words that came out of Lord Alexis's mouth, and I could only respond with a dazed voice. It felt like something important, but I couldn't quite grasp what he meant.

"Did you hear me? Miss Asaria, would you consider becoming engaged to me?"

"Y-Yes, I heard you, but I don't understand what you mean."

What is he talking about?

I just told him that I'm engaged to Prince Lewis.

"I am the fiancée of Prince Lewis, a member of the royal family. Asking me to become engaged to you is, frankly, quite unreasonable."

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

"…I can't answer that."

"Come on, everyone knows it. If you're smart, you'd understand."

Well, I'm not exactly hiding the atmosphere.

Most of the nobles probably think I will break off the engagement with Prince Lewis.

"I don't understand what you're talking about."

"Hehe, you're so stubborn. I guess, from your position, you can't say it outright. I don't intend to tell anyone, you know."

"I'm sorry, but I don't think we have that level of trust, Lord Alexis."

"Is that so? Then I want to build that trust. I want to become engaged to you."

Lord Alexis repeated his proposal, as if to confirm it.

Even after I tried to deter him by mentioning my fiancé, he still pushed forward.

"Why? I haven't done anything that would warrant a marriage proposal from you, Lord Alexis."

"Is that so? Isn't being saved a good enough reason?"

"If that's the case, you and I would have to propose to every commoner and noble in the empire."

"Ahaha, that's not what I meant. There's a big difference between being saved without knowing and being saved right in front of you."

We, the Four Great Dukes, have always been the guardians of the empire.

While I didn't think it was the same, being saved really did mean something, didn't it?

"Going to guard the fortress was just doing our duty as one of the Four Great Dukes. It's not a reason to propose marriage."

"I don't think the royal family would give you the highest commendation just for doing your duty. But for me, it was very moving."

Lord Alexis smiled, but there was a serious air about him that I hadn't seen before.

"At first, I only went to meet Miss Asaria out of curiosity. I wanted to see what kind of person a duchess's daughter was who did something interesting with the prince."

When Lord Alexis came to the tea party, he did say something like that.

"But this time, saving the Eastern Fortress… no, saving my father's life and trying to protect the pride of the Modenes family was truly amazing and made me fall in love with you."

"…What? F-Fall in love?"

"Hmm? Oh, right, there are all sorts of reasons for nobles to propose to each other, so I should have said how I feel first."

Lord Alexis blushed slightly but smiled beautifully.

"Miss Asaria, I like you. I like your beautiful appearance, your graceful demeanor, your beautiful heart, everything about you."

"…!"

"Those reasons alone are enough for me to propose. I don't need anything else."

As he said this, looking straight at me, my heart skipped a beat.

I never imagined that Lord Alexis would feel this way about me.

But I hardly know him, and even though breaking off the engagement is certain, I am still engaged to Prince Lewis.

It's emotionally and positionally difficult to respond to this.

"Lord Alexis, I appreciate your feelings, but I am engaged. I can't answer you."

"…I understand. You can't answer right now, can you?"

Lord Alexis smiled, as if accepting the inevitable.

He seemed to know I couldn't answer.

Then why did he say all this now?

"Miss Asaria, you don't have to answer now… but will you answer me someday?"

He must be talking about after I break off the engagement with Prince Lewis.

"That's why I'll wait. It's the first time I've liked someone, and I can't give up."

Lord Alexis knelt in front of me and took my hand.

I was so surprised I couldn't react, but he kissed the back of my hand.

"…What are you doing?"

Just as he was about to, I was pulled back by someone.

I recognized the voice immediately; it was Rauro's face looking down at me.

He had pulled me back gently, protecting me, and stepped between Lord Alexis and me.

"You are Rauro, Miss Asaria's personal knight, right? I'm very grateful to you for coming to help."

"…"

"But could you step aside for a moment? I need to have an important conversation with Miss Asaria."

"I can't do that. I am Miss Asaria's personal knight."

Rauro and Lord Alexis were glaring at each other, even though he had just arrived.

How did he get here without me noticing?

"Is that so… still, it's impressive that you found this place, Rauro. The venue is large, so how did you know Miss Asaria was in the courtyard?"

"I searched for Miss Asaria's magical aura when she didn't return from freshening up. Miss Asaria's magical aura is strong and easy to detect."

What? From the venue, which is dozens of meters away, he could sense my magical aura?

I don't think even Ivan or I could do that… Rauro is truly amazing.

"I see, you're a wonderful knight. I'd like to hire a strong knight like you."

"I'm sorry, but I am Miss Asaria's personal knight, and I will never accept that request."

"Ahaha, I was just joking. You're a serious one, Rauro."

…Why are they glaring at each other? They've barely spoken to each other before.

"Miss Asaria, let's return to the venue. The other young ladies are waiting."

"Y-Yes, you're right. Lord Alexis, thank you for the conversation."

I bowed to Lord Alexis, and Rauro followed suit with a shallow bow.

"Yes, Miss Asaria. Let's talk again. Keep today's conversation in your heart."

"…Yes, I will."

Lord Alexis smiled brightly, then glared at Rauro for a moment before leaving.