Chapter 27

After returning from the palace to the mansion, I flopped face-down on my bed with a thud. It's bad manners, but no one is watching, so it's fine.

(Hmm, it's similar but different.)

Miss Halberry's story seems to agree with my thoughts, but it's different.

It made me feel uneasy, as if I were walking in silk shoes that don't fit.

"Marianne, I'm coming in."

Catarina-oneesan entered as she knocked and called out.

"Good work on the lecture. I heard it was well-received."

"Why do you know that? Are you a magician, Oneesan?"

"Hehe, the guards were listening from behind. They say the scholars at the academic conference were all saying, 'We need to broaden our horizons.'"

"After the lecture, I had a talk with Lady Halberry and had tea with her."

"Oh, she must have really liked you? But be careful. Don't let her use you. She's incredibly greedy, you know?"

I counted to five and then met her gaze, asking,

"Greedy?"

"Yes. She may think she's concerned about this country, but her focus is always on the royal family, her own family, and her future children. She only sees the common people who support this country as lowly servants."

"Oh..."

(The discomfort and sense of wrongness I felt were because of that. Oneesan, who can navigate the social scene with a smile, can see the true nature of things.)

"Well, if I hadn't been involved with the children on the farm, I would have had similar thoughts. It's easy to forget that each child has a life of their own if you only see the world through the eyes of a noble.

Still, you've grown so tall! You've become so mature and beautiful. I wish Prince Alexander would return soon."

"The prince is on official business, so there's nothing we can do. Besides, I'll be an adult in ten months, so I'm almost there."

"Hehe, the young lady who could spend two hours watching spider webs and ant trails is growing up. I must be getting old."

"Oneesan, what about you? I thought you would have been married long ago!"

"Well, I've received many offers. I should decide soon. I've been enjoying my work too much, you see. The more my income from the postal service increases, the more potential suitors there are. They're looking at my wealth, not me."

"Oneesan?"

"Strange, isn't it? I used to think that bringing in a noble with good conditions to serve this house was the best way. Now, it doesn't seem like a fun life to me. I'm a noble, yet I've changed."

"That's because—"

"I'm still bound by the fear that if I'm not a good girl, adults will abandon me. But at the same time, I think, 'So what?'"

"It's my fault, isn't it? I only do what I want and don't maintain social connections, so all the burden falls on you, Oneesan."

"You could say that, but it's not entirely true. The main reason is that I've changed. It's hard to live just for this house now.

Starting a business has made me feel like I can breathe more easily. It feels like I've been reborn."

"Oneesan, what if you look for a man who is good at business instead of choosing based on noble titles? Wouldn't that make a shared life more enjoyable?"

"…! Oh! How could I not think of that! I only received proposals from nobles, so I never considered it."

"If you ask one of your foster parents, they might take you in as an adopted child and adjust your status. What do you think about pursuing that path?"

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Hehe. Because you have such a beautiful smile. It feels like you've opened a new door. You're greedy in a different way, and it's wonderful."

We used to be so different, but now we have a strong bond like comrades.

"Oneesan, sometimes I think I want to live alone in a forest and do some research."

"Are you tired? You've been running around for others for so long. It's okay to rest. But will you promise me one thing? Don't disappear suddenly."

"You mean—"

"Yes. Promise me you won't disappear like that person did. I won't force you to do anything you don't want to. If someone tries to force you, we'll protect you. So, disappearing suddenly is absolutely not allowed."

I nodded without saying a word. Yes, that's something I shouldn't do.

After that, we talked until morning. Oneesan was even considering being adopted by a relative as a worst-case scenario.

"The seed dispersal kit you sent was a great choice to patent. Similar products will be regulated, and you'll receive royalties for each sale. Anyone, regardless of age, can enjoy it.

The orphans are earning pocket money by assembling the boxes. There's a talented designer among them, and they'll start working in that field next year."

I hope everyone can shine in their own way and pursue their own happiness. I want the happiness of the people to be the happiness of the country.

Not a life where "for the country" always comes first.