Chapter 35

The Kingdom of Rendia experiences mild temperature changes throughout the year, and even in winter, heavy snowfall is rare except in the northern mountainous regions.

Therefore, it was not uncommon for people from neighboring countries, who maintained friendly relations, to visit for a comfortable winter.

One day, as the arrival of mid-winter approached, Laila was called by Julius, who looked unusually serious. She sat across from him in the living room, her heart pounding.

"An aunt of mine sent a letter. It seems the date for our wedding has been set."

Julius said this and handed her an envelope adorned with elaborate decorations. Inside, the note stated that the minimum preparations for Julius and Laila's wedding had been completed, and the ceremony was planned for early summer of the following year.

Laila blinked in surprise, and Julius, who had been stern until then, began to fidget.

"...Well, our opinions on the date won't be taken into much consideration. There are various customs in my family... but in return, I'll try to incorporate as many of your requests as possible for the dress."

"No, it's not that I have any complaints about the schedule. ...It's just, somehow..."

Indeed, Laila and Julius were still only "fiancés."

They lived together in the same house, but they were not yet married.

"It's just that... I've been living with you, Julius, for almost three months. I suddenly realized that we're not actually married yet..."

"Does that mean you've been feeling like you're already married to me?"

"Y-Yeah, something like that."

As she spoke, her cheeks grew warm.

(Well, we do sleep together at night and attend evening gatherings, so maybe we are practically married!)

Worried that her thoughts might sound too romantic, she slowly raised her gaze. Julius had covered his mouth with his hand and turned his face away, a slight frown creasing his forehead.

"...Um?"

"...Ah, sorry. I was just... imagining a few things."

"What kind of things?"

"I'll tell you later. Anyway... it's true that spending time with you, Verneli, and Helka has become a part of my routine."

"Really? ...Oh, by the way, will Verneli and the others still be with us after we get married?"

Though she directed her question to Julius, she also meant it for Verneli, who stood diagonally behind him, and Helka, who was standing behind her.

Verneli, surprised to hear her name mentioned, widened her eyes, but Julius chuckled.

"Would you miss them if they were gone?"

"Helka helps me with my daily tasks, so I would definitely be in trouble without her. And once you taste Verneli's cooking, you can't be satisfied with anyone else's. Besides, she's kind and reliable."

Laila spoke sincerely, and while Helka smiled happily behind her, Verneli frowned and pouted.

(I don't feel flattered even if you praise me.)

Laila's words seemed to satisfy Julius, who nodded in agreement.

"I feel the same way. Besides, they work very hard, and my aunt plans to continue employing them as staff at the magic research institute and as our assistants."

"That's a relief. ...Helka, I hope you'll stay with us."

"Of course, my lady. However, there may come a time when I, as an unmarried woman, might not be sufficient."

Helka said this with a slightly troubled smile, and Laila, turning to look at her, tilted her head in confusion.

"Huh? Is there something Helka can't do because she's unmarried?"

"Of course. As the lady of a noble family, you will need a wet nurse when you have children."

"Oh."

Indeed, that made sense.

Laila's family was from the middle class, and while they had maids to help with household chores, they did not have a wet nurse. Laila had no memory of it, but she assumed her mother had breastfed her. Later, she had a governess, but no nanny, and her mother had taken care of her.

However, the Baltzec family, though not nobility, was a prominent family in the field of magic. Thus, like noble families, they would have nannies and wet nurses to care for the children.

(I see... I want to raise my children myself, but I can't be selfish. I wonder what Julius thinks.)

Thinking this, Laila turned to face Julius, who was still in an awkward position. His usually cool face was slightly flushed, and when their eyes met, he quickly looked away, blushing.

(...Huh? What's this reaction?)

"...Um?"

"...N-No, sorry. It's nothing, so please don't ask about it now."

"..."

"...Please."

Understanding his unspoken request, Laila obediently complied.

For a while, a sweet yet awkward atmosphere filled the room, which was broken by Helka's cough.

"Well, that aside. The wedding is planned for early summer, so we should start preparing soon."

"Ah, yes, that's right. Most of the arrangements will be handled by my aunt, but we need to start sending out invitations and preparing the dress before spring. I'll have to ask a lot from you, Laila."

"Of course! It's our wedding, so I'll work hard on the preparations!"

Laila's enthusiastic response seemed to ease Julius's embarrassment, and he smiled gently.

(I like this smile of Julius's.)

Even in their current engagement, she felt content, but she wondered what it would be like to be married.

(If I knew someone who was married, I could ask for advice... Oh!)

She remembered a former female friend. They hadn't seen each other in months. Her father had sent a message of absence on her behalf when an invitation to the friend's wedding arrived, considering Laila's feelings.

(...Yeah, I can't ask Carolina. Maybe I should go back to my parents' house and contact my friends from the academy.)

The tsundere who feels she's at a disadvantage.