Chapter 7

"Father, did the Duke really send this letter?"

For some reason, I was led to the guest room of the mansion, and I was surprised to see the letter in the cylinder that Father had brought. The cylinder was so luxurious that it looked like it could contain a letter of commendation from the royal family. It was even adorned with jewels, and it must have been quite valuable on its own.

"Seven days ago, a messenger riding a Flame Eagle with the crest of the Galbraith Dukedom arrived. I thought my heart would stop."

"Flame Eagle?! Father, that's so unfair. I wanted to see it too."

"That was a magnificent wing... No! Melfi, what happened at the ball with the Duke?"

"Father, no matter how many times you ask, it's the same. I was attacked by a berserk beast, and the Duke saved me. My dress got dirty, so the Duke asked the Queen to help me."

I had been asked this many times, and I was getting frustrated with Father, who refused to believe me.

"Why would a berserk beast appear at a ball hosted by the royal family?"

"It's normal for beasts to be in the Paravan Forest Park."

"Did you... think about eating it and anger the beast?"

When I was asked that, I tilted my chin and gave Father a cold look. How could I, of all people, do such an impractical thing at a ball? Then, Father's expression changed to one of worry, and he handed me the letter cylinder.

"I'm sorry, Melfi. I went too far."

"It's impossible for me to subdue a berserk Backhorn alone."

"That's true... I understand. But you and the Duke have had no connection since you were born."

I decided to keep the fact that our only connection was a rather intense one a secret from Father. We talked about eating monsters and I even gave him some dried meat of a Skatsbit. If I told him, it might end badly.

"Can I read the letter?"

"Yes, you should check it too. I hope it's a mistake that you were charmed by Lord 'Mad Blood Duke.'"

I opened the cylinder and checked its contents. The high-quality paper had the Galbraith Dukedom's watermark. I hesitantly opened the letter and, sure enough, it read, "I propose marriage to your daughter, Melfiella."

(Engagement... Am I being tricked by the Duke?)

What was he thinking when he wrote this letter, knowing I was a gluttonous lady? I couldn't read between the lines at all. It also said, "At the ball, I had a meaningful time with your daughter," but the idea that he thought of engagement in such a short, meaningful time was scary.

"Oh?"

As I read the letter over and over, a pattern began to seep through from the edge. It seemed to be a magical letter, and the Dukedom's crest appeared in the blank space at the bottom. Then, a burst of golden light exploded in front of my eyes.

"What happened, Melfiella!"

"It's fine, Father. It's not a bad spell. This is... a postscript?"

Beautiful golden letters began to appear on the white letter by magic. I followed them with my eyes and couldn't help but smile at the Duke's typical style. The content of the postscript was very much like the Duke I met that day, unlike the formal proposal.

"'Dear Melfiella. After you left the ball, I had a boring time. What are you going to do about it? The dried meat was also eaten by a mischievous subordinate, and it was a terrible night. I hear that it's already snowing in the Marshall Raid territory. I will come before the real winter arrives. Look forward to the 18th of the Wolf Moon—Aristide Roger de Galbraith.'... The 18th of the Wolf Moon? Isn't it today, today?!"

Father, who read the Duke's postscript out loud, began to scream and clutch his head. I didn't mean to take my time coming back, but I should have returned a bit earlier. Seeing Father's panic, I felt a little sorry for him. The letter was enchanted to activate when I touched it. It was a good thing I checked it. If I hadn't, Father might have fainted at the sudden appearance of the Duke.

"Oh no, Herman, Herman!"

When Father called for the butler, Herman, who was waiting outside the room, rushed in with a worried look.

"Y-Yes, Master, Herman is here!"

"The G-Galbraith Duke is coming here. Prepare, mobilize everyone! Ah, how many attendants will come... ten, no, twenty?"

"Master, is the 'Mad Blood Duke' really coming today?"

"Yes. Today, now, it's written in the letter!"

Herman began giving orders to the servants and maids to gather everyone in the mansion. Meanwhile, Father wrote down various things on a piece of paper, such as the rooms for the Duke and his attendants, and the stables for the riding beasts.

"Fortunately, we just finished the winter preparations. The rest is for Sylia."

"Father, I'll help too."

I couldn't stand still and rushed to Father's side. The Duke was coming to visit me. Was there anything I could do?

"Thank you, Melfiella. But you should go back to your room and get ready."

"Father, but—"

"I haven't told Sylia about the letter yet. I'll explain the situation to her now."

Father looked apologetic, so I decided to comply. Sylia is Father's second wife and the current lady of the house. Father didn't want to tell Sylia until the truth was clear. Of course, it's hard to believe that the Duke would propose to me.

"I understand. I'll wait in my room."

Even though I am the daughter of Father's first wife, I can't go against the current lady of the Marshall Raid household. Since Father and Herman were in a panic, I decided to return to my room in the annex alone. I needed to unpack my travel clothes at least. It would be awkward to face Sylia, but... if the Duke really proposes, I might be able to fulfill Sylia's wish for an engagement. I'll be prepared if it doesn't work out during the long engagement period.

(Still, does the Duke really intend to propose to me?)

I haven't told him anything about my situation, and he doesn't know that I might have to go to a convent. It would be easy to find out that I haven't even had a formal engagement in the three years since my debut in society. I'm a glutton who even eats monsters. What does the Duke see in me?

(Even if I'm a novelty for eating monsters, he doesn't have to propose.)

After being away for a while, my room still smelled of paper and ink. I sat on the edge of the bed and stretched, then traced the portrait of my mother by the pillow.

"I'm home, Mother."

The portrait of my mother and me at seven years old is our last memory together. Mother passed away before the painting was completed. My fiery red hair and green eyes are precious treasures I inherited from her.

"Mother, do you think the Galbraith Duke will recognize my research?"

In this harsh, barren land, how can the people live abundantly? I will make sure Mother's research is recognized by the world. No matter how long it takes, I will.

"Melfiella!"

I was startled out of my daze by Sylia's sharp voice. I must have dozed off. Sylia stormed into the room, calling my name.

"You haven't changed yet?"

Sylia raised an eyebrow at me. With her beautiful golden hair tied up and an expensive blue dress, she is a formidable beauty.

"I was waiting for your instructions, Sylia."

"Oh, I see. Never mind... Cora, Monique, get Melfiella ready. Make her look as presentable as possible."

The maids behind Sylia began rummaging through my wardrobe. I never call Sylia 'Mother.' It's not that I don't want to, but Sylia dislikes being called 'Mother' by me. She once said, "I don't recognize a daughter who eats monsters," so we have maintained a distant relationship.

"I told you to find a fiancé, but you didn't care, did you? Oh, how embarrassing for a noble. Even if it's a high-ranking dukedom, a 'Mad Blood Duke' who seeks blood and enjoys battles..."

'Gwaaaaaaah!!!'

At that moment, a sharp cry of a beast was heard from outside the mansion. The window panes vibrated, and Sylia and her maids crouched, covering their ears in fear. It sounded like multiple beasts, a chorus of roars. They seemed to be circling overhead. I opened the window and leaned out to look up.

"Oh, a group of Gressel Dragons!"

There were over ten Gressel Dragons, a species not native to the Marshall Raid territory. They were real dragons, not Gressel Dragon imitations. Sylia was so terrified by the dragons' cries that she collapsed.

"M-Melfiella, close the window, close the window!"

"Wait, Sylia. That's... oh, the Galbraith Duke!"

A person on a particularly magnificent dragon seemed to have spotted me. He descended quickly and then hovered right in front of me.

"Melfiella, have you read the letter? I've come to propose marriage... of course, I also have the promised gift!"

The Duke's gray hair shimmered silver in the sunlight. His sharp amber eyes, which always seemed to burn with a golden light when he looked at me, curved gently. The Galbraith Duke, in his crimson cloak, seemed to be genuinely proposing marriage to me.