Chapter 10

"I was surprised. I never expected it to be you, Thomas."

"Disappointed?"

With a wry smile, Thomas said to my astonished self. His short brown hair and refreshing features, his gentle mannerisms. If I hadn't been informed beforehand, I might not have guessed he was a knight. Although, compared to my younger brother, Thomas certainly looked more like a knight.

"Of course not. I was just surprised..."

Facing him like this, it's even harder to believe that he proposed this marriage arrangement to me. He is the heir of a marquis and an elite member of the Blue Star Knights. There must be countless women who would desire to marry him. I couldn't help but think it was some kind of mistake as I looked at Thomas. If the queen's story was true, he was a victim forced into this marriage arrangement. After all, he is only twenty, just one year older than my nineteen-year-old brother, Julius. Ian had said he liked older women, but even so, it seemed too pitiful for him to be paired with me. I was even considering whether it would be better for me to decline for his sake, but then his next words left me blank.

"In fact, I proposed this marriage arrangement to my father. To be honest, it was love at first sight."

"Huh...?"

I felt as if I had just heard something unbelievable. I looked at Thomas, wondering if he had made a mistake, but he only smiled sheepishly.

"Um, who proposed to whom...?"

I didn't want to make a fool of myself by misunderstanding, so I asked hesitantly.

"Of course, I proposed to you."

Thomas said confidently, clearly. As a result, I was plunged into even greater confusion. The first time Thomas and I met was when I visited the knights' headquarters recently. Even if I had dressed up a bit now, I couldn't believe anyone would fall in love at first sight with me while I was working. I stared at Thomas, unable to believe it. It was a shock to learn that he was the grandson of the marquis who had caused trouble for me ten years ago, but his current statement was even more surprising.

"Um... I understand that this is a marriage arrangement for a reason, so you don't need to go to such lengths for me."

I tried to imply that I knew about the marquis's intentions, which the queen had told me, but Thomas looked dissatisfied.

"True, there are benefits for the marquis family, but I am serious."

"But, wasn't it the first time we met the other day?"

When I said this, Thomas shook his head with a wry smile.

"No. Our Blue Star Knights also have guard duties, so I've met you several times while guarding the queen."

Is that so? I hadn't noticed at all.

"R-Really? I'm sorry..."

The guards are on a rotation, but I had no memory of meeting him. It was quite rude to have met and not known it.

"No, don't apologize. I was still a squire, so I only saw you when I delivered something my master had forgotten. It's only natural that you wouldn't remember."

A squire is a kind of apprentice knight who performs various tasks and learns the job, usually becoming a full knight around the age of twenty. My brother Julius was also a squire for a short time before he was recently appointed as a full knight.

"I see."

"Yes, it's a bit embarrassing."

He said, scratching his head.

"No, I think it's very admirable. The marquis must be proud."

Even as a squire, being part of the Blue Star Knights means he is expected to have a bright future. While Julius is an exception, it's normal for a twenty-year-old to still be a squire. I thought it was admirable that he, as the eldest son of a marquis family, had worked tirelessly to reach his current position. Some noble sons try to buy their way into a knight's position, but the commander of the Blue Star Knights, Kenneth, doesn't approve of such shortcuts. So, Thomas must have worked hard to reach his current position, which is a great achievement for a high-ranking noble.

"Thank you. You are indeed the person I thought you were. Please, will you marry me?"

When he formally proposed again, I stiffened. While I had developed a good impression of Thomas from our conversation, it was only respect, not romantic feelings. Of course, noble marriages are decided by family and politics, not love. I was well aware of this. And it was then that I realized something for the first time. I had been relieved, in a way, that I had passed the marriageable age. If I didn't get married, I wouldn't have to give up my feelings for Ian. I had been postponing marriage due to my busy schedule, partly to protect my unrequited love for Ian. I felt embarrassed. Compared to Thomas, who boldly declared his love at first sight, I seemed so immature and shallow. But perhaps it was time to put an end to such thoughts. With his improved appearance, Ian would likely receive many marriage proposals. He might soon marry a young lady from a good family. I decided to settle down and move on from Ian before that happened. Marrying Thomas would benefit my family and the queen. Fortunately, he was a respectable person, even if he was younger, and he said he was fine with an older woman. As I looked down, a strong hand with a sword callus was extended to me. I looked up at Thomas, and then—

"Wait a minute, this marriage!"

A loud, out-of-place voice echoed through the castle courtyard. Surprised, I looked over to see a familiar figure standing there. It was a tall, familiar silhouette. His lustrous silver hair, blue eyes, and still unfamiliar pale complexion. It was Ian, out of breath.

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