Chapter 4

"If Margaret is willing, I hope you will continue to stay by my son's side. It seems that Percival cannot be happy without you."

To the marquis's words, Margaret could not immediately nod in response.

Margaret's feelings were straightforward and clear. She liked Percival and wanted to stay by his side forever. If possible, she wanted to live with him. Just that much.

On the other hand, she also thought this way.

She was not someone who could match Percival. She was a troubled young lady who had been neglected in the earl's household, while he was a future marquis who would excel as the chief diplomat. There was a great gap between them. After all, it was a miraculous coincidence that Margaret had been saved by Percival.

The woman who would be suitable for him should be more noble and pure, like his deceased fiancée. Therefore, she couldn't help but doubt whether someone like herself should be allowed to hold his hand.

(---But, even so)

Margaret closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and then looked straight into the marquis's eyes and spoke.

"Actually, I am not suitable for Lord Percival. But if you can forgive me... please let me stay by Lord Percival's side."

It was a wish that resembled a prayer. For over ten years, living in the earl's household, she had lost the selfish desire to wish for something. She had finally found the courage to express it, thanks to Percival being by her side. The marquis nodded deeply in response to Margaret's answer.

"Of course. On the contrary, I'm more worried that Percival might forcibly lock Margaret up if she dislikes it."

"That kind of thing..."

"---No, if Margaret seems to be leaving, I'll do my best to stop her from running away."

Saying it as if it were a matter of course, Percival finally lifted his head from Margaret's neck. His expression seemed somewhat dissatisfied.

"...I've said it so many times, but it doesn't seem to have gotten through, so I'll repeat it as many times as necessary."

Percival moved away from Margaret, straightened his posture, and faced her.

"I love Margaret. You are the first person I've ever wanted to spend my life with."

"......!!"

"Margaret? Do you like me?"

With a slight hint of anxiety, Percival asked, and Margaret nodded vigorously with a red face. Immediately, Percival's expression softened, and she was too overwhelmed to say anything.

"Hey! Percival, you shouldn't make Margaret so uncomfortable, you know?"

"Margaret, if you ever get tired of Percival, don't hesitate to talk to us. Living a leisurely life in our territory isn't bad either."

The marquis and his wife spoke warmly to Margaret, mixed with a bit of teasing. Margaret felt that they truly did not dislike her, and she was so happy that she almost cried. She held back her tears and smiled gently at them.

"Thank you, Lord Marquis, Lady Marquis."

"Oh, you should call us father and mother, right?"

"......Is that okay?"

"Of course, you are already my son's partner and part of our family, Margaret."

At those words, Margaret couldn't hold back her tears anymore. She was so moved that she started crying silently, and Percival gently embraced her, comforting her.

"There's nothing to worry about. We will always be by your side."

"......Lord Percival..."

Since losing her mother, she had never thought she would be able to experience such happiness again. Savoring this happiness, Margaret buried her face in Percival's chest.

After sharing dinner, they bid farewell to the marquis and his wife, who were returning to the hotel. Margaret, having finished her preparations for bed, sat on the edge of the bed in the couple's bedroom. Percival was naturally by her side, gently pulling her shoulder towards him. It was a bit embarrassing to lean on his chest, but at the same time, she felt an overwhelming sense of security.

"By the way, I asked my father earlier..."

In the drowsy atmosphere, Percival started the conversation.

"I've always wondered why my father was so eager to finalize the marriage proposal with the Wordsworth family."

It was indeed a question. At the time, Percival had just lost his fiancée. At twenty-two, he wasn't in a hurry to get married. A marriage proposal could have been delayed for one or two years without any particular issues. Yet, the marquis had pushed through the engagement and even the marriage, despite Percival's reluctance. There had to be a clear reason for this.

"......What did your father say?"

Margaret asked with a hint of anxiety, and Percival chuckled.

"It seems he had a vision."

"A vision...?"

"Not just any vision. It's related to his unique magic."

Percival explained that it was a unique magic called "Vision."

"It's similar to a premonition... he saw the scene of my wedding with Julia."

"!? So... he proposed marriage to the Wordsworth family because of that?"

"Yes. His intuition told him that this marriage must be realized."

According to the marquis, at the time, Julia Wordsworth was miraculously without a fiancé in the social circle, but it was only a matter of time before she would have one. Julia was a beautiful and perfect lady without any flaws, and she was favored by influential noblewomen, including the Duchess of Heymer. The Wordsworth family had no significant issues other than Margaret's scandal, and many nobles were already proposing marriage to Julia. Therefore, the marquis, knowing it would be somewhat forceful, quickly negotiated with the Earl of Wordsworth and successfully secured the marriage agreement.

"I see. I didn't know that at all."

Margaret, being a substitute for Julia, was not well-informed about these matters. Even if she had known, there was nothing she could have done at the time. Suddenly, Percival tightened his embrace around Margaret.

"Now, I can only be grateful to my father. The thought of Margaret being with anyone else... just thinking about it makes me want to go crazy."

Margaret couldn't help but blush at his passionate words. Percival's words and actions were so overt. However, because of that, he made her feel so secure.

"......Lord Percival"

"Yes?"

To such a Percival, Margaret wanted to return his feelings as much as possible.

"I am yours alone. I won't go anywhere... no, I don't want to go anywhere."

She suppressed her embarrassment and tried her best to express her feelings.

"I love you, Lord Percival."

Finally, she looked into his beautiful blue eyes and smiled, and Percival's face turned red. It seemed that her feelings had been properly conveyed, and she felt relieved. After a while, she heard Percival's somewhat dazed voice from above.

"......This is the first time Margaret has said she loves me."

"Huh? Is that so...?"

"Yes... Ah, I'm in trouble. I'm so happy I might cry."

Saying that, Percival enveloped Margaret in a warm embrace. They could hear each other's heartbeats, which felt ticklish but also delightful.

"Hey, when the deliberation is over..."

"......Yes"

"I'll definitely make up for the first night you waited for—be prepared."

"......!......Yes"

Responding with a very soft voice, she felt Percival's happy smile.