Chapter 83

Noein and Clara's interactions as betrothed were about to enter a more advanced stage.

"…They've arrived. Prepare to welcome them."

"Yes, understood."

This was a particularly large street in the capital Noein, leading straight to Noein's mansion. As Noein watched the carriage being escorted by the knights of the Konitz viscount's army approach, Yuri, the head of the retainers, responded.

The white carriage, owned by the Konitz viscount's family, was meant to carry nobles. Clara should be inside. Today was the day she was visiting the Alkivist territory.

As the carriage slowly approached, Yuri called out to the other retainers and the mansion's servants to line up.

The one they were about to welcome would become the future Alkivist viscountess, the number two in the territory. For Yuri and the others, it was essential to welcome her with as much sincerity as possible.

Before long, the carriage entered the grounds of the mansion, and the knights of the Konitz viscount's army stepped aside, allowing the carriage to approach and stop sideways in front of the mansion.

The carriage door opened, and Clara descended with a servant from the viscount's family. Seeing this, Noein stepped forward, while Yuri and the others bowed.

"Clara, welcome to the Alkivist territory. I am delighted to have you visit my land."

"Thank you for the grand welcome... Lord Noein."

Noein smiled to give her a sense of reassurance. In response, Clara's expression was one of visible unease, almost pitiful to see.

Having been raised as a sheltered young lady, it was understandable that she felt uneasy being surrounded by strangers in an unfamiliar place, but it was worrying whether she would enjoy this visit.

Sighing inwardly, Noein welcomed Clara into the mansion without showing any signs of his concern.

First, they would have lunch to give her a chance to rest after the long carriage ride. The menu was a potato dish prepared by the skilled cook, Rosetta.

If she could relax a bit after enjoying a good meal, that would be great. With this thought, Noein led Clara into the mansion.

...

After a smooth lunch (the potato dish was well-received by Clara), Noein then took Clara on a tour of the capital Noein.

The city streets lined with residential and commercial buildings, the vast farmlands, the untouched plains that would soon be developed, the blacksmith workshops and public facilities along the river to the southwest, and even the experimental fields within the mansion grounds.

Although there wasn't much to see in a rural territory, Clara listened to Noein's explanations with interest, looking at the various places she would eventually call home.

"Clara, you must be tired from all the sightseeing. Shall we return to the mansion?"

"Yes... It was very enjoyable. To create such a vibrant territory in just two and a half years, Lord Noein, you truly are a talented and wonderful person."

Clara, who seemed less tense than before, expressed her admiration, but behind her praise for Noein, there was still a lack of confidence in herself.

"The development of this territory is thanks to the efforts of the people. I alone could not have done it... I am still inexperienced. That's why having a wise woman like you as my wife is a great source of strength."

"Such praise... I..."

Clara said this with a self-deprecating expression, but she had been quite proactive in discussing academic topics, especially history, with Noein.

From these conversations, Noein believed Clara to be a well-versed and intelligent woman. If she could gain more confidence, she would not just be a "lord's wife" but someone who could achieve great things on her own.

Back at the mansion, they drank tea in the garden until it was time for Clara to return to Letvik.

However, shortly after Noein and Clara had their tea, Pense arrived.

"Lord Noein, I apologize for interrupting in front of the guest, but there is an urgent matter that requires your attention. Could I have a moment of your time?"

"Of course... for a short while."

Considering the guest, Noein responded to Pense, who was speaking more politely than usual.

"Clara, I'm sorry, but I need to step out for a moment. I'll return as soon as possible. If you need anything, please let Matilda know."

"Yes... Please don't worry about me... As a lord, you must be very busy."

Despite her words, Clara looked uneasy as Noein, the only familiar person in this place, was about to leave.

After apologizing again, Noein left the scene with Pense... and once they were out of Clara's sight, he sighed.

"Phew..."

"Lord Noein, was that alright?"

"Yes, thank you for going through all this trouble. I appreciate the effort with the formal language."

Noein smiled, and Pense returned a slight smile.

"I don't mind. But, is it really okay to leave Clara with Matilda?"

"If I try to comfort her, she might just feel worse. It might be better for her to talk with Matilda, a woman, and see some changes."

Clara was clearly aware of Matilda, who stood behind Noein, but they had never directly spoken before.

So, by having Pense call him away for no reason, Noein created an opportunity for Clara and Matilda to talk. He thought that doing something different might bring about a change in the current situation.

"Does Matilda know about this?"

"No, Matilda isn't good at talking to people, and if I told her, she might get nervous and act awkwardly. I didn't say anything to her."

"Matilda must be in a tough spot. You're being quite ruthless."

"Hehe, it's not that serious... I just hope this might be a good opportunity for some change."

...

With Noein's departure, only the guest Clara, her attendant from the viscount's family, and Matilda, who was assigned to attend to Clara, remained in the garden.

Clara looked very uneasy, but all Matilda could do was stand there. As a slave, it might be considered impolite for Matilda to initiate a conversation with the noble lady Clara.

After a moment, Clara took a deep breath and tightened her expression, as if making a decision.

"Hey, it's a bit chilly. Could you fetch my coat from the carriage?"

Clara addressed the attendant from the viscount's family.

"But, my lady, that would leave you alone..."

"It's fine. This is the territory of my betrothed, Lord Noein. Besides, that beastwoman over there is one of Lord Noein's guards. With her here, there's no danger."

Despite the attendant's hesitation, Clara insisted. As a result, the attendant reluctantly left the scene.

Now, only Clara and Matilda remained.

"...Matilda, could I talk to you for a moment? Please, sit down."

"If it pleases you, I will join you."

Clara, who seemed to have made up her mind, received a response from Matilda. It appeared that Clara had sent the attendant to the carriage to be alone with Matilda.

"Thank you... This is the first time we've spoken directly. I've actually wanted to talk to you for a while."

Clara's face relaxed with relief as she began to speak.

"...To both you and Lord Noein, I must be a hindrance, right?"

"That's not true... Lord Noein is very happy about your engagement, and I, as his retainer, am also very pleased."

Clara's sudden negative words made Matilda, who maintained a neutral expression, a bit anxious as she denied them.

"Thank you for your kind words. But you don't have to pretend. Just from observing Lord Noein's behavior, I can see that he has absolute trust in you. It's clear that you two truly believe in and love each other."

Clara's expression was very sad as she spoke.

"Lord Noein is a wonderful man. Although it was an arranged marriage by my father, I genuinely believe that he is a great person... But please, don't worry, Matilda. If I marry Lord Noein, I will only fulfill my role as a noble wife. I will never interfere with you two."

To Matilda, this was a heart-wrenching declaration. The life Clara described was a hollow one, merely existing as a "wife."

"Clara, you don't need to say such things. You are to become the viscountess of the Alkivist family."

"But... When I see you and Lord Noein together, I don't think I can intrude. I don't want to intrude. All I can do is stay quietly in the corner without being a bother."

Clara's self-deprecating words were especially painful to hear. Even Matilda, who usually maintained a neutral expression, couldn't help but show a slight change in her face.

"I know my words are negative and unpleasant. I'm sorry... I am just the daughter of the Konitz viscount. I've spent my life quietly at home until now, a plain girl with nothing to offer but my family name. That's why I can't help but say such things."

Seeing Clara's pained expression, Matilda understood the reason for her resignation.

Clara believed that her only value was her status as the daughter of the Konitz viscount, and that she had no value of her own.

While the Konitz viscount might have chosen Noein with Clara's happiness in mind, this was still a political marriage. It was easy to imagine that Clara's feelings of inferiority had worsened after learning about the marriage.

Moreover, Clara was a well-educated and intelligent woman, but compared to Noein, her talents were overshadowed. Seeing Noein's abilities, Clara had become even more negative.

To make matters worse, Noein already had Matilda as his lover, which likely exacerbated Clara's feelings of inferiority.

Feeling that she had no value and no place to belong was a painful experience. Matilda, who had once been a slave in the Kivileft earl's household and had lost her will to live, understood this pain.

Matilda had overcome this pain, thanks to Noein's support.

Clara would have to overcome this as well. What could she do to help Clara? What could she do to support Noein in helping Clara?

"...Clara, I apologize for overstepping my bounds, but may I make a request of you?"

After some thought, Matilda spoke.