Chapter 84

Matilda, being the one who spends the most time closest to Noein, understands his beliefs better than anyone else.

What Noein desires most is his own happiness. And, as a corollary, the happiness of everyone living in the Alquvist territory.

The happiness of the people living in the Alquvist territory is Noein's happiness. That's why Noein wouldn't want Clara to marry into the Alquvist family while harboring such feelings.

So, what should be done? The best course of action might be to make Clara realize that she is neither an obstacle nor a mere decoration.

After much thought, Matilda decided to make a proposal to Clara.

"Matilda, you want to ask me... something?"

"Yes. I am aware of the impertinence, but if Lady Clara is willing, I would like to speak with you."

"…Impertinence? Not at all. I would very much like to hear what you have to say."

Clara, who responded in this way, looked anxious, wondering what she would be told.

"Then… Lady Clara, would you be willing to become a comrade who will work together with me to support Lord Noein with all your might from now on?"

Matilda's request seemed so unexpected that Clara's eyes widened.

"I, your comrade? But… am I not an obstacle to you?"

"My happiness is not just about monopolizing Lord Noein as a woman… It is important for me to support Lord Noein and see him live happily. Lord Noein's happiness is my happiness."

Looking straight at the bewildered Clara, Matilda continued.

"That's why, from now on, I hope that Lady Clara, who will become Lord Noein's wife, will support and make Lord Noein happy in a different way from me, a beast slave. If that happens, you won't be an obstacle to me. Rather, you will become a comrade who supports Lord Noein's happiness together with me."

This proposal was thought up by Matilda to dispel the dark feelings Clara harbored and to make everyone—Noein, Clara, and herself—happy.

"But… how can someone like me support Lord Noein?"

Matilda's proposal was a potential salvation for Clara, but she lacked the confidence to respond. She didn't know how she, just a noble lady, could help Noein.

"It's not difficult. For example, in social settings with other nobles, if Lady Clara can try to reduce Lord Noein's burdens and mental stress as his wife, it would be a great support. I cannot speak or act in such situations."

Matilda began to explain the ways Clara could support Noein from her unique position.

"Also… I have heard that Lady Clara is fond of scholarship, especially history. Is there anything you would like to do in that area?"

"…I spent a lot of time at home, and through scholarship and history, I learned about the vastness of the world. If possible, I would like to share and spread this knowledge to many people. Personally, I also want to deepen my understanding of history."

"Then, how about setting a goal to establish a school to teach scholarship and to research history?"

Matilda proposed a path that would allow Clara to utilize her interests and knowledge.

"I have learned reading, writing, and arithmetic from Lord Noein, so I understand the importance of scholarship. Teaching and spreading scholarship in this land will broaden the possibilities of many people, and ultimately, the possibilities of the Alquvist territory. This will lead to Lord Noein's happiness."

As Matilda spoke, a light appeared in Clara's eyes.

"Furthermore, the research of history will also benefit the Alquvist territory. If Lady Clara, as the wife of the lord, pursues a field of study, it will contribute to the cultural maturity of this territory. The historical knowledge you acquire will also directly benefit Lord Noein."

"…That sounds very appealing. But, is it really appropriate for someone like me to do such things? Shouldn't I just stay out of the way and be quiet?"

"Rather, Lord Noein would want Lady Clara to pursue your own path. Lord Noein sees the happiness of everyone living in the Alquvist territory as his own happiness."

Clara, who had always believed she could only be a mere decoration, a noble lady who quietly stayed out of the way, was overwhelmed by the hope and kindness in Matilda's words, making it difficult for her to accept them.

"…Is it really okay for me to be happy here? Can I be happy with Lord Noein and Matilda, not being an obstacle to you two, but having my own purpose in life?"

Matilda's words were so full of hope and kindness that Clara, who had always believed she could only be a decoration, was hesitant to accept them.

"Of course. Here, everyone can pursue happiness. Lord Noein will make you happy. And we will also support Lord Noein and make him happy. Let's all be happy together with Lord Noein from now on."

"…Yes. Thank you, Matilda."

Clara and Matilda looked at each other firmly—then Matilda was surprised by her own boldness.

"I'm sorry. As a slave, I shouldn't have spoken so presumptuously to Lady Clara…"

Matilda, who had spoken without restraint for Clara and, ultimately, for Noein, suddenly felt her words were out of line. She worried if she had overstepped.

"That's not presumptuous at all. As someone who has been by Lord Noein's side, you are a senior. Please teach me how to support Lord Noein. Teach me the mindset needed to support him."

Clara smiled gently, and Matilda, blushing slightly, smiled awkwardly in return.

...

Noein, who had left to give Clara and Matilda a chance to talk, decided to return to them at the right moment.

Would they have had a conversation? Would there be any change in Clara after talking to Matilda?

As he walked down the corridor leading to the garden, he heard—

"Oh, so Lord Noein has such a clingy side too."

"Yes. It's probably a reaction to not showing his vulnerable side as the lord to his subordinates and subjects. At night, he has a very innocent face. That face… it really stirs my protective instincts."

"Is that so… When you say night, do you mean… b, bed…?"

"Yes. And also bathing together."

"Bathing! Oh, you, you bathe together… I will too when I get married, right…?"

"If you want to know how to please Lord Noein, I can always give you advice."

"Ah! I, I understand…"

Noein, hearing this conversation, stopped in his tracks. The attendant who had been holding Clara's coat was also frozen, unsure if they should interrupt the candid girls' talk.

Matilda, as well as Clara, sounded very cheerful. What had happened in this short time?

"Still, it's surprising… But Lord Noein has a gender-neutral face and is rather petite, so it's probably cute to be so clingy."

"Yes, very… but he seems to worry that he lacks the dignity needed because of his face and build."

"Really… even Lord Noein has his worries."

"Yes. Lord Noein has excellent talents as a lord, but he also feels ordinary human worries and anxieties. That's why we must support him."

"Yes. Because we are each Lord Noein's one and only!"

Feeling it was getting embarrassing to listen further, Noein decided to step out and walked past the frozen attendant to appear in front of Matilda and Clara.

"I'm back. I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."

"N, Noein!?"

"S, sorry."

Clara was shocked by Noein's sudden appearance, and Matilda, unusually flustered, stood up.

"…It seems you two have gotten along well, which is good."

"Were you listening?"

"…Yes, from the part about 'such a clingy side.'"

Noein said awkwardly, and Clara, flustered, covered her face. Matilda, trying to maintain a neutral expression, was failing miserably, her eyes darting around.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to eavesdrop… but I'm glad you were having a good time, Lady Clara."

Noein smiled at Clara, who, despite her red face, returned his gaze.

"…Matilda gave me words of salvation. Noein, please forgive my previous dark words. I will live here earnestly and support you in my own way, different from Matilda. I want to be happy here too."

Clara's expression was completely different from before, bright and refreshing—Noein found it incredibly charming.

As he gazed at her, Matilda moved closer to Clara.

The two women, like long-time close friends, looked at each other with trust and then turned to Noein.

"Lord Noein, please let me support you as your wife from now on."

"I also humbly request your acceptance, Lord Noein. Please accept our dedication."

Despite their different positions, these two women, who would spend their lives with Noein, looked at him with strong determination.

Noein smiled, feeling their resolve.

Until now, Noein had thought that if he could maintain a good relationship with Clara after marriage, it would be a success. He had planned to fulfill his duty as a noble by having children, act like a happy couple in public, and let Clara find her own hobbies or studies to enjoy her life. He thought they could live happily even without building a true bond of trust and love.

However, Clara and Matilda were much stronger than Noein. In the short time he was away, they had decided to support each other and live truly happy lives by Noein's side.

Noein didn't know how Matilda had changed Clara's heart in such a short time, but he decided to put that aside for now.

"…Thank you both. Let's live together from now on. Let's be happy… no, I will make you happy."

"We will also make Lord Noein happy. Right, Matilda?"

"Yes… I will continue to support Lord Noein to live happily by his side."

"That's great. It's very reassuring and makes me happy."

Faced with Clara and Matilda, who had become such good friends, Noein smiled wryly.

On that day, Noein decided to truly accept Clara as his wife and to live happily together with Matilda.