It was after the short break time had passed and dinner was finished.

“Claire, would you be okay with having a conversation with Duke Berzel?”

Miss Veronica carefully asked me. I wasn’t foolish enough not to know what that conversation meant, so I hesitated for a moment before nodding.

“Yes, it’s fine. We have to do it once, don’t we?”

“That’s right.”

Miss Veronica gave me a gentle smile. Then she turned her gaze towards Alex, who was looking at us with a puzzled expression.

“Duke Berzel. Do you have time by any chance? I have something to discuss with you.”

“Now is fine if it’s alright with you.”

“Then can we move to a different place for a moment?”

“Sure. Follow me.”

“Yes.”

Miss Veronica and Alex stood up from their seats. I followed behind the two of them.

The place we arrived at following Alex was his office.

Avina prepared refreshments on the table.

Until the sweet scent of tea filled the office, Miss Veronica didn’t speak first.

Alex also didn’t say anything since Miss Veronica was quiet. However, he wasn’t rushing Miss Veronica either.

In the awkward silence, it seemed only I was uncomfortable.

That’s when Miss Veronica broke the long silence and opened her mouth.

“I plan to leave the Berzel duchy and return to the Maynard county after this trial is over.”

Alex just nodded at Miss Veronica’s words.

“So I thought it would be good to have a conversation with you before I leave, which is why I asked for some time.”

“…It’s about Claire, isn’t it?”

When Alex asked Miss Veronica, she nodded.

“Yes, that’s right. You also know that Claire has feelings for you, don’t you?”

“I know.”

Alex answered immediately without hesitation.

Even though it was a fact that I had directly told both Alex and Miss Veronica, for some reason I felt my face getting hotter as the two of them casually discussed the topic.

Miss Veronica, noticing me, took my hand. When I looked up to check on her, I saw Miss Veronica smiling faintly at me.

Strangely, seeing that sight made me feel like my heart was melting.

I still felt embarrassed, but not as much as before.

“So I thought we should discuss properly before I leave. About what to do from now on.”

“Thank you for speaking first.”

“It’s nothing. It’s about Claire after all.”

Alex smiled faintly at Miss Veronica’s words, which sounded like those of an older sister.

“I’ve already had a conversation with Claire. If she wants to continue staying with me.”

“That’s assuming marriage, right?”

“Yes.”

At Alex’s affirmation, Miss Veronica nodded and continued speaking.

“Claire is a commoner, so marriage won’t be easy. Do you have any plans in mind? Surely you’re not thinking of keeping Claire as a mistress?”

Miss Veronica spoke a bit sharply, with a tone tinged with anxiety, perhaps due to worry. Alex let out a small laugh at those words.

“Of course not. We’ve already discussed that. If it’s difficult because Claire is a commoner, how about granting her a title?”

“A title?”

Miss Veronica seemed surprised, then soon tilted her head.

“But isn’t there no justification? People will all know. For what purpose the title is given. Then, can’t you guess how the gaze towards Claire will be?”

“I have the authority to grant titles, and even if Claire receives a title, she can’t avoid being labeled. I was worried about that too.”

Alex paused for a moment before continuing.

“But that doesn’t mean there’s no justification. In this case with Duke Franz, if Claire hadn’t revealed the existence of Christine Robelin, who knows what misfortune might have occurred. If we say the title was given for that merit, others won’t be able to easily speak against it.”

“I know well that you’ve prepared thoroughly for the trial, I’ve confirmed that. And I also know that at this rate, the trial won’t be greatly disadvantageous. Even so, I can’t help but worry.”

Miss Veronica, who had been pondering for a moment, moved her lips a few times. It seemed like she was trying to say something difficult.

“How about… adoption?”

“Adoption?”

“Doesn’t Claire need some kind of protective fence? Even if she gets a title.”

Alex and Miss Veronica’s gazes naturally fell on me.

I laughed, feeling awkward under their gazes which would normally not bother me.

“Then I would feel too sorry.”

“Sorry? Why?”

Miss Veronica asked with wide eyes at my words.

“Because as you said, I can imagine people criticizing the Maynard county just for that intention.”

Of course, I know there’s nothing bad about becoming in-laws with Alex. Rather, there would be many advantages. At the same time, the critical gazes directed at me would be dispersed to the Maynard county.

From what I’ve observed, Count and Countess Maynard were all excellent people. It was true that I felt guilty thinking their reputation might be tarnished because of me.

“You don’t need to worry about that. Haven’t I told you many times? You’re like a sister to me.”

“Is it really okay? Will the Count and Countess be alright with it?”

“I’ll try to persuade my father. In my opinion, I don’t think he’ll strongly oppose it. If it doesn’t work out, we could also consider having our family become your guardian, so that might be a good option to think about.”

After finishing her words, Miss Veronica gazed at me intently.

If I didn’t become a burden, it would be better for me to be indebted to the Maynard family.

I thought to myself which option would be better.

As I maintained my silence, both Miss Veronica and Alex calmly waited for my response.

In fact, I pondered over this matter internally several times before.

Although Alex mentioned the method of granting a title, there were many practical difficulties with that approach.

The easiest path was, as Miss Veronica suggested: for me to be adopted into the Maynard family. That was also the least burdensome option.

Since my parents passed away, the Count and Countess had taken care of me a lot when I was young.

In reality, the people of the Maynard family were no different from my own family.

“Then, if it’s not too presumptuous, would it be alright to do that?”

As I hesitantly spoke up, Miss Veronica smiled gently.

“Of course. Certainly. I’ll speak to my parents about it.”

“I’m worried whether the Count and Countess will allow it.”

“Don’t worry about that.”

I felt relieved after hearing Miss Veronica’s words.

“I’ll contact my parents about this matter later. Perhaps my father might want to meet the Duke in person.”

“I’m sure he will. Since it’s an important matter, it would be good to meet and talk directly. If it’s necessary, I can go as well.”

“Timing-wise, it will probably be after the trial, so how about we set a separate appointment then?”

“That would be better.”

Alex also didn’t raise any major objections to Miss Veronica’s words.

“Then I’ll take my leave now.”

Whe Alex nodded, Miss Veronica stood up from her seat. I also stood up following the Miss, briefly greeted Alex, and immediately left the office.

“Miss.”

At my call, Miss Veronica turned her head to look at me. She had an expression as if asking what was the matter.

“Is it really okay?”

“You mean the adoption?”

“Yes…”

You might think I’m being timid, but I couldn’t help feeling worried.

Even though we had been living like family, accepting me, a commoner, as a real family member might be an uncomfortable thing for Miss Veronica or Count and Countess Maynard who had lived as nobles.

After all, this was a class-based society.

“Are you worried?”

“How could I not be? Miss, you know that I…”

“Haven’t I told you many times? That I’ve been thinking of you as my real sister.”

I held my breath for a moment, looking at her serious expression.

“I’ve never said it as an empty phrase. I really think of you as my sister. So, actually becoming a real family is rather welcome.”

“Do you think the Count and Countess will feel the same?”

“Of course. Come to think of it, Claire, you’re really timid. I wonder how you managed to propose a contract to Duke Berzel for our family’s sake. It’s both understandable and puzzling.”

Seeing Miss Veronica laugh as if she couldn’t help it, the uneasiness that had settled in my heart seemed to dissipate.

“Don’t worry about such things and rest easy. Your mind must already be complicated with Duke Franz’s upcoming trial.”

“What do I have to be complicated about?”

As I laughed lightly, Miss Veronica chuckled.

“Then let’s go in.”

“Yes.”

I headed towards the bedroom with Miss Veronica, mulling over the events that had transpired so far.