Alex’s unwavering eyes were filled with deep affection for me.

It’s true that I hesitated when I first realized my feelings.

Given the era, I thought there was no way our relationship could continue with the class difference between us.

Even if Alex was sincere towards me, reality often didn’t work on sincerity alone.

But now, with Count Maynard’s help, there was no need to hesitate anymore.

Naturally, it would be a difficult path.

Even if I was adopted into the Maynard family and registered as a noble, the fact that I was once a commoner wouldn’t be erased.

Still, I felt that with Alex, we could somehow overcome it.

“Claire?”

When I remained silent without answering, Alex called me in a small voice.

There was a subtle anxiety in his voice.

Only then did I open my tightly closed mouth with a faint smile.

“Won’t you regret it?”

“Regret? Me?”

At my question, Alex tilted his head as if he couldn’t understand at all.

“You might be able to make a better choice. There might be someone who could help you or benefit you more.”

“There’s no better choice for me than being with you, Claire.”

Looking at him who’s full of confidence, I couldn’t help but smile.

“I think it’s the same for me.”

I wasn’t as certain as Alex. What I could give to him was ridiculously little.

So I lacked confidence too.

But at this moment, I thought choosing to be with him was the best choice.

“Does that mean…?”

Alex seemed to want to hear more definitive words.

“I will. I’ll marry you.”

I answered him in a firm tone, just as he had spoken to me with certainty.

Alex seemed to freeze for a moment upon hearing my answer, but soon approached me again.

The feeling of his lips on mine was soft. Although it was a sudden kiss, I didn’t dislike it at all. Rather, in that moment of contact with him, my heart fluttered and it felt dreamy, as if it wasn’t real.

It was a night filled with the sound of rain harshly hitting the ground in the greenhouse.

***

The Berzel ducal residence was busy from early morning.

It was because Count Maynard was staying at the Berzel ducal residence for a few days.

Primarily, it was to proceed with the adoption process for me, but that wasn’t the only reason.

“You say you’re seriously seeing Duke Anstis?”

The Countess asked Miss Veronica. Unlike usual, Miss Veronica looked very tense.

“Yes, Mother.”

When Miss Veronica affirmed, the Countess turned to look at Count Maynard. Then Count Maynard spoke with difficulty.

“Are you considering marriage too?”

“No. We’re still in the stage of getting to know each other. It seems premature to mention marriage. But still…”

Miss Veronica, who had paused briefly, looked alternately at the Count and Countess.

“He seems like a good person. And although I haven’t known him for long, I feel at ease and comfortable when I’m with him.”

At the lady words, the Count, who had been frowning as if pondering for a moment, let out a small sigh.

“I see, I understand how you feel. Actually, Duke Anstis had requested to meet me separately, so I’ll have to discuss this in more detail after meeting with him.”

It didn’t seem like the Count was opposed to Miss Veronica’s romance. But it was an issue that required caution, so he couldn’t readily show a positive reaction.

“Then I’ll excuse myself first.”

“Alright. Go and rest.”

“Ah, Claire, could you stay for a moment? I have something to talk about.”

When I got up, confirming that Miss Veronica was leaving, the Countess soon called me to stay.

“Yes.”

Miss Veronica’s gaze naturally turned to me. Then she smiled brightly and left the reception room alone.

I, who had awkwardly stood up, sat back down quietly in the chair.

Perhaps they had more questions for me about Miss Veronica and Duke Anstis?

I watched their expressions for a moment, wondering how I should respond.

Duke Anstis was certainly a good person.

After the incident when the carriage was attacked, he even apologized to me separately, considering my disappearance as his fault.

I never thought that he, a nobleman, would apologize to me, a commoner.

Now, I was to be adopted into the Maynard family, and I had even received a proposal from Alex, but when Duke Anstis first saw me, I was just a commoner favored by Alex.

Even I thought that it was very rare for a nobleman to bow his head to a commoner.

Thinking about this, I knew how I would evaluate Duke Anstis.

While I was organizing my thoughts, Count Maynard addressed me.

“I’ve prepared the adoption papers. If you agree, we plan to submit the documents today. Is that alright with you?”

But unexpectedly, what the Count mentioned was not about Duke Anstis.

Of course, we had to discuss the adoption as well, so I quickly organized my thoughts and answered.

“Yes, that’s fine with me. And I’m really grateful. I’m also sorry for causing you trouble.”

I felt only gratitude and apology towards Count Maynard and Countess.

It was a feeling that I couldn’t fully express in words.

The Count and Countess looked at me and laughed softly. When I raised my head, they opened their mouths towards me with their usual gentle smiles.

“Sorry? We’re going to be family from now on, so you can be more comfortable with us.”

“That’s right. And if anything happens, feel free to come to me and Helena anytime. We’ll be your parents from now on. If it’s too difficult, you can rely on Veronica too.”

Hearing their words, I felt overwhelmed with emotion. My nose tingled and my eyes felt hot.

Still, I didn’t want to show them a crying face in front of them.

The Count, Countess, and even Miss Veronica… they were truly too good for me.

“You should be happy from now on. Understand?”

“…Yes.”

I tried my best to hold it in, but I couldn’t stop tears from welling up in my eyes.

“Why are you crying? What is there to cry about?”

The Countess, who was flustered seeing me cry, got up from her seat and came to sit next to me. Then she took out a handkerchief from her bosom and carefully wiped my tears.

The two of them waited in front of and beside me for a long time until I stopped crying.

When the tears stopped, I felt embarrassed.

Feeling awkward, I glanced at the two of them, and the Countess hugged my shoulders tightly.

She didn’t say anything else, but that alone was a great comfort.

“Then it seems we can proceed with the matter without delay. When are you free in the afternoon? I’d like us to go together.”

“I’m fine anytime.”

“Then shall we leave after resting for an hour?”

“Yes.”

“Then go and rest until then.”

“I’ll excuse myself first then.”

“Alright.”

I got up from my seat and left the reception room.

“Claire!”

Just as I was about to return to my room, I heard Miss Veronica calling me. When I turned my head, I could see her waving at me from not far down the corridor.

I hurriedly ran towards where she was.

“You haven’t gone up yet?”

“No. I was a bit worried. Did my parents ask about Duke Anstis?”

Miss Veronica asked me with a tense face. It seems she had been thinking the same thing as me at first.

I laughed softly as I looked at Miss Veronica like that.

“No. I thought they called me because of Duke Anstis too, but that wasn’t it.”

“Then?”

Miss Veronica opened her eyes wide. Every time I saw her like that, she reminded me of a rabbit.

“They said we’re going to register the adoption papers later. So they asked me to go with them then.”

“Ah! So that was the issue. I misunderstood.”

Miss, who was biting her tongue in embarrassment, smiled gently at me.

“Then you’ll be officially adopted soon.”

“…I suppose so.”

“Then we’ll really become sisters.”

Miss Veronica said as she linked arms with me.

I always thought we were like real sisters, but the idea of actually becoming sisters with Miss Veronica didn’t feel real.

No matter how much we acted like real sisters, I had never forgotten my position until now.

“Are you okay with this, Miss? Me becoming your family.”

When I cautiously asked, Miss Veronica blinked her large eyes.

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

The look in her eyes felt genuinely surprised.

“I really thought of you like a real younger sister, Claire. Didn’t you feel the same?”

I slowly shook my head at that question.

“No. I knew you cared for me like a sister too, Miss.”

“I’m glad to hear that. Oh, since we’re becoming family now, how about calling me ‘sister’ instead of ‘Miss’?”

“What? Sister?”

I inhaled sharply at the unexpected suggestion. Miss Veronica smiled with a mischievous face.

“Yes. Sister. I really want to hear you call me that.”

“B-But, I’m not sure if I should…”

“Why not? We’re family.”

At Miss Veronica’s words, which sounded as if it was the most natural thing, I closed my lips for a moment and blinked.

Meanwhile, Miss Veronica pulled me along.

“If it’s difficult, you can do it slowly. But make sure to call me that eventually. Okay?”

I looked at her with a dazed feeling, then soon smiled and nodded.

“I’ll try my best.”