That Marriage, I’ll Do It in this Life - Chapter 27
The title of family head had been passed unusually frequently within a single generation, from the eldest son to the second son, and then to a daughter. This suggested that something significant had occurred, but she could only speculate.
She refrained from sharing this with the Duke. While it wasn’t exactly a secret, it didn’t seem like something to discuss with someone outside the family.
“This section contains ancient books. As you can see, some are in very poor condition, while others are relatively well-preserved.”
Saena showcased various items within the boundaries of what could be shared with outsiders, providing brief explanations about the contents of the books.
Duke Kramer examined the books with a careful eye. Judging by the way he murmured while looking at the covers and the text inside, it seemed he could read some Arlesian.
“Pal… ace… cul… ture…”
“The relationship between court culture and aristocratic culture, I’d say. That’s the rough translation.”
Although the book was ancient and likely differed from modern culture, she offered the explanation.
The Duke looked at Saena with slightly surprised eyes.
“Now that you mention it, I recall hearing that the daughter of the Debov family is a big fan of the <Era of Oaths> and is proficient in Arlesian.”
To be precise, the rumor must have been, “The daughter of the Debov family is obsessively studying something useless, unbecoming of a noble lady.”
Amused by the Duke’s well-packaged phrasing, she smiled faintly.
“But… it seems like your proficiency exceeds just being ‘good.’”
“I’m no match for scholars. I just have a personal interest and have enjoyed learning, so I can read and write to some extent.”
In truth, her proficiency in Arlesian far exceeded what she admitted, but since she had no one to compare herself to, Saena wasn’t aware of the exact level of her skills.
The mere fact that she could not only read but also write in such a complex ancient language was proof of her exceptional ability, but she remained unaware.
The Duke stared at her thoughtfully for a moment before turning his gaze to the interior of the hall, sweeping his eyes over it.
“Who prepared this hall like this?”
“I did.”
“You must have had a hard time because of me. This level of neat exhibition… It’s truly impressive.”
Indeed, it was. This was at the level of an exhibition.
Although it was an exhibition solely for the Duke, the hall was arranged in a way that items were displayed by type and era, making it extremely easy to understand. Furthermore, the explanations provided by the guide were so proficient that there was nothing more to say.
“I wouldn’t call it hard work. This is about the extent of the materials related to <Arles-Promesa> that the Debov family can present. Has your curiosity been somewhat satisfied?”
“The amount of material preserved within your family is quite substantial. However, it’s difficult to resolve all my questions about that era. But your guidance was perfect. I’m more than satisfied.”
“You flatter me. Thank you.”
The Duke slowly spoke while brushing his gloved hand over the cover of an old book.
“It’s not flattery, just stating the facts.”
His tone was plain yet firm. Saena found his words difficult to either agree with or deny, so she remained silent for a moment.
Still, thanks to this, the awkwardness seemed to have subsided a little. She had been quite uncomfortable due to the fact that he was Elizabeth’s husband.
“On the final day of the Founding Festival, at the Imperial Banquet.”
“……?”
“Do you have a partner?”
“…Pardon?”
At some point, he had stepped away from the old book and was approaching her with long strides.
His large stature made it feel as though a towering wall had suddenly appeared before her. The pressure momentarily made her forget what he had just asked.
“If you don’t, may I escort you?”
“…….”
Saena slightly opened her mouth but couldn’t manage to give any response.
“…Is that a no?”
“Ah, um, no. I haven’t really thought about a partner yet.”
That was true. She had vaguely thought she could attend with Sage or, if that didn’t work out, ask one of her knights to escort her, so she hadn’t given it much thought.
Among the letters she had received recently, there were many from people expressing their desire to be her partner. However, since Saena had instructed her staff to dispose of anything that wasn’t absolutely necessary for her to read, she hadn’t even been aware of them.
“Then, I’ll come to pick you up on that day.”
“…Pardon?”
Why is he asking to be my partner?
Saena was genuinely baffled.
She could understand his visits to the mansion being driven by curiosity about the Guardian Spirit. But being a partner for the final banquet was an entirely different matter, wasn’t it?
“Why… me?”
Completely at a loss, Saena trailed off.
“I’m interested.”
“Interested?”
“In you.”
Interested, he says.
His interest was not particularly welcome. It would undoubtedly cause quite a stir around Saena.
And she disliked that.
Her wish was to remain unmarried and live quietly. Getting entangled with the Duke would bring nothing good, that much was clear.
“…I don’t have one.”
As a result, her words started slipping out without much filtering.
“…….”
“If I were to partner with Your Grace, surely…….”
It would start with questions about what their relationship was, and before long, rumors would spread about whether they were getting married or not. Then, her choice to remain unmarried would no longer be seen as a personal decision but as something that happened because things didn’t work out with the Duke. That’s just how things worked in this society.
Of course, she wasn’t obsessed with maintaining her reputation. But that didn’t mean she was fine with the busybody stares and inconveniences that would follow such rumors.
So…
“Am I not good enough?”
“…….”
Saena was startled by the strange question and looked up at his face.
Not good enough, he says. Was this some kind of joke?
“No, that’s not it.”
“Well, I suppose compared to you, I am a bit older.”
“…Pardon?”
How old was he again? Twenty-six? Twenty-seven?
He was probably older than Sage.
But the Duke’s appearance was so youthful and radiant that even after living nearly thirty years in her previous life, he didn’t seem old to her at all.
“Am I that undesirable?”
“No. No, that’s not it….”
“Then what is it?”
“…I just hadn’t even considered it….”
“I see. Then, think about it quickly.”
The Duke crossed his arms and stood right in front of her, as if waiting for her to make up her mind.
“…Right now?”
“Yes, right now.”
In other words, he was asking for an immediate answer.
“…….”
“You don’t dislike the idea, do you?”
“…Well, but…”
“Then I’ll come to pick you up.”
It’s not that I dislike it, but it’s not like I’m thrilled about it either! And honestly, how many people could outright tell a Duke, “I absolutely hate this!”?
He seemed to have reached a somewhat hasty conclusion and, ever so slightly, smiled. It was such a faint smile that it was hard to tell if it was a smile at all.
And just like that, her partner was decided in a rather haphazard manner.
* * *
Time passed quickly.
The final day of the Founding Festival.
Attendance at the Imperial Banquet on the last day was practically mandatory. As it was hosted by the imperial family, every noble wanted to attend, and there were hardly any who would choose to miss it.
While being drenched in copious amounts of fragrant oils under her overzealous nanny’s supervision since morning, a maid entered the bathroom.
“The butler is looking for you.”
“Hm? Just a moment, Miss. I’ll step out and be right back.”
“The butler? What….”
Before Saena could even ask what the matter was, the nanny hurried out. Shortly after, several maids entered, each carrying large, elegantly wrapped boxes.
“……?”
“My goodness. These are for you, Miss!”
“…What are they?”
“They’re from His Grace the Duke!”
“From His Grace…?”
When Saena glanced over, the maids opened the boxes in unison for her to see. The largest box contained a dress.
Why a dress all of a sudden?
“He said it’s compensation for the dress that was ruined last time.”
“Huh…?”
The explanation from the maid holding the dress box left Saena dumbfounded. That dress had been custom-made for a debut and wouldn’t be worn again anyway. There was absolutely no reason for him to compensate her for it.
And what about the other boxes? When her gaze naturally shifted to the other boxes, she saw…
“……?”
They were filled with gloves.
