That Marriage, I’ll Do It in this Life - Chapter 32

…Excuse me? Objectively speaking, there were probably few who could compare to Duke Kramer. When Elizabeth announced her marriage to ‘that’ Duke Kramer in her past life, what had happened? The entire social circle had been turned upside down. Everyone was offering their congratulations and causing a commotion. Especially since Elizabeth had so many friends…

‘Wait.’

…She had so many friends that I thought they’d all sincerely congratulate her, but there were actually plenty of people badmouthing her behind her back. At that time, Saena was already mentally and physically drained from her marriage to George Hollander. Having forced herself to attend banquets, she often stayed in secluded corners to avoid people’s gazes, unintentionally overhearing a lot of gossip.

‘Ha, such a sly fox.’

‘We’ll have to call her Duchess now? It’s so infuriating!’

‘It’s so upsetting to think we have to show respect to the third daughter of the Valdez family.’

People who smiled and congratulated Elizabeth to her face were cursing her behind curtains.

‘What about me?’

While she hadn’t cursed, she did feel a bit envious.

「Elizabeth will get to see Morev up close, maybe even touch it?」

After all, wasn’t Duke Kramer the owner of a Guardian Spirit? Of course, she had such thoughts and felt envious. But she quickly dismissed those thoughts. She berated herself, thinking how could she show envy when Elizabeth’s fiancé had betrayed her because of her. That’s why Saena had tried even harder to sincerely congratulate Elizabeth.

‘But if it were the other way around…’

If she were to announce that she was marrying Duke Kramer, what kind of expression would Elizabeth Valdez make? Would she immediately smile and offer her congratulations? …Really? Saena couldn’t quite imagine that scene.

“……”

“I get it.”

Kirsten chuckled softly and flicked Saena’s cheek lightly.

“…Pardon?”

“The fact that you’re taking so long to think about it already feels like an answer.”

Saena looked flustered. It seemed she had been lost in her thoughts for too long.

“…That’s not it. It’s just, I suddenly realized I don’t really have any friends. I’m not good at making friends.”

To be precise, she had never even tried to make friends. That’s how one-sided her life had been.

“…Saya!”

Suddenly, Kirsten called her name and hugged her tightly. Despite the embrace, Kirsten skillfully avoided ruining her hair or makeup with a practiced grip. Pulled close, Saena placed her hands on Kirsten’s chest, startled by the soft sensation under her palms.

“Oh, I’m sorry, Sister.”

Even though they were both women, she felt embarrassed and flustered, her face turning red, which made Kirsten laugh heartily.

“You must really like Kiki.”

On the other side, watching Kirsten’s behavior with a smile, was Evian Dimitri. The Count of Dimitri family is a very prestigious lineage that has served as the imperial treasurer for generations.

Outwardly, Kirsten appears cold and haughty, while Evian gives off a bright and kind impression. However, upon meeting them in person, they turned out to be the exact opposite.

Never in all this time could anyone have imagined that their true personalities would be like this.

Is it a personality they only show to close acquaintances…?

“Why is it that Saya doesn’t have any friends, hmm?”

So pretty and cute, too.

Kirsten murmured. For some reason, Kirsten had thought very highly of Saena from their first meeting.

“Didn’t they say she’s so obsessed with studying that she has no interest in anything else? That’s why she doesn’t have friends.”

Evian Dimitri added matter-of-factly.

Obsessed with studying, huh…

Even though Saena had a rough idea of the rumors, hearing such a direct expression to her face was a bit embarrassing.

“Well, I was… kind of like that.”

Saena awkwardly added, trying to manage her now ambiguous expression.

“I’m planning to be more active from now on, though.”

Also, I need to avoid running into that guy, and I can’t live like I did in my past life.

“Don’t worry. This sister will be your friend.”

Kirsten chuckled softly, telling her not to worry and to just trust her.

“Oh, by the way, if it’s you, Sister Kiki, I could introduce you to my brother.”

Kirsten’s eyes widened at Saena’s words.

“No, wait. You already met him, didn’t you? Well, anyway, that’s that.”

It was purely to change her debutante ball partner, but she suddenly remembered that she had already introduced Sage to her.

“Aww—so cute! Why do I only have a grumpy younger brother!”

Kirsten suddenly got excited again and stretched her hands toward Saena. This time, Kirsten’s expression seemed a bit dangerous, making Saena flinch.

“If you want to make a family, just get married.”

Evian responded indifferently, observing the excited Kirsten.

“No matter how adorable she is, how could I marry Saya!”

“Not you. Your younger brother and Saena, wouldn’t that work?”

“Oh?”

‘Excuse me, I’m right here.’

What about my opinion…?

It was obviously a joke, but Kirsten’s eyes widened, and she stared at Saena, suddenly looking as if she was seriously contemplating the idea.

“But when I saw him last time, that guy didn’t seem reliable at all. He always walks around acting all tough, but in front of Saya, he looked like a fool!”

“Kiki, there’s also the option of you marrying the eldest son of Count Debov.”

“Oh. That’s another way.”

Why does this joke feel less and less like a joke?

‘Excuse me, marriage isn’t usually done for reasons like that…?’

Sage wouldn’t be a bad option by any means. In terms of personality and character, he was a good man—she could vouch for that, not because he was her brother, but because she had looked at him as objectively as possible.

‘Although he does seem a bit goofy in this life…’

Even though she hadn’t known Kirsten for long, she thought Kirsten would get along well if she married Sage. They had surprisingly suited each other when she saw them last time.

“If it’s you, Sister Kiki, I’d be delighted. Please save Brother Sage.”

In the marriage market, Sage Debov’s value was far from low. As the eldest son who was sure to inherit the family, the wealth and fame of the Debov family were widely known.

Moreover, the men of the Debov family had been loyal to their wives for generations. Such a family atmosphere was not to be dismissed, especially from a woman’s perspective.

On top of that, being a central noble family based in the imperial capital, the Debov family wasn’t just decent—they were an exceptionally good match.

‘Wait… come to think of it, doesn’t that apply to me as well?’

She didn’t particularly have marriage in mind, but the standards applied to Sage also applied to Saena as a member of the same family. Yet, in her past life, George Hollander had constantly complained about how Saena was lacking and not good enough.

It just proved once again that he was an utterly worthless man.

“Those sweet words, which are clearly not flattery but as smooth as honey… No wonder Kiki likes you.”

Evian said, looking at Saena as if observing something curious.

Flattery? It’s not flattery, though.

“I guess I’m just not good at conversation. If anything seems odd, please point it out.”

Is this why she doesn’t have friends? Or is it because she doesn’t have friends that she’s bad at talking?

Not knowing what came first, Saena tried to explain herself, looking slightly downcast.

“Pfft. Ahahaha.”

“Saya. Hoo…”

Evian ended up laughing. Kirsten hugged her even more tightly.

“That’s it. Let’s go out, Saya. Dance with Kayan once today. Earlier, I saw that guy sticking to the wall like an idiot.”

“…That can’t be true.”

“You’ll dance with Kayan, right? I’m asking you.”

Kayan shouldn’t be that unpopular, right? Something felt off.

“Oh, Sister, then please dance with my brother once as well.”

It felt a bit odd, but she decided to take it as a give-and-take concept, like during the debutante ball.

With Kirsten’s group laughing loudly again, Saena headed back to the banquet hall.

* * *

“You look beautiful today.”

Kayan, with whom Saena was dancing due to earlier circumstances, spoke.

She had thought this before, but this guy was surprisingly good at giving compliments.

“Thank you. You look great today, too.”

Since she received a compliment, she returned one. Yes, this is what social skills are all about.

And even aside from customary compliments, Kayan did look great. His slightly wavy red hair was neatly swept back and fixed in place, and his demeanor carried a maturity beyond his age.

Although he had just become an adult, his composed attitude at the grand banquet revealed the poise of a well-educated high noble.

Kayan opened his mouth as if he wanted to add something after hearing Saena’s response, but in the end, he didn’t say anything.