Even though I had only moved around for a day, it seemed like the fatigue had built up. For a few days, my body felt sluggish, and I didn’t feel like doing anything.
Maybe to be considerate of me, Raynan only stopped by my room to chat for a while and didn’t schedule any horseback riding or other activities.
After I had recovered from the travel fatigue, Raynan suggested having tea again, and during that time, he explained what would happen next.
“We’ll officially announce the engagement soon.”
“The engagement announcement?”
At my question, Roman, who was beside me, nodded and added an explanation.
“The timing is perfect. Hardly anyone doubts the relationship between the Duke and Renee anymore. No, actually, thanks to the vacation, people take it as a given.”
Roman’s eyes briefly sharpened when he mentioned the vacation. But then he looked at me with a meaningful gaze and said,
“People say you two came back much closer than before. If there’s no engagement announcement now, strange rumors might start spreading instead.”
“Strange rumors?”
“You don’t have to react to every pointless thing Roman says.”
“Pointless? This is an important matter.”
“Either way, we don’t need to hold a grand engagement ceremony or any other big events, right?”
“Yes. But people will surely whisper about how impatient the Duke must be.”
“That would actually be a good thing. So, we won’t do anything special—just an official announcement. Soon.”
Raynan looked at me as he spoke. Not having to do anything beyond the announcement was actually a relief for me.
But before that, there was something I needed to take care of first.
“Then, before the announcement, I’d like to personally explain it to Edwin.”
“Alright. Once you finish talking to Edwin, let me know, and we’ll make it official after that.”
“Yes. Thank you.”
“By the way, have you thought about the lady-in-waiting I mentioned before?”
“Ah….”
Had I said I would choose one after returning from vacation? He had told me to think about who to pick, but I had completely forgotten.
Was I even in a position to choose someone? Whether it was someone I knew or not, it would feel uncomfortable either way.
“Then, maybe Roman can pick someone suitable—”
“Ah!”
“You have someone in mind?”
At that moment, a face suddenly came to mind.
Erin, who had held onto me and cried as if she had already foreseen this moment.
At the time, I had found her request to be my lady-in-waiting absurd. But now, in such a short time, it had become a reality.
Thinking about how desperately Erin had pleaded, I did want to choose her. But at the same time, I had my doubts.
We had been friends until now—wouldn’t our relationship change completely in an instant?
It felt like things might get awkward. And honestly, Erin would probably feel more uncomfortable than I would.
But then, why had she asked so desperately? Was she struggling that much, or was she confident it wouldn’t be awkward? I couldn’t tell.
It wasn’t an easy decision, but when I remembered Erin’s exhausted face, my heart softened.
“There’s a lady named Erin. I’d like to choose her.”
At my words, Raynan and Roman looked at each other. They didn’t say anything, but the intense exchange of glances seemed to carry a deeper meaning.
Had they only asked out of courtesy, and I had foolishly answered too seriously?
While I was trying to gauge their reactions, both of them turned their gazes to me at the same time.
Maybe I should take it back and apologize to Erin, telling her that I wasn’t in a position to make that decision after all.
Just as I was about to say something, Roman spoke first.
“As far as I know, you two are friends. Won’t that make things uncomfortable?”
Thankfully, it seemed I hadn’t spoken out of turn.
“Well… I am a little worried about that…”
But when I thought about how Erin had cried so sorrowfully, ignoring her request felt even worse.
“No, let’s go with her.”
Unlike Roman, Raynan approved right away. That was a relief, but Roman still looked uneasy.
“But, Your Grace—”
“If Renee has someone familiar around, she might feel more at ease. And if any issues arise, we can always change things later.”
At Raynan’s firm response, Roman closed his mouth. But he still had an unsatisfied expression.
“Renee.”
“Yes?”
Raynan didn’t seem to notice Roman’s dissatisfaction. His attention was fully on me.
“Amelia said she really enjoyed spending the vacation with you.”
“I did too.”
Thinking about the vacation, even though it hadn’t been long ago, it felt like reminiscing about a warm and happy memory.
Just having her around made me feel comfortable. Thanks to her unique charm, I had laughed a lot more than usual.
As I recalled those moments, a smile naturally appeared on my face. Seeing that, Raynan smiled in a similar way and said,
“She wants to spend more time with you for a while. What do you think?”
“Ah… I’d love that, but isn’t Amelia busy?”
“She quit her main job, so she’s not busy at all. Besides, if she stays by your side, your safety will be ensured, which is even better.”
Well, if Raynan praised Amelia’s skills like that, she must be truly exceptional.
If she were with me, I wouldn’t have to worry even if someone suddenly attacked.
More than anything, spending time with Amelia was always relaxing, so there was no reason to refuse.
“If Amelia is okay with it, of course, I’d love that.”
“Good. Then it’s settled.”
“Alright.”
“If you’re going to see Edwin, Roman will take you there, so don’t worry.”
“Thank you.”
“And Roman, on the way back, bring Amelia with you.”
“Understood.”
As I left Raynan’s office and walked toward Edwin’s room, Roman asked me quietly,
“Are you really sure about choosing Erin?”
“Mm… like the Duke said, if it doesn’t work out, I can reconsider later.”
“I see. If that’s the case…”
Had Roman ever been this considerate before?
If it were Amelia, I would understand, but I never expected Roman to be concerned about Erin becoming my lady-in-waiting and how it might affect our relationship.
“Lord Roman.”
“Hm?”
“Thank you.”
At my sudden gratitude, Roman stepped back slightly with a puzzled look.
“For what?”
“For thinking about this. I always thought you didn’t care about things like relationships— Ah, never mind. Just, thanks for being concerned.”
I had almost blurted out that I had thought of him as indifferent and cold when it came to personal relationships.
“…I see.”
Roman seemed to realize what I was about to say but only gave a vague nod, looking lost in thought.
“We’re here. On your way back, ask Chase to escort you or wait for Amelia. Don’t move alone.”
“Yes.”
Roman made sure to remind me before retracing his steps back.
“Edwin.”
“Renee!”
“Have you finished your schedule for today?”
“Yeah. My lessons have been reduced a bit lately, so I’m feeling a little bored.”
Wouldn’t having fewer lessons be a good thing? But Edwin sounded genuinely disappointed.
“You just got back from vacation. Won’t they increase again soon?”
“Really? I hope so.”
“Let’s sit down and talk.”
Chase, who had been standing quietly behind us, guided Edwin and me to the sofa.
I sat next to Edwin and held his hand.
He looked at me in surprise, but since he seemed pleased, he squeezed my hand in return.
“Edwin, I have something to tell you.”
“Hm?”
“Actually…”
I started speaking, but the words wouldn’t come out easily. I still wasn’t sure how to explain it properly.
I thought Edwin would take it positively, but there was always a chance he wouldn’t.
Would he feel confused by the sudden change in our relationship? Would he worry that his position might change?
I had been thinking about this for a long time, wondering how to explain it to Edwin in the best way, but I never found a perfect answer.
“Renee?”
“Ah, well… The Duke and I are going to be a little closer than we are now.”
I finally managed to say something, but it wasn’t very meaningful.
I felt like I had beaten around the bush too much.
Just as I was about to gather my thoughts and explain it more clearly, Edwin asked with a completely calm expression,
“Oh? Are you talking about marriage?”
For all the time I had spent worrying, Edwin’s reaction was surprisingly casual.
“Marriage?”
“Everyone says you and father will get married soon.”
“Not marriage yet… but we’re planning to make a promise to do so.”
“That’s an engagement, right?”
“Yes…”
Feeling a bit dazed, I could barely keep up with Edwin’s quick responses.
“Then that means you’re getting married!”
“…I guess so?”
“Then does that mean you’ll be my mother?”
“Uh, Edwin—”
“Hm?”
“For now, the only thing that’s certain is that the Duke and I are getting engaged. I think the announcement will be made soon.”
“Okay, okay.”
Marriage… That was something I hadn’t even thought about. But since engagement naturally leads to marriage, Edwin wasn’t wrong.
Still, I couldn’t tell him that marriage wouldn’t happen, so I just stuck to what was officially confirmed.
Edwin nodded enthusiastically, his face already full of excitement.
He didn’t seem to understand my hesitation, but at least he wasn’t opposed to the engagement.
That alone was a relief… but…
Was it okay to let him misunderstand like this?
What if he got hurt later? That thought started to worry me.
I sent a pleading look to Chase, who knew the full situation. But the moment our eyes met, he quickly looked away.
Since he already knew everything, it would have been nice if he helped me out a little.
But Chase seemed to have no intention of doing so. I swallowed a sigh, and just then, Edwin spoke up again in an excited voice.
“Then that means Renee and I will be family? We’ll never have to part?”
“You could say that…”
“That’s amazing!”
Overjoyed, Edwin suddenly threw himself into my arms.
“I’d be so happy if Renee became my family.”
Watching him get even more excited than I expected made my feelings complicated.
Seeing him this happy made me happy too, but at the same time, it also made me feel guilty.
So, instead of saying anything, I just hugged Edwin tightly in return.
We stayed like that for a while before Edwin suddenly lifted his head as if something had come to mind.
“But Renee…”
“Yes?”
“Do you have a baby in your tummy?”
“What?”
A baby? Where did that come from?
I looked down at Edwin, who was staring up at me with wide, innocent eyes, waiting for an answer. I was so stunned that I could only open and close my mouth soundlessly.
