Kisa momentarily doubted her own ears. She wondered if she had misheard the incredible statement that had just come out of Seyard’s mouth.
“I… I’m sorry, what did you say?”
However, Seyard repeated the same words without changing his expression.
“Will you marry me?”
Dear God. What is this man saying?
Seemingly thinking his explanation was insufficient, he elaborated on his intention more clearly than before.
“I don’t mean a conventional marriage.”
“Then what?”
“Kisa wants to avoid her impending marriage, and so do I.”
“That’s right.”
“There’s a traditional method that people in our situation have used since ancient times.”
“Surely not…”
“It’s getting married to someone else first. Ah, are you thinking this? That you don’t see how rushing into another marriage would be any different from an unwanted one.”
She hadn’t exactly thought that. Marriage to another person was also an argument Kisa had brought up to persuade the Count. The problem was that there was no suitable match with better conditions than Daniel.
“However, if we establish a contract before the marriage, we can resolve such drawbacks.”
“A contract?”
“Setting a time limit for the marriage. After that period, both parties become free.”
“…You mean divorce?”
Divorce. That’s an even more fatal path than breaking off an engagement. While there were some who took the risk to divorce, everyone knows what kind of looks they receive from society.
“You could say that. Well, if divorce proves practically difficult due to social circumstances, we could consider other options like separation.”
Watching Seyard tilt his head and contemplate seriously, Kisa belatedly realized her mistake. His suggestion was so radical that she had unconsciously started asking questions, but it was impossible from the start.
“Seyard, I think I understand what you mean.”
“Really?”
“Yes, you mean a kind of contract marriage, right? I know about it since it appears sometimes in romance novels. But it’s impossible.”
“Why?”
“…My father would never allow it.”
Most backgrounds wouldn’t be enough to satisfy Count Vansfelt’s standards. Though Seyard’s attire and manner of speaking clearly indicated he was from the upper class.
Still, that alone wasn’t enough. He would try to sell his beautifully groomed daughter at the highest price possible.
Though she didn’t explain the detailed reasons, Seyard seemed to understand her meaning from just those words. After a moment of silence, he expressed his apologies.
“I’m sorry. I think I was too pushy with my own agenda.”
“Not at all! It was a suggestion made with me in mind.”
“Even so, I seem to have startled you too much.”
“I was a bit surprised. I never imagined Seyard would have thought that far.”
Seyard sheepishly brushed his bangs, appearing embarrassed.
“Actually, I’m looking for another marriage prospect, but it’s proving quite difficult to find one. I’ve been thinking about various options since any potential partner would need to see benefits in marrying me.”
For a moment, it was surprising that someone as attractive as him would struggle with marriage, but thinking about it, his situation was similar to Kisa’s.
In other words, he too had to choose a marriage partner while considering their background. It would be difficult to find a suitable unmarried partner at this point.
Kisa gazed at the man sitting beside her. Learning about his similarly human concerns made him feel more approachable, which was an inevitable result.
“Hey, Seyard.”
“Yes, Kisa.”
Though objectively nothing had improved about their situation, she felt more at ease. Kisa smiled sincerely for the first time today.
“Let’s both do our best. If we keep looking hard, don’t you think we’ll find good partners?”
It was a statement without any basis. Just as she worried it might sound irresponsible, his response came.
“You’re right. We will definitely marry ideal partners.”
Seyard smiled and added somewhat belatedly:
“Both me and you.”
****
Whether it was fortunate or not – though he must have received a report from Marsha later – Count Vansfelt didn’t say anything about Kisa’s visit to the Royal Library. Perhaps it was because she returned home early, unlike last time.
No, maybe the Count’s attention was focused elsewhere. The new Duke of Hillan who inherited the family in place of his deceased brother.
It was a matter of great interest that he hadn’t shown himself in social circles at all, despite nearly a month passing since inheriting the title.
‘Duke of Hillan.’
Someone of such importance was likely being closely watched by the Count, who was sensitive to political trends. But it didn’t matter to Kisa either way.
To her, the Duke of Hillan was a stranger whose younger brother she had never even seen, and she had no particular connection with the elder brother either. She heard they were twins, and like the previous Duke of Hillan, he rarely appeared in social circles.
Of course, she had exchanged greetings with him when introduced by the Princess while moving through social circles, and they had passed by each other a few times.
However, each time, Kisa intentionally avoided the deceased Duke of Hillan. Not only did he have the red hair that made her uncomfortable, but her first impression of him wasn’t particularly good either.
Perhaps that’s why she couldn’t remember his face well.
Suddenly, she recalled meeting him for the first time at Princess Arta’s birthday party when she was younger. Vischer Hillan was, as people said, a most aristocratic man. Cold and without warmth.
His atmosphere was so similar to her father, Count Vansfelt, that Kisa exchanged only brief greetings before quickly leaving.
There was no need to have two people who made her feel guilty just by their presence.
Life is truly ironic. His brother, who had been practically an outsider with everything anyone could want as the Princess’s fiancé and master of the Hillan duchy, inherited all the family’s power and wealth.
Who could have predicted this until just two months ago when the former Duke of Hillan breathed his last?
Many people wondered what kind of person the new Duke, who had reportedly spent half his life in a monastery, would be like. Except for Kisa. She had enough headaches with her own affairs.
“Miss, are you throwing these away?”
“Yes.”
Kisa nodded at Marsha’s question, looking at the letter envelopes in the trash bin. The letters, prettily decorated with ribbons and pressed flowers, disappeared from view along with other garbage.
It was an unusually cold decision for someone who always kept letters exchanged with acquaintances in her letter box.
“Those were from Lady Melissa, weren’t they?”
The nanny, who was adjusting Kisa’s attire, asked with a worried expression.
“Why so sudden? Did you really have a fight with Lady Melissa?”
“Something like that.”
“I don’t know what happened, but throwing away letters that your friend wrote with sincerity isn’t like you, Miss.”
If sending multiple letters full of excuses and self-justification after committing wrongdoing could be called sincerity, then the nanny wasn’t wrong.
But every time Melissa’s letters arrived, Kisa would briefly scan them and throw them in the trash.
“Miss, why are you acting like this lately? Could it be a late rebellion?”
Leaving her nanny sighing deeply enough to sink the ground, Kisa examined herself in the mirror. The silk fabric was a subtle pink, with darker colored flowers delicately embroidered on top.
Kisa twirled around in one of her favorite dresses. Even to her own eyes, she looked perfect.
“As expected of our Miss! You’re so beautiful!”
Even the nanny who had been lamenting clapped her hands in delight.
“That’s right. Take this chance to enjoy the opera and refresh yourself, then make up with Lady Melissa.”
Unfortunately, the last part was impossible, but she planned to just enjoy the opera.
[Please come if you can.]
On their second meeting, just before parting, Seyard had gifted Kisa opera tickets. He said he happened to have two extra tickets.
[Come, you say. Will Seyard be watching the same opera?]
[Yes, we might meet there by chance. Ah, don’t worry about misunderstandings – we won’t be sitting next to each other.]
[No, I’m not worried about that.]
[That’s good. Anyway, I hear it’s been getting good reviews lately. You’ll like it.]
‘The Lord’s Castle’. She remembered hearing the young ladies praising how enjoyable it was at the Princess’s tea party.
Strictly speaking, Kisa might not be in a situation to leisurely attend performances right now.
However, since it was a gift from Seyard, she wanted to accept it if possible, and she also felt rebellious. Daniel was doing whatever he wanted even in this situation, so why couldn’t Kisa?
Moreover, as expected, rumors about Kisa and Daniel were spreading after the tea party. Though no one had directly mentioned it yet, people were quietly trying to probe Kisa’s thoughts through letters.
While it was burdensome to appear in front of many people in this situation, she absolutely hated the idea of being locked up at home and having people misunderstand that she was upset because of Daniel. She would act as if nothing was wrong. She could enjoy the opera as much as she wanted.
Having firmly decided, Kisa left the mansion with her nanny’s send-off. The opera house was indeed overflowing with spectators, proving it was a popular performance.
Though Seyard had given her two tickets, Kisa had no one particular to come with, so she came alone and was about to enter the hall directly.
“Oh, isn’t this the daughter of Count Vansfelt?”
Unfortunately, she ran into a young nobleman from a certain family whom she knew. He was the type who would openly flirt even with Kisa, who had a fiancé.
“Hello.”
“Did you also come to see ‘The Lord’s Castle’?”
“Yes, now if you’ll excuse me-”
“Wait a moment! Where is your seat? The seat next to mine is empty, if you don’t mind watching together?”
He’s being particularly persistent today. Could it be that he heard rumors about Kisa and Daniel’s relationship going sour and was trying to take advantage of the situation?
“No, thank you.”
“Come on, let’s watch together.”
He even went so far as to physically block Kisa from leaving. Just as she was about to raise her voice-
“Hey, you! This isn’t the time for this!”
Someone who seemed to be the man’s companion approached and shouted.
“The Duke of Hillan has arrived!”
