Chapter 15: To be together forever
“Actually, it seems that I am being encouraged by the king to marry the princess.”
“Eh.”
I couldn’t hide my surprise at Ralph’s sudden and grandiose proposal to marry the princess.
“Of course, I have no intention of doing that. But refusing will undoubtedly cause problems. Moreover, it might even inconvenience my parents, so it might be impossible to refuse.”
Apparently, the third princess has taken a liking to him, and she seems quite enthusiastic about it. If he were to refuse in such a situation, it would undoubtedly cause complications.
“That’s why I want Lisette-sama to attend the party as my fiancée, and spread the word that I have already made up my mind about someone else. It seems that due to my long-standing affection for you, people think I have no interest in women, so it will spread quickly.”
“. . .I see.”
I understood what Ralph was trying to say. I owe him a lot, and if there’s anything I can do to help, I want to cooperate. However, that role would be too burdensome for me.
Furthermore, if news spreads that we are engaged, even if it’s just a pretense, it will undoubtedly have a significant impact on both of our futures. My in-laws won’t stay silent either.
“Just let me think about it for a bit. . .”
“Of course. Thank you.”
Ralph said so and smiled softly.
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“I apologize for the late introduction. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lisette Ashburton.”
Nervously, I performed a clumsy curtsy, and the Marquis and his wife immediately told me to raise my head.
“Nice to meet you, Lisette. I’ve been wanting to meet you.”
“Yes, yes. Nice to meet you too.”
A few days had passed since that request from Ralph. The Marquis and his wife, who were in their territory, visited the mansion in the capital. After the maids had prepared me perfectly, I greeted them promptly with Ralph and Nadia.
“She’s such a beautiful lady. As expected, Ralph.”
“Yes, Lisette-sama is the most beautiful in the world.”
“She’s truly a wonderful person, Otoo-sama.”
Please, I really want them to stop. . .The expectations for me as a person have been raised too high. These siblings feel so indebted to me that they must be seeing me in an overly idealized way.
However, surprisingly, they seem to be accepting me with open arms, even though I’m just a mysterious Count’s daughter who suddenly appeared.
“Ralph and Nadia had been searching for you all this time, so we’re also happy.”
“Yes, they are both very happy.”
“Yes, there couldn’t be anything better.”
Nadia said so and smoothly linked her arm with mine. She had a surprisingly sweet and pleasant scent, and it made my heart skip a beat.
Seeing her like that, Ralph muttered in a low voice, “Don’t touch Lisette-sama. Even I haven’t had the privilege of touching her like that.”
What are they competing for. . .?
“Hahaha, it seems both of them really love Lisette.”
“Of course.”
The Marquis and his wife watched the two of them with an affectionate smile. They seemed to be very gentle people.
“I heard that you have some difficult circumstances, so from now on, think of us as your real parents and rely on us.”
“Thank you very much.”
The words “Think of us as your real parents” caught my attention. Even if they are kind people, would they really say something like that?
“And when will you two get engaged?”
“. . .?”
In the midst of that, I was asked an outrageous question, and I had to struggle to keep from making a strange sound as I looked back at the Marchioness.
“Okaa-sama, Lisette-sama had just been through a dangerous situation. Let’s talk about that after things settle down,” Nadia quickly followed up.
“Oh, I see. I’m sorry, I got carried away.”
Wait a minute. . .why are we discussing the possibility of me and Ralph getting engaged in the future?
By the way, the matter of attending the birthday party as Ralph’s fiancée is still on hold. However, no matter how much I think about it, I don’t like it.
Anyway, I bowed my head and said, “I will be in your care for a while,” and the couple smiled and said, “Of course.”
❂❂❂❂❂❂
“Lisette-sama seems to be serious about leaving this mansion in four months. What are you going to do?”
After escorting Lisette-sama to her room, I sat on the sofa in my brother’s room and asked him.
Sitting across from me, my brother had an incredibly expressionless face, completely different from when he was with Lisette-sama. Rather, this state seemed normal for him.
“. . .I don’t know what to do.”
“There’s only one thing you can do. . .”
When I said that clearly, he looked up.
“You have to make Lisette-sama love you.”
“. . .Me?”
“Who else is there?”
“Lisette-sama, she. . .”
He seemed to have a look that said he hadn’t even considered such a thing. I couldn’t help but let out a sigh.
My brother is strange.
He is abnormally ignorant of human emotions and has no interest in anyone other than Lisette-sama. It seems that he genuinely doesn’t care about anything else. Only towards me does he seem to have some affection.
“What if Lisette-sama falls in love with someone else while Onii-sama is being careless?”
At that moment, there was a loud noise. When I shifted my gaze, I saw that the chair my brother was sitting on was badly damaged. Seeing this, I couldn’t help but let out a sigh.
“This is not the countryside. There are plenty of young and handsome men here. Lisette-sama is also at an age where she might fall in love with someone. It’s only natural.”
“. . .”
“If she marries that person, you, a complete stranger, and a man at that, won’t be able to have any relationship with her.”
With another loud noise, the chair screamed.
“. . .I absolutely refuse.”
That’s only natural. After finally reuniting with the woman I’ve been searching for all this time, there’s no way I can forgive her being taken away by another man. Neither can my brother, nor can I.
“Isn’t that right? In that case, please make sure to be loved by Lisette-sama so she never leaves Onii-sama’s side.”
If that happens, I can stay by Lisette-sama’s side forever. I alone surely can’t keep her tied to this place.
As for our parents, I have already convinced them that if there are any shortcomings in her becoming the future Marchioness, I will cover them for a lifetime. All that’s left is Lisette-sama’s feelings.
I’ve lightly heard about Lisette-sama’s circumstances from her directly, but I had confidence that this brother of mine would somehow take care of it.
“You love Lisette-sama, don’t you?”
“Yes.”
My brother muttered, his eyes filled with clear passion.
“I’ve always only thought about her.”
Whether the emotions my brother directs towards her are infatuation, love, obsession, or something else entirely, I don’t know.
The intensity of his feelings towards Lisette-sama is abnormal. It goes too far. Of course, it’s not something I can say.
“Fortunately, Onii-sama has both status and honor, as well as a wonderful face. Please do your best with all your might.”
As long as he keeps Lisette-sama tied to him, I’m fine with that.
