CH 25

After a peaceful dinner, I retired to my room at night and felt like I had returned after a long time. My familiar room, the furniture and furnishings I was used to, the books I had read, and the beloved trinkets.

As I looked at each of these things, my heart finally felt at ease.

“I don’t know what to do, it’s all happening so fast.”

Where in the Bible does it Say to C...

I thought about various things, such as whether this kind of thing should take more time, or whether both parents were too easy-going, or why Jeremiah and my brother Claudio were strangely getting along, but I was tired anyway.

I rolled onto my canopy bed.

I was already dressed in my nightgown, so it was okay to sleep like this. I finally felt liberated. Hooray for my home. My home is the best. It’s healing.

But tomorrow, I have to go back to the Castalde family’s mansion.

Above all, I’m worried about Dorothea.

The room was already dark, and only the moonlight shining in from outside illuminated the interior. Suddenly, I realized the obvious fact and felt strangely shaken.

Jeremiah was sleeping in the guest room right next to me. He was there, whom I had been staring at all this time. It was hard to believe it was real.

I had admired him from afar, thinking about secretly joining his fan club – which is called the “Supporting Association” here. I thought just watching him was enough. In fact, I laughed at the idea of having any involvement other than watching. Jeremiah Castalde was that kind of person to me.

But now, he is my fiancé of all people.

I had tried not to think about it too much, but it was an undeniable fact.

“It’s like a dream…what happened, was it a miracle?”

I muttered and rolled over on the bed.

The question of whether it was really okay or not came to my mind again and again. But no matter how much I thought about it, the answer was already there. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

Suppressing the strong desire that was born in my heart.

Yes, the sweet desire that someday he would come to like me…

❂❂❂

The next morning, we were busy getting ready to depart.

After breakfast, my mother came to see us off at the entrance hall, her eyes shining as she spoke.

“We’ll try to catch up with you as soon as possible, so wait for us. I’m looking forward to seeing you in your new dress.”

“Y-Yeah. I’m looking forward to seeing you over there. Don’t expect too much from my dress, though.”

“Ara, that’s impossible. I’m going to let my imagination run wild for a while.”

After happily announcing this, my mother turned to face Jeremiah.

“Well then, please take care of my daughter.”

“Of course.”

“She’s not the type to speak her mind, so it might be a hassle, but please take care of her health.”

My brother, who was standing next to my mother, said this, and Jeremiah nodded.

“Yeah, I thought so too. I’ll be careful.”

“I’m sorry I can’t go, but please come and visit us again. You’re always welcome.”

My father said happily. Jeremiah received it with a sincere smile.

“That’s great to hear. I promise to visit again.”

“Well then, see you.”

I said goodbye and got into the carriage. Jeremiah soon followed and sat across from me, opening the window. Soon, the carriage began to move, and the Valcourt family’s mansion gradually receded. Jeremiah and I waved our hands, and as the wind grew colder, he closed the window.

As I leaned back against the seat, I took a small breath.

“I want to stay a little longer next time. The buildings and everything are interesting.”

“Is that so? It feels like it lacks unity, though.”

“That’s why it’s good. It just means it has a long history. Castalde’s mansion is relatively new, so I envy those kinds of buildings a little.”

“Come to think of it, it burned down several times in the past due to war.”

Castalde’s family lineage goes back to knights. They have a higher status than the Valcourt family and have served the country for a longer period of time. According to rumors, there were fierce disputes with the neighboring family, and Castalde’s castle was burned down many times. The Valcourt family was on good terms with the Castalde family and often extended their assistance.

“You know a lot… I see, the Valcourt family had a long-standing relationship with them.”

“Well, besides that, the beauty of Castalde’s mansion and garden was also a topic of conversation. They said they made the latest garden… It was really wonderful.”

“I’m glad you liked it. That mansion and garden will be yours in the future, too.”

Huh?

Suddenly, the atmosphere inside the carriage became sweet, and I froze. It wasn’t supposed to be a topic that would create such an atmosphere.

What should I do? Should I change the subject to a bloody story about our ancestors fighting with swords? That might dispel this atmosphere in a flash. But it would be rude to suddenly change the subject, so I gently suggest it with a smile.

“Well, but… we’re still in the engagement stage, so if Jeremiah-sama changes his mind, please let me know anytime. I don’t want to be a nuisance.”

“Is that what you think? You seem to be only concerned about me. But if that happens, you’ll be seen as a daughter whose engagement was nullified, which is not a good impression.”

It was only then that I realized that. It’s not to the extent that I can’t get married, but it’s true that it would be difficult to get a good impression. I should have noticed something like that beforehand, but it seems that my brain has really become useless.

However, I knew that I wouldn’t have chosen the option of “refusing” no matter how much I thought about it.

“…That’s right. Well, it’s okay if it happens. I just have to find my own way, but of course, I would like your support and help.”

As I shrugged my shoulders in resignation, Jeremiah’s face turned sour.

Did I say something strange?

Then, Jeremiah’s hand, filled with anger to the point of danger, reached out and grabbed my hand, and he said with a smile.