Chapter 16:
The Birth of Duke Banfield
IT WAS THE DAY of the wedding. A noble wedding was more like a ceremony or performance than a memorable personal occasion of some kind. These were formal proceedings intended to let everyone in the Algrand Empire know that House Banfield had absorbed House Claudia, and thus become a dukedom.
Rosetta and I awaited our cue, both dressed to the nines.
I’d limited the wedding attendees to nobles who fought with me on the battlefield and people connected to House Banfield. I’d originally wanted more people—I’d planned to invite all the idiots who wanted to get close to me for their own selfish reasons, then have some fun with them. I’d abandoned that idea, though; there was no time for me to play around anymore. From now on, I’d have to choose who I associated with carefully, or I wouldn’t win my fight with the Empire. I could put off toying with people who were after my fortune until later.
Now that I thought about it, if I counted my past life, this was my second marriage. I decided to tease Rosetta, since it was her first. “You look nervous, Rosetta.”
“Would you like to sit down, Darling?” she responded, looking slightly confused.
“…I’m more comfortable standing.”
She was nervous, but for some reason, she was trying to comfort me. Everyone around us was likewise being extra considerate of me. Even Marie, who was usually obsessed with Rosetta, was trying to calm me.
“You can be your usual self, Lord Liam. There’s nothing to worry about. If a problem arises, we’ll deal with it, so you don’t need to be concerned about anything.”
“I am my usual self!” I said somewhat forcefully.
Marie nodded but looked entirely unconvinced. “A-are you? You look a little anxious, so I was worried.”
I’d just been trying to tease Rosetta, so why was I getting all tense?
I started remembering my past life… Telling my ex-wife that she was beautiful, and all kinds of other sentimental crap. Now that I thought about it, all that had been pointless. Thus, I’d sworn not to say any of that stuff to Rosetta, but…
“Darling.”
“What?”
“You look so dashing in that.”
Rosetta was complimenting my outfit.
“This? Well, I paid Thomas a ton for it, so it better look good. He even prepared spares, even though I’ll only ever wear this once. Pretty extravagant, right? What a waste.”
The garments were faintly luminescent, made from some rare “gemini” plant or something that provided luck through holy protection. I’d wanted something that incorporated more gold. When I asked Amagi about that, she’d shut me down, saying, “Please match your clothes to Lady Rosetta’s.” She’d looked completely exasperated.
Rosetta looked down at herself in concern. “It’s not a waste… It suits you wonderfully. I’m worried mine doesn’t look as good on me.”
What is this? Is she being considerate again? Rosetta looked somber, so I figured I had to buoy her up. “Th-that’s not true. It suits you perfectly. Isn’t that right, Marie?!”
“Huh? Oh, yes.” Marie had a look on her face that seemed to say, “Why are you bringing me into this?!”
You know, I shouldn’t let you get away with giving me looks like that!
As I was about to chew her out, the door opened, and Amagi walked in.
“Master, it is time.”
“Right.”
Amagi turned to Rosetta and bowed deeply. “Master is needed for another matter prior to the ceremony, so he will proceed to the venue before you. Please wait here until it is time for your appearance, Lady Rosetta.”
Rosetta stood up. “Take care of Darling for me, Amagi.”
“Of course. And…”
“Yes?”
As Amagi stared at her intently, Rosetta hesitated—until Amagi smiled wide enough that it would be visible to anyone looking at her. “Allow me to say this in my master’s place, since he cannot be honest with himself. You look truly beautiful today, Lady Rosetta. I believe that is what my master intended to say to you.”
“A-Amagi?!”
Rosetta wasn’t the only one who turned red at Amagi’s sudden words. I blushed up to my ears too.
“L-let’s go!” I sped out of the room, unable to remain there any longer.
“Yes, Master,” Amagi said. “Please excuse us, Lady Rosetta.”