Father pressed his finger to his forehead, as if to stifle a groan of frustration.
Perhaps I was a bit too frank. But it was important. There was every chance that this encounter would end just like all the others, with the suitor completely losing interest the moment he saw my face. I had to make certain.
My older brother, apparently of the same mindset, had no look of reproach on his face. My mother, meanwhile, was so captivated by Lord Simeon that she seemed not to be listening at all.
“If your feelings have changed,” I continued, “please feel free to say so. I’m quite used to it, so it won’t cause me any consternation.” I wasn’t planning to start any misguided arguments about it afterward, so I didn’t bother mincing words.
Rather than expressing any surprise, Lord Simeon let out the slightest of chuckles. “Come, there’s no need to talk like that. I find your appearance quite lovely. I’ve also heard that you have a very sharp mind.”
Father! You’ve been exaggerating, haven’t you!? A great deal, by the sound of it! I stole a fleeting glimpse at Father, who was shaking his head furiously. It’s too late for that now! I get that you’ve got to present things in the best light in case people pass up a good thing, but what kind of expectations must Lord Simeon have now!? If you overdo it and give him ridiculous expectations, I’ll be the one who suffers for it later!
“I must disagree... Though it pains me to say so, I am an uninteresting woman with no particular merits. I am capable of the same things any average person can do, but little beyond that.” I paused a moment. “So you see, I’m certain that I’d only disappoint you. And to be told later that I’d disappointed you would be regrettable for me as well, so if you intend to change your mind, I’d appreciate it if you did so at this juncture.”
“Marielle, is that really necessary?” said Mother, suddenly coming back to life and cutting into the conversation after her time spent being entranced by Lord Simeon’s sheer handsomeness. “It’s clear that he wishes for your hand, and not a moment too soon! All this groveling is rude!”
Mother, no matter how stunning he is, it’s still me he’s getting engaged to, not you...
She continued, “When you’re told something as wonderful as this, it’s not the time to start fussing. It’s better to work hard at improving the aspects in which you fall short. What’s the use of giving up from the very first moment?”
Mother had a point. If I let this fine gentleman slip through my fingers, there was a real risk that I’d never get another marriage proposal ever again.
I’d never seen such an intense look on her face before. It was kind of scary. “Mother, I...”
“Do you find me unsuitable as a partner, Miss Marielle? Am I not to your satisfaction?” Lord Simeon’s sweet voice cut off the confrontation between mother and daughter. I returned my gaze to him and a shiver ran down my spine.
His smile... I can’t bear it! And his facial expression... It hides the slightest of sadistic streaks, as if he wants to tease me, no, torment me! I’m getting dizzy! How can one man come across as so dignified, yet so sensual at the same time?
Endless depths lay hidden beneath his sweet smile. What was he thinking inside, as his lips formed words that could melt a woman’s heart? Complex beyond compare, not straightforward or easy to pin down at all... Yes, that’s it! That’s Lord Simeon all over!
Everybody knew, you see. Every single noble in the entire Kingdom of Lagrange.
They knew that the Vice Captain of the Royal Order of Knights had a beautiful and friendly exterior, but was actually, in stark contrast, an exceptionally cool-headed and sometimes even severe military man—and a tactician of unparallelled skill.
Just because someone is always ready with a kind smile and a warm word is no reason to dismiss him as not being a threat. There were plenty of fools who scorned him, thought of him as a mere weakling, and all of them suffered for it. Indeed, his high rank was not earned solely on the basis of his noble lineage.
The soft and gentle Vice Captain who closely assists the tough and manly Captain.
The owner of an outstanding intellect.
It doesn’t get much more classic than this. I love it! I just can’t resist his sheer undercurrent of black-hearted scheming! It hits exactly the right spot to set off my fangirl urges!
Thank you, Father! I can’t believe I get to spend the rest of my life observing exactly the thing I love at close range! I’m so happy!
I no longer had any other choice. It seemed that Lord Simeon truly intended to marry me. Naturally, I still had my doubts about the reasoning behind his proposal, but I couldn’t worry about that any longer. All I could think about was obeying my fangirl instincts and taking the hand he had offered me.
Reason was gone, and all I had were my feelings. No...my desires. No one had ever set my heart racing like this before. How could I pass up a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity like this!?
“Marielle Clarac, will you marry me?”
His question felt just like a declaration of love. I nodded, enraptured by this proposal out of a dream.
“If you’ll have me...I would like that very much.”
And that was the beginning of my engagement to Lord Simeon.