Once Reiner and Nanalie confirmed their intentions with his proposal, Nanalie summoned a maid and asked her to call for their parents, who had been waiting in a separate room.
Soon after, there was a knock on the door. Reiner responded, and their parents entered, all looking slightly worried. Both the young man and woman smiled upon seeing how nervous their parents were, then turned red.
Reiner finally cleared his throat and spoke up. “I would like you all to know that I have formally asked for Lady Nanalie’s hand in marriage.”
“I would like to accept Sir Reiner’s proposal,” Nanalie added.
At first, the prospective couple’s parents were shocked, but their initial reaction was soon washed away by beaming smiles.
“Well done, Reiner!” Aester exclaimed. “What a joyous occasion this is! Thank you for accepting as well, Lady Nanalie!”
“Yes, there’s nothing quite as exciting as a successful proposal,” Toulette added. “I truly thank you, Lady Nanalie.”
“There’s no need to thank me!” Nanalie replied. “I’m looking forward to being a part of your family.”
Aester and Toulette couldn’t stop smiling as they showered her with congratulations and blessings. As the three happily celebrated, Tristan walked up to Reiner with a somber look on his face.
“Sir Reiner, I hope you will take good care of Nanalie. Since she lost her mother at a young age, she’s had to endure much struggle. I want my daughter to experience enough happiness to make up for that pain.”
Reiner nodded and looked Tristan straight in the eyes. “I understand, my lord. I promise to make Lady Nanalie happy.”
Tristan smiled at Reiner’s words. Just then, a question popped into Reiner’s mind.
“Sir Tristan, if I may be so bold as to ask, with Lady Nanalie marrying into the Valdia family, will there be any issues with finding a successor to the Ronamis family?”
As far as Reiner was aware, Nanalie was the only child of Count Ronamis. If this marriage were to go through, Reiner would be bringing Nanalie back to the Valdia Mark, which meant that there wouldn’t be anyone to succeed Tristan.
Tristan answered his question with a smile. “I appreciate your concern, but it’s nothing you have to worry about, Sir Reiner. If it comes to it, one of your future children can be adopted into the Ronamis family to succeed my title.”
“I see. I apologize for prodding.”
Reiner felt that he’d overstepped, and he bowed his head in apology. But Tristan didn’t seem bothered by the question and was still smiling.
“There’s no need for that, Sir Reiner. You were just concerned about my family, were you not? Also, the Ronamis family will... Never mind. You can forget about that. I’ll tell you eventually.”
Tristan stopped himself from sharing something confidential, and though Reiner was curious, he already felt that he’d overstepped, so he decided not to pursue the matter.
The count gently patted Reiner on the shoulder and whispered quietly so that only his future son-in-law could hear, “I shall tell you one day.”
Reiner was confused, so he simply nodded and replied, “Understood.”
Tristan then turned his attention to everyone in the room and spoke loudly enough for everyone to hear. “Though no formal preparations have been made, neither I nor the Valdias have any qualms about this union. Isn’t that right, Sir Aester and Lady Toulette?”
“Indeed,” Aester replied. “I don’t think there is a better match out there for these two, right, Toulette?”
“I agree. I am overjoyed that Lady Nanalie has agreed to marry Reiner.”
Reiner and Nanalie both blushed in response to all of their blessings. After that, a celebration of their engagement was hosted at the Ronamis residence. Reiner was surprised to see how happy his parents were about the union, and at the same time, it began to sink in that Nanalie was going to be his wife. Perhaps it was this realization or the wine served during the celebration, but Reiner’s face was the reddest it had ever been in his entire life. On a sidenote, the day after the celebration, Reiner woke up hungover, which was unusual for him.
No one could have foreseen the misfortune they would come to face in the midst of such joy...