Jeanette and Claus were having breakfast in the Guivarch residence. Claus, who was sitting next to Jeanette, smiled at her.
“By the way, Jeanette. What kind of wedding ceremony do you think we should have?”
Right as he’d asked this, Jeanette had taken a huge bite of bread.
“Wuhding cewemonuh?” she mumbled, attempting to echo his words.
Claus’s smile grew wider.
“Yes. Now that Sir Roussel’s safe and sound, there’s nothing stopping us from getting married.”
That’s true, Jeanette thought while swallowing the food.
Looking back, quite a lot had happened leading up to this moment. Her father had gone missing while Claus was studying abroad, causing her ex-stepmother Leila to take over House Roussel. Everything had begun when Leila had kicked Jeanette out of the house.
Claus had soon returned from his studies and reunited with Jeanette. Afterward, she had noticed that Duke Pablo had been swindled into buying a fake Bairapa tourmaline. The duke had granted her his patronage as a result of her help, leading to the success of her Orlonde silk business among the aristocracy.
Out of desperation, Leila had tried to sell the title deed to Roussel Corporation, but Claus’s friend Kyuriakris collaborated with Jeanette, bought the deed, and safely returned it to her.
Then Kyuriakris had introduced her to tulips, which led to the creation of the tulip bubble. Leila had fallen into debt because of it and had Jeanette kidnapped. But during that time, her stepsister Ariel had stood up for Jeanette.
Now that I think about it, Ariel’s already married too, Jeanette realized. She grinned at the recollection. Leila had sold Ariel off as collateral for her debt, and Jeanette had initially been rather worried for her stepsister. However, it seemed Ariel was doing quite well. In her latest letter, she mentioned that she was grossed out because the marquis keeps wanting to spend too much time with her. But then she went into minute detail and spelled out everything they did together, so I think they’re actually getting along.
Jeanette remembered the various letters her stepsister had sent her. One of them read: “For some reason, the marquis took me to a tulip garden that’s been popular with the nobles lately, but the tulips I got from you were prettier. When I told him that, he became depressed and I had to scramble to console him. It was so annoying.”
Another letter read: “I got him to let me grow tulips in the estate’s garden, but then he blurted out that he wanted to care for them too! Even though he’s a marquis, he’s getting his hands muddy and playing with dirt. What a weirdo! Still, he has pretty nails.”
Ariel wouldn’t know the marquis has nice nails unless she looked closely, right? She probably stared at his hands without even realizing it! Despite her crabby attitude, Ariel was nevertheless gazing fixedly at her husband’s hands. The mental image caused Jeanette to giggle. I’m so glad she’s enjoying herself.
If Jeanette said as much to Ariel, the other girl would probably say, “How exactly am I enjoying myself here?! That’s such a gross way to look at it, sister!”
But Jeanette wouldn’t have minded. I’d love to see them both someday. I did meet the marquis when he bought those rings from me, but I want to see Ariel together with him! Just the thought made Jeanette feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
“You seem to be having fun, Jeanette.” Claus spoke up suddenly. “Are you thinking about our wedding?”
Jeanette hurriedly apologized. Her thoughts tended to stray all over the place—it was her bad habit.
“Sorry! I was actually thinking about Ariel!”
“Miss Ariel? I knew you were thinking about something other than the wedding, but I didn’t expect it to be her.”
So he figured out that I wasn’t thinking about it! Jeanette’s heart pounded.
Claus laughed, as if seeing through her.
“Naturally, I could tell. How many years has it been now since I’ve had eyes only for you?” Those amethyst irises gazed at her, glimmering in the morning sunlight. He hadn’t put on a tie yet and his shirt was loosened around the neck, causing his angular Adam’s apple to be visible. This masculine, unrefined appearance seemed almost unsuited for the usually graceful Claus, but that was exactly why Jeanette’s heart throbbed at the sight.
I let down my guard, but Lord Claus is so beautiful even in the morning!
“Um, what were we talking about?!” Jeanette squeaked, trying to calm her racing heart.
Claus smiled patiently.
“Our wedding, Jeanette.”
“Right! That! You said there’s no need to wait any longer, right?!” she asked, her cheeks flushing. I knew that we’d get married someday, but it’s so embarrassing to think of it actually happening!
“Since the bride’s the star of the wedding, let’s do everything your way,” Claus said, enjoying himself. “I’m fine with you inviting a large crowd and having a grand celebration. And if you don’t want it to be too flashy, I don’t mind only inviting our relatives either.” Then he suddenly leaned close to Jeanette. “Or, if you prefer, we can have a ceremony with just you and me, where we quietly swear our love for each other.”
Jeanette shrieked when she felt his breath in her ear.
“Eeek!!! L-Lord Claus! It’s only morning, and you’re already dripping with sex appeal!!!”
If this continues all day, my heart won’t be able to take it! she thought while blushing.
Claus grinned at her, pleased.
“I’m glad you’re getting flustered. In the past, no matter what I did, you never noticed anything.”
“Th-That’s not true...!” she protested, pressing her hands to her reddened cheeks. I just never thought his actions were directed at me, so it didn’t feel real...!
However, now she was well aware that Claus was truly looking only at her as he whispered these words of love. W-Waaahhh!!! The thought made her inwardly scream again, and her blush deepened even more.