Chapter 46 – Tea Party
Chapter 46 – Tea Party
“Marie. I heard a rumor you’re looking for a fiancé. Is it true?”
Someone must have leaked my personal info.
“Evas. That’s not right. What I’m looking for is a “fake” fiancé.”
I say it clearly, emphasizing fake.
The once-angelic Evas has grown into a bit of a pitifully handsome guy who frequents the herb garden in the back courtyard.
More like… I always think this, but what about school?
And don’t show up without an appointment.
“Why fake?”
I explain it’s a countermeasure for the looming soirées, without mentioning my light aptitude or the delusions in my head.
“I see. In that case, I’ll help out! We’re friends, aren’t we?”
“Thank you. But that’s impossible.”
“Why?”
Hey, you there, butler.
Don’t just stand there—that’s your job, to whisper it in his ear on the sly.
I shoot him a pleading look with my eyes, but he flicks his gaze away.
What! He’s dumped it on me again because it’s a hassle!
Do your job, seriously.
“…Evas and I, a black priest, have statuses that are too far apart, so an engagement wouldn’t work.”
I explain it simply, like to a child.
I’m grateful for the sentiment, but your status is too high.
It’s better coming from me, so Evas doesn’t have to worry.
Damn butler.
“But Marie isn’t an orphan—she’s the daughter of an S-rank adventurer. Her standing is even higher than upper nobility.”
That’s just a nominal position for convenience. It’s not the same as nobility, who value refinement, lineage, and pedigree.
The butler knows that full well, but even when our eyes meet, he ignores me.
Grr… that butler…
Besides, being Heart’s daughter is fake too.
“Anyway, we can’t drag the next lord, Evas, into a fake engagement. Please forget about this.”
I eye Evas, who’s gotten unnecessarily attached, and start thinking fake fiancés might be dangerous.
My second son, who just turned eleven, suddenly declared, “There’s a woman I want to marry.”
He says she’s the daughter of an S-rank adventurer, a year younger than him.
S-rank adventurers are indeed rare and valuable. The kingdom guarantees their status to prevent them from defecting abroad, and they’re treated even better than nobles.
But they’re still just adventurers at the end of the day.
Barbarians who fight magical beasts and sleep outdoors—who knows what their origins are.
Seduced by a girl from such stock…
I’d thought my second son was so wise and reliable, but he’s fallen prey to the fangs of such a wild girl…
My eldest son looks shocked. “She’s smart and a good kid, but isn’t she just a friend?” He doesn’t seem to know the details.
And that butler of Evas’s just says, “Judge for yourself after meeting her,” and nothing more.
Useless man.
I hurriedly arranged for them to meet and held a tea party.
Escorted by Evas as she steps down from the carriage, she looks every bit the upper noble lady—such a beautiful young miss…
Snap out of it, no!
I mustn’t be swayed by this much.
“Thank you so much for inviting me today.”
Her curtsy, gracefully lifting the hem of her dress with perfect posture, is flawless. I start wondering if this is some mix-up and it’s the wrong girl.
I observe her closely to size her up, but there’s not a single flaw.
Her posture while drinking tea, her hand movements, her gestures.
She’s just as refined as I am.
“Mother, she’s incredibly knowledgeable about herb cultivation methods and fertilizers.”
Oh, how wonderful!
I wonder if she could advise me on our territory’s issues too!
I completely forgot about the engagement talk and chatted happily with Marie. Before I knew it, the tea party was over.
“What a lovely girl. So smart too. She’s elegant enough to take anywhere without embarrassment.”
“I knew you’d say that, Mother.”
As expected of Evas—he’s got a good eye.
“By the way, which house’s daughter is she?”
“The daughter of an S-rank adventurer, as I explained at the start.”
Eh? Marie’s the daughter of an S-rank adventurer?
“And such a well-educated family. Are her parents upper nobles, by any chance?”
“Who knows. One of her party members seems to be an upper noble.”
“Who knows? If you’re serious about marriage, investigate properly!”
“Mother, I told you at the beginning. It’s fake. You’re jumping to conclusions.”
What does that mean?
When I press for details, it turns out she’s looking for a fake fiancé whose interests align with hers, and Evas was rejected because of their status difference.
“What? She turned you down even for a fake engagement?”
“Yes. But I really want to help my friend, so I asked for your assistance, Mother.”
I see.
That’s why that young lady stuck to herb talk, avoiding the engagement topic, and left quickly.
How could I!
She got me!
Led me on so skillfully! Not bad at all. I like her.
If we skip formal procedures and agree that we can use each other’s names as an excuse to turn down real proposals, she’ll have no choice but to go along.
Then, by stacking up de facto arrangements, we’ll fill in the moat.
Fufu.
Just watch, Marie.
I won’t let you toy with me.
First, a thorough background check!
“Evas. Leave this to me.”
“Yes, Mother.”
1 Comment
Login Required
You must be logged in to comment on this chapter and rate the novel.
Login to rate this novel
thanks for the chapter