If Geo couldn’t marry Lithia unless he was an aristocrat, he would become just that.

Geo made a swift recovery after discovering that he was in love with her.

All night long, he was plagued with nightmares about Lithia marrying a nobleman.

‘If only I were also a noble.’ That wish of his brought upon a revelation.

—That’s right, I should just become one.

While acquiring the status of a noble wouldn’t necessarily guarantee his marriage with Lithia, he’d at least be able to court her.

Geo decided that tomorrow (even though it was already dawn), he’d borrow books about royalty and aristocrats, along with the circumstances and history of how titles were conferred.

I hope I can find a book on how to make a successful marriage proposal. All I know is that a bouquet of flowers is a must for now.

　◆◆◆

“—That reminds me. Lithia, I want to ask you something.”

“What is it?”

It was the morning after Geo decided to become a noble and propose. As Geo walked alongside Lithia to the academy, he wanted to clarify something with her.

“Do you have someone you like?”

“Eh?”

“‘Like’, as in someone you’d consider marrying, and not just as a friend.”

“Huh?”

If Lithia had someone else in mind, his proposal would just become a nuisance. However, since she chose Geo as her partner for the dance party, it was safe to assume that she didn’t have a fiancé. But what if she had someone in mind?

“Oh, you don’t have to tell me who it is. I just want to know if there’s one. Does Lithia have someone special whom she wants to marry?”

“Well—… Wait, hold on! If I say there is, then it’s no longer a secret!”

“? I just want to know whether or not there’s one. It should be simple, right?”

“Awawawa—”

…Nevertheless, even though it was just a two-choice question, Lithia seemed upset for some reason.

“…? Oh, my bad, was that impolite of me?”

“Eh, uhm…”

Seeing her reaction, Geo recalled a certain piece of advice he received from a friend a while back.

“A friend of mine from when I was working at a store often told me that I should think before I speak… Apparently, words have ‘implications,’ so the way I express them may lead to misunderstandings or come across as rude.”

“…”

“I’m sorry if I’ve offended you. You don’t have to answer it if you don’t want to. I’ll try to figure it out.”

Geo didn’t want to find out at the expense of Lithia’s comfort. Perhaps, women found it embarrassing to be asked whether or not they had someone in mind.

“I’m well aware… I know you’re the type to speak your mind… I see, you were just asking… Don’t worry about it. If anything, it’s that side of you that I… I—”

“Forgive me, Lithia. Did I make you uncomfortable?”

“No, it’s the opposite, which is why it’s a problem. You know, Geo, never ask any girl other than me that kind of question. Otherwise, you might give them strange expectations, even if you didn’t mean it that way.”

“I don’t really understand, but I get that it’s not good. I’ll try not to ask anymore.”

Geo also knew that there was a custom of unspoken understanding in this world. Although it wasn’t his strong suit, he should still do what he could.

For now, he’d learned that he shouldn’t ask a girl if she liked someone, lest it gave her strange expectations. Judging by the flow of this conversation, he probably shouldn’t ask what those strange expectations were either.

“Di… Did you really have no other intentions…?”

“Eh?”

In the middle of his contemplation, Geo felt a tug on his sleeve.

When he turned around, he saw Lithia. She was slightly upset and was tugging at his sleeve with both hands. Her cheeks were crimson, while her eyes were tearful, as if she’d just said the most embarrassing thing ever.

“I’m dying of cuteness.”

“Eh?”

“Something struck my heart, and for a moment, I thought I was going to die. I survived. I somehow managed to withstand it, and survived. So, if possible, can we stay like this for a bit longer?”

“Eh, uhm…”

Surely, only the man who’d become her future husband would be the first to witness such precious expressions and cute gestures. After all, a husband should be the closest figure to a woman. Even though Geo had no memory of his parents, he knew what a marriage was supposed to be like. The owner of the store he worked at would often be picked up by his wife. Some of their customers were also married couples.

“To answer your question, no, I didn’t have the slightest intention of humiliating you by asking such question. I was genuinely asking out of curiosity. I apologize for my lack of delicacy.”

“I-it’s fine, I’m not angry anymore.”

That’s it. They had to get married. Someday in the future, he wanted to take Lithia’s hand. He didn’t want to surrender her to another man. To achieve that, he had to become an aristocrat no matter what.

While intoxicated by the euphoric feeling of having the girl he loved holding his arm, Geo renewed his determination.

◆◆◆

“Geo Wales, this may be sudden, but you’re to be expelled from the academy. You shall be departing for the territory of Baron Selvi in the East. The baron and his wife don’t have any children, and depending on your efforts, they may adopt you. Certainly, none of this was mentioned in our previous arrangements, but His Highness has made his decision and it is absolute.”

Suddenly, an opportunity arose.

“Can I at least attend the winter ball? I have an arrangement, so I’d like to remain in the academy until that day. I won’t object to His Highness’ decision.”

“…I’ll see what I can do.”

Out of the sudden, a messenger from the royal palace arrived bearing a letter of expulsion.

---

***T/N: HAHAHAHHA ONLY GEO WOULD SEE EXPULSION AS AN OPPORTUNITY

Surely, only the man who’d become her future husband would be the first to witness such precious expressions and cute gestures.

HE IS RIGHT YOU KNOOWWWWW

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