She sat before a dresser, caressing the blue stone bracelet that had been her first gift. Then, upon hearing a knock, she looked up. Ethelbert appeared from the opened door. He had come to check on her because they were about to go out on a date.

“Fel, are you ready?”

“Yes, Lord Ethel.”

Felicity answered with a smile as she stood up.

She was gradually getting used to her new name, “Felicity,” which Ethelbert decided upon after much agonizing thought, as well as the affectionate nickname.

The day after she arrived in the Ferelden Empire, no sooner had she finished greeting the Emperor and Empress than Ethelbert used magic right before Their Majesties and transported them directly to the duke’s manor. Before she knew it, Felicity had met the Duke and Duchess of Adlenon and became their adopted daughter. She was now living a peaceful life.

Becoming the only daughter of Duke Adlenon, a great magical powerhouse, and also the fiancée of the Emperor’s younger brother, likely meant there’d be a lot she would need to learn and had been nervous. However, it was decided that, for the time being, she would spend her days leisurely as a sort of vacation, taking her time to accustom herself to the duke’s house and the Empire.

Ethelbert, too, was currently taking an unusually long vacation as the Emperor’s younger brother and staying at the ducal residence. That said, as a magician, there were times he was unable to get out of his duties, and so seemed to maintain some contact with the imperial capital.

On record, since returning from his study abroad, he was officially enrolled as a fourth year student at the Magic University in the imperial capital. However, he had enough credits, so he seldom attended class.

“Are you going in that outfit?”

“This will be our first date since coming here, so I thought I would be a shame not to wear it.”

Felicity wore a simple white blouse adorned with lace, a navy blue skirt that gave a calm impression, and sandals. It was the “date set” that Ethelbert gave her on their first date back when she was still Charlotte.

She picked up the blue ribbon on the dresser, walked over to Ethelbert, and held it out to him.

“Would you please tie it for me?”

“Yes, as my beloved wife wishes.”

“Fufu, I’m not your wife or even your fiancée, yet.”

“We will be in the near future, so it’s not wrong.”

The engagement with Ethelbert was scheduled to be held soon. Royal engagements, as might be expected, were quite complex more so when the partner was a girl who had suddenly become the adopted daughter to a ducal house.

Felicity thanked Ethelbert after he finished tying the ribbon she had handed to him, and then checked herself in the mirror.

“Ethel—”

Confirming her own appearance, she looked up to speak after. At just that moment, he drew closer and their lips met. When they parted, his eyes narrowed sweetly from up close.

“It suits you well, as expected. You’re adorable.”

“…Thank you very much.”

Felicity’s expression softened and her gaze lowered. Ethelbert snapped his fingers at that, and he was enveloped in light. Once it faded, his clothes had changed. He wore the outfit he’d worn on their very first date.

Felicity blinked in surprise, and Ethelbert released a gentle laugh.

“As this is a special occasion, I thought I should too.”

He held out his hand with those words.

“Shall we?”

“Let’s.”

Felicity let a smile slip onto her face and placed her hand atop his.

They left the room, walked down the corridor, and descended the stairs.

In the entrance hall was the duchess—the woman who had become her mother. The woman exuded a gentle aura, and she smiled upon noticing them.

“Oh my, Fel. Simple clothes suit you very well. They shine with elegance when you wear them. Of course, as they were a gift from Ethelbert, I’m sure they’re of good quality, but you’ve added even more value to them.”

“Thank you very much, Mother.”

“Well, well…fufu. Somehow, I still feel a bit embarrassed hearing that.”

Placing a hand on her cheek, the duchess’ expression softened in embarrassment, yet at the same time with joy. Felicity too couldn’t help but feel a bit bashful upon seeing that.

Her name, her environment, everything had changed.

The duchess and the duke both treated her kindly. She was gradually getting used to the sense of closeness that came with “family,” but many parts still left uneasy and restless.

She couldn’t quite calm herself, but by no means was it unpleasant.

“My husband will return from his inspection tonight, so let’s have dinner together, all four of us. I’m sure he’s bringing a mountain of souvenirs for you, Fel. I warned him beforehand, but he’s so excited about finally having the daughter he’s always longed for, he just can’t contain himself. He even threw a fit about leaving for just a one-night inspection.”

The duchess voiced her discontent about her husband, her tone betraying how troubled she was by him. Hearing that, Felicity recalled how the duke had complained and made things difficult for those around him yesterday morning, saying, “I just got a daughter, I don’t want to leave her behind.”

“Dear Aunt, aren’t you the one getting carried away? I heard that you recently acquired the Spirit’s Blessing at auction to give to Fel as a present.”

“It’s meant to express my welcome to the girl who became my daughter. How could I compromise on that?”

The “Spirit’s Blessing” was a necklace adorned with a large emerald and several diamonds. Felicity had heard that the duchess had acquired it at an auction shortly before Felicity came to this country.

It was the work of a famous craftsman who passed away about fifty years ago. It had once been presented to a queen who was very popular with her country’s citizens, and so its value had increased significantly.

“Fel might not have heard, but the winning bid was 480 million.”

“Four—…”

Shocked by this new information, Felicity’s eyes widened.

 The duchess gave Ethelbert a mildly reproachful gaze.

“I was purposely refraining from saying anything so that Fel wouldn’t feel pressured!”

“I simply believe she should be aware of the value of her belongings.”

Felicity had thought that the necklace must be expensive considering all the gemstones, but now that she knew the actual price, she made a firm decision not to carelessly wear it outside.

“You’re one to talk. You had jewelry custom-made to give to her, didn’t you? Hairpins, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, brooches… and you even personally applied protective magic to each of them. I wonder just how much those would be worth on the market. All of them are set with tanzanite, too. You aren’t even trying to hide your possessiveness.”

“They are gifts for my wife, so of course I can’t compromise.”

“She isn’t your wife or even fiancée yet. She’s our precious daughter, so do try to restrain yourself.”

“We’ll be engaged soon enough. Then we’ll marry not long after. So really, Dear Aunt, I’d say you’re the one who should be more considerate.”

With those words, Ethelbert leaned towards Felicity and lightly kissed her temple. As Felicity blinked in surprise, he gave the duchess a taunting smile.

“You wouldn’t dream of interfering with a couple in love, would you?”

“Honestly, you… You really are full of surprises.”

The duchess shook her head with an exasperated sigh.

It wasn’t just her, the duke, and even the emperor and empress had said the same thing. No one could have ever imagined Ethelbert becoming so fixated on anything other than magic—least of all a woman.

Yet, they had all thanked her.  “Thank you for returning his feelings,” they said.

In truth, Felicity was the one who should be grateful. She was the one who had been saved. Thanks to Ethelbert, she had learned what happiness felt like.

“Well then, do enjoy yourselves. Make sure to escort Fel properly, alright? Show her the greatness of our duchy with everything you have, highlight all the best parts, charm her thoroughly, and make absolutely sure her heart is yours.”

“Of course.”

Ethelbert replied with a half smirk. From beside him, Felicity gave a polite bow.

“We’ll be off now.”

“Yes, have a lovely time, and take care.”

With the duchess’ warm smile seeing them off, the two set out on their first date as lovers.

***

That day, Charlotte Callista Reevesmore died.

And so, having been granted a new life, Felicity began to walk her second life alongside those she held dear.

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E/N: The story isn’t over yet.  There are still two more chapter of the gaiden.

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