Monique likely hadn’t recovered her strength yet. She had cried herself to sleep, so they left for the time being. Afterward, the Marquis and his wife arrived. They discussed various matters regarding the event and then took Monique into their care.

Felicity was currently relaxing in her room with Ethelbert.

She recalled the day she first met Monique.

“There was something off about her. Certainly, Monique is still mentally immature, so emotional aspects are to be expected, but even if it involves Ethelbert, she shouldn’t be so foolish as to go this far with her selfish actions…”

Beatrix said such earlier that night. The Duke was of the same opinion.

“There’s a high possibility she has no intent to cooperate and is only being used. As you felt, she still has an immature and overly straightforward side to her.”

Ethelbert had also expressed such concerns.

Her feelings of discomfort and concern, plainly stated, were on mark.

The daughter of a Viscount claimed to have been in contact with extremists who supported the idea of ​​making Ethelbert the emperor had given Monique potpourri as a good luck charm. That potpourri turned out to actually be an illegal drug with properties that destabilized the mind. Due to its effects, Monique was unable to control her emotional behavior.

Simply giving Monique the drug and making her addicted to it would have established a charge of assault against a Maquis’ daughter. However, should they claim they were attempting to harm Felicity, a possibility existed that they would be able to argue to charges away.  As such, Ethelbert and the Duke were troubled over what to do, wondering if they should observe the situation a little longer.

Observing the situation, however, would have meant allowing the symptoms caused by the drug to worsen, along with burdening both Monique and those around. If Monique’s actions were not restricted, then said burden would have clearly fallen to Felicity— the one whom Monique saw as her rival.

Three days prior, when Ethelbert had shared that information with her, Felicity made the proposition herself. “In that case, let’s create a situation where no excuses can be made, and quickly bring this to an end.”

Should Felicity, the daughter of a duke officially engaged to the Imperial Prince and thus a semi-imperial herself, actually fall into a dangerous situation as a result of their machinations, then the crime could be judged more severely. Given that Monique’s condition left her mentally unstable, just a small provocation might be enough for her to lose control of her magic.

Ethelbert, the Duke and Duchess, and even Brandon— everyone in the duke’s household— opposed the idea. They all worried about Felicity’s well-being.

However, with a genius magician, the members of the Duke’s household, and even top-class magical tools present, injuries were nothing more than an unfounded worry. Felicity let them know she trusted them all. Furthermore—

“Lady Monique understands that she is relatively close to Lord Ethel, does she not? And yet, she’s neglected to be cautious of those around her. Considering the future, wouldn’t this be a way to provide her with some drastic discipline?”

They reluctantly accepted once she added that her personal opinion. Thus, during the tea party a few hours ago, they carried out their plan to provoke Monique.

Of course, Ethelbert, Brandon, the Duke and Duchess, and the elite knights of the Duke’s household were waiting nearby. Felicity herself was also equipped with magical tools, so there was no need for even a sliver of worry about her getting hurt.

Upon being provoked, Monique predictably went berserk. This proved that the Viscount’s daughter had given Monique a drug capable of such an effect, and that Felicity had indeed been placed in actual danger.

“We do bear responsibility for deliberately letting things play out while standing by and observing, don’t we, Lord Ethel?”

“Of course, Monique is also a victim. I must also apologize.”

“I was the one who made the proposal, so I should apologize as well.”

An apology had already been given to the Marquis and his wife.

This entire incident had deliberately been invoked by the Duke’s household. They would not do something as disgraceful as shifting all the responsibility onto Monique and the Marquis’s family.

“Although… you really don’t seem to dislike Monique, after all? I thought you were quite angry at her when you proposed this plan.”

“She still has room to grow. I just hope she doesn’t fall into despair the way I once did.”

The last act of her former self—Charlotte—was by no means to be praised. She didn’t regret it, but having fallen that far, resenting everything, she wasn’t someone who would have avoided leaving everyone else wracked by guilt.

Monique should realize it before she fell to her lowest point.

No, by her own nature, maybe she was never the type of person who would fall into a bottomless hole in the first place.

“She’s fundamentally different from someone like me, or from a certain princess elsewhere. There’s probably no need to worry so much.”

***

The Viscount’s daughter who gave Monique the potpourri and her family were imprisoned. The Viscount had plotted to make his daughter empress in order to seize power, and had allied himself with extremists who sought to make the genius magician Ethelbert the emperor.

They seemed to have intended to eliminate both Felicity, who had suddenly appeared as an obstacle, and Monique, who was seen by outsiders as the most likely candidate to be Ethelbert’s fiancée, at the same time by inciting the later with a drug disguised as potpourri.

The crime of harming the daughter of Marquis Severley, and of attempting to harm Felicity, the daughter of Duke Adlennon who had been formally recognized as the fiancée of the Imperial Younger Brother was by no means light.

As for Monique, she was given a stern warning. Considering that the influence of the illegal drug had strongly manifested and caused her magical outburst, and that she herself had no intention to harm Felicity, this was deemed a reasonable resolution.

Some extremists were also said to have been apprehended. For the time being, the incident had been resolved with surprising quickness despite having only just occurred. However, a very puzzling new problem had arisen for Felicity.

“—Elder Sister…!”

“Eh?”

Now that the effects of the drug had completely worn off, Monique visited the Duke’s house to give a formal apology. From her, Felicity was met with an incredibly sparkling gaze.

“I truly, sincerely apologize for what happened! Even though I was under the influence of a drug, such disgraceful behavior should never have occurred from a Marquis’ daughter. And to have caused such trouble for you, Elder Sister…! I am deeply reflecting upon my actions!”

What’s going on?

All Felicity could do was feel bewildered. Within her head, question marks appeared one after another.

“She seems to have taken quite a liking to you.”

“Eh?”

Felicity’s confusion only deepened, unable to comprehend how things had turned out this way. Ethelbert, however, exuded an oddly intense sensual charm as he pulled her closer by the waist.

“To charm and steal the hearts of anyone but me, you are relentless. Do you want to make me that jealous?”

“I don’t recall ever trying to be charming, though…”

Ethelbert had also been there. He should have already known that. The teasing tone in his deliberately exaggerated voice, however, along with the amusement glimmering in his eyes clearly showed he was simply playing.

However, without paying any mind to the alluring Ethelbert, Monique continued to gaze at Felicity and spoke.

“I shall firmly give up on Lord Ethelbert. I’m very cute, skilled in magic, and on top of that, a Marquis’ daughter. Clinging to an unrequited first love and allowing the numerous other gentlemen whom I could win over slip away would be completely foolish! I’ve finally realized that chasing a man who refuses to yield to me is a waste of time! And it’s all thanks to you, Elder Sister!”

“I’m happy to hear that, but for some reason I’m not entirely satisfied with how you’re saying it…”

“Against you, Elder Sister, everyone would have no choice but to admit defeat. You’re so beautiful, with such a wonderful figure, and you even showed concern for someone like me who did nothing but harass you. Such a merciful person like you is truly rare! It is frustrating, yes, but it also shows that Lord Ethelbert has a keen eye when it comes to women!”

“Merciful…?”

Ethelbert’s expression became an indiscernible mix of feelings, while Felicity tilted her head at the overestimation. Monique clung to Felicity’s arm and gave him a sharp glare.

“Lord Ethelbert! I will never forgive you if you make Elder Sister sad! If you do, then I will make her happy!”

“There is no need to worry about that. Also, stop clinging to my fiancée.”

“Oh my, I don’t believe she is your fiancée yet? I won’t allow you to monopolize her.”

“Your troublesome obsession hasn’t been corrected at all, it just shifted its target to Fel…”

Monique continued to gaze at Felicity, completely ignoring Ethelbert’s exasperation. Felicity, however, remained overwhelmed. Her sense of bewilderment, a kind she had never experienced before, only grew stronger.

“For now, could you please refrain from calling me ‘Elder Sister?’ I’m not particularly fond of being addressed that way.”

“Then, Lady Felicity it is…! But please, you don’t need to use such formal language with me. Feel free to address me more casually!”

Faced with those sparkling eyes, brimming with pure and growing expectation, Felicity found herself instinctively recoiling.

That night, Felicity laid on her bed, deep in thought.

Just how did it come to this…?

She genuinely, from the bottom of her heart, was bewildered.

“—Fel.”

Having finished his bath, Ethelbert entered and sat beside her.

“Are you still thinking about Monique?”

“I just can’t make sense of it…”

“That sort of thought process is one you are probably better off not trying to understand.”

She recognized this was a concept that was difficult to comprehend, but it was so strange that it wouldn’t leave her head.

“Monique is one of our kingdom’s talented magicians, this is a fact. She is also the daughter of a Marquis and close to you in age. Her becoming a reliable ally for you is only natural. Judging from how she acted, if you were to ask a favor of her, she’d probably throw herself into it wholeheartedly. Wouldn’t your best option be to engage with her in moderation?”

“In moderation…”

She wasn’t confident she’d be able to find such a balance. If it were work-related, she could handle it with ease. However, when it came to personal matters, she had no experience in maintaining a moderate level of interaction with people considered family.

Ethelbert, the Duke and Duchess, and the staff of the Duke’s household all understood her inexperience and knew to provide some distance. Monique, however, was clearly the type to press forward without hesitation.

Just as Felicity was about to be pulled back into her sea of thoughts, a hand reached out from beside her and gently lifted her chin, guiding her gaze toward Ethelbert. His handsome face leaned in, and his lips met hers.

Felicity blinked twice, her eyes wide from surprise. Ethelbert’s eyes, after having pulled away after only a light touch of their lips, narrowed with a gentle smile.

“We’re in bed. Isn’t it about time you paid attention to me?”

“…Honestly, you’re impossible.”

As Felicity smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck, Ethelbert closed the distance between them once more.

Even more troublesome incidents would likely meet them in the future. Quite a number of people in that country didn’t welcome the union between Ethelbert and Felicity.

Even so, Felicity had absolutely no intention of releasing Ethelbert.

Because I’ve decided… I’ll live my life by your side.

She would never surrender her place to anyone, nor allow it to be taken from her.

The End

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