Felicity was on a sofa reading a book in the library when, “Fel,” someone called out to her.

“Lord Ethel.”

It was Ethelbert. He had been out for a bit and hadn’t encountered Monique. Felicity closed her book and placed it on the seat. He sat down next to her and told her that he’d heard about what happened.

“I’m sorry. I promised to make your life as comfortable as possible, yet I brought you discomfort…”

“No. I expected problems of this degree would occur frequently should I stand by Lord Ethel’s side. Before even being a magician, you have many traits that make you popular, after all.”

Clear silver hair, beautiful blue-violet eyes, a beautiful face, and a well-proportioned body. His appearance was only the start. Other factors included his ability, status, authority, and wealth.  All of it would result in affection being directed towards him. At the same time, it also meant that there’d be no shortage of elements that attract malice, such as envy and jealousy.

“Besides, I can understand her feelings too. I know very well the frustration and emptiness of effort not bearing fruit.”

Monique must have been working hard all this time, not only to be thought well of by Lord Ethelbert even a little, but also to avoid being ridiculed by those around her as being unworthy. She has surely achieved results, but the most important thing—Lord Ethelbert’s feelings—hadn’t budged. Just how much frustration must she be holding inside?

“Compared to a certain princess, she’s rather cute. She seems to be someone you can reason with, and the way she comes at things head-on and openly actually gives a good impression.”

“A good impression…?”

“Yes. It’s easier to understand than someone who’s scheming behind your back, and it’s easier to repel as well.”

“…I see.”

Monique was currently struggling desperately, refusing to accept reality.

“She’s not the kind of person I like, but I don’t feel much disdain towards her. Perhaps, my life in this house has given my heart more space.”

Life at the Duke of Adlenon was peaceful. She had a lover who earnestly thought of her, a kind and loving family, and servants who adored her with warmth and affection. It let her savor a happiness she’d never known before.

“Well, I suppose I’d be a little uncomfortable if someone who had actually dated Lord Ethel came up and boasted about it to my face…”

Ethelbert blinked in surprise at Felicity’s mutter. He then turned his gaze away while covering his mouth with one hand. His ears were faintly tinged red.

“I have no past relationship experience.”

“Even if not a lover, surely there was someone you had a… mutually understood kind of relationship with?”

“…”

The redness quickly faded from Ethelbert’s skin as he fell silent. At that sudden change, Felicity let a small smile escape.

“It’s in the past, so I don’t intend to blame you. Just… please allow me a slight bit of jealous.”

When she placed her hand atop of her beloved’s, who wouldn’t look at her, his blue-violet eyes finally reflected her. She gazed straight into those eyes, which wavered with some anxiety and awkwardness.

The fact that he showed such obvious guilt about his past actions meant that he really cared about her. Thinking about the version of him from before she knew him brought complicated feelings, but being caught up by that wouldn’t change the past.

Right now, reflected in his eyes was Felicity. As long as that remained unchanged going forward, then that would be enough.

Just a little—just a little dissatisfaction swirling in her heart was something she couldn’t help. After all, that must be what it means to love someone.

“Lately, I’ve come realize… I seem to be quite greedy.”

Ethelbert’s eyes widened in surprise. He lowered the hand covering his mouth and stroked Felicity’s cheek. As he drew closer, his gaze, now carrying warmth, captured only on her.

“There is one thing I want you to understand. I have never held any special feelings for anyone other than you. Before I met you, my interest was almost entirely consumed by magic.”

The hand Felicity had placed atop of his was now intertwined with his fingers. She could feel his firm calloused skin on the back of her hand. His hand, masculine and angular, remained as large as ever.

“The only person I wish to hold this much, the only one I wish to be with forever, is you, now and evermore.”

“Hearing that makes me very happy.”

Felicity smiled seductively. Ethelbert’s eyes narrowed and he leaned in closer.

***

Since then, Monique had intruded several times.

“The Empire is currently focusing its magical research on levitation magic. The current formulas consume a tremendous amount of magical energy, and improvements are being made, not just to make objects float, but to freely move them in all directions, left, right, up, down, and diagonally. All sorts of formulas are necessary for this, and omitting any is difficult. The challenge lies in finding a way to reduce the magical power consumption while maintaining the same level of functionality, without destabilizing or breaking the magic circuit… This kind of advanced magical research, it isn’t something you can keep up with, is it? I frequent the professor’s lab and have even participated with some of the research!”

“As expected of Marquis Severly’s daughter! You are amazing.”

When Felicity praised Monique at her trying to flaunt her magical knowledge to show the difference in their status, she blushed bashfully and, looking pleased, said, “W-well? I see that you understand my brilliance!” and left in high spirits.

“My Dear Aunt has deeply cherished me since before I could even form memories. Even Uncle-by-marriage always compliments my magic. I’ve frequently visited the duke’s house all this time, and we share many memories together. We have a strong bond you, someone who just appeared out of nowhere, could never obtain! I am Dear Aunt’s relative by blood, after all. Dear Aunt’s hobbies are going to the theater and making sweets, and she’s also wonderful at brewing tea too. Uncle-by-marriage likes to do magical research with Lord Ethelbert, and he is who taught Lord Ethelbert magic. I’ve experienced all those things with them too!”

“You are all quite close with one another. I’m quite envious.”

When she offered her honest impression to Monique who had boasted about her memories with the duke and duchess and how much she was cherished, Monique puffed out her chest and, looking pleased, said, “O-of course. I’m family, after all,” and left.

“Lord Ethelbert really dislikes being interrupted during his magical research. It’s so much so that even Lord Brandon can’t casually set foot in his lab. When he’s not in his lab, he’s constantly rearranging magic formulas in his head. Once, a certain young lady didn’t realize he was concentrating and tried to appeal to him by striking up a conversation. She angered him and was told never to appear before his eyes again. I’m sure you’ll be driven out quickly too, since you’re incapable of that kind of consideration!”

“Thank you for the warning.”

When Monique showed up again, trying to provoke her with her long-standing knowledge of Ethelbert, Felicity responded with words of gratitude. Having her momentum thrown off, Monique faltered and replied, “I-it’s a good thing that you’re receptive,” and left, somewhat flustered.

A part of Felicity seemed to, somehow, enjoy Monique’s intrusions. As they were now pre-announced, the members of the ducal household chose to simply watch over the situation. The duke, duchess, and Ethelbert suggested banning Monique from entering the duke’s residence, but Felicity declined.

For Felicity, it was an opportunity to hear about the household and Ethelbert from before she met them. It wasn’t a distressing time for her, so each time Monique “invaded,” she made the effort to prepare a tea party and graciously entertained her cousin-in-law, cheerfully engaging with her.

The content of Monique’s intrusions reached Ethelbert’s ears through the maids. Regardless, Felicity herself always reported to him directly as well. It was usually over a meal, or in their bedroom at night.

Today, as Monique’s visit came earlier in the day, the two of them had arranged a break together at the table set in Ethelbert’s private quarters, which doubled as his research room.  There, she gave him her report. The two of them were seated close together on the sofa.

“She’s a straightforward and adorable person, isn’t she?”

“Really…?”

After receiving today’s report, Ethelbert tilted his head in confusion at Felicity’s concluding words. He seemed not unable to agree with the “honest” part, but with the “adorable” part. He remained unconvinced.

“She is straightforward to a fault and amusing.”

“Is that… a compliment?”

“I am complimenting her.”

Monique’s pride came from the unwavering effort she had poured into becoming suitable both as a marquis’ daughter and for standing next to her beloved. Yet that same pride carried with it the unease and helplessness of having realized, deep down, that she still could not make the one she longed for turn toward her.

Monique was still a child who dreamed. She had acted on the impulses of an immature heart, something only natural for someone shy of fifteen.

Felicity found it adorable, but at the same time, was jealous.

“You don’t seem to particularly wary of Monique, but I want you to be careful not to meet with her alone, or to meet anyone she introduces to you.”

Felicity looked up at Ethelbert at the tinge of seriousness in his voice.

“Of course, I have no intention to act alone… but is something the matter?”

“Monique has recently grown close with a viscount’s daughter, and it seems that the viscount’s family has been acting suspiciously.”

“Does it have something to do with succession rights?”

“Most likely. The viscount’s family maintains a neutral stance on the surface, but there are reports that the family head is in contact with an extremist faction plotting to make me emperor.”

There was certainly a disturbing matter.

“They might be using Monique to carry out a scheme.”

“She seems like the type who would dislike things like that, though.”

“The possibility is high that she won’t cooperate willingly but instead merely be used. As you noted, she is still young and has a side that is too honest.”

---

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