A few hours later, Monique woke up in a bed within a guest room of the duke’s mansion. Felicity was sitting on a chair beside the bed, peeling fruit with a knife.

“Why are you here?”

Perhaps feeling awkward after the magical outburst, Monique turned away and spoke sharply. Her words, however, were weak and lacking in force. Felicity continued peeling skillfully without stopping her hands.

“I’m looking after you.”

“Couldn’t you have left me to a maid? You were almost injured because of me…”

“Magic isn’t something that can easily harm me. Besides, it wasn’t something Lady Monique did intentionally.”

Monique looked up timidly at Felicity at those words. Ethelbert stood nearby, his gaze on Felicity’s hands.

“You’re quite dexterous, but take care not to hurt yourself.”

“Of course.”

Also in the room were the duke and duchess, Brandon, and several maids.

“The Severley family has been contacted. Your brother should be here soon.”

Monique cast her eyes downward at Beatrix’s words.

“I see…”

From her side, Felicity set down a plate with the fruit she had finished peeling and cutting.

“Here you go.”

“…”

“Aren’t you going to eat some? You like pears, don’t you?”

“…I don’t have an appetite.”

Felicity shoved a piece of the pear into Monique’s mouth as she refused.

“Mugu! W-what are you doing?!”

“I’ve heard that after a magical outburst, the body will suffer from fatigue. You won’t recover unless you eat.”

Monique hurriedly chewed and swallowed at Felicity’s calm reply.

“That doesn’t mean you should suddenly stick it in my mouth! It could have been dangerous if it surprised me!”

“In that case, please consider it my payback and accept it without complaint.”

“!… What was that?!”

Felicity laughed as Monique turned away with a huff. Suddenly, Ethelbert reached out and grabbed Felicity’s wrist. He looked down at his lover with a dissatisfied expression.

“I’ve never had that done to me.”

“Then I’ll do it for you next time, so please behave for now.”

Ethelbert seemed dissatisfied when Felicity removed his hand. Regardless, he complied without complaint. Suddenly, his eyes shifted to Monique.

“Monique.”

Monique flinched and her shoulders trembled at his cold tone. She tightly gripped the bed sheets.

“I- I apologize for putting her in danger through my magical outburst. I’d also like to apologize for destroying the terrace. The destruction must have been terrible. However, my feelings remain unchanged. Lord Ethelbert deserves a magician of notable lineage. If you’re concerned about matters of succession, then renouncing them early would solve that.”

“I have no feelings for you. I’ve told you that many times now.”

“No one know what the future holds! I’m only fourteen, but from here on, I’ll grow and strive to become the type of woman you prefer! Even my chest will become bigger than hers!”

“…”

The words that burst from Monique’s mouth as she desperately tried to appeal for herself left her blushing. It was so unexpected that everyone fell silent.

“…That’s not the issue here.”

“Lord Ethelbert must’ve been bewitched by her appearance and body!”

“Well…”

“You won’t deny it!?”

“…Her appearance is to my liking…”

“In that case, I’ll become a striking beauty, too! My figure has room to grow, as well!”

“Yeah, sure. I guess so…”

Ethelbert started to exuded an air of ‘this is such a pain,’ to which Felicity sighed.

“Lady Monique.”

Monique turned to Felicity at being called.

“Having your efforts go unrewarded is painful, isn’t it?”

“…What would you even know? Despite having unknown origins, you ended up in the position of a duke’s daughter, and are even engaged to Lord Ethelbert!”

Felicity’s eyes narrowed at Monique’s protest.

“—Would you be satisfied with simply being tied together with someone you love, even if it means trampling on their feelings? Is it enough for you as long as you can get married?”

“…”

“Would you really be happy living a life chasing after love from someone who doesn’t return your love?”

Monique was at a loss for words at those questions, but Felicity didn’t stop.

“Even if you were to rip apart the bond between me and Lord Ethel and become his fiancée, Lord Ethal would only come to despise you for stealing away his beloved. If you were to marry like that, do you really think that someday his love would turn towards you? That you’d be respected as his wife, cherished— are you truly clinging to such delusions?”

“…But maybe, perhaps—”

“Look at reality, Monique Severley. Ethel is not that forgiving a person. I believe the first step to happiness would be to find someone who’ll truly cherish you. You’re cute, and you have a lot of potential. You might find a good person sooner than you think.”

Felicity was smiling, but her expression wasn’t gentle. At the same time, her voice was calm and earnest.

“—Above all, I have no intention of leaving Lord Ethel’s side, and neither will Lord Ethal let me go. You’ve known him for a long time, you should know very well just how deep his attachment runs towards what captures his heart.”

Tears welled up in Monique’s eyes as she finished speaking and her expression twisted.

“But, I mean… I’ve, hic, always… waaaaah!!”

Wails echoed throughout the room.

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