Chapter 22
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: The Sudden Proposal
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How long had it been since she'd last stepped outside?
Yelena gazed blankly at the sky from atop the gently rocking horse.
Until now, the only place she could roam freely had been the Winterguard estate.
Of course, as the grand duke's residence, the estate and gardens together provided an incredibly vast space to wander.
But no matter how expansive it was, that was worlds apart from freely coming and going outdoors.
Not that she had any complaints.
The servants like Lucia had been kind, and even the master of the house, Cassius, had shown her plenty of consideration.
So she never felt particularly lonely or harbored any negative emotions.
Of course, the moment she stepped out of the estate, she couldn't help but feel a rush of liberation.
It was the thrilling excitement of venturing into new territory.
And there was a special reason why this outing felt so significant.
It was purely for enjoyment—to sightsee and nothing more.
Back at the Astria estate, she'd only gone out to pay off debts or handle work.
Going out just for fun? She could never justify such extravagance.
But this time, Cassius had suggested it, and they were out solely to tour the city.
'His suggestion made me so happy.'
But despite that, she couldn't focus on the outing.
It was all because of what Count Kreuz had said to Cassius the day before.
[Thank you, Your Highness. Oh, and didn't you say you wanted my daughter?]
[I'll send her to the estate soon, just to get acquainted ahead of time. Since there will be many days ahead, it'll be good for my daughter to get used to things.]
What on earth did that mean?
Cassius wanted the Kreuz Lady?
Why?
'...No, why should I even care?'
That day, after dinner when he'd asked for her advice on estate maintenance, she'd decided not to dwell on it.
If she had to quantify it, she prided herself on having virtually no feelings left for Cassius.
She had felt a faint pang of disappointment—or perhaps regret—at his demeanor during dinner or when he'd corrected Count Kreuz's misunderstanding... but she'd kept it to herself.
Well, except for Ulpi.
She often vented to him unilaterally, taking advantage of the fact that no one else could see him.
'Come to think of it, Ulpi didn't come along...?'
At the Astria family, she'd been able to look after various spirits because they followed her freely.
But Winterguard was different.
Despite the estate being grand enough that a few spirits frolicking about wouldn't raise eyebrows, only Ulpi was around.
And for some reason, the curious ice wolf who loved trailing after her—Ulpi—wasn't following today.
'...Eh, he's probably snuck into the kitchen again, eyeing meat he can't even chew.'
If he really wanted to eat, he'd merge with her and enjoy the meal.
In any case, the Kreuz Lady was weighing heavily on her mind right now.
No matter how little she felt for him, she'd heard it with her own ears.
'...This probably isn't a date.'
If it were, Lucia wouldn't be tagging along.
He must have had business in the city as lord—or something else.
And he'd permitted her outing as a side benefit, a reward of sorts.
'He didn't even let me ride with him, so yeah, confirmed.'
Contrary to Cassius's expectations, Yelena entered the city in low spirits.
Just as they were about to properly tour Frostford, Lucia suddenly spoke up.
"I have something urgent to handle. Mind if I step away for a bit?"
'Huh?'
Lucia was asking permission to leave them alone.
Yelena quickly realized how unreasonable the request was.
She might be fine with it, but Cassius was the grand duke who ruled these lands.
In the presence of two nobles, the sole servant stepping away—Cassius would never allow...
"If it's urgent, go ahead."
'...Huh?'
Yet Cassius granted it with his usual serious expression!
As Lucia departed, he discreetly received something from her and quietly passed on instructions.
'No way... Huh? Or not...?'
Was he blatantly engineering a chance for them to be alone...?
Thump. Thump.
Even if she'd stooped to all sorts of shady deeds to erase the Astria debts, she was still a lady.
She'd read a few romance novels in her time.
And!
Cassius's awkward behavior right now was straight out of one of those books.
Like servants conspiring behind the heroine's back—but sloppily enough that everything got overheard...!
His suspicious actions continued on the bridge.
The grand bridge spanning the icy river was a prime spot for taking in Frostford's scenery.
As they paused to admire the view, Cassius began explaining.
"This bri... uh, this bridge is one of the best places to appreciate Frostford's beautiful scenery."
He hesitated, as if he didn't know it well himself.
Glancing over, she caught him repeatedly eyeing something in his hand.
A note.
'No way... he's reading off a note...?'
Then a chilly gust blew in.
"Puheng!"
"But the strong winds are a drawback. We should consider installing windbreaks in spots like this. For now, stick closer to this side."
"Ugh."
At the clothing shop:
"This... place boasts a long history in Frostford. Not just commoners—even nobles frequent it, or so I'm told. Yeah."
He even brazenly corrected his slip-up mid-sentence!
By this point, Yelena was convinced.
"Let's go in first. We can warm up and browse while waiting for Lucia."
The entire itinerary had been planned by Cassius himself, and Lucia's absence was deliberate too.
'...Why?'
Yelena couldn't comprehend it.
To be precise, she couldn't fathom the intent behind his duplicitous attitude.
His behavior made it seem like he had feelings for her.
Considerate, treating her well, even teasing her now and then.
But whenever others misunderstood or situations turned serious, he'd backpedal.
Insisting he'd never marry, so no need for misunderstandings or worries—or claiming he'd summoned her purely for work.
And now he wanted the Kreuz Lady?
What was going through his mind when he treated her this way?
Why had he brought her out today?
Unable to focus any longer, Yelena—after agonizing for what felt like ages—finally grabbed him.
She'd ask the one question burning in her mind.
"...Um, Your Highness."
"What's wrong?"
"May I ask you something?"
He flinched, a faint crack appearing in his icy expression.
As if he'd been caught red-handed.
"...Go ahead."
With his permission, Yelena squeezed her eyes shut and blurted it out.
"Um, are you planning to marry the Kreuz Lady?"
How would he react?
Dismiss it indifferently? Snap coldly, "What business is it of yours?"?
Or scramble for excuses...?
"...What?"
None of the above.
He stared at her, utterly baffled.
"Kreuz Lady? Marry her? Why are you suddenly asking about that?"
"Y-Yes."
"No. Count Kreuz is likely arranging a different match for her."
"Huh? Then what he said yesterday before leaving..."
"I'm planning a banquet at the estate soon, inviting the vassal families. Since the Kreuz Lady is well-versed in such events, I asked for her assistance."
"Oh."
"That's why I told her to come early—we need to go over the arrangements."
Work!
In the end, it was just business!
It was predictable, really. Every time he'd "wanted" someone before, it had been tied to territory management or duties.
'...Wait, come to think of it, Count Kreuz asked when you and I would get married.'
On second thought, right before that remark, he'd asked when she and Cassius planned to wed.
A question that made no sense if he thought Cassius was after his own daughter.
But the shock of his words had driven it from her mind.
"What's wrong? Did something happen with Count Kreuz?"
"...No."
There was no way anything had happened with a lady she'd never even met.
Yet Cassius regarded her with a worried expression.
"If it's uncomfortable for you, I won't invite her. Or I can make arrangements to keep you apart..."
He tried to accommodate her as much as possible.
"N-No, it's not like that."
Yelena hurriedly waved her hands to stop him.
It was business, after all. A viscount's daughter sold off in lieu of debts had no business meddling in the grand duke's work...
'...Wait, business?'
Come to think of it, rumors were swirling around the estate right now.
About her and Cassius being "that way"...
And Count Kreuz had heard them too, hence asking about marriage.
'...The other families might bring it up at the banquet too.'
She'd managed to brush it off with Count Kreuz somehow, but if multiple nobles pressed him at once... it'd be quite the headache.
Judging by his expressions and demeanor, he had no immediate plans to marry.
But he'd face a barrage of such questions going forward, no doubt annoying him to no end.
Meanwhile, her etiquette training was finished, and the estate maintenance would fall to the Kreuz Lady... leaving her right back to freeloading.
She didn't want to just sponge off meals indefinitely.
In that case...
"Your Highness, may I make a suggestion?"
"What is it?"
"Will you marry me?"
"...What?"
She'd frame it as a business proposal—one he could accept.
Absolutely.