Chapter 26
26. Sophia and Sir Cyril
Our tea party began — myself, His Majesty Aleksanteri, Sophia, and Lord Cyril.
The setting was the tea room of the Imperial Palace’s main building.
A fire burned gently in the hearth, warming the room with a soft glow.
The attendants poured tea into our cups and withdrew quietly to the corners.
Lifting his cup, His Majesty Aleksanteri was the first to speak.
“Cyril, did you and Sophia dance yesterday?”
“No, we did not.”
“Lady Sophia refused me. No matter how many times I invited her, she turned me down coldly.”
So, in the end, Sophia and Lord Cyril had not danced.
It was reassuring to know that Sophia wasn’t the type to accept an invitation so easily.
Lord Cyril was handsome, well-built, and undoubtedly popular among women — but why, I wondered, was he so intent on Sophia?
“I have heard, Lord Cyril, that you have refused both marriage and engagement. Why, then, did you suddenly invite Sophia to dance?”
When I asked, Lord Cyril’s expression grew serious.
“My fiancée passed away ten years ago from illness. She had always been frail — it was said she might not live to adulthood. She wished not to die alone, so I agreed to an engagement. To be honest, I did not harbor romantic feelings for her.”
“Then why have you refused marriage and engagement since?”
“Because I wanted to marry someone I truly loved. As the second son of a marquis, that was no easy wish to fulfill. So, I used my late fiancée as an excuse.”
So Lord Cyril had not been mourning his late fiancée all this time — he simply wished to marry for love.
At that, Sophia quietly took a sip of her tea and spoke in a low voice.
“Then why me?”
“I had heard of you, Lady Sophia. A woman who speaks her mind even before the Emperor himself. Despite your elder sister — the current Crown Princess — originally being the Diann family’s heir, you were called to serve as a bride candidate, and so you have worked hard at the academy to prove yourself worthy of leading your house.”
His words flowed smoothly, leaving not only me but Sophia herself surprised.
It was true — Sophia was beautiful, not just from a sister’s fondness, but objectively so. Her figure was graceful, her height just right — not too tall like mine.
Even Lord Renan had once wished to be engaged to Sophia, but I could never have allowed someone like him to become her fiancé.
I barely tolerated him as my fiancé.
“So, you approached me not for my looks, but because you knew what kind of person I am?”
“Indeed, Lady Sophia is lovely — but what drew me was your courage to speak to His Majesty for your sister’s sake, and your tireless effort to become the rightful successor of House Diann.”
“You could have simply said so.”
“First, I wanted to dance — to see what kind of person you were. Then, I hoped we might share a drink and speak at leisure.”
If the dance invitation had merely been a way to start a conversation, then Lord Cyril’s actions made sense.
Listening to the two of them, I felt they had simply misunderstood each other — they ought to talk properly.
“Lord Cyril, you are the son of a marquis. Sophia, though from the recently recovered Diann countship, is of a lesser rank. Could someone raised in the Imperial Capital truly live in the Diann territories?”
Among nobles, courtship was almost always with marriage in mind, and I asked with that expectation. Lord Cyril, however, gazed at Sophia with unshaken seriousness.
“Though I’ve spent much time in the capital as His Majesty’s companion, I have otherwise lived in the Roselle Marquisate’s domain. The Roselle family does not value luxury or splendor. We live alongside our people, valuing our connection with them. I believe House Diann shares the same spirit — otherwise, you would not concern yourselves with advancing the role of women among your citizens.”
I didn’t know much about the Roselle Marquisate, other than that they ruled vast lands — but I had heard of their good governance.
“Cyril, do you wish to marry Sophia?”
His Majesty’s direct question hung in the air. Cyril paused before answering.
“I don’t know yet. But… I would like it to be so. If Your Majesty approves, and if it’s with the Diann family — the home of Her Highness the Crown Princess — my parents would not object to me marrying into the countship.”
“What do you mean, ‘you don’t know yet’?”
“I haven’t truly gotten to know Lady Sophia yet. I wish to understand her first — and then decide.”
Sophia questioned him further, and he answered honestly.
In this country, noble children often became engaged around twelve, when they entered the academy, and married around eighteen after graduating. For Lord Cyril to remain unmarried at twenty-seven was considered late — but his circumstances made that understandable.
“I have an older brother and sister. My sister is married, but I loved her deeply. I feel I might share a bond of understanding with Lady Sophia, who can even speak against the Emperor for her sister’s sake.”
“I am the heir to the Diann family. I must find a suitable partner.”
“And would I not do?”
“Lord Cyril, are you truly willing to leave the capital?”
Sophia’s tone grew as serious as his.
Lord Cyril currently served as His Majesty’s aide — if he became Sophia’s husband, he would have to leave that post and move to the provinces.
“I am prepared for that.”
His eyes, firm and clear, showed no deceit.
“Cyril seems quite sincere. Sophia, what do you think after speaking with him?”
“I… believe it’s a fine offer. Yet I still wonder — is the Diann family truly good enough?”
“I’m asking about your feelings, Sophia.”
“My feelings… I don’t yet know. But isn’t that how noble marriages are?”
It was clear that Cyril’s heart leaned toward Sophia, while Sophia herself saw it as a good arrangement rather than a romance.
Even when questioned by His Majesty, she answered calmly and logically.
“And you, Cyril — is that acceptable?”
“Many nobles build love after marriage. If that’s the case, I will simply work to earn her heart.”
Lord Cyril’s words carried quiet resolve.
It would surely be a favorable match for the Diann family.
“Then I shall inform both House Roselle and House Diann.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“We are deeply grateful.”
Whether Sophia would truly find happiness remained to be seen.
But if she were to marry a man capable enough to serve as the Emperor’s aide, the Diann family’s future would be secure.
And perhaps, after their engagement, Sophia’s heart might begin to turn toward Lord Cyril.
Since His Majesty had given his blessing, this would be recognized as an imperial-sanctioned engagement — one no one could object to.
All I could do was pray —
that Sophia might one day find happiness.
