ITMFYWCLBU 7

“What on earth did you do to make Clarisse angry?”

Alexis had agreed to take a break when Gracian suggested it, and it was then—out of nowhere—that Gracian said this.

As they drank the tea prepared in Gracian’s office, Alexis shrugged. The civil officials who usually assisted Gracian had been dismissed under the pretext of a break, leaving only the two of them in the room.

“I’ve already told you—I don’t know.”

Alexis was certain there had to be some reason Clarisse had suddenly said she wanted to break up, but no matter how much he thought about it, he still had no idea what it was.

“But come on. For her to go so far as to say she doesn’t want to quit being a lady-in-waiting, the only conclusion is that she really doesn’t want to marry you.”

“What?”

Alexis froze mid-motion, teacup still in hand.

“…What did you just say?”

“I said, she must really not want to marry you—”

“That’s not what I meant!”

“Oh. Apparently, Clarisse told my mother she doesn’t want to quit being a lady-in-waiting.”

“What?!”

Alexis went blank.

If Clarisse didn’t want to quit her post, that meant—at the very least—she had no intention of marrying him on schedule in a year.

In Clarisse’s case, marriage meant that Alexis would begin preparations to inherit the Brantome countship. As his wife and the count’s only daughter, Clarisse would accompany him back and forth to the domain. There was no way she could continue serving as a lady-in-waiting under those circumstances.

“She never told me…”

“Well, of course not. If she did, you’d oppose it, wouldn’t you?”

“But still—!”

The realization that something so important had been quietly planned behind his back rattled him. At the same time, that faintly dark emotion he’d been feeling ever since Clarisse brought up breaking up threatened to spill out from deep within his chest.

“Hey—your face is scary. Be careful. If you show her that expression, Clarisse will be frightened.”

“…I know.”

He had slipped before—letting that look show in front of her. But frightening his beloved fiancée was never what Alexis wanted. If possible, he wanted to seal away these dark feelings whenever he was with her.

But there were things even he couldn’t control.

But saying she doesn’t want to quit being a lady-in-waiting…

Was this a hardline tactic because he refused to agree to dissolving the engagement? Did she think that would make him give up?

I told you, didn’t I? That if you tried to run, I’d chase you to the ends of hell.

He had declared it clearly to her face—that he would never let her escape. Yet it seemed she hadn’t truly understood.

“That’s why I said not to make that face. Mother put the matter on hold and told her to talk to you first. So find a place to discuss it properly, all right? Make sure nothing awkward lingers between you.”

“Yes. I understand.”

Alexis knew this couldn’t go on as it was. The problem was that he had no idea what the cause even was.

She turns red when I touch her… so it’s not like her feelings for me have cooled.

He wasn’t being rejected outright.

Am I not expressing my love enough…?

He’d never hidden his feelings for Clarisse—but he was busy. There were stretches when work kept them apart. Could that be the reason?

But now, thanks to Gracian’s consideration, he was spending more time with her. And once they were married, he would quit the knight order, meaning they’d be together far more often.

Thinking that way, time didn’t seem like the cause.

“Well, never mind. Ask Clarisse directly about the lady-in-waiting issue. Now then—about that other matter…”

As Gracian lowered his voice, Alexis straightened.

“Has something moved?”

“Yes. I figured they’d make a move soon—and just as expected.”

“It would be problematic if they approached Lady Matilda. Even before the marriage, perhaps we should arrange guard knights for her.”

“Agreed. Assign several trustworthy female knights.”

“Understood.”

Gracian rubbed at his brow and let out a sigh.

“It would be easier if they showed their hand quickly. They’re irritatingly cunning.”

“Should we make the first move?”

“No. If we poke them carelessly and they grow wary, it’ll only make things harder. Matilda’s safety comes first. She’s marrying into this—whether she wants it or not, she’ll be dragged in.”

“Have you told Lady Matilda about this?”

“No. There’s no need.”

Alexis nodded. Telling her would only frighten her. If he were in Gracian’s position, he wouldn’t tell Clarisse either.

His gaze drifted to a single flower set in a small vase on Gracian’s desk.

The flower-viewing gathering is coming up soon… I hope nothing happens.

He wanted to believe no one would cause an obvious disturbance at an event attended by so many nobles—but because Clarisse would be there as one of Queen Félicité’s attendants, he couldn’t help but worry.

Just in case, I should tighten security for the flower-viewing gathering.

It was two weeks away.

Preparations for the venue—the castle’s front garden—would begin next week.

To prevent any suspicious setups during construction, it would be best to station knights from the outset.

I should talk to the knight commander.

The knight commander usually served as part of the king’s guard. If Alexis framed it as a matter of safety, he would surely dispatch idle knights. Events attended by the king and consorts always demanded extra caution—no one would find it strange.

I want to think only about Clarisse… but it never works out that way.

Alexis let out a quiet, weary sigh.