#053. Fortunately, Humans Have Ten Fingers
I raised my voice again to show that I truly meant it.
“No, it’s not necessary.”
Really. Even in my previous life, I fully understood that marriage was a political arrangement. I no longer dream of some romance-filled marriage.
Besides, I never loved the Archduke, so I had no intention of demanding love from him either. My wish was simple.
“All I ask is that my spouse not be in love with someone else.”
More precisely, I didn’t want him to show that love.
I didn’t care if the Archduke had someone in his heart. All I asked was that no one in the world ever find out about it. I had done the same, after all.
My husband knew I didn’t love him, but he must have assumed I was just someone incapable of love. I had hidden my heart all my life.
If someone can’t do that—if they can’t hide love, poverty, or a cough—then I’d rather they ask to marry the one they love instead.
But since the Archduke didn’t know I was a reincarnator, I couldn’t give him this long-winded explanation. So I simply said,
“If you have someone you cherish, please choose them. I’ll do everything in my power to help.”
Not necessarily right now—even if it’s later.
Even if I end up the one discarded, it’s still better than having a spouse who’s obsessed with another woman.
“That’s ambiguous.”
The Archduke chuckled. The tense atmosphere from earlier had already dissipated.
“What is?”
“Your statement.”
Did he mean I was overstepping? I calmly measured the distance between us again.
“It’s the most agreeable thing you’ve said so far, but still, it’s a bit disappointing if this is your best.”
Wait—was he saying he wanted me to be more presumptuous? I looked at him silently, without any expression.
“Well, still, it was a pleasing remark. Maybe I’ll show you some leniency.”
It was unclear whether he meant he’d kindly inform me if he fell for someone else, or if he was declaring he wouldn’t love anyone else.
But I didn’t care which it was, as long as it actually happened. So I quietly bowed my head.
“Thank you for your kindness.”
Either way, if he’s speaking like this, then he probably doesn’t have any feelings for Lady Martina. That means I don’t have to bother trying to reconcile them. That’s a relief.
Just when I thought this conversation was over and began to consider what new topic to bring up, the Archduke suddenly brightened his voice and asked,
“So. Do you like gemstones? Which kind? Pearls? Diamonds?”
I thought we were done with that topic! I stared at the eight-year-old boy who was asking a six-year-old girl about her favorite gem, utterly baffled.
Did Blanche ever even see pearls…? Oh, right. Just two days ago we picked out a bracelet, and I practically saw every jewel known to mankind.
Still, isn’t six a bit too young to have preferences about gemstones? I ignored the fact that I had no such preferences even in my sixties and replied,
“I’ll be happy with whatever you choose to give me.”
“Great. Then how about we start with twenty rings?”
His grin looked thoroughly amused. Judging by his expression, he seemed to like that comment even more than the last one—though he’d just said the previous one was his favorite. Who knows?
“Fortunately, humans have ten fingers. That’s two rings per finger.”
Even when I replied flatly, the Archduke didn’t stop smiling.
“I didn’t mean you had to wear them all at once.”
“Then, if you could get me a jewelry box as well, I’ll store them safely.”
“I didn’t say you shouldn’t wear them either.”
It was a silly joke, but for some reason, it felt oddly nostalgic. Ah, truly… If I could just manage not to get emotionally involved, spending a lifetime with this boy might not be so bad.
Thinking that, I lightly played along with the Archduke’s joke.
*
“Thank you to everyone who graced us with your presence today.”
Honestly, in my mind, Lady Martina was still the same six-year-old girl who cried her eyes out during the tea party I hosted.
But look at her now. Even during preparations, she was impressively meticulous—and now she was pulling off the role of hostess quite gracefully.
“And I’d also like to express my gratitude to His Grace the Archduke and Princess Blanche for their help in making today possible. Thank you. I hope everyone has a pleasant trip home.”
After elegantly finishing her opening speech, Lady Martina took her seat.
“You did great.”
I whispered softly so no other table could hear, and the corners of Lady Martina’s mouth twitched. She couldn’t hide her expression despite her composed voice—she wasn’t being entirely honest.
“It’s all thanks to you. Now, let’s pick a tea leaf. After we finish one cup, we can switch to another.”
Lady Martina’s tea party method was rather unique.
She laid out the tea leaves by the window and let guests pick them directly. Then, attendants would brew the tea and serve it with the recommended dessert.
Apparently, the reason for placing the tea leaves by the window was to encourage guests to change seats whenever they picked a new tea. That way, people would rotate tables and talk with new people.
“I figured if I just let everyone sit wherever, no one would come to this table because they’d be too conscious of the Archduke. Most of the guests are pretty shy, after all.”
This table had Lady Martina, the host, the Archduke—who had the highest status here—and me, his playmate. One seat was deliberately left open for guests to come and go.
I glanced nervously at the Archduke, afraid he might pick a fight with Lady Martina again, but he simply smiled gently and picked his tea. At least in front of others, he had no intention of bickering with her.
“What will you drink?”
“I’ll go with whatever the young lady recommends.”
“Oh! Then this one! It’s just sweet enough, and has a gentle peach fragrance.”
If a child says it’s “just sweet enough,” it probably means it’s so sweet your tongue will go numb. I braced myself.
“Then I’ll take that. What about Your Grace?”
“I’ll go with feverfew.”
The first round was served to everyone while they stayed seated.
Just as I expected, Lady Martina’s recommendation was too sweet for me. Since the dessert was already sweet, I preferred tea with a slightly bitter note.
“Go with eltin for your next cup.”
The Archduke suggested with a smile, studying my face.
“Elthin’s too bitter for Blanche.”
“Well, if you had one of the young lady’s recommendations, it’s only fair you try mine too.”
The Archduke seemed to be covering for me, pretending not to notice my dislike of Martina’s tea.
“Thank you for the suggestion. I’ll try that next. Thank you as well, Lady Martina—the aroma of the tea is delightfully sweet.”
I appreciated the gesture, but saying it out loud risked irritating Lady Martina further, so I quickly changed the subject between them.
“Indeed. It must have been difficult to gather such high-quality tea leaves in so many varieties. That’s impressive.”
Apparently, the Archduke had no intention of stirring up rumors of conflict with Martina today. Was he satisfied now that the gossip had spread enough? I let out a sigh of relief.
“My older sister helped me.”
“Oh right, Lady Martina’s family has good connections with the merchant guilds.”
The Archduke then turned to me again.
“The Martina family has deep ties with the Julien Merchant Group. They can get their hands on some rare items pretty easily—ask if you need anything.”
Something I need, huh. Could they get Bracken too? I briefly thought of Princess Delaira, who had completed three years of research and was starting follow-up studies.
I was receiving everything I needed before I even realized I needed it, so I had nothing to ask for now.
If I had to pick, maybe supplies for the researchers stationed in my palace—but there are separate merchant groups that handle those materials…
I didn’t know what kind of group Julien was, but they might be connected to ones that handle special goods. No harm in asking, I supposed.
By the time I finished those thoughts, my teacup was already empty.
“Then, please excuse me for a moment.”
Hmm, who should I talk to next? After selecting the eltin tea leaves, I quickly scanned the room.
Lingering too long wouldn’t be good… Maybe I should pick a table that’s not too far, where the conversation’s ongoing, and everyone still has plenty of tea left—so they won’t leave soon.
“May I sit here?”
“Oh, of course. It’s open, so please make yourself comfortable.”
A girl with glasses greeted me warmly. Was she around the same age as Lady Martina? Well, everyone here was certainly older than ‘Blanche.’
