Chapter 4

Among all the family members who had been stunned speechless, the first to recover was Clyde’s older brother, Kaelan.

Frowning slightly, he spoke in a serious tone.

“It’s certainly a unique joke, but this time you’ve gone too far. Marriage isn’t something to be brought up so lightly.”

“A joke, Brother?”

“Then are we supposed to believe you’re serious? We all know exactly what kind of relationship the two of you have. Clyde, think about what you were complaining to Dahlia about just yesterday.”

At Kaelan’s words, Beatrice immediately whipped her head toward Clyde.

The slight twitch of his lips made it obvious he had absolutely no idea what he had said.

‘This idiot…’

What exactly had he been telling his younger sister, who was studying abroad?

‘Well, I don’t even need to hear it. And Dahlia’s on my side anyway.’

Grinding her teeth internally, Beatrice deliberately let out a deep sigh.

It was a calculated move.

More than anyone, she knew she had absolutely no talent for controlling her facial expressions.

“I don’t know what he said, but we agreed to act like this, Brother. We thought it would be troublesome if rumors started spreading everywhere…”

“Rumors?”

Squeezing Clyde’s hand as a signal, she continued with a solemn expression.

“The truth is, we’ve been dating for a long time. You know… a secret relationship.”

“…”

“You know how people at the Academy are. Everyone would’ve made a huge fuss.”

At Beatrice’s calm confession, Kaelan frowned slightly and murmured:

“Then when you attended the knighthood celebration alone without a partner…”

“…That’s right. You know Bea had a terrible summer cold back then, don’t you?”

Half truth, half lie.

Beatrice really had suffered from a summer cold.

But Clyde had attended the ceremony alone because of an order from the Crown Prince.

‘I don’t know the details myself, though.’

Blinking rapidly, Beatrice discreetly observed everyone’s reactions.

Thankfully… or perhaps worryingly…

Everyone seemed to be gradually accepting the idea that the two had secretly been dating.

‘Why?’

She knew she wasn’t really in a position to say this, but…

Couldn’t they be at least a little suspicious?

‘What, do they all think it’s perfectly normal for me to fall for this idiot?’

As Beatrice struggled to suppress her growing irritation, her father finally spoke.

The Count sighed as though he had a headache.

“Even if that were true, declaring marriage so suddenly is reckless. It’s fortunate there aren’t any outsiders here!”

“Now, now, Belliana. The children only acted this way because they’re among family. Still, I do think this is moving far too quickly. Bea, wouldn’t it be better to discuss this again after the Imperial Family’s engagement and the Dalton family’s marriage arrangements are settled?”

“When would that be?”

“Hmm… perhaps three years from now?”

Exactly the response she had expected.

Beatrice snorted dismissively, clearly uninterested in such a compromise, and turned toward Princess Elodie.

The princess, who had been speaking warmly to her moments ago, had fallen completely silent.

To outsiders, it probably looked wise.

Like someone who knew when to step forward and when to stay out of a conversation.

But Beatrice could see through it.

‘I was wondering why she’s so quiet when it’s about time for her to support us. She’s weighing her options.’

At this point in time, there was no reason for the princess to oppose their marriage.

She was simply deciding when and how to intervene.

Like someone calculating the perfect time to slaughter a well-fed animal.

‘…Can’t be helped. Maybe I should give her a little extra incentive. I never intended to go this far.’

Taking a deep breath, Beatrice dropped heavily onto the floor.

With the determination of a merchant announcing a massive clearance sale, she began throwing a childish tantrum.

If the princess supported their marriage now, it would make her look understanding and wise in the eyes of the adults.

“Aww, come on! What’s the difference between getting married now and getting married three years from now? I want to marry Clyde! Let me marry him!”

“M-My goodness! You…! I heard you came to the ducal estate without even making an appointment, so I rushed over wondering what a grown lady thought she was doing! How embarrassing! Is this really how I raised you?”

“I don’t care! I don’t care! If you don’t approve, I might just go and do something reckless!”

“W-What do you mean, something reckless…?”

“It took two whole years for Brother Kaelan and Her Highness to even hold their engagement ceremony! Who knows whether their wedding will happen in one year or five years? Do you have any idea how long we’ve already waited? I’m not going home until you let me get married! I’m staying right next to Clyde!”

Lying dramatically on the floor while her mother clutched the back of her neck in frustration, Beatrice sneaked a glance toward Clyde.

He had one hand over his mouth and was looking at her with what appeared to be deep emotion.

Everyone else might have been fooled.

Beatrice would have bet every coin she owned that he was desperately trying not to laugh.

Perhaps it was because she was glaring at him colder and colder by the second.

After clearing his throat, Clyde slipped a hand inside his coat.

“We understand that what we’re saying sounds unreasonable.”

“At least you’re aware of that. Then…”

“But just like Bea said, we’ve already waited a very long time. Brother still doesn’t even have a wedding date despite being engaged. And the Hartwell brothers don’t show any signs of dating anyone. What are we supposed to do? The people who are ready should go first.”

“Clyde!”

“And if you absolutely refuse…”

Clyde paused dramatically.

Then he pulled out a single sheet of paper.

The marriage registration form they had hastily filled out earlier gleamed proudly in the air.

“…we’re considering causing a little trouble.”

The room froze.

Then he delivered the final blow.

“Wouldn’t it be better to celebrate our marriage at a wedding than learn about it through paperwork and the Imperial newspapers?”

The statement was outrageous enough to cure even the worst low blood pressure.

Just as Kaelan was about to step in—

Clap.

A light clap echoed through the room.

Then Princess Elodie’s clear voice rang out.

“Although it was certainly a sudden announcement, I’d like to support them.”

“Elodie?”

“I’ve already felt guilty because our own wedding keeps being delayed. It doesn’t seem fair to ask them to wait indefinitely just because of me.”

“Elodie, don’t say that. If they were truly serious, they would be acting seriously. You don’t need to feel guilty because of Bea and Clyde’s stubbornness.”

“Hmm…”

The princess smiled thoughtfully.

“But I don’t think Bea and Clyde are acting lightly.”

She looked between the two of them.

“They’re pretending it’s no big deal, but honestly… it feels more like they’ve finally reached their limit after holding back for a very long time.”

The princess crouched beside the sprawled-out Beatrice.

Smiling gently, she reached out her hand.

Not toward Beatrice.

Toward the battered piece of paper lying beside her.

‘Oh. That’s my proposal letter.’

It must have fallen during her dramatic performance.

As Beatrice fought to keep a straight face, Elodie spoke softly.

“I have a pair of younger twin siblings myself, so I know younger children sometimes act spoiled.”

She held up the crumpled paper.

“But Kaelan, how can you call someone’s feelings light when they’ve carried an old proposal letter around until it’s become this worn out?”

“…”

“And Beatrice isn’t usually someone who throws unreasonable tantrums, is she?”

‘Oh…’

She had only handled the paper roughly while agonizing over her situation.

Yet somehow it had transformed into a symbol of devoted love.

Feeling the atmosphere around her shift dramatically, Beatrice answered in a warm voice.

“You’re right. As expected, the only person who understands my heart is Her Highness… no, my dear older sister.”

It was an utterly shameless lie.

But Elodie’s support was proving even more useful than expected, so a little flattery seemed worthwhile.

And the result of all that was…

***

“In the name of the holy Kalvaron and His Majesty Elvarius II, the great sun of the Empire, we bless and proclaim the union of these two. The groom may now kiss the bride.”

“…Behave yourself.”

“You too.”

And that was how they ended up here.

A situation that was satisfying yet awful.

Joyful yet completely ridiculous.

That kind of situation.