Betrothed to My Sister's Ex

After that, Marie and I completely warmed up to each other and enjoyed tea together. Once I set aside my prejudice against poor country folk, I realized she was astonishingly intelligent. Drawn to everything about her, I bombarded her with questions.

“Who was the craftsman that made that wonderful men's outfit you’re wearing?”

“There’s a shop called Button Shop Norman in the Artisan District, and there’s a boy apprentice there...”

“I want one too. I probably can’t wear it myself, but I’ll adopt it as the uniform for the maid apprentices!”

As we chatted like that, the day slipped away completely. I never knew chatting with others could be so much fun. When Richard gently prompted me that it was time to leave, I reluctantly stood up.

“—Then, Lady Layla, Lord Richmond. Thank you for today. Please come again.”

“You’ll play with me again?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Um... so, can we be f—friends...”

“Yes?”

Marie tilted her head with a smile. I swallowed the words I was about to say and took her hand.

“I will definitely come again.”

At the main gate, the young gatekeeper who had let us through earlier was standing. For some reason, he had his back to us... and it seemed he was guiding a visitor just arriving in a carriage into the castle grounds.

Oh my, what a magnificent carriage. It’s a different style from the ornate ones for the royal palace, but the black iron body was embellished with sparkling mother-of-pearl inlays, and the horses looked well cared for. I wonder which noble family is visiting.

While I was spacing out, Marie suddenly exclaimed happily.

“Lord Cyrus is home!”

Wha—Lord Cyrus!? No, no, this won’t do. I came here disguised as a maid apprentice. If Lord Cyrus meets Marie, he’ll find out I’ve been deceiving her...!

Panicking, I hid behind Richard and only peeked out with my eyes. In my narrow view, I saw the figure of Count Kyros Granado...

Ahh... as expected, he’s incredibly handsome!!

Eight years older than when I last saw him, Lord Cyrus had become an indescribably handsome man. He was already dignified back then, but now taller and more robust all around. His long black hair, reaching down to his waist, gave off a feminine charm, yet he was the epitome of masculine.

His long legs stepping down from the carriage, the way his fingers gripped the handrail—every detail was picturesque. Radiating a wonderful aura, Lord Cyrus walked straight toward Marie and let out a small chuckle.

“Welcome back, Marie. You look very dignified today.”

“Oh, well... Lord Richmond had...”

Marie faltered, and Lord Cyrus frowned, as if just noticing me. He stared at Richard, who was shielding me, for a few seconds, then exclaimed in surprise.

“Isn’t that Prince Richard! Why are you here?”

Ah, that’s right. Lord Cyrus knew my brother too...!

I panicked, but surprisingly, it was Marie who came to my rescue. Putting her index finger to her lips, she gently admonished Lord Cyrus.

“Lord Cyrus, you shouldn’t. Prince Richard is Lord Richmond today.”

“Hm?”

“Princess Reimia is Lady Layla. Since both of them came as attendant apprentices, it’s best to address them that way until we see them off—”

—What!?

Hearing the names of the prince and princess, Lord Cyrus blinked. He stared me up and down and gasped again.

“Oh, it’s true, Princess Reimia. It’s been a long time.”

“So Lord Cyrus also knows Princess Reimia. I thought the princess was too young to debut socially and never left the royal palace.”

“Yes, only once eight years ago. Just after a long school break, there was a ceremony at the church at night, and the princess was on the carriage that came to see off Ruifeng. It was just a greeting, and I probably wouldn’t have noticed if I hadn’t been told.”

Lord Cyrus turned to us and bowed formally. He complimented me politely, saying, “You have become very beautiful.”

“So, what brings you here today? An attendant apprentice?”

“Wait, wait—Marie, did you realize who we really are!? Since when!?”