Betrothed to My Sister's Ex

Sorry to have kept you waiting!

Marie Shadelan was angry.

“I told you it was my fault, so please forgive me already.”

“I won’t forgive you.”

Marie turned away as she spoke to me, refusing to look at the numerous apologies I offered.

…That said, Marie was so close that I could see the freckles beneath her light makeup.

In Marie’s private room, she sat on a long bench that could seat four or five people, right next to me, and she was angry.

“Lord Cyrus, to behave like that in front of others… it’s utterly improper. It’s, it’s embarrassing…!”

“But we already exchanged our vow kisses at the engagement ceremony. In front of hundreds of people, no less.”

“That was just a ritual, something completely different.”

“Well… but we’re not children anymore. You don’t have to be so shy.”

“Exactly because we’re grown-ups, we should feel ashamed. This isn’t shyness!”

Marie lightly tapped my thigh while still facing away from me. Her gesture didn’t feel very ladylike, but it was cute, so I let it slide.

“I’ve always thought, Lord Cyrus, that you get way too close with me in public. There’s a difference between a good marital relationship and being improper. Things like that should be kept secret, avoided in public. Shouldn’t you clear the area first? You always do things so suddenly.”

“I can’t help it. I want to hold you, and every time I see your face, I want to kiss you.”

Marie’s bottom jolted up and down. Reflexively, I wrapped my arms around her from behind and pulled her close… Oops, no good—I was just scolded for that. I turned around.

The usual elderly butler was there.

Wolfgang chuckled softly.

“Well then, I shall take my leave.”

He bowed and quickly left the room. As the door closed, I pinched Marie’s cheek. That got her to turn around properly. I kissed her lightly. Marie let out a small sigh.

“If it were Wolfgang and Mio, it would have been okay for them to be here.”

She said that. When I asked why, she buried her face in my shoulder.

“But butlers and maids are usually around. If you wait until they’re gone, you can’t get close to each other…”

I held her tighter. Ah, she’s adorable.

That’s right; I stay near Marie whenever I’m free, but even so, we rarely get alone time. Our marital bedroom is still being renovated. And newlyweds just can’t wait. As we shared kisses on the bench, I tickled Marie.

“Hyah!”

“That was wrong to do with visitors around. You’re right, it was improper.”

“Yes. Especially when we were seeing off royal guests.”

She slapped my hand away. Ah, she’s really mad. Usually calm and gentle Marie is scary when she’s angry. Realizing I can’t brush this off with a laugh, I properly apologized and explained.

“Especially because it was the royal family. If it weren’t them, I wouldn’t care to hold back like that for such insignificant people.”

“…Did you think I would fall for the prince?”

“No, not at all. It was clearly his infatuation; I don’t even get jealous.”

“Lord Cyrus, I can say this myself now. My husband is Cyrus Granado. I will never love anyone else.”

Marie spoke firmly, without a hint of doubt. If anyone else had said that name, even the greatest men would be intimidated. Apparently, Marie had noticed Richard’s feelings as well. Though she tends to underestimate herself, she is not oblivious to others’ emotions or gazes.

Her words left no room for doubt. Still, I said,

“No matter what your heart says, the royal family can take you by force.”

“…Is the king’s power still that strong?”

I neither nodded nor shook my head.

“No, the era when the king ruled absolutely is over. Normally, regardless of the Granado Family’s power, no one can just take another’s body and heart.”

“You mean by extraordinary, planned means?”

“Can’t deny that. For example, accusing me of leading a rebellion and locking me up in the kingdom’s judgment detention.”

Marie’s amber eyes widened as she stared at me. Realizing I’d scared her too much, I smiled and shook my head.