Betrothed to My Sister's Ex

"...For whom exactly? Your makeup and clothes?"

When I asked, my younger sister remained silent with a serious expression. I waved my hands anxiously.

"Could it be that Marie was worried that Mother and the others might interfere again? Then don’t worry! I haven’t contacted them at all since then, and I haven’t even told them I became a craftsman, so they can’t just barge into the workshop. And if they do come, I’ll throw raw eggs at them again!"

I said this with a smile, but Marie’s expression didn’t change.

"It doesn’t really mean much. It’s just that the other day, a customer gave me some lipstick—oh, that reminds me, Marie, it was you who introduced my shop to the Princess! I was surprised when I saw the address. That girl’s home is the royal palace!"

"…You’re going to deliver there?"

"No, not delivering—going for measurements..."

I explained the situation with exaggerated gestures.

The Princess had placed a large order for my clothes. So, I would be visiting the royal palace soon. Maybe I might even be invited for tea.

"When that happens, I can’t just show up in my usual grimy work clothes, right? But I don’t have anything proper to wear, so I thought at least I’d clean up my face and hair a bit—"

"What you need is formal wear, not female makeup, elder sister."

At my sister’s voice, I stiffened and felt a chill run down my spine.

Ah... this is just like Miss Tunic earlier. She can totally tell I'm not being honest about my true feelings.

I was silent for a moment, then shrugged.

"Well, yeah. For men’s formal wear, there’s the one you wore for your engagement ceremony, Marie. But somehow I just felt like wearing a skirt for the first time in a while. What’s wrong with that?"

"…It’s a good thing. You look beautiful. Very beautiful."

Marie quietly took my hand.

My younger sister, Marie Shadelan, is tall. I, being shorter than the average woman, have to look up to her. That dignified sister of mine gently and sweetly kissed my fingertips, like a prince might do to a princess.

"You are a very charming woman."

"Th-Thank you...? W-What’s with that?"

"If you wish, most men in this world would serve and devote themselves to you. No, it’s not just men. There are many who want to support you. I am one of them. Elder sister, I want you to be happy. I love you very much—"

As she spoke so earnestly, I couldn’t understand most of what she said. So I just stared blankly at her trembling eyelids and unintentionally let her words wash over me. I didn’t understand the meaning of the short sentence she said next.

"Lord Ruifeng is impossible. As for love, please find someone better."

...I didn’t understand what she was saying.

"...Why... did you say Ruifeng’s name...?"

My whisper was hoarse. I moistened my throat and said it again, this time with a smile.

"Why would that foolish prince come up? Do you think I’m dressing up for him? Haha, no way. Where did such a story even come from?"

"Romantic marriage with the royal family is impossible. It’s not due to tradition or parental disapproval. It’s clearly stated in the national law. In the past, even lawsuits were filed, but all were dismissed or lost. Princes or princesses have never married anyone below a count—either high nobility or foreign royalty. Not once."

What? You researched all that? How many books have you read?

I was momentarily intimidated by my sister’s reading ability but then forced a smile.

"So, it doesn’t matter. I know about social status too. A royal and a poor baron’s daughter like me, who has run away from home? Impossible, no chance, I get that. And besides, apparently he has many other fiancées—well, all noble ladies of course. I’ve heard that many times since the first time I met him."

"Yes, now that I think about it, that was Lord Ruifeng’s way of putting up a front."

I almost gasped. A front. Right, whenever he tries to invite a girl, he always mentions "the fact" that he has many fiancées and cannot choose or escape. So it's a warning not to get serious... so that’s what it was...