Published: July 29, 2025
The large mirror that showed the whole body was very expensive, and the Shadelan Family had only one. Of course, it was kept in my sister’s room.
I had entered it a few times for cleaning, but I always looked away. It was the same even with small mirrors. My messy, tangled hair, patchily sunburned ugly skin, an unlovely face, and tattered work clothes. No matter which part was reflected, it was unbearable to look at.
I hated mirrors.
And now—it was placed right before me.
In the corner of the guest room, an entire wall was made into a large mirror. It was much bigger and clearer than the one in Anastasia’s room.
There was a woman standing there.
…Who is that?
Beautiful. Someone I had never met before—but somehow, she looked like me.
…Who is this…?
As I stared blankly, there was a firm knock on the door. When I responded, Mio came in.
Lord Cyrus was behind her. Before his mouth could open, I immediately bowed my head.
“Lord Cyrus, I apologize deeply for my rude behavior earlier.”
“Hmph—rude? What do you mean?”
Lord Cyrus stumbled, as if caught off guard.
I kept apologizing with my head bowed.
“I was flustered earlier because it was so sudden… I’m truly sorry.”
“Ah, ah, no. It is I who should apologize. Please raise your head, Marie.”
Following Lord Cyrus’s instruction, I raised my face and met his eyes.
Immediately, he turned his face away. Ah, I thought, he really dislikes me—when suddenly, Mio stepped on Lord Cyrus’s foot.
He didn’t scream but turned back to face me with a straight face.
“Marie, I’m sorry. I rushed ahead without confirming your feelings.”
“…My feelings?”
“I had assumed you came to this castle of your own will. That you agreed to the engagement—I was wrong to make such assumptions. I apologize.”
He truly bowed his head as he said this.
…? I didn’t understand what he was apologizing for. Unable to respond, he spoke further.
“There has been a big misunderstanding between us. I want to clear it up. First of all—I do not dislike you, Marie. I truly want to welcome you as my wife…”
Ah, I understood. I nodded in the same posture.
“Yes. I look forward to it.”
“...Eh?”
Lord Cyrus let out a strange voice. Behind him, Mio also opened her eyes wide.
So, that misunderstanding was about this. I hurriedly explained.
“The words ‘impossible’ just slipped out in surprise. I was not selfishly saying I hated the engagement.”
“…Eh. Um….”
“I stayed in the room to calm down. I am truly honored and grateful for your kindness, Lord Cyrus.”
“Lady Marie? Does that mean you accept the engagement with Lord Cyrus?”
Mio, who had replaced the suddenly silent Lord Cyrus, asked. Her tone seemed somewhat lacking in energy, almost deflated. I nodded a third time.
“Yes, of course. It was so unexpected I was surprised.”
“Wait, it’s strange for it to be unexpected. Weren’t you brought here by your father as my fiancée?”
“I thought I would be turned away at the gate.”
That’s why I was genuinely surprised then.
But when I calmly thought about it, I understood Lord Cyrus’s… Count Granado’s intention, and it made sense.
He originally wanted a ‘daughter of the Shadelan Family.’
“After my sister’s marriage was decided, I also looked into you a bit. That you have to marry to inherit the duke title, that the bride must be a noble’s daughter, and that you’re rumored to dislike women so much you’re having a hard time finding a wife.”
“…That’s… true.”
“For someone like you to come to a birthday party in a poor baron’s countryside family is also for that reason, right? You came to pick out a political marriage partner. And by chance, you were lucky enough to find the beautiful Anastasia—”
The two of them froze. I immediately apologized for my harsh words and continued.
“Due to an accident, a useless little sister came instead… but I’m grateful you tolerated someone like me. I understand my place. Please treat me as you wish, Count…”