Betrothed to My Sister's Ex

Today, two chapters are being updated consecutively. This is the second chapter.

I couldn’t help but chuckle quietly to myself.

Then, the answer came quickly.

“The story of Ipsandros.”

Lord Cyrus let out a small, surprised cheer.

“That’s right… that was a thing. Yeah.”

“…Yes. It was there…”

“You should go to the library later. It’s surely filled with things Marie likes.”

“Yes. Thank you very much.”

“Alright. For now, let’s play shiritori. Story, ri—ricotta cheese.”

“Zucchini.”

“Erhu. The musical instrument.”

“That’s from the Eastern Central Continent, right? I’ve never heard its sound before.”

“It’s wonderful. It looks delicate, but it has a cheerful sound, like an old man’s humming.”

“What kind of comparison is that? Hehe—flour.”

“Cornmeal potato pudding.”

“Green peas.”

“Soufflé.”

“Lettuce.”

“Again with S? S—stroopwafel.”

“Rooibos.”

“Again with S!? Marie, are you trying to win?”

“Well, it is a game after all.”

Lord Cyrus’s face, pouting a little, was amusing. I was desperately trying to hold back my laughter. But… his next answer made me burst out laughing.

“…Sweets.”

“Pff—hahaha! Lord Cyrus, you’ve only been saying sweets since earlier!”

It seemed he only realized this when I pointed it out. Scratching the back of his head in embarrassment, he retorted.

“No, if we talk about that, Marie has only been saying crops.”

“Eh? Really?”

“Really. I was trying so hard not to laugh, thinking, ‘Shouldn’t it be fruits or flowers at least?’”

After saying that, he finally couldn’t hold back and burst into laughter himself, clutching his stomach.

I laughed too but pretended to be annoyed.

“It can’t be helped, you know! Flower seedlings are expensive! Fruits take a long time to grow. Vegetables are convenient because you can use them in many dishes! And they’re delicious!”

“Hahaha, that’s not the point, haha.”

“Don’t laugh anymore! The shiritori isn’t over yet. Um, next, next?”

“Ts, huh.”

“Ts… swallow.”

“Fried egg.”

No good, I’m going to laugh again. Lord Cyrus, even when he’s not saying sweets, still only says food.

And the fact that simple words come from Lord Cyrus is funny. Because this isn’t just normal shiritori—it has a rule to say only things you like. The contrast between his refined face and the words he mutters is surreal.

Ah, but if I keep laughing, the game won’t progress.

Next is Ki. Ki… Ki. Something I like that starts with Ki—

“Kyuu—…Ki. ……”

“Hm?”

Lord Cyrus peered at my silent face with a very pleased expression.

“What did you say just now? The last sound… I feel like it ended with an ‘Su’ again.”

“Ki… ki, su. I said ‘kiss’…”

I thought I had cleverly dodged it, but Lord Cyrus narrowed his eyes and chuckled softly.

“I see, I see. So Marie likes kisses.”

Aaaahhhh.

“…But again with ‘Su’—this is getting difficult. I can’t think of any more food with ‘Su’—Su—souvenir.”

“Ah… flax…”

“Marie.”

Aaaahhhhhhh.

And so, as I writhed in embarrassment and burst out laughing again, and Lord Cyrus cried out “Again with ‘Su’!?” several times, we kept going through answers.

I wonder how much time had passed; night had deepened… By the time we needed to think longer for each answer, Lord Cyrus gave an answer that was out of line in more ways than one: “Marie Chadelan,” and that’s when we called it a night.

Just then, Mio poked her head in.

“You’re still playing? I already finished eating long ago, even had seconds. Isn’t the tea cold by now?”

The two of us exclaimed simultaneously.

Lord Cyrus hurriedly opened the pot lid and poured tea into a small glass.

Normally, the pot should be filled only about halfway with hot water. But the tea (chai), which had become lukewarm and almost completely dark, was far from enough. After tasting it, Lord Cyrus frowned deeply and leaned back.

“No good, I boiled it too long… it’s bitter.”