Betrothed to My Sister's Ex

The week after watching that play.

“—That’s how it was. Honestly, it was unbearable…”

When I said that, my elder sister burst into laughter. Even her daughter, Lisa, giggled happily.

Her husband sitting next to her, Lord Ruifeng, had the same reaction. I thought they were sympathizing with me, but it seemed both of them were amused by my reaction instead. Laughing, he patted my shoulder as if to comfort me.

“Don’t worry about it. Just think of it as watching a fictional story with the same name as yourself.”

“B-but…”

“I agree with Anastasia. I read the script too, and calmly pointed out the parts that were different from reality or too frankly exposed to the public. Then I quickly returned it.”

“…Didn’t it make you uncomfortable?”

“No, I don’t even feel that anymore. From the moment I was born into the royal family, weirdly glorified tales and related items about me have been endlessly commercialized. By now, it’s nothing new.”

“Me too. Apparently, portraits of me circulated since when I was with the Shadelan Family. Even more so after marriage. The love marriage between a poor baron’s daughter and a prince has become a story in a distant foreign land.”

My elder sister said so casually. I see, there’s a story starring Anastasia too… I want to see it.

Even if the stage play is over, maybe a novel… From my sister’s tone, it seemed she didn’t have it herself? Maybe Lord Ruifeng would know. No, if I asked in front of my sister, she’d probably hush me.

I wondered if there would be any chance to find out through Lord Cyrus somehow. I couldn’t help but fidget.

Anastasia looked at me seriously. She sat upright facing me, stared into my eyes, and murmured:

“I read that script too. I think I understood the count a little better than before.”

“…The Lady Laura incident?”

“…Yes. Not just that past, but why the count chose Marie — I think I finally understand it. Actually, I was still quite anxious about that part. …Ah, I’m not saying bad things about the count. On the contrary, I thought he was very serious and a man without a single flaw.”

As she spoke, Anastasia closed her eyes several times, hesitated, and carefully chose her words. Seeing me unsure how to respond, she took my hand resting on my lap and smiled gently.

“I realized that family means everything to him, and that he would cherish Marie as well. Sorry for saying unpleasant things the other day.”

“The other day” was probably about two months ago, the day news of Lord Alfred’s death arrived. Anastasia had said something suspicious about Lord Cyrus.

She suggested that Lord Cyrus might be confusing his protective instinct toward the ‘poor me’ with love. That when I became stronger and brighter, maybe his love had cooled.

I shook my head. My sister’s comment was out of concern, and when I denied it, she immediately withdrew her suspicion and apologized. There was no hard feeling at all.

Anastasia looked relieved by my smile, but for some reason, Lord Ruifeng beside her wore a sullen expression.

“On that note, I’m the one who feels distrust — toward Duke Alfred. Before taking Lady Ryuu-Ryuu as a concubine, he should have properly separated from Lady Laura, or at least settled things.”

“From what I heard from Mio, it was a complete arranged marriage, and Lady Laura’s usual behavior suggested she wasn’t the jealous type toward the beloved concubine…”

“Jealousy isn’t the point here. Especially since the child she bore inherited the noble title. It’s like being completely driven out of one’s own home. Lady Ryuu-Ryuu and Lord Cyrus must have felt unbearable. Though it’s not right to speak ill of the deceased, Lord Cyrus had every right to be angry with his father.”

Ah, Lord Ruifeng, I thought he was unusually forceful, but now I see he was concerned about Lord Cyrus. He usually has a carefree, inscrutable smile, but when it comes to his close friend Lord Cyrus, his emotions become clear and he shows excitement and worry.