Betrothed to My Sister's Ex

“I’m sorry for being so unfriendly until now,” Johan said.

He was a refugee from the archipelago nations, and his kingdom language was poor. Moreover, he had never had the chance to learn proper speech that would please the nobles. He had been hired by many households, but no matter how good his work was, he was laughed at, mocked, and sometimes harshly scolded. They suspected him of stealing or assaulting daughters, even though he never behaved suspiciously, and he had been abruptly kicked out on occasion.

“I understand why they think of me that way. So I’m not angry at those young ladies. I just don’t want to cause trouble for the countess,” he said kindly, dropping any formal speech barriers.

His voice was low, hoarse, rough but gentle and warm—just like the way his hands touched the flowers.

Beside him, I frowned as I harvested peas.

“What kind of trouble?”

“You’re going to become the countess, right? You probably don’t want to talk to people like us. Compared to that, those young ladies are normal.”

“Why? Thanks to Johan, we have this garden and delicious meals.”

“Because we’re servants.”

“You are indispensable. Besides, we live in the same manor; we’re family, aren’t we?”

Hearing that, Johan’s furrowed brow smoothed, and his eyes widened. Seeing that, I realized how presumptuous I had been.

Y-yeah. I’ve only been here a few days, and the engagement isn’t even official yet. Saying we’re family was a bold claim...

Johan chuckled softly.

“You say the same thing as master.”

At that moment, I heard someone calling my name from afar. Peeking out from the hedge, I saw Mio and Thomas, followed by Lord Cyrus.

I ran over to greet the three of them.

“Sorry, I got carried away. Lord Cyrus, is it time to go out already?”

“Hm. Ah... it seems so.”

Lord Cyrus nodded absentmindedly. Mio added,

“Our master of Count Granado Castle stayed up all night and is still half asleep.”

“Stayed up all night? Oh, you must be really busy.”

“...Yes.”

Wow, he really looks exhausted. He’s fully dressed in formal attire, but his green eyes are half-closed. His work must be tough... I wish I could help somehow.

For some reason, Mio’s eyes were half-lidded.

“Well then, I’ll load the luggage onto the carriage!”

Thomas declared with a bright smile and cheerful voice. He saluted with his right hand, while grabbing Hanna and Ilza by the collars behind their necks with his left.

Lord Cyrus watched absentmindedly, tilting his head.

“...Luggage?”

“Master, you’re meeting Lord Ruifeng at the ball tonight, right? Please return it.”

“Ah... okay, got it.”

“What do you mean, luggage!?”

“Don’t decide things on your own!”

The two girls started making a fuss, but Thomas effortlessly lifted them both onto his shoulder. Wow, as expected of the Count’s Castle gatekeeper. Usually gentle, but still strong. So cool.

I clapped my hands without thinking.

“Let go of me, you lowlife! Don’t touch me with your filthy hands!”

“What are you happy about, ugly!”

The two yelled, but I didn’t mind such insults—I was used to them, and they were true. Thomas seemed to feel the same, maintaining his calm expression as he carried them away.

Lord Cyrus grabbed Thomas’s shoulder to stop him.

He looked down at the two girls, who were facing backward, with his green eyes.

“—What’s ugly about us?”

“...Huh...?”

“Say it again. What’s ugly about my family? What’s ugly about Marie?”

“Ah... I... well...”

“—Do either of you have anything even slightly better than Thomas? Are you one bit more beautiful or lovely than Marie?

If you do, say it. Because I can’t find a single thing.”

The two girls gasped softly and stopped resisting without saying a word. Thomas just smiled wryly and led them away.

Johan let out a chuckle. Mio’s expression didn’t change, as usual—looking as if to say, “Of course.”

Lord Cyrus’s face softened again, and he squatted, mumbling, “Ah, I’m sleepy…”

He probably noticed something then. He snapped a vine in his hand, stood up, and faced me.