Betrothed to My Sister's Ex

After getting out of the bath and heading to the dining hall for dinner, I found Toppo looking downcast. He was standing with his forehead pressed against the wall, clearly feeling very gloomy.

“...Toppo, I made a meal for master, but he didn’t eat it,” he said.

“Oh... I wonder if Lord Cyrus is feeling unwell. He seemed fine earlier this afternoon...” Marie replied.

“He said he didn’t have time to eat, so I immediately made it into a bento box and handed it to him, but with the carriage shaking, there’s only so much he can eat,” Toppo explained.

“What? Has he already gone out!?” I exclaimed, and Toppo nodded emphatically.

Eh... really?

If that’s the case, I should have delayed my bath and at least seen him off. I even helped make the bento.

I had been looking forward to having dinner together for the first time in a while and had asked Tunic to make me look nice.

I see. So that’s how it is...

“Marie, are you feeling lonely because master isn’t here?”

“Ugh!?” Suddenly, a voice startled me so much I jumped.

Cecilie was holding onto the hem of my skirt. I shook my head vigorously.

“What are you talking about? I was just worried about Lord Cyrus’s health since he’s been so busy.”

“But Marie, you looked really down,” Cecilie said.

“Huh?”

“You definitely seemed down,” Wolfgang added with a smile from behind.

“Yeah, it was obvious even to Toppo,” Toppo chimed in.

Even Toppo... I didn’t argue further and sat down, quietly eating the dinner laid out before me. The attendants kept smiling and smirking as they watched me until I finished eating. Geez!

Anyway.

Lord Cyrus really is too busy. According to Tunic, this is unusual and might settle down quickly, but still, isn’t he going out too much?

There are about fifty days left until the engagement ceremony. The dress fitting and preparations are steadily progressing. As is customary among nobility, the duke’s family oversees the arrangements, and the attendants handle all the settings perfectly. I think that’s how it is in any ordinary aristocratic household. The bride and groom just follow instructions. We don’t really need to do much coordination or practice... but still.

Taking a big bite of the beef stroganoff, I sighed inwardly.

The engagement ceremony is literally the day we promise to marry.

The wedding ceremony before the gods will be later, but since this is a grand event inviting relatives, friends, and acquaintances, it’s significant.

Especially since Lord Cyrus is the duke’s son, many important people from the country will attend. In front of them, he will openly declare the person he will marry.

That is, me, Marie Chadelan—

“...Am I really good enough...?”

That worry kept crossing my mind.

Lord Cyrus and the servants seem to welcome me... or so I feel. But I haven’t even met the duke yet. The duchess was only introduced to me the first day I came to the castle. I don’t even know much about the relatives, friends, or their work.

We are in an arranged marriage—it’s only natural that what matters is whether I am suitable as a wife for the Granado Family before being just Marie the girl. And that fills me with nothing but anxiety. I haven’t been in society or had many conversations with other nobles. I’ve hardly been educated for that. My curtsey was just imitating my mother and Anastasia, and my table manners are textbook knowledge—I’m not even sure if they are correct.

I was told I would meet the duke just before the engagement ceremony during the final arrangements. When I heard that, I screamed inside. That’s really just before the event. What if I mess up and they say, “This girl won’t do!”?

—I can’t do anything. I’ll just be put on a carriage and sent away.

As I enjoyed time with Lord Cyrus and the castle staff, my worries only grew. There’s no reason for me to believe everything will be okay.

Lowering my gaze, a teacup was quietly offered before me. When I looked up, there was a gentle smile on an elderly gentleman’s face.