Betrothed to My Sister's Ex

“...Well, Ips language is quite minor, so unless you’re a merchant trading with the eastern regions, it’s not very practical.”

Lady Ryuu-Ryuu said this with a wry smile.

I let out a relieved breath. …I didn’t quite understand why I felt so at ease. I nodded and smiled in return.

“That’s right. It’s really just a hobby, and I hardly ever get a chance to use it. I’m grateful to my grandmother who left me the books, and of course to my Father who gave me the opportunity to study.”

“I see. Personally, since it’s my homeland, I’m really happy about it. But among the high nobility, the proper refinement is probably speaking Flarian, the language of our friendly peninsula nation.”

...Ah...

“I’d like you to learn it if you become a duchess, Marie, but I won’t insist. We’ll have interpreters at meetings, and Cyrus will handle all the paperwork.”

“...Um...”

My whole body stiffened.

...What should I do? Is this really okay? ...No, I should say it.

From Lady Ryuu-Ryuu’s tone, it seemed not only allowed but necessary. Above all, I don’t want to be a burden to Lord Cyrus. On the contrary, it would surely be a help.

I swallowed and ‘confessed.’

“—I can speak it. Flarian, and also Shaina from the Eastern Central Continent... though I can only read and write Shaina.”

“Really?”

Lady Ryuu-Ryuu exclaimed loudly.

“The daughter of a baron? No offense, but don’t you have neither the chance to learn nor to use it?”

“No... The Chadelan Territory borders those two countries closely, and many immigrants have settled as tenant farmers. The Shadelan Family has to manage their housing and employment. Also, orders, invoices, and communication are mostly done through letters.”

“You did that, Marie? That sounds like the baronial family’s accounting… no, it’s practically running the business.”

“...! Uh…”

Why ask such a thing? Cold sweat trickled down my back. What if I shouldn’t have said this?

Would they dislike me?

Would I be thrown out of this castle?

—A woman counting numbers is so presumptuous. Never tell outsiders you have scholarly knowledge—

Father’s words surfaced. The common sense of my world since I was little, Father’s lesson for me.

For both my family and me, it was terribly shameful.

If the married family found out, I would be instantly disliked...

Emerald eyes looked at me intently.

...When I first met her, I immediately looked away. The duchess’s gaze was beautiful and full of confidence, strong and intimidating to meet head-on.

But... thinking it over again, she is very similar to Lord Cyrus. She’s the one who bore and raised him. Something I can’t say to a high-ranking noblewoman, a ‘duchess.’ But her — surely —

I nodded again.

“…Yes. I attended a public school and focused on studying business management. I’m not sure how much that’s worth, but I’ve been in charge of the Chadelan Territory’s accounting for five years.”

“...Hmmm...”

Lady Ryuu-Ryuu didn’t respond with the bright cheers from before. Without a smile, she propped her cheek on her hand, looking up at me.

I hurriedly waved both hands.

“Oh! But it’s just a small part. The head of the family is still my father, so he handles the plans. I just help out, handling simple tasks that he delegates.”

“...Simple tasks. A region’s entire accounting plus documents in four languages?”

“Y-Yes. I really like writing letters!”

I declared firmly. Truly, “love makes perfect.” I learned foreign languages precisely because I liked letters, and that’s how I improved. The exchange of living languages strengthened my skills.

I loved letters. They were my only real connection to others. Days filled with chores, home work, accounting, mocked at school as the ‘ragged girl,’ rarely going out.

Most letters were addressed to or from Father, Mother, or my sister Anastasia, my name rarely appearing...

But even as a family scribe, I could converse with others.

Sharing joy at the changing seasons, inquiring after each other’s health—it was truly delightful.