Betrothed to My Sister's Ex

Lying on the bench, I was fanned with a uchiwa by Tunica, who pouted her lips.

“Umm? So... you mean... mutual love?”

“Th-That’s not it!”

I shouted. As I sat up, I accidentally bumped my face on the fan, but I had to assert myself more than that.

“I understand, Lord Cyrus is trying to ease my tension, but it's just having the opposite effect! After all, this is just an arranged marriage.”

“Hmph? You’re still hung up on that?”

With her blue eyes half-closed, Tunica gave a sly smile from the corner of her mouth and suddenly poked my side with her finger.

I screamed and escaped to the bathtub.

“What are you doing!”

“L-Lie. Even Lady Marie thinks it’s strange, right? Why say such sweet words to a mere decorative wife?”

“W-Well... I thought that’s just how he is. I’ve heard in high society that exchanging compliments, hugs, and cheek kisses are everyday greetings.”

“No, no, no. Actually, our master isn’t good with that stuff and had a hard time finding a bride.”

“B-But then he must have made a firm resolution to change that. He’s surely pushing himself.”

“Does that look like he’s pushing himself?”

“W-Well, he does come close sometimes, and touches my hair or shoulder.”

“But...?”

Ugh, so persistent! What am I supposed to do with this?

I was on the verge of a panic. Since I started talking, I felt I had to finish properly, and answer the questions asked. But this feeling was entirely new to me, and I had never tried to put it into words before.

How do I express this feeling, this emotion, in words?

Some ideas came to mind, but I couldn’t shake the feeling they were wrong. With no other choice, I beckoned Tunica and had her crouch by the bath. Quietly, like a secret, I whispered into her ear.

“...He doesn’t invite me to the bedroom... Also, when he calls me cute, I think it’s more like how you’d see a child or a pet... not as a man and woman...”

Tunica lowered her eyes and gave a cynical chuckle. Then, silently, she stood up, strode across the bathroom, opened the door, and barefoot, stepped outside, loudly calling out—

“Master! Master! Lady Marie urgently requests a takeout with you!”

“Waaahhh!”

Completely naked, I rushed out and dragged Tunica back inside, closing the door behind us. She sat down with a thud, shrugging her shoulders.

“Did I get something wrong?”

“You’re wrong!! I never said or thought I wanted anything like that!”

I screamed at the top of my lungs like never before. Still, Tunica tilted her head, so I carefully explained.

“Lord Cyrus always cares about me, but he’s never asked me for anything. I think that means he doesn’t expect anything of me...”

“Hmm. I see?”

“If, if he truly liked me... he would tell me what he wants... After all, we’re engaged...”

“Oh, I see, so that’s it.”

I was relieved she understood. I felt genuinely at ease.

As I talked, I got lightheaded again. I’d been soaking in the bath for quite a while—time to get out... Just as I stepped out of the tub, Tunica opened the bathroom door and called out.

“Master! Lady Marie says she’ll do anything you like!”

“I didn’t say that!?”

I dashed to stop her, but immediately braked. I escaped with unheard-of agility to the wall and pulled a bathrobe from the basket. I couldn’t put it on properly, so I just covered my front and pressed my back against the wall.

Moments later, a tall figure bent down and appeared—it was Lord Cyrus.

“What’s going on, Tunica? What did Marie say?”

He had no fault in being called over. He had been waiting near the mansion. Being called loudly twice, they must have thought I was already done. Even when he glanced into the bathroom looking for me, there was no malice.

Our eyes met briefly. He looked serious. Without a word, he turned his back and walked away calmly.

—Usually, after bathing, I’d go back to my room, drink tea made by the maid, enjoy a little chat, rinse my mouth with water, get into bed, be tucked in with a blanket, and the lights would go out.