Betrothed to My Sister's Ex

Thank you all for your patience.

The two carriages entered Granado Castle at the time when the sun had reached its zenith.

Led by Lord Cyrus and Lord Ruifeng, the Shadelan family disembarked. The first to cheer was the six-year-old boy, Cedric.

“Wow... such a huge castle! So cool!!”

“It’s big, isn’t it? Granado Castle was the strongest fortress in the kingdom.”

For some reason, Lord Ruifeng said proudly as he took Cedric’s hand and entered the castle. Meanwhile, my father wore a sullen expression, and my mother seemed overwhelmed by the grandeur of the Ivory Castle.

“Is... Marie really working in a place like this...?”

“She’s not being made to work; she’s living happily here.”

Lord Cyrus immediately corrected her. Still, my mother didn’t seem convinced. Grinding her teeth, she glared at Lord Cyrus.

“The count will surely regret letting that girl inside here...!”

Lord Cyrus frowned. For the past three days, during the carriage rides, my mother had acted like a gentle lady. But the moment my name, Marie Shadelan, was mentioned, her expression turned witch-like.

“Lady Elvira... why do you wish so badly for your own daughter’s misfortune...?”

My mother didn’t answer.

Right next to me, watching secretly from behind the gate—

“...Is it about time?”

Mio confirmed. I nodded and signaled the gatekeeper Thomas on the opposite side with a hand gesture.

Thomas nodded slightly and, as planned, moved the horses aside. He pulled his baton twice—this was the signal that the target’s position was good. I acknowledged it and made eye contact with everyone present.

Three, two, one... all right, let’s go!

—Pop! Pop poppop pop pop! —

“Eek!”

“Whoaaa!?”

Along with the explosions of gunpowder, a barrage of fireworks decorated the castle gate. Since these were celebratory bursts, there was no danger, but the sound was quite powerful up close. Parents and Cedric jumped like rabbits. Adding to it, the servants rushed out.

“Welcome, Baron Shadelan and party! Welcome to the engagement ceremony of Lord Cyrus Granado and Baron’s daughter Marie Shadelan!!”

There were about fifty of them—servants of Granado Castle including stable hands and cleaners.

“...Eh?”

My still dumbfounded father was quietly approached from behind by Thomas... who gently scattered flower petals over his head.

“Wh-why? The engagement ceremony isn’t for another few days... I haven’t even given permission...”

“Haha, it’s your own fault for not coming when called. Since we thought you might run away again, we decided to hold it while the baronial family was all here!”

Thomas said brightly and cheerfully. With the petals he scattered, my father looked as if wearing a pink wig... I slowly stepped forward.

The servants split to the left and right, kneeling to surround me. A red carpet stretched straight from the hall to the castle gate, and my hair—brighter than the carpet—and my emerald green dress sparkled in rainbow hues. My glass slippers clicked as I walked straight towards them.

“Ma... Marie Onee-chan?”

Cedric whispered as if he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

My parents still couldn’t find words, staring blankly at me with mouths agape.

“Ma... ma, maybe...”

“...Marie... is that really you...?”

As my parents murmured, I smiled warmly.

“Long time no see, Father, Mother. Welcome to our Granado Castle.”

“Our... ours!? Wh-who do you think you are!?”

My mother trembled and glared at me. I didn’t back down at all. Wearing glass slippers and standing tall, I was taller than both my mother and father. My mother looked like a pitiful middle-aged woman, glancing up at me from below.

“Is there something wrong? This castle is my home. From today onwards, I am the wife of Lord Cyrus Granado.”

I turned to Lord Cyrus, who was walking ahead.

He seemed a bit dazed too. We had only been here about three months, and besides the change in his attire since yesterday, he was wide-eyed.

I lifted my skirt and bowed to my fiancé. Pretending to give him a cheek kiss, I whispered softly in his ear.