"Ah? Ah, it's true. That guy's back already."

"Already?"

Bothered by Brother's words, I turned to him. He was frowning, perhaps from his s.h.i.+n still hurting. While looking at Glenn, Brother said.

"I heard it two days ago that that guy had marriage talks in the morning and was supposed to come to the castle in the afternoon."

"Ah, the thing Will talked about?"

I wondered if he hadn't worked too fast to have it done by today already, but Brother shook his head.

"No… Eh, did you ask Will?"

"Yup. Two days ago. He was holding a lot of files. Will said they're for Glenn's matchmaking."

"I see… Then the talk will be quick. This time Will ain't involved. It seems that guy's old man suddenly brought it up."

"Hee…"

"Well, I said marriage talks, but today it's only an introduction. The official marriage talks will be on another day."

"Ha? Why has it turned out like that?"

Why doesn't introduction equal marriage talks? When I tilted my head, Brother scratched his head.

"Glenn's previous marriage talks were a failure. Troubled that the same thing would happen, his father, Duke Pellegrini, told him he wants them to meet and confirm their intention to have marriage talks first."

"What's with that, how bothersome."

"It really is."

While I was loudly talking with Brother, Glenn came here with a smile, perhaps having noticed us.

"Alex and Lidi. You look close as ever. What in the world were you talking about?"

"Aah, it's nothing important. We were talking about your marriage talks."

"Hey, Older Brother!"

I thought it'd be too much to frankly talk about that, but Brother showed no concern.

"Ain't it fine. I don't like being secretive."

"Ah, yup."

Certainly, he has a point.

Good grief, Glenn said with a wry smile seeing me who became convinced and Brother making a self-satisfied look.

"Really, you siblings are close, or perhaps I should say you resemble each other."

"We don't resemble each other!"

Both our voices harmonized.

We glared at each other. Brother pointed at me discontentedly.

"How do I resemble this troublemaker!?"

"Don't lump me together with that self-indulgent, unrestricted Older Brother who always does whatever he pleases!"

"… That's why I'm saying you resemble each other."

Glenn made a complicated face. Then, he spoke to fix the situation.

"Shall we stop this topic?"

"… Let's do that."

I too nodded after my dejected Brother.

Saying that he understands, Glenn smoothly returned to the previous topic.

"Come to think of it, you said you were talking about me before."

"Yeah. Marriage talks… Introduction, was it? Did you go?"

While I and Brother continued glaring at each other, Glenn returned affirmation to Brother's words.

"That's right. There's nothing official yet, but I met the partner."

"Hee."

Interested, both me and Brother turned to Glenn.

Perhaps because our timing was the same, Glenn was unable to endure and just for a moment his shoulders shook.

… What's so strange?

Perhaps having noticed that Brother and I were offended, Glenn apologized… but, his voice contained laughter.

"I, I'm sorry. Anyway, that's how it is. I finished my business and returned here. If possible, I do not want to work overtime."

"Hmph. It's still early, but did it go well?"

Brother's words were casual. But, Glenn cast down his eyes at those words.

"No… Probably it won't progress to marriage talks."

"Haa? Again. Did you refuse?"

"No, I don't mind anyone. I just have one condition. However, it seems quite unacceptable."

"Condition?"

Brother frowned and made a face like he suddenly noticed something. Pulling Glenn by his arm, he took him a little away from me. Then, he secretly whispered.

"You, perhaps…"

"Way to go, Alex. You understand well. It's just like that."

Brother turned an astounded face to Glenn who affirmed with a broad smile.

"… Seriously. Of course the marriage talks would be refused."

"On the other hand, I can't yield on this condition alone no matter what. Conversely, I intend to gladly marry anyone who can accept it."

"… I see. That's the last thing a woman seriously in love with you want to hear."

Haa, Brother dropped his shoulders, then he said, "You brothers resemble each other", and shrugging his shoulders came back my way.

"Older Brother?"

"No, it's nothing. It's just that of course the marriage talks would fail."

"Hmph?"

I didn't quite understand, but I nodded appropriately.

Glenn came together with Brother and said.

"Alex, I don't really mind Lidi hearing it. Freed too knows."

Brother was surprised by those words.

"Ha? Seriously? Is it fine?"

"Yeah, it's already a finished story. Besides, your little sister isn't a person to meaninglessly spread somebody's secret, right?"

"Of course she isn't…"

Brother made a troubled face. While showing a calm smile, Glenn said.

"I'm sorry for talking about something that made no sense. I didn't intend to ignore you."

"Eh? I don't really mind…"

I told him so because in fact I don't mind at all. While saying "Thank you", Glenn bowed his head slightly.

"About the story from before, actually there is a person I've had feeling feelings for for a long time. Even if I marry, it's extremely unlikely I will be able to forget her. I told my marriage talks partner that we'd get married if she agreed. Then I was rejected, that's all."

"… Ha?"

I became speechless hearing the easily spoken words.

Eh? In other words, what? Even if we marry, I won't come to love you. However, if you are alright with that, let's marry… Did he say that to the n.o.ble daughter who was his partner?

Of course he'd be refused!

Knowing she wouldn't be loved from the beginning, even if it's a political maneuver, there's no way she'd agree.

Even in political marriages married couples warm to each other little by little.

And Glenn's words completely denied the possibility of that.

"Right? It's cruel, right?"

I silently nodded to Brother who made a face as if having swallowed a bitter bug.

It's cruel, it's too cruel.

Even the me in the past who was okay with anybody but royalty would politely decline that.

Glenn continued talking to the dumbfounded me.

"Having said that, I cannot yield any further. I understand I don't have a choice of not marrying, however I think it would be too dishonest towards my partner to marry without saying anything. If possible, I want to marry somebody who at least understands my circ.u.mstances."

"… T, then, why don't you marry the person you love?"

"It's impossible. Her position is too high. I'm satisfied with praying for her happiness. I don't desire anything beyond my position."

Glenn clearly said.

But, I thought.

Glenn is the second son of the Pellegrini ducal house. His standing is on the level that even if she were a king's daughter, they could get married if conditions were worked out.

In other words, considering his family status alone, he can truly pick and choose. Of course, it would be shameful if her family status were too low and the strict Duke Pellegrini seems unlikely to allow it, but I don't think it's hopeless if her status is higher.

"…"

"What are you pondering about?"

While I was wondering who Glenn's beloved is, Brother called out to me.

Before I noticed, Glenn disappeared. Apparently while I was lost in thought, he returned to the chivalric order.

I asked Brother.

"Say, Older Brother."

"Ah? What?"

"Listen, you won't possibly say Glenn's beloved is Mother-in-law, right?"

"You…"

I asked it quite seriously, but Brother returned an astonished voice and patted my head.

"There's no way. Geez, how did you come up with that…"

"Uu, because…"

Apparently it's different. But, who else could it be that a duke's second son's love can't bear fruit…

"Ah…"

An incredible answer just came to my mind.

And, another thing connected with that.

"No way…"

Impossible. But, it's probably the case.

That thing wasn't like that. So it had such a meaning.

After all, he too said. I see, then everything fits.

So at that time, like that that person――.

"Lidi?"

Brother suspiciously stared at me who stopped moving.

I shook my head that it's nothing.

"It, it's alright. I just remembered I have a little something to do. Err, ah, Older Brother, see you again! Do your best at work!"

"Y, yes? Rather, wait a moment, Lidi."

I managed to show a smile and left, running away from Brother.

I hurried back to the room.

My head was filled with the possibility I hit upon just now.

"… This may work."

I entered the room and exhaled, now alone. My heart was loudly pounding.

I calmed down my feelings and tried to reconstruct the conclusion I'd reached just now from the beginning.

"Yup… I'm probably not wrong."

I clenched my fists slightly.

That and this and everything. Perhaps, things will go well.

For that, Freed's cooperation is essential.

"First, I'll talk to Freed, then…"

With all my might, I thought about the scenario from now.

My actions might be unnecessary help, and maybe ultimately nothing will change, but I don't want to give up without trying.

For now I decided to do my best until the end.

Editor: Valeria