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Helene clearly declared that. However, her whole body was trembling. It was clear she was in turmoil.

Glenn fixed his eyes on her.

"I don't care about that. I want you. I've only ever been looking at you… Or do you dislike me? Is it impossible to believe me because I've earned a reputation as a philanderer while trying to forget you? Then please say that. If you just tell me I'm a nuisance, I will withdraw."

"Ah…"

At Glenn's words, Helene became speechless.

Of course she would. Because he's the person she's had feelings for many years.

She couldn't possibly say something like she dislikes him.

Probably, Glenn could be so confident until now because he'd heard the story from Freed. Glenn exuded vigor that seemed to say that he wouldn't give up.

"I… I…"

"It's a precious chance to be happy, so I think you should stop being obstinate and be honest."

"Ah! Lady Lidiana."

Helene opened her eyes wide in surprise.

I might have said something a little mean.

However, it's decided Helene will marry Glenn. She's unaware of it, but behind the scenes the topic is already progressing.

Then I thought it'd be good if their feelings became mutual quickly.

" 'I wish she would be more honest', those are your own words from a while ago. Let me return the same words to you."

Helene seems to have guessed from my line that I knew who her loved one is.

She smiled troubledly and faced me.

"… I give up, Lady Lidiana. I absolutely did not consider you would know even that. When did you come to realize? I think I was skillfully concealing this matter."

Even though she said she has a person she loves, she didn't say a single word about Glenn.

She acted carefully even at the chivalric order. She was probably thinking n.o.body would recognize her feelings.

"White lilies. Three years ago. Those words and the fact you've been visiting the chivalric order on a stroll every day were enough to make a guess."

Hearing my words, she quietly cast down her eyes.

"… I made an unthinkable mistake. I did not expect I would invite you on that day, Lady Lidiana. Therefore, I could not clean up the flowers. I thought you would not notice, and yet in the end they became the cause of my defeat. I cannot take you lightly."

Phew, Helene breathed out tiredly and raised her face.

"Thinking about it, there's no way a person who easily solved the matter that had been twisted for fifteen years wouldn't notice."

I smiled broadly.

"Yeah, that's why you better stop being strangely stubborn. Fifteen years have pa.s.sed, I think it's unwise to turn away from the happiness that has finally come. Besides――."

I paused then said to both Glenn and Helene.

"Helene, you said earlier that you don't want to marry a gentleman you don't love. Putting it the other way around, it means you want to marry a person you love, right? Then there's no problem, is there?"

"To say there's no problem… But what would His Majesty or the Duke say… I was just dismissed from my duty of a concubine, yet an annoyance like me would…"

Her concerns were reasonable, but at least this time there was no need for her to be troubled.

"Since we won't make progress otherwise, let me tell you. I've already obtained His Majesty's permission about the matter of the two of you. There's no problem with the Duke either. That's why, you don't have to worry about that."

When I turned my eyes to Glenn, he nodded with an understanding face.

"I also heard it from His Highness earlier. However, before being ordered to marry you, I wanted to convey my feelings to you no matter what."

"N, no way… Me, marrying Lord Gregor?"

As Helene couldn't hide her turmoil, I decided to get out with it. If I don't get her to be honest, I'll also be troubled by various things.

"Hey, Helene. It's already been decided, so I don't think you need to lie about your feelings anymore. That's why, tell Glenn your true feelings properly."

"Lady Lidiana…"

Her gaze aimlessly wandered about, then she exhaled with resignation.

Facing Glenn, she said.

"… My name is Helene von Schwarzer. Lord Gregor. I accept your proposal. I also… have always adored you."

"Lady Helene…!"

Helene bashfully smiled at Glenn's voice overcome with emotion.

My chest filled with warmth seeing her smile like a girl for the first time.

"You were very lovely when you were young. I was impressed by you swinging a sword with your utmost effort. At first, I just watched wanting to cheer for you, but before I noticed you'd become an adult man. When I realized this, I started seeing you as a man. I knew it wasn't allowed, and yet…"

"Lady Helene… Me too, at first I've only felt adoration for you. However, seeing your smiling yet somehow lonely face, before I noticed I seriously fell in love with you. Lady Helene, now I can't think about anyone but you."

"Please call me Helene. I am not His Majesty's concubine anymore. However, are you truly alright with me?"

"Of course I am. All this time, I have never thought about anybody aside from you. Aah, I love you, Helene. Finally… Finally, I can touch you…!"

Raising a joyous voice, Glenn stood up, and with all his strength he hugged Helene.

She opened her eyes wide from the unexpected action, but before long she nervously wrapped her arms around Glenn's back.

Having ascertained that much, I secretly left the spot.

Because, there's nothing for me to do even if I stay there any longer.

They seem to have gotten together, and the minor details are up to them.

I asked the soldiers whom I'd requested to clear out people to tolerate it a bit longer, and walked back towards the royalty quarter. When I approached a cloister, I saw Freed, who surely was waiting for me. When his eyes met mine, he smiled sweetly.

"Lidi. Good work. How was it?"

"Freed, you too, good work. Yup, it went alright. He barely made it, and things went smoothly."

"I see. I'm glad."

As Freed breathed out in relief, I went to his side. I stopped his hand reaching for my waist and instead joined our hands.

"Lidi?"

"Somehow, I want to join our hands, Freed. Or is it no good?"

"No way. It's welcome."

"I'm glad."

His body temperature was transmitted from his hand holding mine.

"I'm looking forward to Glenn's wedding."

When I quietly told him so while walking together, Freed gave a short response before asking.

"Certainly. However, Lidi? Our wedding is before theirs, right? Do you remember?"

"Of course I remember."

"Then that's good…"

Freed seemed dissatisfied. Even without his worry, there's no way I'd forget. After all, I'm looking forward to the wedding with Freed.

It went well with Glenn and Helene.

The King and Mother-in-law will probably be alright.

The conclusion is everybody can smile.

Luckily, this time everything fit as I wished. However, I understand it's an extremely rare case. Really, it was just a coincidence. Things just acc.u.mulated.

It wasn't thanks to my power. I only solved what had become tangled.

"I wish it went smoothly like this for everyone."

I understand it's impossible. However, I can't help but hope.

Freed put a hand that wasn't joined with mine on my head.

"It's alright. Lidi, I'll grant all your wishes. Lidi, you just have to be on my side and say you want it like that or like this."

"… I feel that's wrong. Freed, it would be strange if only you worked hard."

Freed frowned then smiled happily.

"Then, let's work hard together. Because Lidi, you're my mate. Stand next to me and let's shape the country together. Surely we can get closer to the world we wish for."

"Yup."

Happy to hear the word together, I nodded.

That's right. Neither me nor Freed are alone. Even if it's impossible alone, there are many things the two of us can do.

We just have to search for them.

I came to a stop and looked fixedly into Freed's eyes.

"Nn? What is it?"

His sweet sparkling turquoise eyes gently narrowed and looked back at me lovingly.

My beloved. The person I want to be with more than anyone.

The person who loves me more than anyone.

I'm extremely happy I can marry this person soon.

"Hey, it'd be nice if it was a memorable wedding."

When I said that much, Freed nodded, "You're right".

"That said, I am satisfied that I can just marry you, Lidi. I'm confident that that alone will bring me supreme happiness."

"You're saying that, but I'm the same."

Undoubtedly, I'm overcome with emotion. And undoubtedly, I'm honestly happy to walk together holding his hand.

Even if it means becoming the 'Crown Princess' that I had continued running away from because it was troublesome, and later the 'Queen'. I don't want to give my spot next to Freed to anyone, so I'm sure I'll be able to accept those with a smile.

To be with him.

""I love you""

For some reason, our voices overlapped. I blinked my eyes at the overly perfect timing and looked at Freed.

He too had his eyes wide open in slight surprise, but immediately he smiled.

"―― Let's go back to the room, Lidi."

"Yup."

Although I thought I'd probably be pushed down the moment we return, the whole time a smile didn't disappear from my face.

Author's note

Thank you very much.

This concludes the 'Family Circ.u.mstances Arc'. With the next 'Sahaja's Scheme Arc', the Fiancée Arc will be complete. I hope I can move on to the Crown Princess Arc next year…

Translator's note

Before that, I will translate another batch of extras. They have no bearing on the main plot again, so feel free to read them at your leisure.

Editor: Valeria