As soon as the day dawned, a letter was sent to Broen Castle.

With money, delivery was instantaneous. Of course, the same applied to people arriving as well.

“Lady Jade.”

“Ah, Bernard and Mori. It’s been a while since I’ve seen you two together! Have you been well?”

Bernard looked extremely fatigued, while Mori Avers was looking around here and there with a puzzled expression.

Unlike Bernard, whose face was scruffy and clothes were crumpled from not having shaved recently, Mori was so polished that his glasses seemed transparent, and there wasn’t a single disheveled part on his entire body.

Even though their situations were similar, their appearances were so different that it was amusing to see.

Jade grinned and asked.

“Did both of you come from work?”

“Of course. Have you been resting?”

“The amount of money needed for this coming-of-age ceremony is so large. I’m about to die trying to make the numbers work. I feel like my eyes are going blurry.”

Whenever this kind of talk came up, Jade, who felt guilty about many things, gave a fake cough.

“Why are you so busy and have so many things to spend money on? I didn’t even want much, you know?”

Bernard and Mori spoke at the same time. They were so loud that Jade couldn’t hear a single thing properly, so she just covered her ears for a moment.

“Okay, okay. Anyway, I called you here because I have something to say. I wanted to tell you two directly rather than in a letter, you know.”

“What kind of grand story is it that you even sent a magician to tell us to come? It must have unnecessarily drawn people’s attention…”

Jade shook her head and laughed at the worried voice about what would happen if Felix Broen became interested.

“Even so, this is my townhouse. That weed isn’t here.”

When she gestured, Bernard and Mori calmly sat down. Whether they grumbled or not, their gazes were still squarely on Jade. Gazes filled with trust. So in a way, it made it difficult to bring up the main point.

Because she had to tell the people working so hard for her that they would suffer a loss.

“Um… first, let’s have a cup of tea.”

“I’m sure you feel the same way, Jade, but I’m really busy. And while I like tea, these days I prefer sitting and drinking alcohol with my wife at night. Because only Mary listens to me cry.”

“I already had four cups of tea just today.”

Bernard and Mori amicably refused. Now left with no excuses to stall for time, Jade scratched her cheek and finally went and sat in front of them.

“I called you to talk a bit about the engagement.”

“Ah, I was going to ask about that since we’re meeting. What are you planning to do? Well, there’s not much to prepare for that person, but getting clothes tailored is proper… and the families need to discuss it too. Lady Mabel has been asking frequently as well.”

“Since that side will be receiving Broen Castle… are they bringing any dowry? Of course, it’s their assets, but depending on what it is, it could help the family’s finances…”

There was a brief silence. But she recalled the cool breeze they shared on the bridge yesterday. She recalled the many thoughts that consumed the dawn. Then, her mouth easily opened again.

“I’m going to choose my pair as I wish.”

“Isn’t that obvious?”

Mori tilted his head with a puzzled face. Jade shook her head.

“I know what you’re thinking. That’s not it. I mean I won’t choose according to Grandmother’s conditions. I’ll really choose as my heart desires.”

Contrary to expectations, the people who had worked with Jade for a very long time didn’t seem very shocked.

However, Bernard folded the documents he had been gripping and couldn’t let go of, and Mori fixed his glasses that had slid down to the tip of his nose. They looked at each other, then back at Jade.

“Why is that?”

Bernard calmly asked.

“I told you a long time ago. That there’s no need to choose hastily. Didn’t you say back then that you clearly realized this place isn’t the forest?”

“Right, I did.”

“This place is still not the Atanase Forest, but the outside. At this most important juncture, I want to know the reason your heart has changed.”

After hesitating for a while, Mori spoke in the gentlest voice possible.

“We’re not interrogating you or anything. Bernard is your chief of staff, and I have received grace from you and worked together for a very long time. Can’t we hear about it at this point?”

“Of course you can hear it. I called you because I wanted you to listen, too.”

But no matter how she thought about it, it seemed like it would be embarrassing in the end no matter what she said. Jade opened her mouth half in resignation.

“If I follow Grandmother’s words and receive the assets, the beginning might be a bit easier. Because the initial chaos would lessen.”

“Yes. Lady Mabel has turned around a lot of assets with her personal funds after all. She’s not someone who would take back influence over the family either.”

“Right, that’s true. Many businesses are connected too. But…”

As always, there’s nothing as bashful as citing personal feelings for public affairs. Jade finally squeezed her eyes shut and shouted.

“I think my whole life would be too painful if I chose my pair like that. So I can’t do that! Even if I have to be prepared for the initial chaos and the ensuing strife, I…!”

“You’ve made a good decision.”

It was a greatly relieved voice. Jade opened her eyes slightly and looked ahead.

Then she saw Bernard smiling very brightly. Even though his unkempt beard could have made him look menacing, his wide grin offset any such impression. Mori sitting next to him was the same. Not even realizing his glasses were askew, he was looking at Jade with sparkling eyes.

“Huh?”

“If that’s the reason, then of course, all of us will readily accept it. Then is there someone you like? So that’s why you’ve made this decision now, at long last?”

“Uh, um…”

Jade nodded her head meekly. Disregarding her reaction, Bernard and Mori chattered excitedly.

“It’s turned out well. Mori, preparations will be a bit easier from now on. If the target is clear, decisions are easy too, right?”

“That’s true. Ah, it would be nice to meet them once though. Marien will be so happy.”

“Emil too. That kid guessed it first!”

“Sorry to interrupt, but I haven’t even properly talked to that person yet…”

“Go and do it today.”

Mori retorted as if there was no easier thing in the world. Jade drank her tea with an embarrassed face.

The people sitting in front were still chattering about plans with bright smiles on their faces. Ah, it’s fun to think about how Mabel Broen’s face will be turned upside down. Right, that’s true. No matter how difficult the preparations, it’ll be worth it. What about Felix Broen? He’ll probably prattle that he won’t stay still. That’s a given.

They were acting as if they had heard a very ordinary story. It felt like some kind of encouragement. Even if it leads to losses, doing as one wishes.

Blankly watching them, she suddenly asked.

“Is it okay?”

Bernard and Mori turned to look with puzzled expressions.

“What do you mean?”

“You know it won’t be easy even after I become the head. Grandmother will try to interfere with my work at every turn. No, she might even try to interfere with me becoming the head. I’ll continue to be kept in check by Felix Broen. It’ll be worse from now on. Is it still okay?”

Bernard grinned.

“My, that does sound scary. But nevertheless, you think you’ll be happier getting paired with the person you want, right? Isn’t that so?”

Jade meekly nodded her head with an embarrassed face at the wise analysis.

“Then that’s enough. Because that’s the most important thing.”

“Aren’t you surprised that I overturned a lifelong concern in an instant?”

“I’m not surprised.”

“Why?”

Mori Avers, who liked to convert everything into numbers, said with a smile.

“Because there’s nothing in the world that changes a person in an instant like affection.”

Looking fondly at their employer who was blushing with embarrassment, Bernard and Mori quickly seized the opportunity and chattered.

“So, exactly how did you two meet?”

“What is that person’s name? Why did you come to have this mindset now of all times? Something must have happened yesterday!”

“Bring the servant here. It’s clear you came back late yesterday!”

Jade began to stutter out the story, breaking out in a cold sweat.

Axel slowly got ready, recalling last night. Because of that, the young attendant waiting for him had a long face.

“Ah, as I said before, His Majesty is waiting for you.”

“Can’t you see that I’m moving busily?”

Axel laughed shortly, finally rising, at the sight of the attendant clearly holding back the urge to say it didn’t look that way at all.

Even while going, he had only one thought. Jade Broen, laughing against the backdrop of the river sparkling with light. The one tying him to this place. Probably the only one in the future as well.

Sometimes it was so magical it was hard to believe. Just what about you summoned me to this position?

Even when he tried to find the reason, all that came to mind was her playful smile.

Well, if perfect understanding followed, it couldn’t be called an emotion.

The king was sitting in his seat, grinning. It was a smile that suggested he had ulterior motives to face him from the morning.

However, he was a knight with nothing, staying in the royal palace at the king’s call, so he couldn’t refuse.

Having come back late yesterday and now being forcibly dragged to face a dubious smile, his mood became very low. His spirits lifted again as he recalled Jade’s smile once more.