“But since the Duchess values procedure and dignity, there should be no reason to oppose if you send a formal marriage proposal. The wedding is a matter for Duke Uter to decide.”

“I see.”

As Illeon sighed softly, Madame Oje felt a chill wind pass through her heart.

Underneath the glossy black hair that flowed like a healthy wild horse, were eyes more beautiful and red than rubies, deep with sorrow.

The Duchess of Uter, who grieved Illeon, was so detestable that Madame Oje was filled with grief herself.

“You don’t like me.”

“Nno!”

Madame Oje momentarily forgot her pride and dignity as the highest matchmaker in society and jumped.

“How could that be? The young lady is ashamed of her many faults and feels embarrassed to present herself in society.”

“I cannot accept that. She has no faults.”

“Ah, I misspoke. I meant the situation is a little delicate, not that Elishia has faults. The young lady is a perfect bride. In fact, such a beautiful and virtuous lady is rare in the capital. She may be the most beautiful bride this year.”

At the word ‘fault,’ Illeon’s eyebrows, which had risen towards the sky, returned to their place with the words ‘this year’s bride.’

“Indeed.”

As Illeon smiled with satisfaction, Madame Oje felt as if she was going to stop breathing.

‘Ah, I should have called the painters to capture this in a painting.’

That’s how she spontaneously felt.

If Elishia was necessary to preserve Illeon’s smile, she wanted to make sure this marriage went through and make his smile known to everyone in the capital.

“The marriage proposals?”

“I’m filtering them all at my line.”

“Were there no direct approaches?”

Madame Oje shook her head.

“I spread rumors that Your Highness visits the Duke of Uter’s residence every day. Who would dare compete with the Archduke?”

“That’s desirable. I did well to ask a competent lady.”

“Oh my, Your Highness. Hehehe.”

Madame Oje, who had been laughing like a bird, forgetting her dignity, finally collected herself.

“The item you requested is ready.”

The large velvet box she handed over looked quite heavy.

Illeon opened the box lid.

Inside were a tiara and a necklace set.

The platinum frame was densely embedded with diamonds, with a large pink diamond boasting its presence in the center. The matching necklace also seemed to have captured pure, cold, and brilliant moonlight.

“You did well in such a short time.”

“It was an honor to be entrusted with Your Highness’s request.”

Madame Oje’s face also flushed as she looked at the beautiful object.
With such an amount of money and jewels, the opportunity to create such an immense treasure might only occur once in a jeweler’s lifetime. Even with the talent and skill to create, they would end up living by crafting delicate necklaces for debutantes and proposal rings to sell.

“It suits her.”

A satisfied smile crept across Illeone’s lips as he gently caressed the dazzling tiara with his fingertips.

Elishia’s thick, honeyflowing blonde hair seemed unsuitable for gold.

If the tiara was made of platinum, it would shine like the brilliance of a goddess above her head.

Imagining that sight, Illeone felt his chest swell for a moment. The image of the white veil that would be placed on her head along with this tiara made him eager to see it as soon as possible, making his heart ache.

“What shall we do with this item?”

“Take it to the Grand Duke’s residence at once.”

It took quite a while to thoroughly check even the diamond ring for the proposal.

As Illeone signed the payment note without hesitation, Madame Oje looked as though she might cry with emotion.

“Please have a look, Your Highness.”

Upon leaving the shop, Illeone received his horse and headed towards the Grand Duke’s residence.

Meanwhile, the street had become quite enjoyable as the sun set and lights began to appear.

“I remember saying I hadn’t toured the capital.”

It could be that he had lost the memory or that, as a priest, he had been far from pleasure.

“We must come together next time.”

Imagining Elishia’s joy at seeing the starry sky, Illeone thought he had a rather good idea and wore a satisfied expression.

Although he was returning to the Grand Duke’s residence alone, the heart of a man imagining the day he would be together with her was nothing but warm.

(This is a time separator.)

After Illeone left, Elishia returned to her room, somewhat excited.

“What is it? Does he really like me?”

She was embarrassed by the high tone of her voice as she spoke to herself.

There was something Carina had said, but if it wasn’t from Illeone himself, she had now cast it aside in her heart.

“I must like Illeone.”

It was not because of a protagonist’s buff.

She just liked being by his side.

It seemed better than living at the Duke’s residence, a thought she had had several times.

“Haah.”

Was it something to be this thrilled about, just a peck on the lips that wasn’t even a kiss?

Elishia, who had been wrapped in a gloomy mood until the morning, suddenly felt like she owned the whole world.

“Maybe… it’s okay not to go back.”

The first memory that came to her when she opened her eyes by the lakeside.

She had attached great significance to the words that she must see the original ending to return to her original world. But if she could find meaning in life here, perhaps it would be alright not to return at all.

“There are many stories where the original changes.”

That too was a common cliché. The lament about why her original was in this shape had faded with a few words from Illeone.

She could avoid death at the hands of Saviel.

If she took Illeone’s hand.

It was then, while Elishia was wandering around the room in excitement.

“Elishia.”

Mariella’s voice calling her from outside the room was heard.

“Yes, Mother.”

She opened the door with a bright smile.

Seeing her face, Mariella hesitated for a moment but soon came in and closed the door.

“Do you have something to say?”

Elishia opened her mouth as Mariella seemed to hesitate even after coming into the room.

“What did His Highness say to you?”

“He said… he wants to give me an engagement ring.”

It was somewhat embarrassing to say this with her mouth.

“Haah.”

Mariella sighed a long sigh. A premonition that good news wouldn’t come seemed to cross her mind.

“Elishia, he mustn’t.”

It was as expected.

“Why?”

Elishia reacted immediately as if she were irritated.

“Madame Oje also said that His Highness is the best groom in the capital.”

“He is… he is…….”

Mariella’s words were stuck. What to say to her daughter, who seemed to have become deaf with love?

“Why can’t he?”

“He is…….”

She couldn’t continue the words at that moment.

“Because he’s the protagonist?”