Dad, who could read my mind, whispered as he stroked my hair.

“Don’t worry. Princess Anessa might visit our family occasionally.”

“Huh?”

“…They might call it a matchmaking, but don’t believe it. It’ll be over soon, so don’t think of her as a new mom. She’ll just be an unrelated woman.”

That was our dad’s way of educating me.

As an adult, he shared information with me.

Dad didn’t ignore me just because I was a child.
I was given all the information that I could know.

Through the information I received from Dad, I could understand one thing: Dad had no intention of marrying Princess Anessa.

But right now, that wasn’t such a big problem for me.

“Yeah. But Dad…”

“Hmm?”

“Don’t give up on your life because of me. It’s not that I want you to get married… It’s just that you’ve already given up a lot for me.”
Even if it’s not a new mom, I hope Dad enjoys some hobbies and meets friends.

As soon as I said that, Dad bit his lip.

“Our daughter is already saying such things… She’s grown up.”

Dad’s eyes seemed to be getting teary.

Oh no, if this continues, our sensitive-hearted Dad might burst into tears… I thought.

“It feels like just yesterday when she couldn’t even talk, but how did she grow up so fast?”
Dad hugged me tightly without any gaps.

“Ugh…!”

“Our daughter is Dad’s only pride.”

Because of being hugged so tightly that I couldn’t even speak properly, I struggled for breath.

“Mm, mmph, can’t breathe!”

But that was just for a moment. Dad’s scruffy face kept brushing against my cheek, and I ended up bursting into a small laugh.

Peaceful days passed by.
Sien continued to review the resumes of magicians applying for positions in the upper ranks and conducted several interviews. Despite her young age being a potential weakness, the level of qualified magicians applying didn’t match her fame.

Nevertheless, she found the task of reviewing resumes interesting.

Around that time, an official marriage proposal had come from the palace, specifically from Matthias Mirmord.
The prospective partner for the engagement was Princess Serina Anessa, known as the Empire’s most beautiful woman, the daughter of the Empress.

And so… the union of the Imperial Palace and the Mirmord family became a major issue that shook the entire empire.

However, the Mirmord family remained calm.

When the princess’s carriage arrived at the Mirmord estate, the family members didn’t seem particularly surprised.
Even though there was tension between the Imperial Palace and the Mirmord family, there was still some interaction. Besides, the Mirmord family was always involved in extraordinary affairs, so the interaction with the Imperial Palace didn’t feel particularly remarkable.

Observing the atmosphere quietly, the princess smiled faintly, a smile that held an inexplicable meaning.

Today, she was to meet with Lady Lucella, the Duchess, to negotiate the terms of the engagement.
As she entered the Duchess’s mansion, the princess noticed that the mansion had an oddly changed atmosphere. For instance, the maids seemed somewhat bustling, as if it were a mansion with children. Moreover, they chatted about Sienn Mirmord, saying all sorts of things.

“It’s been said that the Duchess Lucella has some slight interest in Sienn Mirmord among the nobility.”
Usually, stories about the Mirmord mansion are not widely heard. They are thoroughly controlled. However, with the establishment of the Sienn Mirmord Upper, rumors about the internal affairs of the Mirmord family have slowly spread.

The shallow hostess of the Mirmord family, Duchess Lucella, having some slight interest in Sienn Mirmord, was the gist of the content.

“Perhaps the Duchess having an interest in the child might actually be true. Judging by the atmosphere…”
The princess was clever. Naturally, she had also done her research on Duchess Lucella’s temperament.

As she entered the reception room arranged by Duchess Lucella, a faint smile played on her lips.

Now it was time to start acting according to her own goals.

“I greet the Duchess.”
She may be retreating now, but she used to be as fierce as a tiger, they say. Her momentum is quite impressive. The princess lowered her head silently for a moment, then raised it again to look at her.

At that moment, Duchess Lucella slowly opened her mouth.

“It’s been a while since we last met, Your Highness.”

“Yes, it has.”

The princess smiled beautifully, her cheeks slightly flushed. The duchess, who was observing her closely, tilted her head slightly and spoke.
“Let me be straightforward. I initiated the marriage proposal.”

That’s how the Mirmord family operates.

They didn’t possess great talents for social maneuvering. Even Duchess Lucella, who was known for her lack of interest in society, was no different. There was no need for them to hone their social skills; people naturally sought their favor.

The princess spoke with her usual elegance, concealing her complex thoughts.
“I, too, shall be straightforward; I wish for a good relationship with Mirmord.”