Balter knew that requesting a handkerchief embroidered with two white lilies, symbolizing marriage, when a man about to get married competes, would have consequences on Edith’s thoughts.

However, he was a man with the audacity and shamelessness to handle almost any bombshell declaration with ease.

Bringing up marriage as a conversation topic, Balter casually poured water into a glass, adding a lemon slice.

“Drink. It might be so surprising that you’ll choke.”

He tenderly offered the glass, observing Edith’s reaction.

She slowly took a sip from the offered glass, her lips touching the rim. Due to the sudden rush of thoughts in her mind, it seemed as if she was pretending to drink while trying to hide her frozen expression.

‘It’s not the reaction of disgust and determination to raise the child alone, at least for now.’

Having lost her childhood memories entirely and endured seven years trapped in the Viscount’s mansion, Edith had developed a mindset that always assumed the worst and prepared for it.

In this case, the worst scenario set by Balter was her expressing aversion to marriage or refusing outright. Since she avoided that worst-case scenario, could her looking at him with her blue eyes be interpreted as a somewhat positive reaction?

Balter swallowed dry saliva for no reason. While this was the first time he brought up the topic with Edith, lately, he had been contemplating when would be the right time to broach the subject of marriage, from early morning to just before bedtime.

‘Even if the magical issue doesn’t get resolved and it turns out to be my fault, if Edith is recognized as the wife of the Lexion Viscount, there shouldn’t be a significant problem with raising the child alone.’

Initially, it was undoubtedly one of the contingency plans for the event of his magic going berserk. However, why did he find himself increasingly drawn to the act of raising the topic of marriage with her?

‘Once I finish organizing the paperwork and present myself with a meal, she won’t be called the wife of the Fortrion Viscount, a title that irritates her.’

If Edith, who dislikes entangling herself with the Viscount and the estate, has not inherited the family fortune, she would likely welcome giving up the title of Fortrion.

In recent days, he couldn’t take his eyes off the white tablecloth and the white bedspreads the maids had laid out. He secretly imagined Edith wearing such a white dress with a lace veil, picturing it dozens of times.

Unable to take his eyes off the fluttering white fabric like a person mesmerized by the sight of a white sheet, Casius, with keen perception, smirked, detaching his gaze.

“I’m not biased as the sub-master of the small mansion, nor am I saying this to curry favor with the lord due to receiving a reward for your favoritism, but objectively, she will likely be the best fiancée in the Empire, both externally and economically.”

“Why are you even saying such things?”

Balter dismissed it to some extent, but he didn’t deny it. It was a statement that implied Casius wasn’t making baseless claims.

‘But why isn’t this woman reacting?’
It’s unlikely that the returned first love would outright reject the marriage proposal. He hasn’t proposed right away, and he’s not asking to raise the stakes. He just wants to hear her thoughts on marriage.

Swoo—

Even though it’s not hot, he rolls up his sleeves to reveal more defined arm muscles, not for any additional points, absolutely not.

“If not Lily embroidery, Silver Bells would be fine.”

Reluctant as she was, Balter covered his mouth with a cup and lowered the barriers for her, who had stiffened.

In the Agnas Empire, if Lily embroidery symbolizes marriage, Silver Bells represent engagement. He asked if she’d be okay with an engagement if marriage is not immediately appealing.

In a moment that felt stifling, Edith placed the glass containing lemon water on the table.
Upon that, rather than stiffening, her cheek revealed a rosy hue as if watercolors were mixed. Only then could Balter find the strength to move from his involuntarily tense body.

“It seems milady doesn’t mind,” he said smoothly and perched on the sofa armrest where Edith was sitting. When he subtly took her hand, a surprisingly rapid heartbeat was felt along with the warm heat.

“Indeed, Lily embroidery is better than Silver Bells.”

Pushing forward, as if expecting her response until the wedding venue, Balter confidently resumed his shameless behavior, as if asking when he had ever faltered.

“……Then, I’ll go with Lily embroidery.”

When she answered that she didn’t dislike marriage, Balter thought he should drive the wedge completely.

He swept her blonde hair to one side and buried his face in the revealed shoulder. When their lips lightly met the scented skin, Edith let out a surprised voice.

“I want to raise our little one in a good mansion so that they don’t have a turbulent childhood like mine.”