Odette transformed the bird back into a quill and untied the letter from its leg.

While bustling around preparing to write a reply, Eli glanced over her shoulder at the letter and chuckled softly.

“This letter is also quite lengthy.”

“My brother is meticulous in these matters.”

Odette smiled back and skimmed through the letter with her fingertips.

True to Eli’s words, the letter penned in Sedric’s neat handwriting never ended concisely.

Though it was an official correspondence and could have been shorter, it appeared that the basic courtesy he had been taught since childhood had deeply ingrained itself in him.

And all of Sedric’s letters began like this.

[Dear Odette.]

Though the greeting was concise, for some reason it sounded like Sedric’s voice.

The following two or three paragraphs were similarly verbose.

From how the bad weather made the waxing of the envelope slippery to asking about Odette’s well-being.

If someone were to see it, they might think it was a letter exchanged between close siblings filled with affectionate content.

‘He really does write long greetings.’

Of course, Odette didn’t waste her time on such useless imaginings.

She knew full well that Sedric was mechanically writing such content without any real meaning.

[Dash] You don’t have to write long just because my letters are. It’s all meaningless greetings anyway.

The uplifting feeling she had while corresponding with Sedric sank upon reading that line.

Remembering that moment now felt somewhat bitter, but Odette quickly shook it off.

She wasn’t the type to dwell on such things.

“……Hmm?”

Something written below that verbose greeting caught her attention.

[I plan to return to the capital within a month. We’ll likely see each other soon.

To add a piece of good news, it would be quite regrettable if I couldn’t be there to announce your marriage.

Marriage is a significant event. How about taking some more time to reconsider before making the announcement?] In summary… I recommend postponing the marriage announcement for within a month.

[I also have no doubt that I can recommend a better marriage partner for you than Ertman. If you have any concerns about this, feel free to speak openly; I will help.

I generally do not enjoy directly evaluating someone, but I don’t think Duke Ertman is a commendable candidate for marriage.

Just because the exterior is a gem does not mean the content is also a gem, a fact we all well know.

He is overly arrogant and selfish, with no consideration for others. He calculates the gains and losses in every relationship. While this might be a good quality for the head of a household, it does not make for a good marriage partner.

Of course, I know this recommendation may not be easy for you to hear, but as someone who has had more experience with him, I write this reluctantly. Please do not take my words lightly.]

And it went on to say that Walter was not a good marriage candidate.

This was a direct evaluation and clear disapproval of Walter, something Cedric wouldn’t normally do.

Cedric sincerely found the marriage between Odette and Walter to be uncomfortable.

Upon hearing from Ellie that she wasn’t keen on the marriage, Odette received a long letter of disapproval from Cedric.

Odette thought to herself with a stunned heart, holding the letter.

‘…Is Duke Ertman really that undesirable?’

And at that moment.

“I oppose this marriage.”

Walter was also in a similar position as Odette.

Of course, the difference was that Walter was prepared to ignore those words.

“I thought grandfather wouldn’t like a royal woman. But since it’s already decided, it can’t be undone.”

“No, the 4th princess is not the problem. She’s a fine young lady. She grew up well despite her difficult circumstances. If only I had another grandson to match her with.”

Arnold’s stern expression softened in an instant as Odette was brought up.

And Walter looked at him with a stunned expression.

“Are you not seeing the only grandson you have here? If the princess is not the issue, what is?”

“Don’t you know the problem and still ask? You are the problem, you brat!”

Arnold burst into a fit of rage.

“You should not be saying you’ll marry such a woman if you have a conscience! Know your place!”

“I guess you didn’t know, but I’ve never nurtured something like a conscience. So step aside and present the eldership.”

“You, growing a bit of a thick head and trying to best your father! Do you think I wouldn’t know? Alright, let’s get this out in the open.”

Annoyed, Arnold took his hands off his lap.

“Walter, why have you been covering for Montuare until now?”