Fiancée No More: The Forsaken Lady, the Prince, and Their Make-Believe Love Volume 2 E-Book

Mari Morikawa

• Herausgeber: J-Novel Heart
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Serie: Fiancée No More: The Forsaken Lady, the Prince, and Their Make-Believe Love
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2024

Seitenzahl: 287

Beschreibung

Following Diana’s thwarted assassination attempt on Estelle, relative peace returns to Arcaryne’s palace—but not for long. Trickster, the man who had underhandedly instigated Diana, soon reappears, having found another easy high-profile target: House Rainsworth, whose daughter Olivia had once been rumored to be all but engaged with Arcrayne. As Trickster worms his way into the family’s mansion and gains nearly everyone’s unsuspecting trust, the household quickly dissolves into chaos. It is now up to the prince to stop the interloper before he does too much damage.
As for Estelle, she will soon come face-to-face with an old enemy...

Leseprobe

Prologue

Olivia Rainsworth remained composed as those around her began to look at her in a completely different way.

It was annoying to deal with the mix of derision, scorn, and pity in the looks she got on a regular basis.

One’s position in high society could crumble in an instant. Olivia was currently becoming painfully aware of that fact. Ever since that day—the day of the New Year’s party, held at the palace—people’s attitudes toward Olivia had become the exact opposite of what they’d used to be.

The conversation she’d had with Arcrayne at the time was still stuck in her mind as though it were a dagger lodged in her flesh.

When she closed her eyes, she could vividly recall him from that day, as if it had been yesterday.

***

The New Year’s party had been hosted by the king, but since that had been when Arcrayne and Estelle’s engagement was announced, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say the two had had the leading roles that day.

When the banquet had started, Arcrayne had gone around the hall to greet those attending and, while he’d been at it, introduce his fiancée who’d been in his company. Eventually, it had been the Rainsworths’ turn.

“Congratulations, Your Highness.”

Insincere words, of course—spoken with a stiff expression. Arcrayne only offered his usual smile.

“This is so sudden; I must admit my surprise. To be honest...I still have not fully accepted it.” I thought you would choose me, Olivia had thought at the time.

As she’d gazed at Arcrayne, full of unexpressed feelings, the smile had disappeared from his face and he’d spoken so quietly that only Olivia could hear him.

“I’m sorry. Had I never met her, I would’ve most likely chosen you.”

Those words had given rise to an ugly emotion in Olivia—a mix of murky jealousy and scorching love.

Why? What does she have that I don’t?

After returning to her mansion, she’d kept asking herself this, thinking things over as she cried her eyes out.

When she’d thought back on it, she’d realized that though she’d previously been lauded as the woman closest to becoming Arcrayne’s consort, he hadn’t once said anything to her that would seal the deal.

The first time he’d escorted her had been exactly a year prior. At the time, he’d had to quit military academy due to the king’s illness and had started appearing in high society more frequently. Olivia’s father, Tohrmeyler, who’d wanted to make his daughter into a princess for a long time, had seen this as a good opportunity and started acting as a leading figure of the first prince’s faction.

Olivia, who had already admired the prince’s gorgeous looks, couldn’t have asked for more. As a daughter of a marquess, Olivia would have to marry someone suitable for the status of her family. And Arcrayne was the best possible candidate.

After that, whenever he’d needed a companion for a social event and she’d asked to take her with him, he’d done so.

A gentlemanly demeanor and a tender gaze would give anybody the wrong idea. It hadn’t taken long for Olivia’s admiration to turn into love.

She’d felt like a clown for becoming full of herself after the people around her had rumored her to be a princess in the making.

As she’d kept thinking in the midst of her sorrow, something strange had occurred to Olivia.

He only escorted me when I asked.

Arcrayne was a man of superior talent who made no mistakes in anything he did. He hid his emotions under a smile as he solemnly fulfilled his public duties. The prince had never been involved in any scandals at all, and he was also well regarded by members of parliament and government officials. Would such a man have granted Olivia’s wish and let the rumors of their engagement spread unless he had a reason for it?

Was he perhaps taking advantage of my feelings...?

He’d said he would’ve chosen her, had Estelle never appeared. If one were to put it differently, didn’t this mean Arcrayne had been leading Olivia on, making use of her love for him?

A chill had run down her spine when she’d arrived at that possibility. At the same time, her love for him had faded as well.

Enraged by Arcrayne’s attitude, Olivia’s father had distanced himself from his faction. However, considering his company and his relationships with its clients, it appeared that he couldn’t afford to immediately switch to the second prince’s faction, so he currently wasn’t allied with either.

At present, he was preoccupied with finding a spouse for Olivia, as she was of marriageable age. He appeared to be making a list of unmarried young men not only from Rosalia but also those in the colonies and neighboring countries.

While Olivia’s father had this subject to worry about, her mother, Adeline, had constantly been in a bad mood of late. She couldn’t bear the fact that not only would her daughter be marrying a man inferior to Arcrayne, but also that Olivia was a target of unkind rumors.

At the moment, the atmosphere in their family couldn’t be any worse, which was another thing that brought down Olivia’s spirits.

***

House Rainsworth was presently avoiding Arcrayne at social events.

However, a memorial ceremony commemorating King Sachis’s thirtieth anniversary on the throne was to be held at the palace today. As a hereditary peer, Marquess Rainsworth naturally couldn’t afford to be absent, and the whole family reluctantly attended.

“Poor girl. After everyone lauded her as a future princess...”

“Oh, but I was so fed up with the way she carried herself until a little while ago. Serves her right.”

“I hear she is desperately looking for another man right now... Not that she can hope for someone on the level of His Highness Prince Arcrayne. She must be miserable.”

“Is her mother not an émigré? It was overambitious from the start for Lady Olivia to set her sights on the position of princess.”

As expected, Olivia could hear unkind whispers. And every time it happened, she sensed anger emanating from her mother Adeline who walked a short distance behind her.

From what Olivia had heard, her mother had had to flee the neighboring Franciel after the revolution thirty-five years ago. While she’d barely escaped to Rosalia, her quality of life had gone down in an instant and she’d experienced considerable hardships. When people talked about her behind her back, the thing that irritated her the most was when they criticized her as an émigré.

Taking a good look at her mother, Olivia saw that while she didn’t let her anger show on her face, her hand—holding a fan—was trembling.

“You didn’t have to force yourselves to come,” said Olivia’s father, who was escorting the two women.

Olivia shook her head. “I’m not forcing myself. And besides, I couldn’t possibly have left you alone in such an atmosphere, father.”

“Exactly,” added Adeline, who was here as Olivia’s chaperone. “Who knows what people would say if we were absent today?”

Chaperones accompanied unmarried young noblewomen in high society to ensure the latter didn’t get involved with questionable individuals. This role was generally fulfilled by an older female relative.

Previously, Olivia had often been accompanied by her father’s younger sister, but ever since the incident at the New Year’s party, said sister had begun blatantly distancing herself from House Rainsworth. Because of that, the role of Olivia’s escort at recent social events had been taken up by her father, while her mother had taken on the responsibility of being her chaperone.

Only her father was required to appear at this memorial ceremony—that would’ve been enough to fulfill the Rainsworths’ duty to the royal family. However, were the rest of them to skip it, it would’ve no doubt made for amusing gossip in society.

That could negatively affect Olivia’s prospects of finding a suitable husband. Which was why, despite their reluctance, the whole family had decided to show up.

When they got to their appointed seats, Olivia was subjected to a series of piercing stares from those around her. Two of them belonged to Arcrayne and Estelle, who had already arrived.

The prince and his fiancée sat in the royal seats, which were of notably higher precedence than those of nobles. As wasn’t uncommon for them, they wore clothing with matching elements as if to emphasize how happy they were together.

Arcrayne and Estelle both looked at Olivia. However, the former immediately turned to look at the latter, and the latter quickly looked away from Olivia as well, appearing awkward.

Olivia could feel the anger of her parents sitting beside her, fueled by the way Arcrayne and Estelle were acting. Of the two of them, she thought perhaps her mother’s ire was greater.

Between this and all the gossip about her origins, Olivia’s mother had been unstable recently.

But there’s no need to get that angry, thought Olivia.

If somebody were to ask her how she felt about Estelle, Olivia would no doubt reply on the spot that she hated her. However, the anger and hatred she had felt toward Estelle at that New Year’s party was already fading.

If anything, she loathed Arcrayne more than she did Estelle. Nevertheless, it wasn’t like she held any lingering affection toward him. She wouldn’t want to involve herself with such a schemer anyway.

And I have to keep enduring the sight of those two so long as I’m in this country...

Olivia had her pride, so she didn’t look away. But if she were to be honest, she found those two an eyesore as long as they were so much as simply in her field of vision.

Perhaps at this point it would be better to try to find a spouse overseas, thought Olivia and sighed.

***

The ceremony was followed by a buffet-style dinner party. There, after paying one’s respects to the king and queen, one was permitted to mingle with relative freedom.

This was an event to celebrate the king’s thirty years of reign. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that all the members of the upper class who were currently in Albion had gathered here.

Adeline Rainsworth accompanied her husband who was busy making contact with various young noblemen in order to find a spouse for his daughter. And all along, she was furious on the inside.

Had that harlot never showed up, it would’ve been Olivia by His Highness’s side right now...!

“That harlot” being Estelle Flozeth, naturally. To Adeline, she was a thief who had snatched the radiant position of the first prince’s fiancée from her daughter right at the very end.

Adeline had been born into the distinguished Francien family of Count La Forges.

However, the revolution had turned her life upside down—she’d had to flee the country with nothing but the clothes on her back.

Relying on her aunt, who had married into a Rosalian family, she’d come to this country. However, said aunt had only seen her as a burden and treated her like a servant. There, Adeline had been forced to teach her young cousin her country’s language, as well as be her chaperone, without any financial compensation.

And when Adeline had attended a ball as her cousin’s chaperone, her life had turned around once again the moment Tohrmeyler had fallen in love with her at first sight.

It should be mentioned that the fact she’d stolen the fiancé of Sierra, a trueborn Rosalian noblewoman of distinguished lineage, had strongly bolstered her self-esteem.

That said, it wasn’t as though their married life had been smooth sailing—there had been a lot of grief too. It had taken a while for her to give birth to a male successor. Adeline’s second daughter had been stillborn. Her third one had had a weak constitution from birth and died just before her tenth birthday, when a cold had taken a turn for the worse. However, after giving birth to Olivia—her fourth daughter—she’d had a boy who could become the family’s heir. Her mother-in-law and Tohrmeyler’s other relatives had blamed her for being unable to produce a son; in the end, she’d put them all to shame.

Her first daughter had married a man who was a brilliant diplomat and politician. He was currently serving as the governor-general of Amerix—located in the New World, it was Rosalia’s largest colony at the moment. The only thing left had been for Olivia to become the consort of the first prince, and everything would’ve been perfect.

House Rainsworth had a distinguished lineage. In spite of the bad rumors, there were families both in Rosalia and outside of it expressing their interest in having their sons marry Olivia.

However, none of them could stand comparison with Arcrayne, the first prince. Adeline simply couldn’t find it in her to accept it.

At the moment, Olivia was chatting with a young man in front of Adeline—a Francien diplomat. He was one of Tohrmeyler’s candidates for Olivia’s future husband.

Adeline seemed to recall him as the second son of some count-ranked family, but apparently said family had been established after the change of government, so she couldn’t remember the name of it.

Do we have to consider even the likes of him now...?

She didn’t want to look directly at her daughter having a jovial conversation with the man, so she slightly turned away—and that was when she spotted Estelle in the corner of her eye. Adeline immediately began to seethe with hatred.

Seeing her also made Adeline recall another person, which made her feel sick. Appearing at the back of her mind was a Rupt fortune teller by the name of Florica.

Among the upper class, Florica had a reputation for telling accurate fortunes. Adeline had summoned her in hopes of getting new topics to talk about.

When they’d first met, Adeline had quickly understood the reason Florica had become popular. Florica was skilled in the art of conversation—one could scarcely find a better listener when one wanted to grumble or share one’s troubles.

Adeline had summoned her on a regular basis, and during one such visit Florica had hinted at her underworld connections. That had been right after Adeline had expressed her hatred for Estelle.

Though I make no promises of their success, I can send an assassin for the right pay, Florica had quietly told her at the time.

Since Arcrayne was keeping Estelle deep in the Libra Palace for her protection, the probability of failure had been higher than the alternative. However, simply sending someone after her life had been the perfect way to spite her.

Arcrayne had people of the second prince’s faction targeting his life, so even were the assassin to get caught, they could simply lay the blame on said faction, keeping the Rainsworths out of trouble.

I could send someone who would try to kill her—and if they at least managed to injure her, would that not make it a good bargain for you?

To Adeline, Florica’s words had been the Devil’s temptation.

Had the assassination been successful or Estelle suffered an injury, Adeline would’ve had to pay a high sum in reward. The deposit, however, hadn’t been that large, so she’d taken Florica up on her offer. Right after that, however, Florica had vanished and become impossible to contact.

So basically, I was fooled.

While it wasn’t like she’d given away all that much money, it was still a fact that she, the wife of Marquess Rainsworth, had fallen for a silly fraud. If the public were to find out, she would be so angry she might actually perish.

Luckily for Adeline, the only person who knew she’d been summoning Florica and grumbling to her was her trusty lady’s maid. Her husband Tohrmeyler couldn’t stand the occult—he refused to suffer any fortune-telling or spiritualism. Adeline hadn’t wanted him to know she’d been seeing a fortune teller, so she’d always met up with Florica at a private room in a members-only tearoom where Adeline was a regular.

She’d decided to keep the whole thing to herself and forget about it, but she grew angry every time she remembered it.

In order to suppress the frustration she felt deep inside, Adeline turned her face away from Estelle.

Chapter 1: A Premonition of Trouble

Estelle was knitting lace in the usual room adjoining Arcrayne’s office at the Libra Palace. When her eyes detected the prince’s mana approaching, she hurriedly hid her unfinished work under a couch cushion.

Sitting beside her, Leah opened her eyes wide at Estelle’s actions. Immediately afterward, someone knocked on the door.

“Estelle, may I come in?”

“Certainly!” she replied, after making sure that Leah had gotten up from the couch and prepared herself to greet the prince.

Arcrayne appeared at the door. “You didn’t reply right away. Were you in the middle of something, perhaps?”

“Um...”

As Estelle hesitated, another court attendant—May—who was also in the room, gave her advice. “I believe it’s safe to tell His Highness. In fact, it might be more problematic if he were to probe into the matter to learn what you’re hiding...” She was busy making tea for Arcrayne.

Realizing that it would indeed probably be best not to hide it, Estelle decided to be frank. “I was knitting laces for my wedding dress. I wanted something I’d knitted myself to be used in it.”

“After consulting the designer at the dressmaker, it was decided that Lady Estelle would knit the edging for the cuffs,” added May.

“I see. It would be a problem if I laid eyes on them.”

Here in Rosalia, there was an unspoken rule that couples weren’t to show their wedding outfits to each other before the big day, so Arcrayne was immediately satisfied with the explanation.

“I hid them under this cushion, so please make sure you do not look,” said Estelle.

“I won’t. Married people have told me that grudges from weddings, pregnancy, and the early years after birth are forever—not that I ever asked.”

Estelle considered Arcrayne’s trusted aides who were married—perhaps he was talking about the chief officer of the palace in charge of male servants, Haoran Cao, as well as Neville and Cian of the Royal Guard.

Arcrayne would be wearing a court uniform for the wedding—the formal dress of royals. From what Estelle had heard, however, he would be wearing a mantle over it, which would be newly made. The design was kept secret from Estelle, so she was looking forward to seeing it on the day.

“Decorating wedding outfits with something you made yourself is a custom where you were born, right?” asked the prince.

“It is. I am surprised you know of it.”

“Isn’t it only natural to leave no stone unturned when investigating one’s future spouse? Aren’t you also doing your best to learn about royal customs and the annual royal events?”

“I suppose that is true. Still, Lord Arc, it brings me joy to know that you are so familiar with my birthplace.”

Estelle’s eyes had a special power: they could perceive the mana of living creatures, as well as the general direction of their emotions, as silver light that could be either bright or dark. Positive emotions, such as joy or happiness, would brighten the mana; while anger, hatred, and other negative emotions would darken it instead.

As Estelle giggled, Arcrayne’s mood seemed to improve, judging by his mana turning brighter. It had been a little dark when he’d arrived.

“While I doubt you plan to visit our rooms, that is where we keep the veil while working on it, so please make sure not to go inside,” said May, coming closer to the two once she’d finished making tea.

“Leah is making the veil,” added Estelle.

In the earldom of Flozeth, which was sealed with snow during winter, handicraft was highly developed. Lacemaking and embroidery work were important sources of income for rural women.

Leah, who was of rural birth, had been taught things like sewing, weaving, and lacemaking from a young age. She could create such beautiful lace that it was regrettable she’d seldom had the opportunity to put that skill on display ever since she’d become Estelle’s lady’s maid—and later, a servant of the palace. Leah used many bobbins when lacemaking—it was too complicated for Estelle and she hadn’t the slightest idea how Leah did it. When Leah had briefly shown her the unfinished veil, it was beautiful enough to elicit a sigh from Estelle.

“I decided long ago that I would be the one to make Lady Estelle’s veil,” Leah said bashfully.

“I’m glad to see you get along so well,” replied Arcrayne, looking at her with gentle eyes.

“By the way, Lady Estelle, isn’t your power getting stronger? You noticed His Highness today before he knocked on the door, yes?” asked Leah.

Back in her earldom, Estelle had kept her power secret even from her own brother, but when Leah had become a court attendant, Estelle had revealed it to her. Having said that, the only ones who knew the whole truth about her power—namely, that it let her see people’s emotions—were Arcrayne and his aide Claus Rogell. All the other employees of the palace such as servants and members of the royal guard had only been told that she could visually perceive mana.

“Now that you mention it...” replied Estelle.

She was roughly four or five meters away from the door. That used to be the limit of how far she could sense mana without a direct line of sight. But now, if she focused, she could tell that Claus was in the office nearby, so her perception had definitely improved in the time since she’d met Arcrayne.

“Why, that’s music to my ears. I’m glad I taught you how to train your mana,” said the prince.

“I still cannot suppress my power at will...”

“It’s just that I have some mildly bad news, so I’m genuinely happy that your power is improving.”

“What bad news would that be?” asked Estelle, tilting her head.

Perhaps this was related to the fact Arcrayne’s mana had been dark when he’d come in.

“I’ve been told Marquess Rainsworth collapsed and was carried to a hospital. Apparently, he’s not looking good.”

The prince’s words made Estelle go stiff.

“I’m going to get into details now, so would you two mind leaving us alone?”

May and Leah nodded and left the room, looks of understanding on their faces. After listening to their footsteps to make sure they were far enough away, Arcrayne spoke again.

“Remember how, during my father’s memorial ceremony, you told me about the mana of every member of marquess-ranked families in the hall? And said that Mrs. Rainsworth’s mana was particularly dark.”

It appeared the prince had made the other two leave because he’d wanted to talk about Estelle’s ability to see the overall nature of people’s emotions as light of varying brightness.

“Yes,” she replied.

It hadn’t been long since Diana Pautrier had infiltrated the Libra Palace in Leah’s guise, so Arcrayne was still on edge.

In fact, it wasn’t just him—all of the pair’s attendants were more sensitive than usual. Currently, Estelle couldn’t even step out into the garden unless Arcrayne was accompanying her. Similarly, Estelle was only present at social events either when required or when it was advisable.

She’d only attended the ceremony two days ago commemorating King Sachis’s thirty years on the throne because Arcrayne had judged that it was best to do so. All along, she’d been closely protected by him, as well as her attendants.

Estelle recalled the color of the Rainsworths’ mana at that ceremony. When they’d laid eyes on her, their already-dark mana had grown even darker. Olivia’s had darkened, and Mr. Rainsworth’s had darkened even more; Mrs. Rainsworth’s had grown very dark indeed.

“When the husband and wife looked at me or you, they felt rather strong negative emotions,” said Estelle. “But Lady Olivia gave off a slightly different impression. I felt like she was trying to look to the future. This is but my speculation, however, so I could be wrong...”

She thought back on how Olivia had looked that day. During the dinner party which had followed the ceremony, Olivia had spoken with a smile on her face to what appeared to be new candidates for the role of her fiancé. Her mana had been bright too.

The sight of her staying positive and talking to various young noblemen while doing her best to keep Estelle and Arcrayne out of her field of vision had been rather memorable for Estelle. Just like it had been with Estelle herself when her engagement with Lyle had fallen through, people were saying nasty things about her. And yet Olivia kept her back straight and held her head high.

Estelle tried to recall what she herself had been like back in the day. It felt like she’d hated seeing everyone’s ill will for her in their mana, and that the best she could do at the time was to cling to her brother’s hand.

“When my engagement with Lyle came to nothing, I was grief-stricken,” continued Estelle, “but somehow I managed to come to terms with it. So I am certain it was—and will be—the same for Lady Olivia. Though, again, this is mere conjecture...”

“I think your conjectures are generally on point. It matches what my spy reports,” replied the prince.

“You have a spy in House Rainsworth?”

“I only have so many of them, so I didn’t send one until after the marquess announced he was breaking away from me. I want to know what he’ll do from now on.”

According to Arcrayne, he’d made the spy monitor who visited their mansion, as well as the marquess’s tendencies.

As usual, he was prepared to the minutest details. Then again, his caution was probably the reason he was still alive.

“According to what the servants say between themselves,” continued Arcrayne, “Lady Olivia asked the marquess to consider foreign options when looking for a husband for her. He was keen on it himself. I was told that Lady Adeline, however, didn’t like the idea and it led to a big quarrel. Apparently, the marquess collapsed in the middle of them shouting at each other.”

“Oh dear...”

Estelle knitted her brows. She knew Mr. Rainsworth didn’t have a favorable opinion of her, but it still pained her to hear he’d collapsed.

“What will happen to him now?” she asked. “Is there any hope of him getting better?”

“That might be difficult. I think Lady Adeline will have to serve as his substitute for the time being.”

Estelle searched her memory for the Rainsworth family structure she’d learned as part of her education to become a princess.

Olivia had an older sister and a younger brother, but both of them were quite far from her in age. The sister, named Eugenie, was living in the New World colony Amerix as the wife of the governor-general there.

If something were to happen to the marquess, Olivia’s much younger brother Henry would inherit his title and everything else. However, he was still only thirteen years of age and was supposed to be currently attending the Royal College located on the outskirts of Albion. It was a boarding school for male children of royalty and titled nobility.

“Hopefully the marquess will recover—but perhaps it’s best to be a bit careful in case he doesn’t,” said Arcrayne. “I hear Lady Adeline said some pretty terrible things about you.”

“Her mana did look awfully dark, so I can somehow imagine that,” replied Estelle after a pause. “For reference, may I ask what exactly she said about me, if you know?”

The prince shook his head. “I don’t want to say it. I don’t want to hurt you.”

With how nice he and everyone in this palace are to me, that much wouldn’t really bother me... thought Estelle.

“You are overprotective, Lord Arc.”

“I am. I believe in treasuring what’s mine. So I’d like you to give up and let me protect you.”

When Estelle saw the prince say that with a serious expression, her cheeks grew hot and she looked away on impulse.

“Thank you very much.” As she barely managed to express her gratitude, Estelle thought she heard Arcrayne snicker. “Were you, perhaps, making fun of me again?”

“No, I was just thinking how adorable you look when you’re bashful.”

“Should I be grateful...?”

“Your reactions are fun to watch. It’s not bad either that you don’t get shaken up as much as you used to.”

“So you are making fun of me.”

Arcrayne finally burst out laughing—perhaps unable to contain it anymore.

Making a pouting face, Estelle reached out for the tea May had prepared.

“I wasn’t trying to make fun of you. Honest. So please don’t be angry,” said the prince.

“I am not. I merely thought it was a good idea to make such a face based on the flow of the conversation.”

Looking like he’d just been lied to, Arcrayne let out a small sigh.

“What is this feeling? It’s almost like I just lost at something,” he said.

“You really mean that?” This time, it was Estelle’s turn to laugh. “Well, I am pleased to hear it.”

The prince shrugged lightly and reclined on the back of the couch. Immediately after that, however, he straightened his posture and gave Estelle a serious look.

“I almost forgot the main topic,” he said.

“What would that be?”

“If Lady Adeline starts acting on her husband’s behalf, it will, in essence, mean that a person who doesn’t think well of you holds the power of House Rainsworth. It wouldn’t be strange if she tried something against you. Of course, I plan to protect you as best I can, but I want you to be careful anyway.”

“Now that you mention it, you are right. I appreciate the warning and will be on my guard.”

Estelle didn’t argue. She’d previously learned from Haoran that those under protection needed to be aware of their position.

***

Located on the outskirts of Albion was a hospital for the upper classes. Olivia was here with her younger brother Henry on a visit to her father Tohrmeyler.

The Royal College, which Henry attended, was known not only for its prestigiousness but also for its strict rules. Its students couldn’t leave without permission outside of the long breaks in summer and winter.

Today was Sunday and, as Henry didn’t have classes, he’d left the dorm on a day trip to see his bedridden father.

As the hospital advertised itself to the upper class, its interior was as luxurious as a mansion. Tohrmeyler had been put in a private room, the number of which was limited even in this hospital.

After a nurse showed her the way, Olivia stepped into the room, went up to the bed her father was laid up in, and held out the rose bouquet she’d had in her arms.

“Father, I’ve brought you roses from our conservatory.”

The large-flowered, faintly pink roses—the same color as Adeline’s and Olivia’s hair—were a variety cultivated at House Rainsworth. The sort’s registered name was Lady Adeline, courtesy of Tohrmeyler. These roses were special—they pretty much symbolized the love between Tohrmeyler and his wife.

“They have a pleasant scent. I am certain your father can smell it too,” said the nurse.

“I hope so,” Olivia replied quietly with a sigh.

Tohrmeyler was peacefully sleeping in the bed. It had been three days since he’d fainted in the middle of a quarrel with Adeline, and he had yet to regain consciousness.

“I see you have brought his son today,” remarked the nurse.

“Yes. He finally received permission from the College to leave their grounds. I apologize, but would you mind leaving me with my family for a moment?”

The nurse readily agreed to Olivia’s request, bowing and leaving the room.

“Father will recover, right, sister?” asked Henry once the family was alone. He was looking at Olivia with worry in his eyes.

Among her siblings, only Henry had taken after his father. Just having his face—which resembled her father’s—in her field of vision made tears well up in Olivia’s eyes.

“The doctor said we should be prepared for the worst if he remains unconscious for two more days...” Olivia replied quietly.

Nobles had large supplies of mana, so they were built more sturdily and had better natural regeneration than commoners. As befitted the head of a family bearing the high rank of marquess, Tohrmeyler had copious amounts of mana. And since a man like him had been comatose for so long, the situation must’ve been rather serious.

The doctor had said that even if his consciousness were to return, there was a risk of complications, such as paralysis or having trouble speaking.

It was painful for Olivia to look at her sleeping father with a tube connected to his body that supplied water and nutrition.

***

After leaving the hospital, Olivia saw Henry to the Royal College’s dormitory, then headed home. The Rainsworths’ town house in Albion was on a corner of a street lined with nobles’ residences.

“My lady! I awaited your return!” said the butler who had come running to Olivia once she’d set foot into the entrance hall. “The mistress has collapsed on her way back from a government office...”

“Mother too now?!” Startled, Olivia opened her eyes wide.

Tohrmeyler was in a bad state, so now House Rainsworth needed to consider who would become the next head of the family.

However, the eldest son Henry was still only thirteen. Even if he were to inherit the rank of marquess, his mother Adeline would have to become his advisor and handle all the formalities for him. That was supposed to be the reason Adeline had gone to a government office today.

Tohrmeyler’s condition wasn’t the only thing Adeline had to worry about—there was the family’s future as well. She had completely worn herself out by now.

The timing of Tohrmeyler’s collapse had played a part in it. It had happened all of a sudden when he and Adeline were loudly arguing over who Olivia could marry, so Adeline blamed herself.

“How is her condition?! Where is she right now?!” asked Olivia.

“Fortunately, a kind passerby looked after her. She is now resting in her bedroom.”

“I see...”