CH 35

Translated by TrinityVox

Edited by Schwarzel

After Eleonora had finished preparing the tea, there[TN1]  was a knock at the door.

“Pardon me, Your Highness.”

The one who appeared was Sergei. And behind him was Eleonora’s father, the Duke.

“You see, we ran into a carriage carrying the Purpleus crest and remember that Your Highness was also visiting the dukedom, so we came here together.”

Demetri, who was hiding behind Sergei, was frightened.

“You’ve come to bother me again?”

Without sparing Demetri a glance, Alexei glared at Sergei.

“Of course not! See I thought I would bring the Duke here for him to sign the document for the engagement between Your Highness and his eldest daughter Eleonora. Like this, you can get married faster.”

Sergei handed over the document done on parchment. Usually, there are standard phrases written in an ancient language on the document handed over to the Imperial Church, but this document included many other conditions.

“Ah, you’ve done well.”

“I’m delighted to receive your praise.”

Alexei and Sergei laughed meaningfully.

“Duke Purpleus, sign here.”

After Sergei handed over the paper, Demetri, who couldn’t read the ancient language, quickly signed his name and questioned Alexei as he trembled.

“A-Are my wife and daughter alright?”

Alexei laughed cynically. Aside from Eleonora, he felt that Demetri was truly concerned for his wife and children but was astonished by his thoughtlessness.

(Is it okay to sign a document like this when you don’t know the contents-pe? He’s been fooled so many times but still hasn’t learned his lesson-dabe.)

“You’re going to ask this without giving me any words of congratulations? How unpleasant.”

“I-I humbly apologize!”

Demetri turned pale and apologized, but Alexei lost interest in this matter.

“Never appear before me again.”

At his words, Demetri fled from Eleonora’s abode. The butler planned to chase after him but in this narrow room were still Sergei, the two knights he brought, and two servants. There were also knights standing outside as guards.

(There’s never been this many people in this place before-pe. For now, let’s just welcome the prime minister in-pe.)

“…Prime Minister Sir, welcome.”

“Oh! I never expected to be served tea made by you. Oh, please don’t glare at me like that, Your Highness. You’ll be hated if you’re a jealous man.”

Eleonora responded seriously to Sergei who was teasing Alexei.

“…No matter what happens, I will never hate him.”

“Eleonora-sama, you’ve only met him twice, how can you tell?”

Alexei was going to interrupt, but remained silent, wanting to hear her response.

“…Because I met him a long time ago. It was a very, very precious memory but I cannot say more than this.”

Alexei was quite satisfied with her answer but was displeased with Sergei’s smirk.

“Your Highness, it is about time we return to the castle. We still haven’t established your engagement yet.”

“But she has no one with her here, does she not? I can’t leave her alone in a place like this.”

(I have those two maids, Lira and Larisa-pe.)

“…It’s not like I don’t have anyone. I have two kinds of maids.”

Sergei interrupted once again.

“There, we can have the two maids take care of her and you can leave some of the knights here.”

“…Thank you for your consideration.”

“Your Highness, now you can rest assured. You’ll only hurt her reputation if you stay late like this since she’s unmarried. You understand right, Your Highness?”

“Yes. Leave all the knights.”

(No-pe! I can’t sleep with this many knights surrounding me!)

“…I won’t be able to rest well with so many knights around.”

Hearing that she’d be troubled, Alexei changed his mind.

“Understood. Leave three knights. But you shouldn’t enter her room. Tomorrow, after our engagement ceremony you can move into the castle.”

Eleonora’s feelings of wanting to be with Alexei surpassed her shock from the sudden engagement and she nodded, cheeks dyed red.

“This is the sight of an unmarried woman.”

Eleonora became even more embarrassed by his murmurs.

In any case, Eleonora’s life changed from this day on.