ARPTCF 04

Chapter 4

The first person to recover from the shock that left the entire family speechless was Clyde’s older brother, Caelan.

He narrowed his brow slightly and spoke in a serious tone.

“It’s a strange joke, but this time it’s going too far. Marriage isn’t something you bring up so lightly.”

“A joke, brother?”

“You expect us to believe that seriously? We all know what your relationship is like. Just remember what you were complaining about to Dahlia yesterday, Clyde.”

At Caelan’s words, Beatrice immediately snapped her head toward Clyde.

Her lips twitched faintly—she clearly had no idea what he had been saying.

‘This bastard…’

What on earth had he been telling his overseas younger sister?

‘Well, I can guess without even hearing it. And Dahlia is on my side anyway.’

Suppressing her irritation, Beatrice let out a deliberately deep sigh.

It was a calculated move. She knew better than anyone that she was terrible at controlling her expressions.

“I don’t know what he said, but we already agreed on this, brother. Otherwise, rumors would spread everywhere and it’d be a huge hassle…”

“Rumors?”

She squeezed Clyde’s hand tightly as a signal and continued with a solemn expression.

“We’ve actually been dating for a long time. It’s… a secret relationship.”

“……”

“It was obvious people at the academy would make a huge fuss if they found out.”

At her calm confession, Caelan frowned slightly and muttered.

“Then… the time you attended the knighting celebration alone without a partner…”

“Yeah… you know I caught a summer cold then, right?”

Half truth, half lie.

Beatrice had been sick with a summer cold, but Clyde had attended the knighting ceremony alone because of an order from the Crown Prince.

‘I don’t really know the details myself, though.’

She quickly scanned the family’s expressions.

Fortunately—or unfortunately—they seemed to be gradually accepting that the two had been dating.

‘…Why?’

She knew she had no right to say this, but shouldn’t they at least be suspicious?

‘Do they really think it’s normal for me to fall for this idiot?’

While Beatrice struggled to suppress her frustration, the count let out a weary sigh and spoke with forced dignity.

“Even so, to declare marriage so recklessly… how thoughtless. At least there are no outsiders here!”

“Now, now, Beliana. The children are just acting like this because we’re present. Still, I do agree this is far too sudden. Bia, why don’t we revisit this after the imperial–ducal engagement is concluded properly?”

“And when would that be?”

“Mm… let’s see… about three years?”

It was exactly the kind of response she had expected.

Beatrice snorted, clearly uninterested in such a compromise, and turned her gaze toward the princess.

Until moments ago, the princess had been friendly and talkative—but now she stood silently, not saying a word.

To others, she might have looked thoughtful and appropriately reserved.

But Beatrice could see through it.

‘She’s quiet because she’s calculating the timing.’

At this point, the princess had no reason to oppose their union—she was simply deciding when to support it, like calculating the best time to slaughter a well-fattened animal.

‘…Fine. I’ll give her a little push so she can decide.’

Beatrice took a deep breath and suddenly collapsed back onto the floor.

Then she began acting like a five-year-old throwing a tantrum.

“If it’s three years or now, what’s the difference?! I’m going to marry Clyde anyway! Just let me get married already!”

“What… what is this girl doing…! Good heavens! I came rushing here thinking what kind of improper behavior this is, going to the ducal residence without notice—how shameful! Did I raise you like this?!”

“I don’t care, I don’t care! If you don’t allow it, I might just do something reckless!”

“W-what kind of reckless thing…?”

“It took two years just to arrange Caelan’s engagement with the princess! Who knows if marriage will take one year or five? Do you even know how long we’ve waited?! I’m not going home until you let me marry! I’m not leaving Clyde’s side!”

Lying flat on the ground in front of her clutching mother, Beatrice secretly glanced at Clyde.

He was covering his mouth with one hand, looking deeply moved.

Even without proof, Beatrice would bet her entire fortune that he was barely holding back laughter.

Because of her increasingly cold gaze, Clyde cleared his throat and reached into his coat.

“We understand that what we’re saying may sound unreasonable.”

“At least you know that much. Then—”

“But as Bia said, we’ve been waiting a very long time too. However, there is still no wedding date set after my brother’s engagement, and the Hartwell heirs show no sign of even dating anyone, so what else can we do? The ones who can move forward should move forward.”

“Clyde!”

“If you strongly oppose it… I might have to take more drastic measures.”

With that, Clyde pulled out a sheet of paper from his inner pocket.

It was the hastily written marriage registration form they had prepared earlier for emergencies.

“Wouldn’t it be better to hear about our marriage from you directly at the wedding rather than through official documents and imperial newspapers?”

Just as Caelan, the eldest son of the duke, was about to step forward in outrage—

Clap.

A light clap rang out, followed by the princess’s clear voice filling the room.

“It may be sudden, but I want to support the two of them.”

“Elodie?”

“I already feel bad that the engagement has been delayed so long. It would be shameless of me to ask you to wait indefinitely for my sake.”

“Elodie, don’t say that. If they were serious, they would have shown it properly. You don’t need to feel guilty because of Bia and Clyde’s stubbornness.”

“Mm… but I don’t think Bia and Clyde are acting lightly. They say it casually, but it feels more like something they’ve been holding back finally burst out.”

The princess crouched beside the still-lying Beatrice and smiled gently, reaching toward her.

More precisely, toward a crumpled piece of paper lying beside her.

‘Oh, that’s my proposal letter.’

It must have fallen during her tantrum.

Before Beatrice could adjust her expression, the princess spoke again softly.

“I have younger siblings too, so I understand when the youngest act spoiled. But Caelan… how can you call the feelings of someone who has kept a long-buried proposal letter like this something trivial?”

“……”

“And Beatrice isn’t someone who usually acts recklessly or stubbornly, right? Isn’t that right, Bia?”

‘Oh…’

She had only handled it carelessly because of stress, but somehow it had become evidence of love.

Feeling the atmosphere shift, Beatrice responded sweetly.

“Yes. The only one who understands my feelings is the princess… no, my dear sister.”

It was a shameless lie, but the princess’s support was stronger than expected, so a little flattery was worth it.

And the result was…

“In the name of the sacred Calbaron and the great sun of the Empire, Elvarius II, I hereby bless and announce this union. The groom may now kiss the bride.”

“…Do your best.”

“You too.”

And that was the situation they were in.

A situation that was satisfying—but also utterly ridiculous.