“C-Count, I am a woman of little merit, but I humbly ask for your favor.”
Beena had clearly stated her acceptance of Count Kuzuma’s proposal.
In the morning, after her talk with Jin, she had found it difficult to bring herself to the count’s room, and so it was already midday by the time she arrived.
“I—I see. Thank you. I look forward to our future together.”
The count’s complexion was poor as he replied. Noticing this, Beena asked worriedly,
“Um, Count? Are you feeling unwell?”
“No, I’m just a bit hungover,” the count replied with a strained laugh. He could hardly admit that he had been drinking to settle his nerves because her response had been so uncertain.
“So you have a side like that too, Count. I thought you were nothing but stiff and formal,” Beena said.
“I lost my parents early and inherited the house, so every day since then has been nothing but work,” the count replied. “I’m particularly clumsy when it comes to women.”
Hearing that, Beena let out a small giggle.
“It would be a problem if you were too skilled. Count, I look forward to a long life with you.” She bowed her head once more.
“Say, Beena. Though the formal announcement of our engagement will have to wait until we return to Blue Land... well, that is... could you call me ‘Louis’ instead of ‘Count’?” Count Kuzuma asked, his face flushing.
Beena’s face also turned bright red.
“Y-Yes. L-Louis-sama.”
Both the speaker and the listener were now crimson.
＊ ＊ ＊
Jin had just finished his bath.
He was thinking idly about Beena, the present for Elsa, and the Unifilar when there was a knock at his door.
“Yes.”
Reiko reacted faster than Lyla, the member of the Royal Secret Maids assigned to Jin, and opened the door. Standing there was Reinhard.
“Master, Mr. Reinhard is here to see you.”
At Reiko’s words, Jin stood up and went to the door.
“Reinhard, what is it? Anyway, come on in.”
He invited the diplomat inside.
Reinhard prefaced their talk by mentioning he had been speaking with Count Kuzuma.
“The engagement between Louis and Beena has been settled. I came to report the news to you, Jin.”
Jin offered Reinhard a chair, and Lyla of the Royal Secret Maids began preparing tea. Since she looked precarious, Reiko kept a close watch on her.
“The two of them will officially announce their engagement after returning to Blue Land. Well, you see, to put it bluntly, it’s quite difficult for a noble to take a commoner as a primary wife. So, he’ll ask a noble friend to take her in as an adopted daughter first,” Reinhard added.
Hearing this, Jin thought it sounded like a scenario from an old period drama, where a commoner married into a samurai family.
Reinhard straightened his posture.
“Say, Jin. I’ve been meaning to ask you something.”
“Hmm? What is it?”
“What are your thoughts on romance?”
When asked that, Jin let his mind drift back to his earlier reflections.
Jin was not made of wood or stone; he had a normal interest in women for a man his age. In the past, there had been a girl he liked.
It was back during his time at night school. She was also a student there, two years his senior.
She was very much like Jin in that she worked a part-time job during the day. She lived in a fatherless household and had a difficult time supporting her three younger brothers.
In their second year, Jin had tentatively confessed his feelings, and she had accepted, so they started dating.
However, since both of them were night school students, they couldn't go on anything resembling a proper date. At most, they would arrive at the classroom a little early to talk or walk together to the station on the way home.
On their days off, they were busy looking after the orphanage or her younger brothers, so they never went on a single date. A year passed like that.
Then came graduation day.
She confessed to Jin that she had been proposed to by the senior managing director of the company where she worked part-time. She said it was a good opportunity for her family, so she intended to accept.
She also told him that the year she spent with Jin had been wonderful.
Hearing that, Jin couldn't say a word. As a student, he was in no position to compete financially with such a man. And she had a life to sustain; he couldn't tie her down just because he loved her.
The words "Don't go" never left his lips. Instead, he said,
“Congratulations.”
Hearing that, she gave a smile that looked like she was about to cry and said one word:
“Thank you.”
That was the last time he saw her.
After graduation, Jin joined a company that had a poor reputation but offered high pay. He spent every day without a hint of romance... until he fell into the electric furnace and ended up here.
“It’s about life,” Jin answered simply.
“I see. Romance is life, huh? That sounds like you, and yet it’s quite a weary way of thinking,” Reinhard remarked.
“Perhaps,” Jin replied.
“Well, it’s true that you don't have a foundation for your life right now. Kunlun Island is... well, it’s like another world.”
“You’re right.”
“In that sense, there is meaning in you traveling through various countries. If you find a country you like, you should settle there. It would be best if that country were my own Shouro Empire, of course.”
Reinhard laughed, but Jin didn't feel like joining him.
“What is it? Did I say something to offend you?”
“Not really,” Jin replied shortly.
“Well, relationships between people aren't straightforward. Even more so between a man and a woman.”
Saying that, Reinhard left the room, leaving Jin to his thoughts.
In the end, Lyla’s tea wasn't ready in time.
＊ ＊ ＊
“Coun—Louis-sama, is your headache better now?”
Beena was in Count Kuzuma’s room.
“Yes, it’s much better thanks to you, Beena.”
“I-I’m glad to hear it.”
The count decided to clear the air while he had the chance.
“Say, Beena. What did you think of Jin?”
“Eh...”
“I don't intend to blame you even if you did like him. I just want to know.”
As the count looked straight at Beena, she answered honestly.
“I loved him.”
“As I thought.”
But Beena immediately continued without a pause.
“But looking back on it now, I feel like I was just selfishly depending on him.”
Beena let out a sigh.
“It might have been a childish emotion.”
Then she looked up at the count.
“And... Louis-sama, I’ve liked you ever since you first saved me from Earl Guarana. But I had given up, thinking our social statuses were too far apart.”
She looked down again.
“I’m cowardly, aren't I? I’m unfair. But my answer to you this time, Louis-sama, was after I gave it proper thought. Truly. If you say you don't want someone like me after hearing this, then I will accept it...”
At that moment, Count Kuzuma embraced Beena.
“That’s enough. I understand... I understand your feelings.”
“Louis-sama...”
Count Kuzuma held Beena for a while longer, but eventually released her.
“You should go back to your room for tonight,” he said gently.