“…Haa…”
Estelle lay on her bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.
Tomorrow would mark the end of a week-long selection process for potential fiancées, officially deciding who would be Santana’s fiancée.
In other words, today was essentially her last day to casually gather information about the internal affairs of Bohemia, and according to the original schedule, she was supposed to check on public sentiment in the market one last time.
However.
In this very moment, she was lying on her bed the whole day, citing that she wasn’t feeling well.
Her usually vibrant green eyes, which sparkled like jewels, looked dull and foggy, as if covered in dust.
Moreover, her once lively face now appeared a bit haggard, probably due to lack of sleep.
Anyone who saw her would have easily mistaken her for someone seriously ill, but in truth, Estelle wasn’t feeling particularly sick at all.
Yet, despite this, the reason she had been tossing and turning all night, unable to pull herself together,
was because of that man.
A man named Santana Andreas.
‘Why am I like this? Why… why does his image keep popping up in my mind? That’s Santana…’
True, through the ‘contract’ she had with him yesterday, Estelle had gained significant benefits.
It wasn’t really for the purpose of marriage, but through her contractual engagement with that man, she had acquired certain advantages. At the same time, she could also alleviate the burden of ‘marriage’ that had always been a nuisance to her.
However, aside from that, she couldn’t shake off the discomfort that lingered in her heart for some reason.
It wasn’t an unpleasant feeling or pain.
It was a strange flutter, anticipation, and a hint of excitement.
Accompanied by the persistent and clear image of that man…
Somehow, it wasn’t entirely bad, yet it still made her heart uneasy…
For the first time in her life, experiencing such alien emotions, Estelle spent the day staring blankly at the ceiling, unable to control her feelings.
Thinking about how precious this time in Bohemia was,
while at the same time… fully surrendering to this feeling that she couldn’t escape.
*
Santana looked around at the candidates for his fiancée standing before him.
Watching him, Dust felt a twinge of anxiety.
Before him were three ladies, all candidates for the final choice, each possessing striking beauty, proven intelligence, and elegance through verification.
Also, the prestige of their high noble families only added to their allure.
However, even in front of such potential brides, Dust could not calm his anxious heart.
‘It can’t be… surely, he wouldn’t declare he doesn’t like any of them, right?’
Honestly, to put it coldly,
the beauty of the three was not even close to that lowly girl…
Cazerose.
It was frustrating, but that girl had beauty that could sway Santana’s heart.
Even without much adornment, her beauty was eye-catching enough to draw attention, and Dust couldn’t deny it.
Since this fact stood out even more in comparison to the aristocrats standing before her, adorned with extravagant jewels and makeup.
Moreover, Estelle, who he believed could compete in beauty with Cazerose and was Dust’s desired fiancée, looked slightly unwell.
Feeling regretful about aesthetics, Dust tried his best to calm his uneasy feelings.
‘But… no matter what, he wouldn’t go that far. After all, looks aren’t everything, and besides, the other qualities of these candidates are overwhelmingly excellent. Moreover, this is not a place Santana can refuse a choice.’
Here, not only his mother and himself but even Count Turun, his father, were present.
Additionally, servants and nobles from other territories were watching, making a declaration that none of the three appealed to him would create serious political problems beyond mere rejection.
Knowing well that Santana was aware of this, Dust believed that her older brother would not make a rash decision.
Then…
Just as Dust felt anxious about the possible situations,
“I have made my decision.”
With a serious tone, Santana announced.
Upon hearing his words, tension coursed through the crowd…
Then Santana slowly approached one of the three candidates, knelt down respectfully, and said,
“I would like to take Miss Estelle as my fiancée.”
“Ah!”
Despite his worries, Dust couldn’t help but feel excitement at the very scenario she hoped for.
Immediately after…
Santana slowly presented a single white rose to Estelle, the symbol of their engagement, and said,
“Miss Estelle Bertina Fernandez, will you be my fiancée?”
With a gentle smile, Santana spoke.
In that moment, seeing him, Estelle blushed and carefully accepted the white rose he extended toward her.
“…Yes.. yes.. I accept.. I will accept, Mr. Santana.”
Speaking in a surprisingly shaky voice, not like her usual self.
Thus, a couple promising future marriage was formed, and applause began to resonate through the room like thunder.
Among them were Lady Andreas, dabbing her eyes with tears of joy, and Count Turun, who beamed proudly while applauding.
*
With the engagement decided, the ceremony promptly followed.
Though it was an engagement, practically this gathering declared an alliance between great noble families, as extravagant and abundant as any wedding.
An alliance between the lordly families governing Bohemia and Lepersoly.
It would elevate the already eminent status of Bohemia after their victory in the Battle of Baeksan even further.
However, aside from these intricate details, at this moment, Dust, who had worked hard to create this occasion, was genuinely happy about the situation.
“Congratulations, Miss Estelle. No, may I call you sister Estelle now? Seeing as we are practically family?”
“Yes, feel free to call me, Lady Dust.”
“Haha, and you can just call me Dust. Being your brother-in-law makes us practically siblings.”
“Hmm.. then.. I’ll do that, Dust.”
“Hehe. Yes, sister Estelle!”
Estelle, heeding his request, spoke without formality.
Seeing her like this, Dust couldn’t help but beam as if he had the whole world.
The fact that the person he had long admired had become his sister was incredibly happy for her.
Moreover, the fact that this utterly lowly Cazerose girl would lose all her standing heightened this joy even more.
“Hmm? But where did your brother go? I haven’t seen him around for a while.”
“Mr. Santana went inside just a moment ago. Perhaps he’s feeling tired from the tension…”
“No way, even so… he shouldn’t just vanish with his fiancée while the banquet hasn’t even finished.”
“Maybe he’s just too nervous. While we experienced it firsthand, Mr. Santana had been anxious all week until he could decide on a candidate.”
“Well… that’s possible…”
Though feeling slightly uneasy, a joyful smile began to surface on Dust’s face.
Seeing Estelle actively defend Santana made her feel once again that she was his fiancée.
On the other hand,
contrary to Dust’s thoughts, at this moment, a single thought lingered in Estelle’s mind, one she could never forget.
‘No need to get excited… this is, after all, just a contract. Though it’s called an engagement, it’s merely a façade created for political reasons…’
Recalling that fact once more.
And simultaneously pondering the inexplicable discomfort deep within her heart,
Estelle began to wear a mask of smiles once more.
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