Olivier Alway met the visitor with a smile.
“Thank you for meeting with me today, Olivier-sama.”
The visitor’s name was Yeny Daum, the second daughter of Baron Daum and Jared Murphy’s cousin. She was also the girl who would likely have become engaged to Jared, had Olivier not become his fiancée. Yeny was still young, only fourteen years old. With her straight, flaxen hair cut to shoulder length, she possessed an endearing appearance that made Olivier, who had long distrusted others, want to embrace and nuzzle her.
“It’s no trouble at all. If she’s Jared’s cousin, she’s practically family to me. Please don’t hesitate.”
Olivier said this with as much consideration as she could muster, but Yeny’s expression shifted slightly. “Hm?” Olivier wondered inwardly. She had a nagging feeling, a woman’s intuition perhaps, that this charming visitor might be in love with Jared. At the same time, she was genuinely relieved that Jared was not present.
It had been a week since Jared was injured and recuperated. Magicians, it seemed, couldn’t stay still for long once they began to recover. He had been demanding his daily training, trying to sneak out, and Olivier felt like she was dealing with a troublesome child. She could hardly believe he was the same person who had fought a fierce battle against an assassin, but she preferred his restless energy to his usual prickliness. More than anything, the experience of caring for an opposite sex person so closely was novel, and her heart had fluttered a little—no, quite a lot—though that was Olivier’s secret.
Yeny’s appearance before Olivier must have had a reason, especially if she harbored feelings for Jared. If it were a visit of concern, she would have come sooner. Baron Daum had visited once and mentioned he had instructed his family not to crowd the household, so it was unlikely to be a belated visit. If not that, then for what reason? The answer was simple: it concerned Jared. Even Olivier understood that adding a man, especially the person in question, to a conversation between women would not end well. It wasn’t Jared’s fault, but these things could become complicated for no one’s fault. Romantic relationships were baffling, and Olivier’s knowledge was limited to noble gossip and what her mother had told her. After all, her relationship with Jared was her first, and she was nervous every day.
“You have business with me, not Jared, don’t you?”
Yeny nodded slightly, and Olivier’s intuition was confirmed. Internally, she broke out in a cold sweat, though she never showed it. Honestly, she couldn’t predict what Yeny would say. Perhaps she resented Olivier for becoming Jared’s fiancée, or maybe she would beg Olivier to break it off. If Olivier had known this sweet girl loved Jared when they first met, she would have tried to distance herself. But it was too late. She would die of embarrassment before ever admitting it, but Olivier Alway couldn’t do without Jared Murphy. She was surprised at how simple she was, but Jared was notorious, with a host of bad rumors surrounding him. His words were not witty remarks but rather unreasonable demands and selfish whims. Moreover, his mother was targeted by a consort. Most people would want nothing to do with him. But Jared was different. He had told her it was fine to involve her. Even when she was on the verge of death, he had protected her from Waalthe, the continent’s foremost assassination organization. He didn’t know how grateful she was to him, even though he couldn’t fundamentally solve her problems. It wasn’t just Olivier; her mother, Hannelore, and Trane were also grateful to Jared. Even if someone claiming to be his former fiancée appeared, or if Yeny declared her love for Jared, Olivier wouldn’t let him go. At the same time, she didn’t want to sadden this girl who was his relative and who admired him.
As Olivier waited silently for Yeny’s words, the young girl took a deep breath and her small lips parted. “I have a request for you, Olivier-sama.”
“…I’m listening.”
“I know that Older Brother and Olivier-sama are engaged. I’m also grateful that you kept Older Brother from leaving the country when he was about to give up his noble status. However, I love Older Brother.”
“—I see. And what do you want to do?”
Who swallowed their saliva, Olivier or Yeny? Both were undoubtedly tense.
“I’ve liked Older Brother since I was little, and I’m content if I can just be by his side. My feelings haven’t changed.”
“I want to be by Jared’s side too.”
“I understand. I don’t want to interfere with the relationship between Older Brother and Olivier-sama.”
“Oh?” Olivier thought, this wasn’t what she had expected.
“Then what do you desire from me?”
When Olivier asked, Yeny took a deep breath and stated clearly, “Please make me a consort!”
“—Yes?”
Caught completely off guard, Olivier let out a foolish sound. Yeny, not noticing Olivier’s reaction, continued. “I will treat Olivier-sama as an older sister and obey you. So please keep me by your side. I’ve heard that here, you take care of your own affairs. I learned household chores from my grandmother and I have the stamina of youth.”
“—Oh, did she just casually mention her youth?” Olivier hoped it was unintentional. Given the twelve-year age difference, being told she was young by someone younger might wound her pride.
“I can also do a bit of self-defense. My grandfather taught me sword fighting. I may still be lacking in many areas due to my age, but please, I beg you!”
“—Is she still mentioning her youth? Or am I just overthinking it?”
Leaving aside the matter of age, Olivier felt a favorable impression of Yeny for having the courage to ask to be made a consort so directly. She could have gone to Jared directly, or even asked Baron Daum to advocate for her. Moreover, Jared and Olivier were only engaged. They hadn’t officially decided to marry, so there was a remote possibility that they could each find other partners. Of course, Olivier wouldn’t consider anyone other than Jared, but the possibility wasn’t zero. However, Yeny had respected Olivier’s position and agreed to be a consort. She would naturally want to be the main wife, but she was content to just be by his side. How pitiable.
“Why did you come to me directly?”
“My grandfather and grandmother told me that Olivier-sama would not easily accept a consort unless she was pleased with them. So, I wanted to speak with you directly to gain your favor.”
Whether it was youthful impulsiveness or calculated strategy, Olivier found herself developing a positive impression.
“Did you think this plan out yourself?”
“No. I was saddened by the missed opportunity to be with Older Brother, and Grandmother gave me some advice. Honestly, I felt bad about interfering with the relationship between Olivier-sama and Older Brother, but I couldn’t lie to myself.”
“Thank you for being honest. By the way, do others in your family know about our conversation today?”
“Grandmother knows, but Grandfather does not.”
“I see,” Olivier understood. Jared’s grandmother wanted to see Yeny and Jared married. She had always intended for them to marry, and it was natural given Yeny’s admiration for Jared. It was a shame for Yeny’s feelings to be dashed by the sudden appearance of a fiancée, and Olivier felt sympathetic. At the same time, for reasons unknown, Baroness Daum might not want to let her grandson go. Baron Daum himself likely wasn’t thinking that far ahead; this conversation was happening without his involvement.
Olivier had no intention of clinging to the Ducal Family, so it was fine if Jared lost his noble status as planned. As a Court Mage Candidate, he would likely be granted an aristocratic title upon becoming a Court Mage, so there was a possibility he could remain a noble. However, her father had once told her that one option was for Jared to become Baron Daum, and Olivier to become Baroness Daum. At the time, she had only felt pity for Jared being dragged into such matters and hadn’t thought deeply about it, but it was possible Baroness Daum wanted Jared to inherit the baronetcy.
Having developed a habit of suspicion, Olivier couldn’t believe Baroness Daum was simply supporting her grandson’s unrequited love. If that were the case, fine, but if not, there could be trouble. More importantly, she couldn’t immediately trust this charming, younger girl, no matter how likable she seemed. Her life, spent navigating constant danger, had taught her to be wary even of those who appeared harmless. Was she plotting something? Olivier sometimes disliked herself for thinking this way, but she wouldn’t have survived otherwise. She wished she could have a good relationship with Jared’s family.
“Yeny, I like you. However, I can’t easily say yes to making you a consort on my own. First, speak with Baron Daum. After that, we can talk again. I don’t dislike you, Yeny. I think it would be wonderful if we could be sisters.”
“…Olivier-sama.”
“I’ll speak with Jared about it too, so let’s talk again later, shall we?”
“…Yes. I apologize.”
Yeny looked dejected, but she likely hadn’t expected to get an immediate acceptance.
“Come now, don’t look so sad. I want to introduce you to Mother. Let’s have tea on the terrace. Would you mind telling me about Jared?”
“Yes, with pleasure!”
With Yeny’s smile restored, Olivier led her towards her mother. Jared would turn eighteen in less than two years, but there was still time. In some scenarios, they could expedite the marriage, but given the current issues, that was impossible and not something Olivier intended to do. Nevertheless, the appearance of this charming, younger girl made Olivier feel a sense of unease.
