“Lady Margaret. I know I have no right to speak on a matter like this, but may I?”
“Indeed. You are of lower nobility, so your words concerning royalty’s marriage should not be heard. However, I am just an aunt on a trip. If something is bothering you, please say it.”
Seeing Patty’s despair, Caro made a decision and spoke to Margaret. Caro was prepared for rejection, but Margaret accepted Caro’s statement.
“Thank you. I believe everyone saw Lord Gordon and Patty embracing naked in the same bed earlier, but there is one point that bothers me.”
Caro said to Margaret.
“What bothers you?”
“Yes, they were just embracing naked… the act you might be thinking of, Lady Margaret, was not performed. There may be some circumstances, so rather than judging solely on what we saw, wouldn’t it be better to hear their side of the story?”
“Why can you be so sure that the act you’re thinking of… to be blunt, penetration… didn’t happen?”
Margaret asked, prompted by Caro’s statement.
“I didn’t smell anything. When that happens, there are mingled scents that remain… from my experience.”
Caro said, blushing as she glanced toward Kent.
“Ah, Caro, you were always sensitive to smells. Well, I understand what you’re saying. Let’s ask them then.”
Margaret said, turning to Gordon.
“Alright, Gordon. Tell me what you remember from when you got into bed until now.”
“I understand. Last night, after we all went to the hot springs facility after dinner, I got into bed. I believe I fell asleep until Mother stripped my covers off.”
“Why were you naked when you should have gone straight to sleep? Someone of your build couldn’t have undressed Patty alone, could they?”
“That’s because… I had been in the hot springs and was drinking alcohol, so my body was warm, and I undressed before going to sleep.”
Gordon said shyly.
“Oh my, you sometimes sleep naked, don’t you? It’s all well and good to undress completely in your own room, but it’s a bit strange to do that in front of so many young girls. You pervert.”
“I think I was also drunk, but it’s truly embarrassing…”
As Margaret said this with a bewildered expression, Gordon’s face turned even redder.
“I understand Gordon’s situation. Now, Patty, it’s your turn. Tell me what happened last night.”
“I understand… Last night at dinner, Josette, Elnet, Marie, and Caro were drinking and talking together. At that time, I was advised to perform a ‘yobai’ if I wanted to confess my feelings… so I did…”
This time, Margaret asked Patty. Patty shyly began to recount the events of the previous night.
“I remember us drinking together, but was that topic even brought up?”
“Perhaps I drank a little too much. I have no memory of it.”
“It seems like that topic came up… or maybe not…”
“I have no memory of it at all, but could we have been the cause?”
Elnet, Josette, Marie, and Caro, having been drinking, had no memory of the previous night and the conversation they had with Patty.
“So, Patty, who has feelings for Gordon, performed a yobai?”
“It’s true that I performed a yobai… but…”
Patty hesitated before answering Margaret’s question. She thought about saying she intended to perform a yobai for Kent. If she said that, it would be the same as confessing to Kent. Then, she would have done something unforgivable to Gordon. Furthermore, she worried that she had given Kent the worst possible impression by being seen embracing another man.
“I see… you made a mistake. The yobai wasn’t intended for me. Looking at the people gathered here, it’s obvious who it was for.”
Gordon muttered, seeing Patty’s reaction. The only men present besides Gordon were Kent. The conclusion was quickly reached.
“So, what you’re saying is that Patty will now confess to Kent?”
As Gordon said this, everyone’s attention turned to Patty, awaiting her next words.
“No, I do have feelings for Kent, but I don’t have the right to say that.”
“Patty…”
Patty said with a look of resolve. Kent couldn’t say anything to Patty at that moment.
“Patty, I’m sorry…”
“I’m sorry, Patty.”
“I apologize.”
“Forgive me.”
Caro, Elnet, Josette, and Marie apologized to Patty.
“It’s my fault for not being able to seize the opportunity you created for me.”
Patty said, apologizing to the four.
“That’s what she said. Gordon, what do you do now?”
After hearing Gordon and Patty’s story, Margaret asked Gordon about what to do next.
“I understand that Patty mistakenly entered my room. However, it’s also true that I’ve become interested in Patty during this trip. So, how about a compromise? Would you consider dating me? This is not an order, but a request. There’s no compulsion. Of course, if your feelings for Kent haven’t changed, that’s fine too. For now, I want to get to know you.”
Gordon said, bowing his head to Patty.
“Please, raise your head. I cannot promise that I can meet Lord Gordon’s expectations, but I will do my best. Please take care of me.”
With that, Patty took Gordon’s hand.
“My, my, they’re getting along without him having to force it. Gordon, do your best. Don’t try to kiss her forcefully like you did before and run away. You’re truly terrible with women and have no resistance, so don’t be too aggressive.”
“Mother, must we discuss that now? And that person was…”
Gordon, hearing Margaret’s words, glanced at Rachel and said.
“Ah, I do recall being kissed forcefully. I think that was around episode 10?”
Rachel said in a monotone voice that everyone could hear.
“What does episode 10 mean?”
“Rachel sometimes says things that are difficult to understand.”
Josette and Caro, puzzled by the strange keyword, said.
“Was the person you kissed Rachel? (This foolish son. It’s a waste to ruin such a valuable prospect who possesses magic power.) I apologize for my son’s misbehavior. If you don’t dislike him yet, perhaps my son and…”
“I refuse.”
Rachel clearly refused before Margaret, whose true feelings had almost slipped out, could finish.
“Oh, what a shame. Don’t forget the lessons learned from that incident, and get along well with Patty.”
“I understand. With that said, I’ll be in your care from now on.”
“Yes.”
As Margaret said this, Gordon spoke to Patty again.
“Well, I suppose we’ve managed to avoid a forced marriage for now. The rest is up to her.”
“Indeed. What royalty says to a commoner is absolute, but royalty can also easily make changes. We’ve found a good compromise. Caro, you did good work.”
“Lady Margaret, were you aware of this all along?”
“Heh heh, who knows?”
Margaret chuckled and said in a voice only Caro could hear, after hearing Caro’s muttering.
