“I’m sorry, Father. You never called for me, so I was worried.”
“…Honestly, you.”
The Father King spoke with exasperation to his daughter, who had been eavesdropping. Jared knew Veronica was behind the door but pretended not to notice.
“Now, Jared. You knew her as Vera, but my daughter’s real name is Veronica. However, please don’t misunderstand. She hasn’t lied about anything other than her name and her status as a princess. She has been interacting with you as her true self.”
“I’m sorry. If people knew I was a princess, they would see me differently, wouldn’t they? Since you didn’t notice us, including my younger brother, I wanted you to see me as an individual.”
“No, I understand how you feel.”
“Thank you. But I’m sure you would have seen the real me, wouldn’t you? I’m sorry for lying.”
Jared could only tell Veronica, who seemed a bit downcast, not to worry about it.
The worries of royalty were not something a Baronial family, not much different from Commoners, could easily understand.
At least, he had no intention of changing his attitude towards her, as the King had wished. While he was greatly surprised to learn she was a princess, her position as the older sister of his friend hadn’t changed. To change his attitude after receiving so many favors from her would be to repay kindness with hostility.
“I feel awkward asking this after you’ve kept secrets, but if possible, please continue to treat me the same.”
“Of course. Veronica.”
“…Thank you.”
Her expression truly brightened when he called her by her name, not her title.
While feeling a sense of awe inwardly, he felt relieved that the result of mustering his meager courage wasn’t too bad. Jared himself had hoped for a future where things wouldn’t change between them.
“Thank you, Jared. I’m so glad you’ll continue to have the same relationship not only with me but also with my daughter. Earlier, I told you to take responsibility for the five girls. I’m thinking of leaving their care to my daughter.”
“Huh? Is that all right?”
Jared was surprised by the King’s proposal.
Having been told to take responsibility, the boy’s mind had prepared for the need to also look after them in his daily life. Of course, he had thought he wouldn’t be able to look after them constantly due to his own family, but he had his own anxieties.
“It’s fine. I know Diana well, and I’m not completely unfamiliar with the other girls either. Yes, I’m thinking of having them help out at this shop.”
Veronica’s words felt reassuring.
Diana Ewing of the Ducal Family, like Olivier, was a relative, so perhaps they had a connection.
Knowing Veronica’s true character as Vera, he could feel at ease leaving the girls to her.
“It would be fine to stay confined in the mansion, but considering what their families have done, they’ll be criticized no matter what, so I think they need to blow off steam somewhere.”
“That might be true.”
Setting aside the girls’ families, there would likely be criticism from relatives who were drawn into the situation. Even if the relatives were complicit, the attitude of the girls’ friends and acquaintances would also change.
Even if the girls were not punished, their fathers’ actions could not be erased. And since they were already dead, they could neither atone nor be punished.
They were spared the fate of their families being abolished and being left to wander the streets, but difficult days surely awaited them.
In such times, simply staying shut in at home would likely lead to accumulated stress and lead them to think of bad things.
While she didn’t intend to change her name like Veronica, if she could focus on something, her stress might be dispersed.
Moreover, there was the reassurance that if the Princess was by her side, there would be no unexpected incidents.
“To be honest, I’ve already met those girls. They’ve all said they want to work together too. They probably don’t want to think about anything else for a while, so I’ll take responsibility and look after them.”
“That helps. Please, I beg of you.”
“Of course. If they’re Jared’s benefactors, I can’t just leave them be.”
Jared was truly grateful to the dependable Veronica. For Jared, who had been anxious about shouldering the future of the five girls alone, this was an overwhelming blessing.
As Jared bowed deeply, Veronica replied, “It’s fine.”
The King, who had spoken sternly about entrusting the responsibility to Jared, had intended to offer support all along.
Veronica taking care of the girls meant she would be their backing. This was a gesture of goodwill from the Royal Family towards Jared.
It was evident that for Jared to properly look after and take responsibility for the girls alone was an unreasonable burden. Putting aside the girls themselves, their families might be thankful to Jared, but they might also dislike excessive interference. Of course, one couldn’t be sure of the actual situation, but it would be too late once problems arose.
Since Olivier wouldn’t take in the girls as a Consort, it was judged that it would be smoother if the Royal Family provided assistance, even indirectly. However, since this couldn’t be done openly, they devised a plan to have Veronica take care of them, thus making them involved parties.
There was no need, nor intention, to explain this to Jared. Both Horst and Veronica were indebted to Jared. Even setting aside their debt, they simply liked him. It was only natural that they wanted to help him.
“With this, the matter of rewarding Jared is considered resolved. I know it will be difficult from now on, but the Royal Family will also provide support, so please do your best.”
“Of course.”
“…Ahem. From here, it’s a personal matter, but would you mind?”
Jared swallowed and nodded at the King, whose face had become even more serious, though they had been discussing important matters until then.
Not only the King but also the Princess wore tense expressions. Jared braced himself, wondering what kind of conversation was to come.
“If I can persuade Olivier, would you be willing to marry my daughter?”
“—Eh?”
