“Isn’t Yeny Daum there, too?”
“She’s family. Jared treats her like a brother, and Yeny calls me her sister, too. I genuinely like her more than I can understand. Besides, I feel her feelings for Jared are, for better or worse, an extension of that familial affection.”
It wasn’t that romantic feelings weren’t present. Yeny’s affection for Jared was genuine. However, to Olivier, Yeny’s feelings felt like familial love that had been sublimated.
Perhaps it was because they had grown up together for so long, like brother and sister.
Olivier didn’t doubt Yeny’s feelings; she knew her emotions were real. So, it was fine.
“So you’re relieved?”
“Yes, I am… I’m such a terrible woman.”
“Not at all. It’s only natural for a woman to think that way.”
In a way, Veronica thought familial affection could be more troublesome, but she chose not to voice it.
However, Yeny adored Olivier like an older sister and had no intention of competing for Jared. She deferred to Olivier and tried not to stand out.
Human emotions had no clear answers, and even if familial affection seemed troublesome, it didn’t mean Olivier and Yeny couldn’t work things out. She wanted to avoid saying anything unnecessary and making them overly conscious of it.
“Hey, Veronica. What would happen if you didn’t become Jared’s consort?”
“Undoubtedly, another woman would be sent as a consort. A strong candidate would be Lily Rüdiger.”
“So that’s how it is, then.”
“You must have already known Lily also favors Jared. It seems Duke Rüdiger and his family are supportive, so I’m sure of it.”
Olivier sighed. She knew Lily’s feelings firsthand, so it wasn’t surprising.
As Lily worked for her fiancé as a Secretary Officer, and being slightly older, there likely wouldn’t be any objections. In that case, she would have to resign as Secretary Officer, but she probably wouldn’t mind.
“Or perhaps it would be one of the girls who came under Jared’s care after the recent treason incident.”
“I had a feeling that might be the case…”
“No matter how much you try to refuse, Olivier, once you officially become a Court Mage, the talk of consorts will be unavoidable. Uncle Harald is doing his best, but he’ll eventually reach his limit.”
A Court Mage wasn’t necessarily required to take a consort.
Tres Brauer, an active Court Mage, had been refusing all marriage proposals, no matter how many came his way. However, since being appointed as the head of the reorganized Magic Knights, there would likely be continued proposals.
“Many nobles want to establish a connection with Jared. Lately, some families have been trying to propose through the Royal Palace or the Mage Association. The Royal Palace and the Association would likely not entertain them, but there’s always a possibility.”
At present, Tres might be seen as a more promising candidate than Jared, who had a Ducal Family as his fiancée.
However, some believed that because Jared came from a Baronial Family and was still a minor, gaining a connection through marriage could put him in a more advantageous position.
To those unaware of Olivier and Jared’s relationship, they might think that even with a somewhat troublesome main wife, a boy who could still be considered a child could be easily managed if he had a consort. Some even considered such things.
The Royal Palace and the Mage Association, fully understanding the importance of Court Mages, naturally would not want them to be exploited to satisfy individual desires. Only the King could control Court Mages. They feared this premise could be compromised.
Therefore, Veronica, being of Royal blood, intended to become a consort to act as a deterrent against those trying to use Jared.
One might think it would be easier to simply not increase the number of consorts, but the reality was that it was quite difficult.
“Hoping to somehow oust Olivier… rather than someone thinking such thoughts, I would support you as the main wife, and since we’re childhood friends, you don’t need to hold back. Just think of me as one more member of your family.”
“It also means Veronica can be with the person she loves… I’ve been wondering, is it alright for royalty to become a consort?”
“Oh, are you showing concern and offering me the position of main wife?”
“As if!”
“What a shame… Don’t look at me like that, it was a joke. I’ll be adopted into a maternal relative’s family. They don’t have any children, so it’s perfect.”
“You’re so casual about it, even as royalty. You gave up your claim to the throne immediately after your younger brother was born.”
“I have an excellent younger brother, so I’m not needed. You wouldn’t want to fight with your own younger brothers to inherit the Ducal Family, would you?”
There had been discussions about marrying Veronica off and granting her territory, but that would make it difficult for her to become Jared’s consort. Thus, it was decided she would be adopted into a maternal family without an heir.
If they had children together, those children could be made heirs to that family.
While Jared would be granted an Earldom, the main wife Olivier’s child would inherit that house. This was also to prevent unnecessary conflicts, a consideration for Olivier, whose mother was targeted to become a consort.
If she accepted becoming a consort, discussions would proceed with the succession included.
Already, the Royal Family, the Mage Association, and some nobles were moving behind the scenes, but ultimately, it would be difficult without Olivier’s consent.
Jared would not wish for anything that would make Olivier unhappy. Therefore, no matter how much others pushed the matter forward, Jared would not accept it.
That was why Veronica had come to see Olivier. To protect her childhood friend, his fiancée, and the future of the Alway Ducal Family.
“I don’t want to force the matter of the consort upon you. Even considering my personal feelings. However, considering Olivier and Jared’s future, and the future of the Alway Ducal Family, taking a consort isn’t necessarily a bad thing.”
“I understand. And that you’ve decided to become a consort for my sake.”
“It will be difficult, but please think about it carefully.”
“…Hey, Veronica.”
Olivier softly called out her childhood friend’s name.
“I’m glad it’s you.”
Sensing the meaning behind those short words, Veronica replied,
“Fufu, thank you.”
With the feelings of an older sister watching over her younger sister, she expressed her gratitude.
