“—And that’s all there is to my secret.”
Inside her room, Olivier Alway listened as Jared Murphy heard everything about his cousin, Yeny Daum’s secret.
Yeny possessed sword talent that surpassed their grandfather, Baron Daum, known as the Sword Demon. However, fearing her power because she had no reason to fight nor a lord to serve, she was forbidden from fighting. Olivier deduced that the minimal training she received was because Baron Daum, somewhere deep down, felt it was a waste to let her talent go to waste as a swordsman.
Nevertheless, Yeny’s abilities grew even with just a little training, and her body seemed optimized for combat when she held a sword. Olivier couldn’t grasp all of it, but she understood that it was unnecessary power for a girl who didn’t need to fight.
Yeny, who was too strong, was truly a member of the Sword Demon clan, the Daum Baronial Family. The fact that she had once been taken hostage was apparently due to her being a weak girl as instructed by her grandfather. Naturally, she never expected to be taken hostage for Jared.
Upon hearing this, Yeny was the one who saved Jared when he was in danger and repelled Rosa Roen of Waalthe.
As a restraint for Yeny, who had come to possess such power, Jared, whom the girl admired and yearned for as her Older Brother, was chosen. Of course, it was also revealed that her grandparents wanted Jared to become the head of the Daum Baronial Family, but it was simultaneously for Yeny’s sake.
Olivier couldn’t even begin to imagine, just by hearing the story, where such power was hidden within this adorable girl.
There was only one thing she understood—that by Jared becoming Olivier’s Fiancé, Yeny had also been dragged into it.
If Jared and Yeny had gotten engaged as planned, perhaps the girl’s secret would have remained unknown, and she would have been happy.
Thinking this, Olivier felt a pang of guilt.
“Thank you for confiding in me. I swear I won’t speak of your secret.”
“No, Older Sister. My grandparents told me to hide it as much as possible, but I don’t mind it much. Besides, Rosa Roen also found out. Sooner or later, someone would have learned about me.”
“But—”
“More importantly, there’s something important I need to tell you.”
Interrupting Olivier, who was feeling indebted, Yeny put on a serious expression.
“What is it?”
Olivier had braced herself for reprimands, or even being cursed at to return Jared.
“I couldn’t say it when we met the other day because I was hiding it, but today, I can say it clearly. I can help protect Olivier and Hannelore. As long as the threat of Cornelia still exists, I believe you need more combat power besides Older Brother.”
“…That may be so, but what do you mean?”
“Please accept me as Older Brother’s Consort. I possess power I don’t desire, but with this strength, I will protect Olivier’s Family. I will protect not only Older Brother, but you as well. Therefore—please accept me.”
However, what came from Yeny’s lips was not a complaint or a curse, but a desire to become a Consort.
It was the girl’s straightforward wish to stay with Jared by using her power to protect Olivier and the others.
“I yield. To officially make you a Consort, I will need to speak to your grandfather and my father formally, but it’s fine. I recognize you as a Consort.”
“—Older Sister!”
“But! It is not because I want to borrow your power. It is because I know that you are wholeheartedly devoted to Jared.”
“Yes!”
Olivier found herself smiling along with Yeny, who looked joyous.
To be honest, Olivier, who hadn’t officially married yet, likely didn’t have the right to decide on Consorts. However, since she had told Jared and the others directly that a Consort required her permission, Olivier didn’t dislike Yeny for voicing her opinion without hesitation. Rather, she found her favorable.
She even felt she could learn from Yeny, who was young and, above all, possessed a cuteness and charm that Olivier herself lacked.
With the guilt she held in her heart, Olivier had no choice but to accept Yeny.
However, she had an unfounded confidence that they would surely get along well.
Olivier herself still needed time to prepare before marrying Jared. With her mother’s safety not yet fully assured, and Jared still being a minor, it would likely take some more time.
But Olivier felt that was alright.
She, who had never been in love before, was just beginning to take her first steps.
She would surely cause trouble for her clumsy, precarious Fiancé who harbored so many secrets. And he would worry about her, causing her to fret.
She found herself reminiscing about the time she lived with her mother and Trane, just the three of them.
With time, Yeny would also come to live with them. And, they would have a bonus member in their home.
“It seems like it’s going to get lively from now on.”
“…By the way, Older Brother is frozen and not moving?”
“Leave him be. Since it’s been decided that you’ll be his Consort, he’s gotten so flustered he doesn’t know what expression to make.”
“Oh, is that so? Honestly, Older Brother!”
Looking at Jared, left behind and stunned by the turn of events, Olivier couldn’t help but let out a smile.
