Everyone present was likely thinking the same thing.
The Schönheit family rarely appeared in social settings, so this was the first time most of the gathered nobles had seen Claudia in person.
The Margrave of Schönheit was known to be a large, burly man, as sturdy as a great tree. Since his daughter had slain a bear, everyone assumed she must be equally massive and imposing.
"...Hah."
A soft sigh of amusement came from behind Claudia, interrupting her story.
"What are you laughing at, Sylvester!" Princess Adele snapped, glaring at Sylvester, who was standing behind Claudia.
Understandably, the princess was frustrated. Claudia’s conversation had been nothing but out of sync with everything else, and it was clearly grating on her.
"No, I’m just grateful for the first time for Princess Adele's wise decision."
"What did you say…?!"
With a gentle smile, Sylvester bowed slightly.
"I humbly accept this royal decree. I will do my best to fulfill my duties at Schönheit, the cornerstone of our nation's defense."
His soft green eyes reflected the image of Claudia, who was still proudly displaying her Bear Badge as if it were the most precious thing in the world.
Realizing Sylvester was looking at her, Claudia swiftly moved to stand beside him. To those around them, it seemed like she had almost teleported there.
"Princess Adele, please rest assured that, under the name of Schönheit, I will ensure this gentleman's happiness!"
"...Fine, if you’re content with my leftovers, then take him!"
With that parting shot, Princess Adele turned on her heel and left the party. The young man with dark skin cast a bitter glance in their direction before hurriedly following after her.
"Oh dear, I had hoped to speak with the princess a bit longer. I wonder if she might be feeling unwell."
"Heh, perhaps… that might be the case."
When Claudia expressed her concern, Sylvester agreed with a quiet laugh.
Now, only Claudia and Sylvester remained in the center of the room. The group of nobles who had surrounded them moments earlier quickly returned to their own conversations.
Feeling a gaze on her, Claudia glanced toward the far right corner of the venue, where she saw her aunt winking and giving her a thumbs up. Her lips mouthed, "Successful hunt."
"Nice to meet you. I am Sylvester of the Maltz Marquisate. May I have the honor of addressing you as Lady Claudia, rather than Lady Schönheit?"
Sylvester’s gentle smile was met with an equally warm smile from Claudia.
"Of course. And... may I call you Lord Sylvester as well?"
"Certainly."
"I'm so happy... truly!"
"The pleasure is mine. I look forward to our future together, Lady Claudia."
"Lord Sylvester, meeting you has made me so, so happy! I promise, you will never have to endure any hardship in our territory!"
In the middle of what had been a tense gathering, Claudia and Sylvester stood with their faces flushed, surrounded by an almost visible aura of blooming flowers. What began as a simple introduction quickly turned into a world where only the two of them existed.
(The Bear Woman of Schönheit?)
(That delicate girl defeated a bear?)
(She’s adorable.)
(A bear…?)
As various schemes and thoughts swirled around the broken engagement, Claudia’s search for a husband unexpectedly ended in great success.
◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇
Soon after, the engagement between Sylvester, the son of the chancellor and heir to the Maltz Marquisate, and Claudia, the daughter of the Schönheit Margrave, was officially arranged without any issues.
Claudia's father, the Margrave, praised his daughter highly for securing such an excellent match, while Sylvester's father, who had recently resigned from his position as chancellor, was also very pleased with the union.
The power of the Schönheit family in the north was already strong enough to rival that of a small kingdom, but they had little understanding of the finer points of territory management.
"This budget plan is insufficient to withstand the harsh winter cold. We should reconsider. Also, the accounting appears to be somewhat careless."
"Hmm... I see..."
"However, the welfare provisions for the soldiers are very well thought out, which should greatly benefit morale. This is a commendable achievement by the Margrave."
"Yes... indeed...!"
Having been accepted as a future husband, Sylvester had already begun applying his skills in the management of the Schönheit territory. He was scolded at times, praised at others. With his skillful balance of criticism and commendation, even Claudia’s father had grown deeply impressed with his abilities.
"...He’s my Sylvester..."
Claudia gazed at Sylvester and her father with a somewhat possessive look. They were in the study, discussing the management of the territory, and the two seemed to be enjoying their conversation immensely.
(Father is looking at Lord Sylvester with such sparkling eyes... And Lord Sylvester's smile is simply wonderful.)
As Claudia gazed dreamily at Sylvester, his soft green eyes met hers. When their eyes locked, he offered her a tender, sweet smile.
(I love him.)
"Thank you, Lady Claudia."
She had thought she was merely thinking it, but apparently, she had spoken aloud. Sylvester, his eyes wide with surprise, once again gave her that gentle smile.
"Well then, son-in-law, I’ll be off! Take good care of my beloved daughter!"
The Margrave, with his massive, bear-like frame, laughed heartily as he left the room.
With her father gone, the room suddenly fell silent.
In this land so different from the royal capital, Sylvester was applying his vast knowledge to the management of the territory.
That day was the start of what Claudia considered a fateful encounter.
(One day, I hope Lord Sylvester will come to love me too.)
She knew his circumstances.
Having been raised and educated to become the consort of the queen, it might be frustrating for him to live in this remote and less prosperous region. Moreover, Claudia understood that it would be unrealistic to expect Sylvester, who had been the princess’s fiancé for so long, to quickly turn his affections toward her.
—But she had no intention of giving up.
As Claudia resolved herself once more and looked up, she found Sylvester watching her, his expression devoid of the usual gentle smile.
"...Lord Sylvester?"
Tilting her head slightly, Claudia called out his name, and Sylvester slowly left the desk and approached her.
As she wondered what was happening, he gently took her left hand.
"Lady Claudia, I thought I had already conveyed my feelings to you. It was my mistake."
"Wha…?"
"From the moment you descended from the heavens that day, my heart was yours. Long ago, I gave it to you entirely."
Sylvester lifted Claudia's left hand slightly, and then softly kissed her ring finger. When he looked up at her from beneath his lashes, Claudia's heart skipped a beat.
"W-Was I speaking my thoughts aloud again...?!"
"Yes, you were quite clear. You said you wanted my heart."
"How embarrassing..."
Claudia blushed deeply as Sylvester gazed at her with eyes full of warmth and affection.
"That’s something I find endearing about you."
"Oh my…!"
Normally, Claudia was a woman who unconsciously exuded a powerful presence, leaving no room for vulnerability. But Sylvester was the only one who knew that when she was with him, she let down her guard.
She had no idea that his feelings for her had grown far deeper and stronger than her own.
—As they gazed into each other's eyes, they both smiled, and then gently, their lips met.
The prosperity of the Schönheit territory that followed needs no elaboration. With the support of her brilliant husband, Claudia’s rule became one of unprecedented wealth and success.
Anyone who dared to challenge Claudia or Schönheit was swiftly and thoroughly dealt with by her husband, in a manner completely within the law—and, of course, not before Claudia had given them a thorough beating herself.
Though the royal capital seemed to be bustling with some sort of commotion during this time, it had nothing to do with the two of them in their happiness.
The people of the Schönheit territory held Sylvester in high regard, as the man who had "conquered the Bear Woman of Schönheit."
Thank you for reading.
1 Comments
That was so cute.
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