"What? Why?"
"I have no idea."
The townhouse of the Cheek Viscountcy in the royal capital was in turmoil due to the sudden news brought by my father.
Naturally, I, Stacey, was as well.
The reason? A marriage proposal had come from the Duke of Saberhagen's household.
The Saberhagen Dukedom is known as the house where a child of a favored consort of a previous king was bestowed with a title.
I’ve heard there was some friction with the main royal lineage because of this, though that’s not the case anymore.
"Our families are on entirely different social levels."
"Indeed, they are."
"And the suitor is none other than the renowned Albert, isn’t he?"
Albert-sama is an extraordinarily handsome young nobleman, admired by all.
For the past three years, he’s topped the royal capital newspaper's "Most Desirable Bachelor" rankings.
Of course, I am of marriageable age, so it’s only natural that I would be interested.
"Logically speaking, Albert-sama is the heir to the Saberhagen Dukedom, right?"
"Why would he choose Stacey... of all people?"
Is that the issue?
Setting aside the difference in social status, the Cheek Viscountcy has three daughters.
As the eldest, I was expected to marry someone who could take over the household, and I’ve been trained in the responsibilities of a landowner.
Other families likely understood this, so I’ve never received any marriage proposals where I was expected to marry into another family.
"I’m the daughter with the worst temper..."
"Hey, watch it."
"We’re just too far apart."
"What do you mean 'too far apart'? Who are you comparing me to? I’ll knock you out!"
"That’s exactly the problem!"
What’s exactly the problem?
I’m often described as not being able to be called beautiful, but not far from it either.
However, it’s also said that my temperament, courage, and quickness to anger are clearly reflected in my eyes.
In short, I’m exactly as I appear.
Who was it that called me the "Mad Dog Lady"? Was it that idiot Prince Jacob? I’ll knock him out too!
"They specifically requested me, didn’t they?"
"Yes. But from the Duke of Saberhagen's perspective, there's no political advantage in aligning with our family."
"Maybe they have a business interest. The Cheek Viscountcy is a necessary stop on the way from the Duke’s lands to the royal capital."
Honestly, that’s the only reason I can think of.
They probably proposed the engagement to me because I’m one year younger than Albert-sama.
They didn’t even consider the fact that I am to inherit the Cheek Viscountcy.
It’s clear that the Duke of Saberhagen is indifferent to our family.
"Are you sure they only sent the proposal to me?"
"What do you mean?"
"Albert-sama is the most eligible bachelor! He could have his pick from high-ranking nobles to foreign princesses."
"That’s true."
By now, I had completely regained my composure.
"It’s likely that the Duke of Saberhagen is looking to stimulate industry. They probably sent out multiple proposals to families that would benefit them by aligning with them. Isn’t that the most plausible scenario?"
"...I see, so it wasn’t just our family."
"That’s the most reasonable assumption. And in that case, the Cheek Viscountcy is probably not high on their priority list."
Even after just a little thought, I could think of several families of count or higher that would make better candidates.
My father nodded in agreement.
"That’s true. I got carried away because it was a proposal from a Duke’s house. Stacey, you’re quite dependable."
I’m often told that I have a strong, dependable personality.
As a young lady of noble birth, I sometimes wonder if that’s the best compliment, but it’s certainly better than being seen as unreliable.
"Still, why would they choose you, Stacey, when we have three daughters?"
"They must have been captivated by my gaze, I’m sure of it."
"Ha ha ha ha ha!"
That’s too much laughter.
"So, we’ll turn it down, then?"
"Yes. Just say something like, ‘We’re honored but must humbly decline.’"
◇
――――――――――Albert’s perspective at the Saberhagen Ducal House.
"The Cheek Viscountcy turned down our proposal?"
"Yes."
Seeing my father’s stern expression, I realized this wasn’t a joke.
Welcoming the daughter of a Viscount to the Saberhagen Dukedom would usually be met with open arms, wouldn’t it?
Is there any reason to refuse?
"Why would they do that?"
"I have no idea. I thought you might know something about it, Albert."
"Not that I can think of..."
As ridiculous as it sounds, I have a pressing need to find a fiancée quickly.
Recently, I’ve been consistently ranked as the top "Most Desirable Bachelor."
Don’t understand what that means?
Simply put, it means I’ve been envied by the second prince, Jacob.
He’s been stuck in second place in the rankings because I haven’t decided on a fiancée yet.
"There’s nothing in particular that comes to mind."
"I see."
Choosing Lady Stacey Cheek as my fiancée was, in a way, a process of elimination.
If I were to choose a beautiful high-ranking noblewoman, who knows what Prince Jacob might say?
If by some mistake, Jacob became king, he might hold a grudge against us forever.
Given the delicate relationship our family has had with the royal family since our establishment, this would be a crisis for the Saberhagen Dukedom.
On the other hand, the remaining high-ranking noblewomen are not exactly ideal choices.
They’re either arrogant, live in a fantasy world, or have a spending problem—essentially, all problematic candidates.
Given our need to avoid alarming the royal family, it was practically decided that I should choose a fiancée from a family below the rank of Count.
But even so, do I really have my pick of the lot?
Not quite.
If I choose a fiancée from a family below the rank of Count, people will inevitably ask, "Why that girl?"
It’s not like Prince Jacob could openly voice his discontent, but it means my fiancée needs to be mentally strong.
Lady Stacey is a year below me in school, so we haven’t had much interaction. But in a way, she’s somewhat of a celebrity.
"Aren’t you aware, despite being royalty? The Royal Academy prides itself on not recognizing social status."
"Does gender matter more than ability?"
"Is that fair? Where’s the justice in that?"
She’s bold, you might say. Her strong-willed style, where she boldly confronts others with logic regardless of their status, has secretly garnered the support of many young ladies.
I’ve also heard that Prince Jacob, who’s in the same year as Lady Stacey, finds her quite intimidating.
Given all that, I had concluded that she would be the best candidate for my wife.
"If only Prince Jacob weren’t so headstrong..."
"Father, there’s no point in dwelling on that."
"Haha, you’re right, Albert. But still..."
Why would the Cheek Viscountcy decline the proposal?
"The Cheek Viscountcy is an old family. I’ve heard that it’s an old custom to decline a proposal from a higher-ranking family the first time."
"I see, so they declined under the pretense of being too humble."
"Yes, we should approach them again."
◇
――――――――――Stacey’s perspective at the Cheek Viscountcy.
"What? Why?"
"I have no idea."
For some reason, another marriage proposal came from Albert-sama of the Saberhagen Dukedom. I have no clue why.
"Isn’t Albert quite popular? Did he get into some kind of trouble?"
"I haven’t heard anything. If someone like Albert-sama had caused a stir, it would definitely have made the rounds."
At least, I don’t think anything has happened at the Academy.
"Have you heard anything, Father?"
"About the Saberhagen Dukedom? No, nothing. Sorry, I thought the matter was settled, so I haven’t been paying attention to the Duke’s house."
I understand. I didn’t expect the discussion about Albert-sama to resurface either.
"How are things at the Academy?"
I don’t know what to say to that. We’re in different grades, so we hardly interact.
"Wait! Could it be that Albert-sama fell in love with me at first sight?"
"Hahaha! Stacey, you’re quite the comedian."
"Maybe it’s more likely that my gaze knocked him out?"
"Have you ever spoken to Albert?"
"Just when we greeted each other at the festival party."
"Do you seriously think you made him fall head over heels in that brief moment?"
"…"
Of course not.
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