Any direct negotiations from my stepmother failed, and to make matters worse for her, there seemed to be some deal between Mia’s great-uncle and my father.
As a result, I was officially allowed to live with the de Bèlle family as a guest, under the guise of being Mia’s fiancé.
I studied with Mia’s brother, Tiago, and soon realized how poorly I had been taught at the viscount’s estate.
I also discovered that soft bread doesn’t get stuck in your throat, warm soup is delicious, and vegetables don’t have to be bitter and tough.
I occasionally returned to the viscount’s house, but I no longer shrank back as I once did.
My father, pleased that I was finally acting like a proper heir, seemed satisfied with my progress, but I couldn’t see him as a father after all the neglect. I doubt he had any genuine affection for me either.
The family I considered mine was the de Bèlle family.
As I worked hard to prove my worth, I managed to make enough progress to be recognized by the adults.
The business venture I started also began to thrive, and just the other day, I was offered adoption by Mia’s great-uncle, Count de la Ferrière.
Now, I can marry Mia without any ties to the viscountcy.
Though all the preparations are falling into place, Mia still firmly believes that I’ll leave one day.
The document we signed as children, promising to break off the engagement, was long since burned.
Despite genuinely wanting to rewrite the mistakes of our first meeting, I struggle to convey my feelings. These frustrating days continue.
☆ ☆
“Ugh, damn it! I lost again! Mia, I asked you to go easy on me!”
“I did give you a handicap, brother. I even let you go first. Now, I’ll take the last madeleine.”
“Oh no! That’s my favorite!”
“Hehe, thanks for the treat today.”
Tiago, Mia’s brother, looked dejectedly at the chessboard where he had lost badly again. Contrary to Mia’s earlier statement that she “wasn’t a match for chess,” the truth was that Tiago wasn’t a match for her.
The shock I felt when I first visited the baron’s house hasn’t faded, even after eight years.
The young lady wielded words beyond her years, read books too difficult for most adults, and understood them better than anyone.
It wasn’t her father, the Baron, but Mia who read the five newspapers they subscribed to. It was also Mia who strongly encouraged Baron de Bèlle to make the smart decision to invest early in the new railroad infrastructure.
Her grandmother had prohibited her from going out, worried that her precocious granddaughter would be viewed as strange by others.
Despite Mia’s extraordinary abilities, she was oblivious to the affection directed toward her, believing that what she received from her family was merely obligation and duty, not love.
We had pledged to break off the engagement in the future, entering into a temporary relationship.
Mia, who gave me my first place of comfort after years of tension at home, had become increasingly beautiful—a troublesome development.
I’d once called her a “ghost” in a fit of frustration, but that was far from the truth.
Her once too-thin frame had filled out thanks to our shared meals, and her cheeks had plumped. Mia’s mature speech had finally caught up with her age, and now she had a steady stream of suitors pursuing her behind the scenes.
If I showed the slightest sign of stepping aside, my place would be snatched away in no time.
“The taste of victory is sweet.”
“Mia, that’s apple juice.”
“I don’t like alcohol.”
“You make it sound like you’ve tried it before.”
“Oh, that was a slip. Forget it, brother.”
The ring on her slender finger, which she held around her glass, was something I’d given her to maintain the appearance of our engagement. It had been too large for her eight years ago, and even now, it still didn’t fit. I had offered several times to get her a new one, but Mia insisted that the old one was fine, wearing it on her pinky.
As Tiago sulkily began clearing away the chessboard after his third consecutive loss, Mia suddenly pressed the madeleine she’d won into my mouth.
“Here, Raphael. It’s yours.”
“Mmph!”
Sweet. It’s sweet, but there’s no way I could spit out something Mia gave me.
She watched me chew with satisfaction and handed me a glass just as I swallowed. Next, she picked up a napkin—ready to wipe my mouth for me.
Tiago and the maid gave us warm, knowing looks as Mia fussed over me, but her actions weren’t romantic; she was purely trying to assist me with my meal.
Her habit of feeding me whenever she got the chance hadn’t changed, a leftover from the days when I wasn’t eating properly.
Even though I can now eat and sleep well on my own, Mia still treats me like a child who needs constant care.
While I was genuinely saved by her efforts, that isn’t enough for me now.
It’s not about obligation or repayment. I genuinely desire Mia as a woman.
“You two are still so close. Well, I’m off before all this gives me heartburn. See you later.”
“Oh, is it that time already? Give my regards to Agathe, brother.”
“She’s been wanting to see you. She has some questions about her wedding dress.”
“Anytime!”
Tiago was set to marry Lady Agathe of the Paradi family. Their relationship was going well, and Mia was eagerly awaiting the day when a new member would join their family.
As we saw Tiago off, I exchanged a glance with the maid, who discreetly left the room with the empty plates, leaving us alone.
When I called Mia’s name, she turned to me with her usual open and unguarded expression.
“Brother is finally getting married… Oh, by the way, Raphael, have you found someone you like?”
“No.”
“How strange. You meet all sorts of ladies at work and parties, don’t you? You’re so handsome, there must be at least one, or two, or three, or four, or five ladies who’ve confessed their feelings to you.”
“Isn’t that a bit too many?”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if there were a hundred.”
“There aren’t.”
I smiled and shook my head at Mia, who tilted her head in confusion.
In truth, many women had shown interest in me, but since Mia never attended evening parties, she had no idea. And since I never accepted those advances, there was no need to tell her.
“I see… but still! They say love isn’t something you do; it’s something you fall into, right? You’ll meet your soulmate in a sudden, dramatic way. I’m sure of it.”
“That’s impossible.”
Because I’ve already met her.
But Mia, looking a bit disappointed, tried to cheer me up.
“Don’t say that. You’ll meet someone perfect for you, don’t worry.”
“Do you really think so?”
“Of course. You’re Raphael, after all. Besides, I want everyone to be happy.”
Her pure-hearted sincerity is so straightforward, it stings both my eyes and my heart.
I know all too well that the love I feel for Mia is different from the love she feels for me.
And yet.
I wrapped my arm around Mia’s waist and pulled her onto my lap.
Her clear eyes, just as wide and innocent as the day we first met, rounded in surprise. It’s moments like this, when I’m the only one reflected in her gaze, that I love most.
“…I love you. Let’s get married.”
“Oh, is this practice for ‘the moment’? There’s no need to worry, you know. You’re always such a worrier.”
See? Just like that.
Mia never considers herself the subject of anything, not even when faced with the most sincere proposal.
—So I’ll take advantage of that.
I may not win against Mia on the chessboard often, but losing a few matches doesn’t matter.
The only piece I want to win is the real queen.
“So, your answer, Mia?”
“Hehe, I’m playing the role of your future girlfriend, right? Sure! ‘Yes, I’d love to!’… See, you’ll be just fine—wha—?”
I had the answer I wanted. I held her tightly in my arms and kissed her.
I’d kissed her cheek and hand before as formal greetings, but this first true kiss made my head spin. It was sweeter than any madeleine.
“Thank you, Mia. I love you.”
“Wait, what? Hold on, Rapha—mmph!?”
It was Tiago who, with a sympathetic pat on my shoulder, said, “Looks like there’s no choice but to take action now, huh?” And it was the baron and his wife who laughed and said, “You’ve been part of our family since eight years ago, you know.”
I had long since secured the approval of everyone—except Mia—and, of course, my plan worked perfectly.
[The End]
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