“Maion and his family will face the consequences, handled entirely by the Count of Manscott. From what I hear, the count is a capable man. He’ll ensure justice is served to our satisfaction. If not, they’ll learn the hard way,” Alexis declared coldly in the carriage on the way back.
The viscountcy and countship had originally been divided between the father of Maion and his brother, but now the count would likely take control of both.
The Count of Manscott, who was also Rauno’s father, had initially arranged for the responsible Sophia to marry Rauno and inherit the viscountcy, concerned about Rauno’s careless nature. But all those plans had now unraveled.
Listening quietly, Sophia clung tightly to Julius’s arm for comfort.
“Alexis, let’s leave it at that. Sophia is here, after all,” Julius said.
“Ah, forgive me. Miss Sophia, you need not worry about anything. Marry Julius and leave the rest to us,” Alexis assured her.
“Yes, Uncle is a strict man, so entrusting this to him is best,” Sophia replied softly.
Her father, sister, and cousin Rauno had lost all credibility as nobles. With no means of regaining their honor or fulfilling their responsibilities, they would have to live quietly as commoners under the count’s watch.
As Julius gently stroked Sophia’s head, Alexis, feeling the tension ease, shifted the conversation.
“So, what’s next? You could relax in the capital for a while.”
“We’ll stay for a few days to file our marriage registration. After that, I thought it might be nice to show Sophia around the capital,” Julius said.
“The townhouse is ready for your use. Do as you please,” Alexis replied.
A townhouse? Staying in the capital? Sophia thought, puzzled. She distinctly remembered the townhouse being rented out.
As she wondered, Julius looked slightly embarrassed, his eyes darting nervously.
“Well… I actually… prepared a new townhouse,” Julius admitted hesitantly.
“What?”
“I thought maybe you’d prefer staying in the capital. I wanted to make sure we’d have a place here if you ever felt that way,” he explained.
A townhouse in the capital was no small purchase, and Sophia was left stunned. Meanwhile, Julius decided they would stay in the newly acquired townhouse.
The next day, they filed their marriage registration, officially becoming husband and wife. After enjoying sightseeing in the capital, they returned to Julius’s territory before the snow began to fall.
The following year, preparations began for a grand wedding ceremony to be held in the margrave’s domain.
Julius, wanting to lavish Sophia with love, time, and money, used every tactic imaginable to persuade her, even as she resisted, insisting that simplicity was enough.
On the other hand, Sophia, who had never experienced being pampered or having money spent on her, was constantly bewildered by being treated with such care and affection.
And so, in this way, the once impoverished noblewoman Sophia was adored by her husband and lived happily ever after.
[The End]
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