By Zephyria 
The dinner table was more heartwarming than I expected.
“Thanks to Mother’s timely help, I was able to gather my resolve and find strength. I was worried about visiting without notice last time…”
“Oh, no. It was nice to have someone coming and going in a room that had been empty without its owner. Today, you even sent an invitation yourself, and welcomed us so warmly at the crack of dawn. We are the ones who should be more grateful.”
“The members of House Ernhardt are already like family to me. You are welcome to come and go as if it were your own home.”
“Even so, is that really possible?”
…It was, truly, more heartwarming than I had imagined.
I knew well that Ruben was naturally amiable and affectionate, but how could he already be calling them Mother and Father and trying to charm them? They even seemed quite accustomed to it. No one had been surprised by the news of Ruben and me getting married, and I realized I was already being treated like a daughter-in-law.
It was a bit awkward, but also deeply touching and endearing. I simply chuckled and sat there, then subtly brought up the topic.
“Um, there’s something I need to ask for my parents’ permission for.”
“Yes, tell us.”
Both Father and Mother straightened their shoulders and assumed a proper posture. Despite their calm expressions, their flushed cheeks were undeniable. Michael and Asdel also put down their cutlery and sat primly.
“I have been granted a Dukedom this time, and I was wondering if I could bear the name Ernhardt?”
“Of course. Then, for the wedding venue, we should probably borrow the temple in the capital…”
“Pardon?”
“…Huh?”
There was a slight commotion.
It was a great relief that the table didn’t flip over. A flustered Ruben fumbled through explanations, managing to calm my parents. Even after hearing the full explanation, the entire family looked bewildered.
“So, I have already spoken with Lady Grimsbane. While I haven’t fully reclaimed the territory yet, and there are no citizens, if we organize things step by step, we should be able to finalize the borders and begin construction within two to three years.”
“…I see. I had prepared for you to receive a Marquisate when you returned, but it seems that won’t be… necessary. You always manage to surprise me…”
“Prepare for what?”
“A Marquisate granted to a Grand Sword Master is an honorary title without a separate territory. So, I had planned to carve out a portion of a Count’s territory as a gift. I didn’t want you to have only a nominal honor, so I worked hard to divide a well-defined area as close to the capital as possible. All that was left was to sign the land transfer documents.”
“Hmm.”
They worried about the strangest things. Who on this earth would look down on me for lacking a bit of land? The deep and boundless love of my parents made me smile anew.
As I chuckled, Father asked again, his brow furrowed with concern. He sounded almost insistent.
“Is there anything else we can help with?”
“I received advice that if I relied too much on the family’s help, I wouldn’t be able to develop it into a fully independent territory. I will manage other matters myself, so I would be grateful if you would permit me to name the new Dukedom after Ernhardt.”
“Naturally. If you are not an Ernhardt, who else would bear the name Ernhardt? It’s not uncommon for lesser nobles to share a surname even if they hold different territories and titles. It’s not an unheard-of situation.”
That made sense. If it were something not permitted in this Empire, Ruben would have stopped me first.
Come to think of it, after proposing to Ruben, I brought the child to a family dinner. It would have been more proper to seek permission for marriage first. Looking at Ruben, who was smiling gently, I subtly took the child’s hand. Ruben kindly clasped my hand, which greatly reassured me.
Asdel, who had been rolling his eyes while the adults talked, chimed in.
“Then can I be a Junior Duke?”
“What?”
“Mika is a Duke, and Hael is a Junior Count, but I have nothing. If anything, I want something better… Is that not allowed?”
Everyone burst into laughter. The title I was to receive was hereditary, and it was customary to choose a successor from among blood relatives, so it was not against the law. Without much deliberation, I readily agreed.
“Of course, you can. Go ahead.”
“Yes!”
“What? Trade with me. I want to be a Junior Duke too.”
Asdel, ignoring Michael’s grumbling, quickly asked, “So, when is the conferment ceremony? After the Dukedom is stabilized?”
“Hmm.”
What did I know? I looked at Ruben. Ruben was smiling with a look of pure happiness, as if he might melt. Asdel, leaning towards Ruben like me, tilted his head back and forth. Even then, Ruben and I did not let go of our intertwined hands.
“Well, I wanted to have a grand wedding ceremony, so I was planning a simplified title conferment ceremony… If Lady Adel wishes to receive the title of Junior Duke then, shall we hold a large event?”
“That’s not it! I don’t want to share the attention that would go to my eldest brother. I’ll take care of it later, after I graduate. For now, let’s just reserve it. When are you planning the ceremony?”
Indeed.
I had only thought about it vaguely, never considering it further.
With the legalization of same-sex marriage, the stabilization of Duke Ernhardt’s Territory, receiving recognition and paying respects to the Empress Dowager, and preparing for the wedding, it would surely take over a year. I felt there was no need to rush, as the days I would spend with Ruben were long.
However, Ruben said with great determination.
“I am thinking of July this year. I will contact you again once the date is confirmed.”
Huh?
In front of the family, I wasn’t so clueless as to ask if there was a need for such a quick wedding. Ruben squeezed my hand, so I simply closed my eyes, smiled, and nodded.
When the surprised family asked if wedding preparations were going well, I looked at Ruben again.
“Actually, there was something I wanted to ask. Since the bride’s flower crown is traditionally prepared by the groom’s side, I would like to ask for the help of Countess Ernhardt. Your reputation for knowing flowers is quite renowned.”
“A flower crown? What about the veil, the fabric?”
“I am currently choosing from various types laid out. We will start making the wedding attire in May, so I will visit you again around that time.”
“Yes. I will also check and tend to the greenhouse again while I wait. Thank you for leaving a portion for me, Your Majesty.”
“Not at all. Please feel free to call me by a less formal title. We will soon be one family.”
“…Ruben?”
“Yes, please.”
Is this what it feels like to have your eyes plucked out?
July this year means less than five months away. For me, it’s just a matter of showing up in a dress I’ll have tailored and walking into a venue that’s been prepared, but a wedding isn’t something that can be done in the blink of an eye. It felt truly miraculous.
After that, discussions about dozens of fabric types and dozens of flowers and their meanings filled the table harmoniously. Meanwhile, the worries gradually lifted from my family’s faces, replaced by smiles that felt incredibly sweet.
“Well, we should be going down now.”
“…We’ve only seen you for a day, and already?”
“Your wedding is in July, isn’t it? I need to start planting bulbs in the greenhouse and preparing flowers, thinking about various arrangements. I’ll come up again more leisurely then, and I’ll bring your grandmother with me.”
“…Yes. Then I will see you again.”
Is growing flowers such a busy and troublesome task? Not knowing much about it, I simply nodded. Michael and Asdel, who had been listening quietly, whispered to each other and then quickly chimed in.
“Can we stay in the capital?”
“At the Valentia Townhouse?”
“Yes. I want to see some friends I haven’t seen during my leave of absence, and get some notes for my studies… I also want to help Adel make some friends in the capital.”
“Hmm…”
Seeing my parents look at the children with concern, they quickly sent pleading glances my way.
Having caused them so much worry for so long, I sided with the children with a smile.
“I’ll be staying in the capital as well, so it will be helpful. Please allow them to stay.”
“…Alright, then do so. However, you are not to stay at the Imperial Palace. We will send a nanny and a tutor up soon, so you will stay together at the Valentia Townhouse.”
“Yes!”
Even if my parents didn’t know, I could see my siblings whenever I had the chance.
Even as I saw them off, a smile never left my lips.
❖ ❖ ❖
That night, Ruben acted even more impishly than before.
He held my waist tightly, burying his nose in my chest, and moaned, burrowing deeper and deeper. Did he think I would scold him for something like that?
As I calmly brushed his beautiful hair with a comb, he asked.
“…Was I strange today?”
“Not at all.”
“Then, did I do well?”
“Yes.”
I kissed his straight forehead, and Ruben’s eyelashes fluttered.
“Even though I set the wedding date myself?”
“If it doesn’t require much preparation, I’m fine with tomorrow.”
“…”
“Why?”
“…No, because I’m happy.”
The more I thought about it, the less reason there was to postpone the marriage.
The first time marriage was mentioned was around the time of our Academy graduation. Would it be right to put off our love with excuses about being busy? It seemed that July was the earliest Ruben could manage, so that was good enough. No, it felt just right. After all, seven is said to be a lucky number.
As I gazed at him, lost in thought, Ruben gently closed his eyes.
He wouldn’t fall asleep before we kissed. This, too, was amusing and endearing.
Gently parting his soft lips with my thumb, a fleeting thought surged. Come to think of it, after we get married… Is this why Ruben is rushing the wedding?
No, it wasn’t. What would this child know? I decided that I, as an adult, must prepare properly.