MLIIWTFL Chapter 234

 234

"His Highness issued a promotion order…? To what position?"

—As the Minister of Culture's aide. According to Young Lord Sharon, it seems that high-ranking nobles usually begin their government careers in positions like that.

"The Minister of Culture's aide? Not the Crown Prince's aide?"

—Of course not. If it were that, it would be completely absurd!

Ariette waved her hand as if to dismiss even the notion, thinking Letticia must have been joking. Relieved by the denial, Letticia let out a quiet sigh of relief.

Even if high-ranking nobles typically start from lofty positions such as an aide to a senior official thanks to family and social connections, promoting a newcomer, who had only just passed the exam and entered as a low-level clerk in the Ministry of Culture, to the Crown Prince's aide would be too far-fetched.

'Fortunately, Matthias isn't that reckless.'

Letticia was grateful that it hadn't turned into some nonsensical romance-fantasy development and asked her next question.

"Then why did His Highness bother to promote you? I heard you even submitted a resignation letter."

—I think… he was worried I might be trying to resign because of harassment. I haven't exactly been on the best terms with my fellow department colleagues…

"…Do you really think that's the only reason?"

Letticia asked in a serious tone, staring intently at Ariette. Unsure herself, Ariette hesitated before carefully responding.

—Then… could it be that His Highness was showing me special consideration because of my family? Young Lord Sharon said this was unusual too. Even though I made my intention to resign perfectly clear to Sir Bright, His Highness contacted me directly through my personal communicator to ask again.

"Your personal communicator?"

—Yes. Unfortunately, he called when I wasn't in my room, so when the maid delivered it to me, my brothers saw it too. Poor Sir Bright ended up in a really difficult spot because of that…

Ariette lowered her head. Letticia, boiling with anger, cursed Matthias inwardly.

'That damned bastard, why did he have to contact her, why?! And not even through the ducal family's official line, but Ariette's personal communicator!'

After communicators were invented and more noble families began owning them, a new publication appeared, a communication codebook that listed each family's line codes.

Of course, individual personal codes weren't included, but most families' official lines were, so anyone with legitimate business could just use those.

'Wait, now that I think about it, when that guy contacted me too, he had Ez reach out through my personal communicator. He couldn't even stand waiting for the official line to connect!'

It was true that the official family line could be busy with other calls, so if one wanted a fast and certain connection, a personal communicator was more effective.

But of all times, he had to contact her when her brothers were present. It was obvious how those sister-obsessed fools must have reacted. And naturally, the one who would have had to clean up the mess afterward was Ezkhiel.

The mere thought of it gave Letticia another headache, but since she couldn't very well criticize Ariette for her brothers' behavior, she simply took a deep breath before asking.

"…I won't ask how your brothers reacted. What did His Highness actually say to you?"

—He asked if I truly wished to resign. I answered that I wanted to quit and focus on studying. Then he asked if it was really something I had to do, even at the cost of giving up my position. I explained that I didn't think civil service work suited me. He said if I worked as the Minister's aide, my mind might change, and if the problem was my colleagues, he would take care of it…

Unbelievable.

Letticia barely managed to swallow the words threatening to escape. Wasn't that essentially saying he'd overturn the entire Ministry of Culture for Ariette's sake?

—Perhaps it really is because of my family? If I resigned because I couldn't get along with my colleagues, Father and my brothers would certainly be furious…

"I doubt His Highness is so concerned about appeasing the House of Averil. Honestly, I suspect it's his personal favor toward you that influenced him more."

—Personal favor toward me?

Ariette blinked, startled. Her expression was one of genuine disbelief, as if the thought had never once crossed her mind.

—But I heard His Highness doesn't like women. How could he possibly have any special regard for me?

"I can't say for sure. But for a mere civil official, his actions are certainly excessive. If you must connect it to House Averil… perhaps it has something to do with your family's Neutralist faction."

—Neutralists? Why would that matter…?

Ariette murmured absently, then suddenly froze.

—W-wait… are you saying His Highness might consider me as a candidate for Crown Princess? Because I'm the daughter of the most powerful house among the Neutralists?

"Wouldn't it be stranger if he didn't, given your status?"

—But I haven't even debuted in society! How could I possibly become a Crown Princess candidate?

Her point wasn't entirely wrong. Despite being the daughter of the most prominent Neutralist duke, Ariette had never debuted in the capital's social scene. For that reason alone, her name had never been mentioned among the Crown Princess candidates.

Normally, the Empress or Crown Princess served as the imperial family's representative in aristocratic society, particularly in high society salons. Even if she didn't act directly, she would still exert influence through her close circle.

For this reason, every Empress and Crown Princess in history had made her social debut in the capital before marrying into the imperial family, even those who were already older and had missed the usual debut age.

That was why even Dayna, when Letticia suggested Ariette might become Crown Princess, had said it would only be possible after Ariette made her debut in the autumn season. Debuting was essential to gain noble support.

—But Lady Eskis is already a candidate! With such a flawless potential Crown Princess available, why would His Highness ever choose me instead?

"I don't really know much about politics, so I can't say for sure. But if His Highness truly decides to choose from the Neutralists rather than the Old Nobility, then you'd be the strongest candidate."

—……

Ariette shifted her eyes, clearly unable to comprehend, yet she didn't refute Letticia's words either, perhaps because she knew they were true.

Instead, wearing a troubled, distressed look, she muttered softly.

—Should I keep this a secret from Father and my brothers?

"Why? Do you have a reason for wanting to hide it?"

—Yes. Whenever the topic of my marriage comes up, they always say I'm still too young to wed, or else…

A faint blush spread across Ariette's cheeks. Letticia, realizing what crossed her mind, asked reflexively.

"…Don't tell me, do the three of them fight over who you promised to marry when you were little?"

—H-how did you know?!

Ariette's face turned crimson as she widened her eyes in shock.

What Letticia had once joked about with Kenneth turned out to be true: Ariette had indeed said she'd marry her father or one of her brothers when she grew up, and they actually quarreled over it. Letticia was left speechless.

'Our little darling promised she'd marry me when she grows up!'

The idea of a father and brothers bickering over such a childish claim was a common cliché in parenting stories, but seeing it in reality was simply hopeless.

Of course, they weren't actually intending to marry her for real, but what on earth was the point of fighting about it?

—…Lady Sharon, didn't you ever say something like that to the Count or Young Lord Sharon when you were little?

"I don't remember ever saying it, and even if I had, it would've just been childish play. If they were still fighting over that now, that would be the strange part."

If Letticia had once said such a thing, and it ever came up in conversation, Patrick would probably just laugh it off, saying, 'Oh, that happened?' He'd be indifferent. If anything, Camilla might teasingly warn her, 'Don't you dare covet my husband!'

If it were Lenard, he would've teased, 'But you said you'd marry me when you were little. Has your love changed?'—only to end up chased around and beaten with a rolled-up newspaper. Kenneth, on the other hand, might not have cared as a child, but now he'd probably shudder and tell her never to say something so creepy.

In other words, such childhood promises would forever be nothing more than material for teasing, embarrassing blackmail, or late-night regret.

When Letticia explained it so decisively, Ariette's face crumpled in dismay.

—But my family still says it even now… What if I can't date or marry anyone because of them?

"Then you'll just have to meet someone they wouldn't dare object to. Not that it'll be easy."

In truth, it wasn't just "not easy", it was almost impossible to imagine such a person.

The only one who came to mind was Matthias, someone even the ducal family couldn't oppose. But Ariette showed absolutely no interest in him whatsoever.

Shaking her head slightly, Letticia decided to steer the conversation to another subject. Just then, she had finished arranging the date of their first gathering with Dayna and Seraphina.

"By the way, we've scheduled the meeting for this Saturday. Before then, do you want to work on drafting our business plan together?"

—Ah, I can visit tomorrow afternoon! I'll also bring that candied orange peel I mentioned before.

"That's something I'm looking forward to. I'll make sure to read more of my business management book before tomorrow."

With that, their call ended. Letticia pushed aside the crystal communicator, but instead of reaching for her book, she propped her chin in her hand and sighed.

'Well, at least I managed to deflect Matthias's ridiculous attempt to cling onto Ariette. That's one mountain crossed…'

Whatever Matthias might try next was still uncertain. But for now, since Ariette had officially resigned, they could finally move forward, with the gatherings, and with their preparations for the business.

So she thought, whether she should wait for the right moment to tell Ezkhiel to submit his resignation, or if she should simply use the carefully preserved wish coupon, she would decide based on circumstances.

It was at that very moment her communicator lit up again, displaying a name that brought a smile to her lips.

It was her lover, Ezkhiel.

♡♡♡
Hi~ If you enjoy the translation and would like to support me or access advanced chapters of this novel, feel free to visit my ko-fi by clicking here~. Advanced chapters available:
𝟮𝟯𝟵-𝟯𝟬𝟴
𝟯𝟬𝟵-𝟯𝟭𝟯 [New, Dec 21]
𝟯𝟭𝟰-𝟯𝟭𝟴 [New, Dec 21]
♡♡♡