"Michelle, rejoice! Your marriage has been decided!!"

It’s been a while since I’ve seen Father’s beaming smile. Not that I’m thrilled about it.

"A count, no less!"

"For a poor viscount family like ours to marry into a count’s household? What kind of disaster of a man is he?"

Old, divorced, with kids, maybe a mistress…

"It’s not a big deal. He’s 32 years old."

"Fourteen years my senior, then."

"His wife ran off."

"One of Father’s kindred spirits, I see."

"He has two children."

"…"

"But they’re only 4 and 7. They’ll warm up to you easily. Plus, you won’t even have to bear any children!"

A marriage of convenience on top of that? Impressive. He checks almost every box for someone you’d never want to marry.

"No wedding ceremony or dowry needed. He wants you to come tomorrow with just the clothes on your back."

"…Isn’t that a job offer, not a marriage?"

It might as well be a help-wanted ad for a servant.

"Nonsense! I’ve already received a generous dowry. This’ll get Dale into the capital’s academy!"

Oh, so I’m being sold off for my little brother’s tuition.

Father dotes on Dale, who shares his coloring.

He’s always boasted about Dale’s beautiful blonde hair and clear blue eyes.

Back in his youth, Father’s looks supposedly made him quite popular with women, but now he’s just a washed-up, penniless viscount. Yet he foolishly clings to the dream that sending his son to the capital’s academy will change everything.

Mother couldn’t stand this impoverished life and left a divorce letter before walking out five years ago. Whether she found happiness elsewhere, I don’t know.

Maybe the count, another man abandoned by his wife, bonded with Father over their shared misery.

"Leave tomorrow morning. And don’t you dare come back!"

Father’s always resented me for looking like Mother.

He mocks my light brown hair and hazel eyes, so different from his own.

"Understood."

I wonder if this count, part of the jilted men’s club, is also blonde and blue-eyed like Father. Are his kids, too…? Come to think of it, I don’t even know his name.

"It doesn’t matter who he is. There’s no love in this anyway."

"Sis, I’m sorry."

Dale was waiting outside my room.

He really is beautiful, isn’t he?

With slightly wavy blonde hair and sapphire-blue eyes, he’s delicate for a 15-year-old, almost angelic.

"Why are you apologizing?"

"…It’s because of me that you’re getting married, isn’t it?"

What’s the point of that question, you sweet boy?

He’s probably hoping for something like, ‘Not at all,’ or, ‘It’s for my beloved brother.’

But…

"Maybe I’ve lucked into a good match thanks to you?"

A neutral response, neither happy nor sad.

Please let that be enough. After all, you wouldn’t give up your dream of attending the capital’s academy for me, would you? But I want to free you from this house, too.

"Sis?"

I know you love me and care for me. But your own happiness comes just a little bit first.

"I love you, Dale. Please be happy."

He’s adorably cunning in his own way. My only ally in this family, my precious little brother.

"Sis! I really—"

"No, stop. Father’s already taken the money. It’s fine. I’ll eat better meals there than in this house."

Thank you. You were about to choose me just now, weren’t you? Sweet boy. That’s enough for me.

"Now, you need to prepare for the capital, too. I won’t be around to help anymore. You’ll have to do everything yourself from now on. Can you handle it?"

"…I’ll be fine. You’ve taught me so much, Sis."

"That’s right. You’re my kind, clever, wonderful brother. Never forget to care for others and keep up your daily efforts."

"I know. It’s about sticking with things, right?"

"That’s my Dale."

I pat my smart little brother’s head. I won’t be able to do this anymore, will I?

"Sis, if anything happens, contact me. I’ll come save you, I swear."

"…Thank you. You, too. If anything happens, you’d better let me know. But I’d love even more letters about happy times."

"Yeah. I’ll write, I promise."

Thanks to Dale, my heart feels lighter.

No matter what happens, I’ll be okay. I have the sweetest ally in the world.

Chapter 2: 2. A Sudden Arranged Marriage

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