“So, that’s how it is.”
Annamaria stood tall, dressed in a deep green, coarse cotton dress, her head wrapped in a cloth.
The next morning.
The Fullranet Manor was bathed in the light of the just-risen morning sun.
A faint glow shone through the window into Annamaria’s room.
Dressed perfectly for entering the mountains, Annamaria went to rouse Galileo, who was sound asleep in bed.
The cat-dragon familiar blinked its sleepy eyes, then sluggishly rose from the bed.
“What do you mean, ‘So, that’s how it is’?”
“I’m heading to the Romano Manor. I said I’d send a messenger this morning, so I’m going myself as my own messenger.”
“This early in the morning? Everyone’s probably either still washing their faces or just now sitting at the breakfast table. Wouldn’t it be bothersome to show up so early?”
“That’s why I’m going invisible. Starting today, Rosaria and I will work together to find the Smeraldo. She should be busy with preparations, so I’ll observe, find out why she wants to marry. When the time is right, I’ll show myself and knock on the front door as if nothing’s happened.”
“So, basically, you’re going to sneak around and snoop. Aren’t you just going to ask Rosaria directly?”
“She wouldn’t tell me even if I asked her outright, obviously.”
“True, but… Isn’t this the kind of thing you’d have your familiar do? Instead of going yourself?”
“Are you offering to do it?”
“Ah, right. No, I’d rather not. Well, but I’m awake now anyway, so I’ll go with you.”
After a stretch, Galileo hopped up onto her shoulder.
“If you’re coming along, wouldn’t it make more sense for you to do some familiar-like investigating?”
“Going alone is such a drag.”
Galileo never seemed particularly aware he was a familiar.
He was a magical beast, so it couldn’t be helped.
He was hard to use, but as a familiar he wasn’t much help.
Still, Annamaria was used to handling things herself, so she never really had a problem.
“Let my form melt into the scenery.”
With a simple chant, she and Galileo turned invisible and headed for the Romano Manor.
The Romano Family, as the house that led the Knight Order, rose early.
By now, the household would be up and starting their morning routines.
The manor itself was still quiet, though the scent of bacon and bread toasting wafted from the kitchen.
“Marry the Duke of Karana!?”
As they slipped onto the estate and circled the manor, scouting for a way inside, the bewildered shout of Count Piccolo Romano rang out.
The voice came from the first-floor parlor, so Annamaria dashed over and peeked inside through the terrace window.
The Count, still not dressed in his coat but otherwise ready for the day, stood facing Rosaria.
She, on the other hand, was already in an impeccable riding outfit.
“Yes. If I meet certain conditions, I will marry the Duke of Karana. The Duke promised as much just yesterday. To fulfill those conditions, I am leaving my duties with the Knight Order starting today. I’ve already informed my subordinates and arranged for someone to take my place, so please don’t worry.”
Rosaria continued, her expression tense, “And so, when I have fulfilled those conditions, I ask that you give your blessing to my marriage with the Duke of Karana.”
Galileo whispered, “You haven’t said a thing to your father, Count Furlanetto, have you. Is that alright?”
“It’s fine. Unlike Count Romano, Father is so easygoing—’Whatever you want, dear~’ is his style.”
She replied quietly, all the while keeping her eyes fixed on Count Romano’s face.
Tall, powerfully built, and handsome, he looked the part, even though his hair was thinning a bit, which only added to his gravitas.
For a moment, he seemed too stunned to speak, but soon managed a smile and said, “I never thought you’d be the one to talk of marriage. But very well. If the Duke of Karana is so eager, all the better.”
“After the marriage, I will leave this manor to support the Duke of Karana. I won’t be able to fulfill my duties as countess.”
“Nonsense. Even after marriage, you can manage the lands as a countess.”
“No. I want no half measures. I will devote myself wholly to supporting the Duke of Karana. I cannot inherit the title. When I marry, please have my brother inherit the title.”
Count Romano’s expression froze and he said, “…In that case… I will not consent to your marriage.”
He answered in a hard voice, but Rosaria replied firmly.
“Can you really refuse a marriage the Duke of Karana himself desires, Father?”
The Count furrowed his brows.
For a minor lord, opposing the wishes of a great lord was unthinkable.
“But the continuation of the Romano Family—”
“When I marry, my brother will inherit the title. That should solve everything. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
With a crisp bow, Rosaria left the room.
The Count stood in stunned silence for a while, then heaved a deep sigh and sank onto the long sofa.
‘Is this the real reason behind Rosaria’s marriage…?’
Glancing around, Annamaria noticed the door to the Greenhouse, part of the manor, was open.
Slipping inside and quickly climbing the stairs, she saw Rosaria standing in the shadowy upstairs corridor.
She was before a door that likely led to her brother Luca’s room.
She knocked several times, calling, “Brother.”
No answer from inside.
Staring at the silent door, Rosaria spoke up, “Brother Luca. I may be getting married. No… I am determined to marry. When that happens, I will leave this manor and devote myself to supporting my husband. I won’t be able to carry out the duties of countess. So, Brother… Please inherit the title. You were meant to inherit it from the start.”
No response.
“Brother, I know you can hear me. Please, say something.”
Rosaria waited a while, but still there was no reply from the room.
She pressed her lips together in a firm line, “My resolve won’t change. If you wish for your sister’s happiness, please, inherit the title. I believe you will, so I will do everything I can for this marriage.”
With those resolute words, she turned away from the door.
As she hurried past the stair railing, Annamaria, who had been watching, saw her.
But then, Rosaria suddenly stopped in her tracks.