Chapter 107 - Fell madly in love
Translator: Yonnee
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"First of all, I would like to ask you a question. Why in the world have you picked my daughter, and why did you send a marriage proposal? Is it solely because of her ability to help Espers?"
Arthur asked so bluntly that you couldn't just say it was just straightforwardness anymore. Momentarily thinking, 'So this is how it starts,' Ciel resolutely answered.
"I fell in love at first sight."
"......"
His reply left Arthur speechless. Helen cut in.
"Indeed, love at first sight can happen to anyone. We all can go through it."
"But I also proposed to you because I fell in love at first sight..."
Helen furtively pinched the thoughtless Arthur's thighs when he said that.
"My dear, it must have been tough for you lately. You seem to have lost some strength in your fingers."
"Father..."
Though David didn't see that, he called out to his father quietly, and Arthur belatedly changed his expression to a stern look again.
However, Ciel soon looked more comfortable as he faced Arthur. He nodded slightly towards the baron with a sympathetic expression.
At this, Arthur looked like he had opened up a little, as if he had met a comrade.
Although, Helen spoke again.
"Despite Your Grace's intentions, we do not know how the whole of the Leopardt Duchy will take this. Don't you think so?"
When Helen mentioned this, Ciel looked displeased.
"How dare any of my vassals speak against my partner?"
"In my eyes, my daughter is the prettiest and the smartest girl out there, but the rest of the world won't agree with me. She is a daughter of a baron, and not just that, she's from a rural household that's on the very outskirts of the empire, and..."
After a momentary expression of dismay, Helen added.
"She is a noble lady whose body has been marred by a severe burn scar on the back of her hand, so..."
But before Helen could finish the thought, Ciel expressed his discontentment.
"If anyone ever comes forward and points out such things, I will lop off their heads on the spot. Who would dare!"
Helen was then briefly shaken by the duke's ferocious words. If this man truly cared for her daughter this much, wouldn't it be alright...?
However, the future was not set in stone. Even if he held such affections for her daughter now, it's possible that he'd lose interest after getting married. 'Love at first sight' was not a solid foundation for anything.
"Quite honestly, it's difficult to believe every word that you say, Your Grace. You should know what kind of humiliation my daughter might face once she has left our side. That aside, does my daughter also know that she will be used for her ability to aid Espers?"
"Baroness."
Ciel called out to her, but Helen did not stop.
"She is my precious daughter. I feel endless remorse for her because she had to experience something as horrific as death when she was just a child, but despite it all, she grew up to become a bright young woman. She cares about her family more than anyone else, yet Your Grace, do you think that we would just send such an admirable child away? I'm not ready for that yet-not at all."
"If that's the case, then it would be better if we can live nearby..."
Then, Arthur murmured as a suggestion. Ciel thought that it was at this moment that he should reveal his true feelings.
"Baron."
So he called the baron, yet he was once again thwarted. By David this time.
"I apologize for interrupting, but I have a different opinion on the matter."
Accepting David's words as salvation, Ciel straightened his posture and listened intently.
"What differing opinions do you have then? You're her older brother, so shouldn't you be thinking of her safety first and foremost?"
But despite his mother's cold words, David decided that he should stick up for his younger sister right here.
"I'm saying this only because it seems you have both forgotten, Mother and Father. Don't tell me you forgot the most important thing?"
"And what's that?"
When Arthur asked, slightly angered, David answered proudly.
"The most important thing is knowing who our Rin loves. And no matter who it is, we should support her."
Ciel's face brightened. His mood soared as he realized that he finally found someone who he could talk to without a hitch.
"In that case..."
Ciel tried to speak up yet again, excited, but he was once more blocked by Arthur.
"A commendable thing to say, David. Right, I've forgotten. Our Rin must be with someone who she likes."
"That's true. I've been too focused on my own views on the matter."
"Don't dismiss your own concerns, my dear. We've been raising our dear daughter at home, so we've neglected to pay attention to the world around us."
"She's still too young... I can't believe she's already about to be married."
"Indeed, everything you say is right, my dear."
Saddened, Arthur wrapped an arm around Helen's shoulder.
Inferring that this was the right moment to intervene, Ciel quickly opened his lips to speak.
"I understand your concerns, Baron and Baroness. However, I did not send my proposal only half-heartedly."
"Hmm..."
Clear from Arthur's expression was this: 'Even if you're a Duke, I won't forgive you if those are mere empty words.' Still, Arthur soon nodded with a relatively more relaxed expression, and Ciel gained more courage.
"Baroness, if you are worried that your daughter might be too far away from you, please wait only a little while. Even if I'm not there, Aiden can serve as household head. Once he reaches the age of adulthood, I will hand over my position and move here. What do you think?"
Unlike how she had been regarding him all this time, Helen finally showed Ciel a favorable expression once he voiced out this suggestion.
