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I took a breather after giving the third ring to Louise.

I had considered riding the momentum and visiting Irina next, but handling my confessions like some sort of ‘buy-one-get-one-free’ deal felt too much. It felt wrong, as if I was treating her as an afterthought, and that made me feel guilty.

It wasn’t exactly fair to say this after meeting Louise and the Mage Duchess on the same day, but Louise's situation was unique. If I had postponed Louise's turn back then, it could have led to some unpleasant misunderstandings.

There’s also the issue with Irina’s family.

The most important thing to consider, however, was the Count of Yorun, who stood behind Irina.

Even if Irina liked me, I had no idea what Count Yorun thought of it. Thanks to the 3rd Manager's colorful past, my relationship with him had become rather awkward.

So, I needed to be careful when giving Irina my answer. It would only put her in a difficult position if I responded too quickly and her father later objected. Alternatively, Count Yorun might interpret it as me saying, ‘I want to be with your daughter. Do you have a problem with that?’

I’ll have to go see him in person.

Fortunately, Irina's father was a titled noble who was required to attend the New Year's Ball. I’d be seeing him there anyway, so we could have a serious conversation then. Maybe he’d grant his blessing if I sincerely apologized and asked for his understanding.

The real issue was whether Irina could wait until then. With Marghetta and Louise both proudly wearing their rings, being the only one left without an answer to her confession would likely cause her a lot of anxiety.

"Let Irina know that I’ve already prepared the ring and I’m just waiting for the right moment."

"Leave it to me!"

And so, I subtly asked Louise to let Irina know that a positive outcome was guaranteed—it was just a matter of timing.

That should put Irina's mind at ease. While it wasn’t ideal to drag things out, we’d probably manage until the New Year’s Ball. Louise seemed fired up to help her friend, so things should work out.

"Oppa, do you have a minute?"

That was what I thought at the time.

"Yeah, sure. Come in."

I smiled as I answered Irina, who cautiously asked me from the doorway.

I could guess what she was here for judging by the mix of excitement and anxiety on her face.

Looks like it didn’t work.

Unfortunately, even Louise's enthusiasm wasn’t enough to keep Irina at bay. I suppose it was understandable—how could anyone resist when a ring was practically within arm's reach?

I had planned to wait until the New Year’s Ball for Irina’s sake, but if that decision ended up making her sad, then that would defeat the whole purpose. It’d probably be better to resolve this now and then focus all my efforts on convincing the Yorun family.

"Why don’t you sit down first? Would you like some tea?"

"Oh, yes!"

I gently pressed down on Irina's shoulders and guided her to a seat before turning towards the shelf.

Conveniently, both the tea set and the fourth ring were sitting there.

***I picked up my own cup as I watched Irina sip her tea.

It’s better to just give it to her now.

I made up my mind. The fact that Irina had sought me out despite Louise’s subtle persuasion showed that her patience had reached its limit. Delaying things any further would only harm everyone involved.

In this world as well, it was customary for a man to confess his feelings to a lady. Even if it was a marriage of convenience—or perhaps especially because it was—the formalities were taken very seriously.

Irina had already shown the courage to confess first, and it wouldn’t be right to make her endure the humiliation of having to ask for the ring. That would be a blow to her pride as a woman.

I should wait until Irina calmed down a bit before speaking. She seemed to be out of breath, like she either rushed over here or was nervously considering how to bring up the topic. It’d be good to address this quickly, but it might startle her if I’m too direct—

"I told my family."

Ah...

"...You what?"

Irina hit me with that before I could even lower my teacup.

The unexpected words caught me off guard, and I couldn’t respond immediately. It felt like my brain had slowed down as well.

However, Irina didn't wait for me to recover and quickly followed up with another blow.

"I told my family that I like you, oppa."

"You told your family?"

"Yes. I also told them that I confessed to you."

Judging by the determined look on her face, this wasn’t a joke. Not that anyone would joke about something like this, but still. This was a declaration filled with sincerity.

"So, there's nothing for you to worry about."

She knew why I had been hesitating and took care of the issue herself.

Do families really take after each other like this?

I almost laughed at how bold and straightforward she was. It was clear now that Irina truly belonged to the Yorun family.

Count Yorun might have taken a hit from the Prosecutors' Office, but looking at it differently, the Yorun family managed to withstand the blow even when the Prosecutors' Office went all out. They were a noble family that survived and endured.

In fact, they were so significant that even the Gold Duke had to intervene—they were a prominent family within his faction and ranked among the top tier of counts, nearly on par with marquises if it was exaggerated a little bit.

Given that Irina came from such a family, it was no surprise that she wasn’t your average person.

"I honestly almost gave up on getting close to you, oppa. If Irina hadn’t told me, I probably would have."

Louise's words came back to me.

Louise was ready to give up during summer vacation when she noticed how close Marghetta and I were getting. However, Irina showed her the way of becoming the second or third wife.

Because of that, Louise now saw Irina as a savior. That was why she was more than willing to help when I asked her to reassure Irina.

...But looking at it from another angle, it could also mean that Irina had been strategizing all along, aiming not for the position of the first wife but the ones after it.

Is this the Yorun family’s standard?

I was a bit intimidated. Even though Irina had an older brother and wasn’t yet fully educated, she was still able to assess the situation so accurately.

What exactly was the Yorun family?

***My palms were starting to sweat. This was the conclusion I had arrived at after thinking it over and over, but both I and oppa would be in an awkward spot if I had misread the situation.

However, after a moment of surprise, oppa smiled and spoke.

"Well then, there's nothing I can do. It puts my mind at ease if you’ve already told them."

His words made the corners of my mouth involuntarily lift into a smile.

I was right. Oppa had delayed his answer out of consideration for our family because he was thinking of me and them, not because he disliked me.

Thank goodness...

I had been worried, just maybe, that maybe oppa was delaying for another reason. Or that perhaps he was hesitating to reject me outright because he was afraid of hurting my feelings.

But luckily, it was none of those. Oppa had delayed his answer because he was kind and thoughtful. Despite being part of the ruthless and unforgiving Prosecutors' Office, he remained a true gentleman.

That was also why I fell for him. Even when he was in a position where no one could blame him for anything, he still apologized for the mistakes of his department and genuinely felt sorry for it.

Father understood that, too.

The Prosecutors' Office strived for perfection. Because of that, even their mistakes were considered as the right course of action. The past Executive Managers of the Prosecutors’ Office had always followed that principle.

That was why Father was so surprised when he received an apology letter from oppa, the current Executive Manager of the Prosecutors’ Office. He had expected compensation since the Gold Duke got involved, but he never imagined that he would also receive an apology.

Once a sincere apology, compensation, and punishment for the hostile forces that had slandered our family were all in place, Father was satisfied. We had, after all, received everything we could have asked for.

— Who did you say?

Of course, even with all that, my father couldn't simply overlook the fact that his daughter was seeing the Prosecutors' Office's Executive Manager.

On the day I confessed my feelings to oppa after being prompted by Louise, I had a long conversation with Father.

“Carl Krasius. The Prosecutors' Office's Executive Manager, whom you’re well aware of.”

Father pinched the bridge of his nose at my firm response. I could understand why he felt that way, and it didn’t make me feel any better.

He had been visibly unsettled when he first heard that oppa was being dispatched as an academy inspector. Some bitterness must have lingered even after everything we had received from the Prosecutors' Office.

And now, his daughter had not only gotten involved with the Prosecutors' Office's Executive Manager but had also fallen for him. It was only natural for him to be shaken.

— He’s dangerous. You can’t be involved with him.

“I’m sorry. I know he’s caused trouble for our family, but—”

— That’s not what I mean. The Iron-blooded Duke already has his eye on him.

That was unexpected.

Father’s response made it clear that he had long since moved on from the incident with the Prosecutors' Office and was looking at the bigger picture.

His expression softened as he continued.

— Irina. Our family may be noble, but we are merchants first. Once debts are paid and the grievances are settled, there’s no need to dwell on them. I no longer harbor any ill feelings towards the Prosecutors' Office's Executive Manager.

I had momentarily forgotten. Father wasn’t a villain or a cold-hearted person, but he was a man who always calculated things thoroughly.

Moreover, since none of our family members were hurt—something he valued even more than money—there was no need to hold a grudge.

“But, um... our family was in real danger. Doesn’t that bother you?”

It felt strange even as I said it. I was supposed to be convincing Father, and yet there I was, pointing out oppa’s flaws instead.

— We received benefits that far outweighed the risks. The crisis didn’t bring our family down, but the benefits will help us soar to even greater heights.

He then shook his head lightly as if to say that this wasn’t the point.

— Anyway, the Duke of Valenti’s daughter is likely to become his first wife. You know what that means, don’t you?

“I understand. I’m prepared.”

Father let out a small sigh.

As the daughter of a count, there was no way I could surpass a duke’s daughter to become the first wife. Inevitably, I would be the second, third, or perhaps even later in line. It seemed that Father was lamenting the fact that his daughter wouldn’t have the exclusive love of the man she cherished but would have to share it.

Understanding his concern, I gave him a small smile, feeling touched by how much he cared for and loved me.

— ...Are you sure you won’t regret this?

I nodded without hesitation. I wouldn’t regret it even if I became just one of oppa’s wives.

It wasn’t always this way. Unlike Father, I had lingering feelings towards oppa. I used to resent him, fear him, and want to avoid him.

But once I understood what kind of person he really was and once I could observe him without prejudice, my resentment turned into affection, and my desire to avoid him became a desire to be near him, even if only a little.

It wasn’t just because he saved me from a monster or because he was kind. As a member of a count’s family, I had resigned myself to a marriage of convenience, one without love. But oppa was a match that, if made, would yield benefits far beyond those of a typical political marriage.

If a marriage could bring the same advantages as a strategic alliance, then I wanted it to be with him—a man who was not only impressive and kind but also made my heart race with just a glance. To be married not to a cold, loveless man, but with someone my heart had chosen.

...And once I set my heart on oppa, it became impossible to imagine seeing anyone else.

— Alright then. If that’s truly what you want.

Hearing the sincerity in my voice, Father finally gave his consent.

With Father’s approval—both as the head of the Yorun family and as Count Flanbell—there was no longer any obstacle in my path. As long as oppa felt the same, then nothing could stop us from being together.

“Were you upset? I’m sorry. I should have given it to you sooner.”

Just like now.

I realized just how much I had longed for this moment as oppa slipped the half-ring, just like the one I had envied so much, onto my finger.

“Irina, you’re so brave for forgiving someone like me and speaking up about what you want so confidently.”

Oppa let out a soft laugh and gently patted my head.

“I was too much of a coward to do that. I have a lot to learn from you.”

“Then, I’ll teach you for the rest of my life.”

We both laughed at that.

***I felt drained. Why was the world like this?

Wow...

The duke’s daughter had prepared herself. She fully expected to receive a ring.

But now, even the pink-haired unnie and the blonde unnie had rings on their fingers. Even those who met Master later than Penelia unnie were wearing rings now.

Wooooow...

This was dizzying. I was planning to tell Master that Penelia unnie and the blonde unnie both liked him when he returned to the mansion.

However, that seemed impossible now. I couldn’t reach Penelia unnie, and the blonde unnie already received her ring.

“Yuris... Are you okay? You don’t look so good...”

“I want to cry.”

“Oh, are you hurt?”

Sophia, unsure of what to do, hugged me warmly as I opened my arms to her.

I really wanted to cry.

What should I do?

I would have told Master that Penelia unnie liked him if I could just get in touch with her. Then he would have gone to see her, and she would have confessed her true feelings.

But I can’t reach her.

She was still out of contact and unreachable.

Unnie... where are you? What will you do if you don’t even make it to the starting line while everyone else is running?

It was the end of the year, so she’d come back, right? No matter how busy she was, she was always in the capital for the year-end.

Please.