Volume 6 Chapter 17 Marx Girard, And Lady Maria
──Lady Maria.
Maria Evadin is the name of His Highness Stefan's mother.
I only know that she was the daughter of the Marquis Evadin family.
Sir Stefan didn't talk much about his family because he was worried about me, since my father didn't like me and I lost my mother.
Lady Maria passed away shortly after giving birth to Lady Anna. It seems she was very close to His Majesty King Zeere.
"I remember the time when I was going to the royal academy with His Majesty King Zeere and Feldur. I fell in love with Lady Maria, who was kind, compassionate, cheerful, and beautiful."
As Sir Marx reminisced, I couldn't help but glance at Lady Irfimia.
Lady Irfimia nodded slightly, as if to say she was okay.
"I know this too, so you don't have to worry, Ms. Lydia."
"...But──."
"Sir Marx loved Lady Maria. Knowing that, I came to Sir Marx. ...It was a marriage between our families. My personal feelings didn't matter... I also saw how His Majesty, Sir Marx, and Lady Maria were at the academy..."
"I think I made Irfimia suffer. Even when Irfimia came to me, my heart was still with Lady Maria."
After receiving Sir Marx's apology, Lady Irfimia smiled faintly.
I wonder what it feels like to know your husband loves someone else.
No matter how close you are, you know you're not truly loved.
But once you're married, you can't escape. Lady Irfimia was from a lower-ranking Count family, so it was even harder for her.
She has to endure it.
It must be really painful. Even when you're together, you might feel all alone.
"Why do I have to hear stories like that from you?"
Sir Roxas said this with a look of disgust.
I understand how he feels. I don't really want to hear about my Father Feldur's past romances either.
"I thought you might feel the same as me. I respected His Majesty. So, I never wanted to take Lady Maria away. I believed that it was our Duke Girard family's role to protect and support His Highness Stefan and the princesses, who are the legacy of His Majesty and the late Lady Maria."
"So you were trying to make me and my brother clean up your mess of unrequited love?"
"That seems to be the case. ...I wasn't aware of my surroundings. My feelings were everything. I only realized that Irfimia was afraid of me, that you, Roxas, were feeling lonely, and that Rail was trying to protect you and Irfimia... after you left this house with Rail."
"How foolish."
"Yeah, I know. I think it's foolish. ...So, Roxas. And Ms. Lydia. Thank you for being honest with me."
Sir Marx bowed deeply to us.
I was the one trying to deceive our parents. My chest felt tight and heavy.
"I'm sorry. ...I was the one trying to deceive you, so it's my fault..."
"That's not true. I'm sorry for dragging you into our family's issues. And thank you for saving Rail. Without you, Ms. Lydia, Rail would have died."
"Um, well..."
When he said it so clearly, it was hard to agree.
I don't want to think about Sir Rail dying right now.
"Roxas. I understand how you feel. ...Ms. Lydia, you came all this way for Roxas and Rail, right? And... everyone is helping for Roxas, even His Highness, Lord Chrisrain, and Lucian."
"Y-yes...! Everyone is Sir Roxas's friend. They like Sir Roxas and Sir Rail. I know it's better not to get in the way for the Girard family, but..."
"Roxas must be happy that Ms. Lydia came."
"Uh, um, ah... yeah, that's true."
Sir Roxas replied while acting a bit strange.
So they didn't think I was a bother. That's good.
"Father, I still don't want to get married. I understand my role is to keep the Girard family going, but... Rail just got better, and I'm finally starting to think my life isn't so bad."
"I see. ...It's been bad for a long time. You and Rail are my children with Irfimia. I've made mistakes, but I care about you both in my own way."
"I feel the same, Roxas. ...I'm sorry. Mother made you suffer because I was weak. It's the same with Rail. I was leaning on Rail. Every time Sir Marx praised Rail, I felt happy like I was being praised too. For that moment, I felt like Sir Marx loved me..."
"Your relationship doesn't matter to me. But Lydia believes that a couple should love each other. Please don't act in a way that makes Lydia sad."
"Eh... oh, y-yes..."
I was surprised when the topic turned to me, but I nodded along.
Sir Roxas is saying, "Since you're a couple, get along."
I think it's easier for him to say it if he uses my name.
"That's right. ...Roxas, forcing a marriage might lead to the same mistakes I made. I don't regret marrying Irfimia, but it's true that I made her suffer."
"I'm okay now, Sir Marx."
"Ah. But Roxas is still young. I shouldn't let him make the same mistakes as me. And Rail too. If he's alive, I want him to come back as Rail Girard. I don't want to discriminate just because he had White Moon disease. In fact, since Ms. Lydia helped him heal, you could say he's blessed by the saint."
Sir Marx looked at our faces one by one, then a sly smile appeared on his face.
"Let's have a wedding, both of you. We'll keep pretending we were tricked. But..."
When Sir Marx made his suggestion, Sir Roxas and I exchanged glances and couldn't help but smile.
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