I had a dream. A somewhat peculiar one.
Since it was so realistic, I didn’t even realize it was a dream at first.
However, because there were occasional inconsistencies with my memories, I eventually became aware that it was, in fact, a dream.
Still, in that dream, I remained a woman, met friends, encountered new things, and enjoyed myself.
Perhaps one of the differences was how I found Selian to be adorable due to her innocent nature?
But there was one big difference—something that diverged from reality.
In that dream,
I was still Number Three.
“Here, try this as well.”
Inside the carriage on the way to Selian’s mansion, Selian was as bright as ever.
Since we’ll have plenty of serious conversations once we arrive at the mansion, it’s not bad to keep the mood light for now.
“Mmm.”
But with my mouth already so full, I wish she’d stop trying to feed me more.
It feels like something eerie I can’t quite place…
“Welcome.”
Upon arriving at Selian’s mansion, Lucas, her father, greeted us personally.
Next to Lucas stood a man who looked somewhat like him.
When our eyes met, he gave a slight bow, so I nodded in return.
He must be Selian’s older brother, someone I hadn’t met last time.
“Sorry for troubling you like this, treating you like just another visitor. Please, come in.”
The welcome was warmer than the last time I visited.
While it was hospitable even when I came during summer vacation, it felt almost excessive now.
The only change since then is that I’ve become a hero.
But shouldn’t Lucas dislike me for it?
The Deretia family, as a lineage of heroes, has immense pride.
Certainly, the Deretia family is powerful in its own right, but it shines even more because of its hero lineage.
That’s why they had high expectations for Selian, who was supposed to be the hero of this era.
But just as everyone’s hopes were pinning on Selian, I unintentionally took her place.
Could it be that they’re outwardly welcoming me but secretly plotting something?
But based on what I could discern, Lucas genuinely seemed pleased to see me.
Which only deepened my doubts.
I headed to the room I stayed in last time.
Knock knock.
While I was packing up my relatively light luggage from last time, I heard a knock on the door.
“Is there something you’d like to say…?”
Since Luke hadn’t been gone long, I assumed he’d forgotten something when I opened the door to see the man who had been standing next to Lucas earlier.
“Hello, Miss Elysia Prentz.”
“Ah… Yes. Good evening.”
I was a bit startled because I hadn’t met him properly except for at the carriage earlier.
He, too, seemed awkward, scratching his neck with his finger before speaking.
“You’ve seen my face earlier, haven’t you? My name is Luke Deretia. I came to let you know that it’s about time for dinner.”
“I see. There was no need for you to come personally when you could’ve sent someone else.”
“Haha… Father insisted I should treat Miss Prentz with proper care. Anyway, I’m sorry for disturbing you just after you’ve arrived. Please take your time getting ready before coming down.”
“Yes, I’ll come down right away. See you at the dining hall.”
“In that case, I’ll see you shortly.”
After Luke finished his errand, he turned and left, and I returned to my room.
Still, Lucas’s overly friendly attitude was making me a bit suspicious.
Without any malevolent energy, it was only making me uneasy.
But there was nothing to gain by overthinking it alone, so I shook my head to clear it of thoughts.
Knock knock.
Meanwhile, another knock came at the door.
“Something left unsaid…”
Since Luke hadn’t been gone long, I assumed he had forgotten something. However, the person outside the door turned out not to be Luke but Selian.
“Ah, Sel.”
“Earlier in the hallway, I ran into my brother… Had he just visited your room?”
“Ah… He came to inform us about dinner later.”
“My brother personally…?”
“Come in. Don’t stand outside.”
Though it seemed pretentious since this was Selian’s house, it’s technically my room for the duration of my stay.
After letting her in, I finished packing up my things.
“Alright, I’m done. Shall we head down?”
“Hmm?”
Selian, deep in her own thoughts, seemed surprised by my question.
“Didn’t you come to take me to the dining hall?”
“Ah, right. Then let’s go.”
Realizing her purpose in coming to my room, Selian finally snapped out of it and headed towards the dining hall with me.
“Let me introduce my son since this is the first time we met.”
Although we’d already seen each other earlier, I didn’t point it out.
It wasn’t my place, and a formal greeting between us was fitting.
“My son, Luke Deretia.”
“Nice to meet you, Lady Elysia. I’m Luke Deretia.”
He greeted me as if we were meeting for the first time, maintaining proper decorum.
“My name is Elysia Prentz. Pleased to meet you, Lord Luke.”
Merely exchanging pleasantries, I noticed Lucas chuckling, clearly pleased with something. I didn’t realize how energetic he could be.
“Come, let’s eat. We hurriedly invited you, so the spread isn’t much, but please enjoy.”
…If this is considered not much, I wonder what his idea of a feast is.
Even though it was just Selian’s family and me, the variety and quantity of dishes on the table were almost beyond imagining.
It was even more than the previous visit to her mansion…
We ate quietly without much conversation, and the silence was filled only by the soft sounds of cutlery clanking against the plates.
As the meal neared its end, Lucas broke the silence.
“How does it taste, Miss Elysia?”
“Yes. If anything, I might overeat and feel sick.”
“Haha. I’ll take that as a compliment.”
Lucas put down his utensils and continued.
“Well, Miss Elysia?”
“Yes?”
“Is it true that you’ve become a hero?”
Here we go.
Thankfully, Lucas’s attitude so far has shown no signs of hostility toward me becoming a hero; if anything, it seemed he liked me even more than before.
“Yes. Somehow, it happened.”
I glanced at Selian, but she was simply observing our conversation, seemingly unaware of what Lucas already knew.
“Haha. That’s all thanks to Miss Elysia’s faithfulness and abilities. No need to be so humble.”
…Faithfulness? I barely visited the shrine and, if anything, I remember speaking harshly to Goddess Serena back when I held the Holy Sword. I wouldn’t be surprised if divine punishment struck me now.
“Thank you for your kind words.”
“By the way, Miss Elysia…”
Lucas’s tone became more serious, drawing attention.
Selian and Luke, sensing the shift in atmosphere, stopped any movement at the table.
“About you being the sole survivor of the Prentz viscount family?”
“Father!”
Seldom did Selian, who rarely raised her voice, abruptly stand up and yell at her father.
Stunned by Selian’s outburst, Lucas turned toward her.
I lightly tapped Selian’s leg to calm her down.
“Yes. It’s old news, so no need to dwell on it.”
“Hmm, hmm… I must’ve brought it up too carelessly. My apologies.”
“It’s really no problem. Please continue.”
Encouraged by my gesture and words, Selian reluctantly sat down again, though her face still showed her discontent.
“I only wish to make a proposal to Miss Elysia.”
“A proposal?”
“Would you consider joining our family? There’s not too great of an age difference between you and Luke—only five years. If desired, we’ll support the restoration of the Prentz family. Of course, you’d have to take the Deretia name, but that’s just a formality that can be resolved by naming a successor later.”
Uh…
I’ve never imagined marrying a man, so I’m at a loss for words.
Checking my surroundings, Luke appeared to already know what Lucas was going to say, as he showed no change in expression, while Selian, who seemed to be hearing this for the first time, had wide eyes and her mouth agape.
Typical of her, she lost her usual composed demeanor entirely…
“That… This is rather sudden and unsettling.”
“Haha. Consider this an old man’s folly. Still, my offer is sincere, so would you at least consider it? You can take your time to decide.”
“…Alright. Understood.”
I couldn’t outright reject it while the involved parties were present, so that was the best I could do for now.
Still, this is the first time I’ve ever seen Selian so flustered. Even when I wielded the Holy Sword, she never showed such obvious signs of distress.
Only Lucas kept laughing as we finished the meal, then returned to our respective quarters.
“So, El? You’re not really considering marrying my brother, are you?”
After the meal ended, Selian followed me back to my room and questioned with a somewhat accusatory tone.
Seeing such an unfamiliar side of Selian today, I understand her panic at the sudden news of her beloved older brother potentially marrying someone else.
“Just now, it was hard to decline directly, but I have no intention of doing so.”
Lucas probably made the proposal to use me as a hero to strengthen the Deretia family’s prestige.
However, his offer has many flaws.
The Prentz family’s restoration doesn’t depend on the Deretia family.
As a hero, my destiny is to defeat the Demon King.
If I succeed, the Emperor would honor his promise and help restore the Prentz family, not to the viscount level but even higher with imperial support.
But if I fail, then it’s all for naught. It would be a miracle if I survived the ordeal.
Leaving all else aside, can I even marry?
Regardless of my female body, my mind is male. The thought alone leaves me feeling deeply uneasy.
How about marrying a woman?
While that might work in novels, it’s absurd to imagine in reality.
Though among commoners, there may be cases where two women live together out of mutual affection, could I, destined to revive the noble Prentz family, do the same?
Assuming the restoration of the Prentz family is possible, I’m likely to live alone and eventually adopt a suitable child as my successor to continue the family name.
Despite my explanation, Selian appeared unsatisfied, gnawing on her thumbnail while muttering to herself.
“Still, we need to somehow recover some strength, even if it’s just a little…”
“Séli?”
“Please rest, El. I’ll be going.”
As I worried she might be injured based on her talk of recovery, I tried to ask her more. But Selian turned and quickly left the room.
It’s really unnecessary for her to worry so much as I have no intention of stealing her brother. How can I make her trust me?
By the next day, I had remained locked in my chambers, avoiding encounters with anyone.
Awakening from a deep sleep and passing the time by reading, I descended to the dining hall when a maid informed me of the meal, different from yesterday.
Arriving a bit too early, the dining room was empty.
Uncertain if I should sit, I hesitated near the place I occupied the previous day when I sensed a presence.
Turning my head, Selian had entered the room.
Her steps and facial expression exuded calmness today, contrasting with yesterday’s demeanor. However, her attire seemed overly formal for just an early morning meal.
“Good morning, Selian.”
“Good morning, El. Please, sit down while waiting.”
“No, I just arrived.”
Following yesterday’s protocol, I waited by her chair to sit beside her.
However, instead of stopping, Selian walked straight past my position and continued to her previous seat.
Selian stopped at the head of the long table, where Lucas had sat yesterday.
“Selian…?”
“Oh, El, please take this seat beside me.”
Selian pulled out one of the chairs next to the head position and offered it to me.
“Father will be joining us shortly. Even if you’re hungry, please bear with it for a bit.”
While I was still confused, a butler approached her and said something to her.
“Then I will prepare immediately, Head of the House.”
?
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