Characters in this chapter:
- Sapphiras Perfectio, former 2nd son of the Earl of Aldridge
- Percival Belisario, 3rd son of Margrave of Vanderwall on the Eastern Frontier
- Aurora Steinfeld, daughter of the Duke of Bloomfield
- Aquila Perfectio, 3rd son of the Earl of Aldridge, Sapphiras’ former younger brother
- Gabriel McMillan, Commander of the Order of Magicians
- Adeline, Margravine of Vanderwall, Percival’s mother
- Susanna Claire, chief chambermaid in the Belisario household
Time passed quickly, and we were successfully promoted to the third year.
Then, in the fourth month, when Percival’s birthday is, we will finally took our vows of matrimony in the temple.
Madam Adeline tried to inform my ex-mother about our marriage, but I politely declined. Although we are related by blood, she is no longer of any concern to me. I told Aquila, who entered the academy this year, directly. I met Aquila for the first time in a while and he seemed healthier than I expected. He seems to be learning magic from Gabriel-san, so I’m sure he will become a fine magician.
The Margrave and his wife and my brothers will be present at the vows. Aurora said she would also like to be present as a friend, but the truth is that she is very busy at the moment. Aurora will soon be officially announced as the Crown Prince’s fiancée.
“It’s such a shame.”
“The future Crown Princess can’t just leave the royal capital. Besides, all I have to do is swear in front of the goddess statue and sign some papers, so I don’t think it’s worth coming all the way to see.”
The oath of companionship is an easy one that requires no special preparation, as all you have to do is sign a document in the temple. It’s nothing that requires Aurora to go out of her way to visit.
“Even so……as a friend, it is very important for me to witness the happiness of the two of you.”
Aurora has a look of sincere regret on her face.
With my transfer, it’s only a matter of seconds to go back and forth between Vanderwall and the royal capital. But if Aurora, who will now be a member of the royal family, were to travel, there would be a fair amount of tedious procedures and such. With me there wouldn’t be a problem with a small number of guards, but there’s no way around the administrative aspects.
When you reach a high position, it’s hard to just say, “I’m coming over to celebrate with my friend.” Even though you’re busy and have a hard time, the fact that you call us friends and care about us is enough for me.
***
“Sapphy, if you don’t mind, let’s have tea together.”
As I returned to Vanderwall with Percival ahead of our vows at the temple, Madam Adeline called out to me. Percival had gone to Lord Vanderwall’s, so I was bored and accepted the invitation without hesitation.
“With pleasure!”
I was just feeling a bit hungry, so the delicious tea and sweets were very welcome!
“Go ahead, have as much as you like.”
Even though Madam Adeline said that, I was distracted and didn’t know where to start. Today was even more extravagant than usual, with a wide variety of sweets lined up on the table.
“Today I recommend the chelazos1チェラゾス, I googled and seems like it’s a kind of coffee. tart. The chelazos soaked in syrup are delicious.”
As I was undecided, Madam Adeline gave me her recommendation.
Okay, then I’ll try the chelazos tart first. I was quickly served a tart topped with many large, shiny chelazos.
“Mmm!”
Delicious!
I took a bite and was blown away by how delicious it was. The chelazos were full of sweet syrup, and the custard cream was rich with the flavour of eggs and was just too smooth. What is this, it’s just too delicious.
I was engrossed in the wonderful tart, but I suddenly noticed that the atmosphere of today’s tea party was different from usual. Usually we’d talk about the school, magic, and sometimes the magical forest, but Madam Adeline just drank tea and said nothing. That doesn’t mean the atmosphere was heavy. The air around us was calm, so it didn’t seem like anything serious had happened.
Well, if something big is happening, she wouldn’t be leisurely having tea. Thinking that there must be times when you just want to have a quiet cup of tea, I reach for the various sweets lined up on the table. As always, they are all delicious. The makoro has become my favourite, and the cream inside changes with the season, so I never get tired of eating it.
“Sapphy, you are finally becoming a part of our family, aren’t you?”
Madam Adeline muttered earnestly, I stop eating the pastry and straighten my back.
Now that she said it, I understood that she was going to be Percival’s partner, but I had never thought about becoming a member of the Belisario family.
The Belisario family is highly regarded by the royal family as the key to the defence of the kingdom. It may be presumptuous to compare them, but even though they are both nobles, they are a world apart from my former family.
“We have all thought of Sapphy as our real son for a long time. That’s why we have been looking forward to this day coming.”
I already think of them as my family too. I am so grateful that they have been so considerate of me, even before I was engaged to Percival.
“I am very grateful to hear you say that.”
“That’s right,”
When Mrs Adeline cut off her words there, she gave off a slight hint of nervousness. What is it?
Is there a problem? I brace myself a little.
“If it’s all right with Sapphy, I’d like you to call us father, mother and brother2父 (Chichi), 母(Haha) & 兄(Ani). Of course, if you don’t like it, we can continue as before.”
Oh, is that what this is all about?
Even if I don’t go out of my way to change it, no matter how much for something like that……no, calling “mother3母上 (haha-ue)” feels a little embarrassing. I’m not the type to call a mother. After all, I only used the term “mother” when I was a child. Now I feel much closer to my mother in my previous life than the former Countess Aldridge.
But I wonder if calling “mum4母さん (Kaa-san)” is a bit strange for a lady of nobility?
“You don’t have to think so much about it. No matter what you call us, we are still family.”
She must have misunderstood that I was reluctant to call them parents because I was thinking too much. I think it was because she was considering my complicated family background.
If I become Percival’s spouse and my name becomes Belisario, then naturally the members of the Belisario family will be my father, mother, and brother.
“Umm……mum5he went with 母さん (kaa-san), is that alright? I’m a bit unfamiliar with the term mother……”
“Yes, yes, of course. Please call me anything that Sapphy finds easy.”
Madam Adeline looks at me expectantly. This means she wants me to call her right away. If I wait a day, I might be too embarrassed and miss the opportunity……yoshi, I’ll make up my mind.
“……M-Mum?”
“Hai, Sapphy.”
Madam Adeline smiles happily when I call her mother. Suddenly, the salon was enveloped in an ticklish atmosphere. Susanna-san, who was standing by the wall, and the servants were smiling.
Just as I was feeling embarrassed and fidgety and restless, Percival arrived. Good timing, Percival.
“Please let me join you.”
“Of course, Percy.”
As soon as Percival sat down next to me, tea was brought in.
“Chelazos tart is delicious.”
“Is it, let’s have that then.”
With Percival’s participation, the atmosphere returned to a normal tea party. As we drank tea, we confirmed the procedure at the temple and the schedule for the future.
If Percival hadn’t come, I would have been so embarrassed that I would have run out of the salon.
But even so, aside from the brothers, to call Lord Vanderwall “father”? This is quite difficult……
***
It was a calm, sunny day, like spring.
Percival and I stood in front of the goddess statue in the full uniforms of the Vanderwall army.
As usual, Madam Adeline was trying to prepare our costumes, but Percival managed to stop her. I said I could wear my usual clothes or a uniform, but as expected that was a bit……everyone shook their heads at me. The brothers advised me that I should then wear the Vanderwall Army uniform and get a new cape, and then Madam Adeline relented.
“Do you two swear to the Goddess of Fate that you will continue to hold each other’s hands, sharing everything, your joys and sorrows, hopes and trials?”
“Yes.”
“Yes.”
After we exchanged glances after the oath, light poured in through the stained glass window near the ceiling, making the statue of the goddess shine white. The high priest looked up at the statue, a little surprised.
It was like a blessing from the goddess, but I swear I didn’t arrange this. It was a real coincidence.
“……I need both of you to sign here.”
Percival and I wrote our names on the document proving our marriage.
”Now, your marriage is established. I hope that you will use your smiles as strength to support each other in times of sadness, love and respect each other, and build a life together that will last for many years to come.”
After bowing to the high priest who had congratulated us and stepping down from the stage, the Belisario family were waiting for me with smiles on their faces, happy that we had finally become a real family.
It has been two years since I met Percival. Today I became his companion.
melon: Eeeppp! They’re finally married! Next chapter is a special one and will be posted shortly. Y’all should know what comes after marriage hehehe…
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