Prologue

Mary’s brows furrowed as she watched her knight take a hit with a high-pitched clank. Oh no, she murmured inwardly, lamenting how she had let her side of the board thin out to such a degree. Yet no amount of regret would bring the knight back to life, and giving in to her grief could’ve put the rest of her pieces at risk. The battlefield is an exceptionally unforgiving place, indeed.

No, it wasn’t just the battlefield that was unforgiving. The reason behind this very fight—House Albert’s succession battle—was most unforgiving of all. The siblings were awash in blood, kicking each other down in their struggle to reach the one and only throne. The winner would attain immense honor and glory, while the losers would have no choice but to depart.

Mary had committed herself to this struggle, and she refused to be shaken by the loss of a single piece. Reassuring herself in her mind, she reached her hand towards one of her own pieces, aiming to turn the tables in a single swift move.

She had to center all her attention on the game of chess. Her eyes were locked on the board, because she had to gaze at nothing but the monochrome pieces as they spun around the battlefield. She couldn’t afford to look away. The gentle aroma wafting from the tea, the pound cake covered with dollops of fresh cream—she couldn’t pay heed to such things.

Mary had to be careful not to let her brother’s grin enter her field of vision either. The same was true for the partially hidden banner, which nevertheless was somewhat visible, bearing the words, “Friendly Chess Tournament between the House Albert Siblings.”

“Lang, this is a genuine battle, so can’t you look a little more serious?” Mary asked.

“Oh, pardon me,” he responded. “Getting to play chess with you just makes me so happ—er, I mean, so nervous that I can’t control my expression! But this is so nostalgic... We’re the ones who taught you how to play chess, Mary.”

“No, Adi taught me,” she corrected him. “You two would always mess about and start throwing the pieces. You didn’t teach me anything.”

“Really? You have a good memory, Mary. As expected of our adorable little sister.” Lang smiled in good humor, then glanced down at the board. “Oh dear, looks like I’ve lost!” he added, raising his arms in the air in a gesture of surrender. His attitude, expression, and tone of voice all suggested he was in high spirits. His countenance was always jovial to start with, and now he looked happier than ever. There was no trace of the loser’s frustration and disgrace about him.

Soon enough, Lucian cleared the board. “Now it’s my turn,” he declared, sitting across from Mary. He usually had a melancholic look about him, but right now he couldn’t hide his joy. He was also in a good mood, which was even harder to comprehend than with someone like Lang. “All right, Mary. Let’s have a friendly game of—I mean, a battle for heirship. You’re smart, so I’m sure this will be fun— I mean, I’m sure this will be a difficult and harrowing fight, which will endanger our very lives...”

“Your expression’s pretty soft, Lucian,” Mary noted.

“Soft? Me, who’s so very gloomy? That’s impossible... Oh, you’re right.” Lucian poked his own cheeks, realizing the face he was making. He then began listing all sorts of excuses, like how he was nervous after having witnessed the previous battle, and that he was trembling with excitement for the upcoming match. Neither of these actually explained his expression, so his words were no more than irrelevant non sequiturs.

Mary gazed at him intently and then replied, “That makes sense.”

This world contained a noblewoman who experienced every human emotion via tears, so it wasn’t all that strange to consider that there could be a gentleman whose expression grew soft when he felt nervous or excited. Probably, anyway. For the time being, Mary would leave it at that. In any case, right now she knew she ought to be focusing on chess.

“I’ll attain a crushing victory and freeze that look on your face!” Mary said, declaring war as she picked up one of her pieces.

***

When all was said and done, she ended up winning against Lucian as well. However, she didn’t follow through on her words in their entirety, because her brother looked incredibly happy to have lost.

Even now, during the postgame analysis, the twins discussed the matches with soft, relaxed expressions. Of course, their “discussion” was composed entirely of them singing Mary’s praises, saying things like, “That move of hers was particularly keen!” and “She didn’t let herself be intimidated into taking the defensive—as expected of her!” They did this even for completely unremarkable moves she had made, claiming things like, “As she made that move, her hand looked so graceful!” and “When she reached for her piece, you could see that her fingers are shapely and beautiful, all the way down to her nails!”

Fed up with them, Mary turned to Adi and Roberto, who’d been watching the matches from the side. “I would like you two to answer me clearly, honestly, and without any falsehoods. Were our battles heated and harsh?”

Roberto smiled warmly. His narrow eyes creased with amusement, and he responded, “Yes, of course.” His tone of voice wasn’t any different from the usual, and he didn’t seem to be lying.

As for Adi, however, his cheeks puffed up instantly with a repressed laugh, and he openly turned away to avoid Mary’s gaze. Though he and Roberto were brothers, their reactions couldn’t have been more different.

“Roberto, you think those were heated battles, right?” Mary prompted.

“So much so that even my hands have grown clammy with nerves,” he claimed. “Everyone’s fighting spirit was tangible as you refused to give each other ground.”

“Y-Yes, exactly... What about you, Adi? Are your hands clammy too?”

“M-Me?! Uh... Rather than ‘heated,’ I’d say it was a warm and friendly— Ow!” Adi cried out suddenly, interrupting his incoherent reply. His glare was uncharacteristically sharp as he turned his eyes to Roberto, who was standing next to him.

Mary looked them over with confusion, only to discover that Roberto was stomping on Adi’s foot. His heel was grinding into the toe of Adi’s shoe with such ferocity that Mary could practically hear it.

That must hurt, she thought. She had stomped on Adi’s foot countless times herself, but only with moderate strength. Given that Adi was two heads taller than her, the sensation would’ve been more like having a kitten climb onto his foot. In contrast, Roberto was even taller than Adi, and there was no hesitation nor pity behind his actions. What made it all the more terrifying was the fact that his expression hadn’t changed at all: if one didn’t glance down at his feet, he would’ve still seemed like a perfectly composed butler.

“Go on. Lady Mary is waiting, so answer her at once,” Roberto ordered Adi. “Do note that depending on what you say, I’m willing to abandon all of my duties for the rest of the day in order to keep stomping on your foot.”

“You’re my brother, so I can tell you’re serious about that. How terrifying,” Adi murmured. “You need to stop that and do your job.”

“Don’t you worry. I do all my work one day ahead of schedule, so there’s no problem. Now, answer her.” Roberto put more of his weight onto Adi’s foot.

Adi groaned, his brows furrowing from the pain. He turned to look at Mary. Part of him seemed to want to ask her for help, but since situations like this happened frequently, he decided to first answer her question.

“Did you also think they were heated battles, Adi?” she asked.

“Y-Yes, of course... They were truly bloodcurdling matches. From here, you all looked like mightily ferocious kitte—I mean, tigers,” Adi said, his voice strained with pain.

Roberto removed his foot from Adi’s, satisfied with that response. Adi let out a relieved breath, and hurriedly retreated to Mary’s side. This was no cowardice—anyone would’ve done the same had they gone up against Roberto. Only a certain pair of careless twins had the nerve to oppose him.

“Lady Mary, did my foolish brother’s answer satisfy you?”

“The idea of saying yes after witnessing that chain of events annoys me, but for the sake of Adi’s foot, I’ll pretend to have been fooled,” Mary replied.

“Kind as always, Lady Mary. That brings us to the end of today’s succession battle,” Roberto declared. With a single clap of his hands, the atmosphere shifted immediately.

Lang and Lucian, knowing their afternoon work awaited, rose to their feet at the sound. Truly, it was hard to say who was the actual master between the three of them.

“Oh right!” Lang muttered suddenly, having remembered something. He signaled Lucian with his eyes, and the both of them approached Mary.

Their expressions were grave. Their previous joy seemed to have vanished, and their gazes were sharp. Despite their small frames and babyish features, which made them look younger than their actual age, their serious faces instantly gave them the sort of dignity that only House Albert’s sons could have.

Even Mary found herself fixing her posture. “What is it?” she inquired.

“Mary, there’s something we have to tell you,” said Lang, putting on airs. “There’s something that you need to do in order to become House Albert’s heir.”

“Something I need to do?” she repeated, leaning closer to him in anticipation.

The air around the brothers was tense, signifying that this “something” was very important. Mary gulped reflexively, urging them to continue.

Lang paused for a moment, and finally opened his mouth to speak while gazing at Mary. “In order to inherit House Albert, you must go on a journey!”

Mary was silent for a while, staring at him blankly. “A journey...?” she asked, tilting her head with a confused frown.

When Mary explained her thoughts, the still-stunned Roberto murmured, “Is that right...?” It was very unusual for him to mumble like this.

He looks exactly like Adi when he’s dumbstruck. It makes him look younger too, Mary observed calmly.

“So...you’re my younger sister, Lady Mary?”

“Yes, I am, big brother Roberto,” Mary answered with a giggle.

Roberto chuckled wryly at her words. Uncharacteristically, he smiled broadly and his cheeks flushed slightly, but he didn’t seem upset with her.

“Well, I still have things I’d like you to teach me, big brother Roberto. I hope you don’t mind,” she told him.

He paused. “I’ll tell you anything, so please don’t call me that,” he requested as he glanced aside with embarrassment. He pressed his hand to his mouth, and Mary was sure it was to hide his smile.

She grinned. “Brothers really are selfish creatures, huh?” she said with a shrug.

***

The carriages continued on their way to Feydella, with plenty of breaks and the passengers switching places. The trip was boisterous, lively, and thoroughly enjoyable.

At one point, Mary was alone with Lang in the coach. “Not like I plan on giving up, but if you were to succeed the family, Mary...” he said, and then cheerfully began discussing the future of House Albert with her.

Next, she ended up alone with Lucian. “I don’t see how I could win... Let’s go with the assumption that you’ll be the head of the house, Mary...” he said, chatting with her in his usual gloomy way.

When she, Adi, and Roberto were together, Roberto scolded Adi for being foolish, even while worrying about his motion sickness. Mary could only shrug at Roberto’s contrarianism.

No matter who she was riding with, she was able to pass the time comfortably. She still had her doubts about this being a harsh journey, but she decided to let them slide, since they hadn’t yet arrived at their destination. With that on her mind, she looked between Lucian and Roberto as they conversed.

This was another fun combination. Lucian was prone to making negative remarks due to his nature, but it didn’t lessen how much he fawned over Mary. Roberto’s responses were cool, composed, and—if Mary listened carefully—extremely rude. It was the same kind of exchange as always.

I’d like to listen to these two some more. But at the same time, I wonder who I’ll end up with next? Mary wondered. Whatever combination was up next, she was certain she’d enjoy herself.

Yet no matter how many times they swapped places, Mary and Adi were never left on their own. Mary could feel her brothers’ tenacity and fixation, but she didn’t give it much thought as she began dozing off.

***

A powerful lurch suddenly woke Mary up. She lifted her head, dazedly murmuring, “I was asleep...” to nobody in particular. Glancing up, she noticed that Adi was looking out the window at the scenery. The wind fluttered his hair, and his eyes gazed at some spot in the distance.

Perhaps because he was lost in reverie, there was a touch of sorrow in his countenance. His composure made him look more mature than usual. It was strange, for while some traces of childishness remained in his features, his profile had the charm of an adult about it.

Mary realized she had fallen asleep leaning against his shoulder. No, in fact, her whole body was leaning against him.

Finally noticing her stir, Adi turned to look at her. “Ah, you’re awake?” he asked with a soft smile. “The trip must be taking its toll on you. Are you in any pain?”

“I slept in the world’s best bed, so I’m fine,” Mary joked.

Adi blushed slightly. “That’s a relief,” he responded. His embarrassed expression was so endearing.

As a follow-up attack, Mary moved closer to him and rested her head on his shoulder again. She surveyed her surroundings, noticing that it had gotten dark outside. She must’ve been asleep for quite some time. When she inquired about their location, she found out that they had crossed the border a while ago and were already in Feydella.

Mary then glanced around the carriage. Nobody was sitting opposite her and Adi; all she could see were the neatly stacked cushions. She saw no sign of Roberto or either of her brothers. Now that clarity had returned to her in full, she tilted her head at this discovery. Last she recalled, she’d been in the carriage with Lucian and Roberto.

“We’re only one hiding place down. It’s no big deal...” Lucian had said earlier with a glum smile.

Roberto’s glare had been harsh and icy. “Very well. In a few years’ time, I’ll uncover them all,” he’d responded, graciously accepting the challenge thrown his way.

One had been melancholy yet fearless, and the other charming yet cool, both smiling at each other in the beautiful yet tense atmosphere. It had been the very definition of an explosive situation. However, to Mary, this was business as usual. She was so used to the sound of their voices that their discussion had been like a lullaby to her. She’d watched them while nodding off, and suddenly found herself waking up next to Adi.

Mary wondered where her brothers had gone, and how she’d even wound up next to Adi. When she voiced her questions, Adi smiled while rubbing her shoulder lovingly.

“We changed right before the sun went down. Lord Lucian and Roberto came over to my and Lord Lang’s carriage and demanded that I lend you my shoulder because you fell asleep.”

“Ah, so they switched with you.”

“Yes. They were also very insistent that I had to be careful not to wake you up, and that I should take a break beforehand and get into my seat slowly for your sake,” Adi explained with exasperation.

The twins had been so stubborn about not letting Mary and Adi be alone, yet when she had fallen asleep, they instantly switched him in. They had highlighted that this was for Mary’s sake, yet they’d also shown concern for Adi’s motion sickness.

My brothers sure are contrarians as well, Mary thought. “I bet Lang and Lucian were very unhappy,” she noted.

“Exceedingly so. They held my head down, glared at me, and said, ‘Your impertinent height finally has a use!’”

“And what about Roberto?”

“He took them down by saying, ‘If you’ll be quiet for five minutes, I’ll let you both share the carriage with the sleeping Lady Mary.’”

“I can picture that easily,” Mary said with a giggle. Lang and Lucian were the same as always, whether it came to doting on Mary, or their contradictory way of showing concern for their younger brother, Adi. She was sure that right about now, the twins were fawning over her in the other carriage, while Roberto coldly rebuked them. Mary’s smile grew as she imagined the scene.

Her brothers were the same as ever, and they’d be that way forever. But...would that still be true if she inherited House Albert?

Doubt swirled within her chest, and Mary blinked. What on earth was she even thinking? But now that the doubt had gripped her, it wouldn’t be dispelled so easily, frustratingly enough.

“Nothing will change...right?” she mumbled under her breath.

“My lady, what’s the matter?” Adi asked, looking at her with concern. His rust-colored eyes bored into her, and he prompted once more, “Milady?”

Returning to her senses, Mary quickly straightened up. She once again scolded herself for her thoughts. Even if she became the head of House Albert, surely her brothers wouldn’t change.

“I’m fine. I was just lost in thought,” Mary responded. “By the way, you’re calling me ‘milady’ again.”

“That’s because I was worried about you, milady... I mean Lady Mary... I mean M-Ma... Sorry, I can’t do it because I’m motion sick.” Finding himself in an unfavorable position, Adi leaned against the window and pleaded motion sickness.

“You’re just tactfully giving up,” Mary said with a sigh, seeing right through him. But she decided to overlook it this time, and rubbed his back in return for him having lent his shoulder to her. She glanced outside the window herself, to the sight of magnificent architecture.

***

Once the carriages came to a stop outside of an estate, a married couple appeared to greet them. The wife’s name was Karen. She was Mary’s mother’s older sister, and her serene smile looked similar to Keryl’s. Standing next to her was Dan, whose appearance gave off a rugged and intimidating impression, but on the inside he was a kind man. They looked like a harmonious pair as they stood side by side.

Mary stepped out of the carriage and rushed over to them. Karen smiled, spreading her arms open. They hugged each other tightly, and a flowery scent enveloped Mary.

“It’s been a long time, Mary! Ah, no, you’re all grown up now, and even a candidate for the succession. Perhaps I should call you Lady Mary?” Karen suggested, as if she were humoring a child.

“No way, auntie! Please talk to me the same way you used to,” Mary responded with an embarrassed giggle. Being treated like a child was embarrassing in its own right, but it would be equally so to have relatives whom she’d known for a long time change how they referred to her.

Karen conjectured Mary’s thoughts, and for that precise reason, she decided to keep up her teasing as she turned to Adi next. She was smiling in satisfaction over having determined her target, her expression making it obvious that she was Keryl’s sister.

“She’s just like my mother,” Mary murmured under her breath.

“Welcome, Lord Adi,” Karen greeted.

“Please spare me... But I’m glad to see you’re both well, Lady Karen, Lord Dan,” Adi responded, feeling awkward about being referred to in such a way.

Karen laughed pleasantly, and even that was the same as her sister. Dan then informed them that the other three were already inside the mansion, so Mary and Adi followed in their footsteps.

Chapter 2

The next day, someone in the area was holding an afternoon party. Karen and Dan put in a good word, and the host happily invited Mary and the others to attend. They may have been unexpected guests, but anyone would’ve been glad to open their doors to the candidates for House Albert’s succession. Though Feydella was an insular nation, it wasn’t as if diplomacy was forbidden. They simply weren’t used to visiting other nations themselves, but the appearance of Mary and her family was their opportunity for diplomacy.

Mary also saw this as the perfect chance to show off her diplomatic skills, and she now stood outside the host’s mansion, overflowing with motivation. “I’m going to make connections with Feydella’s aristocracy by using my beautiful looks and elegant conduct! I’m sure my brothers will realize that I’m the most suited to be the heir once they see my splendid self.”

“When you put your mind to it, you can act like the perfect noblewoman, Your Ladyship,” Adi acknowledged. “I’m sure you’ll be able to make nice with everyone.”

“Right, and I’m sure it’d go even smoother if a certain someone stopped referring to me in that way. Don’t you agree, darling?”

“W-Well... I will make an effort... Now, let’s get going, M-Ma...House Albert’s milady.”

“That’s the worst you’ve done yet,” Mary said, her shoulders drooping when Adi still refused to call her by name. She could only wonder how long it’d take him to call her “Mary” naturally at this rate. “All right. Whatever you call me, I’m going to use this party to make my brothers see that I’m suited to being the head of the house!”

“Indeed...? I hope it goes well...” Adi mumbled evasively.

Mary glanced at him. “I will show them,” she repeated for emphasis, and even she noticed that her voice sounded weaker than before.

She had two objectives during this event: diplomacy, and showing off said diplomatic skills to her brothers. Those were her intentions, at least. Feeling her mettle chipping away, Mary turned around. Standing beside the carriage that their group had ridden over in were Karen and Dan, who had come to see them off. They were clad in a stylish dress and suit respectively, and they were discussing something with a maid who had come out to greet them.

Mary then cast her eyes towards Adi, who was sporting an indecipherable expression. His suit had some red embroidery to match with Mary’s red dress, and he looked fantastic. But when he noticed her eyeing him, he awkwardly glanced aside. The only ones who had arrived at the venue were Mary, Adi, Karen, and Dan.

Indeed, her brothers hadn’t come. Or to be more precise, they had been left behind.

Their love for Mary was to blame. While departing, they’d begun arguing over which of them would get to escort Mary. Unable to just stand by and watch, she had asked Roberto to take care of them. He had responded by coldly stating, “If we still haven’t arrived an hour into the event, please don’t be surprised.”

“S-Still, I’m sure it’s fine. Lord Lang and Lord Lucian usually take diplomacy seriously,” Adi said. “Considering their ability, it won’t be a big deal even if they’re late.”

Mary only shrugged in response to his desperate attempt at making her feel better. It was true that the twins carried out diplomacy very well...as long as Mary wasn’t around. Their conduct was flawless during such times, and even Mary had noticed they had a very high reputation as a result. Still, this was only the case if the requirement of Mary’s absence was met.

“I’d really like to show off my skills to them...” she muttered. But for that to happen, the twins would have to actually attend the party. And it was beginning to look like that would take some time. There was even the possibility that they wouldn’t show up at all. And even if they did, Mary would still be present.

The prospects are grim... she thought with a sigh.

***

Despite her worries, Mary told herself that her brothers’ absence was an opportunity in its own right and renewed her fighting spirit. That two brothers had been unable to attend an event due to quarreling over their sister could be regarded as questionable for a distinguished family, but everything depended on one’s frame of mind.

Feeling exultant once more, Mary entered the venue. However...

“Could you perchance be Lady Mary? No, you simply must be her! Your beauty speaks for itself!”

“When I heard you were attending, I dropped all my plans just for the chance of meeting you!”

“I’ve been looking forward to the day I’d be able to see you with my own eyes! What a wondrous day! The most glorious one of my whole life!”

Everyone was trying to talk to Mary, and before she knew it, she found herself surrounded by a throng of men. She had been leisurely thinking about how she wanted to greet those who were on good terms with Karen and Dan, but she hadn’t expected to be faced with such a swarm. The movement of the crowd ended up pushing Adi away and leaving him on the outside of the group. Thanks to his tall stature, Mary didn’t lose sight of his red hair, but he was exceptionally far away from her.

“Er... Won’t you please calm yourselves, everyone? It’s a little surprising to be approached so abruptly,” she said.

“My apologies. When I heard you’d be coming, I just couldn’t stand still.”

“I-Is that so...? Um, could you give me some space...? Ah! There’s more and more headed this way...”

“Even your voice is as beautiful as an angel’s. I arranged this bouquet as a token of our friendship, but its beauty pales compared to you. Neither flowers nor the starry sky could rival your loveliness, Lady Mary!”

“Oh my... You’re all so skilled with words... But this pressure is even more powerful...”

“I came here today to greet the beautiful Lady Karen, but to think I’d be able to meet someone like you... It’s as if I’m witnessing the goddess of beauty. I’m sure all the men in the world envy me right now!”

“G-Goddess of beauty?!” Mary’s expression stiffened at being faced with so much admiration in rapid succession. She was used to having her looks complimented (mostly for the sake of flattery), but this was the first time someone had compared her to a goddess. Others compared her to the moon or the stars, enumerating praise as if they were poets. But at this point, it didn’t even feel like she was being complimented anymore.

Caught in this storm of flowery words, Mary stood there and listened in a daze. But when one of the men grasped her hand, she snapped back to her senses. The man in question remarked on the gracefulness of her hand, and the softness of her skin, as he drew it closer to his lips to kiss it.

Mary let out a panicked shriek and pulled her hand back right before they made contact. “My escort is waiting for me!” she exclaimed, and hurriedly pushed through the crowd.

The way she had escaped must’ve appeared pathetic to onlookers. But even so, the men continued to praise her, their voices echoing behind her with remarks such as, “What a dainty back!” and “Her silver hair trails behind her so beautifully!” It was enough to leave her shaken up.

Having broken her way out of the swarm, Mary spotted Adi, who was trying to ascertain what was going on. She rushed over and clung to him. He let out a pained grunt, but Mary wasn’t in the headspace to care.

“That was a tackle brilliant enough to challenge even a certain someone... No, never mind that! Milady, are you okay?!”

“A-Adi, this place is kind of strange...”

“What happened?” Adi asked, rubbing her arms soothingly.

Mary trembled at the recollection of what had happened earlier. She thought back to the excessive praise the men had showered her with. One had even called her the goddess of beauty.

Seeing the way she shivered, Adi asked her if she was cold. Mary shook her head. She was getting chills, but not for the reason he thought. It was a chill in her heart.

“Adi, let’s evacuate from here.”

“Evacuate?”

“Yes. Otherwise, I’m going to become the goddess of beauty!”

“G-Goddess of beauty?!” Adi repeated, astonished at Mary’s outrageous claim.

But Mary didn’t feel like explaining. She just tugged on his arm, still intent on evacuating, and began searching for a place for them to escape to. But before she could find a suitable location, another man called out to her.

He was a man of slender build, with brown hair and matching eyes. He looked to be about Mary’s age, and though he was smartly dressed, something about him lacked sophistication. To put it nicely, he had a soft and simple aura. To put it less nicely, he was plain. Dan was by his side; most likely, the young man had requested for Mary’s uncle to introduce them.

“Mary, Adi, this is Mauro. He’s the son of House Noze. Mauro, these are Mary and Adi,” Dan said, acting as the intermediary.

Still standing close to Adi, Mary bid her greetings to Mauro. He was a very ordinary man, with nothing spectacular about his appearance. Mary had heard about his family a few times. His simpleness was enough to pacify her trembling. Surely, he wouldn’t sing her praises like those other men. Not to mention, Adi and Dan were with her now.

Coming to that conclusion, Mary allowed herself to smile, and...

“I felt a dazzling glimmer in the party, and having followed it, I’ve come face-to-face with the goddess of beauty. I was enchanted by you for a while, and when I found out you are Lady Mary of House Albert, I raced over to Dan and asked him to introduce us.”

...let out a shriek when she heard such flowery words from his mouth. Once again, she was being dubbed a goddess.

Adi froze in place. “Goddess of beauty...” he parroted in bewilderment.

Worse yet, Mauro grasped Mary’s hand, as if it were a completely normal thing to do. He complimented her elegant, slender arms, and drew her hand towards his lips.

Understanding how she felt, Lang nodded vigorously. “I have plans to hear your child say to me, ‘Unkie Lang, I lob you!’” he declared loudly. He puffed out his chest and looked extremely proud as he made his majestic proclamation. Lucian, wearing an uncharacteristically self-assured expression, nodded along.

“Unkie...” Mary parroted, dumbstruck. But indeed, if she were to have a child, Lang would be their uncle. It wasn’t an entirely absurd idea, but it was definitely jumping the gun.

“I bet your child will be so cute!” Lang went on. “They’ll be an angel! It’s my dream to watch that angel grow up and hear them call me their ‘unkie.’ I can’t afford to marry into some noblewoman’s family!”

“Mary’s child...would be so adorable that my mind isn’t capable of imagining them...” Lucian murmured. “And I bet they’ll grow up to be a kind person, just like you. If they called me ‘unkie,’ I bet even my gloomy self would light up with a sunny smile... That’s my dream. I can’t afford to become some noblewoman’s lover...”

Though they expressed themselves in contrasting manners, the twins spoke with equal vigor and passion. Mary listened to their fervent speeches in astonishment. “I’m going back to my room,” she decided, and downed all of her tea in one go.

Meanwhile, her brothers continued discussing her potential child. Their eyes were shining, their cheeks flushed, and it was obvious at a glance that they were excited. The usually talkative and gleeful Lang was all the more so, and the usually taciturn and gloomy Lucian was now speaking enthusiastically.

Trying to stop them would be a backbreaking effort. Mary didn’t even attempt it. Allowing them to chat as they pleased was the more peaceful option. With that on her mind, she stood up, and Adi did the same.

“Oh, are you going too, Adi? What about the height-shrinking meeting?”

“This no longer has anything to do with my height, and trying to contribute to their current topic would be quite difficult for me. So yes, I’m heading back too. I leave the rest to you, Roberto,” Adi said, and Mary nodded in agreement.

After all, Lang and Lucian were discussing Mary and Adi’s future child. It was a very uncomfortable topic for Adi. Not to mention, he’d heard the twins resentfully saying, “So how tall would they be?” The two were starting to discuss whether the child would resemble their petite mother, or their tall father.

Of course, even if the child was tall, the twins’ love for them wouldn’t diminish...but the pair’s loathing of Adi would increase instead.

“I think foisting those two off—I mean, leaving them to my brother is the best course of action here,” Adi opined.

“I agree,” Mary responded. “Roberto, please take care of them. It’s already late, so make sure they get to bed on time.”

As Mary entrusted her brothers to Roberto, he lowered his head reverently. “Understood,” he said in an entirely composed tone of voice. Although he’d partaken in the alcohol as well, he was still so very dependable, unlike the twins. His ponytail swayed lightly as he bowed, and when he straightened up again, his eyes met Mary’s. “Leave this to me. Once the right time comes, I’ll drink them under the table.”

“Go easy on them if you can.”

“In that case, I’ll raise my voice slightly at first. If that’s not enough, I’ll drink them down instantly. And by the way, Lady Mary...”

At that, Mary glanced at him curiously. His rust-colored eyes were the same shade as Adi’s. But Roberto’s eyes were narrower, which gave him a cold and severe look. (That said, he only appeared to be that way. In reality, he was cold and severe exclusively towards Lang and Lucian, whom he served. Then again, should that really have been overlooked?)

Mary inquired what it was that Roberto wanted to tell her. When he responded with, “I apologize for the insolence of what I’m about to say,” Mary felt a small shiver. Her brothers were happy that she was competing with them over the succession, and they’d even said they would support her if she won. But what about Roberto?

He had been born into a family that had served House Albert for generations, and he attended Lang and Lucian, one of whom everyone had believed would inherit the family. Roberto was set to support the next head of the family, and the effort he had undoubtedly put into retaining his role must’ve been extraordinary. Yet all of that had capsized once Mary entered the candidacy. And just like Lang and Lucian, Roberto was facing a different future from the one he’d envisioned.

Mary once again felt overcome with regret at the thought. She gazed at him apprehensively, awaiting his words. After spending so long seeing him as one of her brothers, she felt afraid of hearing his true feelings. But she had to accept whatever he’d say next.

“Wh-What is it...?” she prompted.

“Lady Mary, I am different from Lord Lang and Lord Lucian. That’s why...”

“Right. You have your own way of thinking.”

“I do. That’s why I’d rather be called ‘uncle,’” Roberto said with a straight face.

Mary could only stand there, dumbfounded. Yet indeed, Roberto would also be uncle to Mary and Adi’s child. And considering his character, it made sense that he’d rather be called “uncle” than “unkie.”

Or did it really? Mary’s shoulders sank with an almost audible noise. Still, she found it in herself to consent. “Very well,” she replied.

After that, she bid her brothers good night (they were still caught up in a heated discussion, so she couldn’t tell if her words even reached them), and vacated the room together with Adi. Once the door closed behind them, Mary breathed out a sigh. “Goodness. I feel like a fool for thinking so hard about everything.”

“I told you, didn’t I? Everyone treasures you, milady. That won’t change no matter what,” Adi said.

“Yes, it doesn’t seem like it’ll change even if I succeed the family.”

“Nor will it change if they find out you have past life memories.”

Mary blinked in surprise at those words, then looked up at Adi. He smiled at her tenderly and gently wrapped his arm around her shoulders. He must’ve realized what she’d been worrying about. Mary snuggled up against him as they began walking slowly. Shortly thereafter, they reached the door to her room, where they both stopped.

They were staying in Karen and Dan’s mansion. Everyone’s individual rooms were close to each other, so Mary and Adi’s alone time came to an end very quickly. Mary almost felt like continuing on to the garden and taking an evening stroll while bantering with Adi. Yet just moments ago, she’d been the one to remind her brothers that it was late and they had to get to bed. She shouldn’t stay up either.

When Mary said as much and expressed her regret, Adi smiled cheerfully. “You must be tired. Now that your mind’s free from worries, I hope you can sleep well.”

“Yes, I think I’ll be able to fall asleep. But...I feel like something’s missing for me to be able to sleep well,” Mary said, making a show of wondering what that something could possibly be. As he surmised the meaning in her words, Adi’s cheeks steadily grew red. He was so easy to read, and Mary smirked upon seeing his reaction.

She was talking about a good night kiss. However, they were in Karen and Dan’s estate, and in a hallway, where anyone could pass by at any moment. Mary said that a forehead kiss would be enough, the same as last night. Adi scratched the back of his head in resignation. His hair fluttered, and his cheeks were almost the same shade of red.

But Mary gazed at him insistently to coax him, and he sighed as if he’d made up his mind. He surveyed their surroundings to ensure nobody was around. “If I give you a good night kiss, you’ll sleep well, yes?”

“Indeed. I’ll sleep so well that I’ll doze for an extra thirty minutes when you come to wake me up tomorrow morning.”

“Please get up on time tomorrow if you can. Still, if that’s how well you’ll sleep...” Adi cleared his throat, then stepped closer to her and stooped over. Mary closed her eyes and waited.

Right before his lips touched her forehead, her eyes suddenly flashed open and she lifted her head to kiss him on the lips. Adi was caught off guard, his eyes widening. As soon as he realized what was happening, he hurriedly stepped back. His face was even redder than before.

“M-My lady! What are you doing?!”

“My, can’t a wife kiss her own husband?”

“But we’re in Lady Karen and Lord Dan’s place right now!”

“I know. But we’re also in Feydella, the country of many loves. A married couple kissing isn’t anything to get embarrassed about,” Mary said with a triumphant laugh. “Good night,” she added, and stepped into her room, leaving the flushed Adi alone in the hallway.

Chapter 4

The morning dew glistened in the sunlight, and the gentle breeze carried with it the scent of flowers. It was a very refreshing start to the day. The birds were singing, and one small bird landed by Mary’s feet with a chirp. It bounced around for a bit, then flew off again with another high-pitched cry. This little moment just added to the morning’s freshness.

Due to the early hour, there usually would’ve been nobody around in the garden except for the gardener. But today was different: Mary was here, together with Alicia, whom she’d woken up by smacking before dragging her out here.

Alicia rubbed her sleepy eyes, yawning loudly. “Lady Mary, why are we here so early in the morning?”

“I’m surprised you even understand the concept of an ‘early morning.’ Most of the time, you show up at Albert Manor right when the birds start singing and wake me up, so sometimes I want to be the one to wake you up.”

“Waking up on my own and having someone else wake me up are two entirely different matters...” Alicia responded sluggishly, yawning again. Her words were utterly selfish, and Mary glared at her in protest.

However, no amount of glaring would cause the other girl to stop her early morning visits, so this conversation was a waste of time. Deciding as much (indeed, it was her deciding, not giving up...probably), Mary glanced aside. She sat down on the edge of the fountain, and Alicia sat next to her. Despite her constant yawning and the violent way in which she’d been woken up, she seemed happy to take a morning walk together with Mary, and gave her a dazzling smile.

The morning light shone down on Alicia’s golden hair, creating the impression that it truly was made of that precious metal. No, even gold didn’t flicker so beautifully. Enraptured by this glimmer, Mary reached her hand out as if in compulsion. She twisted a lock of Alicia’s hair around her finger and then let it slip through. It was soft and glossy, and touching it tickled Mary’s skin.

“You have lovely hair,” she remarked. “I’ll give you that, but only that.”

“Your hair is lovely too, Lady Mary! Your waves are very pretty, and in the past, your ringlets were so quaint.”

“Don’t call my ringlets quaint,” Mary replied, offended. She tugged on Alicia’s hair, which was entwined around her fingers. The other girl shrieked, but she seemed to be having fun. From an outsider’s perspective, it looked like the two of them were just making merry.

For a while, Mary pulled on Alicia’s hair mischievously...and finally let out a sigh. She released the golden tufts and drew her hand away.

The thought of her ringlets made her feel nostalgic. They had been so firm that they’d even been dubbed “drills.” No matter what she did, the locks had always curled back up again and cast her into despair. When she’d gotten her past life memories back, she realized the ringlets were a symbol of the villainess Mary.

And once Mary remembered her past life, the first thing she’d done was speak to Alicia. She even recalled saying that she had to greet the protagonist of the game. Mary had known which way Alicia would walk, and made it seem like she’d been there by coincidence. What would Alicia think if she were to find this out?

In contrast to the clear morning, a heavy fog swelled within Mary’s chest. But Mary brushed it off with a shake of her head. Whether she had past life memories or not, she was Mary Albert. She wouldn’t let anyone call her a coward. Theirs wasn’t a friendship built so weakly that it would crumble from something like this.

Mary mentally reassured herself and sighed again. Then, she turned to face the other girl. “Alicia... You’re my friend, aren’t you?”

“Yes! Your best friend!” Alicia responded vibrantly.

“Right. I’m glad you said that. I just wanted to double-check.”

“I’ll tell you however many times you like! We’re the bestest of friends, Lady Mary!”

“Thank you. And hypothetically speaking...” Mary paused for a moment. “Would our relationship change if you were to find out about a very important fact?”

“No, it wouldn’t. You and I are sisters at heart, Lady Mary!”

“Stop taking advantage of the situation to close the distance between us,” Mary scolded flatly, at which Alicia laughed.

The girl took Mary’s hand and gave it a light squeeze. Alicia’s hand was warm. Just like her hair, her skin was soft and pleasant to the touch. “Whatever happens, my feelings towards you won’t change, Lady Mary.”

“Alicia... But... What if, for example, us meeting and becoming close was all a setup...?” Mary inquired, the fragile sound of her voice surprising her.

Alicia’s eyes widened. “A setup?”

Mary’s chest ached. She glanced away to escape Alicia’s gaze, looking at the fountain instead. The sun’s reflection shimmered in the water. She worried that Alicia would doubt their friendship, and the thought pained her.

Yet in opposition to Mary’s anxiety, Alicia called out, “Who do I have to thank?!”

“Thank...?”

“Yes! If someone set us up, then I have to show them my gratitude! If she’s a girl, I’ll even give her a hug!”

“No, it’s not someone else... It’s me. I... What if I spoke to you because I knew you were the lost princess? It might’ve been a dastardly thing to—”

“Thing to do,” Mary had been meaning to say, but stopped when Alicia suddenly embraced her. She almost fell back into the fountain again, and hurriedly clung to Alicia to keep her balance. She didn’t want to get drenched twice.

“So you knew about me, and spoke to me because you wanted us to get along!” Alicia exclaimed.

“N-No, that’s not it... I mean, I did know about you, but... Don’t you think it’s unfair? I spoke to you because I knew who you were.”

“It’s not unfair at all! That just means you chose me! Now I like you even more, Lady Mary!” Alicia said happily, hugging Mary.

Epilogue

Mary was in her room within Albert Manor. A large pile of letters lay atop her well-made desk. The senders were many, but all the envelopes were addressed to her. Next to them was an even bigger pile of presents, but that wasn’t even the main one. Mary had gotten so many presents that they had to be stored in a different room, and those on her desk were just the most notable gifts, which she had picked out and placed here.

The letters and presents were all expressions of gratitude for the party she’d hosted a few days ago. Once Mary and the others had returned home from Feydella, the items had begun pouring in one after another, and even though only a few days had passed, this was the state of things. More were still arriving, as Mary often saw servants and maids carrying boxes around.

Adi came in with four letters in hand. He walked up to Mary, who was lounging in bed, and placed them on top of her stomach. Ten envelopes were already piled up on her abdomen.

“They’re all being very conscientious...” she remarked.

“Of course. Nobody wants to miss out on this opportunity, given that this was the first party of House Albert’s next generation,” Adi said. “The letters I brought just now were from the same family, but the head, the wife, and their two children sent them individually.”

“I wish they’d just get along with each other and send everything in one letter...” Mary muttered hoarsely, picking up one of the envelopes from atop her abdomen and opening it.

The letter began with an inoffensive greeting. It went on to compliment the party, Mary as the hostess, and her brothers’ assistance, concluding with the desire to create a good relationship between their families. All the letters that had arrived recently sounded the exact same, with only minor differences here and there.

I wonder if they’re using some kind of template... Mary mused as she picked up another envelope. The thought of seeing the same old contents depressed her, but reading these messages was her duty as the hostess. Answering the letters and sending gifts in return were all an extension of the party.

“This one’s the same too... Ah, but the wife mentioned my past life memories.”

“What did she say?” Adi inquired.

“It says, ‘I’d love to hear more about your miraculous knowledge, Lady Mary. As such, I’d like to invite you to a tea party...’ I see, so it’s a tea party invitation,” Mary said with a massive sigh, placing the letter back onto her stomach. As she went to sit up, Adi retrieved the pile of envelopes and handed her a cup of tea instead, before seating himself on the edge of the bed.

Many of the letters did indeed mention Mary’s grave announcement. There were a variety of reactions: some people expressed their shock, others their curiosity, and yet others explained how the news had stirred their emotions. Yet in spite of this variety, the letters didn’t show more than a polite interest. The senders were mostly looking for a way to strike up a friendship with her by saying they’d like to know more details about her past life memories.

While expressing how they’d like to hear more, some people even went as far as to request that Mary bring her friends along too. Mary alone apparently wasn’t enough for them, as they listed off other important figures whom they wished to befriend, like Princess Alicia; her husband, Patrick; and Gainas. Mary could only admire their avarice.

That was the extent of everyone’s reaction to Mary’s past life recollections. They only saw it as an excuse to invite her to parties and other events. Even the letters from Mary’s friends were similar in nature.

Parfette’s letter had a few blots on it (she must’ve cried while writing it because of how badly she wanted to see Mary again). In it, she’d asked, “Do you have memories of sweets and cakes that we don’t have here?”

Meanwhile, Gainas had gone in an even worse direction, as he had written, “Is the secret sauce from your migratory bird restaurant an idea from your past life?”

(In her reply to him, Mary had written, “Minus ten points,” all over the letter.)

Ninety percent of Margaret’s letter was just her fawning over Bernard. Dutifully, Mary had read everything until the end, before weakly picking up a pen and feebly whispering, “I have to reply to this, don’t I...?” It had been arguably the most mind-boggling letter of Mary’s life.

Alicia’s letter had been as erratic as expected, and it mostly amounted to her inviting Mary for tea to hear more about Mary’s past life. It was the exact same thing Mary had already read countless times. So many of the letters piled up on her desk had these very same themes.

But one difference was that Alicia had visited Albert Manor to deliver her letter in person. Once she’d handed Mary the envelope, Alicia had clasped Mary’s hand and pulled her along back to the palace. In the end, Mary had read Alicia’s letter during the very tea party that the letter was inviting her to. Mary hadn’t even felt like replying, and settled for stealing a bite from Alicia’s cake.

Lang and Lucian had responded in the same way. Though they’d claimed that they wanted to hear more about Mary’s past life, they had just ended up chatting idly away from beginning to end. Towards the end of the conversation, the twins had even brought out a map and started discussing where they should do their next inspection.

“I was so anxious over revealing it, yet this is all it amounts to for everyone,” Mary said with a sigh at this anticlimactic conclusion.

Adi, who was sitting next to her, smiled wryly. “That’s because they all treasure the present you more than that of your past life, milady. You are who you are.”

“I am who I am, huh?”

“And I’ll keep supporting you so that you can continue to be yourself,” Adi added, causing Mary to smile. His hand wrapped around her waist. Those hands had always supported her until now, and they would continue to do so forever. How warm and reliable they were.

Adi had stood by her side and supported her when they’d been mistress and servant. He did so even after she had recalled her past life and acted based on those memories. And now that they were married, he was still here, holding her close and supporting her. If she continued to be herself, then Adi would continue to remain by her side. This had been their relationship from the very beginning, and past life memories wouldn’t change a thing.

“It’s as you say, Adi—I’ll just be myself. So I suppose we can stick to ‘milady’ for the time being,” Mary said with an impish smile.

“Milady,” Adi called out, and she placed a light kiss upon his lips.

Look to the Future, Not the Past

Ever since Mary had returned from Feydella, her days were very busy. She’d finished responding to the thank-you letters for the party, but now she started getting replies to her replies, so she had to deal with those. Amid all of that, she continued receiving invitations to events and tea parties too.

Of course, she couldn’t neglect her schoolwork or the management of her restaurant. She also couldn’t lose to her brothers when it came to studying to become the next heir, or at diplomacy. As such, she barely had the time to breathe.

However, Mary had been prepared for all of that. She’d known from the start that hosting such a massive party would excite high society. On top of that, she’d publicly revealed her past life memories during the party, so now her busyness was out of the ordinary.

Still, even Mary Albert was prone to complaining in face of such busyness.

“I was so busy today that I didn’t have any time to rest again,” Mary muttered bitterly during her after-dinner time with Adi.

Since it was a pleasant evening, she’d requested to have tea and dessert outside. The moon and stars were twinkling in the sky, which should’ve made the tea taste better than ever. Thankfully, the moon wasn’t jealous of Mary tonight, and there were no clouds for it to hide behind.

Yet Mary wasn’t captivated by this scenery, which was a testament to her exhaustion. Reflecting on the day she’d had, she could only sigh. After exhaling deeply, she took a sip of her tea. It was as sweet as always, seeping into her body alongside the realization that she could finally unwind.

“We’ve had a constant stream of visitors today, so you must be tired,” Adi commented. “There were also all those scholars who wanted to ask about your past life.”

“Yes. Past life memories are valuable knowledge, so it’s no wonder they were fascinated. But...I’m not sure why they felt the need to ask for Alicia and Patrick to be there.”

“I’m sure they had their reasons. Karelia Academy’s principal came too, didn’t he?”

“My past life memories are related to the academy, so he wanted to hear more about them. But...I do think it’s strange that he requested for my brothers and father to be present as well.”

“Well...”

“And for some reason, all the scholars and the principal ended up drinking tea. None of them even talked about my past life during that whole time,” Mary added with a confused frown, while Adi gave an awkward and evasive response.

The guests had all initially asked Mary about her past life, but the topic would then (very quickly, in fact) shift to something else. They’d ask Alicia and Patrick about the state of the country, while the head of House Albert and the twins received questions about the family heirship. They had also asked Mary for her future diplomacy plans following her trip to Feydella. Before long, nobody was talking about Mary’s past life, and if anything, the scholars exhibited greater interest during the other discussions. Their curiosity had been just an excuse for them to visit Albert Manor.

Concluding as much, Mary sighed and shrugged her shoulders. “Are they really not interested in my past life memories? I mean, I also have precognition!”

“Even so, that’s all water under the bridge now. Rather than the past, everyone’s looking to the future,” Adi responded.

“I suppose so... But I’m still dissatisfied,” Mary declared with a pout.

Adi burst into laughter. He hid his mouth behind his hand, but his shoulders trembled, which only heightened Mary’s displeasure. She expressed her unhappiness by stealing one of his cookies. Noticing this, Adi hurriedly apologized. Yet he was still laughing, causing Mary’s scowl to deepen.

“How rude! Perhaps I should summon my brothers? I’m sure if I raised my voice and complained that you’re laughing at me, they’d swoop right in.”

“A-Anything but that...! H-Here, Your Ladyship, have another serving of tea! Should I bring more snacks too?!” Adi proposed, trying to lift Mary’s mood. His panic was understandable, since if Mary called for her brothers, they were sure to appear in a flash. He didn’t want to think of what they’d do if they found out he had been rude to their beloved younger sister. Adi knew it’d be much worse than just stomping on his foot; his face paled.

Mary felt better upon seeing his reaction, and smirked as she made a show of making up her mind. In the mood for mischief, she took a deep breath. “Lang, Lu—!”

“Milady! It’s gotten so cold! How about we go back inside?!” Adi exclaimed, springing to his feet with a clatter. He hurried over to Mary’s side while urging her to go back to the mansion, surmising that she wouldn’t call her brothers if they did that.

His desperation lifted Mary’s mood even more. “Hmm, should we?” she mused purposefully, imploring Adi to keep trying.

Adi picked up on that; he placed his hand on her shoulder and rubbed it gently. Mary’s heart throbbed when his masculine, thick-knuckled fingers twined around her silver locks.

“I don’t mind going back, but it’s still early,” she continued. “Maybe we should stop by my brothers’ room first. I’m sure they’d listen to me talk about my past life memories.” Mary smirked and got to her feet. She listed each topic she wanted to discuss while Adi stared at her with a grave expression.

His eyes seemed to be asking, “Is your past life truly the only thing you want to discuss with them?” He must’ve had misgivings about her intentions, worried that Mary would accidentally mention how rude he had been to her (which would, of course, be a very purposeful accident). Mary was aware of his fears, which was why she was putting on airs.

Adi’s hand untwined from around her hair, before he touched her cheek. His thumb traced her lips, which were curved into a wicked smile. “How about we go to my room instead, my lady?”

“I appreciate the invitation, but unfortunately I have to refuse. Your ‘lady’ is off to visit her brothers,” Mary replied with a giggle.

Adi smiled as well, leaning in closer. “Don’t be so mean, Mary. Let’s go to my room, and talk about the future rather than the past,” he whispered into her ear, his voice a little lower than usual. It held an unexplainable charm, which matched well with the darkness of the evening.

Mary’s heart instantly throbbed hotly at this sweet exchange, and her heartbeats reverberated throughout her body. Urged by that sound, she moved closer and rested her head against Adi’s chest. In response, Adi’s hand slid down from her cheek to her waist. He lightly pulled her closer, then started walking. Matching her steps to his, Mary walked alongside Adi. They were headed for his room.

“The future is more important than the past. Rather than my past life memories, I should consider where I’ll wake up tomorrow morning,” Mary asserted with a laugh.

Adi smiled wryly at her words, and nodded.

Afterword

Hello, everyone, this is Saki.

Thank you for buying the sixth volume of Young Lady Albert Is Courting Disaster!

Back in the first volume, Mary used to deny her friendship with Alicia with all her might. But now, she calls Alicia her best friend, and she can take action because of her faith in their bond. And though Mary used to be so ignorant when it came to romantic love, now she can drift along on cloud nine. She has truly grown a lot.

What did you think about Mary and her friends’ story this time?

Thank you to Haduki Futaba for the illustrations. I’d also like to thank my manager.

More than anything, to everyone who reads this volume: thank you very much!

The manga’s being published right now, so I hope you enjoy it as well.

Saki