182 CHAPTER IV Franks Love Situation (1/2)

Bye. You're home early.

When I transitioned to Shelly's room, they were standing there happily.

'Hmmm . I got this done in a hurry!

Yes. I did my best!

Thanks for the help. I've just been consulting with Frank.

'Is this about Mr Frank?　Do you have a problem with Mr. Frank?

'Surely something happened at home during this long holiday?　The Baudelaires are notorious for being a duke family with a lot of problems with heirship disputes.

Oh, you found out. So the Baudelaire succession race is that famous.

This is something I need to learn all about the characteristics and current state of the Imperial nobility.

That's exactly what it is. For now, let's talk about it in my office. Hang on.

I took them hand in hand, and we moved into my room.

He's back.

Oh, oh. I thought he was suddenly gone, but you really brought him back: ......

What's wrong?

Yes, no: ......

Maybe it's okay to bring a girl to the boys' dorm?　I think he wanted to say to me, but Sherry's piercing glare shut Frank up.

”As long as they don't know, we'll be fine. So, let's pick up where we left off. Maybe you'd have different advice if the girls were here, right?

I think you need some girlie advice on relationships. Yeah.

If it's just guys talking about it, they might be biased.

I mean, that's probably true, but... ......

Okay. Add Bell to the mix and we'll take care of Frank's problems!

And so the six of them started talking about Frank's love life.

”So, what's Frank's problem?

”Frank's problem was that he came home and found out he'd found his fiancé without permission. So I was listening to Hermann talk about what it is to like.

So here's the short version.

”Hermann?　Oh, did you confess to Alma?

'How did Shelly know!　I'm a newbie to this!

And I'm surprised you had a connection to Hermann and Alma.

'Of course. We used to go to the dungeon every day and have lunch in the Order's cafeteria, you know?　I'll at least have a conversation with the knights then. Especially Alma, who used to eat with Belle because she was so close to him.

Yeah, I see.

I knew it. Shelley and the others see more of them than I do.

So it's no surprise you know the knights better than I do.

Alma. Alma was thrilled when Hermann told her.

He also said he didn't want to lose, though.

Ugh, ugh. ......

Hermann's face is bright red at the words of Shelly and Leena.

'You really like Alma, don't you?

'Good. So much for talking about Hermann, let's get Frank's advice.

That's right. Frank, who's the guy you told me you got a fiancé?

You know, I almost forgot to ask who I'm dealing with.

She's the daughter of the second highest man in the land.

Second daughter of the Church?　Who is it in the Empire?

Is that as good a position as the dukes?　Then that's good enough for you.

Have you met him?

”One time when I was little. . when we were discussing trade with a church.

I see. So you send your wife to the Baudelaires to give them a little trade.

It really is a political marriage: ....... That's unusual.

It's true, you don't hear of political marriages in the Empire these days.

It's mostly free love.

''No, no . It's just that the last forty years or so are crazy, and political marriages were the norm before that, right?　It's just that some brave man-sama has built a duke family that's okay with free love, and the other nobles have been forced to deal with it, right?

I wonder where the brave man is at at all!

That brave man must have disliked the rules and customs of the nobility a lot~.

Certainly. So, what kind of person is the partner of Frank, who is getting married for political reasons, which is rare these days?　Isn't it great to be the second greatest person in a church country?

Yeah, he's the closest thing to the next Pope.

Huh?　Is he greater than I thought?

Doesn't that mean you can't say no anymore, and don't you feel like a fool for worrying about it?

Oh, so I'm related to the Pope. Good for you!

I smiled and patted Frank on the back as a way to cheer him up .

But ...... made Frank feel even more depressed.

'Yeah, ......'

...... Sorry about that.

Apparently, there's something about Frank that he's not comfortable with.

Well, it's just that I've only met him once.

This is my fault, because I'd be bothered by it too if I were in your shoes.

”No, ...... I think you're too good for me. You should usually be happy about that.

Then why?　Because you don't know what kind of person you're dealing with?

It's not like that: ......

Frank fell silent at Sherry's further pursuit.

As usual, Sherry's not afraid to speak up.

...... What are you going to do when Frank gets more and more depressed?

As I was thinking about this, Leena moved.

”Um, ...... Frank, do you mind if I have your ear for a moment?

When Leena shyly whispered something to Frank, his eyes widened and he was surprised.

'Why, why?'

It's okay. She hasn't talked to anyone but me.

She?　What did Leena tell Frank?

Yeah, right: ......

'Who is she ......?　Maybe, Frank: ......

So, Shelley, you need to be a little more reserved.

Well, I want to know, too.

”Look, there's no point in hiding it now, so I'm gonna come clean. I'm in love with someone.

I knew it: ....... I can't think of any other reason.

But I don't see any reason to hide it either. It's not because you're ashamed, is it?

But who?　As far as I know, I haven't seen Frank talking to any of the girls other than Shelly and Leena.

So . I'm the one you hang out with at school and most of the time after school, and I'm the one Frank knows least of all about being a woman.

When and how on earth did you find someone to like?

That's because I didn't want them to find out.

Seriously: ...... It was hidden... .......

'So who is the guy?'

...... It's José from my class.

Jose?

'What?　You know what?

Josettea Lefebvre. That's Bert's sister whom my sister married.

Surely we'll have opportunities to meet as long as we're both dukes.

”Frank talked to José?　I can't imagine: ......

Well, I can't even imagine them talking at all .

''Even if they're from the same duke's family, so they've had a lot of contact since they were little, how long have you liked them?''

It was in the second grade. I started having a letter in my desk every morning.

Sophomores?　So he's not even in our class yet.