182 CHAPTER IV Franks Love Situation (2/2)

But if it's a letter, I don't have to meet him, so of course I don't know him.

”Hi. The love letter was from José. Frank wrote back, didn't he?

Yeah, I know. But it's not the real deal, you know?

Back?

'Actually, this correspondence, in the beginning, was only intended to fool José's father's eyes.

To fool Jose's dad?

What are you faking?　As a father, you'd rather not have a man in your daughter's life than have a man in your life, so you'd rather not have to exchange letters with him .

'Yes . José was ordered by his father to seduce me. . to make José my wife.

Oh, there. I didn't know Jose's dad was like that.

”Well, I know you want to marry your daughter off to the best possible partner ...... but I'm sorry you had to do that ......

I understand that the head of the family has to marry someone from a decent family, but you don't have to designate even the daughter who doesn't have the right of inheritance to marry you .

''Nowadays, in the imperial aristocracy, it's more commonplace for children to have free love affairs with each other, rather than political marriages where parents decide who to marry, right?

Well, yeah.

Thanks to some brave man.

''So the Lefebvre family has a policy of somehow getting their parents' designated partner to like them. It's not a good look for the empire right now for parents to designate. I heard that Jose's brother was also told from a young age to marry Leo's sister.

'So did Mr. Burt!　I was just looking at you like you're normal and in love with your sister.

Is the Lefebvre family that way because of their bravery: .......

Well, both Bert and José have been successful in getting the other person to like them, so maybe it's a good outcome...

I'm worried about my married sister's kids: ...... No, she'll be fine, I'm sure she'll be fine .

At worst, she's going to beat up Mr. Burt and Mr. Burt's dad and get them to admit it.

Oh, don't worry. Jose's brother really loves Leo's sister.

How did Frank know? Oh, did Jose tell you?

But I don't doubt in the slightest whether Mr. Burt loves her or not .

First of all, I don't think that bratty, strong-willed sister would love someone who's hitting on her just on orders like that .

'Yes, I do. Jose's brother had a problem with his parents before he asked Leo's sister for his hand in marriage. Jose knew his sister wanted to be an adventurer, and he didn't want to marry her and take her dreams away. So he couldn't tell her until the last minute of adulthood.

What's that ...... Mr. Burt was more manly than I thought he would be.

And I'm surprised that you were thinking of becoming an adventurer.

It's possible, given her personality and strength, but I'm sure Mom would have been pissed at me for professing such a thing. .......

'Heh . I thought you were a goofball, but that's the kind of episode you're hiding.

Bert, you had a harder time of it than I thought you would. I'm sorry that I came off as a pussy.

Next time I see you, I'd like to apologize to you casually.

Helena, it's so nice to see that your sister loves you so well.

Yeah. They looked so happy at the wedding.

'Oh!　That's how I couldn't go again!

Come to think of it, Shelly wasn't allowed to attend her sister's wedding because Cliff was supposed to be there.

I don't think Shelly and her sister would have expected to get along so well with each other, so the emperor must have been a disaster.

Oh, well. Anyway, let's get back to Frank. You know how José started writing Frank love letters to obey his parents' orders?　So, what did you mean by deception?

It's easy. It's just a way for me and Jose to show we're on speaking terms.

Couldn't we just meet and have a normal conversation?

It would drive my parents crazy. My parents insisted that I marry someone from their country. So I was warned a long time ago not to even talk to an Imperial woman. It's not a problem when you're talking to Leo's fiancée like this, but it's not a good idea to meet José, is it?

I see ...... that's what happens when you come from a complicated family environment with each other.

Jose gets pissed off at his parents if he doesn't get close to Frank.

Frank, on the other hand, is pissed off when Jose gets close.

And gentle Frank says that he felt sorry for José that he was angry with him, so he took a little risk and started correspondence with him: .......

Oh!　So that's it!　So that's why José had a letter in Frank's desk.

Why wouldn't he send it home?　But I couldn't send it to Frank's house because I didn't want his parents to find out.

I see. .......

”So, in the end . I fell in love with José during our correspondence, but when I found out, my parents decided who I wanted to be with. ......

Yes,

If you really like him, shouldn't you be honest with your parents about it?

No, if I was allowed to talk to someone, Frank would be an idiot.

If he couldn't, then he'd be stuck here all by himself, wouldn't he?

Even if my parents allowed me to do that, I wouldn't be able to break my promise to the next Pope with a stone.

Right: ....... I feel like beating myself up inexplicably for saying something awful like 'that was good' to Frank a few minutes ago .

' I know. ....... Leo-kun, do you have any ideas?

Yeah, ...... I don't know. Where's Herman?

No, I'm not a jackass.

I'm not particularly good at relationships. I've always just picked a guy based on how I feel, without using my brain.

Me too ......

I'm fine. Is Bell okay?

Wow, is that me?

Of course. Do you have a better idea?

I have to hear from you two who seem uncomfortable about participating in the discussion.

I don't know what we're in the same room for.

”Uh, uh, ......

It's kind of hard to say.

Now ...... I don't know what to do.

Is it wrong ...... to say that you're married to both of them?

Huh?　Don't tell me Bell can fix this?

Tell me more.

'Well, ...... can't I marry either of you two?　In fact, Master Leo has five fiancées, and ...... noblemen can have more than one wife, right?

If you ask me, I'll tell you: ......

If you're the eldest son of a duke, you don't have to choose between the two.

That's true.

”Yeah. That's a great idea. It's a great idea.

Hold on a second. What can I tell you?

If you can come up with a better plan than this one that makes sense to me, I'll admit it!

Now, let's hear it for all I care!　No?

Ugh. ......

''I mean. It's normal for a nobleman to have more than one wife, especially if he's a duke, right?　What's up with the imperial aristocracy these days, aren't you being influenced too much by the brave men (grandpa)?

I know . I'm aware that I was thanking you for being free to fall in love, and now I'm returning your hand because it's not good for me.

But if you don't, you're denying yourself!

'Yes, but ...... I feel bad for José that he has another wife: ......

d*mn ...... Frank is being poisoned by the brave men too .

We've got to get him into our camp somehow.

Then why don't you just ask him tomorrow? Did you tell José what happened?

No, not yet: ......

So that's part of it. If it's a rejection, can we just say no to the guy?

If you really liked him, you'd understand the situation with Frank and never dump him. You wouldn't, would you?

You can't divide it that easily: ......

It's okay. I'm sure José will agree with you. You know, José really loves you, Mr. Frank.

Oh, really?　I'll take Lena's word for it, okay?

Yes!　Now you'll have the friends you thought you couldn't have!

”Kukku. Yeah?　I think you should be brave enough to tell them. Instead of regretting not doing it, why don't we do it and regret it?

All right, ......, all I have to do is confess, right?

Oh. Yeah.

I prepared myself and smiled and patted Frank on the back as he gave me a crisp look.

But I never thought that Frank, one of the people who mocked me for being a womanizer, would become a comrade.

I can't stop smiling.