''By that look, it doesn't seem as though you are committed enough, does it?''

  ''...Yes?''

  Unknowingly, I flinched.

  It wasn't because I found Beatrice particularly intimidating or anything of the sort. Rather, I felt she was softer than usual. Albeit suddenly, I belatedly realized what she meant.

  ''Um... by any chance, do you... approve of us?''

  Really, I thought she would at least have some doubts about my meager origin as a commoner, but if anything, she seemed delighted that it was me. Even the second empress, who, admittedly, wasn't as enthusiastic as her wife, looked fine with Rachael's choice.

  Perhaps finding my confusion entertaining, Beatrice let out a light chuckle.

  ''Why not?'' She mused. ''I was starting to get worried that this girl would be single for the rest of her life. Her older siblings started dating much younger than her, you see.''

  ''Oh...''

  As the conversation shifted in this direction, Rachael clicked her tongue, appearing annoyed. Despite that, the emperor's tipsy grin never faded. Still holding her wife closely, she leaned forward, her calm eyes lingering on my face.

  ''Many say they would be lucky if they got to date with Rachael, but I think my daughter is lucky to have met you.'' She said softly. ''Even I haven't met someone as beautiful as you during my youth, Lady Orleans.''

  ''T-That...''

  ''You sinful woman...!''

  ''...!''

  The scene that unfolded afterward was something I didn't at all expect. Eleanor, now a jealous little wife, pinched Beatrice's ear, her cheeks inflating like a squirrel's.

  It seemed even the emperor would have to humble herself in front of her wife.

  ''Can you please act accordingly for once?''

  ''I know, I know. Sorry.''

  As Beatrice raised her hands in defeat and kissed her wife on the forehead, it once again struck me that I was living in the real world. On the other hand, it was nice to see this side of them, knowing that they would be my family for... a while, I suppose.

  ''What I said wasn't just pleasantries, Lady Orleans. But if I can say something...''

  ''Ah, yes.''

  Once that was done, the emperor became serious again. At this point, her gaze on me held a certain weight, and before I even realized it, Rachael was already holding my hand tightly as if assuring me that everything would be alright.

  ''You need to be healthier to be an imperial's mate.''

  I wasn't sure if my expressions were in check or not. This was just an issue I had mulled over thousands of times, and each time, I reached the same conclusion—the frustrating, helpless conclusion.

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  But... I couldn't just deny Beatrice's words altogether. She was right. If I couldn't accompany my mate until the end, then I wouldn't qualify in the first place. That was the cold truth I wasn't yet prepared to face.

  ''Whether Rachael will become my successor or not is not yet concrete, but in the scenario that she does, having an heir would be strongly preferable.'' Beatrice sighed. ''The difference might just be the crown itself, that is for certain.''

  ''...I understand.'' I meekly replied.

  ''Well, that is unless my daughter is entranced enough to abandon the throne altogether, I suppose.''

  Obviously, that was meant to be a joke. The throne was no ordinary matter, especially for someone as ambitious as Rachael. She wouldn't do that just for someone like me...

  ''In the worst case, I'll do so.''

  ''...?!''

  Toward me, who widened her eyes in surprise, Rachael only smiled. It was a confident, resolute smile.

  ''I'm willing to do that, at least.'' She said. ''Still, there is nothing that we can't do. We are the most prosperous nation in the world, and you are dating the princess of that nation, Cecilia.''

  ''She's right. We can certainly nurse you back to health in no time.'' Beatrice added.

  All of that immense support... hurt me. Somewhere in my chest, a throbbing pain as if someone was squeezing my heart surged. It burned like a raging fire, constantly tormenting my being from inside out

  ''I...''

  No... don't waste so much effort on me.

  Someone like me couldn't be saved. I shouldn't be.

  Don't make me doubt my decision again. I'd rather suffer... I'd rather...

  ''...I understand.''

  In the end, I couldn't do anything. Begrudedly, I agreed to meet the imperial doctor a few days afterward, even though it wasn't anything beneficial for me in the slightest.

  When I came back home dejected, though, an angel was waiting for me.

  ''Big sis.''

  As if she could sense my mood, Lyra was quite docile, unlike her usual self. Not that she was at all a rude kid or anything, just... she tended to be quite scary when I was away for too long.

  ''Did you eat? Should I make something for you?'' I asked, gently combing through her hair. ''There's still time.''

  ''I'm full. Let's sleep.''

  Without any hesitation, Lyra shook her head and pulled me into her bedroom.

  ''...''

  I wasn't quite sure if it was just my imagination, but I thought I was spending increasingly more time in her room around this period. Even though Lyra didn't say much, I could still sense that she wanted to be near me, perhaps more than before.

  And that made my heart flutter. How could there be such an adorable creature?

  ''Here.''

  For a moment, I almost chuckled at the sight of my little sister patting the space inside her open quilt, telling me to lay down beside her. It seemed as though she would always do this whenever I felt down.

  ''...Seriously.''

  Was it wrong to think that I was ever fortunate? Even if fate played a bad prank on me, I still managed to develop[ such a wonderful sisterly bond with this girl.

  Ah... I didn't know what to feel.

  Nonetheless, at this moment, I thought I should depend on Lyra... for just a bit, laying down beside her and letting her warmth embrace me.

  ''Good night, big sis.''

  ''...Good night.''

  Our exchange ended there.

  Once the bedside lamp was turned off, the room fell cold and silent again, but it didn't feel lonely in the slightest. After all, there was someone here with me—someone I cherished and someone who cherished me.

  Thanks to Lyra's silent consolation the day before, I was now mostly fine.

  Not really. I still felt a bit bad, but I decided to focus on doing my job instead of crying over it. Today was a day I didn't really have any plan for, so I was trying to think of something useful...

  ''Good morning.''

  ...until the perverted Penelope visited me out of nowhere.

  ''Didn't you say you would be unavailable for a while more...?''

  Shrugging her shoulders, Penelope replied, ''I got a day off unexpectedly. The business trip was interrupted by a certain somebody, you know.''

  ''Ah.''

  So that was the reason.

  It felt a bit wrong to think that Penelope could visit me thanks to that idiot Blaire, but it is what it is.

  This time around, the heiress of Bourbon appeared a bit haggard, though. I wondered if she could use some rest.

  ''I wanted to sleep in your bed instead of the hotel's, so I came here early.''

  ''Oh, is that so? You could have texted me.''

  ''Next time. For now, wake me up in a few hours.''

  ''Fufu, alright. Good night, my love.''

  Almost too naturally, Penelope removed her outerwear and tucked herself nicely into my quilt. Before she closed her eyes, though, she shot me a sly gaze,

  ''You should wash yourself beforehand. It's also fine if you want us to bathe together. We have the whole day, so there's some time to spare.''

  ...So it had come to that again.