When I woke up the next morning, I immediately headed to father's room.
"Father, as expected let's refuse the marriage interview."
"This again? I told you it was impossible yesterday."
Wrinkles appeared on father's brow and he made difficult face.
Even if you say it's impossible, I can't do it.
I can't think of anyone other than Sana.
"Father! I will marry Sana!"
"… Huh?"
Father displayed a shocked face.
His face is saying… this idiot?
"There, fore, I will take Sana as a bride."
"No, even if you rephrase it, it's still the same. And when did you make such a promise with Sana?"
"I haven't told Sana yet."
Listening to my words, father sighed deeply.
Then shook his head.
"Ricardo, I think it would be wonderful if you took Sana as a bride. However, think carefully. Do you think Sana would marry you? Until now you have never spoken about such a thing to Sana, right?"
I fell silent hearing father's words.
Certainly, I only noticed my feeling yesterday.
I haven't conveyed my feelings to Sana at all.
However! While I'm partaking in the marriage interview, Sana is drawing farther and farther away.
No, considering Sana's character, if I do partake, perhaps we won't meet again.
That… Just thing about it makes me want to cry.
"Father! I will go to the Western Country and meet Sana."
"It's useless."
"Why!"
"Think carefully. The captain of the chivalric order cannot refuse on the day of the marriage interview and moreover go to the Western Country. Anyway, just partake in the marriage interview once. You can refuse after you meet her. And the possibility you will unexpectedly like the interview partner isn't zero, is it?"
"It's zero."
My and father's stories traced parallel lines.
Apparently the other party came in the meantime.
The butler, Sebastian, called for me and father.
"Master, Ricardo-sama, I will guide you to the room with the other party for the marriage interview, Count Kukuul and his daughter."
Khh, I couldn't escape.
It can't be helped, it will be better once she realizes it was just her delusions.
I can't please a noble lady with conversation.
Led by Sebastian, I and father headed to the room where the count waited.
"I am sorry to have kept you waiting."
Father apologized as he entered the room.
I followed after him, but just as I went in my and the young lady's eyes met.
Normally, a young, noble lady would soon look away, but not this lady.
This lady won't do it.
She's staring at me.
I averted my eyes to the reaction different than usual.
Somehow, I couldn't calm down because her eyes were excessively sparkling.
"No, it is me who is sorry for arriving earlier. At any rate my daughter was inpatient, so we hurried here. She was looking forward to today's marriage interview."
While the count is talking, she's staring at me.
W, what is it?
I do not know what to do because I've never had anybody look at me like this.
"Ricardo-dono, this is my daughter Elise. I might be her parent, but she is pretty cute, isn't she? Now, now, let's let the young ones talk."
The count, smiling, and father heartlessly left me and Miss Elise in the room.
Hey, hey, is it fine to leave a man and a woman alone in the room before marriage?
Well, the door is slightly open, but is it really fine?
While I was stuck in thoughts, Miss Elise opened her mouth.
"Ricardo-sama! Please marry me!"
"Huh? W, what are you saying so suddenly?"
"It is not sudden. I fell in love with Ricardo-sama at first sight. Please marry me, I implore you."
When she said that, she lowered her head on the spot.
W, what is it?
Why am I being proposed to by a lady whom I'm supposed to have met for the first time?
In the first place, when did she fall in love at first sight?
The sudden confession didn't make me happy, it only left me perplexed.
"Um, Miss Elise. Have we met somewhere? I am sorry, but I don't remember."
After hearing my words, Miss Elise had a complicated expression.
"I have been saved by Ricardo-sama before. At that time, I was deeply moved by your figure and began to yearn for it. As I consulted my father, Ricardo-sama seemed to have no fiancée, so he arranged this marriage interview."
"I saved you? … I'm sorry, I can't remember. Perhaps you've mistaken me for somebody else?"
Miss Elise showed a slightly sad expression.
"I think you don't remember because I was in a disguise at that time. I sometimes secretly sneaked out to town to have fun. At that time, I had a misfortunate to be involved with a drunkard… However, at that time Ricardo-sama saved me! Ricardo-sama was very strong and cool. At that time, I fell in love at first sight."
A town…
I certainly have helped there a few times.
She must be one of them.
Still, she's absolutely imagining thing about me.
Even now she sees me as somebody amazing.
How should I refuse this interview? Tell me, Sana!
I asked Sana for help with all my heart even though she's in the Western Country.
Khh~~, that's why I said I have a bad feeling about this!