Two days had passed and Nora's matchmaking day came.
Various problems had piled up, but I felt that I would be able to solve those based on what I could do.
(Everyone experienced dangers in the manga. And so, for Britney's peace and security…!)
However, my body shape remained as thick as ever.
(Fuu! It's hard to move because of the crutch. I want to go to a place where I can take a rest quickly.)
When I arrived at the meeting place, Nora who had dressed up greeted me.
The venue of the day was one of the salons at the capital. This was a place where nobles living at the capital used as a place to intermingle.
Today, Nora who was wearing a pale green dress was very fired up.
[My matchmaking partner's name is Willey-sama of Redie marquis house {TN: ヴィルレイ ● レディエ}. He's 7 years older than me and has a gentle personality based on from what I have heard. Actually, I wish to be engaged to Ryuze-sama, but I realize that it's actually difficult. I'm getting older and I can't be so easygoing anymore. If I become a leftover, it will be hard for me to get married!]
[Alright, if that's what Nora had decided, I'll support you. It would be nice if he's a nice person.]
The Redie's territory was located at the south of the capital city, far away from the northeastern countryside where Nora lived.
They seemed to be interested in Nora's territory that became prosperous recently. Since ore couldn't be found at the southern territories, it could be considered that they wanted to create a connection.
If only the conditions were inquired, it's a good marriage story for aristocrats.
[The problem is Willey-sama's appearance and personality; I have never met him before.]
While waiting next to Nora, the person who opened this matchmaking — the obliging person, the famous marchioness Irene, had appeared. It seemed that she was the mother of Elvis marquis's young lady.
Elvis was one of Angela's friends; I knew that since I had talked to her at a tea party before.
Madame Irene with her plump body resembled her daughter.
[Oh my, you are Miss Britney are you not? Nice to meet you, I am Elvis' mother.]
[Nice to meet you too.]
[Miss Britney, if you like, would you like me to assist you in matchmaking interview?]
[No, no… I left it to my cousin concerning that.]
[Aa, the Earl of North. He is a very handsome man. To have such a wonderful cousin, I feel jealous. My heart throbs too when it comes to him.]
…It seemed that Ryuze had also captured the heart of the older ladies.
After a while, the other party appeared. He was Willey of Redie household.
Gray eyes and dark brown hair. His face was thin but not bad, he also had a tall figure and was stylish.
Next to him was a man who accompanied him just like me for Nora. Looking at that person, I raised my voice in spite of myself.
[E? Ryuze-niisama!! Why are you here!?]
For some reason, that person's chaperon was Ryuze!
Madame Irene was talking to him in an awfully familiar manner.
[Willey-sama was my senior in my school days. He wants me to come with him since he feels anxious. Also, I was also recommended by Madame Irene… instead of participating, this time, I was convinced to help him with his matchmaking. I also heard that Britney is accompanying Miss Nora. Then, I think I will do that too…]
[Is that so.]
Certainly, it felt reassuring to have Ryuze here.
(But it's troubling for today! Insensitive onii-sama!)
For this time only, Ryuze's existence wasn't desirable.
After all, Nora had a crush on Ryuze. It was the worst that such a person was an adjunct of a marriage interview partner.
(Wha, what should I do!?)
Nora's gaze was darting back and forth between Willey Reid and Ryuze. She must be feeling complicated.
[Ano, No, Nora?]
[E, a, Britney? I'm, I'm fine. I'll try my best.]
After they both greeted each other, Mrs Irene went to arrange things and they both started to talk. I thought that's better as well.
(Ryuze-niisama also left.)
In this world — according to the aristocratic custom of the middle country, as long as there's no problem with the partner, the engagement could carry on.
It took the form of marriage interview, but it was often considered that there was a willingness to marry after sending family and personal history and meeting each other.
Ryuze and I left the room so as to not get in the way. We then walked around the salon's courtyard together.
Mrs Irene was deep in talk with a noble lady who came to the salon by chance.
[Onii-sama, I was surprised when you suddenly appeared. I wish you could tell me in advance.]
[It was quite sudden, so I failed to mention it to you. I know that I would meet you at the actual place anyway, so I thought that it's fine. Apart from that, Britney, it must be tough for you to walk since you're still using your crutches, let's go sit on a bench.]
[…U, alright.]
Ryuze was well aware of me, as expected of since he's family.
While lightly supporting me who was walking with difficulty, he moved gracefully to the bench.
[Thank you very much, you saved me.]
[It must be hard using crutches. Perhaps I should borrow a wheelchair?]
[It's, it's fine! If you do such a thing, I won't be able to lose my weight!]
The wooden wheelchair of this world was not a type which you could wheel by yourself; it's a thing that required others to push for you.
Moreover, since this place was not a barrier-free place like Japan, places where one could move using a wheelchair were limited.
[By the way, onii-sama, what kind of person is Willey-sama? I only looked at him a little, but he seems to be a calm and nice person.]
[Un, he has such personality. He likes quiet places and is not interested in women, so he's careful with his marriage partner?]
[…Not interested in women, huh?]
[It doesn't mean that he's interested in men though? It can be said that he's more interested in his work rather than women. But he may change if he get married, he's also an amiable person.]
[U-n.]
I felt like Nora was the type that wanted attention from men though.
She had a maidenly heart similar to Angela, so such desire was strong.
And I might have a similar feeling.
If the person one was married to wasn't interested in them… it would be sad.
[By the way, Britney, have you been thinking of my engagement proposal properly?]
[Gufuu!]
[As soon as you came back from the southern country, a lot of aristocrats had withdrawn their marriage proposals so I'm not impatient in that sense… but it's troublesome that you refuse to talk to me about it.]
[Aa, that's because I got fat again… onii-sama is too much for me.]
[Is it about other people's problem? If you got engaged to me, I will solve everything.]
My cousin's smiling face looked somewhat restless. It's a dangerous atmosphere.
[But didn't you give me time to think about it? Right?]
Ryuze made a slight displeased face after hearing my answer. It was a natural expression that he did not usually show.
[…Britney, the other day, Prince Marlow sent me his engagement proposal.]
[Wh, why!?]
[He consulted me on "how to make Britney turn to face me".]
[To think onii-sama is his consulter…]
[It can't be helped. I can't tell His Highness that "I too want to be engaged to Britney". But it's not amusing.]
Immediately after saying that, Ryuze turned his body to face me. My cousin's well-featured face neared me, I couldn't hide my unrest.
[O, oooooonii-sama!?]
[Hey, Britney, you still can't give up on Ricardo?]
With calm voice, Ryuze interrogated me.
I nodded my head frantically.
My cousin narrowed his blue eyes when he saw it, he then spoke after a slight thought.
[Then, let's bet with me again.]
[E? A bet?]
[Rather than betting, it's better to say that it's a compromise with conditions attached…]
While stroking my head, Ryuze whispered to me.
[Britney, you don't dislike me do you?]
[Of course not. Onii-sama is like a real brother to me, my important family. That's why it feels uncomfortable to be engaged to you…]
Though my words were subtle, he sighed as if in trouble.
[The deadline is one year. Meanwhile, if Ricardo is able to attain a big achievement, I'll allow him to be engaged to you. But if Ricardo still remains the same even after a year, Britney will get married to me.]
[How about this condition?]
[Why can't it be 10 years at the very least!?]
[It's unreasonable. If I wait for so long… I would be over 30 years old by then.]
I was silently intimidated by my cousin and sweated a lot. Even if it's not hot season yet, I was sweating a lot.
(If it's Ryuze, one might come to fall in love with him.)
Currently I was looking at him as a family, so there's a sense of incompatibility. But there's a possibility that another emotion might grow if we became a couple.
He's mean sometimes, but he always supported me.
[The deadline is next spring, I can't extend it beyond that.]
[So short!? Rather than a year, isn't that half a year later!?]
However, Ryuze ignored my retort and proceeded to talk.
[It's reasonable since I can't refuse Prince Marlow's proposal. So tell Ricardo my condition.]
[I haven't accepted it yet… hyaa!?]
As I refuted, Ryuze kissed my forehead. Our eyes then met.
[Do you think you have room for choice? Would you like to be engaged to me now or half a year later?]
[You, you said half a year didn't you!? Isn't there only one option with no alternatives!? In the first place, why does onii-sama want to be engaged to me? You said that I was "preferable" before, but I can't understand why!]
With my face as red as a tomato, I strike him with my years of doubt.
Ryuze looked at me with a flabbergasted face.
[…It's what I had said. Strongly speaking, I like this sort of you.]
[Haa?]
[The only girl who says what she wants to say to me is Britney.]
[That's because onii-sama is mean. I don't talk to anyone else like this!]
[Un, I can reveal my real intention in front of you, that's why. But most of all, when I was in a truly difficult spot, you were the only one to help me.]
[…Ano, onii-sama, I don't remember that.]
While facing Ryuze, I tilted my head.
Perhaps it's due to the lack of exercise, a cracking sound unbecoming of a young lady resounded.
TN: And it’s finally moving forward. Sheesh Britney, avoidance has its limits. I’m really, really, really tempted to drop this WN unless author somehow (magically) makes it better. Can anyone recommend a better WN for me to translate?