Ch.2424. Evan Feiosha (2)

“The head of the house is waiting for you. I will guide you to the reception room.”

We followed the servant’s guidance toward the reception room.

Though the distance was considerable, it didn’t feel particularly long as we moved while taking in the mansion.

There were many paintings hanging in the hallway, which made for quite an enjoyable sight-seeing experience.

“This is the place.”

“Thank you for your work.”

“The head of the house has requested a private meeting with Sione Sianella.”

“I shall enter the reception room alone.”

After completing his guidance, the servant briefly bowed his head.

Then he began waiting at one side of the door, seemingly anticipating any possible orders from the head of the house.

“Go ahead.”

“…Alright.”

Sione’s expression darkened, as if she disliked the situation of meeting the head of the house privately.

Well, she was meeting her father-in-law and the head of the Marquisate whom she had no real connection with.

I understood why she found this situation burdensome.

Creeeeak…

Sione slowly opened the door to the reception room and stepped inside.

Soon after, the door closed, and I was left waiting for Sione to come out.

“Hmm…”

On my left was a servant I’d never seen before.

And on my right was Diolia, with whom I’d barely spoken about anything other than work.

It was incredibly awkward.

Though neither of them seemed bothered by it at all.

It would have been nice if Ian were here at times like this.

Ian had gone straight to the church upon arriving at the Marquisate.

He didn’t come this far, so I had no one to talk to except Sione.

I thought about striking up a conversation with Diolia, but I gave up, lacking the confidence to break the silence.

As I quietly waited for Sione, before long, she opened the reception room door and came out.

I wanted to speak to her out of relief, but…

I closed my mouth when I saw the face of the head of the house following behind her.

“Guide them to the reception room in the annex. After completing your guidance, return to my office.”

The head of the Marquisate of Feiosha.

Yulia Feiosha was a person with an extremely calm impression.

Her hair contained a black deeper than anything else.

Her cold impression and black eyes that gazed at others with apparent indifference were striking.

The servant immediately responded to Yulia’s words.

“Understood.”

After confirming the servant’s response, Yulia spoke to Sione.

“Make sure to have a good conversation with Evan about this engagement.”

“…I understand.”

Seeing that Sione’s voice had less strength than before entering the reception room,

It seemed she had quite an exhausting conversation in there.

I was curious about what Yulia and Sione had discussed, but…

From the current atmosphere, she looked like a new daughter-in-law who had been scolded by her father-in-law.

“I will guide you. This way…”

Once again, we began moving according to his guidance.

As we left the main building and headed toward the annex, the garden of the Marquisate came into view.

Even at a glance, it seemed larger in scale and better maintained than the garden of the County.

“The garden is well-maintained. How about asking Young Master Evan to introduce you to the garden?”

When I mentioned her fiancé’s name, Sione flinched momentarily.

I wondered why she reacted that way just from hearing a name.

Though she seemed quite displeased, perhaps because the servant of the Marquisate of Feiosha was in front of her,

Sione didn’t voice her displeasure as she had in the carriage.

“…Yes, bringing up a conversation about the garden wouldn’t be bad.”

“That’s a good idea.”

“But I don’t think it suits a woman like me, who isn’t a delicate man, to bring up talk of gardens and flowers.”

I shook my head.

Well, there’s no law saying only delicate men can like flowers.

Her worry was quite unnecessary.

“What’s wrong with a woman liking gardens and flowers? If Young Master Evan also likes flowers like you, Sione, you could have quite an enjoyable conversation.”

“I share the same opinion, Lady Sione.”

“Fine, I understand.”

With Diolia joining the conversation, we entered the annex.

Once again, after completing his guidance, the servant gave a brief greeting and headed toward Yulia’s office.

The reception room in the annex was still completely empty.

It seemed Evan Feiosha hadn’t arrived yet.

“Lady Sione, please relax.”

“…Is it that obvious?”

“Anyone could see you have the face of someone who’s nervous. I think it would be good for you to take some deep breaths.”

Nod, nod.

Following my advice, Sione took several deep breaths.

I took a handkerchief from my pocket and handed it to Sione.

“Please take this.”

“A handkerchief? Why suddenly?”

“Didn’t I teach you actions that men would like before?”

“Ah.”

At my words, Sione reacted as if she finally remembered what had happened in her room.

“T-There’s no way I could wipe his mouth with that handkerchief.”

“Aren’t you giving up too early?”

“…I think it’s more accurate to call this impossible rather than giving up.”

“Then at least eat the refreshments as I taught you.”

“That much…”

Though using the handkerchief might be difficult, it seemed she would eat the refreshments properly as I had taught her.

It would be troublesome if she kept stuffing snacks into her mouth as usual in front of her fiancé.

I don’t expect much more, but I hope she’ll at least eat the refreshments properly.

I pushed Sione into the reception room and said:

“I’ll wait outside the reception room.”

“Haah… do as you wish.”

After confirming that Sione, who had been mercilessly pushed into the reception room, had taken her seat,

I waited outside for Evan Feiosha’s arrival, and soon I began to sense someone approaching from afar.

Diolia and I turned our gaze toward the direction of the approaching presence.

Soon after, we could see the owner of that presence.

Short black hair like Yulia Feiosha’s and a cold expression.

Also, a handsome face resembling Yulia.

It seemed this person was none other than Sione’s fiancé, Evan Feiosha.

“…”

What sin could he have committed to be matched with Sione in an arranged marriage despite his decent appearance?

I didn’t understand it before, but seeing his face in person made it even more incomprehensible.

Moreover, I heard they became engaged after Sione had shut herself in her room.

Though I’ve restored her to a human now… she probably didn’t look very good when they got engaged.

There must have been many other good matches, yet he ended up with none other than Sione, which seemed quite pitiful.

The man who appeared to be his attendant spoke to him:

“I’ll wait outside. If you need anything, please call me right away.”

“Thank you, Ron.”

Despite his cold appearance, he smiled gently and finally entered the reception room where Sione was waiting.

* * *

Some time had passed since I was pushed into the reception room by Ray.

It seems like he should be arriving soon…

As his arrival was taking longer than expected, I began to recall my conversation with the head of the house.

‘Welcome to the Marquisate of Feiosha.’

It began simply with a formal welcome greeting.

‘I suppose you’ve come all this way… regarding the matter of engagement with my son.’

And it ended with a simple discussion about my engagement with my fiancé.

Though the conversation didn’t take place in a particularly warm atmosphere,

I preferred this awkwardness to a needlessly pretentious atmosphere.

While I was lost in thought, it seemed the person I was waiting for had finally arrived.

As sounds were heard from outside the reception room, the door began to open.

I erased my tension and emotionlessly looked at the man entering the room.

Evan Feiosha. My fiancé whom I had forgotten.

He quietly entered the room and stood before me.

I rose from my seat and greeted him.

“Pleased to meet you for the first time, Young Master Feiosha.”

“Pleased to meet you for the first time, Lady Sianella.”

An extremely awkward atmosphere hung between Evan and me.

The one who spoke first in this awkwardness was none other than Evan.

“Since I have quite a lot to discuss with Lady Sianella… let’s take a seat.”

“…Alright.”

Evan and I sat down in our places.

Though the sofa was extremely soft, I didn’t find it particularly comfortable.

“Even though we’re engaged, this is our first time meeting each other, right? I’m glad to finally meet you, Lady.”

“The honor is mine, Young Master. It would have been nice if our territories were closer; I regret that we couldn’t meet often due to the distance.”

Seemingly pleased with my answer, Evan showed a small smile.

At first, we exchanged simple greetings and asked about each other’s well-being.

As the atmosphere gradually loosened, I was able to answer Evan’s questions without much difficulty.

Ray had clearly suggested bringing up the topic of the garden…

Unfortunately, contrary to his wishes, I couldn’t bring it up.

And not long after, the reception room door opened again.

“Young Master Evan, I’ve brought the refreshments and tea as you requested.”

The servant placed tea and refreshments on the table in front of us.

As black tea and sweet refreshments were neatly arranged, he left the reception room.

“I wonder if the Lady doesn’t enjoy sweet foods.”

“I quite like sweet foods, so don’t worry. I’m grateful for your consideration, Young Master.”

“That’s good.”

Evan took a sip of tea.

I put a cookie in my mouth.

Clack.

As Evan set down his teacup, he finally brought up the topic I had been waiting for.

“I wonder what the Lady thinks about our engagement.”

Only then did I finally feel like talking to the awkward Young Master Evan.