Getting Along
We ate lunch as a group of three, with Grandmother joining us.
Floria and Grandmother were chatting comfortably, even laughing together now and then.
It sounded like they were talking about when Grandmother and Grandfather traveled through the Soleil Empire.
Floria… aren’t you a little too relaxed in someone else’s house?
She also began helping at the Merchants’ Guild, and the guild members were delighted with her.
It started because she finished helping Rosa and looked bored, so I introduced her to Raziel and suggested she help with guild work.
Since Floria introduced herself to Raziel with “I’m Reinhardt’s potential fiancée,” I hurriedly corrected her, but the guild members were staring at us with great interest.
Raziel thankfully ignored that statement.
"I’m sorry, but may I check your skills first?"
Before she could begin helping, Raziel brought calculation sheets and letters to translate and had her do them.
Her calculations were fast and accurate. The letter was apparently written in Soleil language, and because she’s a duke’s daughter from the Soleil Empire, she pointed out idioms, etiquette, and phrasing, correcting the contents thoroughly.
It also became clear her common language and Rodan Kingdom language were perfect, so Raziel handed her a stack of letters with a “please take care of these.”
Work progressed quickly, and the guild members celebrated their first on-time departure in a while.
Floria gave me a triumphant look, as if asking what I thought of her.
Well… considering how much trouble I caused the guild members, I guess this is fine.
Before I knew it, Floria had also become close with Atre and Lucas.
When did that happen?
She seemed to be communicating with Atre through Lucas’s interpretation.
She also made YES/NO cards and was using them to talk with Kamui and Levin.
The maids, servants, and cooks copied the idea, and now they use the cards whenever they want to ask Atre or Kamui or Levin for their preferences.
It’s only been a few days, and Floria’s influence in the household keeps growing.
Isn’t she adapting too fast?
My parents returned from the royal capital.
They looked confused when they saw Floria.
“Grandmother, you contacted Father and Mother, right?”
“I thought you did, Hardt.”
“I only wrote a letter to Raphael.”
“Oh? Is that so?”
After dinner, in the sitting room cleared of everyone except the family and Floria—
"Allow me to introduce myself once again. I am Floria Grande, eldest daughter of the Duke Grande of the Soleil Empire."
She began her formal introduction.
Then she explained that one year ago, she recovered her memories of her previous life after falling down the stairs in her mansion.
She spoke honestly about how, through letters and items from her cousin Raphael, she became convinced I was a fellow reincarnator and came to Westland seeking my help.
I had already told her that my family knew I was a reincarnator.
My parents, Grandfather, and Grandmother all looked at me in shock.
“What Floria said is true. She can speak and write the language from my previous world.”
“That alone isn’t proof, is it?”
“We cross-checked. It’s genuine.”
“So that’s why she knew the names of the dishes.”
“Have you told your parents?”
At Father’s question, Floria explained the situation she was in at the ducal house.
Of course, she didn’t say it was because the world resembled a novel from her past life and she feared being turned into a villainess.
"That is why I ask you to let me stay here as Reinhardt’s fiancée. I believe I can be useful."
She bowed her head to my parents.
“But taking in a duke’s daughter from the Soleil Empire without the ducal family’s permission…”
"Do not worry. I will become Uncle Clondale’s adopted daughter, so it will be fine."
“Floria, don’t just declare your wishes. The Duke has no idea you’re even here.”
“Hardt, is that true?”
“I sent a letter to Raphael, so he should be finding out right about now.”
“Why did you send a letter?”
“If I didn’t, they’d think our family kidnapped you.”
"Then just take responsibility and marry me."
“So that was your plan all along?”
"You caught me?"
I was about to answer back when—
“You two get along very well, don’t you?”
“Mother, how do you see that as ‘getting along’?”
“Well, you’re usually very guarded, and yet you’re relaxed around her.”
“In any case, let’s wait for a reply from Duke Clondale.”
"Understood. Until then, I will work to earn everyone’s trust so you will think I am suitable to be Reinhardt’s fiancée."
What do you think about this chapter?
