My Second Engagement: Loved by the Duke’s Son and Thanked for My Healing Magic ~ My Selfish Sister Took My Fiancé, but Gave Him Back Because She Didn’t Want Him Anymore~ - Episode 11

“Almia… Since Reina left, haven’t you been neglecting your studies?”

“That’s not true. It’s just… I feel lonely without Reina, and I haven’t been doing well.”

Reina is gone.

It was only natural since she took on Julite, who used to bully me terribly.

But… but still!

I thought it would be enough if she just got engaged, but I never expected her to move away and live somewhere else.

Now, I have no one to rely on.

“Pull yourself together. Otherwise, you won’t be able to present yourself properly to your new engagement candidate.”

“What!? A fiancé for me?”

“Of course. You’re an important daughter. You’ll marry into a place where you can be happy, and we’ll receive a proper dowry. That’s a parent’s duty.”

Father slowly sipped his coffee. I don’t understand what’s so good about such a bitter drink.

Mother and Father always seemed to dislike Reina, but despite that, they made sure she married into the duke’s house. Even though it’s a fallen duchy, they still went through with it… I can’t imagine she’ll be happy, but they did say the dowry was enormous. They must have already received it.

I see… So, they didn’t actually hate Reina.

Then that means they must have chosen someone even better for me.

“A prince?”

“No.”

“Then, a prince from a neighboring country?”

“No.”

“Eh…? A royal from a neighboring country?”

“Unfortunately, no. He’s not royalty.”

“What!?”

That means he holds a lower status than Reina’s fiancé!

“Actually, before you were about to marry that duke, we had already received another marriage proposal.”

“Oh?”

I must have been quite popular.

If someone likes me that much, I’d love to see what kind of person they are.

“What part of me made them want to propose?”

“Most likely your academic ability.”

“Eh…?”

“The written exam that all nobles and commoners take at age twelve. You got excellent scores, didn’t you?”

Oh, I remember now.

I had no idea how to answer the questions, so I secretly had Reina do the test for me.

I told her it was just practice and had her write everything.

“A-Ah… That test, huh…”

“Even back then, Reina always found faults in you. Poor Almia…”

“Y-Yes, exactly! That person who saw my true abilities—let’s meet them!”

I blurted that out without thinking.

Well, it’s not like I actually studied. I was just too lazy.

If I try a little, I should be able to reach Reina’s level in no time.

Someone actually likes me enough to want to marry me.

Alright! Time to study!

“I don’t understand anything!!”

What is this?

Water, wind, fire, and non-elemental magic?

What even is non-elemental magic!?

It says non-elemental magic users are rare.

Then I guess I don’t need to learn about it.

Ugh, my head hurts.

I should stop.

I’m sure my fiancé doesn’t know everything in these books either.

Just as I closed my book, Mother entered my room.

“Oh my, Al-chan, you’re working hard! That’s wonderful.”
“What’s the matter?”

“About your engagement… I’m sorry. It seems like it’s to a rather unremarkable man.”

“Hmm…”

As long as he’s rich or has a high status, I don’t mind.

Julite was a duke, but his personality was the worst.

After that terrible experience, I have to be more careful.

“Mother, do you know what kind of person he is?”

“Yes. He’s the third son of a baron.”

“What!? That’s the lowest rank among nobles!”

“Exactly. And he’s also a year younger than you.”

Now that I know who he is, I feel relieved.

He’s a baron’s son, so he must be rich.

I remember dancing with him at a ball before.

I forgot his name, but he was good-looking and came from a reasonably wealthy family.

It doesn’t seem like he proposed because of my academic skills.

That means I don’t need to study anymore.

Good thing I asked.

Now, I just need to convince Mother.

“…You can’t truly know a person until you meet and talk to them.”

“As expected of my dear Al-chan!”

Well… that was a little lie.

I already know who he is, so it was easy to say that.

Now that it’s settled, I can’t wait to meet him!