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 38

In the Duke’s Mansion Garden

Julite and I were enjoying a peaceful tea time under the sunlight.

“Almia hasn’t stepped out of the Viscount Falrune household since the evening party.”

“Ah…”

“She has become the laughingstock of noble society. I doubt she’ll receive any more marriage proposals.”

If that was the worst of it, then it was actually a relief.

If Almia decided to change and live properly, she might still have a chance to turn things around.

Though, it would be incredibly difficult…

“The real problem is Viscount Falrune and his wife. Their past crimes are being exposed one after another.”

“I see.”

I no longer cared about them.

To me, Almia was the only family I had.

She had been selfish and caused trouble countless times, but she never physically hurt me with magic or violence. Besides, the real issue lay with our overly indulgent parents who raised her that way.

Almia was also a victim of our parents.

“Reina, this isn’t unrelated to you, especially concerning the fire incident.”

“Huh?”

“That day, you saved my life. In that sense, it led to us being together like this, but that doesn’t mean they can be forgiven.”

“Wait a moment. I saved you, Lord Julite? What do you mean!?”

I had completely forgotten.

Julite had mentioned before that I had saved him several times.

Each time, another topic took over, and I never got to hear the details.

This time, I would make sure to listen properly.

“More than ten years ago, when the Falrune household was half-destroyed by fire, I investigated and found that it was likely Viscount Falrune’s own scheme. And during that fire, you saved my life.”

“I thought I saved Almia…”

“Haha, so you really don’t remember. You were still very young, and it was a traumatic event. Your memories must be unclear. I was the one who put out the fire that day.”

“What!?”

“I happened to be nearby. I was the only one there who could use water magic, and back then, I enjoyed using magic. So, I rushed into the flames without hesitation. That’s where I found you and Almia. Neither of you seemed capable of using magic, so I just told you to run.”

I had no recollection of this at all…

But Julite wouldn’t lie, so it must be true.

At the time, all I remembered was desperately pulling Almia away from the fire.

After that, my memories were blurry.

The only thing I clearly recalled was how my parents’ attitude suddenly changed, as if they had become completely different people.

“The guards at the time were actually rebels against the Duke’s mansion. They probably thought it was amusing when I ran into the fire. I had exhausted my magic and resigned myself to dying from the smoke.”

*”How did you escape?”

“You came back for me, Reina. You carried me out when I could no longer move.”

“I’m so sorry… I truly don’t remember.”

“You must have been acting purely on instinct. Your kindness must have taken over, moving your body even in fear.”

I was completely shocked.

I had been listening as if it were someone else’s story.

“Ever since that day, I have loved you more than anything. But Viscount Falrune must have taken notice of something and started interfering. I couldn’t propose a marriage arrangement. He used every possible method to manipulate things. Just when I finally thought an engagement was settled, I was deceived, and it was switched to an engagement with Almia instead…”

“I was also misled by my father. I believed that you disliked me, Lord Julite…”

“It was frustrating… It was all part of the viscount’s schemes. Of course, I never paid a single coin for the betrothal.”

Oh, I had forgotten to check about the betrothal money.

“Legally, there is no rule that states betrothal money must be paid. If anything, it would be offset by the damages caused by Almia’s actions.”

“So that means the Falrune family has no money left…”

“I had my doubts as well. The dress Almia was wearing… There was no way a mere viscount’s household could afford something like that.”

Even as I asked about it, I found that I no longer cared about the Falrune family’s finances.

More than that, my mind was stuck on the fact that Lord Julite had loved me for so long.

“Financially, the Falrune family is beyond repair. It was truly perfect timing for you to sever ties with them and legally end the parent-child relationship.”

“It was my father who initiated it, wasn’t it…?”

“Even so, Reina, you upheld your dignity on your own. The social dance at the evening party proved that.”

“I have to thank Coco for her strict lessons. And also you, Lord Julite.”

“No, no. The credit goes to you for enduring her hellish training.”

Lord Julite had once learned social dancing from Coco.

Apparently, it took all his strength just to keep up with her when she became a completely different person during lessons.

“Noble society will probably stop looking at us strangely. But many challenges still lie ahead.”

“As long as I can be with you, Lord Julite, I’ll face anything.”

“That’s my line.”

Julite chuckled softly.

“Many nobles didn’t pay much attention to Maria and Bettom’s engagement. The same will happen with ours. But we’ll live happily together, no matter what.”

“Yes…!”

Our marriage would take place after Duke Gress returned from his long ride and gave his formal greeting.

Until then, I needed to learn more about Lord Julite.

As things stood, his love for me felt so overwhelming that I couldn’t keep up.

I hadn’t done anything for him yet.

“Reina…”

“Yes?”

“I love you.”

The words filled my heart so much that I felt like I needed healing magic just to calm it down.

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