The Incompetent Noblewoman Marries the 'Devil of the Far East' as a Substitute Bride—Told by Her Parents to 'Die in Place of Your Sister,' She Left the House, but Her New Family Turned Out to Be Wonderful and She's Happy - Episode 1.25

I am Yuu Momen from Rokutan-en.

She is the eldest daughter born into the long-established Roktansono Kimono Shop.

Ichijo Satoru is my childhood friend.

The clothing worn by the royal family, including the Kuzu-ryu, and the Ichijo family, is all made in-house.

I know. Satoru… has been suffering a lot until now…

Because we were childhood friends, I know…

After Rei-chan lifted the curse of the curse caster…

“Even so, the bride of the Ichijo family stands up to the curse caster without flinching. Just like Lord Satoru, she is a very brave person.”

My husband, Sakichi, says that.

“Yuu Cotton? What’s wrong…?”

“Satoru isn’t brave and fearless. That guy… he’s actually quite a coward.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah. He hates thunder. The night Sumi-san died, it was a stormy night too.”

Ichijo Momi Sumi-san.

Satoru’s mother.

She was very beautiful, and yet… a kind person.

I know that Satoru loved Ms. Sumi Mori, and that when she died, he was the saddest of all.

I was also carrying the weight of Ms. Sumi Mamoru’s death…

“I can’t believe it. I thought Lord Satoru was a brave warrior with the courage to face demons alone.”

“Well, most people probably think that. But… it’s different. He’s just a regular guy with the world’s strongest shield.”

He has the strongest shield, the Ichijo family, and… the sign of the “Defender of the Eastern Capital.” He’s carrying a lot on his shoulders.

Because of that, he… is unable to expose his weak parts.

For the people of Tokyo, the servants of the Ichijo family, and above all, for the deceased Sumi Mori…

He has to be the strongest.

Cover your weak heart with that strong power.

Since Sumi-san’s death, it’s become… difficult for Satoru to get close.

That guy has stopped exposing his weaknesses.

When I’m nearby, he… remembers the past.

The weak version of myself.

So… they kept their distance from me.

When I got married, you did come, after all.

But… after that, they didn’t come around here much anymore.

Even today, acting like a complete stranger… honestly…

I was sad, but I knew Satoru’s determination.

I wanted to respect his will to hide his weakness and be strong for his mother.

So… even if my childhood friend is keeping his distance from me, I didn’t feel particularly sad about it.

I thought, “It’s lonely,” but…

My childhood friend said that I can’t touch or support the “pure” him beyond the barrier.

However.

“Rei-chan… you’re amazing…”

Rei-chan was different.

The young lady from the Saiga family who came from the western continent was, how should I put it… a strange child.

Even though they strangely lack self-confidence, they are quite bold and reckless.

But… I really liked them a lot.

But you see, Satoru is… laughing.

From the heart.

Yeah… before Sumi-san died, Satoru was there, you know.

To a woman who can expose my weaknesses.

“Satoru… I’m glad…”

“Y, Cotton Yuu!? Are you crying…?”

Sakichi is putting his arm around my shoulder.

“Yeah… I’m so happy… My childhood friend finally seems like they might be… happy…”

Rei-chan, you should have more confidence.

If you’re a person from this country, there’s no one who doesn’t know about Sato.

But… no, maybe that’s exactly why.

The things about Satoru’s house, the painful past, and… the time spent with Satoru.

Because you are pure white, without any of those things… you can see Satoru as he truly is, without any prejudice.

Born into the Rokutansen family and having grown up as his childhood friend… it was something I couldn’t do.

“Hey, Sakichi. Is it okay if I reduce the amount of work a bit?”

“That’s fine with me. You’re going to have a hard time from now on anyway…”

It seems like she thinks she has to have children.

“Well, that’s true. But still… I want to be exclusively yours, Rei-chan.”

“Whoa! N-no, that’s… I mean, nobles from all over, from the north to the south, come seeking the clothes you make. You’re that amazing of a craftsman, you know?”

Fortunately, the clothes I made with my special ability are very popular.

Every day, an incredible amount of orders come in.

But…

“Sorry, but could you decline? I… I want to make a lot of clothes for Rei-chan.”

“To that extent… about Rei-san?”

“Yeah. I like it. I want that kid to be happy. I want them to dress up a lot. It seems like they’ve been through some really tough stuff.”

That kid lacks too much self-confidence.

I’m really feeling apologetic. No matter what I do, I seem to be apologizing.

Maybe, I’ve been bullied since I was little.

“I want her to have more confidence. For that, she needs to dress up a lot, go out a lot, and be known. So that people can see that she is… a shining, radiant jewel.”

That I am worthy of standing beside Satoru.

“This house is already making a profit even if I don’t work hard right now, isn’t it?”

“Well, yeah… But… uh… uh… uh…”

It seems like my husband is suffering.

Right now, I’m leaving all the management to my husband.

Right now, there must be all sorts of conflicts going on in my husband’s mind.

But… I know. You’re a kind person, right?

“Alright, fine. You can do whatever you want, Yuu.”

“Thanks! As expected of my husband!”

I smack my husband’s shoulder.

“Well, I want those people to be happy too.”

Honestly, this guy is too kind.

If you do a favor for the Ichijo family, you’ll receive immense benefits in return… something like that.

You don’t have any ulterior motives, do you?

Purely, Satoru has been taking care of me, and besides… Rei-chan helped me, so I think that’s what they’re thinking.

Kind and pure, so… I like you, Sakichi. I love you.

I… I like that type of person, you know.

So… Rei-chan, I’ve come to love you too.

Rei-chan, wait for me!

I’ll make tons of clothes that suit you and dress you up beautifully!