The abused merchant’s daughter – 58 | Sousaku – 創作

Chapter 2, Episode 12: Claire and Alberto

"Hey. Are you working the night shift again?”

Alberto, a member of the Fifth Knight Order, turned around when his brother spoke to him in the hallway of the royal palace of the Kingdom of Kardiana.
Standing there was Alberto's older brother, Geor, who was two years older than Alberto and had short blond hair and a tall build. He was the captain of the First Order.

"Brother."

Albert smiled happily, while his brother Geor raised his hand.

"Hey. It must be hard being Loteccia-sama's favorite.
You've been holed up in the Order's dormitory for nearly three months now."

"Please don't make fun of me.
It's just my job, so it can't be helped."

Alberto said, looking a little unhappy.
Alberto is a knight in the service of Loteccia, a member of the royal family.
This year, Loteccia had been busy preparing to host the Harvest Festival Ball, so he hasn't been able to go home.
He couldn't even contact his fiancée, Claire.
Since he was his brother, who knew his feelings well, he couldn't hide his bad mood.

"Hey, don't be so angry.
Is that how you treat your brother, who worked so hard so that you could attend the ball?
I managed to get you a little time to dance with your beloved Claire."

When his older brother Geor smiled saying that, Alberto's eyes lit up.

"Thank you very much! Brother!!!”

"Treat me to something later."

With that, Geor waved his hand and left the place.
――Finally I can see Claire.

Albert looked out the window with a happy expression on his face.
■□■

"Haa……"

After seeing off Riese, who was happily carrying the sweets that Claire had made, Claire sighed.
Riese must be the daughter of someone important. Probably someone involved with the temple.
That's why she thought she had a naive personality and was pure as a result of her sheltered environment.
This was to be expected, taking into account the magic that helped Claire and the fact that she was being escorted by someone in the priesthood.
Her detachment from the world was both cute and enviable.
Claire interpreted her not revealing her identity as a sign that she did not want Claire to treat her as a noblewoman.
That's why she treated her normally without any reverence, but……

(I wonder if my mother had been of a higher status and the legal wife, would I have been able to marry that person right away?)

Alberto, her beloved person whom rescued her and gave her the shop.
Before, he used to come to the store every day, whispering that he loved her and kissing her on the ear.
But in the last three months, he stopped coming to the store.

What if he just abandons me like this?
They were not officially married yet.
Even though they were engaged, she was the child of a concubine from a lower class noble family, so even if she was abandoned, she could not complain.
At least―― Maybe I should have told him how I felt.
Clare let out a big sigh.

I took it for granted that he liked me, never showing my own feelings.
Perhaps this is why Alberto lost interest in me.

Because she was bullied by her half-sisters, she grew up lacking in self-confidence and became withdrawn.
Claire sighed deeply.

It was then.

"Claire-sama, a letter has arrived."

"A letter?”

Sasha handed Claire a high-quality paper envelope.

"Yes, it's from Alberto-sama."

"Really!??”

Sasha smiled at Claire, who happily accepted the item.

"Should I tell Alberto-sama to contact you more often?”

“W-why!? It's alright! I couldn't possibly trouble him"

"It's not good to be so passive, you know?
Alberto-sama is very popular with women.
Someone else might snatch him away."

"No, that would be a problem!!!”

Claire jumped with surprise when Sasha got so worked up and retorted.

"Please tell Alberto-sama those words, okay?
I'm sure he'll be happy."

Claire nodded timidly in agreement as Sasha laughed.
At the Harvest Festival Ball, I have to make sure to express my feelings to him.……
The Harvest Festival Ball in Kardiana was also a place where lovers could express their feelings to each other.
There, they confess their feelings to each other and pledge their love in front of the Sacred Tree Kardiana.
If I want to convey my feelings, that's the only way.

Claire held the letter tightly to her chest.