Simmering Jams at the Edge of the Forest

"Though I expected it. It's kind of a shock when you're so disappointed. It's not my fault Walter can't come, Lady Rachel."

"I know that. Your brother told me about it."

In the carriage heading to Meeserie.

Hugh Townsend, Clerk of the Magic Academy, is usually in the seat where Master Walter should be. He, whose father has hindsight, is here today under my guardianship, in our magical advisory capacity.

Always busy, Master Walter. Still, he accompanied me to Meeserie every time, but this time I could not leave Wang Capital and nominated Hugh as his deputy.

"So, what was Master Walter like?

"Mm-hmm. He came to me, too, and he left as soon as he could. I've been busy for a long time, but I was wondering if you looked a little pale."

"I don't know... I don't think you're feeling well."

"Fair enough, Lady Rachel. Walter's not a kid either, so isn't that okay?

"I'm worried because I'm an adult."

If you're a child, you can tell them to rest and tie them to their bed.

You are always busy because you are responsible for your work. It's Walter's strengths not to lose sight of everything, even where you worry too little about your body.

But the only thing I can do, the daughter of a "business associate" and the sister of a "friend", is rub my mind like this - a sad reality.

"Walter is also a working person who looks like the head of the magic school. I wish those two were a little out of hand. Does that slow you down a bit? She's pale and bright blue."

"... yeah, please"

He said it wasn't long before the carriage started running, but he felt sick like his stomach would spin when it attacked him early.

Strangely enough, when I was with Master Walter, carriage sickness couldn't be that bad, as much as I even thought I'd healed myself.

"Ma'am, please lean on me"

"Let me do that."

He was nauseated and dizzy enough to grab his chest and managed to spend the rest of the road, supported by Marie Louise.

Meeserie arrived over time, as she did on her first visit, taking many breaks. I'm relieved to welcome you warmly even if you expose yourself to pity.

"Why don't you just lay down a little bit and say hello, okay?

"Margaret, take that. Oh, yeah."

Master Adelaide graciously intervened, and Dr. Daniel put the cold cloth that Margaret prepared on my forehead... ugh, it feels good.

That's how, while I was resting, I also had a Hugh in the living room who had finished unloading.

The subject of flying over me lying on the couch is Dear Walter, who could not come. Again, both Adelaide and Dr. Daniel are worried about your son's health.

"I was wondering if you knew more about Walter than Rachel's brother, who was close to work. Isn't that right, lady?

Yes, Hugh told me the story, and I woke up a much lighter body, and I joined the conversation.

"Yep. My brother says he seems to be eating and sleeping..."

"You can do more work than the guys around you, so there's just trouble turning to Walter, right? But as for this one, that's how I got here."

Lady Adelaide smiles at Hugh, shrugging her shoulders like a loose end.

"Mr. Hugh will be staying, won't he?

"Right, oh, but don't worry, I'll disturb Mark. I'd love a meal here."

"Of course it is"

"Yay, thanks!

Hugh's lack of submission finally gave the living room a bright vibe.

On this occasion, where everyone's joyful voice sounds, I look for someone who couldn't possibly be there - I laughed bitterly when I realized I was like that.

- That day, I was asked in your father's study about my friendship.

It's not officially yet, but it's that the engagement meeting is here.

That too, from the Duke's house.

"Normally, I don't have to put it in your ear to say no."

It must have been hard not to tell the other guy in the Duke's house. Your disgruntled brother still takes the words of your father with a bitter look on his face.

"Ray hasn't even been to a nightclub lately, has he?

"Yeah, yeah. I've been a little busy since the supper festival and mostly go out at night. Although there are quite a few tea parties during the day."

"Right. Even the other side just returned home before this. Where the hell did you first see it... it wasn't anything alarming or crevice at all"

Your mother will treat you like a brother who can put his arms on the couch.

"Already, these two just complain if they open their mouths. But, you know, it's a good story. It's an edge without any more, and I hear your personality isn't bad. I know who he is, but he's a nice guy."

"Mother, I understand."

When I made him smile to reassure me, your father embarked on himself.

"But it'll be too soon."

"Exactly. And if Ray doesn't like it, I'll say no."

"Oh, brother."

"Not you at all."

He said it was a blow from the Duke's house on the scale. I put it up to my father and brother, who speak Australian, and I looked at my mother and her face.

Really, troubled father and brother.

Honestly, as my daughter, as my sister, I'm glad you're taking care of me without a stake - I'm glad, but as Marquise, I shake my head that it won't be. It's not like I don't know where I stand.

"Father, brother. I'm twenty-two."

"What's wrong with that? No matter how old you are, Rachel will be a dear daughter to all those who will be in our house, no, Lindgren."

I'm not the only one in the male Lindgren family who can call herself a courtier. Nevertheless, the marriageable age for aristocratic women in this country is around twenty.

The childhood maids are also so married.

I have one friend whose fiancée is in another country and hasn't had a ceremony yet, but I've never even had that fiancée - this, by the work of your father and brother.

There have always been people in my mind who have instead seen it as convenient and pretended not to see it. But that won't happen this time either.

"This story, my age and the identity of your opponent, cannot be a reason for refusing. If you refuse, this is naturally the place to look at as a problem. Though I don't think it would be very good for our home."

"That's right, don't even think about Rachel's position. Even Julius keeps putting his marriage on the shelf."

"Leave me alone, Mother. There are a lot of bachelors around, and they don't have narrow shoulders."

"You may be, but Rachel will be different. Hey, you."

As my mother stared at me, my father, who looked like he had crushed a bitter bug, opened his mouth like that.

"So you want me to move on? After the official apostle has stood, he can neither withdraw nor destroy it exactly. You know that, Rachel."

- A serene expression floating only between the closed space of the carriage and a short stay at Meeserie.

How much love you made me solicit on the side of a gentle view.

I wanted to spend some more time with you... but I guess it's time to move on, too.

I smiled and nodded at your father with a painful chest.

"Father, could you give me a moment? Next time, until I get back from Meeserie."

Let me tell Walter how I feel. That's what I decided to do, no matter what the outcome.

I didn't even think it would come to pass to see you then.