CHAPTER 126
With a satisfied expression, Lewis motioned to Charlotte with a nod.
Charlotte, unaware that Lewis and Selina were having such a conversation, was busy looking at today's main stars.
"Of course, it's something to celebrate."
How could they say something so rude!
Selina whispered to Lewis.
"It's the day a new member joins the Yaniels Viscount family."
She then explained why she was genuinely congratulating the couple, even though she wasn't that close to them.
"After the wedding ceremony today, the bride's name will also be added to the marriage certificate. As a member of the Yaniels Viscount family!"
Selina's eyes sparkled especially when she talked about the new family member.
She probably didn't notice how her eyes looked.
But Lewis, who was right next to her, realized it.
The reason Selina was blessing them wasn't just because it was her friend's brother's wedding; there was another meaning.
'Is the meaning of becoming a new family member really that significant?'
Lewis thought as he watched Selina look at the bride and groom again.
For a moment, he understood.
'For Selina, it would be.'
She had gone through so much hardship because of her terrible family.
For Selina, the Elsner people would remind her of her depressing memories.
A new family.
Though she might not be aware, it was clear Selina wanted a new family.
If you think about it, her relatives weren't really family; they were like family.
'I'm not supposed to be watching the wedding right now, am I?'
Lewis's interest was no longer in the wedding.
As the ceremony progressed, he began to ponder alone.
'If Selina wants a new family, what can I do?'
There was only one answer that came to mind immediately. What he could do. It was a very simple problem.
Lewis looked at the bride and groom, who were receiving everyone's blessings.
'We can do it too.'
If Selina wanted it, there would be no problem.
Lewis's lips quietly curled into a smile.
* * *
A few days after the Yaniels Viscount's wedding, on a holiday.
"If you could change your last name, what would you do?"
On a leisurely afternoon, when I visited Lewis's mansion, he asked something out of the blue.
"Last name? Why the sudden question?"
I removed my lips from the coffee cup I was about to drink, looking puzzled.
He answered nonchalantly as if it wasn't a big deal.
"Just. I've changed my last name twice."
I know that too. When he came to the Croft mansion and when he became a Marquis! Blumberg was Lewis's third surname.
"It's better to change it if I can. If only I could."
I said honestly.
I'm not even related by blood to the Elsners, and I've severed ties with them, so being called the Elsner Countess feels off sometimes.
"Being called by the last name sometimes makes me think of my family. Thanks to the Marquis, I won't see them anymore, but still."
"That's true."
"Thinking of family is not a pleasant thing."
I smiled wryly.
"But what can I do? It's not like I can get adopted somewhere else."
The current Crown Prince was adopted by his uncle, the Emperor, in his mid-teens, but that was a special case.
It was because they needed someone to fill the vacant successor position left by Philip.
"So, you do want to change it if there's a way?"
"A way?"
For a woman of my age, there's really only one way to change her last name.
Marriage... but I can't say that out loud.
After mentioning that my last name feels uncomfortable, saying 'I could change it through marriage'?
He'd think I want to get married quickly.
Lewis might immediately start preparing for a wedding, asking 'Do you want to? Alright.'
He didn't seem to have immediate plans for marriage!
From what I've seen, marriage wasn't urgent for Lewis.
He seems to consider me his lifelong partner but doesn't see marriage itself as something immediate.
He probably sees it as a future thing to prepare for someday.
But what if he suddenly starts preparing for a wedding because of my words?
Since talking about marriage might make it seem like I'm rushing him, I deliberately changed the subject.
"Oh, the Croft Duke once mentioned adoption in passing-"
"To you? That's ridiculous..."
Looks like I succeeded in diverting Lewis's attention, right?
* * *
The invitation to Lady Redmond's engagement arrived shortly after.
"Lewis, Lady Redmond is getting engaged!"
The Count's eldest son has a good family too.
I told him the news when I visited the mage tower for our lunch date.
"As expected of Lady Redmond. She has an eye for good looks!"
"That guy, huh?"
"Do you remember who?"
"Yeah. He does look decent."
So, Lewis remembers too.
All this time, the Count's young son, whose presence had been overshadowed by Lewis and Philip, was now in the spotlight.
With Philip gone, Lady Redmond remarkably recalled the existence of the next handsome man.
And after starting a relationship with him, she even got engaged!
As expected of Lady Redmond. Her unwavering determination to find handsome men!
"Lewis, don't you think he's okay too? It's rare to see such a handsome man in the capital."
"Will you miss him?"
Miss him?
"It's not like there's nothing to miss."
I mean Lady Redmond. It feels a bit empty thinking about her going away like this.
At our age, getting married isn't strange at all, so it's understandable.
But then Lewis, who was looking at some documents, raised his head to look at me with a baffled expression.
"Miss him?"
Huh? Did I say something wrong?
I quickly replayed my answer in my head and realized what had happened.
"I think you misunderstood what I meant!"
Lewis slowly got up from his seat. Then he walked briskly over to the guest table where I was sitting.
He sat down next to me with a thud and asked seriously.
"Is he better looking than me?"
"...!"
Is he seriously asking that? Even if we weren't dating, of course, it's you!
I couldn't help but laugh at the absurd situation. Out of everything in the world to be jealous of, this?
"No way. You're the most handsome in the world, Lewis!"
Lewis moved even closer to me.
"We're never going to be apart. You know that, right?"
Why emphasize that?
Anyway, we'll always be together! Even though we're still just dating, given Lewis's determination, probably...
Then, Lewis slowly rubbed his thumb across my lips.
My body instantly stiffened. I knew what that action meant.
I saw the clear desire in his eyes.
We were so close now that we could feel each other's breath.
Lewis asked in a low voice.
"Can I kiss you?"
"Is it okay here?"
What if someone comes in?
When I mentioned the place, Lewis's eyes softened.
"It doesn't matter. I told them never to come in when you're here unless it's really urgent."
Reassured, I nodded.
"If you said that much, no one will come in-"
I couldn't finish my sentence. Lewis captured my lips.
My whole body tensed. My toes curled inward, and my shoulders stiffened.
But it was only for a moment. The tension soon melted away.
His movements slowly melted my body, and soon, I didn't care anymore.
No one would come in anyway.
I tilted my head, still connected by the lips, so we could share our love even more deeply.
* * *
Lady Redmond's engagement ceremony was held two weeks later. Lewis attended with Selina.
At the engagement ceremony, Lady Redmond announced,
"We're planning to have the wedding in three months."
Then Bella and Lady Hoss made a fuss over who would catch the bouquet.
"Give me the bouquet!"
"I want to catch it too!"
"What? Lady Croft, you don't even think about getting married!"
"You said you'd throw the bouquet! Someone agile like me should catch it!"
Why are they having such a silly argument? It's not like the wedding is happening right now.
To Lewis, it was a completely pointless competition.
"Umm... Lady Croft? Catching the bouquet doesn't require athletic skills!"
He watched Charlotte, who was sweating while trying to stop them, then clicked his tongue as he looked back at Bella.
Then he noticed Selina smiling.
"You said it was sad to see a close friend leave.
But you don't seem that sad today?"
He asked slyly, and she answered.
"From the perspective of those who hung out together, it is. But from Lady Redmond's perspective, it's something to celebrate."
"A union with someone she loves?"
"That's right."
She answered honestly. It seemed her mind was focused on today's main characters.
Unaware of his true intentions behind the question.
After failing to properly ask Selina if she wanted to get married last time, Lewis had been thinking all along.
Does Selina really want to get married? Or am I mistaken in thinking she does?
But now, it seemed like her words back then weren't her true feelings.
'Why did she say that last time?'
He decided it was time to have an open conversation. So she wouldn't feel the need to hide her feelings.
* * *
'I have something important to discuss.'
With those words, Lewis arranged an evening meeting.
What could he be planning to say? When I arrived at the restaurant on time, it was just the two of us.
"Have you been waiting long?"
"No. I just got here."
"This place has a great atmosphere!"
Located at a high point, the view through the windows was stunning.
The buildings below were lit up as night fell, offering a spectacular view.
A perfect dating spot.
The food at this atmospheric restaurant was also excellent. The steak Lewis had reserved was to my liking.
"Is it good?"
"Yes. This place is fantastic!"
Seeing me enjoy the meal, Lewis looked satisfied.
"I got a recommendation from Michael. He said this place is great."
"Michael tells you such things too?"
We see each other almost every day, so there's no need to set such a special atmosphere.
"What did you want to talk about today?"
He said it was something important, but so far, it had been just everyday conversation. Finally, while having dessert, I asked first.
At that moment, a waiter approached the table.
"A gift from the Marquis."
Huh? I looked at the bouquet of roses the waiter handed over with wide eyes.
"Is today a special day?"
Why the flowers?
Seeing my puzzled face, Lewis spoke seriously.
"I've been thinking about when we should get married."
"What?"
Marriage? So this is the important thing he wanted to discuss.
Did I somehow give away that I wanted to get married? I quickly racked my brain.
I thought I had deflected the topic of marriage pretty well...
"If you're not against it, I'd like to do it soon."
"I thought you didn't want to get married yet..."
"Whether we get married or not, we'll be together, but—"
Lewis replied as he reached into his pocket.
"There's no reason to delay it, I think."
What he took out was a small box.
Click. When Lewis opened it, there was a large diamond ring inside.
Ah, it's a proposal for real.
That's when it hit me.
I had vaguely thought my turn would come much later, unlike the other ladies.
I stared blankly at the ring.
"Marry me, Selina."
"Oh..."
I didn't expect a proposal this soon.
"Lewis? If you're rushing because of me, it's okay."
"We were going to get married anyway. What's there to hesitate about when we're not going to part?"
"That's... true."
It was a logic I couldn't argue with.
With a confident smile, Lewis slipped the ring onto my finger.
"So, marry me. I'll be your true family."
True family.
Even amidst the surprise of the unexpected proposal, his words touched my heart. I did want to build a happy family with the person I love.
I've always longed for it, in this life and the previous one, having had no luck with family.
It was a dream I thought about, but couldn't achieve on my own...
"Did you have no intention of marrying me?"
"Oh, no way!"
Lewis chuckled.
He wouldn't be so relaxed if he was serious.
"Then give me your answer."
There was no reason to refuse.
With joy in my heart, I answered him.
"Yes. Yes, Lewis."
It might have sounded a bit hasty, but I'm sure my feelings were conveyed.
As soon as he heard my acceptance, Lewis smiled brightly.
"Thank you."
I smiled back at him.
A union with the person I love.
It was the moment when my dream of creating a new family with Lewis, a dream I had only vaguely imagined, became a reality.
<Main Story End>
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