Episode 5: Parting and Reunion with the Fiancé

The two awkwardly exchanged greetings after their engagement.

“Well! You two make a lovely couple!”

“Yes, indeed.”

The Duke and Countess, observing the couple sitting on the sofa, smiled warmly. After the greetings, Fiene and Oz were left to spend some time together, sipping tea.

As everyone gradually left the room, the countess whispered to Fiene.

“Make sure to capture the heart of the future Duke at all costs. Otherwise, you’ll go without dinner.”

“Yes, understood.”

The countess then covered her mouth with a fan, bowed to Oz, and left.

In the room, only the two remained, and Oz spoke first.

“I’m glad we could meet again, Fiene.”

“Yes.”

“From now on, let’s get along.”

“I look forward to it.”

Fiene gave a polite greeting, following the etiquette she learned from her governess. Holding the hem of her dress, she made a cute yet slightly awkward gesture. As Fiene sat down, Oz took a sip of tea and began to speak.

“I’ll come to see you every weekend from now on.”

“Thank you.”

“At first, if it’s challenging to think of me as a fiancé, you can consider me your big brother.”

“…Big brother?”

“Yeah, just talk to me about things you like or dislike. That’s enough.”

Fiene felt a strange sensation for the first time. Despite his smile and kindness, there was a hint of loneliness.

“Are you lonely?”

“Huh?”

Realizing she had unintentionally expressed her thoughts, Fiene quickly covered her mouth with her small hands.

“I apologize. It’s nothing.”

“No, it’s okay. I don’t feel lonely because you’re here.”

With that, the first day of their meeting came to an end.

From then on, Oz began to visit Fiene every weekend. They gradually became close, and Fiene, opening her heart, could talk to Oz.

“Oz!”

“Finé, I’ve been waiting. Shall we read a book today?”

“Yes!”

Initially, Fiene felt a sense of loneliness, as if he wasn’t paying attention to her, looking somewhere far away. But over time, the boy’s impression softened, and Fiene found his warmth pleasant.

Thinking about the times she could meet Oz, Fiene endured the days of oppression, and, above all, her emotions began to bud.

Fiene fell in love with the young Oz.

However, a turning point struck her.

“Lady! It’s a boy!”

“Oh, how delightful! With this, the succession is secure.”

A legitimate heir was born to the Earl’s family. From this point on, Fiene was increasingly oppressed, and her fate finally changed.

“You are no longer needed.”

With those words, Fiene lost consciousness.

When she awoke, she was outside, barefoot, in the freezing cold, with snow falling.

“Where is this?”

She saw an unfamiliar landscape, and as she looked around, she noticed a large iron gate.

She was picked up by a nun and started living in the church.

And she could no longer meet Oz.

◇◆◇

In the carriage, Fiene shed tears again, looking at the young man with milky, tea-colored hair sitting in front of her.

She couldn’t have dreamed that the boy from her memories would appear as such an impressive man. Overwhelmed with emotions, Fiene didn’t know what to do.

“After that, I was told by the countess that you had died. I was desperate.”

“Is that so…”

“I felt something was off and investigated. That’s when I heard in high society that there’s a saintly woman resembling you at the church.”

Oz’s large hand enveloped Fiene’s hands.

“We finally met again. It took ten years, but will you stay with me once more?”

Fiene squeezed his hand back and, showing a smile after a long time, replied.

“Yes!”

Thank you for reading this far!

We’ll continue with “Oz” from here on.

His real name is “Oswald.”

He appears with this name in official settings.

[One-word corner]

Fiene was abandoned at the church when she was 7.

The reunited pair is now 17 and 23.

Vampire, yet with an age? I’ll explain later!

Now, let’s take a look at Oz’s perspective on the past.