I Proposed to My Childhood Friend After Regressing - Chapter 4

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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After My Regression, I Confessed to My Childhood Friend
Chapter 4
Among the family members swept up in shock and at a loss for words, it was Kaelyun, Clyde’s older brother, who first came to his senses.
He narrowed his brow slightly and opened his mouth with a serious expression.
“It’s an unusual joke, I’ll grant you that, but this time you’ve gone too far. Marriage isn’t a subject to be broached so lightly.”
“A joke? Come on, brother.”
“Then you’re asking us to take it seriously? We know exactly what kind of relationship you two have. Just remember what you were complaining about to Dalia yesterday, Clyde.”
At Kaelyun’s words, Beatrice’s head snapped toward Clyde.
Her lips twitched slightly, making it clear she had no memory whatsoever of what he’d said.
‘This bastard.’
What on earth had he been saying to his younger sister while abroad?
‘Well, I can guess without hearing it, and Dalia is on my side anyway.’
Beatrice mentally cursed him as utterly useless, then deliberately drew a deep sigh.
It was something of a calculated move. Beatrice knew better than anyone that she had no talent whatsoever for managing her expressions.
“Whatever he said, we agreed to do it this way, brother. If we didn’t, word would spread all over town and it’d be such a hassle…….”
“Word?”
She squeezed their joined hands to send a signal, her expression turning resolute.
“The truth is, we’ve been seeing each other for a long time. You know, like a secret relationship.”
“…….”
“At the Academy, everyone makes such a fuss about everything.”
At Beatrice’s matter-of-fact confession, Kaelyun narrowed his brow slightly and muttered under his breath.
“Then showing up alone at the knighting celebration banquet with no partner…….”
“……right. You know how it was, brother—Beatrice was struggling with a summer cold back then, remember?”
It was half truth and half lie. Beatrice had indeed suffered from a summer cold, but Clyde had attended the ceremony alone because of the Crown Prince’s orders.
‘I don’t know all the details myself.’
Beatrice blinked rapidly, her eyes flickering across her family’s expressions.
Whether this counted as fortunate or not, everyone seemed to be slowly accepting that the two had been in a relationship.
‘…… Why is that?’
She knew this wasn’t the moment to be saying such things, but wasn’t it reasonable to be at least a little suspicious?
‘They all think it’s perfectly natural that I’d fall for this numbskull?’
Just as a wave of irritation began rising in Beatrice, she forced it down.
The Count, as if his head were throbbing, sighed heavily while barely maintaining his dignity and opened his mouth.
“No matter how I look at it, declaring marriage so recklessly is rash. It’s only fortunate that there are no other people here!”
“Now, now, Belliana. The children must have spoken this way because we’re here. But I must admit, I also think it’s rather rushed. Beatrice, wouldn’t it be better to revisit this matter after the betrothal between the Imperial Family and Duke’s House is properly concluded?”
“When would that be?”
“Hmm, well…… Perhaps in about three years?”
It was exactly the reaction she’d anticipated.
Beatrice blew a dismissive raspberry at such a compromise and turned her head toward the princess.
Until just moments ago, the princess had spoken to her cordially, but now she said nothing, her lips pressed firmly shut.
To anyone else, she would appear wise—knowing exactly when to step in and when to step back. But Beatrice could see right through it.
‘I was wondering why she’d gone quiet when it’s about time she started pushing for this, but she’s weighing her options.’
The princess would never reject the union of the two at this point; she was calculating the order of events. Like figuring out the optimal time to slaughter well-fattened livestock.
‘…… There’s no helping it. Let me sweeten the pot a little so she can make her decision. I never planned to go this far, though.’
Taking a deep breath, Beatrice flopped onto her seat with the determination of a shopkeeper announcing a flash sale.
Then she began throwing a tantrum like a five-year-old.
If the princess supported the marriage now, she would cultivate an image of being compassionate and wise, winning the affection of the adults.
“Why does it matter if we marry in three years or now? I’m going to marry Clyde! Please, let me get married!”
“You…… you’re doing this now? Good heavens! I came rushing over wondering what kind of behavior this was when I heard you’d gone to the Duke’s Residence to meet Clyde without so much as a warning, and this is how a proper lady acts? Did your mother teach you to behave this way?”
“I don’t care, I don’t! If you won’t allow it, I’ll cause a scandal!”
“A scandal? What do you—”
“It took two whole years just for Kaelyun and the princess to hold their betrothal ceremony, and now nobody knows if the wedding will be in a year or five! How long have we already waited? I won’t go home until you let me marry him! I’m not leaving Clyde’s side!”
With her eyes squeezed shut, Beatrice flopped back as her mother clutched the back of her neck, then stole a sideways glance at Clyde.
He was watching her with one hand covering his mouth, his expression profoundly moved.
Beatrice would stake her entire fortune that to anyone else, it might seem genuine, but she knew it was desperate laughter being held back.
Perhaps because of the chill creeping into her gaze, Clyde cleared his throat and reached into his coat.
“We understand that what we’re saying sounds headstrong and unreasonable.”
“At least you have that much sense. Then…….”
“But we’ve been waiting an incredibly long time too. Yet my brother hasn’t even set a wedding date since his betrothal ceremony, and the two young lords of Hartwell Countess House show no sign of romance whatsoever. Someone has to go first.”
“Clyde!”
“If you’re determined to object, I’m prepared to cause some trouble…….”
Having said that much, Clyde drew a sheet of paper from his pocket. The Marriage Contract, hastily written just in case for this exact moment, revealed itself in all its glory.
“Wouldn’t it be better to receive congratulations at a wedding ceremony rather than learn about our marriage from a filing and the Imperial Newspaper?”
Just as Kaelyun, the eldest son of Duke’s House, was about to step forward—a breach of filial duty that would cure anyone of low blood pressure—
A light clap sounded, and the princess’s clear voice rang through the space.
“The announcement is sudden, but I’d like to support both of you.”
“Elodie?”
“Besides, I’ve already felt sorry about how the marriage keeps getting delayed. I couldn’t possibly ask you to keep waiting indefinitely just to match my schedule.”
“Elodie, don’t say such things. If you were sincere, the two would have shown a more serious attitude. You needn’t feel apologetic for their stubbornness.”
“Hmm…… But I don’t think Beatrice and Clyde are doing this with light hearts. They spoke as if it were nothing serious, but it feels more like something that’s been held back and finally burst.”
The princess crouched down beside the prone Beatrice, smiling gently, and reached out her hand.
More precisely, toward the crumpled, tattered paper that had fallen beside her.
‘Oh, that’s my Proposal Letter.’
It must have fallen to the floor during the tantrum.
As Beatrice barely managed to compose her expression, the princess opened her mouth again in a gentle voice.
“I have twin younger siblings myself, so I know well that the youngest sometimes act childish. But Kaelyun—how can you call the feelings of someone who’s carried a proposal letter for so long, worn until it’s threadbare, anything but genuine?”
“…….”
“Besides, Beatrice isn’t usually the type to be headstrong and demanding without reason, is she? Isn’t that right, Beatrice?”
‘Oh…….’
She’d only handled it roughly in her agony, yet it had become a testament to love.
Feeling the atmosphere around her shift dramatically, Beatrice responded warmly to the princess.
“Yes. Only the princess—no, only my dear sister could understand my heart this way.”
It was shameless flattery, barely sincere, but the princess’s support proved more reassuring than expected, so a little praise seemed well earned.
And the result of that was…….
“In the name of the sacred Kalvaron and the great sun of the empire, Elbarrius II, we bless and proclaim the union of these two souls. The groom may kiss the bride.”
“……Do it right.”
“You too.”
Which was how they arrived at this situation.
Sweet yet sordid, joyful yet bitter—this situation, precisely as it stood.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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