I Proposed to My Childhood Friend After Regressing - Chapter 59

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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 Proposed to My Childhood Friend
Episode 59
Beatrice blinked dumbly upon hearing the Crown Prince’s words.
She struggled to piece together her thoughts—the words simply wouldn’t connect properly.
“Marriage? The Princess is getting married? But… to whom?”
“To whom do you think? Kaelon Dalton.”
……Already? This soon?
‘She can’t possibly have that much confidence in her ability to move the Dalton Ducal House yet.’
Setting aside other matters, Princess Elodie had invested tremendous effort into the Dalton house.
She’d cultivated favor to solidify her position within the ducal household itself, and externally, she’d worked to amass influence that wouldn’t pale beside theirs.
Elodie had proposed the wedding only after at least eighty percent of both goals were satisfied.
At the moment when she’d determined that the house could serve her plans.
‘Of course, even then she ended up unable to use them and changed course.’
Regardless, the crucial point was that now was decidedly not a favorable time for Elodie to make her move.
‘And there’s no way Elodie hasn’t thought of what I can think of.’
Something about this was deeply wrong.
‘Could something have happened to the Dalton house? Is that what this is?’
Perhaps all the effort she’d poured into the Marquis Territory had come to nothing, and in desperation, she’d done something reckless.
As her mind raced through possibilities, Beatrice turned to look at Clyde.
Throughout the Crown Prince’s announcement, Clyde had shown no reaction whatsoever.
He simply maintained his silence, lost in quiet thought.
“Clyde, if what you were wary of is real, then the Dalton house will be dragged into this mud-slinging match the moment the wedding proceeds. You understand that, don’t you?”
“Yes. I’m fully aware.”
“Good. That’s all I needed to hear.”
The Crown Prince left a warning tinged with worry and then shared his schedule.
“Anyway, given how matters have developed, I’ve also been told to return to the Imperial Palace with haste. It’s almost superstition, but the idea is not to spill blood before a joyous occasion—whether that blood comes from a monster or a person.”
“Ah, that means…….”
“Right. You and Clyde, who came to the territory as part of my entourage, must return with me as well. Beatrice, how is your research progressing? I hope you haven’t been pushing too hard with the accelerated timeline.”
“Oh, wait just a moment!”
Beatrice’s mind rapidly catalogued what remained to be done.
‘Sharon’s daughter’s treatment can be considered complete. Even the family physician is recommending she return to normal activities. What’s left is the Tracking Research and the defensive armor made from Orharkon…….’
The experimental phase of the Tracking Research had been thoroughly planned down to specifics with the same healers who’d studied Lumenroot, leaving only the Clinical Trial itself.
‘Since follow-up research won’t wrap up in the short term anyway, I’ll hand that off, but the real issue is the armor fabrication.’
That piece had been meant to lower the research’s risk profile slightly. If Orharkon could help shield the patient even a little during their first contact with Holy Magic, it might reduce their burden considerably.
‘The extraction of the stabilizing agent should be complete by now. So I’d just need to soak the Orharkon in it, accumulate it to the right saturation point, and then set it in place?’
In truth, there was still a re-tempering phase after that, but it didn’t seem necessary to oversee it in person.
‘It’s not so different from making jewelry from gemstones!’
With her schedule neatly organized in her mind, Beatrice opened her mouth with a reassured expression.
“Hmm, a week? I think that should be enough for me!”
“Good to hear. I haven’t sent word that you’re leaving tomorrow. If any timing changes, just let me know.”
“Yes!”
“Clyde, reference the Mountain Range survey materials and consult with the Territory’s Defense Corps about the expected range and timing of the next assault. You said it seemed there might be one more moment of particular intensity?”
“Yes. I’ll see to it.”
“Excellent. Then let’s set aside tedious matters for now—I could use some rest.”
As if he couldn’t bear to look at work any longer, he shook his head and popped a chocolate into his mouth before tilting his head slightly.
“Oh, that’s right. Say, Beatrice—did you do something wrong?”
“Pardon? What do you mean, Your Highness?”
“No, it’s just that when I arrived, it seemed like the Territory folk were looking for you.”
“Ah…….”
Beatrice pressed her palm to her forehead with an expression of dawning realization, her brow furrowing seriously.
The Crown Prince, watching their expressions shift between them, pressed further.
“What’s the matter? Is it something serious?”
“It’s serious if it is, and not serious if it isn’t.”
Beatrice returned an answer similar to the one Crowell had given earlier and released a light sigh.
Just as Clyde was about to step in and take over the explanation, Beatrice threw out an unexpected question.
“Your Highness, Clyde. How does Cassian seem to you both?”
“Cassian Downer?”
“Yes, yes. What’s he like as a person? Does he seem trustworthy and decent? Does he strike you as the sort of steadfast young man who could become a pillar of the Empire?”
The Crown Prince fell momentarily silent at the abrupt question.
He couldn’t fathom why Cassian had suddenly entered the conversation, especially not here, in front of her husband.
Meanwhile, Beatrice had already turned her head toward Clyde.
“Clyde, what do you think? You’re good at reading people.”
“……Well.”
He seemed reluctant to discuss Cassian, hesitating before rolling his eyes and responding without much enthusiasm.
“I could give a more accurate answer if I knew why you were asking.”
“Is that so?”
“It is. Think about it. My answer differs depending on whether you’re asking because you’re looking for a husband or because it’s time for Knight Order promotions.”
“Ah.”
Now that she thought about it, that made sense. During Knight Order evaluations, saying something like ‘Sir Jacob? Ah, he has a sexy voice’ would be meaningless.
Understanding his point, Beatrice nodded and explained her question’s purpose to both of them.
“Right, so you mentioned that the Territory folk have been trying to match me with Cassian. I gave it some thought while I had cucumbers on my eyes.”
“That seems like less than a minute. You thought about all that in such a short time?”
“Zip.”
She made a zipping motion across her lips before continuing.
“Anyway, I started wondering why all this is happening, and I came up with an answer.”
“The Territory folk have been rather excessive about it, haven’t they? I noticed all the assistants were fidgeting. So now you’re thinking Cassian Downer has…….”
“Actually, I think the problem is that Cassian’s been mistaking me for Dahlia. He’s just being kind because of his debt to the Dalton house, and everyone’s misread that kindness.”
“…….”
“So if Cassian seems like a decent person, I’m planning to just come clean and tell him the truth myself! Then everything should be resolved, right?”
“……That’s certainly a ‘right if right, wrong if wrong’ kind of answer.”
As Clyde’s muttering faded, Beatrice turned to both of them once more.
“So anyway, what’s Cassian like? Does he seem like a good man?”
Beatrice caught the brief exchange of glances between him and Clyde.
And not long after, the two of them seemed to reach a conclusion and spoke in unison.
“Well. Cassian is certainly a capable person. He has an upright character and a strong sense of responsibility. I’d say he’s more than adequate as the Territory’s Next Heir.”
“He seems like a very good person. He has integrity, and if something falls under his responsibility, he’ll take it on quietly. Plus his manners are impeccable—he seems like the type who’d keep a secret exceptionally well.”
“Mm, is that so?”
Listening with interest to what they had to say, Beatrice nodded.
Then it was time to start wrapping things up.

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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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