I Proposed to My Childhood Friend After Regressing - Chapter 71

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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 Returning, I Proposed to My Childhood Friend
Chapter 71
Beatrice let out the breath she’d been holding as she and Jedrick stepped out of the Empress Palace, then rushed toward him.
“Ugh, seriously! Dad! If you’d known, you could have at least given me a heads-up!”
“I did tell you that His Majesty seemed to want to put you in a leading role.”
“I thought it would be something smaller, not a position this demanding.”
Watching Beatrice pout with exaggerated indignation, Jedrick burst out laughing.
“Is that so? Yet you articulated exactly what you wanted to His Majesty quite clearly, from what I saw…”
……
“All right, all right. I’m sorry, sweetheart.”
At the sight of his youngest daughter’s glare telling him to stop teasing, Jedrick threw up his hands in surrender.
With a familiar smile, he leaned his upper body toward Beatrice and asked casually.
“As an apology, shall I buy you something delicious on the way home? How about that Strawberry Tart you like so much?”
Beatrice’s expression brightened with interest, but she quickly shook her head and spoke.
“No, that’s all right. I’m going to stop by the Duke’s Residence before heading home.”
“The Duke’s Residence? Ah, is it because of Clyde?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
At Beatrice’s matter-of-fact confirmation, Jedrick blinked for a moment.
Then, with a peculiar expression, he pointed to the paper file she was holding.
“If you’re going to make up, I wouldn’t recommend giving him those documents.”
“Oh, I’m not!”
Beatrice denied it quickly at Jedrick’s words, her eyes blinking rapidly.
From that reaction alone, the scene between them played out in Jedrick’s mind, and he broke into laughter.
“Well, it doesn’t seem like you two had a serious fight. Your mother said the mood was quite grave when she told me.”
“Mom thinks we’re in a fight whenever we don’t talk, though.”
“That’s true—she’s always been like that, even when you were young.”
As they exchanged casual remarks while descending the Empress Palace steps, it happened.
“Beatrice!”
A clear, ringing voice called out from ahead.
At the familiar voice, Beatrice’s eyes widened slightly as she turned.
Beside a magnificent carriage that only those of Imperial Family blood could use,
Princess Elodie stood beaming, waving a hand toward her.
“Over here!”
She was greeting her as though she’d just reunited with family she hadn’t seen in ages.
At the sight, Beatrice let out a small, involuntary sound.
Had she been alone, she might have pretended not to notice and slipped away—but Jedrick was right beside her, making that impossible.
Managing her expression, Beatrice moved toward Jedrick and Elodie.
She gave the princess a light embrace as she stood with her arms spread wide, and spoke in a composed tone.
“Your Highness Elodie! What brings you here? Do you also have an appointment with His Majesty?”
“No, I came to see you. I heard you’d come to the Imperial Palace to meet with His Majesty.”
“Me? You went to this much trouble?”
“Yes, both you and I have been so busy that it’s hard to find time. When I heard you’d be at the Imperial Palace, I thought now was the moment. Oh, and she told me to call her sister, by the way.”
“I bow to Your Highness the Princess.”
“Ah, so you were here as well, Jedrick.”
Elodie offered a courteous greeting with a gentle smile.
It was an ordinary greeting, but Beatrice sensed that the princess didn’t particularly concern herself with Jedrick.
She turned her gaze directly back to Beatrice immediately after the greeting.
“You’re done with your business at the Empress Palace now? You were heading home with Jedrick?”
“Yes, well—but unlike Dad, I was planning to stop by the Duke’s Residence.”
“The Duke’s Residence?”
Elodie’s eyes widened. She repeated Beatrice’s words to herself, then clapped her hands lightly as though delighted by some fortunate coincidence.
“How convenient! I was thinking of going there too!”
“Your—you were?”
“Yes! I had something to discuss with Kaerun about the wedding preparations. Let’s go together then.”
Watching how smoothly Elodie had cut off any chance for refusal, Beatrice shook her head inwardly.
‘Something to discuss about wedding preparations? No—since I keep putting off meetings by saying I’m busy, she’s deliberately created a situation I can’t refuse.’
The princess was very skilled at this method of persuasion.
She wrapped her actions and intentions in a cloak of ‘kindness,’ and if you objected or resisted, you were painted as the villain.
Recognizing this familiar tactic, Beatrice forced the corners of her mouth upward in a smile.
“Really? How wonderful.”
“I’m glad too. I finally get to talk with you alone for a while! I hear you’ve been on a journey? How was it?”
“Ah…”
That’s right.
‘According to what Valois told me, she still doesn’t know I’m Lia Kruger, does she?’
At the princess’s words, Beatrice let a slight smile slip and nodded vaguely.
“It was fun. I played so much I’m still tired.”
“I see—that explains why you’ve been quiet. Anyway, it’s a bit odd for us to keep chatting here, isn’t it? Why don’t we go? As for you, Jedrick…”
“Please don’t concern yourself. I have the family’s carriage that Beatrice arrived in.”
“I see. It would weigh on my heart to leave with just the two of us, so I’m relieved. Don’t worry, Beatrice—I’ll take good care of you and keep you safe.”
“Of course. With Her Highness, what could I worry about? Well then, I’ll be on my way. Beatrice, have a good time. If you’re staying the night at the Duke’s Residence, just send word.”
“Okay, will do!”
Nodding enthusiastically, Beatrice waved at Jedrick.
Watching Jedrick’s figure recede, she turned her head away with studied composure.
“Then I’ll be in your debt, sister.”
“Don’t mention it. Come on, let’s go.”
With those words, Elodie extended a hand to Beatrice—an offer to help her board the carriage.
Without refusing, Beatrice accepted the kindness and settled comfortably into the carriage.
Elodie followed her inside and sat beside her, naturally linking her arm through Beatrice’s.
The princess, pressing her body close as though to emphasize just how intimate she wished to be, began speaking lightly.
“It’s been so long since I’ve spent time with you like this. You weren’t shocked when you heard about my engagement?”
“Oh, a little. I wish I’d known it would happen so soon—I would have waited for you and Kaerun.”
“I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you myself. And don’t say that! It’s thanks to you that I decided to marry at all.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Seeing you and Clyde so happy made me want to build a home like that with Kaerun too.”
Watching the princess smile like a dreaming girl, Beatrice tightened the corners of her mouth. One moment of carelessness and her forced smile would crack.
“I’m glad. I hope you’ll be happy, sister.”
“Really? Just knowing that means so much, Beatrice. To be honest, I’m genuinely happy these days. Imagining a future with Kaerun makes me happy, and soon you and I will become family too.”
“Wow, now that you mention it, that’s true.”
“So, Beatrice—if you don’t mind, would you do me just one favor?”
……Ah.
The moment Beatrice heard those words, Valois’s voice from not long ago echoed in her mind.
‘It won’t be in the letter, but when you meet, I’m certain she’ll ask you to be her “Something Blue” for the wedding.’
“For my wedding, would you be willing to be my “Something Blue”? Since I care for you so much, Beatrice, it would make me even happier if you took on that role.”
He was right.
To be honest, part of her had hoped Valois’s words were merely an excuse or a lie.
Then she could simply apologize to Clyde and be done with it. But…
“To be completely honest, I haven’t only asked you to be my “Something Blue.” But your attitude seemed uncertain about it, so…”
‘Count Alec invited the young lady and Clyde Dalton to dinner, and we were hoping you might give your answer then. I’ll buy us some time until then!’
It seemed this wouldn’t be easy after all.

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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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