I Proposed to My Childhood Friend After Regressing - Chapter 72

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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 72
Beatrice watched the princess’s face, which plainly betrayed her disappointment, and tightened the corners of her mouth.
“It’s rather difficult to agree to something like that on the spot, don’t you think?”
“So it seems like it might be hard for you too, Bia…?”
The princess, her eyes downturned and drooping, gazed at Beatrice and gently shook her arm with her hand.
“If even you do that to me, I’ll really be disappointed.”
She continued, her expression making it difficult to refuse.
“Marrying Kairun is truly a joy, but it’s more burdensome than I expected.”
……
“The Imperial Court is watching, of course, but all the nobility are too. I understand what my marriage means.”
And this woman—the one who knows that—is asking Valois and me to become her “Blue Thing”?
“Surely any small problem will spread throughout the Empire. That’s why I’m constantly anxious. When I ask you to be my ‘Blue Thing,’ it’s because having you by my side would truly… put my heart at ease.”
“Ah, really?”
“Of course! You’ve already had the experience of a wedding with a man of the Dalton house before. And you’re someone I treasure, like family. I depend on you greatly.”
Wow.
Beatrice marveled at the princess in a different way.
‘How on earth can she act like she’s confessing such honest feelings?’
In her gaze, her expression, her gestures, even in the tremor of her voice—sincerity seemed to radiate from every part of her.
If Beatrice didn’t know what Elodie truly harbored in her heart, she might have wondered, in that moment, whether the princess had genuinely changed her mind.
‘But all of this is a lie.’
Beatrice briefly considered what the princess hoped to accomplish through this wedding.
As she herself had said, the princess’s wedding was an event commanding the attention of every noble house. It was plain to see that even a single small incident would set the entire Empire ablaze with gossip.
‘And if a major incident were to occur at such a wedding, naturally something significant would unfold, wouldn’t it?’
For instance, something like the arson that Valois had committed.
‘It wouldn’t be on the scale of the masquerade uproar. If I were the princess, what would I hope to gain by orchestrating such an incident in this situation?’
In a state where she wasn’t yet fully prepared to wield the ducal house as she pleased, and where the efforts she’d invested had come to nothing……
‘Who would feel like the thorn in my side?’
The answer wasn’t difficult.
‘Clyde, without question.’
Valois had said that “they” still didn’t know that Lia was Beatrice.
The Empress would likewise plan to reveal her status as a Special Envoy during the upcoming reception, combining the announcement with her appointment.
‘To them, Lia Kruger isn’t particularly threatening.’
Though Lia Kruger had indeed been central to resolving matters, she was a woman without any significant backing in the Empire.
But Clyde was different.
Suddenly, words that Earl Hartwell had spoken flickered through Beatrice’s mind.
‘I know you don’t particularly favor Princess Elodie, but it’s a good opportunity for you—handle it well. Help with the wedding preparations too.’
‘……It might not be such a good opportunity.’
‘Yes, it is. Clyde is a friend and close associate of Crown Prince Crowell. The fact that Princess Elodie has resolved to become part of the Dalton house essentially means she’s completely abandoning any possibility of becoming the successor. For the Crown Prince and Clyde, it’s a fortunate development.’
A young man—the second son of the Dalton house, who has recently acquired through marriage the wealth of the Hartwell earldom—advancing his standing as the Crown Prince’s associate and receiving a title……
‘Yes, as the princess, she’d want to nip that in the bud.’
Especially given that Princess Elodie was meticulous about such matters. Hadn’t she proven as much when dealing with Beatrice before the regression?
Beatrice brushed aside the memory of that day as it rose unbidden in her mind and considered further.
‘Since the reception was scheduled to take place after the Downer Marquis Territory stabilizes, strictly speaking, this wedding is my last opportunity to strike at the princess from behind.’
Together with Valois Crawford.
‘The thought of it sends a thrill through me.’
Honestly, who would have imagined that Beatrice—and no one else—would join hands with Valois? Even Clyde, who knew her secrets better than anyone, suspected he’d been brainwashed.
‘All right. Let’s do this.’
Both persuading Clyde and coordinating with Valois.
Once the board was flipped and change took shape, Clyde would clean up the aftermath again.
“Bia? What are you pondering so intently?”
“Ah……”
At the princess’s question from beside her, Beatrice swept her face briefly with both hands. Then, steeling her resolve, she painted her face with a trembling expression of overwhelming emotion.
It was to dress the sudden exclamation that had nearly escaped as genuine sentiment.
“I suppose because I’m the youngest, I’ve never been told that I was relied upon.”
“Bia……”
She quickly took the princess’s hand and let out a soft whimper as she continued.
“I’m truly moved that you’d say such a thing. To be honest, I was too embarrassed to express it, but I’ve always wished I had you as a sister.”
“Really?”
“Yes, brothers are simply different. I’d love to wear pajamas together and eat snacks in bed while we chat, and I’d like for us to pick out matching clothes for each other, and I’d love to confide in you about matters of romance……”
Laying out the sorts of wishes typical girls her age might harbor about female siblings, Beatrice smiled faintly.
“In any case, I’m truly grateful, sister! I’d love to say yes immediately, but if I do, I’m sure I’ll be scolded for acting recklessly again.”
“By Clyde?”
“Well, Clyde is someone I can handle, but Mother frightens me a bit.”
“Earl Hartwell?”
The princess, murmuring along with Beatrice’s words, widened her eyes slightly and laughed.
“No, that won’t happen, Bia.”
“What?”
“Belliana won’t have anything to say about it.”
At the princess’s unequivocal words, Beatrice felt a faint jolt of surprise. She’d been denied so completely, without the slightest hesitation.
The princess brushed her thumb gently across the back of Beatrice’s hand and continued, her tone affectionate and warm.
“Belliana would want us to be close in many ways. Why would she object to you becoming my ‘Blue Thing’? Wouldn’t she?”
……
“Oh, am I making this too burdensome? I’m sorry if so.”
As if acknowledging her own thoughtlessness, Elodie gave a small laugh and shrugged her shoulders lightly.
“I only meant to say don’t overthink it. Beatrice, as long as you’re not opposed to the idea, disregard any other concerns.”
Though the words were undoubtedly gentle and considerate, Beatrice felt a chill run through her.
It was as though the princess were saying: I understand everything about you and those around you, so don’t even think of making excuses.
Her heart raced in a different way than when she’d faced Valois. Beatrice let out an exaggerated sigh.
“Phew, sister. Mother would naturally be pleased, of course. But if I agreed without consulting her first, I’m certain she’d scold me for fear I’d spoil the occasion. Mother simply doesn’t trust me in matters like this.”
“Is that so?”
“You can see it for yourself. Oh, we’re nearly there.”
Fortunately, before the conversation could continue further, the carriage passed before the entrance of the Dalton house.
Exhaling a quiet sigh of relief where no one would see, Beatrice casually changed the subject.
“By the way, sister, you’ve never quarreled with Kairun?”
“Hmm? I suppose not… we haven’t, I think……. But why?”
“I’m in a cold war with Clyde at the moment. I was wondering if you might know of a good way to make up.”
“You quarreled with Clyde?”
“Yes, on the day Miss Crawford came to the house unannounced, he was upset that I was meeting someone so dangerously.”
“……I see.”
Though the princess reacted in a peculiar way to Beatrice’s words, she quickly composed her expression. She smiled slightly and gestured for Beatrice to come closer.
“Well, I don’t know much about making up myself, but what do you think of this approach?”
“What……?”
She placed a hand near Beatrice’s ear and whispered softly what had come to mind. To anyone watching from outside the carriage, they would have appeared like two close sisters.

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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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