After the shocking âsealing the marriage with a kissâ event, nothing notable happened. However, the shock that I got from that event was enough to send my brain on a freeze and autopilot for a while. In other words, I was drowned in my thoughts.
I only remembered that afterwards, the ceremony was concluded, and we were moving on to the reception that was held at the Grabberton residence.
Obviously, the Grabberton family provided a teleportation service to help.
Arriving at the decorated residence, I couldnât really feel nostalgic at all.
Could it be that I was no longer that attached to my past life as Reinst, or that the place had changed quite considerably that I lost any sense of nostalgia in it.
Either way, the food that they served was really good and there was some Western food in it. Since living as a Hartmann, I didnât eat that much of Western food since we live in the East Riviera.
I was eating all alone at the least crowded part of the venue as I rejected my familyâs offer to be with them and also socialize with others. I said that I was tired and that Iâd rather enjoy my food slowly, so they let me be.
Though I was eating such delicious food, my mind still pondered over how I could pry more about this⦠probably?
Since I saw the members of my old family gathering. From Domi himself, Father and Mother, Kania-san, even Clyde⦠Everyone was gathering in the same spot as they seemed to be talking about somethingâ¦? I wonder what⦠Hmmâ¦
If I were still Reinst, would I be over that place too?
Anyway, as for prying for more information⦠I actually could do that!
Ever since overcoming more of my past lifeâs chains, I started learning more about dark magic, both with Mom and by myself.
When it comes to spying for an information like this, thereâs just one perfect magic that I can use⦠One that uses the shadow so I can pry and listen to what they were talking aboutâ¦
Should I do it�
Hmmmâ¦
I was about to prepare myself to try that technique when suddenlyâ¦
âDang, he still got my little sister in the end, huhâ¦â
I heard a manâs low murmur right next to me.
When I turned my eyes to the source of the voice, the man that I saw was none other than Zephyr-san, Adel-sanâs older brother.
Seemingly noticing my gaze, Zephyr-san also turned to look at me and was briefly surprised at me.
âOh, youâre the girl thatâs not supposed to be here if things wereâ,â he muttered in a barely audible voice that I couldnât really catch what he was talking about.
Noticing my expression that showed more confusion, he stopped and said, âAh, I said it out loud, huh?â
âHmmm?â I tilted my head, inquiring.
âNever mind, just forget it,â Zephyr-san said.
âYouâre⦠Zephyr-san, Adel-sanâs older brother, right? You look a bit annoyed⦠but this is supposed to be the joyous day of your sisterâs wedding, right?â I asked.
âIs it that obviousâ¦?â Zephyr-san scratched his head, showing a little bit of a troubled expression.
âWell, kinda,â Zephyr-san said before continuing, âAt first, I doubted that my sister would be happy with that braâthat man. But he seems to be different fâno, he seems to be sincere enough to my sisterâ¦â
I was surprised he was willing to talk about it with me! Do I have a charm that attract people to open up? If so, then Iâd be happy!
[
I muttered in my heart in response to Fenrirâs rational analytics. He probably didnât want me to get too far ahead of myself.
âBesides, my sister wants this, so I can only bite my tongue and wish for the best,â Zephyr-san finished his sentence.
âSincere enoughâ¦? Do you mean that even though this is an arranged marriage by the family, Adel-san and Domi-san have feelings for each other?â I asked the question that I wanted to know the most.
Hearing my question, Zephyr-san showed a little bit of a resentful expression as he said grudgingly, âAt first, I tried to cancel their betrothal that would lead them to getting together⦠But⦠During my effort to do that, I became a matchmaker for them instead. I failed so miserably I wanted to bury myself in the groundâ¦â
Then, he showed a bitter smile.
âEh? You helped them grow feelings for each other?â I asked with my eyes widened.
âSort of. I mean, I still doubted him from time to time⦠and even now, thereâs a little bit of doubt left in my heart. But I am certain that he cherishes Maddie, so I decided to let this wedding happen.â
âYou must have cared for your sister a lot,â I said with an admiring look.
âAt the end of the day, when our parents are no longer here⦠Sheâs the only family Iâve got, so I gotta cherish her.â
I nodded.
His words⦠were indeed true. The only family weâve left after our parents were gone would be our siblings, and though not all family could be close⦠itâd feel nice to have your blood-related family members be close to you, right?
I have experienced it myself and I agreed that it felt nice to have close siblinghood.
We didnât continue talking as I felt it was enough and perhaps Zephyr-san also felt that it was enough, too.
And not too long after that, I saw Adel-sanâs beautiful figure coming closer after she noticed Zephyr-san. She had been talking with some other peopleâI guess her friends or relatives?
Anyway, she approached us and looking up close at her, I could tell that she looked very delighted.
âOh, Lyra-san! Youâre here too! Thank you for coming to my wedding!â She greeted me with a bright smile.
âAdel-san!! Congratulations! You look so beautiful!!â I said as I shook Adel-sanâs hand happily.
Then, I asked in a smaller voice, âHave you sorted things with Domi-san?â
Adel-san looked a bit surprised before she shyly said, âAh, right⦠You witnessed such an embarrassing thing⦠I apologize, Lyra-san, and thank you for worrying about me. But yes, weâve sorted things out, and thatâs why weâre here now.â
I nodded before I asked again, âUhm, Adel-san, I heard that your betrothal with Domi-san was arranged⦠but are you and Domi⦠in love with each other?â
Adel-san smiled shyly hearing my question as she blushed. Then, she gave me a small nod and said, âYeah.â
I was surprised hearing the answer.
Itâs quite obvious that Adel-san has feelings towards Domi, and quite a strong one, judging from the looks of it⦠But as for Domi⦠Iâm not so sure, since the hint of his feelings to Adel-san could only be seen once, and that was during the wedding kiss.
But from the conflict between the two of them that I witnessed, I was sure that Adel-san would break things off if Domi didnât feel the same way for her, soâ¦
Yeah, the two of them must have feelings for each other.
Itâs just hard for me to believe that for Domi, since, well⦠Domi is Domi.
Did I read too many romance stories that I believed that men would change quite a lot and obvious when they were in love?
Anyway, I should believe in Adel-sanâs words!
Zephyr-san also backed this, so be as bizarre as it might be to me, since they knew it better than me, itt must be true!
Thus, I could only smile back and say, âAdel-san, be happy.â
âOf course she has to be happy. If not, Iâll beat that man up,â Zephyr-sanâs voice answered me faster than Adel-san could.
Adel-san chuckled before she said, âDonât worry, Onii-sama.â
We were talking about some light-hearted stuff together when suddenly, Domi approached us and tapped Adel-sanâs shoulder from behind.
âAh, Domi! Youâre here!â Adel-san greeted Domi with her carefree smile that was beautiful. More than an elegant yet reserved smile, I liked this smile better.
âMhm. Come with me,â Domi said with his usual curt manner, but then I managed to catch a glimpse of Domiâs gentle gaze when he looked at Adel-san. The corner of his mouth seemed to be slightly hooked up.
In short, it was an expression that I never saw in his face before!!
As the two excused themselves and walked away from us, I finally put my mind to ease.
Though I may not know the full story, I am pretty certain that Domi finally found love and he might not end up as a cold person that only saw his family as pawns, after all.
As long as it was true that he cherished Adel-san, and as long as the gentle and kind Adel-san was there with himâ¦
Iâm sure heâd already found his happiness.
I mean, look. His face was gentle whenever he looked at Adel-san, I finally could see it now.
And Adel-san also linked her hand to Domiâs hand as she smiled happily.
Thus, a concern that my past self carried was put to a good ending.