Chapter 17

“My lady, you have a visitor.”

“A visitor?”

“Yes… it’s Prince Schulvestel.”

“The Prince?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll prepare myself immediately.”

Why would the Prince suddenly come here?
In my previous life, the Prince only visited our house when my engagement as the Saint had been finalized.
Could it be that he has come to announce his engagement to Solene?
Even so, why would he call for me?

“Um, did the guest specifically ask for me? Not for Solene?”

“Yes, Prince Schulvestel requested to see you, Carlotta-sama.”

I couldn’t understand why Schulvestel would want to meet with me.
At this point, there was no connection between us.
In the previous life, we had only met after my debut as the Saint.
Solene hadn’t even made her debut yet.
No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn’t find an answer, so after preparing myself, I headed toward the parlor where Schulvestel was waiting.

“S-Sorry to keep you waiting.”

“No, I came without prior notice, so I should be the one apologizing.”

The last time I saw Schulvestel was when he announced our broken engagement.

I didn’t have any good memories of him.

“If you’re looking for Solene, she hasn’t returned yet.”

“No, today I came to speak with you, Carlotta-sama.”

“…Your Highness, I must ask you to refrain from addressing me as Carlotta. It could cause misunderstandings.”

“…You’re right. Lady Vallier.”

“…What brings you here today?”

“Today, I’ve come to propose marriage to you.”

“Marriage?”

“Yes.”

“…If it’s regarding Solene, you should discuss it with Father, Mother, or Solene herself. I would be delighted for your engagement to Solene.”

“No, you’re wrong. I came to propose to you, Lady Carlotta.”

“To me…?”

“Yes.”

“…You do know that it’s Solene, not me, who is attending the church as the Saint, right?”

“So I hear. But she hasn’t officially been confirmed as the Saint yet.”

If it were about proposing to Solene, it would make sense given her status, but proposing to me… I couldn’t understand Schulvestel’s reasoning.
Didn’t he want to be engaged to the Saint?

“Solene will become the Saint.”

“I don’t believe so… Do you truly believe Solene will become the Saint?”

“Yes.”

“I can’t help but think the church’s judgment this time is wrong.”

“And what basis do you have for believing Solene is not the Saint?”

“She has no achievements as a Saint.”

“Achievements? Solene’s prayer resolved the issue in the Miraldy region.”

“I think that matter would have resolved itself even without her prayer.”

“Even if Solene isn’t the Saint, why would you propose to me?”

“…You are a duke’s daughter, possess impeccable refinement as a noblewoman, and… I believe you possess the true qualities of a Saint.”

“I am not a Saint, nor do I have any intention of becoming one.”

“Why not? You don’t want to become a Saint?”

“I do not.”

“But before… you were so…”

“Therefore, please propose to Solene instead.”

Despite rejecting him so firmly, a formal marriage proposal from Schulvestel still arrived addressed to me.

“Why is it Onee-sama? I’m the Saint!”

As expected, Solene’s emotions exploded.
The ducal household took utmost care not to touch on Solene’s sensitive spots.
Even so, there was no stopping her tantrum.