Chapter 34: Chapter 34 - My Ideal Type

Chapter 34 – My Ideal Type

***

I knew I was fine when I tried walking the other day, but today I felt in better condition than before. When I had gone down the stairs for the first time, my legs trembled so much that I almost fell, but with Martina’s tight grip I was able to safely descend the stairs without fear.

Countess Bellafleur looked worried when she saw me come out of the room, but she relaxed when she saw that I was going strong. After following the winding paths, I reached the garden with Martina’s help.

A sound of awe escaped my mouth as my eyes soaked in the brilliant natural beauty of the garden. “Waaaa…”

It had been three months since my eyes received any stimulation, and the garden dazzled more brightly than before. This was the season when my favorite red roses were just starting to bloom too, and I was glad to be out of bed now.

“Isn’t it pretty, Martina?” I gushed.

“Yes, you like red roses, don’t you?”

“…”

Apparently, Maristella liked red roses just as I did. What a coincidence that we had another thing in common besides our long black hair. I smiled as I walked slowly through the sunny garden with Martina. It was peaceful for the moment, when—

“Are you thinking of getting married?” Martina said out of nowhere. I almost burst into shocked laughter at the sudden topic.

“You’re suddenly talking about marriage again?”

“No, just. All my friends are already talking about whom they want to marry and the families they would have, but I never hear you talk about that.”

“But you don’t either,” I pointed out.

“I do. I just don’t do it in front of you,” Martina said.

“Really?” I looked at Martina with a deep smile. “Then who do you want to marry?”

“In fact, my ideal type is like Duke Escliffe.”

“…”

Good god. It seemed like the ideal types around me were like Xavier or Claude. They were like celebrities here.

Martina continued. “Of course, I’m not saying I want to marry the Duke. There’s a large age difference anyway… In fact, His Highness and the Duke aren’t really the type to say ‘I want to get married’. They’re more like idols.”

I gave a low laugh since that seemed to be a suitable description. I wondered who idols would marry anyway.

“I like a man who is sweet and only looks at me!” Martina enthused.

“Most girls want that,” I told her.

“I am most girls,” she stressed. “Anyway, someone can have an attractive face, but what’s most important is personality!”

It made me glad that Martina recognized that at a young age. Attractiveness only lasted for so long, and one couldn’t rely on their face for their whole life. What was most important was how much one understood and cared for other people.

“That’s right,” I said proudly. “You have to meet someone like that, alright? You shouldn’t get married just because they’re handsome or they have high social status.”

“Ahaha, alright.” Martina was so cute when she let out her enthusiasm.

I stroked her head. “I’m sure you’ll meet such a man. You have to marry someone like that.”

“You too. Don’t worry about me.”

“That’s true. Our Martina is so smart.” I smiled happily and kissed her head. It was then that I heard someone calling us.

“Lady Maristella! Lady Maristella!”

Martina cocked her head. “Is that Florinda’s voice?” she wondered. I looked up with a puzzled expression and saw the maid running in our direction. She halted in front of us and tried to catch her breath.

“What’s wrong, Florinda? Did something happen?” I asked worriedly.

“That’s not it, My Lady…” She took another moment to gulp in a breath before speaking. “Th-the guest, here.”

“Who’s the guest?”

“It’s—”

“Marie!”

Just then, a familiar voice pierced my ears. Martina frowned as soon as she recognized who it was, and I barely managed to control my face.

The owner of that voice was clearly…

“There you are, Marie!”

Dorothea. The person whose presence I erased for a long time.