Ran looked a little stiff without realizing it. Even if I already knew, it was a different feeling to hear the story in front of everyone in this way.
Then Elizabeth got up from her seat and said, "My, my lord. No matter how much..."
When Eustaf's cool eyes touched her, Elizabeth swallowed dry saliva.
"That's, Miss Ran, has been trying..."
Blaine also had a restless face. Count Illuminati spoke low.
"I don't think it's right to just take advantage of Ran in this way."
Baron Lance nodded. Ran was a little surprised.
'We haven't seen each other a few times.'
I didn't know everyone would say one voice.
'Dia was right.'
Dimodia told Eustaf to shut up and watch the situation, whatever he said, so Ran was somehow moved.
Baron Wilde said after carefully raising his hand.
"I'm sorry to Miss Ran, but I think it's only natural that she should be removed from the Lazia family."
Everyone was silent at the words. Among them, Elizabeth said again.
"But if you do that..."
Baron Wilde continued.
"Why don't you give her another title instead?"
Elizabeth bit her mouth as if she had thought about it, and she heard a murmur. Ran raised her hand and it became quiet everywhere. She said with a sincere smile.
"Thank you all for worrying about me. I was worried that I might get kicked out after being stoned."
The words burst into small laughter. It was a reaction to think of her words as a complete joke, so Ran felt sorry that she thought it would be true even for a moment.
"The Lord has already heard many suggestions. He said he would leave it up to me whether I leave or stay. So, I said I'd think about it."
She took a deep breath and said, "Thank you for your concern."
Ran felt her heart warm. Eustaf peeked at Ran and said, raising his eyes again.
"Then let's move on."
Most of the stories were no different from last year. There was no difficulty in taking over because he did not hire new people just because he became a patriarch, and Ran and Eustaf worked together anyway.
After a short meeting, Ran left and Blaine caught her.
"Miss Ran."
"Lord Blaine."
Blaine shout hard when he saw her smiling.
"I'd....like you to stay."
Blaine hurriedly added as she opened her eyes wide.
"Of course, I know it's hard for you to stay. But still..."
"I agree."
When Elizabeth nodded, Ran blushed.
"I didn't know everyone would say that."
When she spoke frankly, Elizabeth opened her eyes wide and laughed. The middle-aged woman spoke affectionately.
"If you stay, you may be working as you are now. I know you don't like to work."
Ran opened her eyes round at the words.
"I don't hate it that much."
It's a fulfilling job.
It's natural that work is hard, even though you whine about it, but there was joy in it instead.
"If not, I wouldn't have worked so hard."
At Ran's words, Elizabeth laughed, "Is that so?"
"That's a relief."
Blaine nodded.
"Of course, I know you don't like Lazia that much."
Huh?
Ran blinked again because she was surprised. Elizabeth heard from the side and nodded and said.
"So maybe it's a selfish request."
Then she blinked her eyes and added.
"Ask him to give you a title as count if you want it anyway."
"Of course, I won't catch you even if you leave."
Blaine spoke politely, and he bowed deeply with Elizabeth and left.
Ran was then caught by Baron Lance, who had just begun walking down the hall.
"Miss Ran."
"Baron Lance."
"Can't you stay?"
Ran burst into laughter at the blunt remark. She quickly covered her mouth and added.
"Excuse me. I never thought I'd hear that from you before."
"Of course, I know you want to leave. I'm sure you felt betrayed. It would be impudent of you to say this, but I'm here to tell you that I still want you to stay."
"Thank you."
When the baron left a polite greeting, Ran stopped in the hallway for a while. Seriously, I never thought I'd hear these words.
"There are many passengers."
"Sir Falton."
She smiled lightly. Count Illuminati approached with a smile.
"What are you going to do?"
She whispered while pondering. I thought I could tell him.
"In fact, Eus was proposed to me."
The Count of Illuminati looked surprised and laughed.
"So, are you going to accept it?"
"Should've I object?"
"How come?"
"Well, because I was sibling to Eus?"
"You're not right now. Besides, if you were the Duchess, you'd be perfect."
"I didn't know you'd agree so easily."
"That's what everyone would think. Don't let it go."
"That's a little scary."
As Ran muttered, Count Illuminati continued.
"Of course, it's my job to do whatever you want. The last guest is coming. I'm going to go."
As soon as Count Illuminati left, Baron Wilde, who was hovering over there, came quickly.
Does the hard-looking face resemble Lord Blaine a little bit?
That's what Ran thinks, but Baron Wilde said quickly.
"Excuse me earlier. But I hope you'll understand."
"What? No."
Ran shook her hand.
"I understand the problem, too."
If Ran remains a Lady of Lazia, and if she gets married and has children, she becomes a child of Lazia's blood. Then one day, someone who doesn't mix with Lazia's blood may claim Lazia's assets.
Baron Wilde said, wiping his sweat with a handkerchief.
"Thank you for your understanding. And - and after that, you'll hear this shameless-"
"You want me to stay."
"That's right."
He said with a deep nod.
"Please, sir."
He said so many times and then left the hallway. Ran sighed and walked through the hallway. When I arrived at the end of the hall, Eustaf was waiting.
"Oh, my God."
Ran grumbled.
"Are you sure everyone in the conference room is waiting for me?"
"I'm afraid you've changed your mind."
That's what Eustaf said and smiled. Ran looked at his face for a moment and turned her head.
He confessed to me.
Thinking about it again, it was impossible to talk properly.
He looked at Ran passing by with her mouth closed with a red face, and Eustaf followed her and said.
"You were okay before, weren't you?"
"It was a while ago, and now..."
"It's sad that I can't see you all the time."
"Eus, you've become shameless."
"Is that so?"
"Yes."
As we exchanged words, I gradually relaxed, and I felt that my face came back, so I looked up.
"Eus."
"Yes."
"I like Eustaf."
Eustaf's face became blurred. He spoke slowly.
"I think it's time for 'but'."
Ran gave a troubled smile.
"But."
After spitting out, she smiled and added.
"I don't know if that's what I like about Eustaf as a man. No, I don't think so."
Eustaf was silent.
"I'm sorry."
She clenched her hands tightly. For a moment, silence floated through the hall. Her shoulders trembled at the sound of Eustaf sighing long.
"Then are you leaving?"
Ran looked up at him at his words. When he saw her holding her fingers crossed, Eustaf's blue eyes shone.
"Will you stay?"
"If I can."
"The terms I proposed are still valid."
Ran closed her eyes. And I slowly remembered people's faces one by one. She opened her eyes and said firmly.
"Then I'll stay."
"Yes, I'm willing."
Eustaf said with a faint smile.
Ran was relieved that he was not cheering or saying, "I'm going to attack you from now on!"
"Then the title of me..."
"The limit of the title I can give you is Earl."
"That's enough."
Ran grinned. Then she frowned and said.
"By the way, do you have any land left?"
"I'll give you some of the Duchy estate."
"That much?"
"It doesn't matter."
Eustaf said so and began to walk, so Ran quickly caught up next to him.
"From where to where? Um... No, I don't need any land either. Just give me the title, that's enough."
Land is a burden.
But that's why Eustaf wanted to give her an envelope somehow.
"I've never heard of an uninhabited count. Take where you want."
"Eustaf, what if I just pull the yolk out?"
Then he just smiled.
Ran frowned and said.
"Can I make up my mind later?"
"Yes"
"Oh, and I can't even say this anymore. So now I have to call you Lord."
Eustaf said after glancing at Ran.
"Then can I call you Ran?"
Oh, Ran opened her eyes wide.
"Don't you like it?"
"It's not that I don't like it, but ..."
Ran blurted the end of her words and quickly asked back.
"But will you continue to respect me, my Lord?"
"It wouldn't be right to be polite to the person that I'd be courting."
Ran's face turned red again at Eustaf's words. He took Ran to her room and added.
"It wouldn't be easy to get a new mansion and start a new estate from scratch. And in society."
At his addition, Ran looked tired, saying, "Ah."
What would happen if the people who were grinding their teeth when she was Duchess of Lazia reappeared as Count?
"Of course, if you were to appear as the Duchess, I wouldn't have that concern."
Eustaf whispered, and Ran blushed and stepped back against the door.
"That's why I'm not getting married."
When she quickly changed her word, Eustaf smirked.
"Do as you please."
He said so and left the door, and Ran came into the room capably.
Dimodia, Kara, and Soda were moving nonchalantly, pretending not to know. "Oh, my God," Dimodia said as if she had noticed.
"Are you here?"
Ran grinned.
Lumiere slowly raised his eyes and asked.
"Have you decided? Or."
"I've decided."
At Ran's words, everyone looked at her. Ran said with a grin.
"I'll stay."
"Kkyaaa!"
Dimodia screamed and held Ran's hand tightly, and Kara and Soda's faces brightened.
Lumiere slightly frowned and soon opened his face. Anyway, it was the master's decision, and her choice came before her. Dimodia shook Ran's hand and said.
"And what happens to you?"
"I'll be crowned Earl/Count, And then I'm leave the Sky castle? I don't know what will happen."
Whether or not to receive a burial mound is a concern, and if so, where to ask for an Earl. Dimodia said with a smile.
"I'm glad you said you'd stay."
"Thanks to Dia's words. Besides, everyone's been holding me."
If you do that, you'll feel weak. Dimodia was right. In addition, it was the reaction of Count Illuminati.
Whether he's unique or not. Anyway, she was left in Lazia.
***
Ran, who is now used to riding, stepped on the stirrup and boarded the horse. She was still wearing thick clothes, but she did not appear as anxious on the horse as before. When Ran looked triumphantly, "What do you think?"
Eustaf nodded.
"You've improved a lot."
"Because I rode hard."
"Of course, you do."
Eustaf said so and kicked his tongue, and the horse started. Ran also started the horse in a hurry, followed by the Knights of Blue flame.
I was on my way up to the ice wall.
Originally, the ceremony should be completed before the New Year's Day, but this year, Eustaf decided to hold it after becoming a Patriarch, so he was going up the road after the New Year's party.
The snow was still rough, but Ran was still confident. Now that I'm quite used to it, I was able to talk to him.
"So, I've been thinking about it, but I'd better not take the envelope."
At Ran's words, Eustaf frowned, and Ran smiled and said.
"I will be assigned a royal title instead, so give me a proper position, or ······?"
At the words, Eustaf thought for a moment and said, "Okay, then your place."
"Oh, yes."
"Why don't you stay in the castle?"
"Huh?"
"If you're going to get a royal title anyway, wouldn't it be more efficient to work in a sky castle?"
"Yes."
This is the core of the administration.
Moreover, the Sky castle was located away from the village, so the workers here settled the accommodation and lodging in the castle.
"So I think you can stay in the Sky castle."
"Is, Is that so······?"
In fact, I was thinking of finding a mansion near the village. However, hearing Eustaf's words, it was also plausible.
"Yes, I'd appreciate it if you could help me with my work. I'll give you a commissioner. You won't even have time to go home."
Ran laughed at the additional words as if they were bluffing. The white breath sparkled in the sun.
"That's the point, isn't it?"
"Of course, not just that. That's what it's called."
Eustaf said so and glanced at Ran.
"What would you do?"
"Let's do that for now."
At Ran's words, Eustaf quickly hid his prey-like smile.