Karen Theodoric von Banners is the fourth daughter of the Marquise Theodoric.

Her father is Marquess Gehlen Theodoric von Eisen and her mother is Emma Theodoric von Rosie.

The father is still alive, but the mother has passed away.

There is no male heir to the Theodoric family at present.

The eldest daughter, Charley Theoderic von Mowry, after having a daughter, Saki, with the alchemist Thore Eschenbach, has also passed away.

The second and third daughters have married into powerful aristocratic families.

The Marquis is 54 years old this year. He had been poisoned with arsenic for a long time and had cirrhosis of the liver, which was treated by Elsa.

He has been cured by Elsa, and his physical condition has deteriorated beyond his age. Even if he had a successor, it is unlikely that he would have one, and he has no intention of having one.

In other words, Karen was the only one who could take over the Theoderic family.

Inevitably, Karen will be the one to take a son-in-law to take over the Marquise's house. .......

"......I'm in trouble. ......"

Karen had been worried since this morning.

The other day her father had ordered her to marry Fritz Randall von Grosz.

The Randalls have neighboring estates and are acquainted with Fritz and his sister, Elsa, due to their close proximity in age.

"It's true that Fritz-sama is an excellent soldier, but ......"

Karen continues to worry while muttering to herself.

"......I wonder if we can somehow make this story go away. ......"

Her father, Gehlen, is a strict man and would never approve of her decision if she is not in the mood for it.

Karen had no one to talk to at a time like this.

"Yes, I do!"

When she wrote that she had no one to talk to, Karen remembered that she had one candidate.

"Is there anyone?　Get the carriage ready. I'm going out for a while.

"Miss, where are you going?"

The voice was answered by the maid of honor, a woman Karen had always had a bit of a problem with. She was a bit annoyed by the occasional warning about her behavior because she was a by-the-book kind of person.

When she asked the chief chambermaid, she was naturally asked where she was going.

Karen decided that she would have to be honest.

I'm with relatives. The Eschenbach house."

"Saki's house, isn't it? Yes, ma'am.

The Eschenbach residence was only about 30 minutes away by carriage, so it was not a long trip, and more importantly, she had a good reason for going to see her Saki.

A carriage was quickly prepared, and with a guard and a lady-in-waiting, the carriage carrying Karen left the gate of the Theoderic house.

The carriage drove through the green trees, which looked a little tired at the end of summer. In the carriage Karen looks out gloomily.

The carriage arrived at the Eschenbach house.

"Well, I'm going to go now. You guys can wait in the carriage.

"Yes, ma'am."

Without a word of complaint, the maid of honor replied and the guards bowed their heads in silence.

She rang the knocker on the front door, which immediately opened.

"Welcome, Karen-sama!

It was Aaru, Saki's personal automata.

"Hello, Aaru. Is Saki there?

Yes, I am. Please come in.

Well, I'll leave you to it.

Hello, Aunt Karen. This is unusual.

Saki came out near the front door and greeted Karen.

"Oh, Saki, I told you not to do that, didn't I?"

"Yes, you did. I'm sorry."

She doesn't look the least bit sorry as she laughs and apologizes.

"Oh, well, that's okay."

Karen took a sip of the tea Aal made and let out a small sigh.

"So, what's going on today?"

Saki asked, reminding Karen of the purpose of her visit today.

"Oh, I wanted to talk to you about something.

"That's unusual. If it's all right with me, I'd be happy to help you.

"Yes, please."

Karen explained that her father had asked her to marry Fritz.

"...... Oh, I see. Objectively speaking, I don't think it's a bad idea, but there must be a reason why Aunt ...... Karen doesn't want to do it, right?"

"Eh,......?"

Karen's cheeks turn a little red at Saki's question and she turns over.

"Oh, what?"

Saki was taken aback by the unexpected response.

"Uh, ...... aunt?　Do you have someone you like ......?"

Saki spoke half on a hunch. But it seemed to be right to the point. Karen turned red and looked down.

"......Who the hell are you?"

Saki asked. Karen answered in a hushed, small voice.

"......Master Godronas."

"What?"

Saki also remembered the main nobles and soldiers of this country.

"Godronas ...... is that Mr. Godronas Berntsam von Narlad?"

"Yes, that's right."

He was the captain of the 2nd Platoon of the 1st Knights, Saki thought.

"I see. I don't know about him, but he seems to be of good rank and ability.

"Right?"

The question was how to convey Karen's feelings to the Marquis and Godronas himself.

"Oh, and what did Mr. Godronas say?"

"Nothing."

What?

"...... I don't think he knows how I feel."

"...... Wow."

Saki wanted to hold her head in her hands.

What could I do? I am not a socialite and I don't know much about that side of the world.

Karen smiled a little sadly when she said that.

"I don't expect you to do anything for me. I just wanted to be listened to and maybe get some advice.

"I see. ......"

When you say that, I feel like I should say something to him.

"Well, um..."

I have thoughts, but no words come out. Saki has little experience with such things and her communication skills are poor to begin with.

"Why don't you talk to Reinhardt or Erza about it?

As a result, she could only say pathetic words.

"Well, you're right. If you are going to ask for advice, you should choose the right person."

"Gosh, ...... Aunt Karen, you're terrible!"

"Ummm, I'm just kidding. Thanks for listening to me complain. I'm going to go now.

I don't care.

Karen left the Eschenbach house, saying that she could not stay long because she had come to check on Saki.

On the way home,

"Don't call me Auntie.

She left with the words, "Don't call me <>.