Bye. You're home early.
　When I transitioned to Shelly's room, they were standing there happily.

'Hmmm . I got this done in a hurry!
Yes. I did my best!

Thanks for the help. I've just been consulting with Frank.

'Is this about Mr Frank?　Do you have a problem with Mr. Frank?

'Surely something happened at home during this long holiday?　The Baudelaires are notorious for being a duke family with a lot of problems with heirship disputes.
　Oh, you found out. So the Baudelaire succession race is that famous.
　This is something I need to learn all about the characteristics and current state of the Imperial nobility.

That's exactly what it is. For now, let's talk about it in my office. Hang on.
　I took them hand in hand, and we moved into my room.

He's back.

Oh, oh. I thought he was suddenly gone, but you really brought him back: ......

What's wrong?

Yes, no: ......
　Maybe it's okay to bring a girl to the boys' dorm?　I think he wanted to say to me, but Sherry's piercing glare shut Frank up.

"As long as they don't know, we'll be fine. So, let's pick up where we left off. Maybe you'd have different advice if the girls were here, right?
　I think you need some girlie advice on relationships. Yeah.
　If it's just guys talking about it, they might be biased.

I mean, that's probably true, but... ......

Okay. Add Bell to the mix and we'll take care of Frank's problems!
　And so the six of them started talking about Frank's love life.

"So, what's Frank's problem?

"Frank's problem was that he came home and found out he'd found his fiancé without permission. So I was listening to Hermann talk about what it is to like.
　So here's the short version.

"Hermann?　Oh, did you confess to Alma?

'How did Shelly know!　I'm a newbie to this!
　And I'm surprised you had a connection to Hermann and Alma.

'Of course. We used to go to the dungeon every day and have lunch in the Order's cafeteria, you know?　I'll at least have a conversation with the knights then. Especially Alma, who used to eat with Belle because she was so close to him.

Yeah, I see.
　I knew it. Shelley and the others see more of them than I do.
　So it's no surprise you know the knights better than I do.

Alma. Alma was thrilled when Hermann told her.
He also said he didn't want to lose, though.

Ugh, ugh. ......
　Hermann's face is bright red at the words of Shelly and Leena.
　'You really like Alma, don't you?

'Good. So much for talking about Hermann, let's get Frank's advice.

That's right. Frank, who's the guy you told me you got a fiancé?
　You know, I almost forgot to ask who I'm dealing with.

She's the daughter of the second highest man in the land.
　Second daughter of the Church?　Who is it in the Empire?
　Is that as good a position as the dukes?　Then that's good enough for you.

Have you met him?

"One time when I was little. . when we were discussing trade with a church.
　I see. So you send your wife to the Baudelaires to give them a little trade.

It really is a political marriage: ....... That's unusual.
　It's true, you don't hear of political marriages in the Empire these days.
　It's mostly free love.

''No, no . It's just that the last forty years or so are crazy, and political marriages were the norm before that, right?　It's just that some brave man-sama has built a duke family that's okay with free love, and the other nobles have been forced to deal with it, right?


　I wonder where the brave man is at at all!
　That brave man must have disliked the rules and customs of the nobility a lot~.

Certainly. So, what kind of person is the partner of Frank, who is getting married for political reasons, which is rare these days?　Isn't it great to be the second greatest person in a church country?

Yeah, he's the closest thing to the next Pope.
　Huh?　Is he greater than I thought?
　Doesn't that mean you can't say no anymore, and don't you feel like a fool for worrying about it?

Oh, so I'm related to the Pope. Good for you!
　I smiled and patted Frank on the back as a way to cheer him up .
　But ...... made Frank feel even more depressed.

'Yeah, ......'

...... Sorry about that.
　Apparently, there's something about Frank that he's not comfortable with.
　Well, it's just that I've only met him once.
　This is my fault, because I'd be bothered by it too if I were in your shoes.

"No, ...... I think you're too good for me. You should usually be happy about that.

Then why?　Because you don't know what kind of person you're dealing with?

It's not like that: ......
　Frank fell silent at Sherry's further pursuit.
　As usual, Sherry's not afraid to speak up.
　...... What are you going to do when Frank gets more and more depressed?
　As I was thinking about this, Leena moved.

"Um, ...... Frank, do you mind if I have your ear for a moment?
　When Leena shyly whispered something to Frank, his eyes widened and he was surprised.

'Why, why?'

It's okay. She hasn't talked to anyone but me.
　She?　What did Leena tell Frank?

Yeah, right: ......

'Who is she ......?　Maybe, Frank: ......
　So, Shelley, you need to be a little more reserved.
　Well, I want to know, too.

"Look, there's no point in hiding it now, so I'm gonna come clean. I'm in love with someone.
　I knew it: ....... I can't think of any other reason.
　But I don't see any reason to hide it either. It's not because you're ashamed, is it?

But who?　As far as I know, I haven't seen Frank talking to any of the girls other than Shelly and Leena.
　So . I'm the one you hang out with at school and most of the time after school, and I'm the one Frank knows least of all about being a woman.
　When and how on earth did you find someone to like?

That's because I didn't want them to find out.
　Seriously: ...... It was hidden... .......

'So who is the guy?'

...... It's José from my class.
　Jose?

'What?　You know what?
　Josettea Lefebvre. That's Bert's sister whom my sister married.
　Surely we'll have opportunities to meet as long as we're both dukes.

"Frank talked to José?　I can't imagine: ......
　Well, I can't even imagine them talking at all .

''Even if they're from the same duke's family, so they've had a lot of contact since they were little, how long have you liked them?''

It was in the second grade. I started having a letter in my desk every morning.
　Sophomores?　So he's not even in our class yet.
　But if it's a letter, I don't have to meet him, so of course I don't know him.

"Hi. The love letter was from José. Frank wrote back, didn't he?

Yeah, I know. But it's not the real deal, you know?

Back?

'Actually, this correspondence, in the beginning, was only intended to fool José's father's eyes.

To fool Jose's dad?
　What are you faking?　As a father, you'd rather not have a man in your daughter's life than have a man in your life, so you'd rather not have to exchange letters with him .

'Yes . José was ordered by his father to seduce me. . to make José my wife.


　Oh, there. I didn't know Jose's dad was like that.

"Well, I know you want to marry your daughter off to the best possible partner ...... but I'm sorry you had to do that ......
　I understand that the head of the family has to marry someone from a decent family, but you don't have to designate even the daughter who doesn't have the right of inheritance to marry you .

''Nowadays, in the imperial aristocracy, it's more commonplace for children to have free love affairs with each other, rather than political marriages where parents decide who to marry, right?

Well, yeah.
　Thanks to some brave man.

''So the Lefebvre family has a policy of somehow getting their parents' designated partner to like them. It's not a good look for the empire right now for parents to designate. I heard that Jose's brother was also told from a young age to marry Leo's sister.

'So did Mr. Burt!　I was just looking at you like you're normal and in love with your sister.
　Is the Lefebvre family that way because of their bravery: .......
　Well, both Bert and José have been successful in getting the other person to like them, so maybe it's a good outcome...
　I'm worried about my married sister's kids: ...... No, she'll be fine, I'm sure she'll be fine .
　At worst, she's going to beat up Mr. Burt and Mr. Burt's dad and get them to admit it.

Oh, don't worry. Jose's brother really loves Leo's sister.

How did Frank know? Oh, did Jose tell you?
　But I don't doubt in the slightest whether Mr. Burt loves her or not .
　First of all, I don't think that bratty, strong-willed sister would love someone who's hitting on her just on orders like that .

'Yes, I do. Jose's brother had a problem with his parents before he asked Leo's sister for his hand in marriage. Jose knew his sister wanted to be an adventurer, and he didn't want to marry her and take her dreams away. So he couldn't tell her until the last minute of adulthood.
　What's that ...... Mr. Burt was more manly than I thought he would be.
　And I'm surprised that you were thinking of becoming an adventurer.
　It's possible, given her personality and strength, but I'm sure Mom would have been pissed at me for professing such a thing. .......

'Heh . I thought you were a goofball, but that's the kind of episode you're hiding.
　Bert, you had a harder time of it than I thought you would. I'm sorry that I came off as a pussy.
　Next time I see you, I'd like to apologize to you casually.

Helena, it's so nice to see that your sister loves you so well.

Yeah. They looked so happy at the wedding.

'Oh!　That's how I couldn't go again!
　Come to think of it, Shelly wasn't allowed to attend her sister's wedding because Cliff was supposed to be there.
　I don't think Shelly and her sister would have expected to get along so well with each other, so the emperor must have been a disaster.

Oh, well. Anyway, let's get back to Frank. You know how José started writing Frank love letters to obey his parents' orders?　So, what did you mean by deception?

It's easy. It's just a way for me and Jose to show we're on speaking terms.

Couldn't we just meet and have a normal conversation?

It would drive my parents crazy. My parents insisted that I marry someone from their country. So I was warned a long time ago not to even talk to an Imperial woman. It's not a problem when you're talking to Leo's fiancée like this, but it's not a good idea to meet José, is it?
　I see ...... that's what happens when you come from a complicated family environment with each other.
　Jose gets pissed off at his parents if he doesn't get close to Frank.
　Frank, on the other hand, is pissed off when Jose gets close.
　And gentle Frank says that he felt sorry for José that he was angry with him, so he took a little risk and started correspondence with him: .......
　Oh!　So that's it!　So that's why José had a letter in Frank's desk.
　Why wouldn't he send it home?　But I couldn't send it to Frank's house because I didn't want his parents to find out.
　I see. .......

"So, in the end . I fell in love with José during our correspondence, but when I found out, my parents decided who I wanted to be with. ......

Yes,

If you really like him, shouldn't you be honest with your parents about it?
　No, if I was allowed to talk to someone, Frank would be an idiot.
　If he couldn't, then he'd be stuck here all by himself, wouldn't he?

Even if my parents allowed me to do that, I wouldn't be able to break my promise to the next Pope with a stone.
　Right: ....... I feel like beating myself up inexplicably for saying something awful like 'that was good' to Frank a few minutes ago .

' I know. ....... Leo-kun, do you have any ideas?

Yeah, ...... I don't know. Where's Herman?
　No, I'm not a jackass.
　I'm not particularly good at relationships. I've always just picked a guy based on how I feel, without using my brain.

Me too ......

I'm fine. Is Bell okay?



Wow, is that me?

Of course. Do you have a better idea?
　I have to hear from you two who seem uncomfortable about participating in the discussion.
　I don't know what we're in the same room for.

"Uh, uh, ......
　It's kind of hard to say.
　Now ...... I don't know what to do.

Is it wrong ...... to say that you're married to both of them?
　Huh?　Don't tell me Bell can fix this?

Tell me more.

'Well, ...... can't I marry either of you two?　In fact, Master Leo has five fiancées, and ...... noblemen can have more than one wife, right?

If you ask me, I'll tell you: ......
　If you're the eldest son of a duke, you don't have to choose between the two.

That's true.

"Yeah. That's a great idea. It's a great idea.　

Hold on a second. What can I tell you?

If you can come up with a better plan than this one that makes sense to me, I'll admit it!
　Now, let's hear it for all I care!　No?

Ugh. ......

''I mean. It's normal for a nobleman to have more than one wife, especially if he's a duke, right?　What's up with the imperial aristocracy these days, aren't you being influenced too much by the brave men (grandpa)?
　I know . I'm aware that I was thanking you for being free to fall in love, and now I'm returning your hand because it's not good for me.
　But if you don't, you're denying yourself!

'Yes, but ...... I feel bad for José that he has another wife: ......
　d*mn ...... Frank is being poisoned by the brave men too .
　We've got to get him into our camp somehow.

Then why don't you just ask him tomorrow? Did you tell José what happened?

No, not yet: ......

So that's part of it. If it's a rejection, can we just say no to the guy?
　If you really liked him, you'd understand the situation with Frank and never dump him. You wouldn't, would you?

You can't divide it that easily: ......

It's okay. I'm sure José will agree with you. You know, José really loves you, Mr. Frank.
　Oh, really?　I'll take Lena's word for it, okay?
　Yes!　Now you'll have the friends you thought you couldn't have!

"Kukku. Yeah?　I think you should be brave enough to tell them. Instead of regretting not doing it, why don't we do it and regret it?

All right, ......, all I have to do is confess, right?

Oh. Yeah.
　I prepared myself and smiled and patted Frank on the back as he gave me a crisp look.
　But I never thought that Frank, one of the people who mocked me for being a womanizer, would become a comrade.
　I can't stop smiling.