The Civil Officer Can Have Sweet Dreams Chapter 10

Having stepped down from the carriage, Priscilla looked up at the Brody estate and gulped. It's big. And elegant. I wonder how many times bigger it is than the Land estate. Moreover, it's still this big even though it's beside the castle. From what she's heard from Cleatt, this wasn't the main estate of the Brody house. Their main estate was in their territory so it was a long way from the capital and his retired grandparents and relatives currently live there. Even his parents planned on retiring to their territory if Cleatt had married much earlier and had kids but the current situation was that Cleatt only worked at the Royal Palace and unable to pa.s.s on ownership, the current head of this estate was Cleatt's father, Duran.

“Mother likes to nag because Father isn't sociable but he's not a bad person. He's kind to women so you don't have to worry.”

“Understood…”

That's what Cleatt said but Priscilla's body could only curl onto itself. She walked while surveyed her surroundings, not wanting to be rude. The Brody house definitely gave off a military lineage feel to them. The estate was by no means gaudy more than what's necessary, and if she had to say, then it was a house that solidly placed importance on practicality instead. Priscilla didn't realize it but it was made so that it would be difficult for enemies to trespa.s.s into.

The estate was definitely bigger compared to the Land estate, similar to that of the common people, but that doesn't it was too big. Rather, for a family amongst the upper n.o.bles, the estate itself is small. Because of that, the garden surrounding the estate was wide in order for horses to run about and sword training.

Priscilla, who shouldn't have even realized those minor details, took a step into the estate, a ball of nervousness. Of course she was nervous but even so, she unconsciously bore in mind that she will behave as elegantly as she possibly can. It was a habit that was severely drilled into her at etiquette school.

As expected of the Brody house, everyone was at the entrance without showing any high spirits just like the Land house, and both of them were first welcomed by an elderly butler and maid.

“Welcome home, Lord Cleatt.”

“Yeah.”

Cleatt coolly answered. Behind him, Priscilla bowed her head while saying, “I'm sorry for intruding,” but she felt an observing gaze from the attendants that came to welcome them despite their calmness, cold sweat going down her back.

When she thought about it more carefully, she has never gone to a house that of an upper n.o.ble. The people who worked in those places were as equally talented as those working in the Royal Palace. Thinking how she looked like to such people scared her.

Furthermore, because she's marrying Cleatt, she'll be living together with with these people from here on out and so her position would become so that she'll be managing them in the future.

Thinking that, she grew worried if she was fit for such a role.

“The master and mistress have been waiting for you.”

“Okay.”

Guided by the two attendants, Priscilla timidly entered the estate. As expected, she had no time to look at the inside interior of the estate, and could only look from behind Cleatt.

The butler stopped in front of a thick door and knocked. When a woman's voice answered clearly from inside, the butler opened the door.

Sitting in chairs within that room that was possible the parlor were two people. They were Cleatt's parents. Both their gazes were fixated on Priscilla. When she turned stiff at not knowing what to do, Cleatt stepped forward with no hesitation whatsoever, turned to her and called out, “Priscilla.”

She went to Cleatt's side, fl.u.s.tered.

“You can sit down.”

Who seemed to be Cleatt's mother, sitting on a big couch, said such so after taking a glance at Cleatt, she obediently sat down after bowing.

A short silence fell.

Priscilla observed the two sitting in front of her in order to not be rude. Cleatt's parents– When they marry, they'll become her parents as well. The people she'll be living with from here on out.

Duran, the current head of the Brody house, indeed had a tough body like that of a military officer and had a stern air about him. An air similar to the head of the Imperial Guards she saw at the Royal Palace. Currently, he had withdrawn from the front line but she heard that he had a high position within the Royal Palace just a while ago. Nowadays, he would sometimes teach at knight school and if requested, come and go from the Royal Palace. Just as Cleatt said, he was making a stern face and it was true that he looked unsociable. He looked like someone who didn't talk much.

The beautiful woman sitting beside Duran was Cleatt's mother, Feim1. Her demeanor was refined like a woman of n.o.bility, her back straight. It slightly reminded her of her teacher from etiquette school. Rather than a kind air to her, she gave Priscilla a strong-willed and level-headed image instead. Though she was raised in a gentle family, it doesn't mean she's bad with stern people. Rather, she respects these types of people even when she was in etiquette school and also at the Royal Palace so if she had to say it, they were the type she's fond of and looks after often. However, when it comes to Cleatt's mother, she was still nervous.

When she looked at Feim, she could see that Cleatt took after his mother. If his appearance were overlaid on top of hers, they had a lot of similarities. She had light brown hair and eyes but while her looks are n.o.ble, she can definitely see a resemblance.

After Cleatt and Priscilla sat across from the two, a short silence prevailed. Both his parents were looking at Priscilla. She didn't quite understand what their expressions meant but she felt like they were a little disappointed, which made Priscilla curl even further into herself.

That's to be expected, of course. Because their important, eldest son suddenly sent a notice, saying, “I shall be bringing my marriage partner tomorrow,” and the partner he brought was the daughter of the Land house who was only a n.o.ble in name, as well as a plain woman.

Priscilla wasn't well-known even within high society. They had even forgotten that she ever existed. Mainly because she has never even shown her face in high society. When she carefully thought about it, she tried considering it from a n.o.ble's point of view but from a long time ago, the Land house has never partic.i.p.ated in it so her family from way before she was born had always been like that, not receiving any written invitations for it.

Because of this, Priscilla only owns one dress.

Usually, when n.o.bles are at marriageable age, they would go to social events to look for a lover or marriage partner. Lucott Kingdom is one that enjoys love so both sides' parents have expectations but when everyone finds a partner they're interested in just a bit, they would skillfully go about and mess around.

This was a world that Priscilla had nothing to do with whatsoever.

Both of Cleatt's parents wasn't interested in Priscilla as well. They seem to know about the Land house but she was sure that they don't think anything of the Land daughter becoming their eldest son's marriage partner. They seemed to have wanted to welcome a more considerate, intelligent and beautiful woman or of a more equal parentage as their eldest son's bride.

Priscilla could only think, I'm very sorry, Brody house. But Cleatt wished for Priscilla so she thought that as long as he doesn't say, “I want to stop this marriage,” then she would work hard as much as she can.

She was truly worried about Cleatt's health.

Even when he wanted to accompany Priscilla during his rest on their break, from Cleatt's point of view, he didn't seem to mind about his appearance. He was someone who grumbled out complaints but when he meets with Priscilla, wouldn't Cleatt's body already be at its limit? Spending time with Priscilla, he would say, “My physical condition has truly gotten better” but from her point of view, Cleatt is still overworking himself nowadays and her hand that was on his head would always feel his complaints about being “tired.”

She was worried about that part of Cleatt. If Priscilla were to lose her break time, wouldn't he faint sooner or later? Priscilla anxiously thought about the future with a sense of reality.

For Priscilla who had a strong sense of responsibility helping others, she had already thought of Cleatt's health as her responsibility. Rather than say she wanted to marry Cleatt because she liked him, she had a weird sense of responsibility thinking she had to marry him in order to take good care of his health.

“I had sent the notice yesterday but…”

“Was this house this far from the castle, I wonder? It would have been better if you had come home and directly told us. About such an important matter.”

“I was slightly preoccupied with work.”

Once Cleatt said those words, as expected, Feim threw out sarcastic words but Cleatt warded it off with a nonchalant air. Beside him, Priscilla trembled with fear. She felt she had heard beforehand that the Brody house wasn't as gentle as the Land house but as she thought, it doesn't seem like they're a family that gets along. Above all, Cleatt speaks formally with both his parents. But this kind of thing is normal for n.o.bles, Priscilla understood. It was the Land house that was weird.

“She is Priscilla Land. I shall be marrying her. I've already gone to the Land house some time ago to give my greetings and they've approved of the marriage.”

Introduced by Cleatt, Priscilla hurriedly bowed as she introduced herself, “My name is Priscilla Land.” Just like when they went around the Royal Palace to inform others, she thought to stay quiet as possible and let Cleatt handle the rest.

“…I'm the current head of the Brody house, Duran Brody.”

“I am his wife, Fiem Brody.”

Both his parents also introduced themselves, and Priscilla once more curled into herself, her head lowered. Fiem, seeing such a Priscilla, lightly beat the closed fan in her hand onto the other. This may have been a habit of Priscilla's seeing as she's been doing it so often after entering the room.

“Ms. Priscilla.”

“Yes?”

“Do you really plan on marrying Cleatt?”

“Ah, yes… I apologize for that.”

It felt like Priscilla had implicitly said at Fiem's words, “Seeing as my position isn't of equal status,” and when Priscilla lowered her head, Fiem bitterly smiled.

“You've got it wrong; you have done nothing wrong whatsoever. It's the opposite actually. I'm asking you if you're fine with marrying this kind of man even though he's my own son.”

“Mother.”

Cleatt's restrained voice rose in surprise but with still good posture, Fiem disregarded that son of hers.

“We're thankful that you're willing to marry this unworthy son of ours. Although this is happening so quickly. Even though this child is of an age where he should have already married a long time ago, he would always put it off by using work as an excuse and even I'll soon be reaching my limit. I have looked for many partners for him, and if Cleatt were to find his marriage partner on his own, I won't say anything. Well, though it seems like all my efforts had gone to waste.”

Fiem included sarcasm at the end of it and sent a fleeting glare at Cleatt but he didn't seem to mind it. He had mentioned, “Mother likes to nag” so she feels these two have always been like this.

Priscilla was frightened, sitting in the middle of such an atmosphere, and when she did so, Fiem smiled at Priscilla.

“Ms. Priscilla, it seems you're worried about your parentage but for us, we don't have a problem with it. We think of the Land house as a family that can be trusted. Rather, if I had known about you, I would have considered you as a candidate for Cleatt. I could only think that overlooking you is due to my lack of investigation.”

“I am greatly honored by your words. Thank you very much.”

“It seems you work at the Royal Palace but your reputation is extremely good. Polite, level-headed and diligent, there is no one who talked badly of you. You also graduated from school with excellent grades.”

“Thank you very much…”

Priscilla had her head down but before she realized it, her behavior had been examined and she broke out into a cold sweat. Cleatt had sent the notice yesterday evening. When she thought of how after that until today, at this moment, she had fully grasped everything about the Land house as well as how Priscilla is at the Royal Palace, Priscilla was surprised yet admired her, thinking, As expected, the Brody house has the authority and ability to get things done.

However, it looks like both his parents were amicable towards Priscilla. She felt slightly let down as she had already resolved herself to being talked ill, such as “Do you think you can become a daughter-in-law of the Brody house?!”

Though that might mean she would be desperate for Cleatt to marry.

“And so when do you plan on marrying?”

Priscilla looked beside her at Fiem's question. Cleatt seemed to be pondering on it slightly, his hand on his jaw. Come to think of it, she had yet to talk about the details of that with Cleatt. That's because she had been proposed to just the other day and after that, the only time they had to talk was in the carriage.

“When do you want to start living in this house?”

Priscilla was bewildered at Cleatt's question. She wasn't able to fully prepare her heart but if she's truly able to move out of the court lady residences that she's currently living in, she wouldn't need to prepare anything. Because work had been busy and it hadn't grown this year at all, she only had her clothes that she brought from the very beginning. This house is also close to the castle so it might be best for her to tidy up her room in the court lady residences in her spare time.

“Whenever…”

When Priscilla said so, not wanting to show to his parents of her hesitation, Cleatt nodded.

“Then you can do so from today onwards.”

“Huh!”

As expected, Priscilla raised her voice and then when she remembered where she was, endeavored to quickly mind her manners. However, deep inside of her was a storm of confusion. From today onwards? From today onwards? Though she did say she was fine with whenever.

“…Cleatt, whatever the circ.u.mstances may be, saying that would definitely trouble Ms. Priscilla. I do wonder just where you got that crudeness of yours.”

After looking at Cleatt with a surprised look in her eyes, Fiem looked towards Duran and when she did so, Duran slightly coughed.

“But Mother, seeing the current circ.u.mstances, we won't be able to hold the wedding immediately.”

“That's true. At the very least, I would like a few months of preparation for it.”

“But I would like to marry as soon as possible, and for that to happen, we would first have to enter a marriage. The Royal Palace has already approved of it and it would be completed once we submit the legal doc.u.ments. I plan on submitting the doc.u.ments today.”

Fiem listened to Cleatt's indifferent way of talking with a shocked expression on her face. While there was still the confusion of Priscilla possibly living in this house from today onwards.

“Wouldn't it be weird if I lived separately from my wife even though we're married? Especially when she's staying at the residence given to her by the Royal Palace.”

“Well, of course it is but… Oh, I don't want to talk about this. Whenever I talk to you, it always ends up like this. You're such a disagreeable child. Could you stop explaining things so logically as if what you're saying is only natural? You've always been like this since long ago.”

After Priscilla's heart leaped at being called my wife, she imagined what a young Cleatt looked at from Fiem's words. For some reason, it seems that Cleatt had always acted unlike a child from a very young age.

“I don't believe I said anything weird. I also would wish to stay at home if Priscilla was here. You don't have a problem with staying here from today onwards, Priscilla?”

Priscilla thought deep down, I do have a huge problem with it but staring at Cleatt, when he said the words, “I would wish to stay at home if she's here” she wasn't able to refuse at all.

“N-None. If everyone in the Brody house doesn't think it a bother.”

When Priscilla answered, Cleatt smiled, satisfied.

“She's already agreed to it so there shouldn't be a problem, yes? Mother, could you prepare a room for her?”

When Cleatt said so, Fiem let out a small sigh and lightly hit the fan on her lap once.

“Understood. Well then Ms. Priscilla, I'm looking forward to living with you from today onwards.”

“Y-Yes, likewise.”

“Ms. Priscilla, what do you plan on doing with your job?”

“Oh… You're correct.”

Priscilla was relieved that Fiem had accepted her so easily more than she thought but worried about that question for a moment. Come to think of it, she hadn't properly considered that question either.

“I'm unable to immediately resign today but would it be okay if my superior agrees and decreases the time allotted to me until I'm able to resign?”

When Priscilla said so, Fiem nodded.

“That would be the best, wouldn't it. Of course you have your own circ.u.mstances as well. To work for a year, you might still feel like working for even longer but as the daughter-in-law of the Brody house, I would like you to study more about the house, if possible.”

“Of course. I myself am aware of that.”

When Priscilla answered, Fiem smiled, satisfied. It seems that Priscilla's answer had been correct. Her satisfied smile was, as she expected, similar to Cleatt's smile and charmed Priscilla for some reason. Fiem was a strong-willed woman but from their conversation just now, Priscilla didn't dislike her. Rather, for a person who says things clearly, she doesn't seem to be two-faced. Duran, his father, hasn't directly talked to her yet so it seems that Fiem was the one taking care of the household. Priscilla forcibly steered her thoughts towards a positive direction, I have to do whatever it takes so that she doesn't come to hate me.

“Then seeing as the conversation is over with, I shall be returning to work.”

“Again with you.”

Cleatt quickly got up so Fiem sighed but turned to look at Priscilla, having already given up.

“Ms. Priscilla, what shall you be doing then?”

“Uhm, I would like to return to the castle as well to get my room in order. Would it be fine if I were to come back again?”

“Of course. This house is going to be your house as well. That's right, could I ask you to come back for dinner?”

“Certainly.”

“Ms. Priscilla. From today onwards, we shall be your family and your parents. It would be wonderful if you could talk familiarly with us, even just a bit.”

Priscilla was frightened and lowered her head at Fiem's smile. Even having said that, it would seem somewhat difficult doing so.

“Lord Cleatt…”

When Priscilla got up whilst looking up at Cleatt, he smiled.

“I might return late but of course I'll come home. I'll come home everyday as long as you're here.”

Fiem raised her voice in surprised, “Oh my” at Cleatt's words. Fiem admired him, saying, “Even you can say such sweet words, huh” but from Priscilla's point of view, she bitterly smiled deep down because Cleatt's objective were her “hands.” And yet she was still extremely happy to be told so by Cleatt.

Priscilla politely showed her thanks and left the Brody house together with Cleatt.

There was only a short distance until the castle but the two of them rode on the carriage.

“Did everything happen too quickly for you?”

“No, well… I'm fine.”

“I apologize for my selfishness. When I think that your hands would completely be mine, I felt it would be better if I could do so earlier even by one day.”

This time, Priscilla turned shy at Cleatt's words. Although he didn't mean to, Cleatt's words were plenty sweet. Even though she knew that what he wanted were her “hands,” for Priscilla who wasn't accustomed to receiving such words from a man, her cheeks fully turned red. Priscilla was slightly bitter towards Cleatt, as he was a sinful man compared to his crudeness when it comes to love.

When she took a peek at Cleatt, he seemed to be in an extremely good mood at everything turning out favorably. She wondered if that good humor of his included the fact that he'd be able to acquire the power of Priscilla's hands from tonight onwards. The corner of Priscilla's lips lifted.

She was uneasy at suddenly living in the Brody house but happiness gushed forth within her at the thought of being able to cuddle closer with Cleatt from tonight onwards. Not just for short thirty minutes. She doesn't know at what time Cleatt would be coming home but she would be able to attend to him for a few hours. If so, then wouldn't his fatigue also turn greatly for the better? Priscilla looked at Cleatt's face as she thought, I'd like him to quickly rest.

As she thought, it might have been best for her to live in the Brody house from today onwards. As she expected, she can't just ignore Cleatt.

While she was thinking that, the carriage had arrived at the Royal Palace. Cleatt said, “I'm sorry for the urgency but I'll see you at home,” and quickly went back to work.

Priscilla was given a day off so she wasn't able to go back to work. And yet she had to move out of her room and discuss about her job with her superior.

When she went to meet with her superior, thinking of informing her ahead of time, her superior smiled, having already heard.

“Oh my, oh my, soon after it happened, it's already progressed this fast, huh. But I knew it would turn out like this. There's nothing to be done since you're marrying into the Brody house.”

“I apologize for the trouble I've caused.”

“It's fine, Priscilla. You're worked hard in just one year. Things might get difficult from here on out for you but try your best.”

“Thank you very much.”

Priscilla's eyes felt warm with her head bowed. One year. Just one year, she won't be able to experience more than that. She thought that a year had pa.s.sed just like that but when she remembered the people she's met and what she's experienced in this year, she thought of just how long a year felt like. The Priscilla who had attended etiquette school and the current one. In just one year, things had turned out into something she couldn't have even imagined back in those days.

“I'm sorry. We'll be looking for someone to replace you starting tomorrow but it might take some time.”

“Yes, of course I don't plan on immediately quitting today.”

What Priscilla discussed with her superior was that her work time would be shortened in the meantime and increase her days off. They adjusted her schedule so that she'll be able to completely leave her job after one month. Priscilla bowed, thanking her for everything up till now.

Work at the Royal Palace had been busy. And yet, for the inexperienced Priscilla to be able to continue working here for a year, she thought from the bottom of her heart that it was thanks to all the excellent people around her, such as her superior and her fellow court ladies. As for the part about being busy, her superiors had acted thoughtfully so that relationships with others wouldn't turn strain. Even the time when about the rumors about Priscilla and Cleatt, they didn't interfere too much.

Deep down, she thought, it's the same with her family and even at school but she was blessed with such wonderful people. Thinking that, she realized, Then wouldn't that mean I'd be able to get along well with the members of the Brody house as well? a well of security miraculously gushed forth.

She tidied up her room as she seriously looked back on this year. It seems this room will be kept empty for about a week. It might be okay to not have to immediately remove everything today. She just has to clean up on the days she comes to the Royal Palace.

In the meantime, Priscilla had packed the clothes and accessories she had brought from her home into a bag but in the end, looking at the bag she had put everything into, she knitted her eyebrows.

Would it be okay for a woman marrying into the Brody house to have this few possessions? She felt Fiem would be surprised, asking her, “You only have this much luggage?” For a moment, Priscilla thought to show off, If I prepare about two or three bags, what should I put inside it? but bitterly smiled at such absurd thoughts.

She can't do anything even if she did show off. Priscilla was the daughter of the Land house, a lower n.o.ble family, who doesn't even have a decent dress and a court lady who was his subordinate at the Royal Palace. Even if someone like that showed off, the members of the Brody house would be able to immediately see through them.

The inside of her bag only had several, modest clothes of hers. She was provided with the uniform for court ladies for work so the only opportunities she had to wear her own clothes were on her days off, when she went home, and sometimes, when she went to town with her coworkers.

Aside from those, there were a few dresses that she loved. She'll put aside the ones she didn't like. She had nothing particularly expensive to bring to the Brody house. There might not even be a chance for her already to wear her own clothes once she marries into the Brody house. If she were to wear such plain clothes, upper cla.s.s n.o.ble ladies might laugh at her instead.

Thinking that, Priscilla really thought her luggage was extremely small. She smiled, as if she found something amusing.

After working at the Royal Palace, she realized that her personality had turned positive. She was slightly sad but when things are going downhill, she would go against it and say, “I'll be able to manage this.”

This was her strong point that she didn't realized around the time she only stayed at home. As expected, Land family blood flows through me, Priscilla thought, and just like that, felt she was slightly reliable.

“Let's see now.”

With just one bag in hand, Priscilla went to go get married.

…This was long I wanna cry. Word editor was lagging lol. I TOLD YOU GUYS CLEATT WAS A TENNEN TARASHI. THIS GUY. ADORABLE. Also Priscilla beats herself up too much, I have a feeling Cleatt will make her feel loved and powerful THROUGH LOVING s.e.x. I'm all for that.

Another note, I've gotten a seasonal part time job so schedule will have to be changed again. All projects will monthly instead since I also have cla.s.ses in addition to that. Sorry about that, but I'll definitely try and finish this don't worry.

On another nother note, we'll be unveiling a manga project in a week or so so for anybody who likes shoujo and comedy, stay tuned! Most likely it'll be announced earlier on Discord tho.