Chapter 8: Sopia-San’s Wedding

Today, I’m attending my friend Sophia-san’s wedding. Jay-sama is with me too!

“Sophia-san looks so beautiful. She seems so happy, and I’m happy for her too.”

Sniff.

“I understand being happy seeing your friend so joyful… but why are you crying?”

I pressed a handkerchief to the corner of my eyes.

“Because she looks so happy. I’m so glad that tears just…”

Is this an emotion men can’t understand? I’m happy, but I also feel a little lonely.

“Rubina, Sophia-jou is waving at you.”

She’s smiling at me. She’s so beautiful, it’s dazzling.

“Rubina-saaan! You’re next, okay?”

She handed me the bouquet she was holding. It was a bouquet of white calla lilies.

“Sophia-san! Congratulations, I love you so much, Sophia-san!”

I blurted out something strange…!

“Please stay my friend, just like always…”

Sniff.

“Rubina-san, honestly… Of course, that’s a given. Let’s be friends forever, okay?”

Sophia-san hugged me.

“Sophia, it’s about time to go.”

Sophia-san was called away by her husband. Next is the reception party.

“Shall I get a cold handkerchief for you?”

My tears have finally calmed down.

“I’m okay now.”

I suddenly felt embarrassed. To cry so much in front of people…

Rachel-san and Deborah-san were teary-eyed too, but I ended up sobbing. It’s Sophia-san’s big day, and yet…

While greeting Sophia-san’s family at the reception party, her two older brothers spoke to me.

“Please take care of Sophia from now on.”

“I hope you find happiness too, Rubina-jou.”

I was so happy. Sophia-san’s brothers looked happy too.

“You’ve been close with Sophia-jou since entering the academy, right, Rubina?”

I was talking with Jay-sama on the terrace.

“Yes. After Sophia-san spoke to me, we started having lunch together. Since my義姉Cynthia-san and Sophia-san are relatives and close, that helped us bond too. I owe Sophia-san so much. There were things I couldn’t have overcome without her. In my student life, Sophia-san is my benefactor.”

I am who I am today because Sophia-san was there for me that day.

“I even confided in her about you, Jay-sama. Fufu. It’s recent, but it feels nostalgic now. She cheered for us and tried to bring us together.”

It hasn’t even been a year since graduation, yet it already feels so nostalgic… Time passes so quickly.

“Was that during the academy festival? You were so cute that day, Rubina.”

“Am I not cute now?”

I asked with a slight pout. I’ve had a little bit of alcohol too.

“You’ve become beautiful now. I feel you’ve grown into an adult woman. Are you happy right now, Rubina?”

Of course, I am!

“Yes. Are you happy, Jay-sama?”

“Of course, I’m happy.”

He held my hand as he answered.

“The photos from the other day are ready. I gave them to Mother, and she was delighted. She said she’ll display them at the estate. She called us her proud sons, and though it felt a bit ticklish, I was happy. It’s a small thing, but happiness builds up, doesn’t it? I realized that again. It’s thanks to you, Rubina. Thank you.”

He kissed my cheek.

“For my graduation, Father and Mother gave me a jewelry box, and Mother put a family photo inside. It made me realize how important memories are. Photos capture a moment in time, taken during happy times or when people gather.”

Photography is still expensive and not common, but it’s very popular among nobles. Being a photographer is a dream job now. There’s a photographer at today’s wedding too. Articles with photos are becoming more common in newspapers for nobles.

“After taking photos with my brothers, I thought we should gather everyone at the estate and take a picture. As a memento of our new life together, Rubina.”

“That’s a great idea. Let’s display it in the entrance hall.”

Father always said that people are treasures. Everyone working at the estate is like family. I’d love to give everyone a copy of the photo, but we have a strict rule against sharing estate matters outside. It’d be troublesome if someone dropped a photo or showed it to others, and estate matters leaked out.

It was getting a bit chilly, so we returned to the venue. While dancing to warm up, Sophia-san called out to me.

“Rubina-san, let’s take a photo together.”

Rachel-san, Deborah-san, and I took a photo with Sophia-san, the four of us. Sophia-san’s husband and his friends were also taking photos. Then, we all took pictures together with our friends. Afterward, one of Sophia-san’s husband’s friends approached me…

“I haven’t seen you before, but you’re cute. Which family are you from? How about some tea together?”

It was so sudden that I was taken aback and hesitated. Since he’s a friend of Sophia-san’s husband, maybe I should decline indirectly…

“Stop!”

Jay-sama came over.

“Thank you for calling my fiancée cute. However, I have no intention of answering your question.”

Jay-sama smiled and pulled me close by the waist. Our outfits, when we’re together, have matching colors.

“…I see. That’s unfortunate. I’ll take my leave then.”

With that, Sophia-san’s husband’s friend quickly left.

“Honestly, I can’t let my guard down for a moment…”

Jay-sama muttered under his breath.

“There are many people I’m meeting for the first time, so they wouldn’t know if I have a fiancé.”

I gently leaned closer to Jay-sama.

“An engaged couple about to marry doesn’t need outsiders.”

His tone was a bit low. He seems upset.

“Fufu. Then let’s stay like this forever. When you were alone earlier, I saw noble ladies glancing at you from afar. It made me jealous.”

~Luke’s Thoughts~

“They seem to get along well, which is reassuring, Luke.”

My wife, Cynthia, said in a soothing tone.

“…As long as Rubina is happy, that’s enough.”

“Your words and your face don’t match, you know? Oh, look, they’re laughing so happily together.”

We both watched Rubina and Jay-dono.

“…I just felt a little lonely thinking she’s slipping out of my hands.”

I do feel lonely, but I also want to see Rubina’s smiling face.

“I want Rubina to be happy.”

“I feel the same, but your feelings are really heavy, Luke.”

Cynthia chuckled.

“Are they? I’ve spent a long time with Rubina, but I can’t make her smile like that. That’s exactly why I think it’s okay to entrust her to Jay-dono.”

“If you approve of him, then Jay-sama must be the right one!”

Let’s leave it at that.