For Romantic Superpowers - Chapter 74 - Marriage, You Say?

#74. Marriage, You Say?

Lia couldn’t believe her ears. Did she just hear a proposal? She was so shocked she couldn’t respond and just blinked. The strength left her hands that were holding Perth. Noticing her change, Perth carefully let go of her.

“Lady Lia?”

But Lia couldn’t meet his eyes. She needed time to process the confusion in her mind. Perth acted as if he had no idea what he had just said. His calm demeanor made Lia even more bewildered.

“What did you just say?”

Did she hear wrong? Was it a hallucination? Seeing her wavering pupils, Perth finally realized that Lia was shocked.

“I mentioned a way for you to keep coming to this house.”

“And that way is…?”

“Yes, through marriage.”

He acted like he hadn’t said anything strange. Even when asked again, he showed no sign of disturbance. Normally, she liked that about his face, but right now, it was frustrating.

“Why are you so calm? After saying something like m-m-marriage to me?”

“I’m more curious as to why you’re so surprised.”

“Isn’t it surprising? We haven’t been dating for long, and I haven’t even thought about m-m-marriage yet….”

He knew she valued her work more than marriage. Knowing this, his mention of marriage startled her even more. Before her confusion could settle, Perth pressed on.

“Is it a rejection?”

“N-no, it’s not that….”

“Then is it an acceptance?”

“No, I need some time to think! Is this how you propose?”

Finally unable to hold back, Lia snapped. Thinking about it, this was the first proposal she’d ever received, and it was so subtly slipped in! Seeing her fuming expression, Perth smiled softly. Even the sight of her glaring at him with a flushed face was adorable. Unable to resist, he lightly kissed her forehead.

“What are you doing?”

While she was off guard, his lips moved from her forehead to her eyes, then to her nose, and from her nose to her cheeks.

“Stop it….”

Lia’s voice had weakened before she knew it. It was an underhanded tactic, but it wasn’t ineffective. Moreover, it was even more frustrating because she couldn’t hide that she felt good despite being embarrassed.

“I want to stay with you without interruptions from others. Don’t you feel the same, Lady Lia?”

Of course, she felt the same. She was just embarrassed because she wasn’t used to showing affection, not because she didn’t like it. But even so, it wasn’t a simple matter of just thinking, ‘Well then, let’s get married!’

“But I still want to keep working….”

“Of course, you’ll keep working. The palace is right behind this house, so commuting won’t be difficult.”

“I also need to ask my father’s opinion…!”

“Wouldn’t the Count welcome it with open arms?”

“We need to hear from your family too!”

“It’s fine. I’ve cut ties with my family.”

Perth systematically dismantled each of Lia’s reasons for refusal. With nothing left to say, Lia bit her lip.

“Just because there are no reasons against it doesn’t mean there are reasons for marriage!”

“I’m more curious why you’re so against marriage.”

“I’m not against it! I just think it’s a bit early. We haven’t been together as a couple for very long, have we?”

“Just because it hasn’t been long doesn’t mean my feelings are shallow. I genuinely love you, Lady Lia.”

Even though they were having a serious conversation, this man! Lia’s face honestly turned red. She didn’t know how to respond, so she kept her mouth shut. Seeing Lia’s face turn as red as if it were about to explode, Perth decided to stop teasing. He had no intention of forcing her into marriage against her will. He was merely expressing his opinion strongly.

“Don’t worry. I’ll give you time to think slowly.”

“What if I think it over slowly and decide I don’t want to get married…?”

Only then did Perth’s face show a small crack. It was as if he hadn’t considered the possibility of rejection when he suddenly gave her the choice.

“Do you dislike the idea of marrying me that much?”

“It’s not that I dislike it! I’m just confused.”

She couldn’t fully express her feelings. But it wasn’t that she didn’t want to marry him because she didn’t like him. She desperately clung to his collar.

“Then I need you to give me a favorable review.” 

“…Yes, as much as I can.”

That was the best answer Lia could give. Perth could smile even at that. He was confident that Lia would come back with a positive answer.

* * *

“Marriage?!”

“Shh. May, you’re too loud.”

In the end, Lia couldn’t ponder alone and sought May’s counsel. Even May, who always seemed to have everything figured out, was surprised by the subject of this consultation. Marriage! It was early from May’s perspective as well.

“Isn’t it too early?”

“No, I’m more surprised that he’s someone who can even utter the word marriage.”

After becoming Lia’s lover, Perth’s human qualities are reassessed more positively, but May’s fundamental view of her superior, Perth, is still negative. She often showed a purely surprised reaction that Perth had any emotions at all.

“That’s too harsh. Even he thinks about marriage.”

“That’s just like him. He’s thorough, even preparing a house. No escape routes.”

“Are there none?”

“Why are you trying to escape in the first place? Isn’t he a good marriage match? Are you looking for someone better?”

“It’s not that. I just don’t know if I should get married. It hasn’t been long since we became a couple, or since I became a full-time employee.”

May listened earnestly to Lia’s words. She was good at understanding even the feelings that Lia herself didn’t fully comprehend. Unknowingly, Lia found herself relying on her.

“Then let’s start with something simple.”

Lia quietly let May hold her cheeks. It was hard to lie when looking into each other’s eyes.

“Do you like Mr. Perth?”

“Yes.”

It was a question that required no hesitation. At her straightforward answer, May smiled broadly.

“Then, if not right now, would you want to marry him in the future?”

Lia lowered her eyes. But May tightened her grip to prevent her from looking away.

“No lying. Just say whatever comes to mind without overthinking it.”

“…I do want to.”

“Then what’s stopping you from doing it now?”

“I’m not sure, but I don’t think I’m ready yet.”

“Then how about saying that honestly?”

“But Mr. Perth asked me to bring back an answer, whether it’s a rejection or not….”

“It’s not a complete rejection. Just say you’d like to postpone it a bit.”

It was the perfect answer that fit Lia’s feelings. Instead of thanking her with words, Lia hugged May.

“Thank you, as always. I still can’t manage without you.”

“That’s nice to hear, but you can’t use that as a reason to avoid marriage. It would make my work harder.”

It wasn’t the answer Perth wanted, but it was the best Lia could do. Tomorrow, when she met him, she decided to convey her feelings honestly, just as she had with May. Marriage wasn’t just one person’s issue; it concerned both of them.

* * *

Although it was a daily routine, Lia was more nervous than usual. Since Perth had moved into the mansion right after taking her to the palace, he wouldn’t be able to wait for her outside the dining hall early in the morning anymore.

“Good morning.”

However, as soon as she came out of the dining hall, he closed the book he had been reading calmly. He even gave her a slight smile. She should have been used to it by now, but his smile still caused a stir around them.

“G-good morning, Mr. Perth.”

Lia couldn’t look directly into Perth’s eyes. Knowing how she felt, he didn’t force her. He simply followed her quietly, not pushing her to speak. Lia was nervous, struggling to figure out how to start the conversation. When her head was spinning with anxiety, she finally managed to speak.

“I like it.”

“Pardon?”

The abruptness of her words surprised both Lia and Perth. Even she was taken aback and couldn’t manage to clarify her statement right away. It took a moment for them to realize what she meant.

“Are you saying you’d like to marry me?”

“Yes, yes. I want to be with you, Mr. Perth.”

Lia nodded hastily. Perth, seemingly unable to believe it, looked serious. Then he stopped in his tracks and embraced her.

“Thank you. I promise you won’t regret it. I’ll do my best.”

“I’m not finished yet!”

Desperately, Lia tried to continue speaking, but Perth wouldn’t listen. He just held her tightly, overjoyed. So, Lia had to tap his arm a bit harder.

“Not right away!”

“What?”

She shouted, making Perth finally let go. His expression became serious again.

“Not right away. I’d like to take some time before we get married.”

“How long?”

Perth looked as if he were a child who had just had his candy taken away. He even seemed to have his ears droop, metaphorically speaking. It was an expression no one would have expected from him. But to Lia, he just looked endearing because he was her man.

“Well… five years…?”

Lia hadn’t thought precisely about the duration. But as soon as she said the number five, Perth’s face turned pale as if he had heard something dreadful.

“Then… three years?”

His expression still wasn’t good. Seeing this, Lia’s face also became sadder.

“Two years…?”

“….”

“One, one year?”

For Lia, this was quite a significant reduction. But even this answer didn’t seem to satisfy Perth.

“Alright.”

He smiled brightly as if all his previous expressions had been a lie.

“Honestly, I wanted to marry you right away, but if you want to wait, I can wait.”

His serious look suggested he was sincere. Perth looked at Lia with unwavering eyes. He slowly reached out and intertwined their fingers.

“In the meantime, will you visit my mansion often?”

“Yes, I’ll do my best to come as often as I can.”

“And please get engaged to me.”

Perth gave a gentle squeeze to Lia’s fourth finger. He wanted to leave some mark on her, in any way possible. Fortunately, Lia didn’t ask to postpone that.

“I’ll gladly accept.”