The Duke's Son Claims He Won't Love Me Yet Showers Me with Adoration (「きみを愛する気はない」と言った次期公爵様がなぜか溺愛してきます)

Pardon me.

I'm terribly sorry to be introducing myself at a time like this.

My name is Julius Royus.

I know it's very sudden, but I, Elsa Eukarainen,

and Lord Julius, whom I've only just met,

will be married today.

The Duke's Son Claims He Won't Love Me, But Showers Me with Adoration

Episode

"A Marriage Just for Show"

What a beautiful carrot!

It's Lady Elsa!

Hello, everyone!

I'll leave the vegetables here.

Lady Elsa, thank you for always helping us.

Please think nothing of it, Matron.

After all, I harvested a lot of carrots today.

What? Carrots again?

Stop it! How could you say such a thing?

For vegetables you don't like,

if you chop them up and add them to soup, you won't notice them!

You can't fool me!

Hello!

Oh, it's Mister Alan!

Oh, please come in.

Lady Elsa, the work clothes you gave us the other day were very well received.

Oh! I'm so glad to hear that!

Lady Elsa, does he mean the work clothes you make out of old garments?

Yes.

We'd love to ask you for more, but...

Of course! Please don't hesitate to ask.

Thank you.

We baked this bread this morning. Please have some, if you'd like.

Oh, thank you so much!

What? I'm jealous!

Mister Alan's bread!

I've brought enough for all of you, too!

When I've harvested more vegetables, I'll come visit again!

Lady Elsa! See you later! Bye-bye!

Come back soon!

She really has no hidden side to her. She's just a kind, wonderful person.

Yes, and if the times had not changed...

she would have been the princess of a prestigious kingdom,

and yet, she's such a friendly person.

Say, Mother...

can't we stop making the soup potage style?

Every time I take a spoonful, I'm disappointed.

Oh, silly Hannes. You shouldn't speak so frankly.

She's right.

And this soup is a Eukarainen family signature dish!

I mince vegetable scraps as small as possible and simmer them with care.

I'm aware.

Is this bread from Alan's place?

Yes!

Today, when Elsa went out to make a delivery, he gave some to her.

It's as delicious as always, isn't it?

What's wrong, Elsa?

It's nothing.

I was just thinking that since we have this,

it would be nice to have some meat, too.

But...

the trap didn't work at all.

There will be days like that. Don't you think, dear?

Though, this is five days in a row now.

The rabbits that live on our lands certainly are intelligent, aren't they?

It's snowing.

It's going to get cold tonight.

That draft...

It isn't much warmer inside than it is outside.

It doesn't seem as though we'll be able to make repairs to the house.

I'm worried about being able to buy enough firewood to get through the winter.

And I want to allow Hannes to study more, too.

The marriage proposal I received...

I was told that he's about the same age as my father, but...

I'm already nineteen years old.

The time may have come for me to resolve myself to accept a marriage proposal.

And he said that he'd support my family, too.

In any case, if it's a place where I'll be able to eat, then...

I've just returned!

Father, Mother, the marriage proposal for me that we'd set aside...

Elsa, we have something important to discuss with you.

The eldest son of the ducal family of Royas, Julius Royas,

has sent an offer of marriage.

An offer from the Royas family?

Sister, when did you and he become acquainted?

What? He and I aren't acquaintances at all.

To be perfectly honest, this is the first time I've even heard his name.

Are you serious, Sister?

He's Julius Royas!

He's a personal aide to the crown prince of our Ralt Kingdom, Prince Aleksis,

and he serves as aide to the chancellor.

Prince Aleksis? Aide?

Um...

It's no surprise that you don't know him, Elsa.

We don't have sufficient means to appear in society, after all.

And?

What are the conditions for the marriage?

There doesn't seem to be anything in particular.

Impossible.

Even within the Ralt Kingdom, this is the boonies!

There isn't a single thing worthy of sightseeing!

The soil is poor, the food is all just grains,

and on top of that, there are many natural disasters!

So that's what you think of our home...

Hannes, you're being much too frank.

Offering a marriage to a fallen noble house full of liabilities like us...

It's obvious that he must be plotting something!

Far from plotting anything,

he's offering help to reinforce the safety of our territory

and to repair the buildings.

What?

When his subordinates came to inspect us, he said they were surprised.

No, he's treating us far too well! There has to be something else!

Father, Mother, Hannes...

I will marry him.

Wait, Elsa. Will you be all right emotionally?

We want you to find happiness with someone you love.

Suddenly marrying someone you've never even met is just...

And it seems so suspicious!

Father, Mother, you said yours was an arranged marriage, yes?

He's willing to treat us so well. I'm certain he must be a kind person!

Elsa...

Besides, if Father, Mother, and Hannes can live happy lives...

then no matter what sort of person he may be, I'm certain I can endure it.

I will officially accept Lord Julius's offer of marriage.

I answered so quickly...

but I never imagined my wedding day would come without meeting him even once.

Being the chancellor's aide must be very hard work.

Lady Elsa, Lord Julius has arrived.

Come in.

Pardon the intrusion.

My work prevented me from making arrangements.

I'm terribly sorry to be introducing myself at a time like this.

It can't be.

My name is Julius Royas.

Thank you for accepting my proposal of marriage.

This radiant individual is...

N-Not at all!

People from the city are dazzling!

It's a pleasure to meet you, Lord Julius.

My name is Elsa Eukarainen.

Preparations for the ceremony are complete.

We ask that both of you please make your way there.

O-Of course!

Elsa.

Shall we?

Yes.

My groom, Lord Julius, is such a wonderful person,

and this lavish party with food on top of that...

Perhaps I truly am being tricked in some way.

Elsa.