※ Note before reading the butler story
This story contains spoilers for the "Black Rose Wedding" event story.
We recommend reading up to event story chapter 13 before reading this.
If you wish to avoid spoilers, please return using the button in the upper left corner.
The wedding, which we had prepared together with the butlers, concluded without incident.
At the request of the bride, Lady Melissa...
The cleanup will apparently take a little longer.
"Until then, the demon butler may stay at this mansion."
"...No, I would like you to stay." At the client's earnest request, we ended up spending several more days at the mansion.
Incidentally, the very shy Lord Seldore...
Even now, after the wedding, he still hasn't been able to express his feelings to Lady Melissa.
Therefore, even after the ceremony...
He seemed to be seeking love advice from the butlers staying at the mansion.
I spotted Teddy muttering something with a troubled expression.
What other advice should I give...?
You: Teddy, what's wrong?
I'm sorry I didn't notice you sooner. I was just...
I was engrossed in my thoughts.
You: Could it be about Lord Seldore?
Teddy: ...Yes, that's right.
I understand how Lord Seldore feels about wanting to express his feelings to someone important to him.
I try to offer advice as much as I can, but...
I've never actually proposed myself, and...
I can't really give him anything clear.
It appears that because he has no experience proposing, he lacks confidence as an advisor…
If it's causing him so much worry...
Why not just actually propose... and gain some confidence?
I suggested we try a "mock marriage proposal."
The plan is to propose to you, Master, and gain confidence, right?
Teddy: That's... It's like using you as a practice dummy for a marriage proposal.
You: It's just a "mock-up," after all.
Teddy: Well, even if you say that...
...But maybe I should think of it as something like a "mock battle"...?
Teddy looked down and thought for a while
Eventually, he looked up as if he had made up his mind.
As you said, Master...I'll try a mock proposal.
I don't want to disregard your kindness, Master.
I... I'll propose to you with all my might, Master.
So... Please look forward to it, my lord.
It's not like I'm proposing marriage...
It's not meant in that way, though...
It's just to show how important you are to me, my lord….
I'll tell you straight away!
Teddy's eyes, as he gazed at me...
They were somehow strong and reassuring.
And so, in a way that resembled a marriage proposal, Teddy...
expressed his feelings to me.
We had come out to town for a visit.
Teddy: Master. Thank you for keeping me company.
You: I'm happy we could go out together.
Teddy: Is that so...? I'm relieved to hear you say that.
The proposal itself isn't today...
I'm planning to do it tomorrow in the "Vow Room"...
But before that... I really wanted to go out with you, Master.
I think the events right before a proposal leave a strong impression...
I wanted to create some wonderful memories with you today.
From what I've heard, Teddy wants to spend time with me...
as if we were "a couple about to get married."
The fact that he's even planning his actions for the day before...
He must have a very solid plan regarding the proposal.
You: That's a well-thought-out proposal.
Teddy: "Well-thought-out," you say...?
Hearing that, it sounds like some kind of strategy.
But, to the point where it could be called a "strategy"...
It's true that I have a clear direction.
As for how I'm going to express my feelings tomorrow...
I've pretty much decided.
Teddy: Yes, but...The details are still a secret.
What I'm going to talk about...
Please look forward to it until tomorrow!
Well then, shall we move on now?
No... (Name), please take my hand.
I want you to enjoy today...
I will escort you carefully.
Let's make lots of memories...
Let's make today a special day.
You: Yes, it's a pleasure.
I placed my hand on the outstretched hand...
...The sunlight was gentle, and the sky was blue.
It looked like it would be a wonderful day.
As we were sightseeing in the town...
Eventually, we arrived at a large rose garden.
Many roses were in bloom, undeterred by the sunlight...
The grove of black rose bushes was particularly magnificent.
Teddy: Heh heh. It's overwhelming when there are so many in bloom.
It's not just beautiful... I feel a kind of awe.
There are also many buds, and they're blooming very vigorously, aren't they?
The language of black roses is "eternity," "you are mine"...
And apparently, it also means "love that will never perish"...
Seeing them like this, blooming so vigorously for so long...
It seems to fit the image of "eternity" perfectly.
Well, the meaning of black roses is...
It seems to convey a sense of possessiveness*, and the idea that it "fits the flower's meaning".
(*note: I consulted two different translation apps, one translated the meaning of the flower as "possessiveness" but the other translated it as "strong attachment." Even though they have more or less the same meaning, I left the "possessiveness" because, you know, it's more fun😆)
Is….It might not be a compliment, though.
You: "Eternal" possessiveness, huh...
It certainly might sound bad...
If we include other meanings besides "eternity"... we could interpret it differently.
You: Does it also mean deep love?
You: Perhaps the deeper is the possessiveness, the more is the love.
That's a positive and wonderful way of looking at it!
Um, well then... I have a question for you...
What do you think of people with a strong possessiveness, (Name)…?
Having a strong possessiveness means...
It also means being so dedicated and able to continue facing one thing.
If that possessiveness is linked to a person's seriousness and diligence...
It can leave a good impression.
You: …this is what I think.
Teddy: Oh, I see. Then...
From (Name)’s perspective...
Am I a very possessive person...?
You: I think so, in a good way.
Teddy has a strong desire for self-improvement...
He's always working hard towards his goals.
In a good way, you could say he's a person with strong possessiveness.
I'll have more confidence in my own possessiveness!
He tightens his grip on my hand, which is still clasped.
His smile was bright and refreshing, but...
The hand she held tightly showed no sign of letting go.
Finally, the day of the proposal arrived...
We arrived at the "Vow Room."
Teddy:: *Sigh* Even though I've grown accustomed to this place... Coming here formally like this...
I feel kind of nervous. But...
I'm sure (Name) is even more nervous than I am.
But... I would be so happy if you would stay with me until the end.
So then... To accurately convey my feelings...
First, let me tell you a story from the past.
And began to speak in a calm tone.
Teddy: As (Name) already knows...
I once had a twin brother.
It was before we were big enough to grow up, so that's part of it...
We really looked alike back then...
Our personalities were completely different.
Unlike me, who was twisted and rebellious...
My brother was cheerful and kind...
He was popular with everyone...
Meanwhile, I was hated even by my parents.
One day, after my brother died protecting me from an angel...
To survive, I started living as my brother.
The impersonation worked really well...
My parents and acquaintances believed without a doubt that I was my brother...
They started treating me kindly.
That's when I realized something.
Even though my brother and I looked so alike...
If the treatment is so different...
A person's true nature is...
Not their appearance, but what's inside.
Teddy smiled reassuringly at me...
He continued speaking with a serious look in his eyes.
The essence of a person lies in their inner self, but that inner self is very ambiguous.
No one can truly understand someone else's true self...
And you can't even know the true feelings of the person next to you.
I can say this with confidence.
(Name) is a very warm-hearted... wonderful person.
Someone who can rejoice and grieve with others...
Someone who can help each other... a kind person.
Because (Name) is like that...
I want to continue being with you.
You: You say that much about me?
Perhaps (Name) themself...
They might think they are not that kind of person...
(Name) is a truly wonderful person.
Looking straight at me...
Teddy continued speaking, his eyes shining as if something wonderful was before him.
Teddy: And that's precisely why...
My feelings are already made up.
People and circumstances change with time, but...
I want to be the one to support (Name) the closest...
I want to be that person.
As long as they are alive...
If they experience both joy and sorrow...
I want to share those feelings...
I sincerely wish for that.
Will you give me the right to be by your side forever...?
Give me something that will never change.
In Teddy's eyes, as he gazed intently at me...
Both resolve and anxiety were evident.
The words he spoke came from his heart.
I, too, replied with honest words.
You: Let's stay together forever, unchanged.
You'll accept my feelings, won't you?
"Let's stay together forever, unchanged," huh...
...May I thank you for those words now?
I need to prepare something... so please close your eyes until I say it's okay.
I closed my eyes as he told me to.
All I could hear was Teddy's footsteps moving away and
footsteps approaching me.
Teddy: ...Sorry to keep you waiting!
(Name), please open your eyes.
Teddy was kneeling and took one of my hands.
It looks like the surprise was a success!
Hehe, I'm so happy. I can finally say these words to you.
Teddy: ...Yes. There's something I've decided to tell you
Thank you for giving me the right to be by your side forever.
Something that will never change... Thank you.
I've always... I wanted "eternity."
Teddy looked up at me, looking very happy,
and his smile was very bright and gentle.
But our clasped hands were tightly gripping...
I could definitely feel his determination not to let go.
As I took the bouquet and stood up...
I think I might have put a little too much effort into this mock proposal...
I'm glad I could give it to you like this.
(Name), you look so lovely holding the bouquet in both hands...
Just seeing this scene made it worthwhile.
You: Thank you for the beautiful bouquet.
I was happy that you accepted it.
The language of black roses is...
"Eternity" and "Love that will never perish"...
It's a word that somehow conveys a sense of possessiveness...
It's perfect for a gift from me, isn't it?
Please continue to be kind to me, even though I'm like this.
To me, holding a jet-black rose...
Teddy smiles brightly at me.
Teddy's bright, gentle smile, and the black rose...
To me, both seemed beautiful.
I happened to step out into the garden...
There I saw Teddy hanging out the laundry.
On this bright, sunny morning, surrounded by white sheets, he looked somehow refreshing.
You: Good morning, sorry for interrupting your work.
I'm actually lucky to be able to talk to you, Master.
Besides, I've gotten used to hanging out the laundry in this mansion...
We do our own laundry to some extent.
However, on windy days like today...
It's a bit difficult to hang them out to dry.
As we were having that conversation...
A strong gust of wind blew, and the clothesline swayed violently.
Teddy instinctively knelt down on one knee...
And caught the towel that was slipping.
Teddy: Phew, that was close...
You: That's some impressive reflexes.
Teddy: Hehe... Thank you!
I extended my hand to Teddy, who was still kneeling.
As he hesitantly took my hand...
Suddenly, the image of him from yesterday came back to me.
After yesterday's proposal...
This is him when he gave me the bouquet.
You: I was thinking about yesterday.
Teddy: Yesterday, you say...
You mean when I gave you the bouquet!
I'm glad it made an impression on you.
It's filled with all my feelings.
He took my hand and stood up.
If I was going to express my feelings in a way like a proposal...
Maybe I should have done the ring box trick too.
You: The bouquet you gave me yesterday made me very happy.
But when I express my feelings again someday...
I'd like to give you a ring next time.
Teddy: Yes! Proposing isn't something you can do many times...
But expressing your feelings like a proposal...
The reason I told you how I feel this time was...
It was because of a consultation with Seldor...
But from now on, I'm thinking of creating more opportunities myself. Like yesterday.
So, if you don't mind, Master...
I'd be happy if you could give me another chance like yesterday.
Yesterday, my master gave me...
"the right to always be by your side."
And again and again... Please let me repay that!
My gratitude for the happiness of being by my master's side is…
It's simply not enough to express my thanks in just one go.
Even as he spoke, Teddy...
He never let go of my hand, which he had grasped when I stood up. His clasped hand, his voice, his smile...
Everything about it was so warm, and I felt certain that no matter what happened in the future...
He would always be by my side.
I'm not a Teddy fan but this card was so cute🥺
English is not my first language so I apologize for any mistakes
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