Chapter 66

## Chapter Guide

**"Regarding Marriage"** (婚 (こん) 姻 (いん) について, *Kon'in ni Tsuite*?) is the sixty-sixth chapter of the Shadows House manga series.

## Summary

Patrick confides in Ricky about his task from Kate which is to investigate the children and their Debut classes. The pair meet with their team leader, William, and his friend, Henry. They state that Barbara and Maryrose are from the same class and are the oldest in the building. John enters in a gloomy state, complaining that he was scolded by the Star Bearers for not properly apply for marriage with Kate. Patrick and Ricky head to the library to find a book on marriage and run into Sarah and Mia who shows interest in Ricky's confidence. They stop at the conservatory and receive a peony from Margaret and later meets with Louise and Kate where Patrick comes to the realization he is in love with Emilico despite their difference in position.

## Plot

Patrick consults Ricky about his Debut class reunion and request from Kate deciding to cooperate. They speak to their team leader William about relationships between classes who states that Barbara and Maryrose were in the same class and are the oldest in the Children's Building, followed by the First-Aid Team, Research Team, Douglas, and Sarah. John enters with a gloomy air, having been lectured by the Star Bearers for talking about his engagement with Kate despite not having applied for marriage, struggling to understand the documents and applications.

Patrick goes to the library to look up a book about marriage but the book is taken by Sarah. She explains that Shadows can only apply for engagement as a child, and proper marriage is another motive to become an adult. One should also pick out their partner carefully as if they get disposed, the surviving partner will become a target of ridicule. Sarah compliments Ricky as he gives off a confident air but is confused when Patrick asks if she took a liking to his Doll as well. She tells Patrick to not differentiate between himself and his Doll and leaves as Patrick comments that Living Dolls don't feel love for others.

In the conservatory, he meets Margaret who is in the same team as the Belle twins. She claims the twins have poor personalities and hopes their punishments at the Soot Pipes lasts a bit longer. Margaret then gives Patrick a peony she grew herself as he shows interest in gardening. Walking in the main building, Ricky muses on the topic of marriage, ruling out some possible candidates before implying the best partner is Louise as she has the best prospects in becoming an adult, having also finished first in the Debut. They run into Louise at the end of the hallway before Kate follows around the corner. Seeing Emilico, Patrick realizes he has feelings for the Doll as she made him aware that Living Dolls are their own beings and resolves that he will take these feelings with him to the grave.

## Characters

1. Ricky
2. Patrick
3. Billy (Non-Speaking Role)
4. William (Debut)
5. Hank (Non-Speaking Role)
6. Henry (Debut)
7. Barbie (Fantasy)
8. Barbara (Fantasy)
9. Maryrose (Fantasy)
10. Rosemary (Fantasy)
11. Gilbert (Mentioned)
12. Gil (Mentioned)
13. Lydia (Mentioned)
14. Liddy (Mentioned)
15. Jeremiah (Mentioned)
16. Jeremy (Mentioned)
17. Douglas (Mentioned)
18. Doug (Mentioned)
19. John
20. Shaun (Non-Speaking Role)
21. Ben (Non-Speaking Role)
22. Benjamin (Non-Speaking Role)
23. Susie (Non-Speaking Role)
24. Susanna (Non-Speaking Role)
25. Olly (Non-Speaking Role)
26. Oliver (Non-Speaking Role)
27. Mia (Non-Speaking Role)
28. Sarah
29. Maggie (Non-Speaking Role)
30. Margaret (Debut)
31. Lou (Non-Speaking Role)
32. Louise
33. Emilico (Non-Speaking Role)
34. Kate (Non-Speaking Role)