Chapter: 117
Actually, since I possessed this world five years ago, shouldn’t it be more appropriate to consider myself as six years old rather than 21? If that’s the case, then the eldest son isn’t me, but Erich. Thus, the marriage pressure should rightly fall on Erich, not me. That’s how the universe should work.
Of course, that’s absolute nonsense. If I ever mentioned that, I’d probably be carted off to the mental health facility in the corner of the temple.
“Are you talking about an engagement?”
“Yeah. You’ve turned twenty, haven’t you? If you delay any longer, people might just start making up ridiculous stories.”
That much is true. For nobles, leaving behind an heir is considered basic etiquette and the utmost duty; thus, not being engaged after the prime age is almost unheard of. Unless, of course, one has some visible incapacity to marry—then it might pass without notice, but that’s hardly common.
Unfortunately, even as someone rolling through duties in the inspection office, I don’t fit that rare exception. Noble engagements are practically sacred!
I’ve just reached my twenties, which keeps things quiet for now, but give it a few more years and people will start questioning my sexual preferences! shudders Just the thought of it is horrifying!
‘What am I going to do?’
This worry is a legitimate motherly concern. Even though I’m not her genuine son but more like a knockoff, we haven’t officially severed our mother-son bond, so it would be strange to brush aside her worries entirely.
But agreeing to an engagement right here? Now that’s just absurd! I turned down Marghetta’s proposal because I wasn’t prepared, and now I should accept another? It feels like a joke.
The problem is, rejecting it might be even more troublesome. Reject Marghetta not once, but twice? That’s just cruel! I’d rather bite my own tongue than face the Iron-Blooded Duke in a fit of rage!
And there’s the slim possibility that if I turn Marghetta down again, Mother might start hunting for another lady. groans What a mess!
‘Ah.’
I just remembered a perfect excuse! What a lifesaver!
“Maybe that’ll happen in a few more years.”
“Definitely. There are always those out there wishing to tarnish purity.”
Seeing that I was momentarily on board, Mother continued seamlessly. Honestly, the high praise for me was quite embarrassing!
“But forcing my situation on someone else wouldn’t be fair, right?”
Even my usually determined mother paused at those words.
It seems like Mother has taken a liking to Marghetta. I’m left wondering what transpired in such a short time to capture her heart, but insinuating that Marghetta has circumstances will undoubtedly give her pause.
Maybe that’s why Marghetta and I haven’t developed any relationship yet. In that case, Mother would be worrying over nothing. That’s the kind of thought swirling through her head.
Of course, that’s not true. I’m just pulling an excuse out of thin air!
“Isn’t Marghetta part of the Academy’s student council?”
Everyone knows Mother sees Marghetta as a perfect match for me, and that’s common knowledge among me, her, and the head maid. So, I decided to speak plainly.
“I heard she’s quite busy, but we could keep the engagement brief during the holidays. So, it shouldn’t clash with her student council duties, right?”
“The student council is the problem after graduation.”
I explained further. The Academy’s student council is typically where students who aspire to government roles gather. If Marghetta wishes to pursue such a career, being engaged or married to me would be a burden rather than a help.
“If her aim is to be a civil servant, avoiding marriage right after graduation is advisable. Marriage is no quick affair, and it takes time to adapt to the other family’s expectations afterward.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. And once she gets through all that, the junior members of the student council will have graduated. Competing against more candidates would be tricky, wouldn’t it?”
Mother, who hasn’t lived a life anywhere near that of the Academy’s student council or that of a civil servant, quietly hung her head, unable to refute my words. What could she say? Even she must realize that the person she’s talking to is the Executive Manager!
“If an expert says so, then it must be right,” I thought. No matter how much I get pushed around in administration, outside, I still hold a high-ranking position.
“Of course, engagement and marriage are different, but even an engagement could pressure Marghetta, who wants to be a civil servant. I might even cause her to abandon her dreams.”
“Now that would be a terrible thing.”
“Exactly! So, let’s wait a few years until Marghetta has firmly established herself as a civil servant.”
Mother nodded approvingly, and the head maid let out a small sigh, as if to say she was out of options.
‘Looks like this actually worked!’
In truth, I don’t even know whether people actually avoid marriage right after graduation and wait until they’ve settled into their roles. I’ve never had an ordinary civil servant life to know. This excuse came to me as I remembered a subordinate who once took leave for their wedding.
It’s a flimsy excuse that anyone well-acquainted with the field would see through, but Mother is clueless about it. Plus, I’m the Executive Manager. Who would question the Executive Manager’s word?
Anyway, this buys me a few years. How I’ll handle the pressure when it arrives? I’ll leave that to the future ‘me.’
‘It’s not like I’m just postponing the inevitable!’
This isn’t a real solution; I know that.
To truly tackle this, I’d have to bring up the matter regarding Hecate. But saying I don’t want to get married while blabbing about it feels terribly off.
They say sharing a burden lightens it, but why should completely uninvolved people suffer because of it? Does Mother, who’s just worried about finding a match for her eldest son, deserve that pain?
Not to mention, I couldn’t handle the sympathetic gazes I’d get. The more I’d receive those looks, the harder it would be to shake them off. The Minister or the Invincible Duke are already enough for that!
“Who knows, maybe Erich will marry before I do.”
“Even so, the eldest should marry first.”
Seeing Mother reacting so firmly to my attempt to change the subject couldn’t help but bring a half-hearted smile to my face. Well, who knows when that eldest son will finally collect himself!
At least the Patriarch isn’t pressing for marriage negotiations. Mother could be persuaded, but what about if the Patriarch intends to move ahead with arrangements?
For a second, I imagined the Patriarch, with his expressionless face, repeatedly asking, “So, when is the marriage?” Ugh! No way to answer that one!
From that day onward, Mother stopped bringing up the topic of marriage.
Of course, she didn’t stop inviting Marghetta to the tea parties to get her in the spotlight. The verbal pressure was the only thing that had eased.
And the way Mother looked at Marghetta grew more wistful, like a child who, told to wait, was staring at delectable fruit just an arm’s reach away.
“Mother? Is there something you’d like to say?”
“No, it’s nothing.”
It seemed that Mother’s affection for Marghetta had grown, perhaps in some sympathetic way. She even started dropping the formalities when speaking to Marghetta!
Naturally, Marghetta was thrilled. Finding happiness in little things? Now that sounds like someone truly living a happy life!
“Excuse me for a moment.”
Feeling a vibration in my pocket, I discreetly stood up. I had asked the Senior Manager to look into Count Horfeld’s situation—perhaps the investigation was complete?
Of course, I merely sent orders through the communication crystal since I couldn’t make an immediate return. The results would likely be brief, so I would have to see the detailed reports in person.
Anyway, I excused myself from Mother and Marghetta and headed to a secluded corner of the garden.
*
With a faint vibration, Carl stood up from his seat. It was probably something work-related. The Executive Manager rarely gets a day off!
I can’t help but feel bad for him every time. I do hope that one day, Carl can step down and live comfortably! I’d love for him to come and enjoy peaceful days within the territory of Tailglehen alongside me.
‘Someday…’
Someday, that will come. Yes, I’m sure of it.
“Being a civil servant isn’t easy, is it?”
“Yes. It seems that way.”
I nodded in agreement with Mother’s remark. From her perspective, it must be painful to watch Carl living in the capital instead of their homeland.
After watching Carl’s retreating figure for a moment, Mother turned to me, smiling softly.
“Choosing that path is quite remarkable.”
I blinked in surprise at her unusual words. Not responding would have been rude, but Mother simply nodded gently as if to assure me it was alright.
“I heard from Carl that you’ve set your sights on becoming a civil servant.”
“Ah, um… yes.”
The student council usually gathers students aspiring to government positions, so that part is accurate. I even considered the inspection office before Carl came to the Academy!
Of course, none of that matters now since Carl has arrived.
“They say that once you enter the government service, marrying becomes difficult for several years—but you know, I’ll support you since that is the path you’ve chosen.”
“What?”
Pardon?
My mind went blank from the incomprehensible words slipping out of Mother’s mouth. Entering the bureaucracy complicates marriage? For years? Seriously?
I didn’t know! If I had, I wouldn’t have considered that route at all. Why would I choose something that restricts my time with Carl?
‘Oh no…!’
Mother said she’d support me. In her heart, I’ve already become a prospective daughter-in-law destined to work as a civil servant for years post-graduation.
No, this isn’t right at all! I have no plans to wait years to marry! I’ll do it right after graduation, or heck, even today if Carl is on board!
“Choosing that path as a noble lady isn’t an easy choice, but nonetheless, you made the decision for the Empire. I suppose even Billy would admire you for it.”
But I couldn’t bring myself to respond after seeing Mother carrying on with a warm smile. In this situation, saying “That’s not it!” would probably leave her visage icy!
She seemed pleased with the notion of me becoming a civil servant and serving the Empire. What would happen if that happiness suddenly crumbled? That current satisfaction could easily twist into feelings of betrayal.
‘This can’t be happening…’
Why did I push this? Why did I make that choice last year?
My site has received a lot of DMCA notices, lol. From now on, I will update the MTL on https://darkmtl.com/.
The site is fast and lightweight because there are no ads yet. However, the theme is different from Cybor-TL, so take some time to familiarize yourself.
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.