Chapter 245
I just sat there blankly on the bed. Ever since hearing Billy’s words, I felt like I didn’t even have the strength to move.
It turns out Carl is engaged. Not just to anyone, but to Princess Marghetta, who is now officially our future daughter-in-law.
Despite the unexpected variable of the Duke Marcilio, he’s heading down the path of getting a first wife. After more than twenty years of being alone, he finally found a partner. They deserve all the congratulations in the world. They are worthy of every bit of praise.
‘But not me.’
However, there’s no place for me among those congratulating them. Even if everyone celebrates, I don’t have the right to join in.
Of course. What kind of right do I have to—
‘No.’
I shook my head violently at the flood of dark thoughts that rushed in.
Carl probably had his reasons for not contacting me. Billy also noted it was a sudden engagement—and it just happened. He wouldn’t have had the time to reach out.
Yeah, Carl is a busy kid. He just hasn’t had a chance to say anything yet.
– Sorry for the abruptness, but what would make for a nice gift for the lady?
Recalling my earlier conversation with Carl, a smile crept onto my face.
I believe in him. Even though I’ve done unforgivable things to that kid, even if he hates me, we’re still slowly getting closer.
That child, who is so much more mature than I am, is reaching out to me, a mother like me.
‘Let’s not stress over it.’
Like Billy said, whether I try to hide it or not, the news would spread. If I wanted to keep it under wraps, we would’ve handled the engagement differently.
So let’s not worry. Let’s trust him. If I can’t even trust him, how can I call myself a mother?
– Mother.
And soon after, that trust brought with it a hint of happiness.
‘So he was just really busy, huh?’
Seeing Carl’s flustered face almost made me laugh. I shouldn’t, but his bewildered expression was just so surprising and heartwarming.
This kid, who rarely showed emotions since childhood, was trying to urgently inform me about his engagement.
In some ways, it’s a picture of an ordinary family. Kids showing emotions to their parents and sharing engagement news is totally normal, right?
‘But that wasn’t our case.’
More than twenty years living unaware of that normalcy.
Yet, that which is ordinary finally flew my way on the wings of a miracle.
“Yeah, Carl. What’s up?”
That’s why I could smile. We still have a long way to go, but at least we are walking together.
*
I felt a nagging unease like I had missed something. Fortunately, it didn’t take long for that something to surface.
“After the New Year’s Ball, we’ll also visit Tailglehen. I want to greet my in-laws again.”
Marghetta said this, a slight blush on her cheeks. I nodded while patting her head.
“Of course. It’s about time we let them know their son has finally gotten engaged…”
As I spoke, I suddenly sensed a strange vibe.
The firstborn, the successor to the family name. An engagement of such a successor. An aristocrat’s marriage, which is a continuation of politics. Well, for anyone, revealing marriage news to family is standard protocol. Engagement is part of that promise.
But wait, have I told my family about the engagement?
‘Well, darn it.’
I hadn’t. Not to the patriarch, not to my mother, not even to Erich.
To be honest, it’s a given that I would marry Marghetta, but keeping quiet about the engagement after it’s done seems like a whole different ballpark.
“Carl?”
And seeing me freeze like a statue while patting her head, Marghetta tilted her head in confusion, as did Louise and Irina.
“Mar?”
“Yes, what is it?”
“If my child doesn’t mention their engagement, how do you think the parents would feel?”
At that, Marghetta froze as well, her eyes wide in disbelief.
“…You haven’t said anything yet?”
“…No.”
“Not once during our stay in Ulken?”
“…Nope.”
My gaze slowly dropped.
The engagement was officially finalized today, but didn’t we go to Ulken precisely for that? There was more than enough time to inform them.
But I didn’t. The reason is simple—I just forgot.
“I was overwhelmed during my time in Ulken…”
“You know that’s just an excuse, right?”
Marghetta’s stern words left me with no way to respond. Even I knew it was a cowardly excuse.
Embarrassment kept my gaze plastered to the floor. Marghetta’s naturally warm and gentle eyes felt sharp right now.
The Barenti family values family highly. To Marghetta, being a son who doesn’t share such news would be a cultural shock.
“Do it now. We can’t put off things like this.”
That made total sense, so I quickly pulled out the communication orb. If I put this off, I might end up branded as the world’s most disgraceful son in history.
No, this goes beyond disgrace. I’d be the “Disgraceful Great Son” Carl Krasius. My chest tightened at the thought.
Receiving the scrutinizing gazes of three women, I contacted my mother. I should ideally tell the patriarch, but as a civil servant, she was surely aware of the year-end work grind. No one wants to deal with that at year-end.
So my mother was the only one left to contact.
– Yes, Carl. What’s the matter?
Seeing my mother smiling gently made my internal triangle spin wildly.
I’m crying… the “Disgraceful Great Son” is crying…
“Well, Mother, that is—”
But despite the triangle spinning, my mouth just wouldn’t budge.
How many sons out there can confidently say, ‘I just got engaged today, but I totally forgot to tell you’?
– I heard. You are engaged to Princess Marghetta, right?
“…Yes.”
If I heard my engagement news from a third party before I could say it myself, I’d dig a hole and hide.
– That’s wonderful news. Finally, the future of the Krasius family looks bright.
Still, my mother didn’t chide me at all. Honestly, I was prepared for her to scold me for making the family look foolish, yet she just opened her mouth with a smile.
In fact, it hurt my heart even more to see that. I’d rather she be angry; I could accept that.
Perhaps recognizing my feelings, my mother said in a calm tone.
– Don’t hold it in too much. It must’ve been a sudden engagement for you, too. Erich even just thought you were going to the capital.
Her warm words nearly made me nod without thinking, but I held back, keenly aware of Marghetta’s gaze.
If I let this slide, it seemed Marghetta would scold me on her mother’s behalf.
“No, it’s my fault. I should have at least told you immediately after the engagement ended. I’m truly sorry. I’ll make sure this doesn’t happen again.”
At my words, my mother chuckled softly.
– Okay. Make sure to tell me before the wedding.
“…Yes.”
My reply was delayed for a moment. They were talking about the wedding, not just the engagement banquet.
Of course, I couldn’t voice that at this moment. I have my wits about me.
– Will you be able to come to the territory when the time comes?
“Of course. I was just discussing that with Mar.”
– It’s nice to see the daughter-in-law already thinking of her mother-in-law.
That comment felt oddly pointed, and I awkwardly laughed.
Quietly putting away the communication orb, I turned my gaze back to Marghetta. She was nodding solemnly.
“Well done.”
It felt like a judge had just issued a not guilty verdict, making me chuckle softly.
“Still, as Carl mentioned, let’s make sure things like this don’t occur again. Got it?”
“Of course. You don’t have to worry.”
I exaggerated my assurance, but Marghetta’s expression still remained complex.
I suppose she thinks that since I’ve made a mistake once, I could make the same mistake again. She’s not wrong, and it stings a bit.
“Even you make mistakes sometimes, Oppa.”
“I’m human too.”
Thanks to Louise’s interruption, the ache in my chest faded quickly. If I had to endure sharp gazes in silence, I wouldn’t have been able to handle it, so I’m grateful.
“Hehe, I always thought Oppa was amazing from the beginning!”
Such naive words made me burst out in laughter again. There’s no way those words would have been spoken if she had seen my early bureaucratic days.
The kind of bizarre trail I blazed as a fledgling official, just starting out. Considering it now, I wonder how I managed to survive till today.
“Who starts off being amazing? We all grow through experiences.”
Exactly. We grow through those experiences. This incident was my first time with both family and engagement. But now I’ve been engaged. I’ve even informed my family.
So, with Marcilio, Louise, Irina, the head of the first division, when the time comes for an engagement, I must do it right. If I repeat the same mistake twice, it’s not a mistake but a clear lack of wit.
‘Am I just lacking in perception, or wisdom?’
While this past mistake was a temporary lapse in wit, there won’t be a repeat of it. I’m going to become the Engagement Specialist—Carl Krasius.
As I resolved this in my mind, the mansion slowly came into view.
“Everyone head inside first. I’ve told the butler I’m coming, so he will guide you.”
Now that they know to find their way, I stepped back a bit.
“…You’re not going to kneel again, right?”
Marghetta asked nervously, her voice shaky.
Indeed, this pattern had occurred in Marcilio as well. I told everyone to go in first, and then boom! Right on their knees. It would be pure PTSD for Marghetta at this rate.
“Would such a thing happen in my mansion?”
But that concern is unwarranted. That’s the castle of the Iron-Blood Duke, not my territory. Who kneels in front of their own home?
“I have a place I need to stop by for a moment. It’s not far, so I’ll be back quickly.”
“Really quick, right?”
“Of course. If it looks like I’ll be late, I’ll let you know.”
Finally reassured, Marghetta’s tensed body relaxed. She probably thinks my confident words imply everything’s fine.
Unfortunately, it’s not just fine. While I won’t end up kneeling or prostrating, it’s not something typical either.
– Well, rings are pretty much the same no matter where you buy them. The shops in the capital have almost reached a level of standardization.
“Still, there will be some rankings, right?”
– That is true…
I remembered asking the division head about suitable jewelers.
– Luckily, it’s near the manager’s mansion. Is it fate?
I have four rings to accept the confession and give as gifts.
– If you walk down Akala Street, you’ll find a three-story building. That’s a store that occupies the entire place.
Now I have to buy those.
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