Chapter 560
After learning that Ainter had gone to the Barandi Marquisate, I found myself checking in daily with the marquis to see how Ainter was doing.
To be honest, I knew the marquis would likely manage things just fine on his own. From his perspective, Ainter is not only a potential son-in-law but also a VIP who absolutely shouldn’t get harmed in his territory.
Still, the Northern Region is my jurisdiction. I need to have some clue about what Ainter is up to to put my mind at ease.
“Monster spawn, you say?”
Then, without even realizing it, I faced a worst-case scenario.
Ainter casually went hunting with Shati and ended up encountering a dungeon monster—what terrible luck!
“Damn it.”
It felt like my vision turned completely white for a moment, but I quickly gathered myself.
Fortunately, Ainter emerged unscathed, and Shati had received quick treatment with no lasting effects. While their encounter with the monster was incredibly unlucky, at least it could be spun into a story of fortunate misfortune.
– I’m sorry, Count. I don’t even know what to say.
After a moment of silence, Baron Villar, on the other end of the line, bowed his head even lower.
Normally, I would have cut him off right away, but given the gravity of the situation, I could hardly find my voice. If I was this flustered, it was safe to say the marquis had it even worse.
“Everyone knows that the Northern Region has countless dungeons that have been neglected for ages. It’s unfortunate that one of them happened to be in the hunting grounds, but don’t be too hard on yourself—this wasn’t human error but sheer bad luck.”
With considerable effort, I forced myself to speak words of comfort to the marquis.
This incident was due to rotten luck, not human error. If the marquis and the other Northern lords had been slack about dungeon eradication, they could have been furious; however, as someone who understands the dedication of the Northern nobles to dungeon cleanup, I can’t blame them.
So yeah, this was just terrible luck. Really, really terrible luck.
– Thank you for saying that.
At my words, the marquis’s complexion lightened a bit. Still, the lingering heaviness in his demeanor revealed he was still quite troubled.
I understood. It’s one thing to be concerned about Ainter, an important guest, almost getting hurt, but think about it: what father would remain calm after his daughter nearly died? With three daughters of my own, I could empathize enough.
“Speaking of which, didn’t Marquis Idripen say he wouldn’t take this hunting incident too seriously?”
– Ah, yes. He mentioned that.
“Well then, I’ll make sure to report this to His Majesty the Emperor. I’ll frame it in such a way that it doesn’t reflect poorly on you, so please focus on looking after your likely shaken daughter.”
With my reassurance, the marquis nodded again.
No matter how much Ainter wants to keep this under wraps, the Empire’s information network is anything but lacking. One way or another, word will get to the emperor, so I may as well report it to help mitigate the fallout.
“Damn Dorgon.”
As soon as our communication ended, I let out a harsh sigh. Dorgon hadn’t been the one to create dungeons in the North, but thanks to his madness in turning the dungeon into a supply and barracks station, things like this happen.
Thus, I concluded that this incident was his fault. It was easier to think of it that way.
“Dead Dorgon sure knows how to stick it to the living.”
What a wretched little brat.
*
My injured left arm healed up nicely.
Still, I heard the advice to avoid strenuous movement for a while, so I had to just lie there, feeling dazed.
“I should’ve stopped you when you decided to go on that ugly hunt.”
My father’s incessant nagging poured in.
“Fortunately, Marquis Idripen brushed off this incident as a mere hunting accident, and Count Tailglehen is handling the cleanup himself. Otherwise, the whole territory could’ve suffered major damage.”
“I’m sorry…”
But his words, while completely accurate, made it impossible to ignore.
As my father pointed out, if Ainter got even a scratch thanks to my stubbornness, both my family and the entire territory would bear the weight of that consequence. If something even more disastrous occurred, like Ainter dying, I would live a life filled with endless regret.
“How could I find a way to support your marriage to the marquis now?”
My father’s next murmur made me jump. It sounded as if he was considering giving up on my union with the marquis.
“I’m sorry to Count Tailglehen, but if things like this keep happening, we might as well give up—”
“Wait, hold on!”
“If you have something to say, say it lying down.”
As soon as I jumped up, my father pressed me back down onto the bed.
“…Um, Dad. I promise this kind of thing won’t happen again.”
“I’d sooner wait for the sun to rise in the west than believe you.”
My father’s apathetic reaction made my hands tremble.
‘No way.’
I felt uneasy. I was scared my dad might soon waltz over to the marquis and blurt out something like, “my daughter is a foolish girl, so let’s reconsider the marriage.”
In my earlier state of mind, I would have welcomed my father’s reaction, but now wasn’t the time. I had just come to realize that the marquis was the ideal partner I wanted, and here I was, about to part ways before even apologizing for my past behavior?
Of course, given my actions, a breakup would be more than deserved…
‘But absolutely not!’
There’s no way! The heavens gifted me a person like the marquis, and if I let this opportunity slip through my fingers, there might never be a second chance. I was sure of it.
“I swear, I won’t act out anymore! I promise I won’t complain to the marquis, and I’m genuinely confident I can be nice to him!”
“That won’t last long. For now, you’re feeling guilty, but over time, you’ll likely go back to how you were.”
Looking at my father scratching the back of his neck as if he was already mentally checked out made me feel a bit hurt.
Despite how much I hated it, he never failed to push back when I didn’t want to. Now that I want to take a step forward, he wants to pull me back!
“It’d be better to end things when you’re sincerely sorry. That way, at least the last memory stays positive for both sides.”
“It’s not the end!”
I unintentionally shouted in response to that.
“I really… I really can do it…”
I spoke earnestly, but strangely felt a twinge of discomfort in my heart.
It wasn’t strange. I knew the reason all too well for my unease.
‘This is the only trick I have.’
With the way I’ve been acting, my father wouldn’t be able to trust my words. Even if I claimed I’d change now, he’d have trouble believing me. It’d be a relief if both my father and the marquis didn’t start to think I was acting strange.
After all, I had brought this on myself. I had treated someone precious to me like a mere stone.
But if I give up now, I know I’ll regret it. After how much I’ve already messed things up, I can’t let it happen again.
“I’m aware I was rude to the marquis. I also understand that he might have been disappointed in me.”
“Do you think knowing that means anything when you’ve behaved like this until now?”
“Therefore, I’ll take it all! Even if the marquis ignores me or pushes me away, I won’t step back! Just like how he waited for me!”
In a rush, I blurted out the end of that sentence.
Even though it was a quick wrap-up, I had said everything I wanted to say. Just like how the marquis endured my rudeness, now it’s my turn to be patient. If the marquis looks down on me, I’ll accept it without hesitation.
*
“People change only after facing a crisis.” It’s an age-old saying, and I personally couldn’t agree more.
Still, nearly dying to go through that transformation seems a bit much, but at least there was some change.
“I’m stubborn, but I’m not fickle.”
After leaving Shati’s room, I let out a sigh of relief. If Shati could speak that way, it seemed unlikely she would continue to be distant and cold toward the marquis.
Whether that was due to guilt or belated blossoming feelings, who knows? Regardless, it doesn’t matter. Even if it started as a political marriage, feelings would grow as they lived as a husband and wife. After all, if she could have a happy marriage with a good husband, it’s better than an arranged marriage without feelings anyway.
The only variable left is whether the marquis’s feelings have also changed…
“Oh, Father-in-law!”
As soon as I stepped out of Shati’s room, I was greeted by the marquis, which eased my worries.
“Is Lady Shati doing okay?”
“Having to lie still must be uncomfortable for someone so active, but aside from that, she’s doing well.”
“That’s a relief.”
The marquis smiled, and we began walking side by side.
Ever since returning from the hunting grounds, he’d been concerned about Shati’s condition. He refrained from visiting her out of concern that the sight of her would embarrass her even more.
A man like him would surely never give up on her. His earlier mention of giving up on the wedding was just a test.
“By the way, it moved me that the lady seems to have opened her heart to me. Indeed, hard work pays off,” he mused, likely having overheard some of our conversation outside the room.
His smiled response made me grin back, genuinely pleased.
In fact, I was touched. It really felt like my daughter’s wedding was finally approaching.
“As a celebration, if she fully recovers, I’d love to take her to the capital for a little outing together. Not sure if she’d accept, though…”
“Oh, Shati would absolutely love that!”
“Haha, with the praise from Father-in-law, I now feel brave enough to ask her about it soon.”
With all these unexpected good news, I couldn’t help but feel like my lips were stretching from ear to ear.
Thank you, Hayang.
Internally I expressed gratitude to the horse I had lent to the marquis.
Because of Hayang, the marquis could save Shati, and because of Hayang, Shati opened her heart to him. Not only did Hayang save my daughter’s life, but he also solved my worries.
In that case, I should only prepare the best meals for Hayang from now on.
If only Hayang wishes it, I’d be willing to serve her water melted from the eternal snow of the Northern Mountains.
After all, that horse is the benefactor of our family.
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