Chapter 112
When I received Mother’s letter while I was in the capital, I had an intuitive sense of a hazy future. I thought she would pressure me about the marriage issue so much that I wouldn’t even catch my breath. If she called her son over, who had been single for over twenty years, to her sitting room, didn’t that mean she was ready to grill me? I’m sure anyone would think that way.
However, after arriving in the territory and several days passing by, Mother hadn’t brought up the subject of marriage even once. We shared three meals together and even had afternoon tea in the garden, yet not a single time did she mention it.
That’s why I couldn’t rest properly during the preparations for the club fair.
It breaks my heart to see a student like you work so hard.
But thankfully, we had Sir Carl. Each person is crucial, and he just happened to be from the Ministry of Finance.
Instead, she just didn’t address the topic directly. After all, Marghetta, who was sitting beside me, was practically a living pressure card.
Ever since Marghetta greeted Mother in the garden, Mother welcomed her with open arms. Every time we had tea in the garden, Marghetta was always invited, and there were even moments when they met alone without me!
With such behavior, it’s hard to pretend not to notice. You wouldn’t survive in civil service without picking up on these things.
“It seems that Carl gets along well with the young lady.”
After sipping her tea, Mother’s gaze briefly flicked towards me before returning to Marghetta. I’m pretty sure the head maid behind her was smirking while hiding her smile behind her hand.
Isn’t this just a subtle way of pressuring me about marriage while avoiding direct words? Should I be relieved that she hasn’t shoved some stranger in my face asking, “What about this lady?”
“Fufu, I think the same way.”
Marghetta’s face lit up in a smile, as if she found this situation amusing.
‘So this is how things turned out.’
I fully understood that Marghetta held feelings for me. If anything, those feelings had grown since last year.
Yet, I never expected her to approach Mother so actively. When she first said she wanted to greet Mother, I thought it was just for introductions, but this was clearly more than simple pleasantries.
As I was fidgeting with my teacup, the three of them conveniently focused their gazes on me.
‘Ah.’
Caught up in other thoughts for a moment, I failed to respond. Staying silent when someone says, “You seem to get along well,” essentially means I disagree!
Did Marghetta interpret it like that too? Her previously cheerful expression slowly darkened.
“I feel the same way. Where else would I find someone like Mar?”
Her mood brightened again at my words.
“I see.”
Mother nodded lightly, seemingly satisfied.
“The Count and Countess also had a three-year age difference.”
“Head maid! Why are you bringing up our story while we’re talking about the kids?”
“I apologize, madam.”
The head maid, who had been wearing a content expression, spoke up. Mother tried to stop her, but her face didn’t look truly angry, and the head maid’s expression remained calm.
Had she just been waiting for the right moment to bring that topic up?
‘I have no one on my side.’
Mother, who kept glancing at me as she spoke; the head maid, who occasionally chimed in; and Marghetta, who simply looked happy.
Except for the maids standing by, all of them were putting pressure on me. I didn’t dislike it, but it didn’t feel comfortable. For Marghetta, this situation must be like torturous hope.
Inadvertently, I glanced at Marghetta and saw her face flushed red. It seemed the mention of Mother and the patriarch’s three-year age difference triggered a flood of thoughts in her. Clearly, she didn’t feel at ease either.
‘I feel sorry every time I see her.’
It’s hard to pretend I don’t notice her evident feelings. Even if I feign ignorance, her feelings don’t diminish; they only grow stronger. If I remain unresponsive, it’s like I have no heart at all!
She’s too generous, and I am genuinely thankful. That’s likely why I couldn’t meet her gaze directly; her affection was too heavy for me to accept lightly.
Seeing Marghetta while still carrying past burdens, I couldn’t tell if I was looking at her or if I was seeing Hecate through her. I can’t even be sure myself.
‘How long will this continue?’
I can’t forget Hecate, but I can’t remain tied to her forever either. Hecate wouldn’t want me to live like this. If anything, she’d probably nag me about why I’m doing this. Typical of her.
So, I had always thought I’d eventually get married. I’d have to move on and meet new people, but that’s much easier said than done.
But if I ever found someone…
“Young Lady, try this as well. It’s the chef’s specialty.”
“Thank you, madam.”
It would likely be Marghetta.
It might make sense if I were to date multiple people, like that Gold Duke, but honestly, if I’m a decent human being, I can’t turn my back on Marghetta.
*
Life in the territory was quiet and uneventful, partly because Tailglehen isn’t famous as a tourist destination.
“It’s raining a lot.”
“It’s summer, so it can’t be helped.”
The weather today wasn’t favorable for going out. In a way, isn’t that a relief? There’s nothing outside to see, so I have a reason to stay inside.
Even the club members seemed uninterested in exerting themselves in this gloomy weather, focusing on indoor activities instead. Right now, Ainter and Lather were playing chess. They better continue to be like this. Then I’d have no complaints!
“The knight should always be at the front!”
“The bishop should also step forward!”
“Do you guys even know how to play chess?”
There were some bizarre enthusiasts giving strange advice from the sidelines, but let’s ignore that. Starting with the knights and bishops— if they do that, what will happen to the pawns?
Looking at the chessboard where five morons had gathered, I shifted my gaze towards the balcony. At some point, Louise had stepped outside. Even if the roof was shielding her from the rain, it must be a bit chilly out there.
Judging by how these Louise detectors didn’t pick up on it, I’m relieved she must have just gone out. I need to tell her to come back inside before she catches a cold!
“Louise.”
Maybe it was the sound of rain that drowned out my voice, as she didn’t respond even after I called her name.
“Louise?”
“O-oppa?”
Only after I approached and touched her shoulder did she jump in surprise and turn around. Upon recognizing me, she took a deep breath, seeming genuinely startled. Now I feel sorry I startled her!
Feeling awkward, I just stood there looking at her. After a few deep breaths, Louise finally managed a faint smile and spoke.
“I’m sorry, I was lost in thought and didn’t notice you.”
“Don’t worry about it. I just got here.”
I waved my hand and turned my gaze in the direction she was looking.
‘Nothing special.’
It was just the garden. A rain-soaked garden. I briefly wondered if she had stepped out because she saw something unusual, but it turned out to be nothing.
“Why are you out here in the rain?”
“It’s okay; it feels nice and cool.”
Contrary to her cheerful reply, the corners of Louise’s eyes were drooping sadly. Ignoring it wouldn’t feel right, but probing without context might not be appropriate either.
“Yes, it does feel cool.”
In that case, I just needed to wait until she spoke. If she had something she couldn’t share with just anyone, she wouldn’t have been standing out on the balcony.
I’m sure the others would have noticed and looked after Louise even if I hadn’t, but having seen her, I couldn’t just ignore her plight.
Standing side by side with Louise, admiring the garden, I sensed her furtive glances toward me. When I glanced over, she seemed hesitant, as if wanting to say something.
Let’s just wait. If I pressure her, she might just run away, downplaying it as nothing.
“You and Erich seem to get along well.”
After a moment of hesitation, Louise finally spoke up.
“You both enjoy tea and meals together.”
“Do we? I think it’s pretty normal.”
“That’s a good thing, right? Not arguing is the most important.”
Saying this, Louise smiled faintly before turning her attention back to the garden.
“I couldn’t do that with my older sister.”
My heart froze momentarily at this casually dropped bombshell. I never expected that topic to come up so suddenly.
Instinctively, I wanted to offer her comfort, but I decided to keep my mouth shut. I officially knew nothing about Louise’s past, after all. If I brought it up, she might glare at me with disdain and fear and say, “How would you know that, oppa?”
“I had an older sister who was four years older than me.”
“That’s just like the age difference between me and Erich.”
“Ah, I suppose that’s true.”
Though Louise put on a bright smile, it only made her look all the more somber. Isn’t it often the ones who bear their struggles silently that seem more pitiable than those who openly express their pain?
“But my sister and I… couldn’t have a relationship like yours with Erich.”
Resting her hands on the rain-soaked railing, Louise bowed her head for a long moment.
“I wanted to grow closer to her.”
Then she looked up at me, her face now wet with rain.
“But my sister went far away because she didn’t like me. So, we’ll never have that kind of relationship.”
When I didn’t respond, Louise forced an awkward smile. She must have felt embarrassed and guilty. After all, dumping such heavy grievances on someone casually must have been out of the blue.
Yet, I felt this was a good thing in a way. Releasing the trauma she had carried alone since childhood to someone was important. It was too heavy a burden for a seventeen-year-old to carry alone!
Surprisingly, I was the one she confided in instead of the others. Were they this way in the original story too?
“I’m sorry for suddenly saying something like this.”
Louise added that she was reminded of us when she saw me and Erich, so I ruffled her slightly messed-up hair while placing a hand on her head.
“O-oppa?”
“You don’t need to apologize for this.”
A victim doesn’t need to apologize for seeking help.
“You didn’t do anything wrong.”
Now that I think about it, it was raining the day Louise’s sister passed away too.
What a coincidence. It just so happened to me as well.
Looks like rain symbolizes tragedy in this world, huh?
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