### Chapter 163: Unshakeable Hawthorn (4)
I couldn’t tell how long I had held Louise in my arms, gently patting her as she cried more than I ever knew she could. I didn’t realize she was such a teary person; she usually walked around with a smile on her face.
“Are you feeling better now?”
“Mhm…”
Seemingly embarrassed, she buried her face in my chest and didn’t look up.
“So, you really didn’t like it when I liked him, huh?”
When I teased her, she snuggled in deeper, as if to say “Sorry, but don’t say any more.”
How adorable. Oddly enough, Louise reminded me of my younger siblings in this moment. Normally, I was the one being cuddled by her.
I wondered when I would get a chance like this again, but if I teased her further, she might start crying again. I decided to leave it at that.
“By the way, getting mad at me won’t change a thing. The decision isn’t mine to make.”
I felt I had to add that. Even if Louise hated it, being mad at me wouldn’t change the fact that Lady Marghetta was the prime candidate for the first wife. If she wanted to be with oppa, she would have to plead her case to the lady.
Louise didn’t even know that having multiple wives was possible, let alone how important the first wife’s approval was.
“I already got senior’s approval.”
Louise mumbled this while still nestled against me, and for a moment, I thought I misheard her. Senior?
If there was anyone she could be talking about, it had to be the lady. Did Louise really have the lady’s approval?
“Really? You mean Lady Marghetta, right?”
“Yeah, she told me to give it my best. She’s supporting me and told me to hang in there…”
I was left speechless. Just when I thought we were at a dead-end, Louise had already climbed over the biggest hurdle.
And it wasn’t just any approval; it practically felt like an endorsement.
“Already?”
This was astonishing. The lady had become closer to oppa during the break, and it hadn’t even been half a year since school started again. What kind of motivation led Louise to secure the lady’s approval so quickly?
And why did she use that momentum on me? With the lady’s approval, my feelings must have seemed trivial in comparison.
Feeling somewhat deceived, I hugged Louise even tighter. Was a person who had already received approval really keeping someone who hadn’t in check?
I could feel Louise squirming, but I didn’t let go. Just a little longer, let’s stay like this.
*
Class was about to start, so we decided to go back for now, but I wanted to come back during the break. Even though Louise’s jealousy had quickly calmed, I still had questions to ask her.
“Tell me.”
“Huh? What is it?”
As soon as break time arrived, I pulled Louise aside for questioning—well, more like an interrogation. All this suspense was torture.
“How did you get the lady’s permission?”
I thought it would be difficult. With no lack of anything, and considering that the lady’s relationship with oppa was already solidified, why would she allow another wife?
I had thought that building a good relationship with oppa would be easier than seeking the lady’s approval.
I was wrong.
Right in front of me was someone who had already negotiated with the lady before even getting to oppa. What in the world was going on?
Looking at her with eager anticipation, I noticed Louise shifting her eyes away. “I believe in you, Louise. Our friendship is strong enough that you’ll share the details with me.”
“Actually, I’m not really sure either.”
At that, doubts began to creep into my mind about whether our friendship was as robust as I thought.
“No, really! The lady came to me first!”
She must have sensed my frustration as she hastily added that.
Hearing that the lady had sought Louise out for a conversation raised my eyebrows. I couldn’t imagine Louise actively seeking the lady out; the opposite was already peculiar enough.
A chill ran down my spine at the thought that the lady had given a warning to someone who might be eyeing her position. But her willingness to accept someone as long as her own position was respected made my heart race.
“So, it’s not about being the only wife, but just being the first?”
The lady’s goal wasn’t to be the sole wife; she simply wanted to be the first.
If that’s the case, then I could see no problem. I’d never dream of trying to outshine the lady, even in my wildest imaginations.
Hope lit up within me. I had thought the door was firmly locked, yet I found the key all along.
“Hey, Irina.”
“Yeah? What is it?”
My mood lifted so much that I couldn’t help but smile. I smiled even wider as I realized that I wouldn’t have learned this good news if it weren’t for Louise.
Louise truly was the best friend anyone could wish for.
“Would you like to go see senior with me?”
What a top-notch friend she was!
*
We figured it would be rude to drop in abruptly with such important business, so we decided to make an appointment first.
Even if the lady was magnanimous enough to accept other wives, barging in with a “Let’s share your husband!” would be a big no-no. If I were the lady, I would probably throw the intruder out immediately.
“I’ll set up the meeting; you go see oppa.”
“See oppa?”
“Yes, oppa is currently under probation.”
It took me a moment to wrap my head around what that meant. Probation? In the academy?
“Wow…”
And when the understanding hit me, it was a gasp of awe that slipped out. The world of civil servants was tough, and I absolutely did not want to be embroiled in it.
“Well, since he’s on probation, at least you can offer him some comfort.”
I nodded, considering that. I had seriously thought about visiting him after school if I couldn’t meet him during club time.
But it wouldn’t make sense for a student to just drop by the prosecutor’s quarters without a valid reason—especially given the nobility’s reputation. Introducing myself as a friend of someone on probation would sweep away those two hurdles.
“It won’t be strange at all.”
I could confidently visit oppa. For the first time since the semester began, I had a chance to see him alone.
“A chance to be alone with him doesn’t come around often, so I need to seize this opportunity!”
“Louise…”
Tears of gratitude almost spilled out. She must want to spend more time with him too.
“Does this mean I forgive you for what happened earlier?”
Seeing Louise grin made me nod continuously. I was never really upset, but hey, forgiving felt nice!
*
In the past, I never understood why some people would choose to care for plants instead of animals. But lately, I found myself getting it.
“It provides peace of mind.”
Watching my little greenlings grow so lushly filled me with pride. They never talked back, never caused headaches, and if I left them alone, they thrived just fine. All I needed to do was make sure they had enough water and sunlight.
Where could you find companions so perfect? Minimum effort for maximum bliss!
“How beautiful.”
The hawthorn and lilies sitting next to each other created an even more lovely sight. Maybe because both were white, it felt like they were cleansing my spirit.
I cautiously touched the petals of both plants. While I hadn’t expected the lilies to come with the hawthorn, it was still a precious gift. “Let’s stick together until graduation, and then escape this rotten academy for the prosecutor’s office…”
No, the prosecutor’s office was no less corrupt! Was there even a paradise out there, free from filth?
“I’m sorry you have such a lousy owner.”
My poor children deserved to thrive in a better place, but here they were, just stuck with a civil servant for a caretaker.
As I bonded with my green friends, I heard a knock knock at the door. A glance at the clock reminded me it was about time for Louise to show up—punctual as always!
“The door’s open. Come in!”
I always kept the door unlocked whenever I was expecting Louise. After all, no other visitors would drop by aside from Marghetta or Louise.
Then, the door opened and a glimpse of blonde hair appeared through the gap.
“Hello, oppa.”
“Irina?”
Oops, there was indeed someone else visiting.
I briefly diverted my gaze to the hawthorn. Did Irina come over right after I got this plant?
“Is it some kind of totem?”
The idea of it having a pull on people intrigued me. I had thought it was merely pretty, but it seemed this plant had some kind of magic.
“It’s been a while! How have you been?”
Curiously, I shifted my attention back to Irina. It would be rude not to properly acknowledge a guest who had put in the effort to visit.
“I’ve been doing well. I heard news about you and came to see you!”
“Embarrassing news, I presume?”
A snicker escaped me at Irina’s words. She must have caught wind of my probation from Louise or Erich—it looked like she was here to console me.
Nonetheless, it was heartfelt. When I thought back to how Irina used to avoid me, her sudden friendliness felt like a huge leap.
“But where’s Louise?”
I had told her it was okay to come by, so I grew worried at not seeing her when she was usually around. I hoped nothing serious had happened.
“Oh, she had some other matters to attend to. It’s nothing serious.”
“Good to hear.”
Irina spoke casually, but her bright demeanor could lift the spirits of anyone who happened to pass by.
It seemed things really weren’t serious at all!
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