Chapter 251
After giving Louise the (Ring) No. 3, I took a moment to breathe.
Honestly, I pondered briefly if I should head over to Irina next, but wasn’t that a bit too ‘buy one, get one free’ for a confession? It felt a bit rude, treating Irina like leftover stock.
Meeting Marcilio and Louise on the same day wasn’t ideal either, but Louise was in a unique situation. Delaying my meeting with her back then would have led to misunderstandings I didn’t want.
‘Family issues aside.’
The most crucial factor was Count Yuris, Irina’s father.
Even if Irina liked me, I had no idea how Yuris felt about that. Thanks to the glorious lead of a Second Manager, our relationship had turned somewhat awkward.
So, I had to be cautious about giving Irina my answer. If I rushed only to have Yuris oppose me later, it would only leave Irina in an awkward spot. Or worse, Yuris might think, “Do you have a problem with me wanting a good relationship with your daughter?”
‘I should at least see her face.’
Fortunately, Irina’s father was a noble who was required to attend the New Year’s Ball. It seemed I could have a serious talk then. If I sincerely apologize and seek his understanding, he might just allow it.
The real question was whether Irina could wait until then. With Marghetta and Louise flaunting their rings, being left in the dust would be tough on her.
“Tell Irina to wait a little longer. I’m preparing her ring, and I’m just looking for the right time.”
“Yes! Leave it to me!”
So, I casually asked Louise to drop that hint. I was sure it would lead to a positive outcome; it was just a matter of timing.
That way, Irina could breathe easy. Though I couldn’t keep delaying things forever, I could manage until the New Year’s Ball. With Louise’s eager support for her friend, everything would resolve well.
“Oppa, do you have a moment?”
There was indeed a time when I thought that.
“Oh, sure. Come in.”
I smiled as I responded to Irina’s cautious inquiry from the doorway. The mix of excitement and anxiety on her face made me guess what she was about to say.
‘Looks like it didn’t work out.’
Unfortunately, even Louise’s motivation couldn’t match Irina’s enthusiasm. After all, how could you hold out when a ring was twinkling right before your eyes?
I meant to delay until the New Year’s Ball for Irina, but that decision would only make her sad. It was better to wrap this up now and put all my effort into persuading Count Yuris.
“First, sit down. Ah, would you like some tea?”
“Ah, yes!”
I gently pressed down on Irina’s fidgeting shoulders to get her seated and headed to the shelf.
Lucky enough, (Ring) No. 4 was also resting on the shelf.
Watching Irina sip her tea, I raised my cup.
‘Better to just give it to her now.’
I’d made my mind up. Since she had come here first after Louise’s gentle persuasion, her patience had already reached its limit. Delaying further wouldn’t benefit anyone.
Besides, in this continent, it was customary for men to confess to ladies. Even if it was a political marriage—and especially since it was—it was treated seriously. Irina had already shown courage by confessing first; I couldn’t add to her humiliation by demanding rings from her.
Once she calmed down, I would speak. She seemed to be catching her breath, perhaps contemplating how to bring this up, and I could see her slightly ragged breathing. While it was good to speak quickly, being too direct here could be—
“I told my family.”
Huh?
“…Huh?”
Before I could recover, Irina hit me with the unexpected bombshell right after sipping her tea.
I took longer than expected to respond, my brain practically stuttering with the sudden surprise.
“I told my family that I like you.”
But Irina wasn’t done, either.
“To my family, too. I confessed it.”
Seeing her serious expression, I realized this wasn’t some joke. Who would bring this up lightly? This was a genuine declaration.
“So you don’t have to worry about anything.”
She had accurately deduced why I was hesitating and effectively wiped it away.
‘Is it true that families resemble each other?’
I almost let out a chuckle at her straightforward and swift approach. It was clear that Irina was indeed a Yuris by blood!
Though the Yuris family got clobbered by the Information Department, it also meant they were an esteemed house that could withstand such pressure without getting crushed. It was a family that could even make the Duke personally step in due to their significance within the Golden Duke’s faction. A family among the upper echelons of counts—one that could even be compared to marquess level.
Given that she was a member of such a family, it was no wonder Irina wasn’t ‘ordinary’ either.
“Actually, I almost gave up on being with you, Oppa. If Irina hadn’t told me, I might’ve really gone through with it.”
That made me recall Louise’s earlier words.
During summer break, after seeing Marghetta and I getting closer, Louise had been ready to let go. It was Irina who revealed how to become a second or third wife to her.
That led Louise to view Irina as a benefactor. So, when I asked her to encourage Irina, she happily complied.
…If looked at differently, it meant that Irina was never really aiming to be the first wife but strategizing for something beyond that.
‘Is this the Yuris average?’
It was frightening. Even with my brother around, and Irina not being an adult yet, she was capable of quickly reading the room.
What exactly is the Yuris family?
*
My hands felt clammy. I had pondered and pondered, trying to reach a conclusion, but what if I was just grasping at straws? I’d end up embarrassing both myself and my brother.
However, my brother who had taken a moment to think soon smiled and said,
“Well, it can’t be helped. If you’ve already told your family, I won’t be comfortable delaying my answer either.”
That made my lips curl upward, unconsciously.
So my assumption was right. My brother had been postponing his answer out of consideration for our family. Not because he disliked me, but rather out of care for our family.
‘What a relief…’
I worried he might be postponing for another reason. Perhaps he hesitated because he wanted to reject me, worried about hurting my feelings.
But thankfully, that wasn’t the case at all. My brother was just being kind and considerate; he’d stay fair distance from the malevolent Information Department.
That’s why I had fallen for him. He occupied a position where no one could fault him no matter what he did. Yet, even from that position, he cared enough to apologize and genuinely regret his department’s mistakes.
‘Dad knew that too.’
The Information Department sought perfection. So even if they made mistakes, they treated those actions as completely justified. The actions of past managers clearly illustrated this.
That meant Dad was startled to receive my brother’s apology letter. While he anticipated reparations because the Duke got involved, he never expected an actual apology.
With genuine apologies, reparations, and punitive measures against hostile factions targeting our family, Dad was surely satisfied. It was as if he got everything he could.
– Who would that be?
Of course, even Dad couldn’t overlook my meeting with the head of the Information Department.
Back when I’d confessed to my brother, spurred on by Louise. We had an extensive discussion that day.
“Carl Krasius—he’s the head of the Information Department you know.”
Dad furrowed his brow at that uncompromising answer. While I understood his feelings, it didn’t lighten my heart.
Dad was flustered to hear about my brother being dispatched as an academy manager. No matter what reparations he received, how could he overlook his feelings?
And now, hearing that his daughter was not just in touch with, but had fallen for, the head of the Information Department, it was hard not to be shaken.
– No, that’s dangerous.
“I know he harmed the family. But—”
– That’s not what I mean. He’s already someone that the Ironblood Duke is eyeing.
I thought.
To my surprise, his response was unexpected. He didn’t dwell on the incidents with the Information Department; he was looking at things from a broader perspective.
Watching this side of him, Dad’s expression softened considerably.
– Irina. Our family is a merchant family before all else. If the debt is settled, there’s no need to dwell on it further. Therefore, all feelings concerning the head of the Information Department should have already dissipated.
I’d momentarily forgotten that my father wasn’t a villain or cold-blooded, but a man who was thorough in calculations.
He prioritized family over money as well, so since no one got hurt, there was no need to harbor lingering grudges.
“Um, but… the family was in danger, weren’t you concerned?”
I blurted that out and felt a bit awkward. I was in a position to persuade Dad, yet here I was pointing out the flaws in my brother.
– We got more benefits than we lost. The family held on through the crisis but also got to soar even higher through the advantages.
Therefore believing what Dad said, he slightly shook his head, as if dismissing that as unimportant.
– Anyway, it seems the head of the Information Department’s future wife will likely be a noblewoman from Valenti. You understand what that means, don’t you?
“I understand. I’m prepared for that.”
At my words, Dad let out a small sigh.
A countess couldn’t possibly become the first wife; inevitably she would become the second, third, or perhaps even later wives. Dad was lamenting the fact that his daughter wouldn’t get to monopolize the heart of the person she loved.
Understanding Dad’s heart, I could only smile. I really felt that he loved and cared for me.
– …Are you sure you won’t regret it?
Without hesitation, I nodded. Even if I became one of my brother’s wives, I’d have no regrets.
In truth, it wasn’t like this from the very beginning. Unlike Dad, I had feelings for my brother. I found him annoying, frightening, and wanted to avoid him.
But once I understood what kind of person my brother was, once I could see him without prejudice, my disdain turned into fondness, and my desire to avoid him shifted to wanting to be around him even just a little.
It wasn’t merely because he saved me from a monster or because he was kind. I was prepared to marry through an arrangement as a member of the count’s family from the start. But if my brother could provide a happiness that surpassed a standard political marriage, then I wanted to be with him.
If that bond could share the same benefits as a political marriage, then I wish to follow my heart. With a handsome, kind man who makes my heart race at a glance, not some cold, unloving person—my choice!
Plus, the moment I had started feeling affection for my brother, it felt like I couldn’t see any other man anymore.
– If that’s what you truly believe.
As I expressed those feelings, Dad eventually accepted my choice.
The head of the Yuris family and Count Flanbel, he granted permission. So now, there were no more obstacles in our way. If only my brother’s heart was aligned, then we could be together whenever.
“Did you feel lonely? I’m sorry. I should have given this to you earlier.”
Right here and now.
As my brother slipped the ring onto my finger, the moment I envied the half ring that Louise had was finally happening to me.
“I see Irina has got some guts too. Not only forgiving a bum like me but also boldly voicing out her desires.”
My brother chuckled, ruffling my hair affectionately.
“I’m a coward, so I couldn’t do it. I have much to learn from Irina.”
“I’ll teach you for a lifetime.”
That made both of us laugh.
*
I felt a sense of emptiness. What a ridiculous state the world is in.
‘Wow…’
The Lady had made up her mind. She naturally assumed she would also be receiving a ring.
Yet, rings had appeared on both the pink-haired lady and blonde lady’s fingers too! Those who met the Master after Penelia did too.
‘Waaahhh…’
It was dizzying. I had planned to tell the Master about the pink-haired lady and the blonde lady’s feelings when he arrived at the mansion.
Apparently, that was wishful thinking. The pink-haired lady went unnotified, and the blonde lady already received her ring.
“Yuris… are you okay? You look down…”
“I want to cry.”
“Um, are you hurt?”
Seeing Sophia acting all flustered next to me, I spread my arms, and she warmed me with a hug.
I genuinely felt like crying.
‘What should I do?’
If only I could contact the pink-haired lady, I could reveal that she liked the Master. Then the Master would seek her out and she would spill her heart.
‘No way.’
Yet, there was no contact. Still no luck.
Where on earth is she? What if she’s not even at the starting line while everyone else is off to the races?
Still, it was the end of the year, so she must be coming back, right? No matter how busy she is, she has been at the Academy during year-end, right?
Please.
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