Chapter 453
Every day is blissful. My son, who I couldn’t properly love, has grown splendidly, becoming the patriarch, marrying a good partner, and during the wedding, received blessings from Enen himself. It’s not just blessing; sainthood might be possible. How could I not be happy?
It’s truly overwhelming happiness. At this point, it seems Enen has blessed not only Carl and my daughter-in-law but also me. Compared to the karma from my past, I’m living a life of joy that feels undeserved.
In fact, once Erich graduates from the Academy, Billy will fully retire from work, so the couple can enjoy their time together. Also, by the time Erich graduates, my first daughter-in-law will be well-familiar with her duties as a hostess.
‘Is it really okay to be this happy?’
I gazed at the snow-covered garden and smiled softly. My husband’s complete retirement from the grueling work, my son’s growth and happiness, and the prosperity of our family. Experiencing one of these alone would warrant gratitude to the heavens, so it seems I’ll have to give more in offerings this year compared to last.
No, perhaps I’ll need to give generously next year too.
‘Erich will likely marry next year.’
Just then, I spotted Erich passing through the garden with a wooden sword, and my heart swelled with delight. At nineteen, he’s certainly of marrying age, and with his older brother Carl, a Count, already married, there’s no need to hesitate any longer.
If Erich didn’t have a partner, I wouldn’t suggest marriage even at twenty-nine – but thankfully, he does have a suitable one.
The daughter of Laura, whom I’ve cherished like my own, had health issues from birth that worried me, but she has recovered beautifully.
‘Sera will be my daughter-in-law.’
Sera, the daughter of Baron Zeigel, is a strong candidate for Erich’s wife.
It’s a scenario that makes me chuckle. Two children who have been friends since childhood are finally tying the knot. Isn’t it a sight straight out of a romance novel?
And I already knew that Sera had feelings for Erich, so beyond my joy, I also felt pride. Finally, Sera’s efforts seemed to bear fruit.
‘Living together at the Academy must have worked wonders.’
They had already been close friends and spent a whole year together in the same space, so it would be strange if nothing came of it.
“Nia, it’s me.”
While watching Erich’s retreating figure head towards the training ground, I heard a brief knock and Laura’s voice at the door.
That was odd. Today was supposed to be a day off for Laura; we should have been spending family time.
“What’s going on? If the head maid is giving up her day off, the maid staff might feel awkward about it.”
Suppressing my surprise, I opened the door with a joking remark, but stiffened upon seeing Laura’s tense expression.
This seems serious. With Laura approaching me with such a rigid face and having given up her day off, there’s no way it’s a trivial matter.
It was definitely not trivial.
“What did you say?”
My voice sounded hollow even to my ears. The information Laura conveyed was serious and significant.
“Sera and Erich, they’re not in any relationship…”
Laura continued to deliver the grim news. She seemed to not want to believe it herself, desperately hoping it wasn’t true, but the information remained unchanged.
I raised my head and stared blankly at the ceiling. What did I just hear? Is Laura joking? It doesn’t carry the punch of humor nor the weight of a heartwarming tale.
‘Lies.’
Eventually, my mind denied Laura’s words. The nonsense that Erich and Sera aren’t a couple is impossible to accept.
That can’t be true. What kind of relationship do they share? They have inherited our friendship, practically born as friends!
‘It’s a lie.’
Sera has harbored feelings for Erich for a long time, and Erich recently chose Hardiner Baronage as his territory. The Hardiner territory is adjacent to the Zeigel territory where Sera resides. In other words, he picked a land closest to Sera!
I completely assumed that Erich noticed Sera’s feelings as well. I thought he had accepted her affection.
But that’s not the case? They’re still just ordinary friends, and choosing Hardiner Baronage was merely coincidence?
‘No way.’
There’s no way all of that could be coincidental. Furthermore, there’s no way he wouldn’t have noticed Sera’s affection by now.
In the past, Erich had to travel to the Zeigel territory to meet Sera; she had been cautious, fearing her fragile health might burden him—but they had spent a whole year together at the Academy! That’s a full year of male-female interaction!
There’s simply no way he wouldn’t know. Absolutely no way…
“—Nia!”
As I was about to sway from the shock, Laura hurriedly supported me.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t confidently deny it. When Erich chose to inherit the Hardiner Baronage, Laura and I didn’t react with ‘it’s about time’ but rather with ‘finally’—we expected this moment.
I know the truth well. Erich is clueless. He’s my child but so painfully lacking in telepathy. Knowing this, I was overjoyed when Erich accepted the title of Hardiner Baron. I thought he finally gained the perception to recognize Sera.
“Laura.”
I took a deep breath to face reality and carefully spoke.
“If I had taken better care of Erich, if I had shown him love as a mother… this wouldn’t have happened, right?”
I felt tears threatening to spill. It’s not Erich’s fault for being oblivious; it’s my fault. He’s insensitive to affection because he didn’t grow up in a normal environment.
Yes, that must be the case. Carl, who grew up in the same environment, has six romantic interests, but that’s because he’s exceptional, not because Erich is wanting—
“I took care of him as if he were my own son.”
“……”
That silenced me completely.
Laura has indeed cared for Carl and Erich with all her heart instead of me, who was the inadequate mother. Although they may not know parental love, they haven’t lacked in an environment that knows affection.
‘It’s divine punishment.’
In the end, that’s the conclusion I reached. Enen didn’t just grant me blessings; he issued me a punishment.
While my eldest son sails smoothly, he shackles the second son.
Deep within my heart, I could feel the seeds of heresy starting to sprout.
—
After hearing my mother’s sorrowful explanation, my lips, which were already heavy, clamped shut even tighter.
‘Why did she have to misunderstand like that?’
Then, regret washed over me. I can discern the dynamics between Erich and Sera up close, but for my mother and Laura, it’s different. Seeing each other only occasionally could easily lead to misinterpretations.
‘I should have explained it properly back then.’
At the same time, guilt surged. When I visited to inherit the title of Tailglehen Count, Laura had mistakenly thought that Erich and Sera’s relationship had progressed. Back then, I had remained silent for fear of disappointing Laura, but if I had known the truth would come out this way, I would have been honest about it.
But how did it get discovered? The fact that Laura knew before my mother indicates that the truth unfolded through Sera rather than Erich?
‘No way.’
Suddenly, dreadful scenarios flooded my mind. Since I got married first, the next assumption naturally fell on Erich and the supposed Sera. So Laura must have cheerfully asked Sera when they plan to marry, and of course, Sera, having zero connection to Erich, must have tearfully corrected the misunderstanding.
I felt my blood run cold. Imagining Sera saying, “I have no relationship with Erich,” made me feel terrible.
– So, it’s true that they’re nothing at all.
Just then, my mother, having regained her composure, spoke again.
– I’m sorry. I heard from the head maid, but… just in case, I thought we might be misunderstanding. I wondered if Sera was shy and hiding something.
Once again, I was rendered speechless.
Ah, so she reached out to me with her last sliver of hope.
“W-Well, being on the outside, I might not know, but there’s a chance they share a good relationship without me realizing it.”
Even I found that reasoning unconvincing, yet I forced myself to say it. First, I should comfort my mother.
However, despite my comforting words, my mother shook her head with a bitter smile.
– I doubt Erich is thorough enough to avoid your gaze.
I couldn’t help but feel a mix of helplessness and justifiable agreement.
My mother’s strangely moist eyes signaled the end of our conversation. She would probably be in shock for a while and wouldn’t emerge from it anytime soon. I’ll need to visit the territory soon.
Seeing my mother’s reaction triggered an inner command: as the older brother, I must take care of my younger sibling who’s suffering.
‘I have no choice.’
With resolve, I activated my communication device. Since my mother and Laura had reached a truth they should not have discovered, I couldn’t afford to hesitate or hesitate any longer.
– It’s Count Horfelt.
Fortunately, it seems my determination touched the heavens; the connection was established quickly.
“Incoming Minister, Carl Krasius of Tailglehen.”
Looking at Count Horfelt’s shocked expression—or rather, Zenobia’s—who seemed taken aback, I continued speaking calmly. This isn’t a contact from the Minister as a governmental assembly member.
“Sorry for the sudden call. I’m reaching out as Erich’s brother to discuss something. Is it okay to talk casually now?”
I’m calling as a brother who has no sense of subtlety in matters relating to Erich’s love life.
– Ah, yes! Please feel free to speak!
“Thanks.”
Even though it was a one-sided notification disguised as a courtesy, Zenobia nodded happily, seemingly excited that her beloved was speaking to her comfortably.
“Zenobia.”
– Yes, Brother Carl.
With that, I steeled my resolve.
“I’ll do my best to help you become Erich’s first wife.”
No longer a bystander or someone who gives mere trivial support, I was determined to become an active participant.
Let’s make Zenobia the first wife and Sera the second.
‘What a doggone situation.’
Here I am, the older brother meddling in his younger brother’s romance. What a bizarre situation this is.
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