“To be honest, the engagement talk came out of nowhere, and Olivier’s unreasonable demands were troublesome, but strangely, I didn’t dislike the marriage itself,” Jared Murphy confessed his true feelings, touching his aching cheek.
In reality, he was greatly perplexed and worried, but he had never once said he disliked it.
“I can’t believe it.”
“To be frank, I thought marriage itself was impossible for me, so it wasn’t because of Olivier. You’ve probably researched it, so you know that my father doesn’t love me, and my mother is dead. I don’t really understand what a family is. That’s why I was anxious about whether I could be a good husband. But, thanks to visiting this mansion today, all my worries have disappeared.”
Rubbing his cheek, Jared smiled at Olivier, whose eyes were watering with anger.
“Knowing Olivier’s kindness towards Hannelore, I thought perhaps she was a kind person. I was honestly annoyed by her sharp tongue and how she says what she thinks, but more than that, I felt she was someone who was honest with her emotions and interesting. Olivier doesn’t seem to intend to get married, but I thought we might actually get along surprisingly well.”
“I clearly stated that I have no intention of getting married, you know.”
“Yes, I heard you. I only answered that I did have the intention to marry because you asked if I did.”
Putting his thoughts into words left him feeling refreshed. At first, he had wanted to be spared a marriage with Olivier, whose reputation was all bad. However, his grandparents told him not to believe the rumors, and he decided to think about it carefully. When he learned of the cruel gossip the students at the academy were spreading about him, he felt angry, not for himself, but for the words directed at Olivier. Then, after being invited to the mansion by Trane and meeting Hannelore, he learned a new side to Olivier, which calmed his feelings.
He was still bewildered by the engagement. It had been sudden, announced only yesterday, leaving him no time to sort out his feelings. Nevertheless, he could declare that he didn’t dislike it. He couldn’t say he felt love, but he had developed an unfounded feeling that he might be able to manage if the engagement moved forward.
Perhaps it was because Olivier’s words and attitude were so blunt. If she had tried to be overly polite, it would have been different.
“You’re a strange person… I’ve met many men my father introduced me to, but you’re different from any of them.”
“Are you saying that in a good way?”
“Well, who knows?”
Seeing Olivier burst into laughter, Jared felt relieved. He was glad that Olivier, who had been emotional, had calmed down. Though he didn’t show it, he was truly surprised when he saw her tears. Even if the rumors weren’t entirely true, and she was known for her sharp tongue and strong personality, tears appearing suddenly would naturally make anyone flustered. After all, men have always been weak to a woman’s tears.
“Oh my, it seems the discussion has concluded without any issues. That’s wonderful,” Hannelore said, her smile appearing as Jared, also smiling, was drawn in.
“Mother!?”
Olivier stood up, stunned by her mother’s unexpected appearance.
“Wh-why?”
“Honestly, you’re not direct, so I was worried. Since Mr. Jared intends to marry you, why don’t you just accept it honestly?”
“You-you weren’t eavesdropping on our conversation, were you?”
“Oh, please don’t say such things. I was planning to formally greet Mr. Jared, but I heard you two talking, so I waited in the hallway. I just happened to overhear.”
In common parlance, that’s called eavesdropping. However, Jared was surprised for a different reason. While this was a separate residence of Duke Alway, who was acquainted with his grandparents, he had been on high alert, having never set foot here before. Yet, he hadn’t sensed Hannelore, who was eavesdropping outside the door at all. He initially thought he was too distracted by Olivier, but he could sense Trane’s presence. Trane had appeared outside the room just before Hannelore’s entrance and, though unseen, he could clearly tell she was waiting in the hallway. Jared believed Hannelore could see magic, but it wasn’t just that. He surmised that the reason Olivier lived in a separate residence with her mother wasn’t solely due to her inability to get along with the consorts. The fact that Duke Alway kept his legal wife in a separate residence already hinted at something more. Perhaps he would understand the reason someday, but seeing Olivier happily conversing with her mother, he decided to pretend he didn’t notice for now.
“Well, since we’re all here, let’s have some tea. I have many interesting stories about this child to tell Mr. Jared, who Olivier has acknowledged as her fiancé.”
“Please stop!”
“Trane, prepare the album.”
“Understood.”
“Wait, Trane!?”
Seeing Olivier flustered as if she had no allies, Jared couldn’t help but smile.
“Jared Murphy! What are you smiling about? This is your fault!”
“It has nothing to do with me!”
“Furthermore, you’ve been speaking familiarly just now, but use polite language as you did at first! I’m older than you!”
“You’re ten years older, you don’t need to emphasize your age. She’s a spoiled child, but please don’t give up on her.”
“Mother, please be quiet!”
Olivier was being overpowered by her mother’s smiling face. Hannelore, who seemed easygoing at first glance, might be more resolute than she appeared.
“Here you are. I’ve brought all five thick albums of Olivier’s childhood photos.”
As Trane presented the albums, the top one lost its balance and fell to the floor.
“Kyaaaaaaaaah!”
The shriek, unbecoming of a noble young lady, naturally came from Olivier. This was because the album had fallen directly in front of Jared, and miraculously, it opened to a page clearly showing a photo of a naked, crying toddler who appeared to be Olivier.
“Oh my, screaming like a magical beast is quite unladylike,” Hannelore chided.
“It’s your and Trane’s fault! Ah, I’ll never get married now.”
He thought her statement was ironic, given she had declared she had no intention of marrying, but he wisely refrained from voicing it.
“It’s fine. Since you’re engaged, you’ll be able to see the real thing up close eventually, won’t you? Right?”
“Well, I don’t know about that…”
The focus shifted to Jared, leaving him at a loss for words.
“This child, despite saying she dislikes men, reads romance novels every night without fail.”
“She thinks she’s hiding them well on her bookshelf, but it’s obvious. And they’re all rather lewd ones.”
“Wh-why do you know that…?”
“A mother knows everything about her daughter.”
“A maid knows everything.”
“That’s not a valid reason!”
Jared, who had been holding his breath as if in battle despite it not being one, was asked by Hannelore, who had not dared to join the women’s conversation.
“By the way, Jared, when will you be moving in?”
“Well, I’ll need to consult with my grandfather. I also need to inform Duke Alway, so it will likely be some time yet.”
“I’ll inform your husband myself. Please come as soon as you get permission from Baron Daum. It’s a bit lonely with just the three of us in the family. But, with this, we’ll have another grandchild too.”
“Grand-grandchildren!? M-Mother, you’re getting ahead of yourself…”
“I’d like a cute girl, resembling Olivier and Hannelore,” Trane added.
“Trane! You too! Don’t I have any allies!?”
“My dream was to spend my old age surrounded by many grandchildren. I’m counting on you, Jared.”
“I… I will meet your expectations—”
“You don’t have to!”
Olivier, her face flushed with embarrassment, glared tearfully at Jared, who managed a strained, polite smile as Hannelore continued to push the uncomfortable topic.
