Chapter 2: 2
The mansion of Duke Adelaira, in the study.
Duke Adelaira had similar concerns as the Marquis of Laird.
They had already come to an agreement and promised to give an answer within three days.
However, there was no guarantee that the desired outcome would be achieved, and if things went wrong, they would have to consider other noble families.
“Two days have already passed. Why haven’t we heard anything yet?”
“We still have one more day. We must be patient.”
Robernz Adelaira, the Duke and head of the Adelaira family, responded calmly.
He spoke as usual, but inside, he felt quite anxious and uneasy.
If the Marquis of Laird did not accept the engagement, they would have to consider other Marquis or even lower-ranking Count families that they did not favor.
“You offered generous terms, didn’t you?”
“Yes, generous terms indeed. If their son suffers any harm, we’ll immediately annul the engagement and provide a large compensation.”
“…Even if the engagement goes through, will Hanette behave?”
Robernz’s first wife, Yenid Adelaira, asked with a worried expression.
Yenid didn’t want to send her daughter off in such a manner.
But Hanette had started indulging in alcohol and gambling, losing her dignity, so Yenid reluctantly took drastic measures.
“Hanette may have indulged in drinking and gambling, but she has never hurt or killed anyone. If she had been close to a man, I would not have forgiven her… but she hasn’t. She knows her place.”
“She becomes violent when she drinks a lot. What if she harms their son…?”
“There are maids and knights around. They won’t be alone until the wedding.”
“If Hanette spends too much time outside, their son won’t like it.”
“She won’t do anything foolish. The bodyguard is always with her, so there’s no need to worry.”
Robernz didn’t like what his daughter was doing, but he couldn’t just abandon her.
She was his blood and also a means to expand the family’s influence.
Even though she was called unruly, she didn’t commit evil deeds and was surprisingly quiet within the mansion.
“Have you considered other families?”
“…Among the Marquis, the Laird family is the best option. Other Marquis families are either too aggressive or lack dignity.”
Robernz carefully considered the family’s reputation when selecting a family.
Even being rejected would hurt their pride, and it was absurd to propose an engagement involving an unruly lady.
To secure his daughter’s engagement quickly, he first approached the Laird Marquis family.
“What about the Count families?”
“Even if they are respectable, they won’t offer a decent match. People would say we’re dumping our troublesome daughter on a Count family. And they might not be able to handle Hanette.”
Rumors about Hanette of the Adelaira Duke family were widespread in the capital of the kingdom of Alaine.
A woman addicted to alcohol and gambling, a beautiful but withering flower, a noble who abandoned her dignity for beauty, the unruly lady of the Duke family.
The overall evaluation wasn’t good, but her looks were outstanding enough to attract the attention of some young nobles.
“That’s why you chose the Laird Marquis family.”
“I proposed their youngest son as her fiancé. He may seem lacking compared to his brothers, but he’s not problematic. He’s a legitimate son of the Marquis family, so he won’t be abandoned.”
“He may seem ordinary, but you never know until you meet him.”
Appearances can be deceiving.
Rumors often mix lies, and people rarely reveal their true selves.
The youngest son of the Laird Marquis family could be no different.
“The Marquis of Laird isn’t foolish. There’s no benefit in matching problematic people.”
“The Marquis might be trying to use you.”
“I am doing the same. Both sides have something to gain, so it’s a strategic marriage. If conflicts arise, our side has the upper hand. That’s the power of being a Duke.”
Yenid pondered for a moment before nodding.
Titles are inherited by blood, but maintaining power requires wealth and fame.
If the family’s influence wanes over time, they will naturally decline.
They would then be pressured by other nobles, rendering their title and family name meaningless.
“How has our family endured so far? By pleasing the king and uniting the nobles. We’ve kept the commoners in line, tossing them a few scraps. If we can’t maintain the basics, we can’t aim higher.”
“…How far do you see with this engagement?”
“I don’t look far. I take small, cautious steps. An engagement doesn’t necessarily lead to marriage.”
“You want the marriage to happen.”
“It’s beneficial for both of us. If we pass Hanette off, we gain a good ally. You won’t have to worry about Hanette anymore.”
As the head of the family, he had to consider many factors.
He prioritized the family’s interests over personal desires and thought of the family’s future over individual wishes.
Elevating the family would bring success to him and more benefits to his family.
“Even if I don’t worry, it still hurts. She’s still my child, even if she’s difficult.”
“I want to let my children do as they please. But what can we do? They were born into our family, so they must follow our rules. Just as you and I did.”
Noble marriages were usually arranged by the parents.
Children’s opinions were rarely considered, and the unions served the family’s interests.
Some nobles ran away to find their own lives, but it seldom ended well.
Young nobles knew this, so they rarely defied their parents’ wishes.
“If we don’t do this, she’ll never marry. Now we have a chance to connect with a Marquis family, but later, no one will accept her.”
“…You may be right. I also think she needs to marry.”
“Marriage and starting a family might change her. She’s aimless now because she’s always alone.”
“For that to happen, her partner must treat her well.”
“That’s why we need their youngest son. If he’s too good, he might dominate; if he’s not good enough, he won’t manage. Being ordinary means he can balance things out.”
Yenid had her doubts but reluctantly agreed.
It made some sense but also sounded strange.
By that logic, it might be better to marry her off to a noble with many bad rumors.
“A letter should arrive by tomorrow afternoon or evening. Let’s wait and rethink then.”
* * *
The mansion of the Laird Marquis family, in the family dining room.
Fried finished his meal and didn’t speak until the tea was served.
None of the family members left their seats, only glancing at each other.
Fried had something to tell them, so they waited quietly.
“…This is sudden, but an engagement has been arranged.”
“What?”
“Oh…”
Rien already knew everything, so she didn’t show any surprise.
The eldest and second sons were slightly taken aback, but Zion remained indifferent.
He instinctively realized the time had come.
“Ah, so I’m finally being sold off.”
Zion slowly sipped his tea.
According to the original story, he would be engaged to the unruly lady.
The engagement wouldn’t break until the end, and even then, the unruly lady wouldn’t leave the protagonist.
In other words, Zion Laird would be a victim of a political marriage and be compared unfavorably to the protagonist.
“Who is the engaged person?”
“It’s Zion.”
“Whew…”
Karlz Laird, the second son, sighed in relief and belatedly sipped his tea.
For such a hasty engagement, there must be a special reason.
The other party must have issues, or Zion might have made a significant mistake.
“Who is Zion’s partner?”
“The eldest daughter of the Adelaira Duke family.”
“Gasp!”
“…”
Barhen Laird, the eldest son, swallowed his silence and turned his gaze to Zion.
He could roughly guess Fried’s intention behind the engagement.
He was trying to use Zion’s existence for some advantage.
“Zion, I’m sorry I didn’t ask your opinion… but accept this. There’s nothing more I can say.”
Fried looked at Zion with a solemn expression.
Zion, however, continued to drink his tea leisurely.
“Uh… When is the wedding?”
“The wedding will be later. We’ll hold the engagement ceremony first.”
“Oh… I see.”
Karlz cautiously responded, understanding the significance of the engagement ceremony.
Fried also knew about the unruly lady and probably wanted to test things out.
If she seemed okay, they would proceed with the wedding; if not, they would break off the engagement.
“Lord, shouldn’t we reconsider this engagement for Zion’s sake?”
Barhen spoke earnestly with a serious look.
It was common to arrange marriages without the person’s input, but the chosen partner seemed problematic.
If Zion had been paired with a Count’s daughter, it might have been more acceptable.
“I understand your concern for your brother. But the decision is made.”
“How can I fully understand your actions, Lord? But I wish you would reconsider Zion’s engagement.”
“….”
Fried felt secretly pleased but maintained a stern expression.
Even though Rien remained silent, the eldest son was trying to oppose his decision.
His reasoning was sound, and he spoke out of concern for Zion.
He was overly upright, but he would learn to compromise with reality in time.
“There is no turning back. I’ve already sent a letter to Duke Adelaira.”
“…I understand.”
“Karlz, do you feel the same as your brother?”
“I must follow your word, Lord. But I think it might be tough for Zion.”
“Then would you go in his place?”
“Uh… that would be…”
Listening quietly, Zion couldn’t help but laugh and cover his mouth.
His brothers were expressing their opposition.
But they were hesitant to take his place in the engagement.
“Zion, don’t be afraid. Everyone eventually finds a partner. It might not be someone you wished for, but she’s not lacking in status or looks. You’ll get used to it as you start a family.”
Fried tried to comfort Zion but felt an odd sense of dissonance.
Zion showed no signs of agitation upon hearing the news.
Instead, he calmly sipped his tea as if he had expected everything.
“…Lord, if you grant my request, I will go through with the engagement as you say.”