Chapter 3: This Time, By My Own Will
“After Cecil and Lord Frederick’s important announcement, you disappeared with that expression. Do you have any idea how much that made others worry?”
“…It was supposed to be my engagement announcement as well.”
“Don’t keep dwelling on something that’s already over.”
Something that’s already over.
What a convenient phrase.
The seven-year engagement, and the humiliation I suffered there—apparently, to them, it was all already settled.
Father continued in a low voice.
“Do not bring any more shame upon us. If you truly thought of the family, you should have obediently offered your congratulations.”
“For the sake of the family, is it?”
“In any case, the Valentone Count’s family was never suitable for you. You should rather think it was fortunate that things were resolved early like that.”
“…I see.”
“What is that tone?”
A reproachful gaze was directed at me.
—Why had I ever cared about what these people thought of me?
Once I stopped caring, the farce before me began to look utterly ridiculous.
“…No. I understand perfectly.”
When I replied in a flat tone, both Father and Mother frowned openly.
“If you understand, then that’s fine. Cecil is delicate, so do not give her unnecessary stress from now on.”
“Stress? I believe a handover of the business matters is necessary.”
“I told you not to do anything unnecessary. Business matters? You probably just made that up out of jealousy.”
Even after being publicly cast aside yesterday in front of so many people, it still seemed I was the one at fault.
I almost felt like laughing.
The next day, a letter arrived.
The moment I saw the sender, I caught my breath.
It was from Ashley Glenford, Duke of Glenford.
“Please forgive this sudden letter.
I will be direct. Miss Lydia, would you consider marrying me?”
For a while, I could not move as I stared at that single sentence.
“…Marriage?”
Even when I read it again, the words did not change.
“After seeing you last night, I became certain.
Even while being treated unreasonably lightly, you did not lose your dignity.
However, a person who strives to be strong cannot be unhurt. I do not believe you should return to a place like that.
I have no intention of rushing your answer.
However, if you wish to leave that house, I can immediately prepare a place for you to settle.
And if I may hope for more, I would like you to become my partner.”
Deep within my chest, a quiet warmth spread.
The words were unadorned, yet they felt incredibly straightforward.
At that moment, the door opened without a knock.
“Lydia, may I have a moment?”
Mother entered and her gaze fell upon the letter in my hands.
“…Who is that from?”
“From His Grace, the Duke of Glenford.”
“The Duke?”
Mother’s expression changed.
“For what purpose?”
“I have received a marriage proposal.”
“…What?”
The fan nearly slipped from her hand.
“A p-proposal? Why you?”
“The reason is written in the letter.”
“That can’t be…”
Muttering in disbelief, Mother tried to snatch the letter.
I smoothly folded the paper and avoided her.
“There is no need to show it to you.”
“What are you—”
“It is a letter addressed to me.”
By noon, Father knew.
By evening, Cecil naturally knew as well.
And just like that, the atmosphere in the house changed astonishingly quickly.
“Lydia, you have always been a modest and good daughter.”
“That’s right. Perhaps your calm nature is what appealed to His Grace.”
It was as if their treatment of me as the family’s disgrace until yesterday had been a lie.
Cecil also smiled sweetly.
However, only her eyes did not smile at all.
“If we can form a connection with the Duke’s house, the family’s status will rise another level.”
“And we will have ties to the northern territories as well.”
“We should proceed quickly with discussions about the dowry.”
All they talked about were the benefits the Glenford family would bring to the Evans family.
It seemed that what mattered more than my marriage itself was what the family could gain from it.
They spoke so enthusiastically while leaving the person concerned completely out of it.
“I have not yet given my answer.”
“What is there to hesitate about!”
Father leaned forward.
“It is the Duke of Glenford. There is no better match than this.”
“That’s right. You should gratefully accept it.”
“For the sake of the family, you must accept.”
“For the sake of the family?”
When I repeated the words, Father frowned in displeasure.
“Of course. You are a daughter of the Evans family.”
“As of yesterday, I was supposed to be the family’s disgrace.”
“Lydia!”
Mother raised her voice sharply.
“You must not speak that way. We are thinking of your future—”
“My future?”
“Yes. To be chosen by a duke is a fortune most could never hope for.”
Her voice pretended to be gentle, but in truth, it only pressed me to accept no matter what.
“Please don’t worry.”
I gave a faint smile.
“This time, I will decide by my own will.”
“Lydia!”
“I was once engaged for the family’s convenience, and then cast aside for the family’s convenience. I have no intention of letting the next be decided by the family as well.”
—Ashley’s proposal surprised me.
To be honest, I was happy.
His words had truly seen me.
That was precisely why I could not simply agree lightly.
In the end, I did not send a reply that day, and instead wrote to the Duke’s house requesting to meet him once and speak in person.
Three days later, I visited the Glenford Duke’s residence in the capital.
The reception room I was shown into was refined without being ostentatious.
Rather than flaunting luxury, it was a room that reflected the resident’s preference for simplicity.
Before long, Lord Ashley appeared, just as composed as he had been at the evening party, and sat down across from me.
“Thank you for coming.”
“No, thank you for giving me your time.”
After the greetings, I immediately moved to the main topic.
“May I ask you something directly?”
“Of course.”
“Why did you propose to me?”
Lord Ashley did not avert his gaze in the slightest.
However, he did not answer immediately.
“I am not confident I can put it into words well.”
“…”
“Even so, do you wish to hear it?”
“Yes.”
After a brief silence, Lord Ashley quietly opened his mouth.