Chapter 111
Chapter 111
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 111
Chapter Title: I'll Marry First!
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Grandfather beckoned to me.
"Come here, Mariella."
Erich flashed a victor's smile as he gazed at Grandfather.
"He seems happy to see me after so long, so just let it be, Grandfather."
"After so long? Didn't you come down to the Dvayer County with us?"
"Still, it's been a while for Ella. Doesn't that mean he missed me that much?"
Ah, yeah...
I've gotten used to their bickering by now.
I let their back-and-forth chatter go in one ear and out the other as I stood between them.
"I need to marry off both you and Dietrich as soon as possible. I'll grant you fiefs and kick you out."
"I'm not thinking about marriage yet."
"You're already eighteen. The sons of great noble houses get engaged even younger and marry right after coming of age."
"Why not worry about Dietrich first?"
"Don't push it off on your little brother—think about yourself. Even Monica, who's three years younger than you, is getting engaged this time."
Monica's getting engaged?
I jumped into the conversation to rescue Erich from Grandfather's endless nagging.
"Who's Monica getting engaged to, Grandpa?"
"Through the Empress's arrangements, she's betrothing the third son of the Western Duke. We haven't had marriage ties with the West in ages, so it's not a bad match."
"The Western Duke's family? You mean the ones where Count Dvayer imported all those military combat aids from...?"
Grandfather nodded.
I tried not to frown, but it didn't work.
The word "Western" immediately brought back all the Western-style items I'd seen in Count Dvayer's estate.
Count Dvayer and Morten Merchant Guildmaster had been awfully chummy with the Western Duke's family.
Something about it just... rubbed me the wrong way.
I couldn't pinpoint exactly what, but it felt off.
The Empress stepping in to arrange it didn't sit right either.
"I hear the Eastern Duke's granddaughter is around your age, Mariella. If you want, we could look into a match with her for you..."
Grandfather started trying to persuade Erich once more, refusing to give up.
"That's too sudden, Grandfather."
"The second daughter of the Central Shanellek Marquis family and the youngest princess of the collateral imperial Gerhard Archduke house are your age too. They've proposed matches to you several times."
"I'm feeling worn out and unwell—may I go rest?"
Grandfather scowled at Erich's brazen grin.
Erich let out a short sigh as he looked up at Grandfather's stubbornly unyielding face.
There wasn't a trace of fatigue on his face, though he did look a bit tired.
Marriage pressure from Grandfather was bound to be exhausting.
"You have no maternal family for support, so it would be wise to gain a strong wife's family. It would help your father too."
"..."
"Stop making excuses to dodge it and think seriously. Aren't you the eldest son of the Kalenberg Duke family?"
Grandfather clearly had high expectations for Erich.
I could understand that feeling.
Counting me and Dietrich, plus Mark and Monica, Grandfather had five direct grandchildren.
Among them, Erich stood out head and shoulders above the rest.
Me, the eternal last place; Dietrich; Mark, with his personality flaws; and Monica, limited by her illegitimate birth.
If I were Grandfather, I'd pin my hopes on Erich as the successor too.
'Even if he can't use Divine Grace, whatever—we and Dietrich can cover the martial prowess.'
But Erich remained silent throughout Grandfather's persuasion.
If he was digging in his heels like this, it meant he really wasn't interested.
I watched Grandfather gear up for another round of nagging, then jumped in with an innocent, beaming smile, pretending I knew nothing.
Erich, trust me!
"Is marriage really that great?"
"Of course. Combining two houses' strength is the noble way..."
"Then let me get married first!"
Grandfather's mouth fell open like the sky had come crashing down.
I'd never seen the ever-dignified Grandpa so shocked.
It pricked my conscience a little, but it was for the family's peace.
"What did you just say?"
"You said marriage helps Dad and the family, right? Then I'll do it first!"
"You're still just a tiny thing—what marriage?!"
"Then an engagement first? I can get close to my fiancé, marry right when I come of age, and branch off!"
"Absolutely not—!"
The final shout came from both Grandfather and Erich at once.
Their eyes met in midair.
They'd been like spear and shield moments ago, but now they instantly allied to persuade me.
"Marriage, Ella? If you marry and branch off, you might not see Dad, me, or Dietrich as often. That okay with you?"
"Why'd you leave out this old man?!"
Before their flimsy alliance could crumble, I hung my head with a pitiful pout.
"But marriage means pretty dresses..."
"I'll summon every designer in the duchy tomorrow and fill your wardrobe."
"Uncle and Aunt look like they have so much fun going out every day..."
"If there's somewhere you want to go, we can all go as a family. Where? The hunting grounds? Or the winter villa outside the capital?"
Grandfather and Erich took turns trying to sway me.
"At least wait until you're thirty years older. No marriage till then. How could a child endure that hardship?"
...You're planning to keep me until I'm forty-one?
"Marriage is a hardship?"
"You think some stranger whose face you don't even know will treat you better than this grandpa?"
Now that I've poked at it, Grandfather won't bring up marriage with Erich again.
And if he does, I'll just beg to go first once more.
Who'd be thrilled about an eleven-year-old granddaughter clamoring to marry?
I pretended to mull it over, then grinned brightly and approached, taking Erich's hand in my right and Grandfather's in my left.
"I thought about it, and living with family is better!"
"Ahem. So never bring up marriage again."
"Yes!"
So no more nagging Erich either, Grandpa!
Unless Erich finds someone he truly loves and is determined to marry despite any obstacles, forced marriages are a no.
I arrived at the garden lake in my comfortable training clothes for sword practice.
Dad was already there waiting by the lake.
His neatly trimmed black hair fluttered in the wind—it was a scene worthy of a painting.
A few passing servants glanced at Dad lost in thought by the lake and let out involuntary sighs.
"Dad!"
Dad looked up at my voice.
The sharp glint in his golden eyes melted into a soft smile as he welcomed me.
Today was a rare day we could spend tons of time together, so both Dad and I were thrilled!
"We're doing Divine Grace training here?"
"Yeah."
Right after finishing the interrogation of Count Dvayer, Dad had offered to train my Divine Grace.
Training under the empire's strongest knight was an incredible privilege.
I'd been secretly so jealous watching only Dietrich and Florian enjoy it.
'Especially in midsummer, seeing Dietrich freeze a cup of water in one go and drink it—I was dying of envy!'
Next summer, I'll freeze my water too.
Hiding my petty ulterior motive, I looked around the lakeside where Dad stood.
"This is the artificial lake the duke's family made for Divine Grace training."
No wonder there were never any fancy koi or even a single crucian carp whenever I came.
The lake was quite deep, but the water was so clear it barely felt that way.
As I gazed at the smooth white pebbles lining the bottom, I suddenly spotted something out of place nestled between them.
What’s that...?