Chapter 197
Chapter 197
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 197
Chapter Title: Hayes' Engagement Ceremony
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Weddings draw on parents' connections, funerals on children's.
I don't know where I heard it or who came up with it, but that line perfectly captured the essence of those two events.
"Whoa, it's packed."
Even though it was just an engagement party, seeing hundreds of people crammed in made me feel overwhelmed.
If I exaggerated a bit, it was on the scale of half the Emperor's birthday celebration.
But the scary part was that this was considered small.
You might think it's not small, but at my older brother's wedding, the Crown Princess attended as the imperial representative to offer her congratulations before leaving, so yeah, this was small by comparison.
"Still, it's a relief that Father became a border count."
"Why bring that up out of nowhere?"
"Thanks to that, all the attention's focused on him."
Recently, the Emperor's whims had been directed at my father, which let me hide here like a weed in this dreadful place.
"Whoa... Young Master, that sounds super unfilial, you know that?"
"I've always been a fiery filial son."
Emily looked at me with a hint of pity, like I was some poor fool happy that my dad was pulling all the aggro, but I was fine with admitting I was unfilial.
I was the warm-hearted son who kept a polar bear shaking with rage and never worried about winter heating bills.
My engagement came later than my little sister's, I even went to jail, and I delayed Father's retirement, freezing Mother's side with anxiety—if I denied it, I'd be without conscience.
If I hadn't been the one to hook up Hayes and her fiancé today, I'd probably have my hair yanked out like a weed by Mother by now.
A truly horrific and terrifying future.
"So, when's this thing gonna start?"
"Hmm... Probably soon? The emcee's up at the podium."
"Oh..."
The person standing at the podium that Emily pointed to was the Tigres Countess, swaying her leopard-print tail gently with a warm smile on her face.
"Unexpected choice for emcee."
"Is it? Doesn't seem weird. The Tigres Countess is on good terms with the count, right?"
It wasn't a wedding, just an engagement.
Handing it off freely to someone you're close with made sense for a casual event like this.
"She's pregnant, though—about five months along. Is that okay?"
"Oh, yeah."
But still, a pregnant woman emceeing felt off.
Standing for hours— even in the stable phase, wasn't that pushing it?
"She must be fine with it if she agreed."
"True enough."
It's not like they held a sword to her throat and forced her.
Plus, she wasn't human—she was a tiger beastkin, so probably tougher.
"Oh, look, the lady and her gentleman are coming out."
"Oh."
From afar, I could see Hayes and her fiancé walking arm-in-arm, both smiling.
Her fiancé wore a standard navy suit.
Hayes had on a navy A-line dress with lace embroidered with elaborate patterns along the hem.
The contrast between dark and light suited them nicely.
"They both look great."
Worth every penny I paid—the outfits turned out beautifully.
The only downside was Hayes' dress covering her chest, making it look a bit stuffy.
Hard to blame the designer, though. Someone that skilled wouldn't make something so drab on purpose.
They probably designed the top to pad out a smaller bust, but Hayes had done a spectacular growth spurt right before.
Couldn't overhaul the hem or waist, and changing the neckline would mean too many alterations, so they pushed ahead.
Still well-made, no awkwardness.
Just 0.1% short of perfect.
"Lady Hayes looks stunning. Could pass for a wedding."
"Right?"
But they'd toned it down for an engagement.
"Can't wait to see how flashy the wedding will be."
"Yeah."
For the wedding, it'd be extravagant enough to shower flower petals in midwinter, with a dress so long and trailing that two maids would need to hold the train from behind.
Definitely eye-searingly dazzling.
- To all the distinguished guests who have joined us in this joyful moment where these two pledge their marriage... "Ah, it's starting."
As Hayes and her fiancé exchanged light greetings with the countess and stood side by side, the beaming Tigres Countess began emceeing.
The noisy engagement hall, filled with chatter and applause, fell silent in an instant as all eyes turned to the emcee and the couple.
"......"
I clamped my mouth shut and stared intently at Hayes' back.
[Oppa! Play with meee!]
"Ha."
The image of little Hayes whining with her tiny tongue overlapped for a second, drawing a chuckle from me.
Not my place to say, giving away such premium goods to that outstanding guy, but man, her fiancé was still a waste in my eyes.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ They exchanged rings, held hands, traded gazes, signed papers setting the wedding date, and announced it to the guests—a wedding-like process, but somehow emptier and less fun. Through it all, Hayes evolved into a married woman (sort of).
Now at a stage where backing out wasn't easy without scandal or crime, her fiancé could no longer return Hayes.
"Heh heh~"
Bittersweet, but happy.
"You didn't cry after all."
"Huh?"
I was smirking with pity for the guy stuck with that tomboy for life when Emily, who'd stuck by my side, threw out a random comment.
I glanced around thinking someone else cried, but Emily's gaze was fixed straight on me.
"Me?"
"Yeah. Everyone thought you'd get a little teary at the engagement."
Not my brother, me?
"Why would I?"
Absurd.
I might get choked up at a wedding, but an engagement was too low-key for tears.
Our family did them grand, but lesser houses often just swapped rings in front of family or signed papers like a contract and called it done. Why waste tears?
"You dote on Lady Hayes so much. Emotions could well up, right?"
"Hah."
A hollow laugh escaped at the prediction even a weather forecast would beat.
"Well up? Am I her parent? And who cries at an engagement, not a wedding?"
"Some noble ladies do. Lots of emotional types."
"That's parents."
Parents and siblings were light-years apart.
Unless Hayes suffered some tragic accident, I wouldn't cry over her.
If anything, I'd be more likely to yell or curse.
"Sigh..."
Recalling Hayes' antics toward me, I sighed and downed some champagne.
Still so childish—worried if she'd handle being lady of the house properly next year.
Hoping she didn't get underestimated living like a tomboy.
"Oppa."
As I fretted over Hayes—who had about a year till the wedding—and soothed myself with booze, she and her fiancé approached in evening dress and tux.
"Hey, what're you doing here?"
They had tons of people to greet—time was short. Why come to me?
"Why? You're stuck to the wall like moss."
"On a day like this, hanging with a dull guy like me's bad luck."
"Then act a bit flashier."
"Kill me instead."
"Hmph, even at your little sister's engagement?"
"Yup."
"Pffft..."
I grumbled on purpose, and Hayes puffed her cheeks while laughing.
"So, why come to me?"
"Because of this dress."
"Dress? Problem? Let me see."
"Not that. Came 'cause it's so pretty."
"True. I heard my brother-in-law made the evening dress."
Hayes swayed her hips proudly, and her fiancé chimed in supportively.
"Ah, well... My skills are lacking, but she nagged so much I did it."
"Thanks to you, Hayes shone brighter than at the engagement even at night. Lacking? If that's lacking, half the tailors should quit sewing."
"You're too kind."
Maybe not that great, but praise felt good—I smiled and bowed slightly.
"Still, dressed so beautifully, you gonna lurk by the wall? Take that tomboy and go mingle."
"There's more to talk about."
"Talk?"
I tilted my head, and her fiancé patted Hayes' shoulder lightly as they exchanged glances.
"Gulp..."
Hayes nodded solemnly and swallowed hard.
"Oppa."
"Yeah."
Her voice came out grave.
Sounded important, so I crossed my arms and waited quietly.
"Oppa, can you make my wedding dress?"
"...Evening dress?"
"No."
"Then what?"
"Dummy. What else but a wedding dress?"
"What?"
Wedding... dress...?
"I want you to make my wedding dress, Oppa."
"Why?"
Her polite confirmation shot made me serious as I questioned her.
No reason came to mind to entrust me with something so crucial.
Anything but dresses—I had zero track record to show.
Worried she'd made a huge mistake.
"Well... You might not be the absolute best at making dresses."
"Exactly. So why ask me? The capital's full of better makers."
"But you're the best for me."
"......"
"When you gave me this, I realized: Plenty can make good clothes, but only you make me shine brightest. What tailor calls a client dumb and makes an unrequested dress on top?"
"Come on... Not that big a deal..."
I scratched my head lightly and glanced between Hayes and her fiancé.
Thought it was her whim, but he was sparkling with the same expectant eyes.
This is embarrassing.
"You'll regret it."
"Ha, Oppa, don't frown from the lips down."
"Ridiculous. The day you need to look prettiest—sure?"
"Why's your tongue so sharp? You teased my fashion sense endlessly, now scared when I ask?"
"Not scared, just... you might nag."
"Tch, now I'll nag for sure."
She glared playfully and put hands on hips.
"So you'll do it?"
"Well... If you insist, fine. But no regrets?"
"Nope. I trust you."
"Agreed."
"Ha..."
Seeing them nod earnestly, I couldn't refuse anymore.
"Tch. I'll do my best."
Didn't get handing such an important dress to an 18-year-old newbie, but I awkwardly rubbed my neck and nodded.
"Heehee, thanks."
Beaming Hayes trotted over for a quick hug.
"Yeah. Always thanks."
I patted her lightly.
"Ha..."
Really.
For so many reasons, my little sister was gonna make me cry.