Chapter 89
Chapter 89
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 89
Chapter Title: Mother's Fury and Final Touches
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Having somewhat pulled myself together, I rode the carriage and wandered around the Imperial Capital for a while before heading back to the townhouse.
It was the worst possible outcome, but I still needed to let them know that things were settled one way or another.
"William, you've returned at just the right time."
The townhouse I came back to.
The moment I arrived, the first thing I saw was Mother, all dressed up for an outing and about to climb into the carriage.
"I'm back."
"One of my acquaintances says they can at least line someone up for the pre-event festivities."
Watching Mother's face, tinged with a sliver of hope, I had no idea what expression to make.
Should I smile?
No, that might just complicate things further.
As I hesitated, an ambiguous, eerie expression that was neither a smile nor a frown settled on my face.
"Er... um..."
As I fumbled with my lips, Mother hardened her expression and approached cautiously.
"...What happened?"
"I'm sorry."
"...No, it can't be."
I bowed my head slightly and apologized first.
"I, uh, I don't think we need to look for a partner anymore."
Then I gave a concise explanation.
No need for a long-winded one—my face and the situation said it all.
If the guy who went to the Atelier comes back looking like death and starts apologizing right away, there's only one possible answer.
Mother watched me blankly for a moment, then gave a soft smile, tilted her head back slightly to gaze at the sky, and said,
"We're screwed. Utterly, completely screwed."
"......"
"How on earth did this happen? You didn't blurt it out like an idiot first, did you?"
"Absolutely not."
"Then?"
"They already knew I didn't have a partner. Even knew everyone's schedules around me."
Mother jerked like a marionette with its strings cut.
Then she stared blankly into empty space with hollow eyes.
"...Mother?"
"Haa—"
I called out to her carefully, and life returned to her eyes as a massive sigh burst from her lips.
She fixed me with half-lidded eyes, clenched her fist lightly, and slowly raised her arm.
"I told you to find one early...!"
"Ow!"
Her fist came down like lightning on the crown of my head.
My skull felt like it caved in, and my vision flashed white.
"I warned you to be careful, and instead you get distracted like an idiot, leaving yourself wide open?"
"This time was pretty hectic, though."
"Even so, you should've paid attention to this! I loosened up a bit because you were busy with your active work, and this is the mess you make? You want to shut down the business and go back to the estate?!"
Mother's arm rose again, her voice getting louder.
If this were inside the house, I'd take it quietly, but we're outside.
Once is a light mistake you can brush off, but twice, and rumors start swirling seriously.
Nobles are human too—they might smack their kids where no one sees—but doing it in plain view is another story. I hurriedly grabbed Mother's wrist and said,
"Ow... Mother, calm down."
"Ma'am, we're outside...!"
"Let's go inside first and continue this."
"Ugh...!"
Grace and Emily, who had been watching, rushed over to calm Mother and smoothly guided her inside, preventing her fist from meeting my head a second time.
"Phew..."
I let out a sigh of relief and rubbed the top of my head.
Truly fortunate—or rather, it hadn't happened again.
You might think I'm overreacting about a mere bump, but Mother looks delicate, yet her strikes pack a sneaky punch.
They're not overwhelmingly powerful, but she knows exactly how to hit where it hurts.
She has this knack for striking pressure points that neutralize you in one go.
I have no idea where she learned that skill...
"Haa..."
Anyway, confirming my head was intact, I let out a deep sigh and followed Mother into the townhouse.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A tea table hastily prepared.
Facing each other across it, Mother and I sat in silence until Emily cautiously approached and poured tea into our cups.
"Call if you need anything."
"Yes."
Emily set a small bell in the center of the table and withdrew, leaving Mother and me alone as she left the room.
"Haa... What are we to do now... This is exactly what I didn't want to happen..."
"I'm sorry..."
The moment the door closed, Mother's lament burst out.
I bowed my head and apologized again, but she shook her head and wet her lips with the tea.
"Apologies now won't change anything. What's done is done, and it can't be undone."
"Ugh... Mother, Princess Elizabeth seems like a decent person, though. A bit suspicious, maybe, but not outright weird."
"I know that. I know she's not a bad girl."
"...?"
Her words contradicted everything she'd said so far, leaving me dumbfounded.
"From your face, it looks like you're misunderstanding something. I don't dislike that girl."
"Then?"
In response to my question, Mother wore a half-resigned expression and let her shoulders slump.
"It's her parents who are the problem. They're fine for business, but I have no desire to deal with them on a personal level. Running into her in family matters would be utterly dreadful."
"I see..."
A few people who could inspire such disgust from Mother flashed through my mind, but I shook my head to dismiss the thoughts.
No way... even if it was, it shouldn't be.
We did some pretty unforgivable things, even with the princess's permission.
If they were just powerful nobles, we might weasel out somehow, but if not...
"Ugh..."
Dreadful.
"Haa, to think I'd have to call that woman my in-law..."
"Wait, just one partner means my marriage is set in stone?"
Being partners for a big event like this is no light matter, but it's not as binding as an engagement.
Engagements break sometimes, partners change frequently, and in extreme cases, the pre-event and main event partners differ.
If I play my cards right later, maybe I can salvage...
"That's just how that family is."
"I see..."
No dice, then.
If there were even a slim chance, she'd tell me to try something, but her clean surrender means it's hopeless.
"It might seem that way now, but you never know with life—maybe we'll grow apart later?"
I clung to one last hope, predicting another future.
"Who knows."
"We're still young, after all..."
"You're right, that could happen. But if that future unfolds, all your father and I could do is help you elope abroad... No, even that might be tough. We'd just have to bury you somewhere sunny. Next to your grandfather? Or your grandmother? Oh, your uncle's spot is available too."
That wasn't it either.
This ending was straight-up death.
At 17, picking my burial plot is too harsh.
"I don't want to think about that yet..."
"Then absolutely don't choose a future where you drift apart—unless you want to end your life as a playboy toying with marriageable virgins."
"....."
Every optimistic path I imagined shattered the moment I voiced it.
"You're trying to deny the future with wishful thinking, so as your mother, I'll tell you the two things you need to do for your sake."
"Yes."
As I fiddled with my teacup with a sullen face, Mother held up two fingers with a serious expression.
They say even a tiger's den can be survived with a clear head, so even if slim, there might be a way.
Mother truly is the smartest and wisest person I know.
"First, plan how you'll escort that girl on Founding Day."
"...Yes."
"Second, draft an invitation letter to invite her to your birthday."
"......"
She'd just dragged out "pick your grave" at length.
For a brief moment, the world spun before my eyes.
Yeah... I figured as much.
Facing reality is important, and when an unstoppable wave comes, it's safer to ride it than fight it.
"Yeesh..."
I nodded, tears in my eyes.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ I realized from my conversation with Mother just how badly my situation was screwed, but if I had to pinpoint the moment it truly sank in emotionally...
"...A tax audit?"
It was the next day, when a surprise tax audit notice arrived at the Atelier.
"Hmm~ I see."
Tax audits are usually a big deal, but seeing this one barely fazed me.
Even though the audit date was the day after my birthday, I just shrugged it off.
We're only two months into this business— of course they're coming down hard.
It was almost funny.
"Emily, keep this aside; we'll read it again later."
"Yes."
I casually handed the letter to Emily and turned to look for Elizabeth.
Right now, some old man's schemes were the least of my concerns—too many priorities. I'd finish my tasks and deal with preparations or responses accordingly.
"Elizabeth."
"Yes~?"
I beckoned to Princess Elizabeth, who was chatting with Princess Fanny. Looking thrilled since yesterday, she trotted over with a beaming smile.
"Something up?"
"Nothing much. The clothes are mostly done."
"Finally finished?"
"Yeah."
I lifted the basket I'd set under my workbench onto the top.
Inside were a mink fur stole and a pure white dress.
"Oh my, when did you get this stole?"
"Somehow managed."
I'd searched so hard that I considered cheap rabbit fur or other colors, but thanks to Prince Hans's wide network of elves and connections, I barely scored it.
It cost a fortune, but it was worth it.
The soft texture and uniform, vivid sheen would pair perfectly with the dress.
"Try it on, and tell me any simple fixes. If I can do them over the weekend, I will."
"Okay."
I slid the basket toward her and gave Emily a subtle glance.
Emily naturally took the basket and stood by the princess, saying,
"I'll help you."
"Thanks."
I smiled as I watched the princess and Emily head to the next room.
A little excited to see how she'd look.