Chapter 46: Same Bed, Different Dreams (1)
Chapter 46: Same Bed, Different Dreams (1)
Translation: Godtl
"A marriage proposal... from Viscount Granville's household? For me?"
This wasn't the first time Serena had received a marriage proposal.
And it certainly wouldn't be the last.
She'd received marriage offers from various noble families dozens of times already—proposals from men whose faces she'd never even seen.
So-called political marriages.
Not that she thought of them too coldly.
For noble houses, marriage was the easiest card to play when expanding their influence.
It was practically customary among any noble family with even a modicum of prestige.
"Who is it this time?"
"They're proposing a marriage alliance with the third son of Viscount Granville's household. As you know, the Granvilles are—"
"Yes, that rising star among Albion's technocrat nobility, right?"
"Exactly. Whether you consider their lineage or reputation, this proposal is almost too good for our standing."
As her father said, this proposal was in a completely different league from previous ones.
Humans aren't hamsters.
Even if a man takes multiple wives, the number of children remains limited, and thus so are the opportunities for marriage alliances.
Therefore, political marriages typically involved colder calculations than merchant transactions.
Yet here was a viscount's family—no less—wanting to form ties with the Lenoir Baronet Family through their third son...
Serena couldn't make sense of it.
"...Did the third son fall for me somehow? When would we have even met?"
"Our Serena did inherit her mother's beauty, but..."
Baronet Lenoir tapped the ever-present cola bottle on their dining table as he continued.
"It seems your recent collaboration with Y&P left quite an impression."
"Ah..."
"They've promised substantial investment if this marriage goes through. The Lenoir family's standing would rise significantly, and you'd get to work in much better conditions."
Serena's father couldn't hide his eagerness.
"Don't worry too much about his character. I made some inquiries—they say he's a remarkably mild-mannered and virtuous young noble. No lust for power, completely disinterested in succession struggles... Isn't that actually a good thing? And he's around your age too... Ack! Dear, what's the matter?"
"Must you always be like this? We agreed not to do this anymore!"
"But I'm just saying these are favorable conditions for Serena too."
"Sending your daughter off based solely on conditions—is that being parents or merchants?! Did you marry me for my conditions?!"
"N-no! Absolutely not!"
Serena's mother delivered several loud smacks to her father's back.
Then she grasped Serena's hand tightly, her eyes filled with concern.
"Sweetheart, this concerns your entire life. Forget what your father said. What matters most is how you feel. Is there someone special in your heart?"
"Not particularly, no."
Ahem. "Despite how it sounds, your father feels the same. We'd never force you if you're unwilling. But do remember these are exceptionally good terms."
"You're still going on about that?!"
"N-now, I'm not saying anything wrong! Imagine how our Serena could spread her wings in Viscount Granville's household after all she's accomplished in our humble workshop? They've promised full support in every aspect!"
"It's alright, Mother. I understand what you're both saying. I'll seriously consider the proposal."
Serena placated her parents.
However it might appear, how could she not recognize the genuine affection behind their words?
"My, how mature our daughter has become..."
"Come here, let me hug you after so long."
Yet sandwiched between her parents, Serena struggled to suppress her complicated emotions.
After Rex's expulsion, Penelope—who had been staying at Serena's home—returned to her private hotel suite.
There was no longer any need to guard against potential threats.
Serena visited The Litchfield Hotel bearing a small gift to meet Penelope.
"Hello. It feels like ages since we last met."
"Indeed. Though perhaps that's because we'd been attached at the hip for a while. What brings you here unannounced?"
Perhaps it was just her imagination, but...
Penelope seemed slightly buoyed by Serena's unexpected visit.
At least until Serena posed her question.
"Marriage proposals? Had plenty of those back in the day."
"Y-yes, I suppose you would have."
The moment "marriage proposal" was mentioned, Penelope reacted with world-weary indifference.
Not that it was surprising—Penelope was stunning enough to startle even other women.
Though her personality is quite intimidating, unlike Serena, Penelope is tall and, most importantly, the second daughter of a prestigious family—so marriage proposals must have poured down on her like a sudden downpour.
Which is precisely why Penelope is the perfect person to discuss this matter with.
Because she's an 'adult.'
And because she's a 'true noble.'
"So what did you do about them?"
"What do you mean, what did I do? I turned them all down."
"Why?"
"...Just because I didn't like them."
"Ah."
Belatedly, Serena realized that consulting Penelope might have been pointless.
The Rosemore Count Family is the one that chooses.
Unless the suitor was from an exceptionally prominent family, even if Penelope accepted a proposal, the man would have to become a live-in son-in-law.
She was from a completely different world than Serena, who had to struggle desperately just to seize an opportunity.
"But why are you suddenly asking about this?"
"Because... I've received a marriage proposal from the Viscount Granville House."
"What?!"
Penelope jolted in shock, while Serena continued glumly.
"I'm not too keen on it either... But for my family, it seems like an important opportunity. As you know, we're first-generation nobles."
Baronet families are inherently weak in foundation.
Do you think they're called "mayflies" for nothing?
In such a situation, forming a marital alliance with a viscount's family would at least guarantee that her younger brother could securely inherit the baronetcy.
"I know that even hesitating is childish. But still..."
"Wait, timeout. Let me speak first."
"Huh?"
Penelope was well aware that their circumstances were different.
What she had assumed was just casual chatter might have come off as insensitive to Serena.
So Penelope hastily called for a pause.
"...Actually, the reason I turned down those marriage proposals wasn't what you're thinking."
"Huh? Then...?"
"They just fell through. The ones left were all old enough to be my father. Did you think I had a thing for older men?"
Serena, who had been listening carefully, suddenly recalled something.
Given Jurgen's abilities and demeanor, he must be quite old.
And Penelope was in a romantic relationship with him.
"...W-well, that might be accurate?"
"Hey."
"Sorry..."
Penelope clicked her tongue.
"Anyway, that was years ago. Nowadays, no one's interested in me."
"Why is that?"
"If they're willing to become a live-in son-in-law, it means they want to borrow the Rosemore name—but I don't hold any real power, so I'm not an attractive prospect. On the other hand, any family prestigious enough for me to marry into wouldn't want a woman like me, who already has a lover, as their daughter-in-law."
Exposing her own weaknesses.
Clumsily showing that I'm not so different from you.
This was Penelope's rather heavy-handed way of offering sympathy and comfort...
But to Serena, it was utterly useless.
'...Isn't it just because people are scared of Lady Penelope?'
Because even if Serena were a man, the idea of becoming the husband of a woman like Penelope—who could quietly bury a mafia boss without a trace—would be terrifying.
"Then... if you were in my position, Lady Penelope, what would you do?"
"Why are you asking me? It's a turning point in your life—you should decide for yourself."
"Of course, but that's the hard part..."
In truth, she had been hoping for something.
That Penelope would say, "I'd prefer it if you refused the engagement and stayed. You're an important collaborator for Y&P Trading, after all."
The royal capital, Albion, where she had stayed during her academy days, held nothing but bad memories for her.
The thought of returning to that den of human poison mushrooms, all glamour on the outside.
The thought of being abruptly separated from her family like this.
And worst of all—marrying a man she didn't even know. Even if she had mentally prepared herself, the energy drained from her body at the thought.
'You weren't hurt, were you?'
'...Th-thank goodness you're back, Serena.'
The day Serena had been kidnapped and returned.
Before she learned that it wasn't actually a kidnapping but a runaway, Penelope had genuinely seemed worried, pulling Serena into a tight embrace.
At the very least, that was how Serena remembered it.
And the time they spent together afterward... Honestly, she hadn't hated it.
Enough to make her think, 'Is this what friendship is?'
If so.
Then perhaps Penelope and Serena were friends?
If Penelope was her friend—
If Penelope, who had the power to save her—
Couldn't they make a proposal substantial enough to stop the marriage and keep Serena by their side?
Between Jurgen and Penelope, weren't those two capable of exactly that?
The eternally stretched-out time finally came to an end.
"Serena, you've done really well up until now."
Penelope's lips moved again.
"But what can we do? It's a matter concerning the family. You've truly worked hard all this time."
It was a clean, decisive resignation—like slicing something off with a sharp blade.
"I'll properly compensate you for everything you've done so far."
The words that followed didn't quite reach Serena's ears.
Jurgen had heard about Serena's marriage talks from Penelope.
It wasn't particularly surprising news.
At Miss Serena's age, wasn't it about time for marriage discussions to start circulating?
He was also aware that she had recently grown close with Penelope.
Yet Penelope showed no signs of trying to dissuade Serena from the marriage.
"Will this be alright?"
"Will what be alright?"
"Speaking like that makes it seem like Miss Serena will just leave. Didn't the two of you just recently become close?"
"Me? With Serena?"
Penelope pouted slightly as she sank into thought.
Of course, Serena's departure was regrettable.
But from Y&P's perspective, it wasn't to the level of being "painful."
Even if Serena was an outstanding magitech engineer showing promising growth, it would be a stretch to call her an irreplaceable talent.
Yet the bitterness of parting with Serena...
"We have gotten closer recently."
It was probably because, as Jurgen said, they had grown somewhat attached.
Serena—a coward who was overly sensitive to others' moods yet occasionally picked absurd fights.
Looking at her, Penelope had even wondered, Is this what having a close friend feels like?
"If you regret it so much, why didn't you stop her?"
"What? Are you saying you regret Serena getting married?"
"I do regret it."
Penelope's mouth opened slightly as she swallowed empty air.
"Wh-why would you regret it?"
"Why ask for a reason? We've grown closer, and Miss Serena herself doesn't seem too pleased about this marriage."
"Ah, if that's the reason..."
At any rate, Penelope didn't want Serena to leave either.
Serena herself wasn't exactly thrilled about the marriage.
At its simplest, they could just stop her from going.
"But we don't have the same influence as Viscount Granville's House."
"Hmm..."
"Serena has ambitions. She has to consider her family's stability too. How could I selfishly ask her to stay just for my sake?"
It was obvious—even Penelope couldn't support Serena the way Viscount Granville's House could.
At this point, thoughtlessly begging her not to go would only hold her back.
"Is Miss Serena's ambition something so important that it must be achieved through a political marriage?"
"How should I know?"
Penelope had already made up her mind.
"I'll respect Serena's choice. So don't you go trying to persuade her either. She's impressionable enough as it is—hey, what? Where are you going?"
By the time she finished speaking, Jurgen had already risen from his seat.
"I'll go meet Miss Serena."
"Did you hear what I just said? If it's just half-hearted pity, then drop it."
Penelope's expression grew complicated.
She didn't know what Jurgen was thinking, but...
This political marriage wasn't exactly a tragedy for Serena.
In fact, if the same proposal were made to the sons and daughters of baronet families, nine out of ten would accept without hesitation—it was that good of an offer.
"I have no intention of poorly persuading her or pitying her. Still, isn't it better to hear it from her directly?"
But Penelope also understood why Jurgen was acting this way.
To Jurgen, a commoner, it must look different.
From his perspective, romantic marriage was one-sided, and Serena might seem like she was being sold off for her family's sake.
Jurgen had a quietly kind streak—he might genuinely want to help Serena.
Just like how he had readily extended his hand to Penelope before.
"Fine. I won't stop you."
"I might be a little late. Miss Penelope, you should head back first and rest."
"Alright."
Watching Jurgen's retreating figure as he headed toward Lenoir Mansion, Penelope let out a sigh.
"If only I were just a little more..."
If only she had more influence.
If only she had a voice in her family.
She could have kept Serena by her side.
Overcome by a rare sense of powerlessness, Penelope exhaled another deep, heavy sigh.