The Proposal (3)
"I am not refusing your proposal because I dislike you, Sir Edward. How could I not be flattered when a young, handsome man asks for my hand? But I must decline—for the sake of all three of us: myself, my daughter Monica, and you, Sir Edward."
Vera moistened her lips with black tea and continued. "If you marry me, you wouldn't be the master of the Count's household; you would simply be the husband of an aging widow. And how long has it been since I lost my husband? If I were to marry now, I'd be lucky if people didn't whisper that I’d been hiding a lover and brought him out the moment my husband passed. And what would you tell the Mountbern family? They sent you to marry the future Countess, only for you to end up with some strange middle-aged woman."
"You needn't worry about that. The Mountbern family's primary goal was to get rid of me. They likely view any blood ties to the Rystein family as a mere afterthought."
"Even so, you are family. How could they..."
"The head of the house doesn't expect much from blood-based alliances. Neither he nor I consider each other family. It would be more accurate to call it a bond of malice rather than blood."
The head of the house is my half-brother, that bastard. I don't expect that man to harbor any brotherly affection for me. He didn't even show up to my wedding before the regression. Once I marry, I am effectively severed from that house. A man who isn't even family—he can go to hell.
"...In any case, I will consider your proposal from last night a joke. Please, propose again to my young, blooming daughter, not a widow with a grown child like me."
"My proposal last night was sincere. I don't care if you're a widow or anything else. And frankly speaking..."
Her face is so youthful that people often mistake her for her daughter's sister. I let my gaze sweep over Vera’s body. Even though she lives a sheltered life, her figure is voluptuous, unable to be hidden by her clothes. Perhaps because she had only recently risen, she was dressed in comfortable attire; through the thin slit of her dress, I could see her firm thighs, the full hips that supported them, and breasts as tempting as ripe fruit. Down to the slender waist connecting it all, her figure was beyond beautiful—it was erotic and lascivious.
"Vera, you are young, and you have a body far more supple and provocative than Monica's. In my eyes, you still look like a flower in full bloom."
"You shouldn't say such things."
Unlike her lips, which hurried to deny it, a smile she couldn't hide tugged at the corners of her mouth. She seemed not entirely displeased. I’ve lived with her for years; I know when she’s happy, even if she tries to hide it.
"That is too much praise for a widow who is not only a mother but has a grown child. But even if you flatter me, it won't work. It’s already rumored throughout the territory that the winner of the tournament will marry the Rystein heiress, Monica. If the groom suddenly changes in this situation, what will people think of my daughter? Do you intend to make her unmarriageable?"
It is true that a history of being "returned" is a significant blow to one's image. But does that really matter?
"As far as I know, Monica's marriage talks have fallen through four times already... What difference does one more make?"
"That’s only because the other families kept sending us idiots as prospective sons-in-law! It’s not that there’s a problem with our Monica..."
Vera stopped mid-sentence and sighed. I suppose her conscience pricked her at the thought of saying there was no problem.
"...Honestly, it’s not that there are no problems, but the other families had significant flaws. I couldn't marry my only daughter and heir to such half-wits. It was clear they would be of no help to our family whatsoever."
That wasn't the point. Monica has a personality flaw far more severe than her hatred of men, but I couldn't say that when I’d only known her for two days. A knight badmouthing a lady is a quick way to be treated like trash.
Vera, perhaps feeling parched, drank her tea and spoke in a pleading tone.
"My daughter turns twenty next year. As a nobleman, Sir Edward, you know well how a noble lady is treated if she remains unmarried by twenty."
I know it well, but I have no desire to tie my life to her, even with this opportunity. A life of growing old, lonely and unmarried. It seems like a fitting life for Monica, doesn't it? Since there’s no man who could endure that personality, living alone would be best for both parties.
"Even if you say that, my lady, Monica dislikes me so much."
"My daughter is a bit wary of men... but among men, she actually favors you, Sir Edward. She doesn't even want to see other men. I think I’ve halved the number of male servants because of Monica."
In my memories, too, it seemed that male servants were never allowed anywhere near the lord's office.
"I admit I spoiled her because she is my only daughter. But aside from that, she is beautiful and capable. She has never been with another man. Isn't this acceptable?"
It was almost like she was haggling now. Monica Rystein. Beautiful face, capable. Untouched. Personality slightly problematic. It’s true she inherited Vera's beauty. Her figure, while not quite as voluptuous as Vera's, was sufficiently feminine, and as for her ability, she had governed this vast county without issue even in my past life. Since she hated men, she naturally had no history with them. Still, I’m not buying. Am I insane?
When I remained silent, Vera even took my hand.
"I know you are a good man, Sir Edward. You are the best candidate for a son-in-law among all the proposals we've received. But if this marriage falls through, you have nowhere to go, do you? You can't return to your main house because your relationship with them is so poor. Even if it’s just a marriage on paper, it’s fine—just marry Monica and live here comfortably."
She’s right. If I lose my footing in the Rystein house, I might have to live among commoners or work as a mercenary. I’ve lived as a noble for forty years; to become a commoner overnight? Perhaps marrying Monica would be better... No, it feels about the same.
"I still prefer you, Vera..."
As I let my voice trail off, the smile on Vera's face faded. For a woman who always wore a gentle smile, that meant she was quite displeased. Pushing any further would only sour the atmosphere.
"If you insist that much, I suppose I have no choice."
"You only need to marry Monica. If you do that, I will grant you anything else you desire."
"Are you truly willing to grant me anything?"
"...Within the scope of what I can provide."
I am grateful she left me that opening.
In the Rystein County, there is the Melbourne Viscount family, which has served the Count's family with loyalty since long ago. Uniquely, the Melbourne Viscountcy is a house where the eldest daughter inherits the title. The current head of the Melbourne family, who has served as a strategist for the Rystein Count, was in a private meeting with the young lord-to-be (scheduled) who would soon ascend to the Rystein Countship.
"So, Winnie! That man is just so annoying!"
Winnie Melbourne, who lives in a relatively small annex next to the main castle of the county as a strategist and Viscount, was having her breakfast interrupted by her lord and childhood friend.
"Why on earth is he proposing to my mother out of the blue! Does he think he can ignore me just because he’s a minor noble who can’t even inherit the Countship?"
She lived in a mansion smaller than that of a typical Baron, but she had no major complaints. A Viscountcy is a title that doesn't necessarily come with a fief, and she found using servants so bothersome that she had dismissed them all upon inheriting the title. Commoners were nothing but a nuisance to her.
"This is why men are completely unnecessary!"
"Monica Rystein, future Countess. You really should maintain your dignity while eating."
The only complaint she had was that Monica would occasionally drop by to bother her like this.
"Ugh, stop using that weird half-formal speech. It doesn't suit you, and I can't get used to it."
"I am trying to maintain the proper etiquette for someone who will soon be a Countess. You're being too harsh."
"I'm already annoyed because of that man, don't you start too."
Monica grumbled and slumped over the table. Winnie, who was tearing into a piece of bread, asked.
"Do you hate him that much?"
"I hate all men. If it weren't for my mother's request, I would have kicked him out long ago."
"Kill him? Or maybe curse him?"
"...It's not that extreme. Given my mother's personality, I suppose I have to get married eventually, and it’s better if he’s at least decent-looking. If he disappears, I might have to marry someone truly bizarre."
"...I was joking."
"I know. You wouldn't go through the trouble of doing something like that given how lazy you are."
Monica thought that her lazy friend would never bother with such trivial matters. "I'll probably end up getting married anyway, so couldn't you give me a prophecy about my married life?"