Chapter 20
“If it’s good for everyone, then isn’t it a good thing?”
“And this marriage certainly won’t be bad for Chloe either.”
“So…”
“I was thinking we should try arranging a marriage for Lady Chloe, Lady Fiona.”
“A marriage…”
“Is there really a young man who would want to marry Chloe?”
“She’s… rather extraordinary.”
Of course there is.
Aethan Oyster.
The second son of House Oyster.
The original novel only mentioned it briefly, but Aethan Oyster had been secretly in love with Chloe since childhood.
He’d fallen for her beauty.
And apparently…
That infatuation lasted his entire life.
If Chloe could spend her life being loved like that…
She would surely be happy.
She had certainly looked happy enough whenever she caused trouble.
“I was thinking…”
“If we happen to meet a suitable young gentleman during the upcoming banquet, perhaps we could introduce him to Lady Chloe.”
“Of course…”
“Lady Chloe’s own opinion would be important as well.”
“…If that were possible…”
“Do you already have someone in mind?”
“I’m still considering the options.”
“But Cheres said he’ll soon recommend several promising young men from the South.”
“I believe we may find someone suitable among them.”
“And…”
“Cheres has always been deeply grateful to both you and Lady Chloe.”
“Especially to you, Lady Fiona.”
“…I’ve done nothing worthy of such gratitude.”
“If anything…”
“I’ve always been the one grateful to His Grace.”
The faint smile on her face was so gentle and proper.
How had someone like Chloe been born to a woman like this?
At this point…
I was becoming genuinely curious about the late Count Maleite.
People always said daughters resembled their fathers.
…Then again…
According to Cheres, Count Maleite had also been a respectable man.
It really was a mystery.
Perhaps Chloe had simply been spoiled too much by her grandparents.
In any case…
That wasn’t what mattered right now.
I clicked my tongue inwardly before continuing.
“So…”
“For your sake as well, Lady Fiona…”
“Cheres sincerely hopes Lady Chloe will live happily for the rest of her life.”
“He believes that’s the only way he can repay the kindness you’ve shown him.”
I added just enough pleasant exaggeration to make it convincing.
To be honest…
I wasn’t sure Cheres had thought that far ahead.
One thing was certain, though.
He’d had more than enough of Chloe.
He did, however, genuinely respect Lady Fiona.
“So…”
“If Lady Chloe marries the second son of a noble house who won’t inherit a title…”
“Cheres intends to establish a branch of House Beredan’s trading company under House Maleite’s management and place them in charge of it.”
That had actually been my own suggestion to Cheres.
He’d agreed to help find Chloe a husband.
Helping arrange a marriage for the descendants of a loyal vassal family was perfectly acceptable by noble custom.
Besides…
The farther that troublesome woman was from us…
The better.
It would probably add years to Lady Fiona’s life as well.
And…
I was merely moving future events forward.
I didn’t believe it would significantly alter fate.
“You’ve probably heard that a new sea route has recently been opened in the southeastern ports.”
I’d already confirmed it myself.
If I was going to send Chloe away…
I intended to do it properly.
We certainly didn’t want her dying in some distant land.
How could we let Lady Fiona suffer such a tragedy?
“It’s the Kingdom of Ivelique.”
“We’re planning to establish a trading branch there.”
“I think that position would suit her.”
Becoming the manager of a Beredan trading branch under House Maleite’s supervision was an incredibly prestigious appointment.
Not only would it be highly profitable…
It also symbolized House Beredan’s trust.
It was an excellent opportunity.
The only drawback…
Was that the Kingdom of Ivelique was a month and a half away by sea.
Even Chloe…
Wouldn’t be able to storm into the ducal estate from that far away.
That was how I intended to solve the Chloe problem.
“The Kingdom of Ivelique…”
“It’s certainly far away…”
“But once the trading branch is established there, the Kingdom has promised to grant the branch manager the rank of Viscount.”
“So she’d want for nothing.”
“She’d also receive a share of the company’s profits.”
“And…”
“I believe living somewhere so distant would broaden Lady Chloe’s horizons.”
I deliberately spoke as though everything I proposed was entirely for Chloe’s benefit.
Which…
Wasn’t entirely false.
Because if things continued as they were…
I honestly felt like I might kill Chloe myself.
She possessed the rare ability to turn even an ordinary citizen into a monster.
“I think it’s a wonderful proposal.”
“I’m simply grateful that His Grace has gone to such lengths for our Chloe.”
“And thank you as well, Duchess…”
“…for giving this so much thought.”
Lady Fiona smiled warmly.
I felt a tiny pang of guilt.
But there was no helping it.
This was still far better than allowing Chloe to become a villain and be driven away in disgrace.
“If a worthy young gentleman appears…”
“I truly hope everything works out.”
Lady Fiona smiled faintly before quietly adding,
“It may be best to send her away…”
“…before she causes an irreparable incident.”
I couldn’t have agreed more.
I nodded immediately.
Lady Fiona tried to persuade me to stay longer for tea…
But I had to decline.
My little bundle of energy had woken up from his nap while we were talking.
“My goodness.”
“Now that he’s awake…”
“Young Master is even more handsome.”
“He’ll become an extraordinary man someday.”
I wholeheartedly agreed.
He was the protagonist of this world, after all.
Naturally.
Feeling oddly proud, I nodded.
“He must be hungry.”
“May I have his meal prepared?”
“We only need to warm the food we brought.”
“Of course.”
“Kyaaah! Dada! Dede!”
Hayden waved both hands enthusiastically and kicked his little feet as though thanking us.
Lady Fiona couldn’t help smiling at the sight.
Thanks to her hospitality…
I was able to feed Hayden his baby food comfortably before leaving the estate.
Watching him open his mouth like a baby bird every time he looked at me…
He was so unbelievably adorable.
“Mamama! Mama! Dede! Bya!”
As we stepped outside…
He kept looking only at me.
Smiling only at me.
Reaching out only toward me.
Watching him…
A single thought crossed my mind.
“…Is it really right for me to leave you behind someday?”
No matter how I thought about it…
Hayden’s future seemed far too full of thorns.
Even I felt exhausted just dealing with everything.
How much harder would it be…
For such a tiny child?
Especially when there wasn’t just one villain waiting for him.
Holding his squirming little body still, I fastened him securely into the stroller.
Then I let out a long sigh.
Leaning forward…
I gently rested my forehead against his.
“It’s going to be hard for you.”
“Byababa? Mama! Mama!”
I rubbed my lips lightly against the bridge of his tiny nose.
Hayden burst into cheerful laughter.
The moment I saw that smiling face…
Every worry seemed to disappear.
* * *
Cheres glanced sideways at Bogus.
Ever since his long conversation with Roana about Chloe that day…
His heart had felt noticeably lighter.
Roana had come up with a solution that neither he nor Bogus had ever imagined.
She called her plan…
“A happy ending for everyone.”
“If possible…”
“I’d like Lady Chloe to find happiness too.”
“That way…”
“You won’t have to carry this burden in your heart anymore, Cheres.”
A burden…
The fact that Roana had considered even his feelings…
Filled him with quiet gratitude.
Just as she had unexpectedly comforted him before…
This time…
She had shaken his heart once again.
“Because…”
“I think that’s the only way you can be happy too, Cheres.”
Even while enduring her own hardships…
Roana had still been thinking about his happiness.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Oh…”
“It’s nothing.”
Roana had insisted that Bogus remain unaware of her plan until everything was finished.
She claimed she wanted to teach him a lesson.
Cheres intended to honor that request.
Whether someone who truly wished to marry Chloe would actually appear before the banquet…
He couldn’t say.
But…
He fully intended to support this plan in every possible way.
If everything succeeded…
Peace would finally return to House Beredan.
Bogus would come to acknowledge Roana.
And…
Roana herself would finally be able to live more comfortably.
Simply as Roana—
Not as Hezest.
The image of Roana laughing brightly while making funny faces to amuse Hayden lingered vividly in Cheres’s mind.
