Episode 3
I was left speechless at Mother’s self-mocking voice.
‘It’s not Mother’s fault….’
Mother had received quite a few marriage proposals over the years.
It was only natural. Mother was a great beauty, and although Arno was a Viscount family, it was one of the most prominent in terms of wealth.
But Mother rejected all of them.
– I still haven’t been able to forget him.
She would say so.
Of course, it was true that Mother still loved Father. Even now, she would often look longingly at my purple eyes, which she said resembled Father’s.
However, having matured early, I knew there was a bigger reason for Mother than that.
‘It was because of me.’
Mother was worried that she might neglect me if she remarried, and that I would feel intimidated by being overly conscious of a stepfather or a stepfather’s family.
In fact, she said there were even people who told her to leave me behind at the Arno family while proposing to her.
So, Mother absolutely did not need to feel guilty about this whole situation.
I was the one who felt sorry.
‘If it weren’t for me, Mother could have lived more of her own life.’
No, if only I were a son who could inherit Arno, wouldn’t these worries have been nonexistent?
When I rubbed my cheek against Mother’s arm with apology, only then did Mother react.
“Vivi, my baby.”
Mother hugged me tightly with a very sad face. Her body, pressed against mine, trembled slightly.
Possessing the memories of my past life, I understood very well the meaning of what Uncle Pascal had said.
However, I asked while pretending not to know.
“Mother, what’s wrong? Are you crying because of what Uncle Pascal said? Was it something bad?”
“No, Vivi. It’s nothing. You don’t have to worry.”
“But….”
“It’s because I’m sad that Grandfather isn’t here. Vivi, you’re sad too because Grandfather is no longer with us, right?”
“Uh-huh.”
Just as Mother said, the mansion without Uncle Dietrich or Grandfather was excessively large and quiet.
“My daughter must be tired. It’s time for baby angels to go night-night. Mother will read you a fairy tale book. Let’s go sleep.”
“……Yes.”
Lying side by side in bed, Mother read me a fairy tale in her usual voice. Listening to the soft voice that sounded somewhat like a lullaby, I fell into a deep sleep without a care.
“Mother will protect you no matter what happens.”
In my sleep, it felt as if Mother said that while kissing me.
* * *
The next day, Mother gathered trustworthy people and held a serious meeting.
Including Mother and me, a total of five people were gathered in Grandfather’s office. They were Grandfather Albert, the butler; Mr. Christopher, who was the aide to the late Grandfather; and Susan, the head maid.
Naturally, Mother did not intend to include me in the adults’ conversation, but I insisted on staying with her.
‘I need to know how the situation is turning out so I can prepare!’
Mother couldn’t bring herself to push me away as I whimpered, saying I was scared to be alone.
The other three people also didn’t ask to send me out, perhaps thinking I wouldn’t understand the adults’ dialogue.
Thus, I stuck close to Mother’s side, sipping hot chocolate and pretending to be distracted. Of course, I kept my ears pricked and focused on the adults’ conversation.
“How could Master Pascal do such a thing….”
“…….”
“We must take some measures.”
The three adults who heard Mother’s story seemed greatly shocked by Uncle Pascal’s remarks.
“Arno must naturally be succeeded by Dietrich. I cannot just watch it pass to Pascal.”
“Of course. Look at how much the Master developed the Arno family! No matter if it’s Master Pascal, he cannot do this.”
Grandfather Albert flared up.
The Viscountcy of Arno was an unremarkable family until the time of Grandfather’s father, my great-grandfather.
A Viscount family of a small territory located in the southern part of the empire.
It wasn’t a family with a long history, nor did it have much wealth.
However, Grandfather, who had good business acumen, accumulated wealth by starting various businesses, and now the Arno family had become one of the quite wealthy families in the empire.
‘Of course, they said Uncle Dietrich helped a lot too.’
Uncle Pascal was trying to swallow such a family whole just for the single reason that he was a male blood relative.
“But what should we do? It would be good if Dietrich returns within three months, but we must also consider the case where he cannot return. Seeing his appearance yesterday, it doesn’t seem like Pascal would voluntarily return the title to Dietrich after succeeding it. Therefore, I must temporarily inherit the family.”
“There are three methods.”
Mr. Christopher, who had been listening quietly to Mother’s words, spoke up.
“First, submitting a petition to His Majesty the Emperor to change the law so that women can inherit regardless of marriage status. It’s the method with the fewest future troubles, but in reality, it’s difficult to revise the law within three months.”
The gentleman continued speaking.
“Second, for the Lady to adopt a child. Then that child will have the right of inheritance next to Master Dietrich. However, the opposition from the vassals will be fierce. Even if the Master returns later, it will be difficult to hand over the title.”
“What is the third method?”
At Mother’s question, the gentleman and I answered simultaneously.
“It is for the Lady to get married and succeed the title herself.”
“Couldn’t Mother just get married?”
Mr. Christopher looked at me with surprised eyes. Having muttered unintentionally, I thought ‘oops’ and buried my nose in the mug where hot chocolate remained.
Thinking it was something an eight-year-old child said without thought, Mr. Christopher looked away from me and explained to Mother.
“If the Lady gets married, she becomes the second in line for inheritance after Master Dietrich. That’s the whole reason Master Pascal proposed to marry you after he succeeds the title. Because if he marries the Lady before completing the inheritance, the Lady would become the priority heir.”
Mother, who had been listening quietly, spoke seriously.
“So, is the method Mr. Christopher is proposing the third one?”
“First, I will submit a petition to His Majesty the Emperor. I will also gather statements from nobles who support this agenda. But since that won’t be enough, yes, I think it’s better to proceed with the Lady’s marriage as well.”
Mother’s face was still grave.
“But can we find a trustworthy person in three months? It seems it will be as difficult as adopting a child.”
“I am worried about that as well. However, I think the problem could be solved to some extent if we draft a prenuptial agreement that has legal effect.”
“Mmm…….”
Mother’s gaze turned toward me as I was sipping cocoa. Mother carefully wiped the cocoa off my mouth with a handkerchief.
“Is that really the only way?”
“If you really don’t feel like marrying, we could set a condition to divorce once Master Dietrich returns to succeed the title. If the Viscount were alive, he would have been furious hearing this, but…….”
“Is that really the best?”
“As of now, yes. Of course, it would be perfect if the Master returns before then.”
Mother was lost in thought for a long time. Finally, Mother spoke with a determined face.
“I will do it. Even if it’s a contract marriage, I should entrust it to someone I can trust. It would be better to find someone close rather than entrusting it to someone from another family. Please gather the reliable people among the vassals.”
“Yes, I understand.”
However, our plan did not go as smoothly as expected.
* * *
“Is it another rejection?”
At Mother’s question, Mr. Christopher bowed his head as if he were troubled.
“Regrettably, yes.”
“That’s strange. Didn’t you say they were reviewing it positively when we contacted them last time?”
“They certainly did, but I heard they were attacked by a mysterious assailant recently and their life was in danger.”
“Could it be…….”
“Yes. It seems Master Pascal’s side has stepped in.”
That damn Pascal. I muttered internally while gripping the mug tightly.
‘This is already the fifth time.’
Uncle Pascal brilliantly intercepted the husband candidates that Mother and Mr. Christopher had carefully selected.
I don’t know what conditions he used to entice them, but no matter how good the conditions Mother offered, the vassals didn’t even bat an eye.
Even when recruiting the last two, we were careful so that information wouldn’t leak outside, but Uncle Pascal made the first move.
But this time he even committed an attack? Uncle Pascal seemed to be trying to obstruct Mother’s plan by any means necessary.
‘It seems there’s a spy planted by Uncle Pascal in the mansion, doesn’t it?’
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