Chapter 3. Apple with a Wick

Days passed like that, and it seemed as if the routine would continue—boring, unchanging days spiced up with thrilling secret meetings. The fortunate Eurene naturally thought so. But before even three days had passed, shocking news arrived.

“Sister-in-law, what did you say?”

Eurene thought she’d misheard. I must not clean my ears enough. I’m hearing things. To the woman denying her own eardrums, Countess Eifel kindly confirmed the health of Eurene’s cochlea. Of course, Eurene was perfectly healthy in all four limbs.

“Finally, a marriage proposal came for you, Miss! Goodness! Who would have thought such a thing would happen in my lifetime!”

The countess beamed with a broad smile, firmly grasping Eurene’s hands before her eyes reddened and she pulled out a handkerchief to dab them. She looked like a mother finally marrying off a daughter who had long passed marriageable age and become damaged goods.

Eurene was in denial from incomprehension, but seeing her sister-in-law’s unusually excited face, she slowly felt a strong impact to the back of her head. Whoa, it must be true. Impossible. There’s actually a fool(?) who wants to propose to me? Who on earth is it?

“No, really? Who is it?”

“It’s Sir Dustin, the second son of Count Dorn. The conditions are impeccable. Looking at his portrait, he’s quite handsome, and he sent a letter himself that left a very polite impression. Though not the eldest son, he seems relatively well-off.”

The countess elegantly rephrased that for a second son, he owned considerable land and gold coins. That fact was probably the condition that most satisfied the count and countess. Seeing how excited her sister-in-law was, as if Eurene had already held the engagement ceremony and set the wedding date, it was obvious that her brother, Count Eifel, knew about this and had predictably been dancing with joy over the proposal letter.

Of course, unlike the festive mood of her family, Eurene frowned deeply and searched through the short directory of names in her head to identify this fool. There wasn’t much. Just that she’d heard of this count’s family somewhere. To the countess, who seemed to be already imagining the wedding gifts(?) the other party would send, Eurene mumbled.

“Sir Dustin Dorn? I’ve never heard of him. Why would he propose to me of all people?”

“Oh my goodness. Eurene, why would you say such a thing?”

The countess was flustered that the actual person involved didn’t seem pleased at all about the celebratory news that had seemed almost impossible. No matter how carefree a person Eurene was, she was quick when it came to her own affairs, and she wasn’t particularly pleased even after seeing the suitor’s portrait. Indeed, as the countess had said, Sir Dorn was handsome with no unattractive features. Though portraits tend to be somewhat idealized, even accounting for that, he was certainly more attractive than Eurene’s ordinary appearance.

That made it even stranger. Looks, character, family, wealth—even if none were exceptional, nothing seemed below average. Why would someone like that choose her? If he were seeking a second marriage, it would be more understandable and less objectionable. And try as she might, she couldn’t remember meeting such a person. Ah, no. If she had met him, wouldn’t his proposal be even more strange? Anyway, this was an unexpected marriage proposal that had come after nothing for over twenty years. Really unexpected. Extremely so.

Rolling her head and eyes, Eurene suddenly asked.

“Did my brother perhaps make a deal with this Dorn family?”

“What? No. Goodness, why do you make such cold assumptions? Perhaps Sir Dustin secretly developed feelings for you after seeing you at a party or somewhere……”

The countess held Eurene’s hands comfortingly. She was truly a kind and gentle sister-in-law. She would have been perfect if she hadn’t momentarily flinched upon noticing the cookie crumbs messily stuck to the corner of Eurene’s mouth. Whether aware of this or not, Eurene took another chocolate chip cookie and tilted her head.

“Well…… I don’t think that’s it. He doesn’t seem bad, but honestly, he’s a bit too good for me.”

“That’s not, I mean, don’t say such things!”

Somehow it seemed like she had started to agree but stopped herself. Was it just her imagination?

“What does my brother say? Does he want me to marry him?”

“Naturally, since the groom is flawless, he seems to be considering it positively.”

“I’m surprised he’s not telling me to look for a venue starting tomorrow.”

This time, the countess quietly affirmed by closing her mouth. Eurene slurped her apple juice and, apparently conscious of her sister-in-law’s eyes, looked for a handkerchief to wipe her cookie-eating hand. The countess, pretending not to notice this process, carefully asked.

“What do you think? Do you not like him?”

“Well. Looking at the conditions alone, he’s certainly very good for someone like me. But it feels burdensome, I guess. Besides, I don’t think I’m mentally prepared for marriage yet.”

“You’re twenty-two and still need more preparation?”

Feeling guilty about her blunt honesty that had slipped out, the countess gave her sister-in-law an apologetic smile. But as expected, the ever-carefree Eurene showed no particular displeasure or hurt, and instead nodded in agreement.

“It’s true that I’m late, but marriage should be approached carefully. It’s not like it’s urgent.”

……No. It’s extremely urgent! You’re really in a hurry!

Maria, who was clearing the dishes Eurene had emptied, and the countess, who had involuntarily opened her mouth, thought simultaneously. But unaware of their inner cries, Eurene blinked innocently.

She was momentarily recalling the stories the ladies had been discussing at the party she’d attended at the duchess’s invitation. A woman’s life is seasonal business. Like flowers, they said it was a universal truth that women should marry someone who values them highly during their full bloom, produce offspring, manage the household, and support their husband. Their husband and children were their only and eternal support, their nest to stay in, and their reason for existence.

She pinched her soft cheek with her index finger. True, she wouldn’t be young forever either. Someday she would become wrinkled, lose all her teeth and be unable to eat delicious cookies, and her eyes would grow dim, requiring a caretaking maid to read interesting romance novels to her. Who would remain by her side then? Naturally, her brother and sister-in-law, her nephew Shuren, and perhaps future nephews and nieces would predictably warm the chair beside her rocking chair, but what if she outlived her brother? What if her nephews and nieces married early and formed their own families?

Eurene became suddenly afraid and began chewing her nails. Her sudden awareness of her vague future began to accelerate. No! Shuren wouldn’t abandon his aunt! How much have I doted on him! Eurene truly believed there was no aunt as good as her. Yes, Shuren is our family’s blood, so he’s kind and will continue to take care of me. But what if he meets an evil woman like Beliarota who nags him to persecute and drive away his old aunt? What if he inherits his father’s devoted husband tendencies and falls head over heels for the villainess?!

“Ah, no!”

Beliarota, that wicked woman! Though a villainess, I somehow felt a sense of camaraderie(?) and cheered for her more than the heroine Dahlia! You ungrateful wretch!

Eurene trembled with betrayal, clenching her fist so hard the cookie almost broke. Beliarota was a villainess in a novel, and the simple yet important truth that the nephew who would drive out his helpless aunt under the villainess’s spell was only five years old and sitting right in front of her, sniffling and sucking on candy, was thrown far away.

After fuming to herself, she stared intently at Shuren, who was swinging his legs in his chair. Puzzled, the countess could only look back and forth between her son and sister-in-law. Maria quietly sighed and cleared the table where cookie crumbs had fallen. She’s putting on another show by herself, she muttered inwardly.

Eurene spoke in the most serious voice of her life.

“Shuren, you must find a woman as kind and virtuous as your mother. Understand?”

“Huh? What?”

“Hohoho, Miss, really. What are you suddenly saying?”

The countess covered her mouth and laughed. She seemed to think Eurene was joking. It’s not a joke. I’m really serious. Eurene scratched her head with a long sigh. Oh, and about that marriage proposal from earlier.

“I’ll think about it.”

Though she didn’t particularly want to give up this free, single life, if there was a chance Shuren might abandon her later, she should seriously consider marriage. Eurene wanted to live comfortably and die peacefully in a comfortable home. Surrounded by delicious food, soft cushions, and cute cats.

Oh, come to think of it, if I get married, will I not be able to sleep with Van anymore? No, that’s not right. Van is married too, so why couldn’t I? I should ask Van about this later since he’s good at these things. Satisfied with her own conclusion, Eurene gently pushed the cookie plate she had been hoarding to her nephew.

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