Chapter 2 – Engagement (Part 1)

As usual, Elysia woke up late, ate her breakfast and lunch brought to her room, and lazily stretched out on the long sofa. Daisy, as always, gave her a long lecture. To summarize, no one could be as lazy as the young lady, and while she didn’t need to become someone great, she should at least try to achieve something, even if it’s a trivial hobby.

Marion, sitting nearby, nodded at Daisy’s every word. She claimed she came to the room to strengthen her resolve not to end up like her sister while taking a break from studying.

“You could just say you wanted to see your sister, instead of pretending otherwise.”

Sensing Daisy’s lecture was going to be longer than usual, Elysia decided it was time to cut it off.

“Do I really have to achieve something great?”

Elysia said, looking up at the sky.

“Miss, as a human being, you should have goals, big or small, and the drive to achieve them.”

“Right, right. Even if it’s not a grand dream like becoming a legendary alchemy professor at the Royal Academy of Advanced Studies like me, you should start with small things. Like waking up before noon for five consecutive days to take a morning walk or taking a bath before Daisy nags you.”

“Oh my, my little kitten. Are you giving me advice because you’re so worried about me? What should I do? I’m already full from Daisy’s nagging.”

Elysia approached Marion and patted her head as if she were a real kitten, causing Marion to recoil in disgust. Daisy looked at Elysia’s behavior with a disapproving gaze.

“Daisy, Marion. I want to break your fixed ideas. Humans don’t have to achieve something to have value!”

Daisy and Marion squinted at Elysia, as if to say, ‘Here she goes again with her nonsense.’

“If I declared that I would do even less than I do now and stay in my room for the rest of my life, would you throw me away? Would I be a worthless human being if I lived like that?”

“Miss, you’re already not very useful.”

“Yes. I’d throw you away.”

Elysia had anticipated their responses, but she clutched her chest dramatically as if shocked.

“Marion. So, would you abandon our parents when they grow old, get sick, and can’t move?”

“Parents are different! They’re living diligently now. You, Elysia, are doing nothing!”

Marion pointed a finger at her, agitated. Elysia continued calmly.

“So, if our parents had known in advance that I would grow up to be a useless daughter who does nothing, should they have abandoned me when I was a child?”

Marion hesitated, unable to find an answer. Daisy, realizing they would lose this argument, suddenly remembered she had something to do and tried to leave the room.

“Daisy, before you go, could you tidy up the dressing table?”

Unable to refuse a direct order, Daisy reluctantly began to organize and clean the dressing table.

“I think by now you’ve understood that only useful people have value. I believe the idea that a person must achieve something in life is a fixed notion.”

Marion sighed and closed the ‘Ladies’ Newsletter’ she had been skimming.

“If a person has something they want in life, of course they should strive for it. The attitude of trying to achieve something isn’t inherently bad. But what about someone who neither wants nor needs anything? Should they still be forced to strive for something? Who decided that? Was it ordained by God, or set by law? Have you ever thought about this?”

Elysia’s logic, which seemed absurd yet not entirely wrong, strangely drew Marion in. As someone who always pursued truth and couldn’t resist questioning, Marion found herself newly intrigued by the question Elysia had casually thrown out.

“Ultimately, we all live to be happy. If someone feels happiness and satisfaction without achieving anything and decides to live their life without any complaints or desires, should we force them to strive for something? Even if it’s clear that doing so would destroy their happiness?”

Although it was obvious that Elysia was trying to justify her laziness, Marion and Daisy couldn’t immediately come up with a rebuttal.

“Well… for the sake of our parents…”

“Marion. If our parents told you to stop your alchemy studies and continue the family business, would you do it for them?”

No matter how smart she was, Marion was still a teenager, seven years younger than Elysia. Elysia had over ten years of experience persuading her worried parents about her pursuit of personal comfort since she turned twelve.

“Right. In a way, what humans should pursue is happiness for oneself, for one’s own peace! As long as it doesn’t cause significant harm to others or break the law, there’s no problem, right?”

“So, you’re saying you’re pursuing that right now, Miss?”

“Daisy, think about it. The Serenze family isn’t the richest in the kingdom, but as long as I don’t indulge in excessive luxury, I can live a life of leisure with the wealth we’ve accumulated. Our family hasn’t traditionally strived for fame, so as a noble, I have no obligation to have a job or obtain a government position. Therefore, with a peaceful life already guaranteed, I have nothing more to do.”

Finally, Daisy, half-giving up, spoke.

“As a woman of marriageable age, you should at least find a husband.”

“Right, right. If you’re not going to do anything, you should at least have a husband by your side for peace of mind. How long do you expect our parents to take care of you?”

“Do you really think I’m the kind of person who can adapt to living with a husband and supporting him? Do you think there’s a suitable husband who can adapt to me?”

Elysia’s retort left Daisy and Marion speechless. Both knew Elysia’s personality well. Despite appearing lazy and carefree, she was stubborn and not someone who would live according to others’ wishes.

If she were just lazy, she wouldn’t have been able to maintain this lifestyle for so long, ignoring the scoldings of her parents and the Serenze maids. It was hard to imagine any man living with someone like Elysia. Daisy and Marion sighed simultaneously.

“You should be grateful that I just want to live comfortably without any ambition. If someone like me had strange desires, it would ruin the family in an instant. I’m living like this for the sake of the Serenze family.”

Having finished tidying the dressing table, Daisy left the room, feeling as if she had been thoroughly defeated. Marion, feeling a sense of complete defeat, followed her out.

***

Arriving at the Duke’s office, Aaron sat at the secretary’s desk, glancing at the Duke. It was evident that the Duke had discussed potential marriage prospects with Marquis Gottree, but he hadn’t mentioned the results.

“Aaron, focus on your work.”

“…I’m sorry.”

After finishing what he was writing, the Duke sealed it with the Grendel house’s seal and rang a small bell on his desk. This bell, made through alchemy, could only be heard by staff wearing designated bracelets or brooches and was used in large mansions of wealthy families.

The butler appeared upon hearing the bell.

“Deliver this letter to the address below.”

The butler took the letter, bowed, and quickly left the office. Unable to contain himself, Aaron asked.

“Duke, have you decided on the lady to marry? If none of the candidates appealed to you, I can investigate further.”

“I’ve decided on the eldest daughter of the Serenze quasi-Baron.”

Aaron beamed at the response. From vague memories, he recalled that the Serenze family, which traded with the Haas Trading Company, had a good reputation. Most importantly, he remembered Ronan, his brother, mentioning that the family seemed harmonious when he visited for business. A lady raised in such an environment could bring warmth to the cold Duke’s residence.

“I see. If there’s anything you need for your meetings with her, please leave it to me. I’m not an expert, but I know people who can provide good advice.”

Having Ronan Hass, known for his expertise in winning over women, as a brother felt as reassuring as owning a gemstone mine at that moment.

“There’s no need to worry about such matters. I’ve just sent a letter to the Serenze family, so a reply will come soon. I’ll inform you of the schedule, so prepare accordingly.”

The letter the butler had just delivered seemed to be an invitation to meet. Aaron thought that the Duke was efficient as always and couldn’t help but smile contentedly. Despite the Duke’s words of not needing to worry, Aaron pondered where the best meeting place would be, which restaurant or dessert cafe would be ideal, and what experiences could foster affection quickly.

Determined to meet Ronan soon to ask for a highly successful date course, Aaron, feeling a renewed sense of respect for the Duke’s unwavering expression while working, began to focus on his tasks.