Chapter 2 – Engagement (Part 2)

“Elysia! Elysia!”

Elysia, who was taking a nap, was abruptly awakened by her mother’s voice calling her as she burst into the room. Looking at the clock, she saw it wasn’t yet time for dinner.

‘What’s going on? There’s no gathering or appointment today, so what’s the matter?’

Lillian shook Elysia, who was still half-asleep, vigorously.

“Elysia, get up immediately. There’s a marriage proposal from the Grendel Ducal house!”

“…What…?”

Elysia worked hard to process what was happening with her still-sleepy mind. 

Ducal house? Grendel? Who was that again…? Did I dance with such a person…?

Ah!

“Grendel? Duke Cassius de Grendel?”

“Yes, yes! He sent a letter proposing marriage to your father. When did you meet Duke Grendel? Come downstairs quickly so we can talk.”

Just like Elicia, Lilian seemed very confused by the unexpected marriage proposal from the Ducal House.

“I thought you never stepped outside, so how did you develop a relationship with the Duke to the point of receiving a proposal? Have you been having secret meetings every night, which is why you wake up late every day? I can’t understand why you’ve kept meeting the Duke a secret.”

Elysia couldn’t comprehend what her mother was saying at all.

Hurriedly, Elysia headed to her father’s study. Daisy, who followed her in, set down some light snacks and left.

“Elysia, have you been meeting Duke Grendel?”

At her father’s question, Elysia shook her head while eating a cookie.

“So, you haven’t been meeting him?”

Surprised, Lillian asked, and Elysia brushed off the crumbs and replied.

“I’ve never danced with him, never even brushed fingertips. Of course, I’ve never introduced myself either. Honestly, I’m surprised that the Duke even knows of me.”

As if expecting this answer, Tobias looked at Lillian. Since a marriage proposal had been sent, he thought there might be a connection with the lady of the house.

However, Lillian also shook her head.

“Could it be that a nobleman who trades with our company introduced you?”

“The Grendel Ducal house doesn’t interact with our trading partners. They deal directly with the Haas Trading Company. We have no connection, and even though we attended the Spring Ball together, we never properly greeted each other, so I don’t understand what’s going on…”

“Not long ago, Princess Karinsa gathered the ladies for a tea time, didn’t she? I heard from a lady who attended that tea time that His Majesty is pressuring the Duke to hurry with marriage. So everyone was expectantly talking about who he might propose to soon, but I never thought it would be our family…”

Lillian spoke in a worried tone.

Meanwhile, Elysia, who had taken a sip of tea, asked.

“But you two don’t seem as happy as I expected. You were worried because no proposals were coming in. I thought you’d welcome a proposal from the Grendel house with open arms…”

“Elysia… It’s because we want you to find a good partner like we did and live happily and comfortably. But the Grendel Ducal house is intimidating.”

Her mother’s words touched her heart, but then her father spoke.

“And can a lazybones like you survive in a Ducal house? If you can’t show dignity to the servants, you might be subtly bullied and end up skin and bones within a month.”

“Um… Father, you really don’t have much faith in me.”

“I have faith that you won’t change. You should marry someone from a family on our level so you can continue living comfortably as you always have.”

“Even if I don’t marry, I could inherit your wealth and live in luxury for the rest of my life…”

Under her parents’ stern gazes, Elysia closed her mouth. After finishing the remaining tea in her cup, Elysia spoke up.

“So it’s okay to refuse this proposal, right?”

At that, the Serenze couple looked even more worried.

“Why are you worried?”

“For whatever reason, the Grendel family sent an official proposal. If we refuse and something goes wrong…”

‘Ah, I hadn’t thought of that…’

In that case, she needed to know why the Ducal house proposed to her to refuse appropriately. Elysia pondered.

‘Why would the Duke choose me when distinguished ladies would be vying for his attention?’

Elysia recalled the Duke at the ball, fending off the young ladies who approached him.

‘Did he choose an easy target because he found it bothersome? I’ll refuse anyway, but it’s annoying.’

“Even if we refuse, there will be plenty of other candidates. There won’t be any problems.”

“Alright. Then I’ll send a refusal letter according to your wishes.”

“Yes, Father.”

As she stepped out of the study, Marion was dressed for going out.

“Where are you going at this late hour?”

“To study at the library. The entrance exam for the Royal Academy of Advanced Studies is soon.”

Elysia looked at Marion with a thoughtful expression.

“Studying hard isn’t bad, but don’t ever pursue something like the highest-level courses.”

‘I heard they’re similar to graduate schools from my past life, and such places should be avoided.’

“Why are you meddling all of a sudden? Anyway, I heard there’s a proposal from the Ducal house. Are you going to accept it?”

“No.”

“Good decision. If you’re going to marry, you should find a kind-hearted, somewhat clueless man who lives comfortably.”

With that, Marion turned and left.

‘I can’t tell if she’s being considerate or dismissive.’

Elysia chuckled and went back to her room. Climbing into bed, she thought.

‘I almost had my life plan completely derailed. If I refuse, they’ll quickly find another young lady since they’re in a hurry. I planned to nap for two hours before dinner, but waking up in the middle made me too tired…’

Elysia drifted back into dreamland.

***

In his office, the Duke received the letter from the Serenze family, his disbelief subtly reflected in his furrowed brow. Next to him, Aaron was feeling frustrated due to his superior’s unconventional standards.

“’In that sense, we consider the Ducal house’s proposal a great honor, but we must respectfully decline…?’ Aaron, what do you think this means?”

“Uh, it seems to mean they’re rejecting the proposal…”

“I can’t understand it. Is there another reason? If this is the case, other candidates might refuse as well. Is there something missing from your investigation?”

“Uh… Your Grace, more than that… Even though noble marriages are about uniting families, these days, at the very least, you should meet the person and ask their intentions. It’s common to meet several times and confirm feelings. It’s only natural that there aren’t many who would readily accept a proposal from a man they haven’t even seen properly.”

“It’s a hassle.”

But the Duke still stood up.

“I’m going to the Serenze house.”

Aaron was startled.

“Right now, Your Grace?”

“Yes, if I propose face-to-face, it will be harder to refuse.”

“Are you planning to barge in without any preparation? You can’t do that!”

The Duke flinched at Aaron’s unusual assertiveness.

“Your Grace! Please, just wait for today. Even as a Duke, there are societal norms and public perceptions. You must show at least minimal courtesy to the young lady.”

Leaving the frowning duke behind, Aaron hurriedly left the office.

***

Ronan, who was checking logistics at the Haas Trading Company’s warehouse, was surprised to see Aaron rushing towards him, panting.

“What’s going on…?”

“Brother! A bouquet and a ring, right now! Prepare them quickly. They need to be romantic enough that no young lady could refuse and so extravagant that they make eyes pop! Both the ring and the bouquet! Right now!!”

“Uh… Okay.”

Ronan quickly called a maid and gave some instructions. Then he went into a warehouse filled with expensive ornaments to choose a ring.

Not long after, the maid returned with a freshly made bouquet and handed it to Aaron.

“This is for the Duke’s proposal, right?”

“Yes. So it has to be the best quality that suits the Duke.”

“Usually, the person proposing would come to choose these things themselves.”

“The Duke is very busy and not knowledgeable about these things. That’s why I’m here.”

“I feel sorry for the young lady marrying a man who can’t even spare time for his future wife. I wonder if she’ll run away before the night is over.”

“The young lady from the Serenze family isn’t like that. And stop speaking ill of our Duke. He’s a good person once you get to know him!”

Watching Aaron get angry, Ronan thought.

‘Anyone would think you’re the Duke’s guardian. Acting like, “Don’t speak ill of my child!”‘

“Here, this seems appropriate. It’s dignified and looks expensive, but it screams, ‘The Grendel family can easily afford this!'”

As soon as he saw the ring, Aaron snatched it up with the case and carefully cradled the bouquet in one hand before running off.

“Thanks, brother!”

Watching Aaron ride off, Ronan muttered to himself.

“Only at times like this am I ‘brother.'”

Reflecting on the information he had just gathered through Aaron, Ronan pondered.

‘The Serenze family… I remember seeing the daughter when I visited to trade with head Tobias. She seemed beautiful. It might be a burdensome proposal for that family… The young lady seemed lethargic from a distance, so she’ll probably marry according to her parents’ wishes. Since the parents won’t refuse a proposal that came in, I’ll have to be more considerate when trading with the Serenze family if they become in-laws with the Ducal house.’

Ronan walked back to where the unfinished logistics were piled up.