6.8

“Really?” 

Ellen replied indifferently, as though she had no interest. However, deep inside, she felt uneasy. The expression on her mother’s face wasn’t bright; her trembling eyes betrayed her anxiety.  

It felt as though something unpleasant might happen—an accident, an irrational decision, or worse. Nothing good seemed to be on the horizon.  

“He’s looking for you. He’s waiting in the study.”  

“…”  

Although she had heard that he wanted to see her, Ellen had deliberately avoided meeting the Viscount. She assumed he would only nag her about breaking off the engagement.  

But now that he could walk again, if she didn’t go to him, he would surely come to her. She had no choice but to face him.  

“Ugh.”  

The excitement she had felt earlier vanished in an instant. She felt uneasy the entire way to the study. With each step, her feet felt heavier.  

“Still working, are you? Why put yourself through such hardship?”  

As expected, the moment she entered the study, the Viscount Novary began nagging her without even giving her a chance to sit down. It felt as though a heavy weight pressed down on her chest.  

“To make a living.”  

Although she had taken the day off, Ellen didn’t feel like explaining everything to her father, so she gave a vague reply. The Viscount clicked his tongue in disapproval.  

“We’re already well-off enough. There’s no need for you to work.”  

“Even if things are fine now, who knows what the future holds?”  

She wanted to say, “Because of you, Father…” but Ellen held her tongue.  

Seeing him still oblivious to the hardships he had caused made her lose the will to argue. It was better to ignore him and quietly focus on her own life.  

“There’s no need to worry about our family’s future. Especially you, Ellen. You shouldn’t have to suffer.”  

“What?”  

The Viscount’s calm and carefree attitude felt strange. Wasn’t this the same man who had been frantic about their lack of money?  

Unless he had something to fall back on, he wasn’t the type to make such remarks lightly. Normally, he didn’t care if her mother or Ellen suffered, as long as he could chase after money. 

Could it be…?  

A sinking feeling came over Ellen. She hoped her suspicions were wrong.  

“Your marriage has been decided.”  

Of course. The words she didn’t want to hear spilled from the Viscount’s lips.  

Ah….  

So this was what he had been up to while she was away. Why was he in such a rush?  

The most shocking part was that her marriage had already been decided. The same man who had tried to persuade her into agreeing to marriage was now making decisions unilaterally and informing her after the fact.  

Had he lost all sense of reason after fainting from shock?  

At that moment, Leon’s face came to mind.  

How would he react if he found out about this? Just a short while ago, he had pleaded with her to accept him. And Ellen had given him an ambiguous answer.  

Even so, he hadn’t complained. He hadn’t pressured her for a clear response. If she were to tell him about the engagement now, would he be hurt? Or would he be angry?  

Ellen shook her head, dismissing the thought of Leon. What did her marriage have to do with him?  

“Is it Baron Aran again?”  

She asked the Viscount Novary. Since it wasn’t as though a suitor would appear out of nowhere, she assumed her prospective groom was Baron Aran.  

“No. This time, it’s not an old man like him.”  

The Viscount’s unexpected response caught her off guard.  

Not Baron Aran? Judging by the way he disparaged the baron as an “old man,” it seemed their relationship had soured.  

If it wasn’t Baron Aran, then who could it be? Marriages weren’t decided without any prior discussions. Normally, families would investigate each other and proceed step by step.  

“Then who is it? And why did you decide this without consulting me?”  

Ellen couldn’t guess who her prospective groom might be. She hoped her father was merely bluffing to coerce her into obedience.  

“You’ll like him when you hear. Your fiancé is none other than the young heir of Viscount Goat’s family. He’s been working on some business ventures with me lately. I’ve paired you with the kind of man you’d want. While his financial situation isn’t as secure as it could be, he’s closer to your age, has similar tastes, and will help you maintain your dignity. So marry him.”  

Contrary to Ellen’s hopes, her fiancé was real. Bernard Goat… a friend with whom she had never shared romantic feelings.  

The Viscount Novary looked pleased with his decision, his expression smug.  

“Maintain my dignity? When was my dignity ever tarnished?”  

The Goat family wasn’t particularly wealthy. From the beginning, the Viscount hadn’t considered them as potential in-laws for Ellen. So why now? And what did he mean by “maintain dignity”?  

Ellen couldn’t make sense of his words.  

“I know all about your debauchery in Melchia, and even here in the village. Before rumors spread, you need to marry. Otherwise, no one will take you. You should be grateful to secure someone like the young heir of the Goat family.”  

“…”  

Ellen pressed her hand to her forehead in disbelief. Debauchery?  

“Who said I’ve been living a debauched life?” 

“Do you think I don’t know? I even found contraceptives in your room!”  

The Viscount’s smile vanished. His face turned red with anger as he shouted.  

“…”  

They say words fail you when you’re too angry. That was exactly how Ellen felt.  

The moment the word “contraceptives” left her father’s mouth, an uncontrollable rage boiled within her. At the same time, she felt humiliated.  

To go as far as rummaging through her trash to fabricate a reason for marriage—this was too much.  

Marriage. Marriage. Marriage! What kind of marriage is it that requires digging into someone’s private life and deceiving others… .

“What? Feeling guilty? Go ahead, deny it! I trusted you. I believed you would save our family, and yet you betrayed me?”  

“Shut up! You’re the one who keeps trying to sacrifice me for your own benefit. I won’t let you use me anymore. I’ll marry whoever I want, so stay out of my life!”  

Ellen fought back tears. But she couldn’t suppress her anger.  

She snapped at the Viscount, her voice sharp and defiant. She was so furious that she felt she couldn’t breathe unless she spoke her mind.  

“Whoever you want? I won’t allow it. I don’t care who you bring; I’ll oppose it no matter what!”  

The Viscount shouted back, refusing to back down.  

“No. I won’t listen to you anymore. Cancel this engagement immediately. If you don’t, I’ll sever ties with the Novary family.”  

“What? Do you think you can survive without the Novary name? Don’t come crying to me later.”  

“Yes. I’ll live on my own, so don’t worry about me.”  

“You insolent girl!”