4. A Thrilling Morning (Part 2)

It was a peaceful morning. A warm spring morning, with a gentle breeze wafting through the half-open window the maid had left open.

Alexander sat in front of the table and sipped his hot tea. Despite staying up late for the past few days, his body was overflowing with vitality. He felt strangely energized, like a warm spring breeze. He doesn’t know why.

On the contrary, under Stefan’s eyes, who had been playing poker in the city until dawn yesterday, there was a full sense of fatigue.

“I’m tired.”

Stefan grumbled.

“What time did you get in?”

“I came in before sunrise.”

Stefan twisted his lips. If it was before sunrise, it couldn’t have been more than a few hours. He must have gotten up as soon as he washed up and laid down.

After pulling an all-nighter, Stefan sighed, waved to the maid, said, “Brew me a stronger tea.”, and then sighed. Alexander raised an eyebrow at the sight.

It was a well-known fact that Stefan indulged in nightlife, but lately, his outings had become more frequent. Unable to resist his curiosity, Alexander spoke up.

“What’s so fun about it? Don’t you ever get bored?”

“I don’t go out for fun. The clubs around here are gatherings of endlessly boring model students. It would have been nice if you had come along.”

“If it’s not fun, why do you keep going to clubs all the time?”

“Well…”

Stefan rubbed his forehead, his temples aching.

“Don’t you think we need to hear rumors and gather information?”

“What information?”

The war ended five years ago. It had been a long time since Stefan returned to his territory, so what kind of information could he be collecting now? 

But the words that came out of his mouth were unexpected.

“About Eirin.”

Stefan opened his mouth and took a sip of tea. After drinking a few sips of tea, he raised his eyebrows and looked at the maid. She seemed to understand Stefan’s intention and said, 

“Miss Eirin is still writing her journal. She said she’ll be down soon.” 

Stefan sighed as he put down the teacup.

“Eirin is writing in her journal again. She’s twenty-four years old now. The other ladies of the house marry as early as sixteen, nineteen at the latest, and twenty at the latest. She didn’t enter society until she was twenty.”

Stefan’s sigh was long and deep.

“I should have stopped her from reading books. In fact, even though she debuted in society late, I don’t think Eirin’s prospects are bad. Despite her cold demeanor, there have been a few men who proposed to her. But since she fell in love with books and declared that she wouldn’t marry anyone but her true love, she hasn’t budged——. Those stupid romance novels she read ruined her.”

Alexander smiled at the thought of Eirin resolutely dealing with her brother’s words, insisting she wouldn’t marry unless it was for true love. But Stefan frowned and continued.

“If she doesn’t get married this year, she’ll be twenty-five. I’ve been looking for a good match for her to marry.”

As the conversation turned to Eirin’s potential suitors, Alexander’s hand, which was picking up a fork, paused.

Her words came to mind.

The pitiful pretense, long eyelashes fluttering down, the words she whispered.

‘I can’t just keep taking money from my brother for the rest of my life, even when I turn sixty or seventy without ever getting married.’

And then Eirin sighed.

Was Stefan pressuring her to marry without anyone noticing? Did he threaten to kick her out if she didn’t marry?

“Why are you so eager for her to marry?”

At Alexander’s question, Stefan’s brow furrowed deeply.

“What?”

“It doesn’t matter if she doesn’t marry.”

“Don’t talk nonsense.”

Perhaps due to staying up all night, Stefan’s slightly hoarse voice echoed loudly in the dining room.

“If she has no intention of getting married, that’s fine, but Eirin’s debut was delayed because she was unwell, and then it was delayed again because I went to war. And…”

Seemingly pained by the volume of his own voice, he began rubbing his forehead with his fingertips.

“If Mother were still alive, Eirin would have had the support and guidance of a woman and made her society debut sooner. I missed that crucial moment when I went off to war. I just want to find her a match as soon as possible.”

It was the earnest words of a reliable older brother. Alexander understood why he was so insistent on marriage.  It seemed like he blamed himself for Eirin not marrying during the most crucial period since he had been away. Stefan sighed and tapped the table.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have raised my voice. I didn’t mean any ill will. Come to think of it…”

His eyes snapped up, his gaze landing on Alexander.

“Is there something you want to tell me, Alexander?”

“Something?”

“Yes.”

The sudden question left Alexander speechless for a moment. He wasn’t sure what to say. Maybe it was the lack of sleep, but he couldn’t keep up with Stefan’s topics today.

There were too many things weighing on his mind, making it difficult to discern Stefans’s intentions. While talking about Eirin’s marriage story, the conversation suddenly turned towards Alexander.

That means——.

Could he be aware of my relationship with Eirin?

“No, nothing.”

Alexander’s usually firm voice wavered for the first time.

Could it be that our nocturnal activities had been discovered? Had the maid noticed something and hinted to Stefan? Or was it Eirin’s tutor?

No.

If Stefan had known, he would have challenged Alexander to a duel as soon as he saw his face. He would have grabbed the antique gun on the wall and demanded an immediate duel out on the plain.

But no.

Then what could it be?

Was it about the novel she was writing? Had Stefan also noticed Eirin’s writing?

That would be another issue, besides their nighttime relationship.

Hiding his bewilderment, Alexander spoke, but Stefan frowned again and continued.

“I heard that Viscount Fitzwilliam has purchased an estate in this area. Why didn’t you mention it?”

Viscount Fitzwilliam was a relative of Alexander’s, a year younger than him. At the sudden mention of the name, Alexander tilted his head slightly and replied.

“Oh, is that so?”

“They say he’s coming with Countess Bennington.”

He couldn’t understand why Stefan needed to tell him that.

Edward, Viscount Fitzwilliam, was a close relative of Alexander, despite being different types. 

While Alexander was accustomed to a rough life from fighting in the war, Edward was a man who loved books. Alexander was tall, and muscular, with scars large and small on his skin from the battlefield. In contrast, Edward was small in stature, with fair and soft skin. He was a gentleman who enjoyed sitting quietly, reading books, and contemplating.

Alexander didn’t dislike Edward, but they didn’t have much common ground for conversation, and their friendship wasn’t particularly close. In contrast, he had a better rapport with Edward’s sister, Grace, who had a bold, spirited personality. Even after her marriage to Count Bennington, they still exchanged letters occasionally. In fact, just a few days ago, he had received a letter from her about Edward’s family moving to this area.

“Yes, I heard the Viscount’s move is complete.”

“Why didn’t you mention it?”

Alexander looked at Stefan with a tilted head.

“Why are you so interested in that story?”

There was no connection between Stefan and the Fitzwilliam family. The Fitzwilliam family had lived in the north for generations. They still haven’t sold their northern estates, having recently purchased a small estate nearby, where they plan to come down only in the winter, spring, and fall. Stefan answered Alexander’s question.

“Isn’t Viscount Fitzwilliam still unmarried? I heard he’s a calm and good man.”

“Yes.”

“I heard he loves books. Our Eirin loves books too…”

Frowning, Alexander realized the reason behind Stefan’s sensitivity to Viscount Fitzwilliam’s story was due to Eirin’s potential marriage, which had become Stefan’s top concern lately. Alexander pursed his lips and spoke.

“Are you considering Viscount Fitzwilliam as a match for Eirin?”

“Why not? I haven’t met him yet, but I heard from someone who knows him at the gathering yesterday that he’s quite kind and a decent man. Since Eirin says she wants to marry only the man she loves, if she meets someone with the same interests, she might even fall in love. This love thing that women talk about isn’t that difficult, is it?”

As Stefan said, Edward did enjoy reading. He was kind, gentle, and a little meek, but friendly to everyone. Alexander had visited the Fitzwilliam estate in the north before. It was a rather dull area with not much to do, but it might be perfect for Eirin, who valued a well-stocked library. 

And the age gap of six years between the 27-year-old Edward and Eirin wasn’t bad either.

But…

But he stopped himself from saying more.

What more did I want to say?

Stefan, who didn’t know what was on Alexander’s mind, spoke up.

“So, how about holding a ball this time to welcome the new neighbors?”

“A ball?”

“Yes. A ball welcoming the new neighbors.”

Stefan was planning to hold a ball to pair them up.

“Do we really need to go that far? Besides, Edward doesn’t seem interested in women at all, he just likes books.”

Honestly, Alexander didn’t even know if Edward was interested in women or not. They had never had that kind of deep conversation. But despite Alexander’s blatant lie, Stefan did not stop.

“I want to create an opportunity for Eiren to meet him. Even if Viscount Fitzwilliam doesn’t particularly like balls, he won’t miss one that I’m hosting specifically for them.”

Alexander rubbed his temple with his fingers, feeling a headache coming on. 

Even if Edward doesn’t come, his sister Grace, who loves balls, will surely attend. If Grace is coming, Edward will likely come as well.

“Anyway, Alexander. I’d like you to introduce us.”

“Will Eirin like him? Is it necessary to go to such lengths…”

To Alexander, who wasn’t fully on board, Stefan asked with a frown.

“Why are you so negative?”

Stefan’s gaze turned towards him.

“Is there something wrong with Viscount Fitzwilliam? A reason why Eirin shouldn’t marry him?”

Alexander tried to recall any faults of the Viscount but couldn’t come up with any.

“Forcing a marriage could have its consequences.”

Right now, Eirin was just excited about writing her novel; she didn’t want to marry, and she had no intention of doing so.

It was unimaginable that she would meet another man while appearing so joyful with her novel thoughts in front of Alexander. 

She would marry the one she really loved.

Of course—— it’s possible that Edward could be the one she falls in love with. 

The thought made Alexander feel extremely uncomfortable. Looking at the frowning Alexander, Stefan spoke.

“She’s my sister, but objectively speaking, he’s not a bad match. I’ll take good care of her dowry, and although she may not fit the conventional beauty standards, isn’t she charming?”

Too charming to handle, that’s the problem.

“Will you not help?”

If Alexander refused his friend’s request, there would definitely be suspicion. Since he had already expressed his dislike, it was time to reluctantly agree. Despite his reluctance, Alexander opened his lips with a deep breath.

“What do you want from me?”

“Just write a letter to Viscount Fitzwilliam. Ask him to attend the ball.”

It wasn’t too difficult to convey the invitation to the ball on behalf of a relative, but it weighed heavily on his mind.

“Alright.”

With a heavy heart, Alexander replied.