The meal proceeded in a lively atmosphere throughout. Emily joined them today as well.

Normally, a maid dining with her employers would be absolutely unthinkable according to Albion etiquette.

However, the Surberton family often dined with Emily when there were no other guests.

Emily’s avoiding the table when guests came wasn’t because the Surberton family was concerned about appearances, but because they worried that guests might go home and speak ill of Emily.

But now that she would be taking over the household management of Blissbury at Mrs. Parker’s request, Emily would soon be able to dine proudly as a guest anywhere in Feltham.

“…It was truly such a disaster! Hundreds-year-old trees floating downstream, pigs and cows from the upper village washing down with them…”

Emily shuddered as she recounted stories from the great flood.

It wasn’t just Emily. Mrs. Surberton also squeezed her eyes shut as if she didn’t want to remember.

Mr. Surberton sighed as he listened to the accounts of that time.

“And I wasn’t even here during such a time… I’m truly sorry.”

Mr. Surberton tightly held his wife’s hand, his eyes welling up with tears again.

Despite wiping away tears several times throughout the meal, his remorse toward his family clearly hadn’t subsided.

“What about your godmother’s situation? I received a letter saying she passed peacefully to God’s side, but…”

Mr. Surberton’s godmother had lived for a few more months after his arrival before passing away.

It was a peaceful death. Surrounded by her children and all her relatives, she had said goodbye to everyone, reminisced about those who had gone before her, and closed her eyes.

The pastor who had been praying removed his hands from her face. The one who had briefly visited this earth before returning to God’s side was no longer breathing.

A gentle smile remained on her lips as her eyes closed.

“We held the funeral without issue. It started raining around that time, so some relatives from the south who received the news late couldn’t attend, but that couldn’t be helped.”

After saying this, Mr. Surberton took a breath.

“Afterward, my godmother’s will was revealed. And… I was planning to tell you when I got home, which is why I didn’t write it in my letter, but… there was a bit of an issue.”

“Darling, what kind of issue?”

Mrs. Surberton’s face hardened. An issue after a will was revealed? Such matters rarely ended quietly.

“Ah, it’s… not a bad thing. Rather, it’s good news. It’s just a bit complicated.”

At Mr. Surberton’s words, Eloise and Ryan looked at each other.

What could possibly make Mr. Surberton speak so hesitantly?

“Well… my godmother mentioned me in her will and left me part of her estate.”

“Ah.”

At those words, Mrs. Surberton, Eloise, Ryan, and even Emily all sighed simultaneously.

They could roughly guess what kind of issue it was.

“Your godmother’s family must have been surprised.”

“They were. To be honest, the atmosphere wasn’t pleasant at first.”

Even without further explanation, they could easily imagine the scene.

Someone who hadn’t been seen for a long time receiving part of the inheritance—surely many people would have whispered about it.

“If it wasn’t pleasant at first, did it change later?” asked Eloise.

Mr. Surberton smiled at her question.

“How perceptive. You’re right. First of all, what I inherited from my godmother is a house in the capital.”

At his words, everyone at the table widened their eyes.

A house? Even in the countryside, that would be significant property. And a house in the capital, no less?

“W-what do you mean, darling?”

“Exactly what I said. A three-story building on Rial Street in the capital. Sergeant Thornton, do you happen to know Rial Street?”

“Of course. It’s not far from Army Headquarters.”

“Then perhaps you could tell us what kind of place it is? If I had more time, I would have stopped by the capital to look at it, but I was in such a hurry to return to Feltham that I only know the address and didn’t even meet the caretaker.”

“It’s quite a quiet area. Not luxurious, but a decent residential neighborhood. Being on a hill, it has the advantage of overlooking the capital.”

As Ryan continued speaking, Mrs. Surberton’s face brightened.

Though discussing the value of an inheritance might be considered undignified, there was certainly no reason to dislike something of high value.

“My goodness. I had no idea your godmother owned such a mansion… But did people really have nothing to say about you inheriting it?”

“There seems to be some issue with the house. They didn’t tell me the details, saying I should go to the capital and check for myself, but it appears major repairs are needed.”

Everyone nodded in understanding at this explanation.

“Anyway, a house in the capital! That’s wonderful news. I was thinking of taking Eloise to Newham soon anyway…”

At Mrs. Surberton’s words, Eloise’s eyes grew even rounder.

“Why would we suddenly go to the capital?”

“Why else? To see Dr. Hayes who treated you when you were little. He said we should visit every five years to check your condition.”

“Ah.”

Eloise nodded as if just remembering. Come to think of it, next year would already be time for another visit.

“He’s such a renowned doctor that even with an appointment, we’d have to wait weeks. Staying with relatives all that time would honestly be a bit uncomfortable, so it’s fortunate we now have a house in the capital.”

Mrs. Surberton, already attached to a house she hadn’t even seen, excitedly discussed how she might decorate it.

Even Emily joined in, asking to be taken along on their first visit, and the atmosphere at the table became cheerful once more.

After the meal, the Surberton family and Ryan moved to the drawing room.

Eloise left the room, saying she would help Emily clean up and bring refreshments.

Once Eloise had gone, Mr. Surberton gazed contentedly at the door through which she had left, then approached Ryan.

“Let me thank you once again for saving our Eloise.”

“It was nothing. I only did what any soldier of Albion should do.”

At his response, Mrs. Surberton made a small coughing sound and looked at him. It was a sound that contained a subtle question: was that really the only reason?

Mrs. Surberton was an observant person. Initially, she had been too preoccupied with the disaster, but during their continued stay in Blissbury, she had begun to notice the subtle current between her daughter and Sergeant Thornton.

‘At first, I never thought it would work out!’

Unlike other mothers with daughters, Mrs. Surberton had not initially considered Ryan as a potential son-in-law.

It wasn’t that she found him undesirable. However, she knew that if she showed her eagerness and coveted him as a son-in-law like other ladies did, the criticism from those ladies would be directed not at her but at Eloise.

So she had been looking for other soldiers instead…

Mrs. Surberton looked at Ryan with expectant eyes.

In Albion, for a man and woman to court, it was customary for the man to formally ask the woman’s parents, family, or relatives for permission.

Of course, the couple would have met before this, but without permission, those meetings were always considered secret rendezvous.

Once permission was granted, there was no need to hide from others’ eyes. They could hold hands proudly, and at gatherings, they could dance exclusively with each other without needing to find new partners.

Mrs. Surberton clasped her hands tightly, feeling inexplicably excited.

Perhaps sensing her feelings, Ryan cleared his throat lightly, composed himself, and began to speak.

“Mr. Surberton. There is something important I wish to discuss with you.”

“Oh? What is it?”

Recognizing the seriousness in his manner, Mr. Surberton straightened his posture and waited for Ryan to continue.

That’s when it happened.

BANG BANG BANG!

Someone was pounding forcefully on the door of the Surberton house.