HBTF 38

Chapter: 38

You Can Do It, So Why Can’t Others?

“Miss Classie just needs to step up.”

Merran didn’t understand.

“Even if Aunt steps in, all she can do is try to convince Father with me. Sure, he trusts her, but only to a certain extent.”

“Oh, Miss, you need to focus on the heart of the issue. Your marriage to Sir Dernick is clearly something beneficial for the Marquis too. That’s the key point.”

“Exactly. That’s what I’m saying.”

“If the Marquis refuses to formally initiate a marriage proposal, it’s only because he doesn’t want to be humiliated. But if Miss Classie officially takes charge of it, everything can be solved, can’t it?”

“!”

“Miss Classie is in a relationship with Sir Kishin, and Sir Kishin is friends with Sir Dernick. She could discreetly put in a word to the Grand Duke’s household. She might even be able to form a connection with the Grand Duke and his wife and persuade them. That way, even if it fails, it’s just something Miss Classie did on her own, so the Marquis’s reputation won’t be damaged. And if it works out, it’s a win for everyone. If Miss Classie goes and brings this up with the Marquis, he’ll surely give his permission.”

The more Merran listened, the more tempting the idea became.

But then she thought about how irritable her aunt had been lately, and her confidence waned.

“But Aunt’s busy with her own romance these days… Would she really do this for me? If things go wrong, her reputation would take a hit too.”

Karen slammed the wrapped bundle of clothes down with a thud.

“Miss Classie is your aunt, isn’t she? And she brought you here saying she’d take on the role of a mother. So of course she should step up. If your mother were alive, she wouldn’t care about losing face—she’d step forward for your sake. Miss Classie should absolutely do the same. You treat her like your mother, but is she only going to enjoy the benefits without doing anything in return?”

* * *

Around lunchtime, Classie stepped out of her room for a meal.

But when she arrived at the dining room, Merran, unexpectedly warm and friendly, greeted her and apologized for her behavior that morning.

“Aunt, I’m sorry for snapping earlier. Don’t take it to heart. I was being irritable because it felt like you were suddenly pulling away from me.”

Normally, Merran was a kind and affectionate niece—as long as it wasn’t about men. So Classie didn’t find her behavior too strange and responded simply.

“It’s fine. Anyone can get upset.”

When Classie sat across from Merran, a maid brought out the food that had been prepared.

Another maid handed them small towels soaked in warm water.

While wiping her hands, Classie glanced at today’s menu.

“……”

But Merran was staring at her so intently that it was hard to focus on the food.

Feeling uneasy, Classie looked directly at her.

“You have something to say to me, don’t you.”

When Classie pointed it out, Merran smiled sheepishly and nodded.

“Yeah.”

“What is it? Just say it.”

Classie handed the now-cool towel back to the maid.

Once the maid left and they were alone, Merran fiddled with her fingers and spoke.

“Aunt, when we go down to the countryside this time, come visit my house too.”

“Why?”

“Let’s greet Father together. It’s been a while.”

“Ugh…”

Classie didn’t like her eldest brother-in-law. They used to get along decently, but after hearing from her eldest sister that he might still be seeing an ex-girlfriend even after getting married, she had disliked him ever since.

Of course, she never showed it openly. After all, Merran was his daughter. Until Merran was legally independent, Classie had to keep up appearances.

But that didn’t mean she had any desire to go out of her way to greet him warmly.

“Mm. I don’t really need to go, do I?”

Classie answered with clear reluctance.

Merran’s face turned sulky.

“You don’t want to see my father?”

‘Would anyone want to?’

“It’s not that… It’s just, there’s Alice in your house… and Alice’s kids too. It’s a bit uncomfortable.”

“I feel that way too… But still, it’s not like we can live like complete strangers.”

“Well, I am a stranger to them.”

Her eldest brother-in-law may still be considered family on paper since he was her sister’s husband, but to Classie, his new wife Alice and her children weren’t just strangers—they felt more awkward and distant than that.

Merran also seemed to realize something and only pursed her lips without saying a word.

Classie grew uneasy.

‘Why is she acting like this all of a sudden?’

Thinking back, even her gentle apology after snapping that morning felt suspicious.

‘I should go back to my room before she brings up something weird.’

Classie heaped her plate with shrimp, grabbed a fork, and stood up.

“I’ll eat separately while I pack. There’s a lot I need to sort out.”

“Aunt, help me out, please.”

But Merran spoke up first. Classie, holding her plate, walked all the way to the archway before sighing and turning back.

“What is it?”

When Classie sat down again, Merran opened up.

“This time when I go home, I’m going to ask Father to propose a marriage talk to the Siwil Grand Duke’s family. Aunt, I want you to support me.”

“Wait, if it’s that, do I really have to go with you? The Siwil Grand Duke’s house is a prestigious family—your father wouldn’t oppose that, would he?”

“What if he does?”

“Legally, your guardian is your father. If he says no, there’s nothing I can do.”

Merran then shared the advice Karen had given her.

“If Father refuses, it’s probably because he’s scared of being embarrassed—trying to aim too high with no real connection and getting rejected. So Aunt, please tell him that you will handle the marriage proposal. You’re friends with Sir Kishin, and Sir Kishin is best friends with Lord Dernick. You could indirectly bring it up to the Grand Duke’s family. If you say you’ll step in, Father won’t object. After all, if I become a Grand Duchess, it’s beneficial for him too.”

Classie lowered her head and kept picking at the shrimp, trying to hide her displeasure.

“Aunt, won’t you please help me?”

After explaining everything, Merran pleaded pitifully.

Classie suppressed the anger that was beginning to rise.

‘Hold it in. She’s only twenty. I’m still immature myself, so of course she’s even more so.’

“Aunt…”

“Merran, I’ll be honest. If I were married to Sir Kishin or even engaged—if I had some firm tie to him—then I could do as you ask. If the Siwil family rejects the proposal, I’d be the one getting embarrassed instead of your father, but I’d still do it. Because you’re my niece and I…”

Because I promised your mother I’d protect you. But Classie swallowed the rest. She didn’t want to talk about what happened back then.

“And you what? Why aren’t you finishing?”

“Because I’m your aunt.”

“……”

“But Merran, this is the important part.”

“?”

“I’ve broken up with Sir Kishin.”

“Already?!”

Merran’s eyes widened to the point they looked like they might fall out. Her shocked expression was so intense that Classie’s face flushed with heat.

“Yes. Already.”

“You’ve only been together for three days!”

“No, we weren’t even officially dating. We just showed interest in each other. But that’s over now too.”

Merran stared at Classie with a conflicted look and asked,

“This time I didn’t even interfere, Aunt. So why did it fall apart?”

“Eat.”

Classie cut off the topic firmly and pretended to focus on her shrimp dish.

Merran muttered,

“Aunt, you’ve got passion… but that’s all you’ve got.”

“Just eat. Don’t fan the flames. You’ll catch fire with that fan.”

Classie drew the line with a calm voice.

But Merran, perhaps displeased now that Classie had become “useless” to her, or maybe feeling satisfied that Classie made such a fuss over Kishin only to break up, went on and on saying how Classie was just not meant to get married.

When Classie slammed her fork down with a clang, Merran finally switched the subject back to herself.

“Well, I’ve got no choice. I’ll just have to persuade Father myself. Since you’re no help, it can’t be helped.”

“Yeah, yeah. Do your best.”

“There’s not even much to ‘do my best’ with. If Father feels any guilt toward me, he’ll go through the risk of public embarrassment and step up. I mean, I’m supposed to inherit the Omel marquisate anyway, so he needs to take my marriage seriously.”

A sneer tugged at Merran’s lips. Judging by her tone, she seemed to now be angry at her father.

Classie didn’t respond. She had a feeling her brother-in-law would be even more indifferent than Merran thought.

But instead of saying that out loud, Classie just picked up her fork again.

“What’s with that face?”

Apparently, Classie’s silent attitude rubbed Merran the wrong way. Dropping the topic of her father, she asked coldly.

Classie shook her head and kept eating.

“I said, what’s with that expression?”

But Merran was persistent. When Classie avoided answering, she kept pressing.

“It’s nothing. I just felt something caught in my throat for a second.”

Even when Classie tried to brush it off, Merran stubbornly kept asking, “What’s with that face?”

Later, after finishing her meal, Classie went for a walk to help with digestion. But Merran followed right behind, still interrogating her.

Eventually, Classie shared the thought she’d had earlier.

“I hope I’m wrong, but… I was thinking your father might not be that enthusiastic about your marriage.”

“What are you saying? Why wouldn’t he be? I’m his heir.”

“……”

“Ugh, come on. Are you going to keep acting so frustrating?”

“Usually, once a girl debuts in society, her family starts looking for a fiancé. But your father hasn’t said much about your marriage. I’ve asked him a few times by letter, but he always dodged the question. I thought it was because I was looking after you. But now, hearing what you said, I wonder if there might be another reason.”

“What do you mean, ‘another reason’?”

“Your half-siblings. If your father doesn’t approve your marriage, even if you’re the heir, you can’t inherit the title. Then the succession would pass to one of them.”

Merran looked stunned for a moment, as if it had never occurred to her before.

But soon after, she snapped at Classie, like she was lashing out.

“Don’t say ridiculous things! He wouldn’t!”

Classie shrugged.

“Why not? You say things like that to me all the time. You think you’re the only one who can play those kinds of tricks?”

“!”