HBTF 45

Chapter: 45

 The Son-in-Law Is More Impressive Than Expected

Classie ran across the garden in one breath and hugged her parents tightly.

“Why did you take so long to get here!”

She whined as she clung to them. After acting as Merran’s guardian all this time, seeing her parents made her suddenly feel like a child again.

“Oh, come on. We only rested three hours a day while traveling—what are you complaining about?”

Her mother laughed heartily and awkwardly hugged her back, her arms weighed down by five or six paper bags.

“What’s all that?”

Still in her mother’s arms, Classie glanced at the bags and asked. Her father lightly tapped one with the back of his hand and replied,

“Gifts we gathered from different countries for you.”

“Really?”

“There are gifts for Merran too, and for your… prospective fiancé. Though we’ll see whether he ends up becoming that or not.”

He patted her back a couple of times.

Classie pulled away from her mother’s embrace and held out the back of her hand to them.

“Look at the ring!”

She boasted. Her parents chuckled in disbelief but examined the ring closely.

Then, unexpectedly, her father murmured,

“There’s magic in this ring… it must’ve been very expensive.”

“But Merran said it was a cheap ring.”

“No way.”

Her mother interjected.

“Take it off for a second? I want a closer look.”

Classie removed the ring and handed it to her. Her mother examined even the inside carefully before gasping.

“It is a magic ring. The work of the magician Rosa, who died fifty years ago.”

“You two really have an eye for these things. I don’t even know who Rosa is.”

Her mother returned the ring.

“Oh, my lady, save the bragging for inside! The master and madam will catch a cold!”

Anna shouted as she rushed outside, and only then did Classie realize her mistake. Her parents had just arrived after a long journey, and here she was keeping them out in the freezing cold.

“I was just so happy to see you both that I forgot! Come in quickly.”

Embarrassed, Classie grabbed her parents’ arms and hurried them inside.

* * *

Classie had deliberately told the maid to skip lunch and serve dinner earlier than usual. It was to match mealtime with her parents, who had just arrived and probably wanted to rest.

Thanks to that, by the time her parents finished washing up and started feeling hungry, dinner had just been set on the table.

As warm, freshly cooked dishes were placed before them, her mother exclaimed in admiration.

“I was worried because you said you were living alone… but you’re doing well. I’m relieved.”

“I say I live alone, but I’m not really alone. Anna and the butler came with me, and I’ve hired a few decent people here too. And Merran’s here too, though she’s not exactly helpful.”

Classie’s words carried a sting, but the Kalashi couple didn’t catch it and simply laughed.

“Our Merran is helpful just by being around. She’s adorable.”

Her mother brought her up fondly, as if even mentioning her name filled her heart. Her father nodded with a pleased smile.

Classie sulkily scooped food onto her plate.

‘Why does no one believe me when I say Merran’s interfering with my matchmaking? Why is everyone on his side except Florence? Sure, she’s cute when she acts sweet—but when she doesn’t? She’s an absolute handful…’

Classie gave Kishin another bonus point in her mind.

Of all the people she’d ever met, only Florence and Kishin had managed to stand their ground like a steel wall even when Merran acted sweet and adorable.

“So, my youngest,” her father said with a chuckle, “shall we talk about this potential son-in-law now?”

Only then did Classie snap back to her senses.

Her mother wiped the corners of her mouth with a handkerchief and scolded her playfully.

“Do you have any idea how startled we were when we got your urgent message? We were gathered with others when an official from the Magic Bureau brought it to us—I thought you or Merran had gotten hurt. You know you don’t send urgent messages lightly. But what does it say? ‘Come quickly before you lose your son-in-law’! Everyone burst out laughing.”

Classie’s face burned red, and she fiddled with her fork.

But she couldn’t very well tell her parents she had sent it in a hurry because she wanted to protect her inheritance before a seventh niece or nephew showed up. Her parents, who doted on their youngest daughter, would surely adore their grandchildren even more.

“So then, what kind of man is he?”

Her father asked again.

The moment she thought of Kishin, Classie’s lips curled up in a smile.

“His name is Kishin. He’s from the Hayward family—the eldest son of Marquess Gosville. I think he’s around my age. And he’s very handsome, very kind, and incredibly loyal.”

The dining table fell into a strange silence after Classie’s brief description.

Anna, setting down dessert, interjected,

“My lady, you forgot to mention he’s a guardsman.”

“Oh, right! He’s a member of the Palace Guard. Vice captain of Unit One. He’s super strong and very cool.”

Now the silence at the table only deepened.

Classie was smiling to herself when she grew puzzled and asked,

“What’s wrong?”

Her father hesitated before asking seriously,

“Did you… meet this man just because of his face? Why do you know so little about him?”

“Well, I did fall for his looks at first. But he is the marquess’s eldest son, Father. It’s not like we can’t get married.”

But her father remained cold.

“Not all marquesses are the same. If he has a different family name and title, that means his title is tied to land, not lineage. Territorial titles, no matter how high, are unstable. And the Palace Guard—sure, they’re capable, but their reputation is terrible.”

Classie slumped, muttering,

“Father, I’m not in the same position as my older siblings. Every noble you’d approve of runs away the moment they hear my name.”

“!”

“I don’t care if Sir Kishin doesn’t inherit any titles. I’m the same way. And Sir Kishin… is the only person who trusted me unconditionally even after hearing my rumors. I like him, Father.”

* * *

After dinner, back in their room, the Countess Kalashi said coolly,

“It hurts to say it, but Classie’s right. She’s not in a position to have those things.”

Of course, she was pained by it too. But since her husband seemed shaken, she had to drive the point home.

“Don’t you remember what we talked about back then? Right after I had that argument with Lady Lairy.”

“I remember. Wasn’t that when we tried to arrange matches but couldn’t even bring them up? We even asked Rize, Philip, and Walter to find her someone, but they all declined, saying it was too difficult. That’s when Lady Lairy…”

— Countess, how could you try to pair my son with the girl who killed her sister? That’s outrageous.

After hearing such cruel words from someone they had once been close to, the Kalashi couple gave up on Classie’s marriage.

Instead, they asked her older sister and two brothers to look after their youngest sibling once they were gone.

If Classie didn’t marry, those three would inherit her share of the estate, so they took it as a fair exchange.

All three readily agreed, and the couple considered the matter settled.

Still, just in case, whenever they traveled abroad, they bought valuable, easily sold items—gold bars, jewels, luxury goods—and quietly handed them to Classie.

They feared that after their deaths, the older siblings might change their minds and neglect her. These treasures were meant to be emergency funds she could sell off if needed.

Count Kalashi sighed, though he seemed calmer than before.

The countess patted his arm gently.

“Compared to back then, this isn’t so bad. Sure, a territorial title requires pleasing the Emperor, but it has its advantages too. Like income. It’s certainly better than having nothing.”

The count nodded in agreement.

“You’re right. If nothing else, having a territorial title means that after we’re gone, she won’t be dismissed as a mere noble in name only.”

* * *

Classie sat in front of the living room fireplace, recalling the time she had watched the flames with Kishin on the last day of the previous year.

“Don’t be too upset, my lady. The master and madam act that way because they love you.”

Perhaps she looked pitiful—Anna suddenly came over with some baked cookies and offered comfort.

Classie hugged her knees and laughed softly.

“I’m not upset. I’m just… worried.”

“You’re worried they won’t approve the marriage? No way. Once they see Sir Kishin, they’ll say yes immediately.”

“No, not my parents. I’m worried about his parents. My parents are already like this… would Sir Kishin’s parents even approve? It’s not like it’ll work out just because mine give their blessing.”

Just then, the butler approached, and Classie fell silent.

When she looked at him while munching on a cookie, the butler beamed and announced happily,

“My lady, the person you like most is here!”

He gestured toward the front entrance, where Kishin had just come in. For once, he was wearing his uniform, with a light dusting of snow on his shoulders and hair.

“At this hour? All dressed up like this? What’s the occasion?”

Classie didn’t even bother setting her cookie down and ran straight to him.

Kishin looked curiously at the cookie held right in front of his face, took a small bite from the edge, and asked,

“Do I look alright?”

“You look amazing.”

At that, Kishin leaned close and whispered into her ear,

“I came after hearing that your parents returned.”

“Really?”

“I even changed clothes before coming.”

Classie was so overwhelmed for a moment that she threw her arms around his waist—but then noticed her parents standing at the top of the stairs and quietly let go.

Even as she pulled away, her eyes quickly and sharply read their expressions.

‘They seem to like him.’

Both parents looked visibly surprised—in a good way—upon seeing Kishin. It was clear they were impressed by his composed and elegant presence.

Feeling proud, Classie didn’t wait for them to fully descend the stairs before eagerly introducing him.

“Mom, Dad—this is Sir Kishin!”

Kishin stepped forward to the base of the stairs and waited for them to come down. Once they reached the floor, he bowed and introduced himself formally once again.

“I am Duke Kishin Hayward. It’s an honor to meet you.”

Her parents, who had been scrutinizing him cautiously, widened their eyes at the same moment.

Classie too stared at Kishin in shock.

‘A duke?’

* * *