HBTF 46

Chapter: 46

This Is Not the Time to Be Smiling

Her parents’ eyes immediately landed on Classie. Their expressions clearly said, “What is the meaning of this?”

But this was news to Classie as well. She blinked, then shook her head. ‘I don’t know either.’

Then, she suddenly remembered a story she had once heard—about a boy who had become the youngest person in the capital to receive a duke’s title.

A dangerous rebel faction had abducted a princess, and this fifteen-year-old boy had infiltrated the enemy ranks all by himself and rescued her. An incredible tale.

Apparently, it had caused quite a stir at the time, but in Greengal City, the story of the Kalashi family was more dominant back then.

And Classie, having just lost her eldest sister and being in poor health herself, had no room to pay attention to some prodigy from the royal capital.

Even later, when she briefly heard about that boy, she only felt bitter.

‘That year was the worst of my life… But for someone else, it must have been the most glorious.’

‘And now you’re telling me that person might be Sir Kishin?’

The more she thought about it, the more certain it seemed. His title was higher than his parents’, wasn’t it?

‘Oh my god! I must be insane!’

Classie almost dropped her jaw. So this is why they say ignorance is bliss!

She had never imagined Kishin was someone so incredible. Had she known, she never would’ve dared to rush at him the way she had.

But Classie did have an excuse. Hadn’t they gone through a cycle of breakups and reconciliations over and over again?

Besides, she knew he was the heir of a marquis family—and that alone had already met her standards, so she hadn’t felt the need to look into him any deeper.

Now feeling ashamed, she looked ahead—only to see her parents staring in shock with their mouths hanging open just like hers.

“Was it Sir Kishin who received a title at the age of fifteen?” her father finally asked, unable to contain himself any longer.

“Yes,” Kishin answered without hesitation.

Classie saw her mother’s throat visibly move in a big gulp. That seemed to be the turning point, as her mother’s demeanor suddenly grew noticeably warmer.

“I remember hearing the rumors. I wondered what kind of person such a remarkable young man must be… I never imagined that boy would grow up to be so handsome and become my son-in-law.”

Her father grinned widely, then burst out laughing and gave Kishin a few awkward pats on the back.

“Hahaha! Our future son-in-law, our future son-in-law!”

The change is way too fast… Classie wanted to pass out from embarrassment.

She really had no idea Kishin was such an amazing person. She could swear it in the temple—she’d rushed at him just because of his face. Not that that made it any better, of course.

Anyway, she really hadn’t known he was such an extraordinary person, and now that her parents were practically over the moon about it, Classie wanted to crawl into a hole.

“Mom. Dad.”

Classie gave them a look, silently telling them to tone it down, but they stood their ground with pride.

Her father burst out laughing and explained to Kishin,

“Please don’t think it too strange that we’re acting like this all of a sudden. You see, our daughter hardly told us anything about you. Just your name, surname, and job—she didn’t even tell us your age! We kept wondering, ‘Just who is she seeing?’ But to think it was someone as outstanding as you—we can’t help but be thrilled.”

A smile tugged at Kishin’s lips.

“It’s quite all right. I’m grateful for the warm welcome. And please, feel free to speak comfortably with me.”

“Oh ho, then I shall!”

Immediately lowering his speech with cheerful familiarity, Classie’s father linked arms with Kishin, while Anna sighed, covering her forehead and closing her eyes.

“Son-in-law, aren’t you hungry? You should eat something. You need to eat well to stay healthy if you’re going to serve the nation.”

As her father led Kishin toward the dining room, Classie’s mother came over and whispered in protest,

“Why on earth didn’t you tell us something that important?”

“I didn’t know either!”

“You didn’t know that?”

“I just thought… he was really handsome…”

“Well, that’s true. He really is handsome. More handsome than your brothers, even.”

When her mother agreed, Classie stifled a laugh, covering her mouth.

She gave her mother a playful poke and added,

“I was drawn in by his looks at first, but the reason I ended up liking him so much is because of his personality. He’s a genuinely good person. He doesn’t get swayed by others, he has firm principles, and he’s incredibly loyal.”

“Yes, yes, he does seem that way. He also looks quite stubborn. But that’s fine. You’re not exactly known for your stubbornness, are you?”

“…”

Classie couldn’t shake the feeling that her mother seemed a little too excited.

That suspicion only grew when her mother murmured under her breath,
“I have to make sure to show him off to Madam Lairy.”

Classie frowned and asked,
“Isn’t Madam Lairy your friend?”

“She was. We’re not speaking anymore.”

“Oh right. You had a fight. What was it about?”

“I just stopped liking her.”

“…What?”

“She’s weird.”

Seeing how delighted her parents were, a sudden wave of anxiety crashed over Classie.

‘They’re this happy now… But what if Kishin’s mother sees all this and says, “Hmm, I still don’t like the rumors. I can’t approve this Maryage”?’

‘If they’re this happy now, wouldn’t they be all the more heartbroken if it falls apart? Wouldn’t they be deeply sad?’

* * *

The evening after Kishin had paid them a visit for a friendly chat, a messenger arrived from the Gosville Marquisate.

They brought an invitation—nothing formal, just a casual suggestion to enjoy some newly gifted high-quality coffee and chat together.

The invitation was addressed to the Kalashi couple. There was no mention of Classie at all.

“So… they want to meet without me?”

Classie turned the card this way and that, inspecting it, then asked her parents—only to be promptly dismissed.

She came out of the room, lips jutted in a pout, and Anna couldn’t hold back a laugh.

“Oh, my lady. You were so composed when Lady Merran was around, but now that she’s gone, the youngest daughter is back again.”

“Do you think Merran has reached by now?”

“If she left quickly, she might have. But if it started snowing or the roads turned bad, she might still be on the way.”

“It is quite far, huh…”

About thirty minutes later, her parents sent their reply to the Gosville household.

And the next day, at 1 PM, the Kalashi couple departed by carriage to the Gosville Marquisate.

While she waited for them to return, every minute felt like an hour to Classie.

Part of her felt like it would’ve been better to be there with them—another part was relieved she wasn’t.

She paced the garden around the house in circles again and again.

Both the butler and Anna took turns urging her to come inside, but her stomach churned and her heart raced—there was no calming her.

By 3 PM, Classie couldn’t take it anymore. She went inside and changed her clothes.

“My lady, no! You can’t go. You mustn’t. You know that, right?”

Anna practically leapt to stop her, clinging to Classie’s arm.

“I’m not going to Lord Kishin’s house. I just… can’t sit still. I’m going to step out and buy something. Anything. I just need to do something. I’m too anxious.”

Classie grabbed a bit of money and got into a carriage—but after just five minutes, she couldn’t bear it and gave a new order.

“This isn’t working. Ledon, take me back home. I feel worse now that I’m out.”

As soon as Ledon pulled the carriage through the gates, Classie jumped out.

When she returned barely ten minutes after saying she was going out, Anna and the butler exchanged a knowing glance.

Classie threw herself onto the same sofa she had once sat on beside Kishin and buried her face, trying to force herself to sleep.

Just then, the sound of carriage wheels and horse hooves came through the window. Her parents were home.

She shot up and ran to the front door. Just as she expected, the family carriage was pulling through the gate.

“What happened? What did she say?”

Classie grabbed the carriage window and stuck her head in before her parents could even step down.

The coachman hit the brakes in surprise.

“Honestly!”

Her mother sighed from inside, but Classie couldn’t wait any longer. Whether it was good news or bad, she had to hear it.

If it was a no, she’d cry her heart out once and move on. If it was a yes… what then?

“It went well. She’s someone you can actually talk to.”

The very answer she had longed to hear—and yet, Classie felt dazed more than happy.

Things went well with the Marchioness of Gosville? That meant… she could actually marry Kishin?

Could everything really fall into place this easily the moment Merran left?

Her mother stepped down from the carriage.

Her father followed, a wide grin on his face, beaming with confidence.

“Your mother acted so composed in front of you, but you should’ve seen how fast she spoke over there.”

“Dear!”

When her mother jabbed him in the ribs, her father darted behind Classie and continued.

“It’s true! The Marchioness liked everything about you—except for one thing. She was hung up on the rumors. But your mother defended you fiercely. She said Mary acted as your guardian before her Maryage and that you two were incredibly close. That the guards and coachman who went on that trip with you were all handpicked by Mary. That Mary arranged the carriage, the horses, the luggage, everything—and you only brought a few dresses and tagged along because she begged you to.”

Classie held her breath and asked,
“Did she believe it?”

“She did,” her mother said with a proud smile, draping an arm over Classie’s shoulder.

“And do you know what finally convinced the Marchioness to trust us?”

“What was it?”

“The fact that you’ve been raising Mary’s daughter, Merran, ever since the accident. I said, ‘If Classie were the one responsible for Mary’s death, how could Mary’s daughter live by her side? They’re so close they even moved out together!’”

Wow.
Merran is actually helping my Maryage along… Classie stared blankly in surprise at the unexpected twist.

Her father chimed in with a laugh,
“The Marchioness had basically made up her mind. She just wants to meet one more person—Merran.”

He chuckled heartily.

“But Merran’s practically glued to you, isn’t she? Of course she’ll speak well of you! We’re pretty much all set now.”

Not only her parents, but even the butler and Anna, who had come to greet them, were smiling brightly.

But Classie felt like she had been doused with ice water in the middle of winter. She couldn’t even breathe.

‘Merran would never speak well of me!’

* * *