Sorry 10

Chapter 10

    ***

    [Eridov or Hebron? Who will the lady of Either choose?

    Lady of Either hidden two men?!

    At a banquet at the Duke's residence in Ales, she was publicly proposed to by Master Chaint Eridov.

    The two were not in a relationship, and............but....... The two families are not far apart, but unlike Lady of Either, who rarely participated in social events, Master Chaint is an up-and-coming number one groom............

    Kylan Hebron, on the other hand, walked away with a very hurt expression............]

    She crumpled the newspaper after reading about half of it.

    "Are they crazy?”

    She knew that low-quality journalists wrote most of the stories, and she felt sorry for the people she'd seen fall victim to them.

    But she didn't expect it to be her this time, a socially invisible person, who was being judged. It was not a pleasant feeling to be judged.

    Euris grimaced and left the room. When she went down to the formal dining room, she found Countess Either alsso reading the same newspaper.

    "Euris!"

    When she spotted her daughter, she called her name with a squeal. Euris mumbled a quick good morning and took a seat nearby.

    "So, you made it to the paper after all. I was going to ask you anyway, but why on earth did the eldest son of the Eridov family propose to you?"

    Frelona asked, shedding the dignified, graceful demeanor she had displayed at the ducal residence yesterday.

    "That's what I want to know too, Mother.”

    Euris shrugged her shoulders and looked away. Frelona looked at her daughter with a serious expression on her face, then called for a maid. To the maid who came to the call, she said.

    "Euris and I will be going out together, so get her ready."

    When the maid left, Euris looked puzzled.

    "Where are you going, mother?"

    “I’m planning to go to Marquis of Eridov. There’s even been an article about it. Shouldn’t we at least talk about it? A telegram has already arrived.”

    Ready to go, the mother and daughter sat in the carriage all morning and arrived at the Marquis of Eridov. As they approached the magnificent mansion, Euris was suddenly overwhelmed by memories of the past.

    Though she had spent most of her time in the capital's mansion once Chaint began to take on more imperial duties, she had spent the early years of their marriage in this country house.

    The mansion was also nicknamed Glamis House. In the past, when she was suffering from depression, she had not realized how bright and beautiful it was.

    It was her first visit in this lifetime, and it felt strange because everything was so familiar.

    "Isn't the mansion beautiful?"

    Frelona said in a clear voice, gazing at the fresh flowers in the flowerbeds.

    "It makes me feel a little calmer to see these beautiful spring flowers."

    A man came out and introduced himself as the butler. The mother and daughter were led by him across the garden.

    Euris knew the butler from her previous life and almost pretended to recognize him.

    They were ushered into the parlor. There they were met by the Marquess of Eridov and Master Chaint, who were waiting for their guests.

    "Welcome, you've come a long way."

    The two ladies exchanged gracious greetings, and Euris awkwardly joined in. Chaint Eridov returned the favor with a friendly smile and a polite bow. His handsome face bore no memory or trace of yesterday's tumult.

    Seeing him indoors was like seeing a different man. Euris had spent most of her time indoors in her last life, even after their marriage, and she and Chaint usually saw each other in the bedroom or the dining room.

    His face brought back so many memories that she had to look away, afraid she might get emotional.

    It was an awkward time to eat, so sumptuous sweets and tea were being served. Everyone was seated, and the mess was finally cleaned up. Then Marquess of Eridov spoke in earnest.

    "I must apologize for yesterday's affair. I am sorry that the beautiful Either family should have had their name mentioned in such a vulgar newspaper. Please apologize, Chaint."

    "I apologize for my indiscretion."

    Accepting the apologies, Euris looked at her mother. Frelona was looking at them both, maintaining her elegant smile. But her face was just as curious as Euris'. Just waiting for the right time to ask.

    Then Chaint looked at Euris intently and parted his lips.

    "But, Yuris. I mean it."

    ... He added.

    There was a light clink from the side. Frelona had dropped the silver spoon while stirring sugar into her tea.

    Marquess of Eridov made a face as if she had been defeated by her son's remark.

    "I'm surprised too, as his mother I don't really know what he’s thinking, but now that I've talked to him since yesterday, I think he is really sincere.” 

    Euris sipped the herbal tea in front of her. She couldn't quite put her finger on the situation.

    ‘What was it like in my last life?’

    Back then, she hadn't been directly involved in the marriage arrangement, as the news had been relayed through her mother and father. She had only been lying in the room like a dead man.

    Euris schooled her expression, as the memory of her pathetic past almost made her frown.

    In reality, as far as family transactions go, it wasn't a bad exchange. It shouldn't be difficult for a Count to provide a decent dowry for his only daughter.

    It would also be a good thing for the mother and father to marry off their daughter to the eldest son of a well-to-do Marquis.

    ‘It's just... I'm so quiet and uninterested in socializing that I might seem weird or even pathetic.’

    The fact that she had been abandoned by Kylan in her last life was no secret in social circles, but the fact that the marriage was consummated suggested that the Marquis and Marquess of Eridov thought nothing of it.

    'That didn't happen this time, so that's a plus. Oh, and I'm younger now.’

    Euris thought about it, and realized that this marriage proposal would happen if she agreed.

    However, it didn't solve the question: Why her?

    ‘Should I rush into accepting his proposal? What if he's unhappy because of me in this life?’

    "Euris?"

    Euris, who had been deep in thought for some time, was startled out of her blurred focus by the voice calling out to her.

    "Yes?"

    It was Chaint. He was staring at Euris with a worried expression.

    "Are you okay?"

    "Oh, yeah. I'm sorry, what did you say?"

    At those words, the corners of his mouth curled softly.

    "We were talking about Kylan Hebron."

    Clank. Euris stopped sipping her tea and looked up. He kindly handed her a handkerchief.

    Smiling awkwardly, she took it and wiped her lips.

    It was only natural that Kylan's name would come up. It was all over the papers.

    [Eridov or Hebron? Who will the lady of Aether choose?]

    She clenched her teeth to keep from gritting them, remembering the headline in the damned newspaper. From the Marquis Eridov’s perspective, the presence of the other man in that headline, Kylan Hebron, was probably the most disturbing aspect of the whole affair.

    Marquess of Eridov smiled at Euris, looking at her kindly with blue eyes that looked exactly like her son's.

    "I am well aware of your friendship with Lord Kylan."

    Her voice was soft, but the question sounded like an accusation. Euris could understand her.

    Who would want to have a daughter-in-law who was rumored to be with another man? While she was trying to think of the right words to reply, Chaint interrupted her.

    "But, Mother, I heard clearly Euris telling Lord Kylan not to come to see her again."

    He looked as if he was going to take care of Yuris's embarrassment with his whole body. But the words made Euris’s mother, Frelona, flinch silently.

    For her daughter's pushing away of Kylan was something she had never been aware of.

    Euris scratched her forehead in thought. Things seemed to be getting complicated.

    And now everyone around the table was waiting for her answer. Euris took a small breath and opened her mouth.

    ***

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