Chapter 11: 11

Chapter 11 – Marriage Alliance

The densely shaded Krambitz is the largest and most beautiful villa owned by the Meyer family. With a dense fir tree forest and a small lake, it was also the nursing home of Van Drake Meyer, the head of the family.

As he began handing down the family business to their son, Caitlyn was gradually increasing her time spent at Krambitz. It was to take care of her husband, who was rapidly deteriorating. People praised Mrs. Meyer’s virtues. She was even complimented as the perfect Lady of the Duke’s family.

“If you decorate it with ivy, it will look pretty. Don’t you think?”

Mumbling, she held a bouquet of lisianthus, which she had just picked, in her hand.

“Ophelia, did you say your daughter turned fifteen a while ago? Give this to her.”
“… Oh my… Thank you. Master.”

Caitlyn went inside the villa, leaving her bewildered maid behind.

The bedroom clearly showed Caitlyn’s disposition as the lady of the family. Magnificent, luxurious, and perfect.

There is only one stain. Her husband, Van Drake Meyer, lying on the bed like a corpse.

His pupils were completely unfocused, hovering around the ceiling.
His tongue was hardened and lost its use except for passing food, and his limbs, too, have long since lost their function. He is conscious, but he does not recognize people well, and his cognitive level is that of a child.

Some doctors said it was an illness of unknown cause, while others said it was syphilis that had spread to the brain. Whatever the cause, the head of the Meyer family never recovered during the long ten years.

Leaning against the door, Caitlyn silently watched the old servant massage his skinny limbs, diligently. Feeling her presence, he turned his head.

Their eyes met.

At that moment, Caitlyn felt uncomfortable, as if a snake were crawling up her back.

Should she say she is shameless? Or cunning?

That servant, named Jetson, has been with Caitlyn since the days when she was starving and eating grass porridge. It was Jetson who protected her, upright like a boulder, and did all kinds of dirty work.

Perhaps he was the only one she believed and relied on; but when she has everything she wants and puts the world at her feet, Jetson feels like a past she wants to erase.

“You can stop now and go. I want to do it myself.”

Caitlyn spoke rather coldly and put flowers in a vase next to the bed. Jetson said “Yes.” and stood up.

Caitlyn wiped her hands with a wet towel and began massaging her husband’s arm.

When sweat began to form on her forehead, she heard a knocking sound.

“The guests have arrived. They are waiting in the study.”

Caitlyn’s face glowed. She put down the skinny arm, which looked like a dead branch, and left the room straight away.

***

“Caitlyn Meyer! Calling us here again, I really can’t stop you.”

An old man with an onyx stick on a fedora raised both arms.
He is assemblyman William Richards, representative of the Chamber of Peers, known as ‘Rönenhalt’s Snake’. Caitlyn held his wrinkly hands together and shook them vigorously.

Hannes Reinen, who was standing behind them, smiled and approached Caitlyn.

“No malicious gossip will arise if we use a sick visit as an excuse, so this is the perfect place to talk. Isn’t it?”

The three laughed and moved to a secret room inside the study.

“Hadius moved to a new house, right? Looks like he is anxious to become independent.”
“Tell me about it. I’m hurt by how anxious he is. I haven’t even seen him for the past 4 years since he used the school as an excuse…”
“Is the succession going well? You must be careful during this period. This is the moment when unnecessary conflicts arise between parents and children. You have to dispose of the informants you put on his back.”
“Do not worry.”

Caitlyn’s lips had a relaxed smile.

“Except for the aide, Grozhang, all the coachmen, tutors, and nannies have been disposed of.”
“Good job. He has a strong sense of independence, so you’d better compromise moderately and be careful. There’s nothing good about being caught keeping an eye on him.”

William caressed his well-trimmed mustache and put one arm on the armrest.

“Anyway, now that your child has become independent and taken over the family, it will be over when he gets married, which is the most important.”

The peaceful atmosphere froze.
Finally, the biggest problem the three of them must overcome has emerged as a topic of conversation.

“My investors are unforgettably waiting for the union of Reinen and Meyer. But don’t forget that you wasted 5 years and have been disappointing everyone.”

Caitlyn and Hannes faced each other at the same time. Hannes’ eyes also showed signs of urgency.

“Don’t worry, my son will soon get his hands on the Trunia mine. He’s fairly good at negotiating.”

“I’m not worried about whether he obtains the mine or not. The important thing is the merger with Reinen Mining. In other words, the marriage of Hadius and Bianca. That is what the investors want. The birth of a multinational conglomerate that will own 50% of the mines, including the New World.”
“I’m keeping that in mind. Don’t worry.”

Caitlyn nodded eagerly, trying to reassure William. However, he couldn’t change his skeptical look.

“Then, when will the breakup be possible? Caitlyn Meyer isn’t just looking around because she’s scared of King Josef, is she? Shouldn’t we persuade the King now to break off this marriage?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact, I’m planning to start the negotiations at the right time after visiting Trunia.”
“At the right time? Not ‘as soon as possible’?”

Hannes interrupted with a bitter voice.

His pride had been hurt. He always hated the fact that his precious daughter, the apple of his eyes, was locked up in a convent waiting for Hadius Meyer’s breakup.

He visited Bianca a few days ago and asked, ‘How about you just marry another family?’

Bianca urged him to do so, unhesitating. While she was locked away in a convent like Rapunzel, Hadius was engaged to another woman, playing around.

However, their marriage isn’t on the level to break due to emotions like that. Marriage was an alliance, a business, a merger, and the interests of numerous politicians and nobles were at stake. Even that snake William is always asking when the co-partnership will be established.

“Actually, I wanted to tell you,”

Caitlyn opened her mouth.

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“Hadius believes that, for now, he should sort out the relationship with his ex-fiancée first.”
“Ex-fiancée… That peasant girl?”
“Yes.”

William snorted.

“Even if the engagement is a mere formality, isn’t it a royal command? It is not something that can be easily discarded. Don’t the two of you, who have been watching, know better? Hadius is going to take care of his fiancée and have a discussion with Josef in person, so I hope you wait a little longer.”
“What exactly does ‘take care of’ mean? Are you sure you can put an end to it? As I said before, my Bianca’s marriage should be perfect. There shouldn’t be even a speck of dirt.”
“Do not worry.”

Caitlyn replied firmly, looking back at Hannes.

“Hadius intends to move that child to the New World. We are buying all the land in the southern part of Erndorf. We’re silencing her in advance by giving her compensation, so she doesn’t talk behind our back.”

Isn’t this enough?
Caitlyn looked at Hannes with such a glance.
However, Hannes’ face was still full of dissatisfaction. She forcibly raised the stiffened corners of her mouth.

“Don’t be so impatient. If it doesn’t work, there is still the last resort William mentioned. In the end, everything will go our way.”

The words ‘last resort’ sank heavily in the study.

***

It was impossible to separate Charlotte from the dog. The dog was as docile and charming as it was big. It was smart enough to immediately understand simple commands, such as sit and lay down, after only one or two repetitions.

Caught in the middle of it, Emilia had no choice but to watch Charlotte melt into the dog.

“It may look docile, but it is raised as a guard dog. A dog breed brave enough to stand up to a pack of wolves. Raise it well.”
“No, I can’t.”
“Don’t worry. Beppy will take care of all the expenses and preparations needed to raise it.”

She could feel the stubbornness in not allowing a refusal in his firm tone.

“Think of your family, Emilia.”

The word ‘family’ weakened Emilia’s heart once again.

This is a secluded forest and there is nothing bad about raising a dog. Don’t wealthy aristocrats raise dozens of dogs in every villa?

“Above all, this is not a gift for you.”

From a distance, Hadius glanced at Charlotte, who was watching them carefully. Beyond fiddling with the dog’s tail, Charlotte was now hugging its neck.

How can she continue refusing?

Taking her silence as consent, Hadius approached Charlotte.

What kind of magic did he use…? Charlotte fell in love with him enough to reveal her monster-like half face.

Hadius even kneeled and patted the child’s head. Just looking at the two seemed to make Emilia’s heart burst.

When he came back to Emilia, she couldn’t look into Hadius’ eyes at all, as if they were engulfed in mist.

“I have something to tell you before I go, you may have to move in a few months.”

The warmth that had arisen weakly disappeared in an instant. The ‘place of purchase’, that she had forgotten for a while thanks to Charlotte and the lovely dog, filled her head again.

You must not forget.

The carriage, Mister Beppy, and that dog. There is only one reason why Hadius Meyer shows unwanted kindness.

The breakup agreement.

Emilia calmed down her heart, clenching her fist tightly.

“I’m telling you beforehand, but I’m not kicking you out. Think of a couple months in the shortest, about one or two years in the longest.”
“That’s funny, how on earth can it not sound like being kicked out?”

She was going to be sarcastic, but the way she spoke sounded terribly weak. Emilia didn’t even have the strength to make eye contact with him.

“It’s simple. I wouldn’t have told you in advance like this if I really intended on kicking you out. There is no need to worry. There is an ongoing negotiation; if it goes well, I will make a decision then. I’m just thinking about it.”
“Do you have any right to decide for me…”

Hadius stared quietly at Emilia, who muttered weakly. The man’s mouth opened as if trying to explain something and soon closed again.

“… Well then.”

After a calm goodbye, he moved away.

Emilia couldn’t move for a long time from that spot, until the carriage he was riding became smaller and smaller, and disappeared altogether.

***

The dog, that became a new member of the family, stole not only Charlotte’s but also her stepmother’s heart with all kinds of charms and cuteness.

When she finished washing the dishes after dinner, Emilia realized it was quite chilly outside. She took out a blanket and headed towards the doghouse.

“Brave.”

It was the name Charlotte gave it.

Hadius praised the child, saying it was a good name. That was probably the first time Charlotte has been praised by someone other than her family.

He said he bought the land. He is thinking about kicking us out of this place…

Perhaps she has gotten accustomed to the incoherent behavior; Emilia just chuckled.

“Woof!”

Emilia made eye contact with the dog, waving its tail. Brave expressed its affection without hesitation and licked the back of Emilia’s hand with its big tongue. Its simplicity released a little of the bitterness that was filling her chest.

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