Chapter 5

After that, Laila, pale-faced, was dragged home by her parents who had rushed over.

There was almost no memory of the journey home in the carriage, and when she came to, she found herself in the living room of her house, where a family meeting was being held around a white envelope.

This letter had just arrived at their home a little while ago. It seemed that the maid who lived in and worked as a helper had received it, and the seal of the Baltzsek family crest was impressed on it.

(Ah, now that I think about it, the same family crest was on Lord Julius's badge... )

Laila was still dazed, so her father, Anton Kyrka, cut the seal and read the letter inside.

"An exclusive partnership between the Kyrka Trading Company and the Baltzsek family, and a guarantee of support in emergencies. All the funds and preparation costs for the marriage will be covered by them... Isn't this too good to be true?"

Helena Kyrka, Laila's mother, made a sensible point. Her facial features were identical to her daughter's, and Laila apparently looked just like her mother when she was young.

Anton Kyrka, Laila's father, who had a slightly stern face, made it even more severe as he traced the words on the letter with his thick fingers.

"It says they are taking in our precious daughter... I'm sorry, Laila. We don't understand why the head of the prestigious Baltzsek family would offer such favorable terms."

"Yeah, I don't understand either, so it's okay."

If she were a world-renowned beauty, it might be different, but Laila was not exceptionally beautiful. She had been taught by her parents that "a woman's beauty is not just about looks; intelligence is also a weapon," and she believed she had a fair amount of knowledge. However, there was no way Julius, who had proposed to her after meeting her for only a minute, could know her inner qualities.

"Lord Julius said something about 'falling in love at third sight,' but I don't remember doing anything that would make someone fall in love. It was just that I was seen looking dazed on the balcony after being dumped by Joachim in public."

"...I'm really sorry about Joachim. It's our fault."

"What are you talking about? No matter how you look at it, the fault lies with Joachim and Karolina, not me."

When her father shrugged his broad shoulders, Laila hurriedly patted his shoulder.

Indeed, that engagement had been decided by the fathers of both families, but Laila had agreed with the arrangement. However, her relationship with Joachim had not progressed as expected, and she had been taken by a friend.

"Joachim's father is a baron, and it's not good to be at odds with Karolina's family. So, at that moment, we had no choice but to yield. ...I should have been more aggressive with Joachim, but it's over now."

"That's right. Let's forget about that overbearing man who broke off the engagement and focus on Lord Julius."

Her mother added, but her face was twisted. It was disheartening to imagine the attitude Joachim and Karolina had taken when they went to their parents to talk, even without hearing the details.

The three of them read the letter from the Baltzsek family again.

"...Julius Baltzsek..."

"To be honest, I don't know what kind of person he is."

"I'm not close to him either. I only accompanied you to the ball tonight because you were invited. ...You know that Julius Baltzsek is not of the Baltzsek bloodline, right?"

"Yeah. He's the adopted son of Lady Isabella's younger brother, right?"

"That's right. He seems to have been a war orphan rescued by the magic army during the Miasis border war fifteen years ago. He was adopted by the Baltzsek family because he was found to have rare magical power, but despite his fame, he has rarely appeared in public."

Listening to her father's words, Laila recalled the face of Julius she had met tonight.

(Ah, maybe...)

"Lord Julius looked unhealthy, so maybe he's weak?"

"That's what they say. He has been confined to the mansion since he was young and was given a small house to live in. He has been frail since then, and his health has worsened since his adoptive father died a year ago. He is also suffering from insomnia."

That's why he had that gaunt face, unusually thin body, and pale skin.

(...But, to be honest, it doesn't seem like he'll live long...)

It seemed that her parents were thinking the same thing, and their expressions were somber.

"...I can understand why Lady Isabella might not want to let the woman her nephew proposed to slip away."

"Yes... Perhaps he wants to spend some happy time with a wife because he is frail and lonely."

"Perhaps it is Julius's last whim, given that he may not live long."

Her parents seemed to be thinking along the same lines.

(...But, why?)

When Julius proposed to her, his eyes...

She had a vague feeling that he did not propose to her because he wanted to spend his remaining days with a wife. For some reason, she felt there was another—some other intention.

"...Dad, Mom, I want to accept this proposal."

"Laila..."

"Even if there are concerns about Lord Julius's health, this is a very good deal, isn't it?"

She said it in a deliberately bright voice, and they looked at her with concerned eyes, but Laila smiled and waved the letter.

"Lady Isabella has promised, so it will be fine. Besides, it says 'for the long-lasting bond between the Baltzsek and Kyrka families,' so even if something happens, the bond won't be severed."

"...That's true, but..."

"Besides... if we refuse, it could be scary."

She didn't really think the Baltzsek family would retaliate. Rather, she was more afraid of being rumored to have "rejected a proposal from a prestigious family" and being labeled as "unbelievable."

The trading company was maintained not only by the skills of her parents and employees but also by trust and good rumors. Bad rumors could undermine everything, and she didn't want to be the cause of that.

Since the Kyrka couple had no sons, the heir to the trading company was Laila's cousin, who was still only fourteen and attending school. The best thing Laila could do for her beloved cousin was to marry someone who could support him when he took over from his father.

"I'm fine. Besides, I only talked to Lord Julius a little, but I don't think he's a bad person."

"..."

"So, let me go. I'll do my best!"

It was also for the sake of the trading company and her family. But if she didn't do something, Laila would be labeled as a "jilted woman." This would make her feel negative and possibly even depressed, no matter how hard she tried.

Marriage to Julius was uncertain, and she didn't know what would happen. But if she didn't take a step forward, nothing would change. She didn't want to wallow in self-pity as a woman who had been rejected.

Her parents thought about it for a while but eventually nodded in agreement.

Laila and Julius's engagement was quickly decided, and the documents were submitted.

(This is a real engagement certificate...)

The certificate that arrived at her home had the signatures and seals of Laila, Julius, and their respective guardians. With Joachim, it had only been a "planned engagement," so there had been no such documents.

Thus, Laila became engaged to Julius, but the wedding was said to be quite a while away. The Baltzsek family, though not nobility, was a prestigious old family in the Rendia Kingdom, so the wedding would take at least a year, probably around next summer, or even a few years.

Laila's parents had married three months after their engagement, so she thought it was quite a process for important people.

...However, Laila could no longer stay at home during this period. It seemed that Julius was particularly eager for Laila to live with him during the engagement.

(Well, if he doesn't have much time left, he would want to spend as much time together as possible... probably.)

The letter, signed by Isabella, emphasized that "Laila would basically follow Julius's instructions during the cohabitation, but she would not be forced to do anything. There would be no intimate relations."

The wording was more explicit, making Laila blush, but her parents were impressed by the Baltzsek family's sincerity, finding it very different from some baron's second son and a minor noble's daughter.

The letter also stated that no dowry was necessary, and the Baltzsek family would cover all living expenses, food, and necessary supplies during the engagement period. By this point, her parents had accepted the arrangement and decided to "gratefully accept what they could."

Thus, about half a month after that fateful ball, Laila left her home and headed to the Baltzsek family's secondary residence.