Chapter 72

This is a story from the perspective of Amon's mother, who appeared in the previous side story, "Looking for a Bride."

The story takes a slightly serious turn at the end and consists of four parts.

Teresa of the Zattenheim family turned seventeen last month.

At her age, it wouldn't be unusual for a noble daughter to have a fiancé, but she doesn't have one yet.

Actually, she was engaged until just recently, but that engagement suddenly ended.

The reason was the infidelity of her fiancé.

The other party argued that making a fuss over a liaison with a servant was ridiculous, but the Zattenheim family couldn't accept it.

The engagement was debated for nearly three months, and in the end, both sides agreed to act as if the engagement had never existed.

However, it's unlikely that the surrounding people would conveniently forget an engagement that had been announced.

When Teresa attended a ball after a long time, she was exposed to overtly curious gazes, and she decided to leave the venue as soon as her dance with her brother and relatives ended.

The moonlit night garden is indeed enchanting but also dangerous.

There's no guarantee that a drunkard won't make a lewd move, and normally, one wouldn't wander out carelessly. However, this venue was the familiar mansion of her aunt.

The security was tight, and it was unlikely that anyone would dare to harm the niece of the ball's host.

So, Teresa marched forward with large, unladylike strides, but after walking for a while, she noticed voices coming from behind a dense shrub.

What are they doing here? Could they be doing something inappropriate...?

This place was where a white-barked oak tree was planted, and when it bloomed, white flowers would spread like mist.

It didn't bloom every year, only once every five or six years, but when it did, the joy was immense. Teresa cherished this spot greatly.

If she were in a normal state of mind, she would have turned away and pretended not to notice, but unfortunately, Teresa was in a bad mood.

Feeling that her favorite spot was being desecrated, she continued walking and stopped abruptly when she passed the shrub.

What she saw was not a couple chatting under the moonlight but a man with a hawk-like nose and a stern face, earnestly talking to a small kitten in his arms.

"Huh?"

Teresa froze at the strange sight, but the man's face was even more amusing.

He was frozen in shock, his face turning pale and then rapidly blushing with embarrassment.

Then, the kitten in his arms meowed adorably, and Teresa's eyes narrowed with a "Oh!"

It was the kitten born three months ago, belonging to her aunt.

When it was a newborn, it was small enough to fit in one hand and very weak, but thanks to the care of the mother cat and the servants, it had grown quite sturdy.

This kitten was the most mischievous of the five (or was it five?) siblings, with a strong curiosity.

It must have slipped out when the servants were busy with the ball.

"Th-this is..."

The man holding the kitten spoke in a mosquito-like voice, and Teresa finally remembered that there was a human as well as a kitten in this place.

This was the encounter with Zahar, who would later become Teresa's husband.

After a belated introduction, they introduced themselves, but Teresa already knew who Zahar was.

In fact, there was probably no noble lady who didn't know him, given his frequent visits to the royal palace.

He was a man who bore the name of the Antore, one of the three major knight orders whose existence was codified by law.

His father, Lord Farmon Antore, was a member of the Round Table, and he was said to be a close friend of the capable Chancellor Dilenmer.

According to rumors, they were contemporaries during their squire days.

Zahar, as the eldest son, possessed the dignity and strength befitting the next leader of the Antore order.

He was taller than other noble sons, with a well-built, muscular physique.

He was not frivolous, and his words carried weight.

Though not skilled in social settings, his masculine appearance and noble lineage made him very popular among the ladies.

Teresa remembered well how her cousins had gushed about him, saying that if he noticed them, they would be set for life.

Indeed, from Teresa's perspective, Zahar Antore was a good catch.

Though he seemed a bit reserved, he was far better than a man who talked too much.

She had heard from her brother that he was a disciplined and austere warrior, but what was he doing here?

Teresa fell silent, unsure of what to say next, but it seemed Zahar was in the same boat.

After introducing himself, he didn't try to speak and instead continued to admire the kitten, trying to fill the awkward silence.

The kitten, being petted, closed its eyes in contentment, but Teresa was impressed that he didn't let go of the kitten even in this situation.

She should leave soon, but running away would make the situation awkward for him.

So, she decided to exchange a few words.

"Um, do you like cats?"

The man bowed his head even further, and Teresa bit her lip, realizing she had asked the wrong question.

Instead, she should have guided the conversation to make it easier for him to respond.

"That one is called Dizzy. It's a soft red tabby, isn't it cute?"

"…A red tabby?"

Finally, the man spoke, and Teresa felt relieved.

"It's a reddish-striped pattern. Perhaps 'calico' would be more familiar."

Teresa, though generally a dog person, had some knowledge of cats due to her aunt's love for them.

"Each cat has a slightly different color and pattern, but this one has a lighter color and white paws, making it easy to distinguish from its siblings."

"Does it have siblings? You seem to know a lot. Are you from this house...?"

As he spoke, Zahar murmured, "Zattenheim... So you're the niece of Lord Bifiz."

"Yes, my mother's sister is Lady Bifiz."

As she answered, Teresa was secretly surprised that he knew about the Zattenheim family, which wasn't of particularly high rank.

"My mother and her sister are close, so I often visit here. I've known Dizzy since before it could open its eyes. It was so small and fluffy, like a ball of fur."

"Fluffy ball of fur... Ah, it must have been so cute."

Zahar sighed, almost in agony, then seemed to realize something was wrong and cleared his throat.

"About your question, I've never thought I liked cats. I just followed my mother's advice to take care of small and weak things, so I was just talking to it a bit."

Teresa thought, "If that's all, why were you so enthusiastic just now?" She tilted her head, wondering if he was a cat lover without realizing it, but then she remembered that Lady Antore, Zahar's mother, had passed away a long time ago.

She probably died when he was a squire, and he must have missed his mother. Even now, he might still remember her teachings, Teresa thought, sighing softly.

"Zahar, this kitten has four siblings. My aunt is looking for homes for them. If you'd like, I can talk to her about giving one to you."

Zahar looked surprised at the unexpected offer. "To me?"

"Yes. My aunt wants to keep one, so it should be fine. This one is the most energetic and friendly. If you'd like to see the others, I can arrange that with my aunt."

Zahar's stern face broke into a delighted smile, but then he seemed to remember something and shook his head.

"Your offer is appreciated, but I can't. As the next head of the Antore, my father wouldn't approve of me playing with a kitten. Besides, if this were known, it wouldn't set a good example for my subordinates."

"…That's true."

Teresa nodded, remembering what she had heard about Zahar from her brother.

Indeed, no one would want to see the next leader of the Antore order doting on a kitten.

"Perhaps it's best to give up on keeping a kitten."

As she said this, Zahar looked at her with a hint of resentment.

"You don't have to be so understanding..."

"Sometimes, it's important to know when to let go."

There are times when what you want is out of reach.

Teresa had dreamed of a normal marriage, but things had taken an unexpected turn.

Thinking that she should have been married by next month, she could only sigh.

"…Do you have a cat, Teresa?"

Suddenly asked this, Teresa shook her head. "No, I prefer dogs. I've never wanted a cat."

"Prefer dogs over cats? Is your sense of aesthetics off?"

What a rude man.

Yes, he was a noble, but seeing him dote on a kitten, she couldn't help but feel a lack of respect.

"Unlike whimsical cats, dogs are loyal. My mother's cousin has a dog that jumps and wags its tail so hard when it sees him, it's so cute..."

"Excuse me, but what about your fiancé?"

Teresa frowned, wondering how his question about dogs related to her engagement.

"I don't have one."

Reluctantly, Teresa answered.

"Everyone knows the story. I was engaged, but the engagement is now over."

"I see."

Teresa detected a hint of satisfaction in his voice and looked at him with a slight irritation. "Is it so amusing that I don't have a fiancé?"

"No, that's not it..."

"You don't need to worry. My father will find someone eventually. Though I doubt there are many good matches left, it can't be helped."

The other party, when asked about the engagement, had subtly spread the word that Teresa was a narrow-minded woman who wouldn't even allow her servants to play. The Zattenheim family's decision to end the engagement had clearly upset him.

Such a narrow-minded attitude would drive away good matches, the woman who was supposed to be her mother-in-law had said, and Teresa realized that she was being spoken ill of in society for not tolerating her ex-fiancé's infidelity.

But for Teresa, it wasn't something she could easily dismiss.

Her ex-fiancé had housed the servant he had impregnated in a separate building, and a child had been born just a month ago.

While he might be better than a man who abandoned a pregnant servant, Teresa didn't want to marry a man who had a child with a lover before marriage.

She tried to console herself that breaking off the engagement was fortunate, but thinking about the reactions at the ball, she realized that she might not find a good match anymore.

Feeling a wave of unpleasant thoughts, she sighed and glanced at the ballroom, where the music was playing.

"I'll take my leave now. Please enjoy your time."

As she bowed and turned to leave, Zahar hastily stopped her. "Wait."

"Is there something?"

"Ah... No, it's just that..."

Seeing Zahar's nervous eyes, Teresa realized what he was thinking.

He probably didn't want anyone to know what he had seen here.

"Please rest assured."

Not wanting to make him say it out loud, Teresa smiled gently. "I won't tell anyone what I saw here."

And to ensure he wouldn't worry further, she added, "So, please don't tell anyone that I wandered into the garden because I felt uncomfortable at the ball."

Surprised by her words, Zahar's eyes widened, and he nodded seriously. "Understood. I won't say a word, even if I die."

Zahar seemed to mean it sincerely.

His earnestness was endearing and even more appealing.

Teresa thought, "He would do that."

His words conveyed a sense of integrity and resolve.

"Thank you. Goodbye."

With a final graceful curtsy, Teresa turned and walked away.

A cool breeze gently caressed her cheeks.

As she returned to the ballroom, Teresa couldn't help but smile.

Thank you for reading. I also want to thank you for the review you left the other day. I appreciate it.