Chapter 3

"What is this cheap tea? The guardian of the head of the house has come, you know? Can't you at least have the young lady prepare one of the rare distilled liquors?"

Richard could not even retort and bowed deeply in apology. Seeing his unchanged demeanor, Iris sighed inwardly.

"Uncle."

Iris called out to Serrick, never uttering a word of welcome.

"Our family is now living off the meager inheritance left by my parents. I hope you understand that we do not have the means to always have high-quality tea on hand."

"Oh, Iris. You've become even more beautiful since I last saw you."

Serrick spread his arms wide, feigning great delight, completely ignoring Iris's words. After exchanging a formal greeting, Iris sat across from her uncle at the low table. Serrick's expression seemed to pale at her demeanor.

"Uncle, there is something I need to confirm."

"What is it?"

"Last month, there were many expenses, including high-end men's clothing, dresses, and jewelry. Dean, as usual, and I certainly did not make them."

Ah, that, Serrick nodded.

"I am the guardian of the head of the Costa Viscount family. If I were to dress shabbily, it could lead to the misunderstanding that the Costa Viscount family has fallen. I cannot allow that, so these are necessary expenses."

"Still, it seems excessive—"

The Costa Viscount family is barely managing to keep expenses to a minimum. Even Iris's debutante dress was made by mending the most beautiful of her mother's heirlooms.

"Iris."

Serrick's voice dropped to a lower tone.

"You are still a novice in the social world. You don't understand anything. Leave it to your uncle, and there will be no mistakes."

"But..."

A debutante is typically sixteen years old. Iris had made her debut at a recent ball and should be recognized as an adult.

Serrick waved his hands, clearly displeased.

"Enough of this boring talk. It's because of your behavior that the son of the Hensel Baron turned his back on you. I hear you used violence at the ball?"

"That..."

Iris was speechless.

The son of the Hensel Baron was her ex-fiancé, Stephen. The day after the ball, the Hensel Baron formally broke off the engagement. Seeing his son's face swollen and bruised, the Hensel Baron was furious. The engagement was broken off without compensation, as Stephen's infidelity and Iris's violence were considered to cancel each other out.

"More importantly, after causing such a disturbance at the ball, it will be difficult to find a suitable match. That's why I've brought a special marriage proposal."

Saying this, Serrick took a white envelope from his pocket.

"A marriage proposal?"

This uncle had never done anything to help her. All he did was exploit. Knowing this, Iris had a bad feeling.

"Yes. Iris can't stay at home forever, can she? If a lovely daughter marries into a good family, your brother would be happy in heaven."

He opened the envelope and confirmed its contents, which were on a folded sheet of high-quality paper. Upon reading it, Iris's eyes widened.

"The president of the Jaint Trading Company?"

"Yes, that's right. He's a bit older, but he's the president of a prestigious trading company. There's no better offer."

What does "a bit" mean? According to Iris's memory, the president of the Jaint Trading Company is nearly sixty years old. He is as old as a grandfather to her. Moreover, the Jaint Trading Company is notorious for driving small retail stores out of business through coercive methods, and the president is no better.

"Of course, you will accept?"

Iris did not answer, folded the high-quality paper back to its original form, and put it back in the envelope.

"...It's too sudden, and I can't answer right away. I need to consult with Dean. He is already seventeen and has not yet made his debut, but he is a grown man."

"A grown man? I'm surprised. How can he fulfill his duties as the head of the viscount family with that body? He can't do social or work in bed. Besides, he can never become a knight."

Serrick laughed derisively.

"He will surely get better soon! Besides, I found a job when I visited the capital recently."

"A job?"

Serrick furrowed his brow in suspicion.

"Yes, as a governess. Although it's not in a noble's mansion, I saw a good salary being offered and applied. So, marriage is out of the question for now."

"Why did you make such a decision without consulting me?"

Iris felt a strong anger in his voice and almost trembled. However, she thought she couldn't back down here. She believed that if she didn't stand firm, there would be no future for the Costa Viscount family.

"I am an adult now. I will take care of myself."

"Take care of yourself? Who are you to say that? I'm the one who arranged for Dean's care! Iris needs to first learn to express gratitude properly. Your parents would be crying in heaven."

"That..."

Iris bit her lip and clenched her hands tightly.

"Despite all the good I've done, you've ruined my mood. I'll take my leave after seeing Dean. Oh, make sure he takes his medicine properly. After all, he is the heir to the important Costa Viscount family."

Serrick spat out these words with a frown and left the room.

The door slammed shut with a loud noise, and the room fell silent. The steady ticking of the clock on the wall became more pronounced.

"Father, Mother, what should I do...?"

Iris, left alone in the parlor, covered her face in despair.