Chapter 4

With the speed of a hawk, the engagement was decided, and the next morning, she was ordered to pack.

(Come to think of it... why am I the one getting married, me?)

In the detached house, while packing books into a trunk, she thought about it.

She was so happy to be leaving that she had forgotten to question the whole situation.

For her father Cedric, it would be more convenient to keep Amelia locked away, out of sight, until she withered away.

Even if it meant making Erin the heir, lowering Amelia’s reputation too much would tarnish the family name.

So, Amelia had resigned herself to spending her life in this detached house.

...Actually, there was one possibility that she had tried not to think about.

However, as long as Cedric didn’t give a reason, there was no point in thinking about it.

Amelia shook her head and focused on packing the books into the trunk.

◇◇◇

Even though no servant came to help, it didn’t take long to pack.

Apart from the bare essentials, some books, herbs, and concocted medicines, there was nothing else for Amelia to take.

There were no luxurious dresses or jewels, which would typically be given to a bride.

Finally, she put her mother’s smiling portrait in a small frame into her bag and slung it over her shoulder.

Two trunks and a small bag.

That was all Amelia had.

As she was about to leave, she looked around the house where she had spent seventeen years.

Various memories flooded back.

There were many unpleasant memories.

But more than anything, it was a house filled with memories of her mother...

“...Thank you for everything.”

Feeling a faint warmth in the back of her eyes, Amelia left the house.

◇

The carriage from the Logan Duke’s family arrived around noon.

Cedric was the only one to see her off.

Her stepmother and Erin, of course, were not there, and neither were any of the servants.

“Understand this. As soon as you arrive, get the settlement money and send it.”

Just as the luggage was being loaded onto the carriage and it was time to depart, her father said with a serious expression.

Usually, the settlement money is sent before the marriage.

However, since this engagement was sudden, it was arranged to be sent after Amelia arrived.

“You, who were once worthless, will now bring some profit to our family. Consider it an honor, Amelia.”

(Ah, as I thought...)

Seeing her father’s lecherous smile, she understood why she was being married off.

In short, it was all about “money.”

It was indeed about “money.”

The Haggle family had been doing well until the previous generation, but things started to go downhill with Cedric.

Mainly due to the extravagant spending of her stepmother and Erin.

Amelia, who had been handling the family’s paperwork and financial management, knew this best.

Looking at the recent financial statements, she had been thinking that things were about to get bad, and then this engagement came...

In short, she was being used as a source of income in the form of settlement money.

Just like her mother, she was being sold.

(Why did I even try not to think about it...)

Even though she had believed that her father wouldn’t do something as drastic as selling his own daughter, she was thoroughly disappointed.

She felt the last bit of trust she had in her father crumble.

There were many things she wanted to say, but Amelia clenched her fists to hold back.

If she argued and the engagement was called off, it would be counterproductive.

“...Yes.”

That was all she said, and Cedric nodded in satisfaction.

The carriage door was closed, and it started moving.

Cedric immediately turned and went back to the house.

She felt a sense of loneliness, realizing that no one in this house had cared for her.

(No... I can’t get depressed.)

– Life is what it is.

Her mother had said this.

Her mother had also said that difficult times are just a prelude to happier times.

Amelia had been saved many times by her mother’s words, the only person who had shown her affection.

Despite all the mistreatment she had endured, Amelia’s spirit hadn’t broken, largely thanks to her mother.

Hugging the bag with her mother’s portrait to her chest, Amelia decided to look forward to her new life at the Logan Duke’s family.

It’s time to start a new chapter!

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