Chapter 35

"Nonna, you never said anything about it before..."

"Yeah, when Mr. Clark said, 'We can't tell anyone until everything is ready.'"

"Even so, to keep such an important thing from me for so many years..."

"I'm sorry. But after we went to the Shen Kingdom, I started to wonder if it was real. Besides—"

Nonna furrowed her delicate eyebrows, looking somewhat troubled.

"When I first met Mr. Clark after returning to Ashbury, he didn't mention it at all. So I thought, 'Ah, it was just a child's promise, he must have forgotten about it.' He was twelve years old when he made the promise, the same age as I am now. He was just a kid, right?"

"I wonder if Mr. Clark remembers that promise. What did you say back then, Nonna?"

"At the time, I didn't really understand marriage. I said it was okay. But I don't know if Mr. Clark still remembers that promise."

"You don't know? He hasn't said anything?"

"Yeah, he hasn't said anything, and I'm thinking of forgetting about that promise. Even if Mr. Clark remembers it, do we really need to decide about marriage now? I don't think we need to decide now."

Without Mr. Clark being present, it was impossible to make a judgment, so we decided to discuss it again after Jeffrey returned home that night.

Nonna says, "That promise was from a long time ago, so it's fine now," but I'm worried about what to do. Nonna is so adorable that I don't want to let her go, but I also can't keep her with me forever, and I start to think ahead.

No, I need to calm down. I scolded myself, "First, I need to consult Jeffrey. Since Mr. Clark and Jeffrey are relatives, I need to avoid causing any trouble."

◇ ◇ ◇

"Anna, that was just a child's promise, right?"

"Yes, but can we just pretend it never happened on our side? What are the rules in the noble world? Engagements are decided by parents, but if a boy from a higher-ranking family proposes, then—"

"Calm down, Anna."

I nodded and took deep breaths.

"I'm fine. I think I'm calm."

"Good to hear."

It was a bit annoying that Jeffrey was trying to hold back his laughter.

"Engagements don't form from children's promises, even if the one who proposed is from a higher-ranking family. So, Nonna and Clark's engagement is not valid. Do you understand so far?"

"Yes."

"If Clark is serious, the Anderson family would have to come to us with a proposal, we would have to agree, and then we would file the necessary documents for the engagement to be official."

"…So, there's no engagement at all? Nothing to worry about?"

"That's right. But it would be good to hear Nonna's thoughts on this."

Nonna had been reading "Del Dorga" borrowed from Elizabeth's house and came to Jeffrey's room with the book in her hands.

"What's this about? I wish we could just pretend the promise with Mr. Clark never happened."

"Why is that?"

"Because Mr. Clark is an only child, he can't come to our family as a son-in-law. If I go to his family, I won't be able to protect my mother."

"Nonna..."

"Mom and Dad, remember this. I want to protect my mother, so I won't get married. I won't be able to protect her if I do."

I think I must have looked scary because I was clenching my eyes and mouth tightly. I was trying not to let my emotions overwhelm me.

"Nonna, listen—"

"I understand. I know you always think about me first and want me to be happy more than anything. But I want to protect my mother. I decided this when she started teaching me various ways to protect myself. I didn't plan to say this, but—"

"Nonna..."

"It's not about gratitude or anything like that. I just want to protect my mother. That's all. So, I like Mr. Clark as a friend, but I want to forget about that promise. We've been spending a lot of time together recently. I just thought it would be good to let Mom know in case something comes up, and I want her to turn it down if it does."

Nonna said, "I'm at a crucial part in 'Del Dorga' right now," and left the room.

The moment Nonna slammed the door, I covered my face with my hands and sighed. I had always thought my role was to protect Nonna and Jeffrey. But Nonna had apparently made up her mind to protect me. That's why she was so dedicated to Shen's martial arts, I realized.

"Children grow up so quickly."

"Yes..."

"Nonna is just like you."

"…Really?"

"Yes, she's just like you when you're determined to protect someone."

It would be fine. I wish you would forget about me, fall in love, get married, have children, become a mother, and live your own life.

Jeffrey gently held me in his arms, breaking my daze.

"Anna, I've never seen you so shaken before."

He was right. I tried to recall, but I couldn't remember ever being this flustered.

"Yes, I guess. I've always told myself, 'There's no time to panic, panicking won't help, use your head instead of panicking.'"

"It's okay now. You don't have to push yourself so hard. I'm here, and so is Nonna. Just having you here makes both of us happy."

"Jeff..."

I used to think that protecting and fighting for someone was my purpose in life. But now, I have Jeff and Nonna, who are willing to protect me. They don't ask anything of me. They just want me to be there.

"Jeff, I'm so lucky."

Jeffrey's face softened.

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