[GL 03] The Arranged Marriage I

[Why don’t we give the young ones some alone time?]

The Duke and the Duchess, along with my family, then left the room after he said so.

It’s now only me and Anastasia.

She looks a bit apologetic after her father’s stunt.

[Would you mind strolling around the garden for a bit? It might be a little embarrassing compared to what you have in the Sevensworth estate but there’s a flower here that can’t be found even in the capital called sisis. It just so happens that it is in full bloom today.]

[Is that so? It will be my first time seeing a flower called Sisis. Shall we?]

Anastasia smiles as she holds her hand in front of me before I take a hold of it.

For better or for worse, all these years being a noble and merchant have taught me how to act around a woman so I know that I have to be her escort.

[There’s something I want to tell you, Generius-sama.]

Anastacia suddenly said so as we stroll and talk about it as if she’s been waiting for this all this time.

[I see. Then why don’t we have a cup of tea and talk about it in that gazebo?]

I then call on the servant standing by quite a few distance from us to have the table prepared.

Once she’s done, I have her on standby again then I ask.

[May I hear what is it that you want to say?]

Anastacia then stands up before taking the hem of her skirt and bow in front of me.

[I’m so sorry for letting you go through this arranged marriage with me. This all happened because of my father’s whims and manipulation. If you’d just give me enough time then I shall be able to do something about it.]

…Her hands, her posture, and her grace. As expected of a duke’s daughter.

Her refined movements leave me in awe and I can’t help but get mesmerized.

I had Anastacia return to her seat before I probe on what she just said.

[Is it safe to say that you would like to get this engagement annulled?]

[Yes.]

That’s fast. And quite resolute too. Perhaps she already has a person she already likes?

Well that being the case—

[Very well. I shall pray and send my best wishes to you and the one who you like.]

[Goodness, no. I don’t have such a person.]

Ah-huh? She looks really surprised.

Is that really the case?

Then, perhaps…

[I must have done something that must have disappointed you, then? I’m so sorry. Please forgive me as I am not really used to women around myself.]

Aren’t I nothing more than just a creep in my past life? Perhaps it’s gotten so deep in my psyche it’s now embedded so deep in my heart.

While it is true that I can work around with women in this life when it comes to my professional and social life, I guess relationships and marriage is still a bit too much.

[How could that be? Of course not.]

[You don’t have to be so considerate. I am quite self aware that I’m not the one most lady’s want to be around. But for future reference, can you tell me what I need to work with in the future so I won’t disappoint someone else again? I just want to become better next time.]

[From what I’ve seen, you are a fine young man and an exemplary gentleman. Why would you say something like that?]

I try different ways to ask Anastacia what my problem is so I can fix that but to no avail. Why won’t she say my problem is…? I need to know…

Because, you see…

What if it’s something that can’t be fixed?

If I won’t be able to know the problem and identify what I need to work on myself, then what difference would it make to my next engagement?

Won’t I probably get rejected again? And again? And again? And again?

…I’ve already experienced living alone until I’ve almost gone senile and I don’t want to experience that ever again!

[While it is embarrassing for myself to say this, my parents do love and dote on me too much. If we end up married together and find yourself a mistress thereafter, my parents will definitely use all their powers to bring you and your whole family down. That’s very likely, especially my mother’s the younger sister of his majesty the king. And she’s not just a normal sibling, the king practically transforms when it comes to my mother. My mother cried once and you won’t be able to imagine how furious the king was and what he did for her! So, Genorious-sama, if you wish to engage in another relationship without fearing the destruction of you and your family, then you’d have to wait until the power balance between our families turn upside down. Which is, realistically speaking, would require for the king to abdicate his throne in around twenty or so years.]

…What is this woman saying?

Who said anything about cheating?

I might be alone all my life but I had friends who’d been wedded and cheated their way out of their own divorces. And what did it all lead them to? Anything but happiness.

Those who didn’t choose to marry the one they are having an affair with ended up growing old all by themselves and those who chose to marry their illicit relationship ended up losing all their assets and savings after those younger women left them.

Basically, cheating won’t give you happiness. Nothing else but a miserable end.

In the first place, can a woman, who can’t respect other people’s relationships, remain loyal and live happily with a single man? I can hardly believe that.

That being said and done, I shall never and will never cheat my woman.

I’m done being all by myself in my previous life.

I just want someone to stay by my side.

Someone… Anyone…

But… If it’s as gentle and calm as Anastacia, then this life will definitely be a peaceful and blissful one.

[Can I ask where all this conversation is coming from? I don’t think I’ve said anything nor do I have any intentions to cheat on you though, Anastacia.]

So why would she say all that stuff? I just don’t understand.

[Then that’s the reason we shouldn’t get married. I have heard from my Father that you are an intelligent person. And after meeting you today, I’ve also learned that you have excellent appearance, personality and social skills. You are quite considerate and good at taking care of others too. If I had to put your loyalty on top of all of that then it’ll be no exaggeration for this wedding to be the tragedy of the century if you ended up with a wife just like me.]

What the…? Tragedy of the century?

Does she have a devastating backstory or something?

[…This might sound too personal when we just met for the first time, but if you’d let me know the darkness that’s giving you this much fear, then, Anastasia, please let me hear them out. I’ll face them together with you and will offer as much help as you want.]

[….Huhuuuhh….?]

D-did she just gasp?
Seems like i did nothing but one mistake after the other since moments ago!

[I appreciate your thoughts but there’s nothing I can do about this, ain’t it? *giggles* Just take a look at me, Generious. I look hideous. Would you really want to be married to someone with this appearance? I have a powerful family behind me too. If you’ll be adopted in the duke’s family as a son in law, it’ll be practically impossible for you to meet and comfort yourself with another woman. I am quite aware that it’ll be nothing but a death sentence for any man to end up as my husband.]

I see… Now I finally get it.

So it’s her appearance that’s been haunting her all this while.

I was so occupied thinking what’s wrong with me that I overlooked that one… Perhaps me not caring too much about other people’s appearance is starting to backfire.

Translator’s Note:
1. The manga has more details because it now includes Anastasia’s POV. But that’s another part of the novel. See you all next week!