Chapter 158. Flower Wind Bombardment (1)
“Hey, Master Lloyd?”
It was a particularly languid evening.
I was sweating all day at the site.
Wearing a toolbox around his waist and leading the way.
By basking in the scorching sun with the momentum to photosynthesize with the workers.
It was an evening that made me want to wash up and get spread out right away.
But I don’t know if I know this side’s heart.
As soon as I returned to the mansion, the maid came looking for me.
“Brother Lloyd? The Count asked me to come over to the office when I get home.”
“To the office?”
“Yes, young boy.”
The maid smiled brightly.
“It seemed like something good had happened. He said that something happened to share joy with him.”
“Is it?”
“yes.”
to share the joy What is it?
Lloyd shrugged.
‘Have you ever won the lottery? Of course not. Or did you get some good news from the capital?’
Maybe the king announced an additional support policy.
Or that a road will be opened directly from the royal capital to this territory.
Well, it would be nice if a piece of rice cake fell like that.
Thinking so, Lloyd was guided by the maid.
The maid knocked on the door of the count’s office.
From inside came the count’s gentle voice.
“Do you want me to come in?”
For some reason, the tone of her voice is slightly brighter than usual.
Looks like something really good is going on.
With vain anticipation, Lloyd felt his heart skip a beat.
“Thanks for guiding me, Emily.”
I wonder if he didn’t know that he would remember his name.
Leaving behind the blushing maid, I entered the office.
I saw the countess and his wife sitting on the reception sofa.
“Come on. Did you have a hard time today?”
“A little bit.”
I sat across from the couple.
The Countess tipped the teapot.
“It won’t be a little. Working outside all day in this scorching heat must be exhausting. I’m going to neck Drink some of this.”
Squeak.
Received a cool cup of tea.
I quenched my dry throat and checked the countenance.
“But why did you call me? Are you doing anything good?”
It’s not that it’s not, the couple are both smiling.
The Count couldn’t hide his smile on his face, and the corners of his mouth hung in his ears the whole time. The Countess maintained a dignified expression, but she was unable to discern even the hint of delight that emanated from her.
‘I saw what was really going on.’
Lloyd rummaged through his memory.
The count couple were not frivolous.
I knew how to express great joy or sadness gracefully without being excessive.
Maybe that was it.
Over the past two years, I hadn’t seen the count couple so happy. If it looks similar, when all the debentures in the old family were liquidated?
‘Then it means that there is big news comparable to the time when the debt was paid off.’
What is it?
Around the time when curiosity is about to grow in size.
Finally, the count brought up the matter.
“Oh look at my mind. At best, I called you and didn’t talk about the main topic. Now, take this one.”
The Count placed the heavy package of envelopes on the parlor table.
Even with a cursory glance, it was a package that could easily exceed 50 pages.
“What is this?”
“See for yourself.”
“….”
Is it a letter of over 50 pages?
However, the size and color of the envelopes are all different.
What they have in common is that the envelopes are all luxurious.
‘What is it really?’
Judging by the color (?) of the envelopes, they all seem to be letters from a noble place.
Lloyd tilted his head and picked up the top envelope first.
I carefully tore off the beeswax sealing wax that sealed the letter.
What emerges from the envelope is letter paper with luxurious patterns. Even the paper was soft, so it seemed like it was of the highest quality.
opened the letter.
I rolled my eyes.
– Dear Count Prontera.
May the Countess of Frontera have eternal glory.
Recently, I felt that the reputation and honor of your family had grown, and I couldn’t help but respect you. Then, I heard that the eldest son of your family still has no partner. Coincidentally, the second daughter of this family has never had a mate, so I would like to have a close talk with the Count.
Once again, we wish the Prontera count family prosperity and success, and we hope for good answers about luck and blessing opportunities that will further strengthen the relationship between the two families.
– In the South. Posted by the Countess of Cordona.
“….”
Lloyd narrowed his eyes.
What did you get into your eye at work today?
Or have I suddenly become dyslexic?
‘I’m sure he said that he was the second wife or something.’
So, if I had to pinpoint the main point, this would be it.
It is a marriage proposal.
Both families are trying to establish a full-fledged and strategic partnership through marriage.
“How are you?”
the Count asked.
This man has been leaning his upper body all the way with the momentum to come over the table.
Besides, how bright those eyes are.
How many smiles do you have at the corners of your mouth?
Lloyd asked with an ambiguous smile.
“Hmm, I’m sure the rest of the envelopes here don’t all have the same content, right?”
“I want to see for myself.”
“….”
“Because it was an official marriage proposal between aristocratic families, the marriage proposals gathered from the royal capital’s aristocrats came all at once. So, actually, I did a little tidying up.”
“Are you tidying up?”
“In order of deep family history and high reputation.”
“Did you stack the envelopes?”
“That’s it.”
“….”
“That way, I think it will be easier for you to ponder and judge. Uhm, do you think this father feels like he’s making a fuss too much?”
“Oh no. It’s not like that.”
“Isn’t it?”
…It’s a bit burdensome.
‘ha.’
And honestly, I was embarrassed.
I took care of my facial expression as much as I could and skimmed through the rest of the letters.
The Count of Ferano in the North, the Earl of Esperia in the West, the wealthy Viscount of Sicily in the Southwest, and so on. In addition, there were many marriage proposals from small and medium nobles such as viscounts and barons in each province.
No, in fact, at this level, it could be seen that all noble families in various parts of the kingdom had sent marriage proposals.
‘What is this?’
Have you ever been this popular in your life?
A whopping 59 families requested marriage proposals.
It was Lloyd who had a lifelong fling, secretly had a crush on him, and even if the number of idols he liked were all added together, there would not be 59 of them.
“So, do you have a family that you’re attracted to?”
“….”
While the other side was reading the letter, the Count asked with a more satisfied expression.
Instead of answering, Lloyd slowly emptied the teacup.
calmly at first.
don’t wake up
Don’t get carried away by the atmosphere.
As I took a few sips of the cool tea, my embarrassment subsided.
My coolness returned, and my thoughts began to clear little by little.
The first thing I guessed was why there were so many wedding invitations.
‘There is only one reason. That our family is rising.’
It just didn’t come to mind.
The monster domino that swept the eastern part of the kingdom.
It was one of the few territories that survived the disaster.
Thanks to this, it became the center of reconstruction in the eastern provinces.
The king openly announced a policy of support.
In the process, he was promoted to count.
In addition, he made a feat of preventing an attempt to assassinate the king in the capital.
In other words, they had established themselves as a family favored by King Alicia.
‘For the next 20 to 30 years, they’ve become a family with the most solid future in the kingdom. rising divinity. Rising star. Stocks with guaranteed nuclear rice cakes. That’s why everyone took this opportunity to make a kite, so they sent out marriage proposals in order to embrace them in advance and spit them out.’
Seeing that, I understood the situation.
Do you have a clear understanding?
The direction of natural response was also determined.
“I’m sorry to say this while you’re happy, but I think I’ll have to reject all marriage proposals this time.”
“…uh?”
The smiley expression on his face was astounding.
I said to the Count, who was frozen in that state.
“I don’t think this is the time to get married.”
“why? why?”
A sense of bewilderment and disappointment soon appeared in the Count’s eyes.
Lloyd could fully understand that feeling.
How happy she must have been to see her son receiving explosive courtship from prominent families.
But you have to reject all of them.
He said, taking care not to hurt the count’s heart.
“To elaborate a bit, I don’t think the timing is very good. It’s time to focus on rebuilding, and it’s probably because there’s almost no benefit from marriage right now.”
“There is no benefit. What did you mean by that? Did you mean that even if you got married, there would be no point in receiving material support?”
“yes. Supplies are received from the royal family, so there is no shortage, and if you get them from the marriage partner’s family, it won’t be completely free. Besides, there is another reason why this marriage is premature.”
“Can I hear you?”
The count corrected his sitting position.
Lloyd said carefully.
“Actually, responding to that marriage proposal right now would be half the job of being taken advantage of.”
“Use it….”
“You are probably guessing. The reason why everyone is trying to connect with our family through marriage. Isn’t it because our family is favored by His Highness the King and is on the rise?”
“Of course it is.”
“So it is. The peak of our family is still far away. It continues to rise in value. So just wait a little longer. The value of our family will increase as much as the waiting time.”
Just like Gangnam before development was decided.
Or like Apple stock right before Aifeng hit the jackpot.
The heyday of the Frontera family had yet to come.
The uptrend has only just begun.
So what if you snapped a bit of a sweet offer right now?
You will surely regret it later.
“That is why this marriage feels premature. If you wait a little longer, you’ll just keep your chance for a few more years. By then, marriage proposals will come from much higher-ranking families.”
“Umm, so what you mean is that we don’t have to hastily form ties with the families who want to subjugate us early.”
“Yes, that is it. Time is on our side.”
“But it seems to me that time is not on your side.”
“yes? What do you mean by that?”
“Aren’t you already an old bachelor?”
“…I’m sorry.”
An unexpected counter punch hit the pit of the stomach.
The facts thrown by the count also flew to the top of his head.
“Try to consider your age. It’s already twenty-seven. What aristocrat in the world would live alone until his eldest son reached his age?”
“Um, but….”
“Isn’t it time for this father to see his grandson?”
“….”
came out Grandson Attack.
There was truth in the count’s words.
twenty seven years old
In Korea, it must be the age of being socially green.
However, by the standards of the Laurasia continent, he was clearly an old bachelor.
‘Still, I can’t be pushed here.’
Lloyd tightened his grip.
To be honest, I had no intention of rushing into an arranged marriage with an aristocratic woman whose personality, hobbies, and face were unknown.
He just wanted to meet an ordinary woman, have a romantic relationship, and have an ordinary marriage.
So not now, but later.
When you meet someone you really like.
I will formally announce my intention to marry the count.
Lloyd gathered his thoughts and said.
Now is really not the time. After all, it was a wedding invitation sent after calculating only the benefits to be gained through our family. So what if our family stumbles later? At that time, they are the ones who will turn around without regret.
…I tried a calm persuasion.
All the while, the Count listened in silence.
I was holding on to the regret and regret that I couldn’t let go of.
Unexpectedly, it was the Countess who put an end to the stubborn war.
“honey. Let’s follow Lloyd’s words this time.”
“ma’am?”
“You don’t like yourself like that. It’s not like we’ll marry you instead.”
“….”
“He’s always been a trustworthy kid. Let’s try to believe it.”
“Whoa.”
Eventually, the count raised the white flag.
He looked this way with a slightly confused expression.
“Is that really what you mean?”
“sorry.”
“I found out later. Then what should I do?”
“It’s simple. You just need to write a letter expressing your refusal and send it.”
In this case, you have to boldly drive a wedge.
So said Lloyd.
I felt a little sorry for the Count.
But I couldn’t help it.
♣
“Whoa. Is there really nothing you can do about it?”
That night.
It was deep midnight.
Even then, Count Frontera had not been able to leave his office.
I couldn’t even sit down and walked around the office.
Every time that happens, I take a deep sigh.
I brooded over the regret and regret.
It was because of work last night.
‘I wonder if he has any intentions of getting married.’
I was worried.
In the past, I was worried because I was acting like a prostitute.
Now that my son has become too diligent, I am not the only one to worry about.
‘It’s good to work hard on the field all day. It’s good to sweat hard. Still, it would be nice if the marriage was not too late.’
His son is passing the time as an old bachelor.
Is there any parent in the world who would not feel nervous about that fact?
In addition, it was a situation where there was a huge talk of marriage in as many as 59 places.
But you have to reject all of them.
He had to feel the sense of fall and disappointment as much as the height of his mind that rose dreamily while receiving a flood of marriage proposals.
‘but…But since he stubbornly expressed his will, I should follow him.’
That would be the way to respect your son.
So let’s follow the will
Having made up his mind, Count Frontera took a seat at his desk.
I opened the blank stationery and picked up a pen.
“Whoa.”
full of regret
Carrying the lingering feelings that I couldn’t shake off.
The nib of his pen reluctantly began to move.
– Dear Countess Cordona.
May your family have honorable glory and good fortune.
I felt indescribable joy at the grateful offer from the Count. I also felt the trust between the two families growing stronger. I also felt that a handshake from someone willingly reaching out at an unexpected moment can be a great blessing.
That’s why I’m sorry and I’m sorry again.
There is no way to stop feeling sad and regretful.
It tears my heart to know that I will never be able to have a special relationship with a noble family with a high reputation and honor. Yes that’s right. I am now writing this reply in a deep sigh. Is this what it feels like when the sky collapses, driven by regret and disappointment?
So please read my reply and don’t misunderstand me. Although I express my regretful refusal to the marriage proposal I handed over…blah blah…I’m sorry and I’m sorry…Mijoo Algojual…Nonetheless really…chatter chatter…Because my heart is sincere…Blah blah….
Likewise, as the night deepened, a reply of rejection, not rejection, was written.
and the next day.
59 pages of ambiguous replies filled with lingering feelings, and 20 Jeon Seo-gu flew vigorously in groups toward the royal capital aristocrats.
