Chapter 177: Oath
The “original Fiona,” who acted like she would eat me at any moment, hasn’t been seen since then. Well, she wasn’t someone I could meet whenever I wanted either. However, the feelings of guilt and worry have been growing day by day. Those feelings weren’t only directed toward her but also toward Sigren, who remained a gentleman—he didn’t ask me anything. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
“Sigren… I hate to say this, but I think it’s better to thoroughly check the person you’re going to marry…”
Sigren laughed. “I’ve said it before, Fiona. My judgment is quite sharp.”
Of course, those words lifted my spirits. I felt a little embarrassed.
He gently kissed my cheek. “When should we announce our engagement?”
“Oh, once Father gives his permission?”
“Are you going to start calling Abel ‘Father’ now?”
“Well, first of all…”
Sigren murmured and lightly clicked his tongue. “He might never allow it after you call him that…”
“No way…”
How could Abel be so childish? I swallowed my words.
Sigren’s thoughts seemed completely different. “I’m worried about how Abel will react.”
Anyway, he really didn’t have much respect for his teacher. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
When I looked at him, Sigren laughed. “You really underestimate Abel’s feelings.”
“No way.”
“Fiona, do you remember the weddings you saw in the North when we were young?”
“Oh, I do.”
There was a rather interesting tradition in the North, including Heilon. The man who would become the son-in-law had to engage in a fight against the father-in-law. Of course, the battle wasn’t dangerous; it was more about determining victory or defeat. It was just a warm-up act for both parties. From what I’ve heard, the reason for this tradition was that the North valued strength, and this battle served to confirm that. In any case, it was a very challenging environment for getting married.
“But wouldn’t the father and soon-to-be son-in-law choose a representative for each of them to fight nowadays?”
It was indeed like that. Nowadays, it was rare for a father-in-law and son-in-law to point swords at each other. They would have someone fight for them—usually a relative of the bride or a friend of the son-in-law—while the representatives would engage in a ceremonial fight.
“I wonder how my father would choose someone to do something like that.”
But Sigren seemed to have a different opinion. “There are quite a few things about Abel that are surprisingly immature.”
He really didn’t have an ounce of respect for his teacher, did he?
I rolled my eyes. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
***
It seemed I would have to pay more attention to Sigren’s assessment of Abel in the future. I covered my throbbing head.
“Your Highness, if you want to be betrothed to my daughter, please follow the Northern method first.”
“Yes, I’ll do whatever it takes.”
People in noble circles were buzzing about the epic drama of the century: the battle between the prince and the duke.
“Aren’t the duke and the prince a political alliance?”
“I thought he would definitely marry off his daughter…”
“Wasn’t that why he adopted a daughter in the first place?”
People began to wonder whether the two had fallen out because of this fight. Read the translation on ladygrey.com.
“Well, what do you think, Fiona? This is how it’s supposed to be in the North.”
“I might have to wait a hundred years for the duke to give us permission if I didn’t do this.”
I covered my head. Ugh, these stupid men!
Livya laughed briefly when she saw my dissatisfied expression. “You are loved, Lady Fiona.”
“The love is too much.”
“Still, I’m glad that something fun finally happened after such a long time.”
“Lady Livya, this is someone’s life problem…”
I felt helpless and couldn’t even get mad at people’s excitement. It was indeed a kind of tragic event for the people involved, but for those who were not part of it, it provided comedic relief.
“Recently, the atmosphere in society hasn’t been good because of the incident with Her Majesty the Empress. Those two must have taken that into account.”
“There’s no way those two care deeply about such a thing.”
Was this really okay? I had my doubts, but since the two men said they wanted to do it, I couldn’t help but let it be. Suddenly, I wondered how an owner of two hunting dogs managed them when they kept wagging their tails and not getting along. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
Anyway, just fight, fight hard. They knew each other’s strengths better than anyone else, so there was no way they would get seriously hurt.
Surprisingly, there was one positive effect for me: watching those two made me stop worrying about Fiona. I only realized this fact after listening to Celine.
“Miss, you’re sighing less.”
“Huh?”
“You’ve been in a bad mood lately, but I’m glad the old man could make you feel better.”
Celine…! I was moved by the refined lady’s words.
“If possible, please stop my father.”
Celine laughed quietly. “He’s having fun, so it’s better to just leave them alone. They’ll be fine on their own.”
Indeed, she was the lady who raised Abel.
I laughed it off. “My fiancé and my father are truly making fools of themselves this time…”
A duel for engagement. It would be a dark past for me for the rest of my life.
“It’s okay, Miss. It’s not like you’re the one doing something stupid…”
Oh really? That makes a good point.
Celine patted my cheek. “Remember this, Miss Fiona.”
“What?”
“Those men are making fools of themselves because they love you.”
Celine spoke softly, looking very gentle, as if she were talking to her own granddaughter. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
“All you have to do is enjoy the moment, look down at the scene, and clap your hands.”
Celine… her facial expression and the words she was saying were total opposites. She was truly Abel’s former nanny. The inconsistency between her words and actions was no joke.
Suddenly, I asked, looking at the lady who had the kindest smile in the world, “Celine, how is your granddaughter?”
Celine chuckled.
I could tell the hidden meaning in that laugh: ‘Have you noticed it now?’
“Ah, I don’t get to see her often because she lives far away with her in-laws, but I receive letters regularly. She’s a good kid.”
When I first met Celine, she had faint tears in her eyes as she said, “I can’t do that with my granddaughter anymore…” Now, the noble lady who had captured me with those words was nowhere to be found.
As expected, I had been tricked! There was no one in this world I could trust.
I let out a deep sigh. Fuck it, I don’t know, “Okay, whatever. Let’s just clap like Celine said.” Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
***
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