MHSGM 20

Chapter 20

“Come in.”

The reception room was occupied by Count Garrett, Ena, and Clara, all dressed in clothes that looked twice as neat as usual. Ena, in particular, had styled her hair so that the back was puffed up to roughly three times its normal volume.

“Nice to meet you, young master Kaiden Verder.”

“…Nice to meet you.”

Unlike Ena, who greeted Kaiden warmly, Clara’s expression looked somewhat uneasy. That was understandable—Ena had insisted on bringing her out even though she had originally intended to stay in her room.

“It’s our first meeting since Melvin’s wedding.”

“I should have greeted you properly that day, but things became complicated in many ways, so my greetings were delayed.”

He was indirectly referring to both the change of wedding venue and the bouquet incident. At his words, both the Count and Clara, who had been present at the time, flushed slightly.

“No, no. That day was… rather chaotic, wasn’t it? I understand.”

“I’m grateful for your understanding.”

“It’s also thanks to you that Melvin was able to hold the wedding safely.”

“Not at all.”

As Kaiden modestly deflected the praise, the corners of the Count’s and Ena’s mouths lifted in satisfaction. Kaiden didn’t stop there—he decided to score more points.

“This is a small gift I prepared.”

At Kaiden’s gesture, a servant standing behind the sofa stepped forward carrying a gift box.

“This is…!”

The Count’s eyes widened as he opened the box. Inside was a high-grade liquor essentially equivalent to medicine. Aged for over fifty years, it was a famous drink even the Emperor was known to enjoy—something not easily obtained by just anyone.

“You like alcohol, so I prepared something special.”

“Good heavens, how did you even obtain such a rare drink… I’ll have to try it right away today.”

“Then I’ll pour it for you.”

“Hoho, will you now?”

For Count Garrett, the best kind of person was someone who appreciated alcohol.

So this incredibly fine liquor… brought by my son-in-law!

And not only that—his son-in-law would even pour it for him! Though he tried to maintain composure, he couldn’t stop his rising smile.

“And this is for the Countess.”

“Oh my, you didn’t have to…”

“You are essentially my parents now. It’s only right I offer good things to my parents.”

Ena accepted the gift with a smile she could not hide.

“This is a necklace made from the finest Ittera sea pearls. I thought it would suit your elegant aura perfectly.”

“M-Mother…?”

Not only was the gift perfect, but his words were also so flattering.

“As expected, you have such fair skin that pearls suit you beautifully.”

“Do I?”

“Yes. I wondered who Chloe took after to be so beautiful—but it turns out she resembles you.”

“Oh ho ho! Our Chloe really does take after me a lot!”

Ena’s mood soared as if she were about to fly.

“And lastly…”

Kaiden handed the final box to Clara.

“This is for you, Lady Clara.”

“For me?”

Clara’s eyes widened in surprise.

“For what reason…?”

She carefully opened the box.

Inside was a small brooch. However, the sapphire set in its center gave it such presence that it hardly looked small at all.

“You are also family to our Chloe.”

When Kaiden had first headed toward Count Garrett’s estate, he had not intended to prepare a gift for Clara at all. She reminded him too much of his father’s second wife, and that alone made him uncomfortable.

Kaiden, like Chloe, had two mothers. The Duke had wanted Kaiden to treat Harun’s mother as if she were his real mother. Kaiden had disliked that since childhood.

Moreover, Melvin was Chloe’s enemy. Clara was the enemy’s mother. There was no reason for Kaiden to treat her well.

But soon, he changed his mind. Excluding Clara would not be for Chloe’s sake.

He had promised to make Chloe someone who could stand proudly. For her to smile in front of Melvin and Duerr, she needed dignity. The gift was for that reason alone.

“F-Family…”

Yet Clara seemed deeply moved by those words. Count Garrett also looked at Kaiden with satisfaction.

“He’s nothing like Duerr.”

When Chloe had visited the estate with Duerr to seek approval for her first marriage, he had only prepared gifts for two people—the Count and Ena.

Clara had been excluded because she was neither blood-related nor noble, and simply a commoner. To Duerr at the time, Clara was nothing more than an outsider.

Even after Chloe’s divorce, when Duerr became Clara’s son-in-law, he had likely felt awkward around her.

Even after marrying Melvin, Duerr still could not treat Clara warmly. Partly because she was a commoner—but mostly because he was too busy appeasing Ena.

“……”

Clara did not respond to the Count’s remark. She did not want to embarrass her daughter. Still, a bitter expression remained on her face.

“Comparison should be done properly. Our Kaiden is not someone to compare with Duerr Danken.”

Ena, who had initially been unimpressed by Kaiden giving Clara a gift, now looked increasingly pleased.

Our son-in-law truly thinks ahead.

Kaiden had gone from “young master Kaiden” to “our Kaiden,” and now fully to “our son-in-law.”

Chloe looked at Kaiden, who had seamlessly integrated into the Garrett household, with a cold gaze.

You said you were nervous.

Was this really the speech of someone nervous? Even a fraudster couldn’t be this smooth-tongued.

But there was still one more hurdle left.

The wedding.

Accepting the relationship was one thing—but approving a wedding scheduled as early as next month was on a completely different level.

Just as Chloe worried whether Kaiden could overcome this final obstacle, a servant knocked on the door to announce that dinner was ready.

“I’m not feeling well… I’ll go up first.”

Clara stood up, biting her lower lip. She genuinely looked unwell.

“Go rest quickly. I’ll send a physician.”

Before the Count could speak, Ena quickly took control. Fortunately, the Count was too focused on the fine liquor Kaiden had brought to pay her much attention.

After Clara left, the four moved to the dining room and began discussing the main topic: marriage.

“So you are saying you intend to marry our Chloe.”

“Yes. I simply want to live with Chloe as soon as possible.”

“Then when are you planning the wedding?”

“If you allow it, I intend to hold it next month.”

“…What?”

Clink.

The Count hastily set down his cutlery.

So it’s come to this.

Chloe closed her eyes briefly before opening them again. Meanwhile, Kaiden refilled the Count’s empty glass.

Ena spoke in place of the stunned Count.

“N-next month is quite rushed, isn’t it? Venue reservations, dresses… all of that…”

“You don’t need to worry about any of that. I am confident I can prepare everything perfectly.”

“Even so, it still feels a bit too sudden…”

Even Ena, who had strongly favored Kaiden, looked troubled. One month was simply too short.

“Is there really a need to rush the wedding? You could take more time.”

The Count, now fully recovered, placed his glass down and spoke while looking at Chloe.

“You know this, but Chloe is not marrying for the first time.”

This was the expected reaction. Still, it left a bitter taste.

“I know her previous marriage, which had been carefully prepared, ended in less than a year. Knowing that, I believe we must proceed more carefully.”

Ena also nodded slightly. While she welcomed Kaiden, she agreed with the Count’s concerns.

What are you going to do now?

Chloe looked at Kaiden anxiously. Their eyes met—her trembling amber gaze and his steady one.

Then Kaiden spoke without a single hesitation.

“It’s because I love her too much.”

Just like in the carriage earlier, Chloe’s heart dropped heavily at his words.