NOVEL NEXT Chapter 10 - Greetings to the Bride's House
This is the residence of Viscount Grimbursty. Nine years ago, Brigid’s father disappeared, leading to the dismissal of their maids and staff. Now, only Brigid, her unwell mother Clidna, and her younger brother Grua inhabit the house. Brigid’s life consists of frequent church visits for prayer. Grua, still young and unable to work, manages the household chores. Unoccupied rooms remain closed, and only the areas where the three of them live are maintained. The emblem of the Viscount family, the oxidized boar, stands out.
With no maids, they take care of everything themselves. The Viscount Grimbursty family is known as nobility in name only and lives in poverty.
Then, the arrival of Marquis Frozevitnir was announced, creating quite a stir. There are only two of them, Brigid and Grua. Brigid resisted taking Diarmid home, but he insisted on paying a visit despite the modest circumstances. He believed it was essential to pay his respects.
For Brigid, she didn’t want anyone to witness their impoverished household. She thought the marriage contract might be violated if people saw her family’s situation and didn’t want her family to be made fun of.
However, Diarmid remained unfazed by the grim conditions of the Viscount Grimbursty family. Brigid was thankful for Diarmid’s understanding.
In reality, Diarmid felt a deep sense of sorrow for the Grimbursty family’s plight. Brigid’s father had been a respected member of the Royal Knights, and even Diarmid received training from him as a child. The viscount’s abilities were well-regarded, and his sudden resignation and disappearance had shocked everyone.
Apart from the marriage contract with Brigid, Diarmid wanted to help the Viscount family. Brigid’s mother and younger brother were overjoyed to hear about the marriage.
“Why would a Marquis like you marry someone as respectable as Brigid?!”
Grua, Brigid’s brother, was puzzled.
“What do you mean, Grua?”
Brigid smiled, and Grua couldn’t help but be amazed by her response.
“Because she’s poor, uncouth, and rough!”
“Well, who do you think is the reason you received the Sacrament of Adulthood?”
“Because, that’s why…! Aren’t you pushing yourself too hard because of us? In that case, don’t do that!! I don’t go to school! I work!! So don’t push yourself too hard…”
Grua, concerned for his sister, voiced his worries.
Brigid patted her brother on the head. She had little patience for those who underestimated her.
“You fool, that’s not true. We love each other!”
When Brigid replied awkwardly, Grua countered.
“People aren’t what they seem. Brigid has a pure heart.”
Grua fell silent.
“And your sister is beautiful, isn’t she?”
“That can’t be true.”
“Then, look forward to it. My sister, now a marchioness, will become an even more beautiful lady than anyone else.”
Diarmid answered confidently, leaving Brigid blushing.
(Why is he lying so convincingly?!)
That’s what Brigid thought, wanting to object but unable to. After all, it was to reassure her younger brother.
Grua bowed his head. “Mr. Marquis, I was very rude. Please forgive me. Although I am an unworthy sister, I ask for your continued support.”
Diarmid nodded, satisfied with the apology. Brigid’s face was flushed, and she felt a slight pang in her chest. Grua had said “forever,” but she doubted it would hold.
Exhausted, they returned to the carriage.
“Diarmid is quite skilled at lying.”
“They say I can’t lie, don’t they?”
Diarmid looked at Brigid curiously. Brigid was speechless. Were all those things he said to Grua true?
“Well, I can’t love you as a wife, right? It’s a fake marriage, right?”
Brigid tilted her head and asked.
“However, I respect you as a person. I think you are truly brave.”
Brigid felt warmth in her heart as she responded sincerely. Her life had been full of hardships.
When she was 15, her father, a former Royal Knight, disappeared suddenly. Her only income was sporadic allowances from him, and it was challenging to afford her schooling.
Brigid eventually graduated from middle school but had to abandon her dream of attending the Royal Academy High School due to financial constraints. She distanced herself from teachers and friends who had supported her, as fallen young ladies were not welcomed by the aristocracy.
There were only so many jobs available for a sixteen-year-old fallen young lady. Some even proposed indecent offers, but she couldn’t bring herself to accept.
At twenty-one, Brigid received news of her father’s death, forcing her to become the family’s breadwinner. She had to support her ailing mother and young brother. She decided to live independently and stopped relying on others. She had no choice but to grow stronger.
(Diarmid treats me as a person, not just a woman. He accepts me as I am. Nothing makes me happier than this…)
Brigid was happy that she was respected as a person rather than just as a woman.
“Thank you!”
Brigid thanked him sincerely. Diarmid thought as he gazed at her happy expression.
(Brigid looks cute like this. I want to see more of her like this. What should I do?)
That’s what he wondered.
“Why don’t you start dressing more nicely from now on so you don’t worry your little brother? Why hide your face behind those glasses?”
Beauty was a young lady’s asset. But Brigid seemed to intentionally dress in the opposite manner.
“…It’s probably good for a young lady to have someone to protect her, but for a woman who walks alone, it’s not necessarily a good thing to be well-dressed.”
Brigid looked down. After her family’s fall from grace, she could no longer stroll the streets with a maid. She was ridiculed for being an aristocratic woman walking alone.
Diarmid frowned in disapproval, imagining the treatment Brigid had endured.
“…I understand. I’ll protect you from now on. You can wear whatever you like.”
Brigid looked at Diarmid in surprise. Perhaps even Diarmid was taken aback by his own words, as he blushed and turned to look out the carriage window.
Brigid tilted her head, observing, “Your Excellency, there’s no one around to put on a show for, right?”
Diarmid didn’t respond to Brigid’s words.