♡ TL: Khadija SK
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On a tranquil afternoon, the entire Easton family gathered in the drawing room for the first time in a long while.
To mark Viscount Easton’s return, all of Charlotte’s suitors had been sent away.
The table was adorned with sweet pastries, warm tea, and gifts the viscount had brought from the estate for his family.
A soldier doll for Andre, lace gloves for Charlotte and Lady Easton, and a fountain pen for Hazel—each gift precisely reflected their individual tastes.
For a time, the air buzzed with excitement as they unwrapped the presents and chatted about accumulated matters.
Stories of every kind poured forth—even Andre’s severe bout of constipation was mentioned—yet, oddly, there was one topic everyone avoided.
That topic was Theodore.
Andre tried carelessly to bring it up several times, but each time, Lady Easton and Hazel intervened to steer the conversation elsewhere.
Thanks to this—or perhaps because of it—the discussion flowed comfortably, now settling into a calm lull.
As the crackling of burning wood echoed from the fireplace, Lady Easton knitted a new nightshirt for her husband, Charlotte played chess with Andre, and Hazel read a book.
Viscount Easton gazed at his family with an expression brimming with contentment. For the first time in a long while, he felt truly happy.
Life at the estate had been satisfying and restful, but not joyful.
Now, surrounded by his family, he felt fulfilled without doing anything at all.
‘A family truly is the greatest treasure.’
Viscount Easton took a deep breath.
The scent of burning wood mingled with Lady Easton’s favorite perfume and the fragrance of his children, blending into an aroma of happiness.
Savoring this bouquet, Lord Easton sank deeper into the sofa and closed his eyes.
It was as if the strains of a melody drifted from somewhere. To him, it was a perfect afternoon.
But his absolute bliss didn’t last long.
“Sir, you have a visitor.”
The butler entered the drawing room to announce, despite having been instructed not to disturb them.
“Didn’t he say we’d spend the day with family?”
Lady Easton responded on behalf of Viscount Easton.
“But the guest said he’d wait.”
“Is it news of a death?”
Viscount Easton opened his eyes.
Insisting on staying despite a refused visit suggested an urgent matter needing delivery, and that was the only possibility that came to mind.
“It doesn’t seem so.”
“Is it from the royal palace?”
“No, that’s not it either.”
“Father, ask first who the visitor is.”
Hazel interjected, as the conversation was going in circles.
“Oh, my wise daughter. You’re right. Who’s the visitor?”
Viscount Easton smiled with relief and inquired.
“It’s Duke Theodore Caron Bernier.”
A sound like thunder rumbled somewhere.
In an instant, the faces of the Easton family darkened.
“Oh? Big brother’s here?”
Andre leapt up with enthusiasm.
Among the Easton family, Andre alone beamed with cheerful innocence.
Charlotte grabbed Andre’s waist as he nearly dashed out and pulled him back, then muffled his mouth.
Andre stopped squirming after seeing his father’s stern expression.
“Tell him I won’t meet him.”
“He said he’d at least like to set a later meeting time.”
Theodore was clever.
He’d anticipated Viscount Easton might refuse an impromptu visit, so he requested a scheduled meeting instead.
Typically, a direct refusal left an unconscious twinge of guilt, making a future appointment easier to secure.
But Viscount Easton wouldn’t show the slightest mercy when it came to his family.
“There’s no ‘later’ either. There’ll be no meeting in the future. If possible, tell him not to acknowledge me even if we cross paths outside. No need to stir pointless rumors.”
“Father, you’re exaggerating.”
Hazel moved to the seat beside Viscount Easton.
“What’s exaggerated about it? The insolence comes from Duke Bernier. As your father, I’ve made it clear I oppose the relationship. For him to come here despite that is a disregard for me, for the Easton family, and for you!”
“Father, if we’re pointing to insolence, our fault isn’t small either. Duke Theodore received a sudden shock. It’s as if he was handed a unilateral annulment. We never formally spoke of an engagement, but the two of us…”
Hazel closed her mouth for a moment to choose her words carefully.
Their relationship was publicly known as romantic, but in truth, it rested on a contract.
Strictly speaking, this was a unilateral breach of that contract, and if Theodore pursued legal action, Hazel would lose with absolute certainty.
But she couldn’t say that, so she had to rely on a lie to persuade Viscount Easton.
“The two of us never agreed to part. You didn’t discuss this with me even once.”
“Hazel! Are you saying you love that man? Can’t you part from him?”
Viscount Easton, a romantic at heart, could think of no other reason for her reluctance but ardent love.
“Father, I mean we need a clear reason and a convincing explanation. For me and for Duke Theodore.”
Viscount Easton’s words halted abruptly.
“Don’t you know, Father? Even parting requires decorum.”
“Hazel’s right, dear. The etiquette must be respected. Rumors have already spread in high society. Duke Theodore and Hazel have been seen together several times. For them to separate without cause? It’d be a severe blow to Hazel’s reputation.”
“And what has our daughter done to deserve that?”
Viscount Easton bristled with anger.
Lady Easton wore a tender expression as she rubbed his arm.
“That’s what I’m saying. Since our daughter has done no wrong, shouldn’t we clarify why the marriage won’t proceed? That way, neither I nor Hazel will face harassment.”
Lady Easton opposed Theodore and Hazel’s separation. But she trusted Viscount Easton, so she’d chosen to observe first.
Shouting against his opposition without thought could erode the trust within the family.
“Hmm, very well. He’s still waiting, isn’t he?”
Viscount Easton asked the butler.
“Yes, he’s standing at the front door.”
Hazel raised her eyebrows at this response.
Leaving a duke standing at the front door was indeed a grave discourtesy.
“I’m sorry, miss. He said he came unannounced, so he’d bear responsibility for any inconvenience.”
The butler explained after noticing Hazel’s troubled look.
Hazel sighed softly. That was very much like Theodore.
“If he respected decorum, he wouldn’t have come at all. I wrote clearly that I’ve nothing to say to him.”
Viscount Easton muttered in complaint.
“Dear.”
Lady Easton called to calm him.
Feeling a pang of guilt, Viscount Easton coughed awkwardly and stood.
“Lead him to my study. And Charlotte, don’t you dare eavesdrop.”
Charlotte, who’d been silent throughout while secretly plotting to listen in, froze in surprise.
She smiled sheepishly, only to receive a second warning.
“If you eavesdrop, you’ll be barred from going out for two weeks.”
That was a harsh punishment for Charlotte, who loved outings. Her shoulders slumped in disappointment.
***
Viscount Easton received Theodore in his study.
“Sir, this is Duke Bernier.”
“Let him in.”
The permission came in a sharp tone.
The butler glanced at Theodore, standing in the hallway.
“I’ll take it from here. Could you leave us for a moment?”
“What about tea, Your Grace? The master said earlier it’s unnecessary.”
Theodore checked his attire and replied calmly:
“That’s fine by me too.”
The butler bowed at the polite refusal and turned away, his face grim as if he’d swallowed something bitter.
The rumor of Viscount Easton’s opposition to Theodore had spread throughout the household.
‘He suited Miss Hazel so well.’
Everyone felt the same regret.
The butler stood at the hallway’s end, silently cheering Theodore on, ready to rush at his master’s call.
Meanwhile, Theodore, having buttoned his coat to the top, took a deep breath and opened the study door.
Viscount Easton sat on a sofa directly facing the entrance.
Lord Easton snapped his eyes open, his brow tightening fiercely, his entire face radiating displeasure.
“Greetings, Lord Viscount. I am Theodore—”
“Is there need for introductions? We know each other well enough. Nor is there need to prolong this. I know why you’re here.”
Viscount Easton deliberately chose rudeness. He knew Theodore wouldn’t retreat easily.
‘My daughter is the epitome of charm!’
It was only natural she’d be hard to forget once someone fell for her.
Thus, there was one way to drive him off.
To act with such severe discourtesy that Theodore would conclude the Easton family was unapproachable.
Viscount Easton cared little for the family’s reputation. Protecting his daughter was his utmost priority.
“I won’t repeat myself twice, Duke. I won’t marry Hazel to you.”
“May I ask the reason?”
“First, our family doesn’t match your level.”
“I believe a viscount and a duke aren’t so vastly apart.”
“Second, Hazel isn’t ready for marriage yet.”
Viscount Easton pressed on with his points, ignoring Theodore’s responses.
At this stage, Theodore grasped the stance Viscount Easton had adopted for this meeting and fell silent.
He began mentally preparing counterarguments to each point the viscount rattled off.
He could list dozens of reasons why marrying Hazel was essential.
He intended to reply once Viscount Easton finished speaking.
“And also, no man in this world loves Hazel more than I do. I can’t marry my daughter to a man who doesn’t love her more than I do.”
Theodore’s thoughts stalled.
This time, he found no retort to contradict it.
The word “love” rendered him speechless.
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