MHWMM 07

Chapter 7

Rather, it would be a relief if he didn’t suddenly announce that the wedding would be held tomorrow.

“I’m starving, why is the food not out yet? Olivia!”

“Yes, ma’am!”

“Are you planning to starve me and my children to death? Lunch!”

“I’m bringing it out now!”

On her way back from encountering Cayente at the Diela marketplace, Yulia had reached a conclusion after much thought.

— I need a woman who can bear my child.

That part where Cayente said he “needed” someone—it must’ve been an urgent matter for him.

Just as people had gossiped during the ball, the late Count Clue had truly died in a sudden accident. He had perished in a fall four years ago. Naturally, Cayente had inherited both the title and the family business.

Given that situation, perhaps he really did feel that way. That he could die at any time, too. So he needed a son to succeed him as soon as possible. That’s why he was in a rush to marry—and chose Yulia.

It wasn’t entirely impossible.

Cayente, at best, was said to be rude, and at worst, considered inhuman. Of course, with his overwhelming wealth and extraordinarily good looks, he had more than enough to make up for those flaws. But even with that, not many noble families would willingly offer their daughters to a man whose treatment of women was questionable.

So, perhaps while searching for a marriageable woman, he’d heard about Yulia.

Having watched her grow up, if she’d remained as she was, he might’ve thought she’d make a decent wife. And if he could bring her in by simply paying money, then there’d be no cleaner arrangement. If that were the case, it would be a marriage where Cayente didn’t have to bother looking good for anyone, a marriage entirely on his own terms.

That must’ve been the reason he chose her. Of all the options, Yulia was the easiest candidate to bear his heir.

That’s why he was behaving this way.

“Is it potatoes again today?”

“Well, ma’am, you spent all the grocery money on the young lady’s dress last time. Since the baron didn’t give us any extra funds, I couldn’t buy anything else.”

“What about the check from Count Clue’s household?”

“Miss Yulia said not to use it…”

From the start, Cayente had no intention of helping Yulia.

Realizing that made the idea that he was trying to help seem completely absurd. From Yulia’s side, this was a marriage out of financial desperation. If he had merely wanted to help, he could’ve just loaned the necessary money to her father at low interest without marrying.

So that was it. It had always been like that. What kind of fantasy had she been clinging to? Foolishly.

As Yulia sighed with these swirling thoughts, the baroness grumbled at the usual meager lunch.

“Yulia! Is what Olivia said true?”

“It’s true. Why would we buy groceries with the check meant for wedding preparations?”

“What does it matter? Once you’re married, we’ll all be one family.”

“Mother’s right, sis. That money’s basically our family’s money now. Right?”

“How can brother-in-law’s money be our family’s? Don’t even think that. You too, Mother.”

What kind of humiliation she was enduring because of that money… Yulia felt a lump rising in her throat again, but instead of showing it, she made it clear not to spend Cayente’s money freely.

She had already accepted money, which meant she couldn’t say much—but if she spent even more, she’d have to walk on even more eggshells. Considering all the costs of the wedding, she felt like she couldn’t even breathe.

“Cayente has so much money. What’s the harm if we eat some meat? You should eat well too, so you can have a baby early. Ian, don’t be stingy and weird like your sister, okay?”

“I won’t, Mother.”

Whether or not she could use the money freely, the two families would become one as they hoped. Even though Cayente claimed he didn’t spend on unnecessary things, he was spending a great deal on this marriage.

So Yulia’s real concern wasn’t whether the wedding would be canceled, but that Cayente might suddenly announce the date without notice. Since the topic came up, Yulia gave her mother a heads-up.

“And just in case, leave the date open and prepare the invitations in advance, Mother.”

She meant, be ready with the invitations.

They had only met three times. And none of those included a proper conversation, but it was clear that Cayente had no interest in her household’s situation.

“Ma’am, there’s a guest from Count Clue’s household.”

“A guest? Yulia, were you supposed to meet with the Count today?”

“No, I had no plans.”

As if to prove her point, without any prior notice, Henry arrived with Count Clue’s carriage.

“Ah, there you are, Miss. Oh dear… Were you in the middle of lunch? My apologies…”

“Oh my! It’s fine. We were just about to start eating. Right, Yulia?”

“Yes, Mother.”

“By the way, did you say you’re from Count Clue’s household?”

“Hello. I’m Henry, a servant of the Count Clue household. I believe we met a long time ago, though I wonder if you remember.”

“Hmm, I’m not sure…”

“Your beauty hasn’t changed in eight years, so I remember clearly, ma’am.”

“Oh my, what a sweet talker. Looking at your face now, it does seem familiar.”

“Young Master has grown quite a bit. You may not remember me as you were very young back then. I should’ve come to visit sooner, but I had to rush into the capital, and there was a lot of work to be done first. Since the wedding is happening, I’m sure we’ll be seeing each other often. I look forward to it.”

“It’s alright. That’s understandable. We look forward to it as well.”

“Then may I escort the young lady for a moment? The Count wishes to see her.”

“Of course! Yulia, go on now.”

Even though it was lunchtime, the baroness welcomed the uninvited guest warmly. Yulia sighed but stood up without a word. Saying anything to Henry, her mother, or Ian now would be pointless.

“I’ll be back.”

Even if Cayente didn’t show her respect or care, the marriage was unavoidable anyway.

Without even time for a proper meal, she arrived at the boutique, but Cayente—who had summoned her—was nowhere to be seen. Instead, the elderly seamstress who frequently worked on her wedding dress came running out to greet her.

“Welcome, Miss! I was just about to come see you because the wedding dress fitting is complete, but you’ve come yourself again. Are you planning to order more dresses and outfits besides your outing clothes?”

“Is that so?”

“Pardon?”

The seamstress, who always wore a cheerful smile, was especially bright today. Apparently, Cayente had ordered several more outfits for Yulia. Of course, this was news to Yulia.

But she wasn’t even surprised. She had found out where she was going only after she got into the carriage.

In this era, noblewomen still didn’t go out alone easily—and even when they did, it was usually just to another lady’s tea time. While things had gotten better recently, she alone felt like she was going backwards in time, being dragged around without a clue under a man’s command—whom she wasn’t even married to yet.

 

“If we use the same measurements as last time, that should be fine, yes? You haven’t lost more weight in the past few days, have yo—”