MLIIWTFL Chapter 133

 

 

 

 

Patrick’s expression changed for the first time, but it was not a good sign for Ezkhiel.

 

Ezkhiel was startled by Patrick’s gaze, which seemed to convey frustration, as if Patrick truly could not understand him.

 

“B-But still, objectively speaking, it’s true that I fall far short compared to the Lady—”

 

“Then, do you plan to only remain friends with my daughter, considering how you perceive yourself as inadequate?”

 

“No, that’s not it….”

 

Ezkhiel didn’t want to break up with Letticia, especially after she had confessed her feelings first. They had only been dating for two days.

 

Even imagining such a scenario broke Ezkhiel’s heart, and his faltering response made Patrick frown. He spoke firmly and coldly.

 

“If that’s not the case, then stop belittling yourself. A bit of humility is fine in society, but if you act this way even when reporting your relationship to me, how can I trust you and grant my approval?”

 

“…It was thoughtless of me. I apologize.”

 

Ezkhiel immediately bowed his head in apology. Looking directly at Patrick’s stern face, he feared that he might be told to end things with Letticia right there.

 

‘This is scarier than when I reported a meeting schedule mess-up caused by interdepartmental miscommunication….’

 

However, Patrick remained silent after saying his piece. Ezkhiel, his face pale, wondered if Patrick didn’t even want to continue the conversation. Just as Ezkhiel hesitated to speak again, Letticia grabbed his hand tightly.

 

“Don’t worry, my father isn’t angry,” she whispered softly into his ear.

 

Ezkhiel subtly glanced at Patrick to gauge his expression. However, Patrick’s stern face revealed no sign of goodwill.

 

Perhaps in an attempt to break the tense atmosphere, a maid entered with tea. Camilla, who opened the floral-patterned porcelain teapot, skipped over Patrick and Lenard and addressed Ezkhiel first.

 

“Sir Bright, would you be fine with Arlene tea leaves?”

 

“Huh? Oh….”

 

Ezkhiel hesitated to respond immediately, but Lenard, who had been quiet until then, answered instead.

 

“Ezkhiel prefers White Opera over that.”

 

“Really? Then let’s go with White Opera.”

 

While Camilla measured out tea leaves and poured hot water into the pot, the maid filled Patrick’s and Lenard’s cups with coffee.

 

As the tea steeped, Camilla personally poured it into the cups. While Letticia boldly added sugar and milk, Ezkhiel, glancing at Patrick, who was drinking strong black coffee without a single grain of sugar, cautiously added some to his own cup.

 

But Patrick seemed utterly indifferent to how many spoonfuls of sugar Ezkhiel added, focusing solely on his coffee. Ezkhiel relaxed a little, recalling how Patrick didn’t comment when Kenneth drank tea either. It appeared Patrick’s indifference extended to his daughter’s partner.

 

Feeling slightly reassured, Ezkhiel allowed himself to savor the tea’s aroma. Letticia, noticing this, chuckled softly and addressed her parents.

 

“Mother, didn’t I find myself a perfect match?”

 

“It seems so. Not that I was worried, but you’ve brought home someone even more respectable and fitting than I expected. I’m relieved.”

 

Camilla, noticing her daughter’s intention, smiled in agreement, but Lenard muttered with a conflicted expression.

 

“I never thought it would happen so quickly. I really underestimated Letty’s decisiveness.”

 

“What are you saying? You’re the one who told me to confess.”

 

“Even so, I thought it would take at least two weeks. Who would’ve thought you’d start dating just a few days after bringing it up?”

 

“Love is all about seizing the moment, brother. Remember that when it’s your turn to date.”

 

“Letty is right about that. No matter the external circumstances, confirming each other’s feelings is always the priority.”

 

Patrick, after taking a sip of coffee, finally spoke, tightening the tension that Ezkhiel had momentarily relaxed. However, Patrick remained indifferent to Ezkhiel’s nervousness, delivering his words in an aloof manner.

 

“Now that you two have started dating, there’s something I need to address. Sir Bright, how much do you know about the Sharon Count family’s policy on love marriages?”

 

“If you mean the love marriage policy… I understand that the lady has full autonomy in her choices.”

 

“Then, are you also aware that Sharon Jewelry uses the love stories of family members as material to meet the public’s fantasies?”

 

“I’ve heard about that as well.”

 

“Then this should be a quick conversation.”

 

Patrick placed his coffee cup down and continued.

 

“Are you willing to let your relationship with Letticia be used as part of Sharon Jewelry’s advertising?”

 

“…May I ask to what extent you’re considering?” Ezkhiel stiffly inquired.

 

Patrick responded without hesitation.

 

“If you share the locations and details of your dates with Kenneth and his team, they will come up with concepts and plan advertisements. If the response is good, we can also request writers or playwrights associated with our family to use your love story as material for novels or plays. If necessary, we might even make specific requests for certain kinds of dates at particular locations.”

 

“…I don’t have much free time because of my job, so I’m not confident that my relationship will meet the public’s expectations…”

 

Although he was currently on vacation, Ezkhiel typically worked five days a week with only four to five hours of sleep per night due to his heavy workload. While he was determined to make time for Letticia, there was always a chance that unexpected work assignments from Matthias could force him to cancel a date at the last minute.

 

When Ezkhiel explained this, Lenard chimed in reassuringly.

 

“Don’t worry about that. We can frame you as a romantic man who makes time for his partner despite his busy schedule.”

 

“Frame…”

 

“Advertising is all about image-making. Besides, you and Letticia have such opposite personalities. If we portray you as the kind and reserved man paired with a proactive and lively woman, it will come across as refreshing and appealing. That kind of storyline is trending in romance novels these days.”

 

While Ezkhiel stood stunned at Lenard’s bold phrasing, Lenard effortlessly crafted ideas, and beside him, Camilla began counting dates on her fingers to schedule plans.

 

“During the courting season, most balls are similar, so there isn’t a particularly noteworthy location to make the announcement. For now, why don’t we focus on the concept and planning, then announce it with the two of you strolling in a park rather than at a ball?”

 

“I prefer whichever option is quicker,”

 

Letticia quickly agreed, prompting Patrick to ponder.

 

“Then we should call in the heads of the strategy and planning departments for a meeting. Lenard, if you have time, join the meeting as well. I’ll inform Irene myself.”

 

“Will Mother and Kenneth also join?”

 

“Involving the external relations department from the beginning will make things easier than passing information along later. Once we adjust the schedule, we’ll set a meeting date, so prepare your opinions by then.”

 

With that, what started as a formal introduction abruptly turned into a business meeting.

 

The discussion about Ezkhiel dating Letticia wrapped up in a way that seemed to offer tacit approval, and Ezkhiel remained in the drawing room with the Sharon siblings, seeing Patrick and Camilla off to their respective jewelry shops and gatherings.

 

“So… does that mean I’ve been approved?”

 

Ezkhiel couldn’t help but question his reality, bewildered by the unperturbed demeanor of Count and Countess Sharon. Was this really a meeting with his girlfriend’s parents, or was it more of a business contract negotiation?

 

Normally, when meeting a partner’s parents, one would be bombarded with questions about their qualifications or how much they love their partner. Yet, the only question the Count and Countess Sharon asked was whether they could use his relationship for their advertising.

 

The straightforwardness and starkness of the exchange left Ezkhiel questioning if this was truly a parental introduction.

 

“Lord Bright, are you alright?”

 

“Did the Count and Countess… approve of me?”

 

“Mother seems to like you, but Father… well, he seems a little unconvinced.”

 

“I knew it!”

 

Ezkhiel clutched his head in despair, on the verge of tears, prompting Lenard to click his tongue.

 

“Don’t misunderstand. Father was annoyed because you spoke as if Letticia was doing you a favor by dating you—not for any other reason.”

 

“Are you sure there’s no other reason? Do I really seem so lacking?”

 

“It’s not that. It’s more that, in situations like this, you need to project confidence, even if it means faking it. That’s how Father managed to win Grandfather’s approval for marriage.”

 

“Ah….”

 

Ezkhiel finally understood why Patrick was dissatisfied with his attitude. Regardless of the gap between him and Letticia, Patrick and Camilla also came from starkly different backgrounds. As new noble, Patrick’s family had significantly less standing when he married Camilla, who hailed from the highest echelons of nobility.

 

From Patrick’s perspective, Ezkhiel’s lack of confidence and drive, despite not planning to break up with Letticia, must have seemed unreliable as a potential partner for his daughter.

 

Still, the fact that Patrick accepted him as Letticia’s boyfriend was remarkable in itself.

 

“It’s alright, Lord Bright. You’ll have plenty of chances to meet Father in the future. Show him your strengths, and you’ll win him over.”

 

“…Yes, let’s do that,”

 

Letticia, who had been holding his hand, clasped it tighter with her other hand. Knowing he had one more reason to stop berating himself, Ezkhiel felt his resolve harden.