440 – Me before others – 4
From noble mtl dot com
I felt my face getting wet and slowly opened my eyes. Is there any water leaking from the ceiling? Then it’s difficult.
– King!
“Was it you?”
But as soon as I opened my eyes, I made eye contact with Titi, who was licking my face eagerly.
It seems like it’s just morning when you see sunlight coming through the curtains, but this guy somehow got into the room and is waking up the owner himself. There is no separate biological alarm.
“It’s going to happen, so stop licking.”
I hugged Titi and looked towards her door. The tightly closed door is too big for Injeolmi-sized T-T to open. Perhaps someone passing by felt sorry for Titi whining in front of the door and opened it for her.
And there is a high probability that it was Yuris who sent Titi in. Perhaps because he is the youngest among the users, he especially finds Titi cute. Maybe it’s Sophia.
‘Should I just raise it in my room?’
I was still worried as I watched TT lick my cheek. It is still too small to be let loose in the garden, so I keep it in the mansion, but when I let it out in the mansion, it often whines in front of the door. At best, he was let loose to roam freely, but it was just embarrassing.
But I’m sorry if I keep it in my room because it feels like animal abuse, and it’s difficult to leave the door open 24 hours a day because it means my privacy is gone.
‘…I should at least make a side door.’
After a short period of thought, I came to that conclusion. If you make a side door like the milk hole in the front door, T-T will be able to come in and out easily.
Of course, it is impossible to carry out such an expensive construction project in a mansion with a history and tradition, but there is something to know. It’s the Asilon family’s tradition, not mine.
– Knock knock
“Master, did you cough?”
“Uh, I just woke up.”
Soon, I heard a knock and the butler’s voice, and when I put Titi down on the floor, I ran over and scratched at the door.
If he’s outside, he wants to come in, and if he’s inside, he wants to go out… He’s a complicated child.
“Breakfast was prepared as you said.”
“Okay, good job.”
I nodded at the butler’s report.
The employees prepare breakfast on their own, so there is no need for me to give instructions, but today is different. Today is the day my mother said she would visit her mansion.
“He’ll be here soon, so prepare to hand it over right away.”
“Yes, I understand.”
And from early in the morning.
‘This is unfamiliar.’
I felt a little awkward and touched the back of my neck for no reason. This is the first time that I have treated her mother instead of her mother welcoming me.
But there is nothing we can do. She said she wanted to see the wedding hall in person before her eldest son gets married, but isn’t the wedding hall in the system? Since we can’t move the cathedral to the County of Tyglehen, my mother has no choice but to come in person.
Therefore, from the moment her mother’s visit was confirmed, I squeezed her memory as much as possible. She asked what her mother’s favorite food was and what kind of tea she liked to drink.
“Oh, my mother likes seafood more than meat. She enjoyed drinking herbal tea after meals.”
But Mar’s memories were more detailed than the ones I could remember. Marr knew things that even her son couldn’t remember.
Honestly, I felt a sense of self-destruction, but I tried to think positively and move on. Marr really thinks very highly of her mother.
I just decided to think that way. If I had to choose between a daughter-in-law and a fiery filial son, I would definitely choose the former.
Soon after, the mother, her maid Jang, and several maids arrived.
The guards could be seen flinching because they brought only the necessary personnel. It’s definitely too frugal and simple for a hostess from a white imperial family.
Of course, no one can say anything even if my mother lives frugally. Her husband is a former Imperial Baek and her son is me. If there is someone who says something, shouldn’t their courage be highly valued?
“It’s cold, so why are you doing this outside? Instead of waiting inside.”
Anyway, my mother found me waiting at the front door and hurriedly came over to me and touched my cheek.
She almost laughed at those words. I don’t think that’s what the person who came out to the front door to greet me every time I came to the estate would say this.
“I’m not very strong. It’s no problem at this level.”
“That’s true, but…”
My mother was silent for a moment, then her gaze glanced behind me.
When I turned my head following his gaze, I saw the lovers standing in front of the workers.
‘Ah.’
I realized it right away. This pattern is one that worries about the delicate future daughters-in-law rather than the strong me.
“Let’s go in quickly. It’ll be difficult if you catch a cold before the big day.”
“Ah, yes. I understand.”
Her mother’s firm voice made her automatically nod.
***
The meal with my mother took place in an intimate and harmonious atmosphere.
“The chef’s skills are excellent.”
“My father said the same thing.”
“So? It seems that since we’ve been together for over 20 years, our tastes have become similar.”
Seeing my mother and Karl smiling softly made me feel happy.
‘Thank goodness.’
The relationship between those two has changed to the level of an ordinary family.
Two years ago, when I first met my mother, it was far from this kind of atmosphere. Karl treated her mother rudely, and it was obvious that her mother wanted to be close to Karl and that she didn’t know what to do.
Now that the relationship between mother and son, which was so awkward, has become this close, I am just happy as the prospective eldest daughter-in-law of the Crasius family.
“Ah, the cooking was all about hard work in the kitchen, but Marr’s role was also big. She picked out each item that suited her mother’s taste.”
“Are you sure?”
In the meantime, when Carl mentioned my name, my mother’s eyes turned to me. Seeing her strangely sparkling eyes as if she was moved made her feel proud and embarrassed at the same time.
“Well, I remembered it because my tastes are similar to her mother’s. I also like seafood more.”
“Still, remembering other people’s tastes isn’t easy. Thank you.”
I felt the corners of my mouth twitch at the direct praise.
Hold on, my lips. What will your mother think if you smirk without dignity? She’s been consistently getting good scores, so it’s a shame to screw it up at the last minute.
“Oh my, I only talked to Marr too much.”
Fortunately, my mother’s gaze was directed in the other direction, so I was able to avoid showing her embarrassed face.
“It’s okay. It’s natural to take care of your soon-to-be-married daughter-in-law. I believe you will take care of us when our turn comes.”
“hehehe, yes. Of course it should be so.”
Beatrix hurriedly touched the corner of her mouth while listening to the conversation between her older sister and her mother. Because if you miss this timing, you’ll really burst out laughing.
‘…It was dangerous.’
While calming her expression and drinking water carefully, her eyes met the knife holding her thumb up.
After finally calming down, the corner of her mouth twitched again.
After finishing the meal, Carl and I headed to St. Paronas Cathedral to meet her mother.
Itinerary for the three of them to move around, leaving the head maid brought by their mother and other lovers at the mansion. My heart pounded as even this small action seemed to indicate that marriage was imminent.
“I never thought I’d come here again.”
When she arrived at the cathedral, her mother muttered softly.
“I had no idea that you would come for her son’s wedding.”
At those words, both Carl and I nodded at her. Who could imagine that any noble would get married in this cathedral? If you dare to have such thoughts, you are either a megalomaniac or a traitor.
“From now on, your name will remain forever. You are the nobles who were the first to use the space reserved for the imperial family.”
“This is an honor so undeserved that I feel embarrassed.”
My mother smiled softly at Carl’s sincere complaint.
“Your Excellency the Minister of Inspector General?”
Then, suddenly, I heard someone calling Karl.
I took a quick look at his appearance, but this was my first time seeing him. That’s right, since he called Karl, not me, he must be Karl’s acquaintance, but if he was big enough to talk to Karl, the minister-designate, I would remember him, right?
“Imperial Director?”
“As expected, the Minister was right.”
The question was solved thanks to Carl’s answer. He was the new head of the imperial household.
If that’s the case, it’s probably not memorable. After the previous head of the Imperial Household Department was promoted to Minister of the Palace of Internal Affairs, a new official was promoted to fill the position.
“Why are you here? There’s no way the Imperial Palace would have given you leave.”
“hahahaha, I wish I was on vacation, but I’m at work. I’m supervising the preparations for the Minister’s wedding.”
“…Your Majesty has appointed a very worthy person in charge.”
Karl smiled bitterly at the head of the Imperial Household Department who burst into laughter.
‘Oh my god.’
I, who was listening from the side, was also surprised. Not only is it not normal for the head of the Imperial Household Department, who is in charge of imperial affairs, to be in charge of Karl’s wedding, but it is also not normal for the person in charge to be present at the scene.
“By the way, I haven’t been able to say hello to the ladies. My name is Pizera Daubbeln of Lignein, and I have received an undeserved honor from His Majesty the Emperor. Please call me Baron Ligneant!”
“Ah, yes. Nice to meet you, Baron Linuan.”
It was such a lively greeting that I nodded without realizing it. For someone with a noble title and head of the Imperial Household, it seems light…?
Of course, I have no intention of looking down on the head of the Imperial Household Department because of his outward behavior. If I were a light person, I wouldn’t have been able to climb up to that position.
“By the way, Your Excellency. I would like to hear your opinion, as I happen to be a wedding party. Could you please give me some time?”
“My opinion?”
At those words, Karl’s eyes turned to his mother. I’m sure I brought her mother with me, but to talk about her work…
“I’m fine. I’ll be with Mar, so we can talk in peace.”
From noble mtl dot com
“Thank you for your consideration, ma’am!”
With his mother’s quick permission, Karl and the imperial family head headed to the corner of the cathedral.
“It turned out well. I was planning on dropping it for a moment.”
“Yes?”
When I saw that, I ended up questioning my mother’s words. It just so happened that you and Karl came to see the wedding hall together, didn’t you?
Her mother smiled again at my reaction, took out her ring from her arms, and gave it to me.
“It’s the hostess’s job, but it would be embarrassing if the head of the house were to see it. Women have things they want to handle together.”
It was a voice mixed with a slight sense of playfulness, but I could only blink absentmindedly.
You said it was the hostess’s business, so it seems like it’s related to the Crasius family, but I don’t know what’s going on since you gave me a ring out of nowhere.
“That ring is the ring that Billy gave me as a gift when I officially became Countess of Tilglehen.”
?
For a moment, my head froze. The ring your mother received when she became a countess? Is that also a gift from your father?
…
“Oh, mother! This precious thing—”
“Don’t misunderstand. There is a separate wedding ring.”
She was shocked and tried to return the ring to her mother, but her mother shook her head firmly, as if she had expected it.
Thank goodness… I was wondering if it was a wedding ring or something.
“The antebellum Earl of Tyglehen, so Carl’s paternal grandfather had several wives. In comparison, I was Billy’s only wife, and he gave me this ring, saying I would always be the Count’s wife. “It would be more accurate to say that it was a gift given to the countess who was in charge of the family, rather than a gift given as a lover.”
No, when I heard it again, it was a ring that was so important that it was similar to a wedding ring.
Her hands began to tremble. Why give that precious thing to me…?
“Unlike us, Carl is going to have six wives, so I was planning on making six rings like this – but no matter how much I think about it, he wants to pass on my ring to you at least.”
“Well, mother, it’s too much for me…”
“Don’t say things like that. If the first wife is no different from other wives, there is no dignity. Fair love is important, but the authority of the first wife is also important.”
Then, he put the ring that was still on my palm directly on my finger.
“But the other children will be upset if they see it, so I’m giving it to them secretly. Just say it’s a wedding gift and don’t say it was something I used. Understand?”
Seeing her mother smiling, she nodded her head blankly.
‘A ring used by her mother.’
A ring used even as the only countess.
My dazed head gradually regained its vitality. I could no longer control the corners of my mouth that were grinning.
“You’re pretty when you smile like that. Please smile often in the future.”
I received the best gift.