Chapter 14

Having stepped down from the carriage, Corinna looked up at the Heres estate and gulped. It's big. And elegant. I wonder how many times bigger it is than the Land estate. Moreover, it's still this big even though it's beside the castle. From what she's heard from Albert, this wasn't the main estate of the Heres house. Their main estate was in their territory so it was a long way from the capital and his retired grandparents and relatives currently live there. Even his parents planned on retiring to their territory if Albert had married much earlier and had kids but the current situation was that Albert only worked at the Royal Palace and unable to pass on ownership, the current head of this estate was Albert's father, Duran.

"Mother likes to nag because Father isn't sociable but he's not a bad person. He's kind to women so you don't have to worry."

"Understood…"

That's what Albert said but Corinna's body could only curl onto itself. She walked while surveyed her surroundings, not wanting to be rude. The Heres house definitely gave off a military lineage feel to them. The estate was by no means gaudy more than what's necessary, and if she had to say, then it was a house that solidly placed importance on practicality instead. Corinna didn't realize it but it was made so that it would be difficult for enemies to trespass into.

The estate was definitely bigger compared to the Land estate, similar to that of the common people, but that doesn't it was too big. Rather, for a family amongst the upper nobles, the estate itself is small. Because of that, the garden surrounding the estate was wide in order for horses to run about and sword training.

Corinna, who shouldn't have even realized those minor details, took a step into the estate, a ball of nervousness. Of course she was nervous but even so, she unconsciously bore in mind that she will behave as elegantly as she possibly can. It was a habit that was severely drilled into her at etiquette school.

As expected of the Heres house, everyone was at the entrance without showing any high spirits just like the Balleli, and both of them were first welcomed by an elderly butler and maid.

"Welcome home, Lord Albert."

"Yeah."

Albert coolly answered. Behind him, Corinna bowed her head while saying, "I'm sorry for intruding," but she felt an observing gaze from the attendants that came to welcome them despite their calmness, cold sweat going down her back.

When she thought about it more carefully, she has never gone to a house that of an upper noble. The people who worked in those places were as equally talented as those working in the Royal Palace. Thinking how she looked like to such people scared her.

Furthermore, because she's marrying Albert, she'll be living together with with these people from here on out and so her position would become so that she'll be managing them in the future.

Thinking that, she grew worried if she was fit for such a role.

"The master and mistress have been waiting for you."

"Okay."

Guided by the two attendants, Corinna timidly entered the estate. As expected, she had no time to look at the inside interior of the estate, and could only look from behind Albert.

The butler stopped in front of a thick door and knocked. When a woman's voice answered clearly from inside, the butler opened the door.

Sitting in chairs within that room that was possible the parlor were two people. They were Albert's parents. Both their gazes were fixated on Corinna. When she turned stiff at not knowing what to do, Albert stepped forward with no hesitation whatsoever, turned to her and called out, "Corinna."

She went to Albert's side, flustered.

"You can sit down."

Who seemed to be Albert's mother, sitting on a big couch, said such so after taking a glance at Albert, she obediently sat down after bowing.

A short silence fell.

Corinna observed the two sitting in front of her in order to not be rude. Albert's parents– When they marry, they'll become her parents as well. The people she'll be living with from here on out.

Duran, the current head of the Heres house, indeed had a tough body like that of a military officer and had a stern air about him. An air similar to the head of the Imperial Guards she saw at the Royal Palace. Currently, he had withdrawn from the front line but she heard that he had a high position within the Royal Palace just a while ago. Nowadays, he would sometimes teach at knight school and if requested, come and go from the Royal Palace. Just as Albert said, he was making a stern face and it was true that he looked unsociable. He looked like someone who didn't talk much.

The beautiful woman sitting beside Duran was Albert's mother, Frigga. Her demeanor was refined like a woman of nobility, her back straight. It slightly reminded her of her teacher from etiquette school. Rather than a kind air to her, she gave Corinna a strong-willed and level-headed image instead. Though she was raised in a gentle family, it doesn't mean she's bad with stern people. Rather, she respects these types of people even when she was in etiquette school and also at the Royal Palace so if she had to say it, they were the type she's fond of and looks after often. However, when it comes to Albert's mother, she was still nervous.

When she looked at Frigga, she could see that Albert took after his mother. If his appearance were overlaid on top of hers, they had a lot of similarities. She had light brown hair and eyes but while her looks are noble, she can definitely see a resemblance.

After Albert and Corinna sat across from the two, a short silence prevailed. Both his parents were looking at Corinna. She didn't quite understand what their expressions meant but she felt like they were a little disappointed, which made Corinna curl even further into herself.

That's to be expected, of course. Because their important, eldest son suddenly sent a notice, saying, "I shall be bringing my marriage partner tomorrow," and the partner he brought was the daughter of the Balleli who was only a noble in name, as well as a plain woman.

Corinna wasn't well-known even within high society. They had even forgotten that she ever existed. Mainly because she has never even shown her face in high society. When she carefully thought about it, she tried considering it from a noble's point of view but from a long time ago, the Balleli has never participated in it so her family from way before she was born had always been like that, not receiving any written invitations for it.

Because of this, Corinna only owns one dress.

Usually, when nobles are at marriageable age, they would go to social events to look for a lover or marriage partner. Larissa Kingdom is one that enjoys love so both sides' parents have expectations but when everyone finds a partner they're interested in just a bit, they would skillfully go about and mess around.

This was a world that Corinna had nothing to do with whatsoever.

Both of Albert's parents wasn't interested in Corinna as well. They seem to know about the Balleli but she was sure that they don't think anything of the Land daughter becoming their eldest son's marriage partner. They seemed to have wanted to welcome a more considerate, intelligent and beautiful woman or of a more equal parentage as their eldest son's bride.

Corinna could only think, I'm very sorry, Heres house. But Albert wished for Corinna so she thought that as long as he doesn't say, "I want to stop this marriage," then she would work hard as much as she can.

She was truly worried about Albert's health.

Even when he wanted to accompany Corinna during his rest on their break, from Albert's point of view, he didn't seem to mind about his appearance. He was someone who grumbled out complaints but when he meets with Corinna, wouldn't Albert's body already be at its limit? Spending time with Corinna, he would say, "My physical condition has truly gotten better" but from her point of view, Albert is still overworking himself nowadays and her hand that was on his head would always feel his complaints about being "tired."

She was worried about that part of Albert. If Corinna were to lose her break time, wouldn't he faint sooner or later? Corinna anxiously thought about the future with a sense of reality.

For Corinna who had a strong sense of responsibility helping others, she had already thought of Albert's health as her responsibility. Rather than say she wanted to marry Albert because she liked him, she had a weird sense of responsibility thinking she had to marry him in order to take good care of his health.

"I had sent the notice yesterday but…"

"Was this house this far from the castle, I wonder? It would have been better if you had come home and directly told us. About such an important matter."

"I was slightly preoccupied with work."

Once Albert said those words, as expected, Frigga threw out sarcastic words but Albert warded it off with a nonchalant air. Beside him, Corinna trembled with fear. She felt she had heard beforehand that the Heres house wasn't as gentle as the Balleli but as she thought, it doesn't seem like they're a family that gets along. Above all, Albert speaks formally with both his parents. But this kind of thing is normal for nobles, Corinna understood. It was the Balleli that was weird.

"She is Corinna Land. I shall be marrying her. I've already gone to the Balleli some time ago to give my greetings and they've approved of the marriage."

Introduced by Albert, Corinna hurriedly bowed as she introduced herself, "My name is Corinna " Just like when they went around the Royal Palace to inform others, she thought to stay quiet as possible and let Albert handle the rest.

"…I'm the current head of the Heres house, Duran Heres."

"I am his wife, Frigga Heres."

Both his parents also introduced themselves, and Corinna once more curled into herself, her head lowered. Frigga, seeing such a Corinna, lightly beat the closed fan in her hand onto the other. This may have been a habit of Corinna's seeing as she's been doing it so often after entering the room.

"Ms. Corinna."

"Yes?"

"Do you really plan on marrying Albert?"

"Ah, yes… I apologize for that."

It felt like Corinna had implicitly said at Frigga's words, "Seeing as my position isn't of equal status," and when Corinna lowered her head, Frigga bitterly smiled.

"You've got it wrong; you have done nothing wrong whatsoever. It's the opposite actually. I'm asking you if you're fine with marrying this kind of man even though he's my own son."

"Mother."

Albert's restrained voice rose in surprise but with still good posture, Frigga disregarded that son of hers.

"We're thankful that you're willing to marry this unworthy son of ours. Although this is happening so quickly. Even though this child is of an age where he should have already married a long time ago, he would always put it off by using work as an excuse and even I'll soon be reaching my limit. I have looked for many partners for him, and if Albert were to find his marriage partner on his own, I won't say anything. Well, though it seems like all my efforts had gone to waste."

Frigga included sarcasm at the end of it and sent a fleeting glare at Albert but he didn't seem to mind it. He had mentioned, "Mother likes to nag" so she feels these two have always been like this.

Corinna was frightened, sitting in the middle of such an atmosphere, and when she did so, Frigga smiled at Corinna.

"Ms. Corinna, it seems you're worried about your parentage but for us, we don't have a problem with it. We think of the Balleli as a family that can be trusted. Rather, if I had known about you, I would have considered you as a candidate for Albert. I could only think that overlooking you is due to my lack of investigation."

"I am greatly honored by your words. Thank you very much."

"It seems you work at the Royal Palace but your reputation is extremely good. Polite, level-headed and diligent, there is no one who talked badly of you. You also graduated from school with excellent grades."

"Thank you very much…"

Corinna had her head down but before she realized it, her behavior had been examined and she broke out into a cold sweat. Albert had sent the notice yesterday evening. When she thought of how after that until today, at this moment, she had fully grasped everything about the Balleli as well as how Corinna is at the Royal Palace, Corinna was surprised yet admired her, thinking, As expected, the Heres house has the authority and ability to get things done.

However, it looks like both his parents were amicable towards Corinna. She felt slightly let down as she had already resolved herself to being talked ill, such as "Do you think you can become a daughter-in-law of the Heres house?!"

Though that might mean she would be desperate for Albert to marry.

"And so when do you plan on marrying?"

Corinna looked beside her at Frigga's question. Albert seemed to be pondering on it slightly, his hand on his jaw. Come to think of it, she had yet to talk about the details of that with Albert. That's because she had been proposed to just the other day and after that, the only time they had to talk was in the carriage.

"When do you want to start living in this house?"

Corinna was bewildered at Albert's question. She wasn't able to fully prepare her heart but if she's truly able to move out of the court lady residences that she's currently living in, she wouldn't need to prepare anything. Because work had been busy and it hadn't grown this year at all, she only had her clothes that she brought from the very beginning. This house is also close to the castle so it might be best for her to tidy up her room in the court lady residences in her spare time.

"Whenever…"

When Corinna said so, not wanting to show to his parents of her hesitation, Albert nodded.

"Then you can do so from today onwards."

"Huh!"

As expected, Corinna raised her voice and then when she remembered where she was, endeavored to quickly mind her manners. However, deep inside of her was a storm of confusion. From today onwards? From today onwards? Though she did say she was fine with whenever.

"…Albert, whatever the circumstances may be, saying that would definitely trouble Ms. Corinna. I do wonder just where you got that crudeness of yours."

After looking at Albert with a surprised look in her eyes, Frigga looked towards Duran and when she did so, Duran slightly coughed.

"But Mother, seeing the current circumstances, we won't be able to hold the wedding immediately."

"That's true. At the very least, I would like a few months of preparation for it."

"But I would like to marry as soon as possible, and for that to happen, we would first have to enter a marriage. The Royal Palace has already approved of it and it would be completed once we submit the legal documents. I plan on submitting the documents today."

Frigga listened to Albert's indifferent way of talking with a shocked expression on her face. While there was still the confusion of Corinna possibly living in this house from today onwards.

"Wouldn't it be weird if I lived separately from my wife even though we're married? Especially when she's staying at the residence given to her by the Royal Palace."

"Well, of course it is but… Oh, I don't want to talk about this. Whenever I talk to you, it always ends up like this. You're such a disagreeable child. Could you stop explaining things so logically as if what you're saying is only natural? You've always been like this since long ago."

After Corinna's heart leaped at being called my wife, she imagined what a young Albert looked at from Frigga's words. For some reason, it seems that Albert had always acted unlike a child from a very young age.

"I don't believe I said anything weird. I also would wish to stay at home if Corinna was here. You don't have a problem with staying here from today onwards, Corinna?"

Corinna thought deep down, I do have a huge problem with it but staring at Albert, when he said the words, "I would wish to stay at home if she's here" she wasn't able to refuse at all.

"N-None. If everyone in the Heres house doesn't think it a bother."

When Corinna answered, Albert smiled, satisfied.

"She's already agreed to it so there shouldn't be a problem, yes? Mother, could you prepare a room for her?"

When Albert said so, Frigga let out a small sigh and lightly hit the fan on her lap once.

"Understood. Well then Ms. Corinna, I'm looking forward to living with you from today onwards."

"Y-Yes, likewise."

"Ms. Corinna, what do you plan on doing with your job?"

"Oh… You're correct."

Corinna was relieved that Frigga had accepted her so easily more than she thought but worried about that question for a moment. Come to think of it, she hadn't properly considered that question either.

"I'm unable to immediately resign today but would it be okay if my superior agrees and decreases the time allotted to me until I'm able to resign?"

When Corinna said so, Frigga nodded.

"That would be the best, wouldn't it. Of course you have your own circumstances as well. To work for a year, you might still feel like working for even longer but as the daughter-in-law of the Heres house, I would like you to study more about the house, if possible."

"Of course. I myself am aware of that."

When Corinna answered, Frigga smiled, satisfied. It seems that Corinna's answer had been correct. Her satisfied smile was, as she expected, similar to Albert's smile and charmed Corinna for some reason. Frigga was a strong-willed woman but from their conversation just now, Corinna didn't dislike her. Rather, for a person who says things clearly, she doesn't seem to be two-faced. Duran, his father, hasn't directly talked to her yet so it seems that Frigga was the one taking care of the household. Corinna forcibly steered her thoughts towards a positive direction, I have to do whatever it takes so that she doesn't come to hate me.

"Then seeing as the conversation is over with, I shall be returning to work."

"Again with you."

Albert quickly got up so Frigga sighed but turned to look at Corinna, having already given up.

"Ms. Corinna, what shall you be doing then?"

"Uhm, I would like to return to the castle as well to get my room in order. Would it be fine if I were to come back again?"

"Of course. This house is going to be your house as well. That's right, could I ask you to come back for dinner?"

"Certainly."

"Ms. Corinna. From today onwards, we shall be your family and your parents. It would be wonderful if you could talk familiarly with us, even just a bit."

Corinna was frightened and lowered her head at Frigga's smile. Even having said that, it would seem somewhat difficult doing so.

"Lord Albert…"

When Corinna got up whilst looking up at Albert, he smiled.

"I might return late but of course I'll come home. I'll come home everyday as long as you're here."

Frigga raised her voice in surprised, "Oh my" at Albert's words. Frigga admired him, saying, "Even you can say such sweet words, huh" but from Corinna's point of view, she bitterly smiled deep down because Albert's objective were her "hands." And yet she was still extremely happy to be told so by Albert.

Corinna politely showed her thanks and left the Heres house together with Albert.

There was only a short distance until the castle but the two of them rode on the carriage.

"Did everything happen too quickly for you?"

"No, well… I'm fine."

"I apologize for my selfishness. When I think that your hands would completely be mine, I felt it would be better if I could do so earlier even by one day."

This time, Corinna turned shy at Albert's words. Although he didn't mean to, Albert's words were plenty sweet. Even though she knew that what he wanted were her "hands," for Corinna who wasn't accustomed to receiving such words from a man, her cheeks fully turned red. Corinna was slightly bitter towards Albert, as he was a sinful man compared to his crudeness when it comes to love.

When she took a peek at Albert, he seemed to be in an extremely good mood at everything turning out favorably. She wondered if that good humor of his included the fact that he'd be able to acquire the power of Corinna's hands from tonight onwards. The corner of Corinna's lips lifted.