“Freddie! You’re way too familiar! I haven’t approved of this yet! Let go of my sister right now!”
“You’ve been sabotaging our dates for weeks. After monopolizing her for two weeks, don’t you think you could cut me some slack? Being so possessive might make your sister dislike you,” Freddie countered with a grin.
“She wouldn’t dislike me for that!” Adeline huffed, nearly in tears.
As the two bickered, I realized I didn’t mind Freddie holding me. It was… comforting. Watching them quarrel, I couldn’t help but laugh, which finally brought their argument to a halt and allowed us to move forward with our plans.
As promised, I visited the Marquis’ household to complete my adoption, and Freddie—insisting on accompanying me—joined as well.
We were welcomed by the Marquis, his warm and gentle wife, their slightly stern but approachable heir, and his elegant wife. The air was celebratory, but the Marquis wasn’t one to avoid addressing the elephant in the room.
“Unless I’m mistaken, you’re the heir to the Shucott Dukedom, aren’t you? Forgive my bluntness, but what brings you here?”
“Yes, we’ve met at several evening parties. Let me formally introduce myself—Freddie Shucott, heir to the Shucott family. Just moments ago, I proposed a courtship to Amanda, with marriage as the goal. While I’ve yet to receive a favorable answer, I have no intention of giving up. Please keep this in mind,” Freddie said smoothly, bowing with impeccable politeness.
As I stared at him, dumbfounded, the Marquis pressed a hand to his forehead as if warding off a headache.
“So, let me get this straight—you’re courting her because she’s joining our family, and you want to secure a connection?”
“No, I had planned to propose regardless. Even if she became a commoner, I was determined to make it work. But since she’s joining your family, I thought it best to declare my intentions early.”
Freddie’s confident tone and casual smile suggested he wasn’t taking no for an answer. The Marquis sighed and gestured for us to proceed inside.
The adoption process went smoothly, and I soon moved out of the palace dormitory to live at the Marquis’ estate. My new family welcomed me warmly, and I quickly bonded with both the Marchioness and her daughter-in-law.
* * *
Six months later, Adeline had settled into her job at the publishing house, her dormitory life running smoothly. Meanwhile, I had completely surrendered to Freddie’s relentless pursuit. We were engaged within months.
Freddie declared, with an almost frighteningly bright smile, “I’ve already started preparing for the wedding.”
The Marchioness and her daughter-in-law hosted a tea party—more like a gathering for romantic gossip—and pressed me for every detail of our relationship. When I told them Freddie had promised I could continue working after marriage, they relayed this to the Marquis. He promptly told Freddie, “Put that in writing.”
I could’ve sworn Freddie clicked his tongue with a smile, though I might have imagined it.
* * *
Through whispers and letters, I learned about the aftermath at my family home.
Father had apparently suspected Mother’s infidelity but couldn’t bring himself to confront her, especially with young daughters in the picture. My letter confirmed his doubts, and he immediately divorced her. He was now deciding whether to remarry or appoint an heir from among his relatives.
Mother was sent back to her family’s viscountcy and exiled to a remote estate.
Though the family was shattered, Adeline and I remained as close as ever, meeting a few times a month to laugh and share stories. That bond, at least, would never change.
[The End]
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