Chapter 47
"Miss Ophelia, if you wish, I will give you the title."
"Yes...?"
Ophelia opened her mouth blankly and looked up at David.
My reaction was not too different from hers. What does he mean? This was out of the blue. In the first place, it was almost impossible, even if he had relatives who were his own.
"His Excellency the Duke once said that he would grant me the title of Viscount. In the past, I refused because my parents were there, but... I don't think there's any more reason to refuse."
Saying so, David smiled faintly. Looking bitter and relieved, it seemed as if he had pulled out the sick tooth that had been suffering from
On the contrary, Ophelia looked gloomy.
"How can someone like me..."
"You fool, do it."
I cut her words at once.
In fact, there was a limit to the titles the Duke could grant.
'It must be a voluntary decision without a hereditary estate.'
Therefore, it could be said that even if he is a victor, his prestige would actually be lower than that of Baron Marquell, who had a hereditary estate.
Still, it did not matter.
'Territory can just be bought with money, anyway?'
Even so, the Duke of Brudenell's money was overflowing. My personal fortune also skyrocketed because of my investment in tulips. It would be great if I could spend some of that money to help Ophelia establish herself as Viscountess.
'Those people must be a little upset.'
I smirked.
He lost his son, who was the money maker, so he would probably be rolling his feet right now. Then, what should they do?
The ship had already left.
"Really... is it okay?"
David asked back with a puzzled expression on his face when Ophelia questioned.
"Why do you think it won't be okay?"
Good job, David!
Now, Sir David did not appear as a supporting actor who was murdered by Cassius for falling in love with Ophelia in the original work, though as a genuinely caring male protagonist.
"Well, I—"
"Because you're an illegitimate child?"
David caught Ophelia's words.
"...No."
However, his eyes widened at the unexpected answer.
"Then, why?"
"Because I'm not fit to be a Viscountess..."
I bit my lip.
Why the hell does Ophelia still think of herself as insignificant? It broke my heart because I did not understand why.
"I... I'm not good at anything."
"I don't like you for what you're good at, Ophelia."
"How could you say you're not good at anything?"
I could not stand it anymore, so I abruptly intervened in their conversation.
"You're good at baking cakes, sewing, nursing, and reading. You have so many talents, what can't you do? Besides, you sing well!"
I deliberately picked out the things I could not do and listed them out. Since even if I said that she was good at it, Ophelia would reply, 'But you're better at it..'
Nonetheless, it seemed to be to no avail.
Ophelia kept her mouth shut and stared us in the eye.
"Ophelia."
David's voice became very serious.
"Do you know why I introduced you to my parents?"
"...."
At that, she quietly shook her head. I folded my arms and glanced at David.
'Come to think of it, was it not strange?'
David probably did not know how his parents would react either. Still, he could not hide it and wanted to introduce Ophelia officially?
I could not do that unless I was crazy.
"I couldn't stand you being locked up here. This... Are you a hostage?"
David's slightly trembling voice was filled with desperate sincerity as he continued his words, "So, I wanted to make it possible for you to enjoy the rights as the wife of David Marquell. The price... Even if I'm disconnected from my parents."
"David..."
Ophelia was half crying.
I slowly opened my mouth. Although it was true that David's words touched my heart, there was something I needed to confirm.
"Sir David, are you sure His Excellency is giving you the title?"
"Yes."
David nodded his head.
"It's a better thing for His Excellency than for me, so I can tell Young Lady whatever you want to know now."
"No way."
"Yes. Upon receiving the title of Viscount, I'm fully subordinated to the vassal of the Duke of Brudenell."
"...."
I thought for a moment.
Goddess...
The vassal of the Duke is by no means light in weight.
It was a position where he had to sacrifice his life for the Duke's family from generation to generation, though he would be guaranteed a lot of things from the Duke. It was the best choice for David, who had separated from his family and married an illegitimate child.
'It is good for Ophelia, too.'
Finally, I nodded my head.
"Okay. I'll allow you to get married."
"....!"
David's eyes widened at my remarks. On the other hand, Ophelia also covered her mouth and gazed at me.
...What? Did I look like such a person who would be opposing the two of them?
"I don't think my parents would object, but I'll try my best. However, I think there must be someone who you need to get permission from before me."
It was also a story related to the prestige of the Duke family that a vassal of the family married an illegitimate child. Of course, that meant he would have to get permission from the Duke or Cassius first.
"No."
To my surprise, David shook his head.
"It's okay."
"Why?"
"Because the Young Lady gave her permission."
At his words, I frowned and asked back.
"Is it a matter that ends with my permission?"
As David was about to answer something, Ophelia suddenly hugged me tightly.
"Sister...!"
Although her sudden action was bewildering, I opened her arms and hugged her tightly.
"...Thank you so much."
"It's only just this, what are you saying?"
"It's not just that."
Ophelia lifted her head and looked at me.
Tears glistened in her amethyst eyes.
Seeing that, I took a deep breath. I wanted to give them a cold curse, though I could not because they were Sir David's biological parents...
"Don't cry for people who are just not educated like that."
"It's not like that."
She shook her head and added, "My sister... I'm crying because I love you so much."
H, huh...?
Although it sounded strange, I decided to appease Ophelia first.
"You're still young enough to cry for such a foolish reason."
"Really?"
Ophelia laughed wildly.
Truly, she was a lovely child from head to toe.
"Well, you're getting married soon, so I should say you're an adult. Ophelia Marquell... it suits you very well."
The illegitimate child, Ophelia, had no last name. It would have been natural if it was common sense in this world. Nevertheless, whenever I saw Ophelia, who was not recognized by both my parents and her mother, my heart ached.
"Sir David."
Opening my mouth, I separated myself away from Ophelia a little and opened my mouth to David, who was still smiling like a fool.
"Where are you planning to build your new home?"
"I'm planning to get out of the Duke's house completely and rent a house in the Capital."
David answered immediately. The idea of getting Ophelia out of the scrutiny came to my mind agreeably.
"Consult with Ophelia and pick the house she wants. I'll buy it for you."
"Sister...!"
Ophelia widened her round eyes towards me.
"Think of it as a wedding present."
I smiled softly at her.
"I've always felt sorry for you, though this is the first time I'm doing something like an older sister properly."
"...Sister has always been like an older sister."
"Is that so?"
I neither affirmed nor denied. It was too much of a conscience to say yes, and Ophelia's reaction was too obvious to say no.
"Yes."
Ophelia nodded her head broadly. It looked pitiful to see her long eyelashes quivering.
"I've really missed you."
"If you get married, we won't see each other anymore. Do you miss me already?"
"That, that..."
I only responded lightly, although Ophelia suddenly spoke with an earnest voice.
"Can't sister live with us, too? Me and David..."
"Uh, huh...?"
I asked with a mixture of confusion and embarrassment.
...Living with the newlyweds.
I could not even imagine how ridiculous it would be.
"David, it's okay, right?"
"It's okay."
Taking it one step further, David nodded his head to Ophelia as well and even continued, "Isn't this the house Young Lady prepared for you? Of course, she should be able to live as she wants."
"Well, I-I think I'm going to get in the way..."
"What do you mean, you won't disturb us?"
Ophelia's eyes lit up.
"I've always dreamed of living with sister."
"We've always lived together."
"It's not like that..."
I sighed because I knew what she wanted to say.
"Yes, we didn't have enough time to spend together. Still, Sir David, you can't do that even after you're married, can you? Before that, let's have some alone time."
"Really?"
"Of course. I can invite women guests to the Empresses Palace as many times as I want. I'll soon send you formal invitations."
"I'll be waiting for you!"
A bright smile spread across Ophelia's face.
Seeing that, I smiled and took the child's hand... Without even guessing what kind of consequence this one small promise would bring in the future.
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(Sorry for not posting for multiple month as I was busy! I'll continue to post a few chapter every few days if possible (⊙﹏⊙∥)