My Fiancée Hates Me

A few days later, I sent a letter to the House of Alvin and met up with Marquis Alvin and his wife.

"What a surprise pleasant surprise to be acquainted with you, Lady Maddox. To what occasion must I thank this visit for?" Marquis Alvin asked.

"Yes, well I would like to be brief," I said.

"I understand..."

"I would like your son's hand in marriage," I said.

"Pardon?" Marquis Alvin said with a surprise expression.

Suddenly, I saw Garett walk into the parlor.

"Arielle, what are you doing here?" Garett asked.

"I am asking for your hand in marriage," I said.

"What?!"

"I will send a formal request to your home later, but I wanted to express my intentions with you two first. I would like your permission to marry your son," I said.

"With your status, you are more suitable as Crown Princess. Are you sure that you would like to give that up and take Garett as your fiancé, Lady Maddox?" Marquis Alvin asked. "Yes! To me, there is no one more charming than him," I said.

"I would like to accept this engagement as well. There is no one I would want to spend my entire life with other than Arielle. Please accept our relationship, Father... Mother," Garett said sincerely. "...Do whatever you want," Marquis Alvin's wife said coldly.

"I am not going to request anything much for engagement presents, but I would like the rope in the hall that separates the East and West Wings," I said with a smile.

Marquis Alvin's wife flinched slightly when I mentioned the rope, while Marquis Alvin continued to remain expressionless.

With such wealth and resources, they could have easily just erected a wall in front of that entrance rather than leave a simple rope barrier where anyone could easily pass through and see.

I could only imagine what Garett as a child must have felt when such bait was laid in front of him. A young child would have been curious to explore beyond what was given before him. Crossing that barrier would have given those people an excuse to abuse him if they wanted to. If such a thing did happen during his childhood, I doubt that Garett would tell me if it did or would blame himself for being curious then. "Now, I hope to continue sharing good intentions with each other from now on," I said with a bright smile.

As a Duke's daughter, these people had to accept my request...

One that was done, I had a servant remove the rope and put it in the carriage for me. I planned on burning it in a fireplace of my home as soon as possible.

"You said what you wanted to say and left after doing what you wanted to do... You have splendidly learned how to be selfish," Garett said as he saw me out.

"You will be marrying this selfish girl whether you like it or not," I said as I squeezed his hands.

"...Of course, I like it," Garett said.

"I hope that you will be able to consider me as your family one day," I said.

"It better be sooner," Garett said as he hugged me tightly.

"I agree," I said.

I hugged him back without caring that the coachman would see me hugging Garett.

When I came home, I told my parents the news of what I had just done. They seemed to all congratulate me on my mutual love and engagement agreement with Garett. It seemed as though everyone could sense my unhappiness more so than I could, so when such happy news appeared, everyone was more than thrilled.

At night, my mother entered my bedroom.

"Are you sure about this engagement, Arielle?" Mother asked.

I had her join me to sit on my bed together.

"...Mother, is the reason why you did not continue pursuing His Majesty even though you loved him?" I asked.

"Times were different then. His Majesty was third in line to the throne and also someone who did not have any greed for the throne. Unfortunately, the King and the First and Second Princes died from unexpected illnesses and then His Majesty ended up in the seat of the throne incidentally. Even if I wanted to support him, I had no political power, so I did what I thought was right and left him. The person who could give him what he needed agreed to support him on the condition that I left his life completely with no way for him to come back to me...I just wanted him to live. He eventually became a splendid adult, while I met someone who could fill in my broken heart and gave me a beautiful child," Mother said as she hugged me into her soft bosom.

"...Garett is someone whose love I cannot give up," I said as I latched onto her.

"When you were younger, I thought that the Prince would make a good partner for you since he swore that he would protect you forever. However, it seems that you have found someone else that you would rather be with...Congratulations on your engagement, Arielle. I wish you endless happiness," Mother said as she rubbed my head.

"Thank you, Mother," I said as I squeezed her.

A few days later, our engagement was speedily set up with both sides of our parents' permission.☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐