MHYFMAMD Ch 15

When they arrived at the Blanchette manor, a murmur of voices could be heard from within. Perhaps it was because their carriage was anything but ordinary. She let out a shallow breath, as if bracing herself for the chaos that was about to unfold. 

 

“Tenesia!” 

 

As expected. Her mother, Baroness Blanchette who seemed more irritated than worried, appeared. She strode forward and grabbed Tenesia by the shoulder. 

 

“Where on earth have you been, with your health still fragile? And what’s with that carriage?” 

 

“I’m sorry for going out without telling you, Mother. I had something to discuss with Margrave of Haberfeld, so I went there.” 

 

“Don’t you dare play dumb! I’m asking why he would suddenly meet you, and why he lent you a carriage bearing his family crest.” 

 

Her reaction was stronger than expected. Tenesia blinked rapidly and forced a pitiful expression. 

 

“…Mother, I’m so sorry for hiding it from you all this time. I promised my future to him.” 

 

“What…?” 

 

Her wide-open eyes met Tenesia’s skin.  

 

“What are you saying, Tenesia? Don’t you have Count Weigelin?” 

 

Her trembling hands grabbed Tenesia’s shoulder and shook it.  

 

“I’m truly sorry for keeping my meeting with Margrave a secret. But after almost dying, I realized that I wanted to spend my remaining days with someone I love.” 

 

“You…!” 

 

It was an excuse she had prepared from the moment she got into the carriage. A plea that seemed innocent yet desperate. It was the kind of plea a sickly, naive young lady would make. Tenesia added, her eyes welling up with tears. 

 

“I don’t know how much life I have left, but I want to live doing what I want, Mother.” 

 

“How could you! How dare you repay Count Weigelin kindness like this!” 

 

Her voice trembled as much as her shaking hands. Her face, flushed with excitement, was distorted with rage. 

 

‘There must be something more to this than just a marriage promise.’ 

 

As far as Tenesia knew, their marriage was merely a verbal agreement. So her mother’s unusual obsession with her marriage to Count Weigelin was clearly strange.

 

“I’m truly sorry to the Count. But if you would please, for my sake, let’s just pretend this marriage agreement never happened…” 

 

“That’s not it, Tenesia.” 

 

A cold voice interrupted Tenesia’s words. 

 

“A different man for a frail child like you? How heartbroken the benevolent Count Weigelin must be.” 

 

“Mother?” 

 

Something was off. The atmosphere was different from what she had expected. She had thought that her mother would at least show some sympathy for a child who had nearly died. 

 

“For your sake, marrying Count Weigelin is the right thing to do. Trust your mother.” 

 

With those words, she clapped her hands. 

 

“Confine Tenesia to her room.” 

 

Her daughter had changed. Was it because she had miraculously come back to life? Tenesia was behaving in ways she had never seen before. 

 

‘Something is strange.’ 

 

She had been a troublesome child from the start, the first daughter born to a mother who had longed for a son. What’s more, it’s so annoying that she was always sickly, constantly draining their already meager finances. 

 

She had even wished for her death in some unfortunate accident, but Tenesia’s life proved to be surprisingly tenacious. Her frail life clung on, growing weaker and stronger. 

 

The only thing that helped was Tenesia’s beauty. Since she rarely left her room, her naturally pale skin and delicate frame made her quite pretty. 

 

The Baroness, who had merely watched her daughter, waiting for her death, changed her mind. She saw Tenesia as a means to repay her debts.

 

Upon seeing Tenesia’s portrait, the old, greedy man had immediately agreed to the deal. The rumors about his perverted habits that drove his wives to their deaths didn’t matter. If she didn’t repay her debts, she would lose her manor. Marrying off Tenesia was the only way to survive. 

 

When her daughter fell ill, she thought that her opportunity had vanished. Tears had welled up in her eyes at the thought of losing her chance to repay her debts. The miraculously revived child was like a second chance for her. 

 

But her newly revived daughter was different. She spoke at the family dinner table and even expressed her opinions. And now she was rebelling. Her obedient daughter had changed. 

 

‘I must send her away before Count Weigelin finds out.’ 

 

She had to act before Tenesia refused. The Baroness clenched her teeth. 

 

“Hurry!” 

 

The servants grabbed Tenesia’s arms and restrained her. 

 

“Stay in your room until your wedding with Count Weigelin. The outside air is harsh, so it’s better for your health.” 

 

“Mother! Don’t do this!” 

 

Tenesia struggled with all her might, but she was weak and no match for the servants. She was easily restrained and dragged into her room.  

 

“Let go!” 

 

She couldn’t understand why her mother was treating her like a criminal in front of the servants. 

 

“Mother!”  

 

She called Madame Blanchette in a desperate voice, but in vain. As soon as she was thrown into the room, the door slammed shut right in front of her. After hearing the sound of the door being locked from outside, Tenesia opened her mouth in a daze.

 

‘I never thought she would lock me up.’  

 

It was an unexpected turn of events.