MHYFMAMD Ch 38

“Does the young master usually stay at the  Count Olbeira’s estate?”

 

“Something like that. At first, I only left him there when I was away for extended periods. But then, Countess suggested that it would be helpful for his heir training if he stayed there regularly.”

 

“Is he already starting ‘heir training’?”

 

“Five years old isn’t too early. In fact, some people even start younger.”

 

Tenesia suddenly wondered if this man, Dietrich, had undergone similar heir training from a young age. Had he received it even when he was smaller than Arden, her own child?

 

Perhaps the cold expression he often wore had been formed back then. The thought crossed her mind.

 

“Or perhaps it’s just fatigue from the carriage ride.”

 

“He’s just a child.”

 

Tenesia nodded but couldn’t help but look in the direction Arden had gone. It hadn’t even been a minute since he left, but she already missed him.

 

Although she would see him again at dinner, even the brief time apart felt too long to bear.

 

What had he learned in her absence? What had he seen? To bridge the gap of five years, she felt like it was not enough even if she would hear everyday.

 

May time pass quickly. She muttered quietly.

 

And after what felt like an eternity, the much-anticipated meal time arrived.

 

She didn’t even know how she managed to wait. The maid’s call made her jump up from her seat.

 

She had dressed in her finest clothes, yet she found herself checking her appearance multiple times. Her nervous desire to make a good impression kept causing her to fidget.

 

Still, her excitement was impossible to contain. She hurried to the dining room and flung the door open.

 

“……?”

 

For a brief moment, Tenesia wondered if she had entered the wrong room. She almost turned back, unsure if she had made a mistake.

 

It had been so long since the father and son  last saw each other, and she had expected them to be enjoying a warm conversation. 

 

However, the cold atmosphere in the dining room, as if a blizzard were about to blow in, stopped her in her tracks. Despite seeing her, neither of them said a word.

 

And the cold silence lasted all the way through the meal.

 

The flavorful food. The sweet spices that teased her nose. None of it could warm the desolate atmosphere.

 

Instead, the clinking of metals against the plates only amplified the discomfort. After swallowing a few bites of the food that just wouldn’t go down, Tenesia stopped eating.

 

Arden, too, seemed uncomfortable in the situation, his hand moving slowly as he handled his fork.

 

“By the way, young master, did you hear about this?”

 

Unable to endure the silence any longer, Tenesia decided to break the ice. She was taken aback when Arden blinked, clearly surprised.

 

“Huh? What do you mean…?”

 

“There’s going to be our wedding ceremony in a month. If you’d like, we’d love for you to take part in it.”

 

“How… would I do that?”

 

“Well, you could be a flower girl in front, or even present the rings to us during the ceremony. It would look lovely.”

 

She could already imagine how adorable Arden would look in a white suit, holding a flower basket. A smile involuntarily spread across her face.

 

“No.”

 

But her daydreams were quickly shattered.

 

“This is a significant event with important guests. There can be no room for mistakes in such a solemn occasion. Arden, do you think you can manage without making a mistake?”

 

“……”

 

Arden’s expression, which had almost softened, disappeared under Dietrich’s reprimand. His face stiffened again, his features frozen in coldness.

 

“If you don’t try, how will you know?” Tenesia tried to comfort him, though her words were weak. “It’s okay if the flower girl makes a mistake; there won’t be any scolding.”

 

But the mood didn’t improve.

 

“I…”

 

Arden seemed about to speak but quickly shut his lips, glancing nervously at Dietrich. His hesitant hand clutched the hem of his clothes tightly.

 

“I’m full… I don’t want to eat anything else.”

 

Before Tenesia could stop him, Arden stood up, gave a small bow, and left the room. Tenesia, watching his retreating figure with a sad expression, turned toward Dietrich, her voice tinged with reproach.

 

“What was that all about?”

 

“What are you talking about?”

 

“You shut Arden down before he could even speak.”

 

“It wasn’t wrong, was it?”

 

“You don’t know if it would have gone wrong unless he tried. Stopping him before he even got a chance isn’t right.”

 

“I clearly said that I would handle his education myself.”

 

“This isn’t education. This is our wedding. It’s not just Margrave’s wedding.”

 

“Right. It’s a mutual promise.”

 

Dietrich lowered his voice so no one else could overhear.

 

“Don’t forget, this wedding is to make sure there will be no more marriage talks.”

 

He looked at Tenesia, his gaze cold and calculating, as if appraising her usefulness.

 

“It’s a ceremony with the Emperor’s close aides attending. Do you really want to add any unpredictable elements to it?”

 

“Exactly because of that, I believe it’s even more important that Arden agrees to participate. We should include him in the ceremony, to make it feel natural.”

 

Tenesia sighed, her voice soft but firm.

 

“After all, we are all family. Isn’t that the most natural way to look?”