Episode 71

In front of Archibald’s room, Marcus paced about like a dog in need of relieving itself. Gloria nagged at him, but even she was no match for the towering man blocking the doorway. In the end, Gloria grumbled her way back to the drawing room. After all, for all her complaints, the manor still wasn’t fully ready to receive guests.

At last, when Elouise emerged from Archibald’s room, Marcus swiftly wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

“Are you all right, Elouise? Are you hurt anywhere?”

His tone, as if she had returned from some perilous ordeal, left Archibald speechless as he stood just inside the open door, listening.

Marcus had expected Archibald to call him in, but instead, Elouise smiled faintly and took his hand.

“Father says he’s busy.”

Marcus immediately sensed the gesture was Archibald’s way of showing consideration. He didn’t know what the two of them had discussed, but the mood seemed promising. He called out toward the open room:

“Thank you, sir!”

“Then be off with you already!”

The response that came back was astoundingly harsh for a simple expression of gratitude. Yet neither Elouise nor Marcus was surprised. After a brief pause, Marcus turned to her and asked,

“It seems your room isn’t quite ready yet. Would you care to have a look around the garden in the meantime?”

“Oh! Is there a garden?”

The Hanger estate, lacking a lady of the house to tend it, had been designed for practicality rather than elegance. Still, Marcus smiled gently and informed her of the estate's greenhouse. It was where the family cultivated exotic plants imported from abroad, and while modest in size, it was worth a look.

The two of them strolled leisurely through the Hanger estate. Being one of the wealthiest families in the kingdom, the interior of the manor was breathtaking. As Elouise took in her surroundings, overwhelmed, she murmured absentmindedly,

“I used to think the diamond you gave me was the most intimidating thing in the world…”

She said this while admiring the gilded walls and the glimmering crystal chandeliers. Marcus chuckled.

“But still, you shine the brightest. You’re the most beautiful thing of all.”

“Oh, please!”

Elouise gave him a playful slap on the back.

Even in their idle chatter, laughter flowed without end. The greenhouse was small, and it didn’t take long to explore. Inside, Elouise recounted the conversation she had had with Archibald, which moved Marcus so deeply he nearly shed tears. He even vowed to send his notoriously stern aunt—the one who always called him a devil’s spawn—a box of devilishly sweet chocolates.

As they exited the greenhouse, Marcus asked, “Your room should be ready by now, shouldn’t it?” But Elouise gently took hold of his arm. Marcus could tell—she had something she wanted to say. Meeting her gaze, he smiled warmly.

“There’s something, Marcus.”

Elouise looked at the man before her. It was a beautiful sight: the early summer sunlight, the green and golden leaves glistening beneath it, the grand and ornate mansion, and the lawn stretching out before them. The breeze lightly tickled her nose, and the air was pleasantly warm. She thought to herself that now was the right moment to say what she had long intended.

“I’ve always believed I was rather fortunate.”

“Oh, but that's me—meeting you made me the luckiest man alive!”

At his playful retort, Elouise smiled and pressed a finger to his lips. Marcus instantly fell silent. She reached out and took his hands in hers. Thump, thump—his heart pounded, wondering what she would say.

“I wasn’t rich, but I was of minor nobility, and reasonably pretty. I wasn’t dim-witted, so I could read and write in Toulous. I was born with a graceful gait, like a proper lady. My temperament wasn’t gloomy, and though not the most meticulous, I was diligent.”

“…”

“I was quick-witted, a well-known governess in Maine. I had a home to live in, and even without marrying, I ended up with a very clever and beautiful daughter. Then, after losing my bag, I somehow acquired a diamond worth thousands of times more!”

At that final remark, Marcus couldn’t help but burst out laughing. Elouise’s tone was cheerful and serene.

As Marcus laughed, she leaned in, glanced around, and kissed his cheek. He longed to pull her into an embrace, but he could tell she wasn’t finished speaking, so he remained still. After parting from his cheek, she continued.

“Marcus, whenever I see you, I think of the words I always repeated to myself during the hardest moments of my life—‘I am fortunate.’”

“…Elouise. Wait—”

And at last, Marcus realized what it was she was trying to say. As he hurried to stop her, Elouise spoke:

“Will you become my family?”

Marcus opened his mouth. There was so much he wanted to say, all of it threatening to burst out at once, and because of that, nothing came out at all. Elouise gently stroked his cheek and smiled faintly.

“I think I’d be happy just having you by my side—even more than with any so-called fortune I can’t even see anymore.”

“El—”

“Even without reminding myself, I feel I’d be happy every single moment…”

She hadn’t even finished speaking when Marcus pulled her into his arms. Drawn close so suddenly, Elouise let out a soft laugh in his embrace. Overwhelmed, Marcus hugged her even more tightly.

“You’re too much, Elouise.”

She murmured something, but it was muffled in his chest, and he couldn’t make it out.

It didn’t matter. A wicked woman who stole the joy of a proper proposal deserved to be held until she couldn’t breathe!

Not knowing what else to say, he simply repeated, “You’re too much.” Only after Elouise pounded against his chest did he let her go. But as he looked down at her tousled hair, she seemed so endearing that he couldn't help but lean in and kiss her. After a long, lingering kiss, he whispered:

“I love you.”

“…”

“I love you, Elouise.”

Her blue eyes lit up as she whispered back,

“I love you too, Marcus.”

“Elouise…”

“And I’ll still love you 120 days from now!”

“…El!”

At her teasing addition, Marcus widened his eyes in mock indignation. Elouise giggled and stood on her toes to plant another kiss on his cheek.

Marcus caught her just as she tried to pull away and kissed her deeply. For a very, very long time.

---

The wedding of the Hanger family began with a commotion.

Rumor had it that the infamous Lady Hanger had recovered from her coughing illness and returned, and with news spreading that Marcus Hanger was holding another wedding in the capital, even those bedridden rose to their feet.

“No way—is that true?”

It was everyone’s common reaction.

No one, however, was more intrigued than the king himself. He was so eager to see Marcus Hanger that he moved forward the international exposition meeting, originally scheduled two days later. Marcus was summoned before the king well before the meeting even began. The queen, dressed in intrigue, sat beside him.

“So, Marcus. Is it true your bride is finally over her coughing illness?”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

The king’s tone was as gentle as if he were speaking to a grandson. And indeed, Marcus was of that generation to him—though closer to the sort of grandson who causes endless headaches.

“My goodness! Then why didn’t you bring her with you today?”

“Oh, come now—today we’re here to discuss important matters of state. How could I possibly bring my future wife along?”

The king twisted his beard with a sly grin.

“Well, she is the woman endorsed in your family's will, is she not? Archibald! When did your son become so impeccably polite?”

Archibald, seated nearby, cast a sideways glance at Marcus. “This is exactly why I told you Claire was a bad idea, you fool.” Ever since Marcus charmed the princess consort’s cousin, the king had treated him as a rogue—nothing new there. But Marcus grinned breezily and replied:

“I’ll introduce her soon. But there’s something even more pressing at the moment.”

“Oh? And what’s that?”

“A wedding gift, if you please.”

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