Chapter 46
Chapter 46. Different Dreams in the Same Bed (1)
"From the Granville Viscount family... a marriage proposal? For me?"
This wasn't the first time Serena had received a marriage proposal.
And it wouldn't be the last.
Serena had received marriage proposals from various families, easily dozens of times, from men whose faces she didn't even know.
So-called arranged marriages.
Don't think of it as too cold-hearted.
For noble families, marriage was the easiest card to expand the family's influence.
Any noble family with even a little reputation did this as a matter of course.
"Who is it?"
"A marriage with the third son of the Granville Viscount family. As you know, the Granville Viscount family is..."
"Yes, they're a technical noble family doing very well in Albion."
"Right, whether looking at the family or reputation, it's an offer too good for us."
As Father said, this proposal was different from other times.
Humans aren't hamsters.
Even with multiple wives, the number of children is limited, and thus the number of marriage chances is also set.
Therefore, arranged marriages generally involved coldly weighing scales like merchants.
But for even a third son, a Viscount family wanting to form relations with the Renoir Viscountcy...
Serena didn't understand.
"...Did that third son perhaps fall for me? When did we ever meet?"
"Our Serena is quite pretty, taking after her mother, but..."
Viscount Renoir tapped the Cola that was always on the dining table these days and continued.
"They seem to have been impressed by your collaboration with Y&P this time."
"Ah..."
"The Viscount family promised major investment as soon as the marriage is arranged. Our Renoir family's status will change greatly, and you'll be able to work in a better environment too."
Serena's father seemed quite tempted.
"Don't worry too much about his looks. When I asked around, they say he's a very gentle and sincere young nobleman. He has no desire for power and is indifferent to succession struggles... but isn't that rather good? Your ages are similar too... Ow! Honey! What's wrong?"
"Are you going to keep doing this? We agreed not to do this!"
"No, I'm just saying it's good conditions for Serena too."
"If you marry off your daughter just looking at conditions, is that a parent? That's a merchant! Did you meet me looking at conditions?"
"N-no! Absolutely not!"
Mother struck Father's back with loud smacks.
Then she firmly held Serena's hand and sent a gaze full of worry.
"Our daughter, this is a matter concerning your life, isn't it? Forget everything Dad said. Your heart is most important. Do you have someone in your heart?"
"Not particularly."
"Ahem, I said that, but Dad feels the same way. Serena, if you don't like it, I absolutely won't force you. But do know that these are really good conditions."
"This man, to the very end!"
"N-no! I'm not saying anything wrong, am I? Serena does so well even in our small workshop—how much would she spread her wings if she entered the Granville Viscount family? They promised to support in every way possible!"
"Mom, it's okay. I understand what you're both saying. I'll seriously consider the marriage proposal."
Serena stopped her parents.
How could she not know there was warm affection in it?
"Oh my, so mature. Our daughter has really grown up..."
"Come here, let me hold you after so long."
However, Serena, sandwiched between her two parents, desperately hid her unsettled feelings.
.
.
.
After Rex was expelled, Penelope, who had been staying at Serena's house, returned to the hotel's exclusive suite.
Because there was no longer a need to prepare for possible threats.
Serena visited The Richfield Hotel with a simple gift to meet Penelope.
"Hello. It feels like it's been really long."
"Right. Is it because we were stuck together every day for a while? Anyway, what brings you here? Coming without even contacting me."
It might be her imagination, but...
Penelope seemed slightly excited about Serena's unexpected visit.
Until Serena asked her question, that is.
"Marriage proposal? I got a lot in the past."
"A-as expected, right?"
Penelope showed an indifferent reaction as if sick of it as soon as marriage proposals were mentioned.
Well, Penelope was pretty enough to surprise even another woman.
Her personality was a bit scary, but unlike Serena, she was quite tall, and above all, as the second daughter of a prestigious family, marriage proposals must have poured down like a downpour.
So Penelope was perfect to discuss this matter with.
She was an 'adult'.
And a 'real noble' too.
"So what did you do?"
"What do you mean what. I rejected them all."
"Why?"
"...Just didn't like it."
"Ah."
Belatedly, Serena thought consulting with Penelope might be meaningless.
The Rosemore Count Family was on the 'selecting' side.
Unless it was a considerable family, even if Penelope accepted a proposal, the man would become a son-in-law living with the wife's family.
She was from a different world from Serena, who had to struggle by any means to grasp an opportunity.
"But why are you suddenly asking this?"
"I also received a marriage proposal from the Granville Viscount family this time."
"What?!"
While Penelope was startled, Serena continued sullenly.
"I'm not really inclined either... But it seems like an important opportunity for my family. As you know, we're first-generation nobility."
Viscountcy families were fundamentally weak-based.
Why else would they be called mayflies?
In this situation, forming relations with a Viscount family meant at least her younger brother could definitely receive a Viscountcy.
"I know it's immature to even consider. But..."
"Wait, time-out. Let me speak first."
"Yes?"
Penelope also knew their positions were different.
What she answered as casual small talk might have sounded insensitive from Serena's perspective.
So Penelope urgently called time-out.
"...Actually, my marriage proposals. I didn't reject them for the reason you're thinking."
"What? Then?"
"They just fell through. The remaining ones were all my father's age. I wondered if I was the type for older men."
Listening carefully, Serena recalled.
Considering Jurgen's abilities and words and actions, he was quite old.
Penelope was in a relationship with such a Jurgen.
"...Th-that might be right?"
"Hey."
"Sorry..."
Penelope clicked her tongue.
"Anyway, that's a story from several years ago. No one's interested in me these days."
"Why is that?"
"Coming as a son-in-law means borrowing the Rosemore nameplate, but I'm not attractive without real power. Conversely, if it's a family where I have to marry in, they wouldn't want a flawed woman as a daughter-in-law."
Showing her weakness.
Clumsily showing 'I'm not that different from you either'.
This was Penelope's empathetic consolation method, being quite generous, but...
It had no real effect on Serena.
'...Isn't that just because Penelope is scary?'
Because even if Serena were a man, becoming Penelope's husband—who buries mafia bosses without a sound—would be frightening.
"Then... If Penelope were in my position, what would you do?"
"Why are you asking me? It's a turning point in your life—you should decide."
"That's obvious, but that's difficult..."
Actually, she had been hoping inwardly.
"I'd prefer if you rejected the engagement and stayed. You're an important collaborator for Y&P Trading Company."
For this answer from Penelope.
During her academy days in the capital Albion, she had only bad memories.
Going back to that human poisonous mushroom colony with only a glamorous exterior.
She didn't want to part from her family so abruptly either.
Moreover, marriage with a man whose face she didn't even know—even if she had steeled herself inwardly, her body's energy drained out.
'You're not hurt, are you?'
'...I-I'm glad you came back, Serena.'
The day Serena returned from being kidnapped.
Until hearing it was 'actually not kidnapping but running away', Penelope seemed to genuinely worry and hugged Serena tightly.
At least that's how Serena remembered it.
The time spent with her since then too... honestly wasn't entirely unpleasant.
Enough to think 'Is this what a friend is?'
If so.
Perhaps Penelope and Serena were friends?
If Penelope was a friend.
If Penelope had enough ability to save Serena...
Wouldn't she make a proposal to stop this marriage and hold onto Serena?
Weren't Jurgen and Penelope the two who had such ability?
The time that had stretched like eternity ended.
"Serena, you've really done well until now."
Penelope's lips moved again.
"But what can we do. A family matter is involved. You really worked hard."
It was a clean resignation, as if cutting with a sharp blade.
"I'll compensate you for what you've done so far."
The story after that didn't really enter Serena's ears.
***
Jurgen heard about Serena's marriage proposal from Penelope.
It wasn't particularly surprising news.
Wasn't Miss Serena about the age when marriage proposals would start coming and going?
However, he knew Penelope and Serena had been close recently.
Yet Penelope showed no sign of dissuading Serena from marriage.
"Is that alright?"
"What is."
"If you say it like that, Miss Serena will leave. Didn't you two finally become close?"
"Me? With Serena?"
Penelope fell into thought with a sulky expression.
Serena's departure was of course regrettable.
But from Y&P's perspective, it wasn't quite at the level of 'bone-achingly painful'.
Even if Serena was an excellent mechanical engineer and showing promising growth, it was hard to say she was an irreplaceable talent.
Nevertheless, the reason parting with Serena felt bitter was...
"We did get closer recently."
Probably because they had grown attached as Jurgen said.
Serena, who was a coward and extremely mindful of people, yet occasionally picked absurdly groundless fights.
Watching her, she had even thought 'Is this what having a close friend feels like?'
"If you really regret it, why didn't you hold onto her?"
"What, are you sad Serena is getting married?"
"I am sad."
Penelope swallowed empty air with her mouth slightly open.
"Wh-why are you sad?"
"Why ask for a reason? We've gotten closer, and Miss Serena seems to find this marriage distasteful."
"Ah, if that's the reason..."
Either way, Penelope also didn't want Serena to leave.
Serena also wasn't pleased with this marriage.
Thinking one-dimensionally, they just needed to hold onto Serena.
"But we don't have the power of the Granville Viscount family."
"Hmm..."
"Serena has ambitions. She's in a position to consider her family's welfare. How could I ask her to stay just for my own desire?"
Jurgen naturally couldn't push Serena as much as the Granville Viscount family, and neither could Penelope.
At that point, asking her not to go would only be holding her back.
"Is Miss Serena's ambition something important enough to achieve through an arranged marriage?"
"I don't know that either."
Penelope had already organized her feelings.
"I'll respect Serena's choice. So you don't try to persuade Serena either. She's got soft ears and is a bit wishy-washy... What? Where are you going?"
Having heard that far, Jurgen stood up.
"I'm going to meet Miss Serena."
"You heard me, right? If it's half-hearted sympathy, don't bother."
Penelope's expression became subtle.
Jurgen might think differently, but...
This arranged marriage of Serena's wasn't particularly tragic.
Rather, if they lined up Viscountcy young masters and ladies and made the same proposal, nine out of ten would accept without any worry—such good conditions.
"I have no intention to persuade half-heartedly or sympathize. But wouldn't it be better to hear from the person herself?"
But she also knew why Jurgen was acting like that.
Probably to the commoner Jurgen, it would look different.
Love marriages are one-sided there, and from his perspective, it might look like Serena is being sold off for the family.
Jurgen had an oddly good-hearted side, so he might want to help Serena.
Just like he readily extended his hand to Penelope.
"Well, fine. I won't stop you."
"I might be a bit late. Miss Penelope, go back and rest first."
"Alright."
Watching Jurgen's retreating figure heading toward the Renoir mansion, Penelope sighed.
"If only I had a little more..."
Power.
If she could have a voice in the family.
She could have held onto Serena.
At the powerlessness she felt after a long time, Penelope sighed deeply once more.