Who would have thought that the show I put on yesterday would cause such an uproar.
The Marchioness Bronte and her son were so impressed that this news didn't have to remain incognito for long. By the next day, the entire capital knew — that the youngest daughter of the de Walte family couldn't have children.
For a noblewoman of the current time, this was tantamount to a death sentence.
After all, the main purpose for which girls from noble families were given in marriage was procreation. For aristocrats, it was extremely important to leave behind heirs, otherwise the family dynasty would simply be cut short.
A diagnosis like infertility was rare. But those girls who were diagnosed with it had a very hard time. Most of them either remained under their parents' care for life, or were immediately sent to a convent. Sometimes there were rare exceptions. For example, some compassionate aristocrat would agree and marry her.
But one way or another, a profitable marriage was now definitely not in the cards for me. Even being beautiful and with money, my reputation in the marriage market would inevitably be shaken. And, of course, my relatives were furious.
After I scared the Marchioness and my "fiancé" half to death at the joint dinner, Yufil didn't stop showering them with apologies. But what's done is done. In the end, the evening ended in a scandal, and they left.
"I can't believe you tried to pawn off a sick girl on us!" Madame fumed.
Left alone in the restaurant, I was about to continue the meal as if nothing had happened, but the guy forcefully grabbed me and led me outside. His eyes were blazing and red like a bull's.
"YOU...! What the hell are you doing?!"
I cleared my throat. He was shouting at me across the whole street.
Should I try to say something in my defense?
"Brother, I suddenly felt unwell... How could I suppress a natural urge?"
Hearing this, Yufil's anger scale only increased. It seemed he was trying with all his might to restrain himself from hitting me. Well, that's understandable.
The heir's brilliant plan to kick me out of the house had failed spectacularly.
"Don't joke with me!" the guy spat venom: "I've never seen you in such a state! What infertility?!"
"We haven't seen each other for a whole year," I eloquently reminded him, "How can you know how healthy I am? Besides, you and father weren't particularly interested in me before..."
"You...!"
"Brother," I lowered my gaze, "Should I feel guilty because I was born with poor health? Did I choose this myself?"
Yufil ground his teeth. In this situation, I had even managed to make him look guilty.
When an adult guy shouted publicly at a fragile girl, passersby involuntarily began to turn around. This somewhat dampened his ardor. After all, the family's reputation was above all. He exhaled noisily.
"We'll talk at home," Yufil said coldly, and his words sounded like a sentence.
I was prepared for the worst-case scenario. After all, a scandal with my father and brother didn't seem so terrible compared to what I had just avoided. I could endure a little.
After all, they wouldn't kick me out of the house, would they?
We returned to the residence in deathly silence. And then the most "fun" evening of my life awaited me. At one point, I even had to dodge tableware...
After listening to a ton of insults and indignation directed at me, everything gradually settled down. After all, the Duke's health wasn't made of iron, and he would have lost his voice if he continued shouting at me.
After drinking an impressive dose of sedative, Victor de Walte waved his hand in resignation, once again declaring what a "useless creature" I was. I wasn't sure how much they believed the story about the diagnosis, but it was too late to find out.
Rumors in high society spread at the speed of light.
Our "peaceful" family gathering ended closer to one in the morning. I went to sleep as if nothing had happened. I had a good dream.
And the next morning...
The Duke received several letters at once. It turned out that all those noble families with whom we had planned negotiations regarding marriage had withdrawn their offers.
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I couldn't believe I had managed to pull off my plan on the first try. It seems I'm truly a genius! Admiring my own ingenuity, I decided that my carefree life was now safe.
Just, though.
"Dress decently this evening," the Duke de Walte unexpectedly told me, "This time, I will accompany you to the meeting."
I, standing on the stairs, froze.
My favorite chocolate cupcakes were waiting for me in my room. But at that moment, I suddenly couldn't care less about them.
"What...?"
My lips went dry.
"The Seybel family. They are paying us a visit this evening."
"......"
It suddenly turned out that one crazy family still hadn't rejected the Duke's offer.
It was the House of Seybel, a little-known baronial family we had never dealt with before. Out of all the capital's nobles, they turned out to be the only ones not scared off by the rumors of my infertility.
Which in itself is very strange...
The youngest son of this family was chosen as my fiancé. A guy I had never heard of before.
Honestly, I was shocked that such a person even existed.
It seems this time I'll have to intervene personally again. At the thought that I would have to somehow ward them off, I was seized by internal anxiety. Especially since the Duke would also be present at this meeting...
In short, the evening promised to be difficult.
Just yesterday, Yufil and Victor de Walte wouldn't have even looked in this person's direction. Obviously, his candidacy would have seemed too unprofitable to them. A minor baron, whose wealth was half of ours. While those two intended to conquer at least half the empire with my marriage.
But all that was in the recent past. And now...
This poor nobleman had become their last ray of hope to get rid of me.
"I'm warning you, if they don't like you, you'll spend the rest of your days in a convent!" a few hours before the meeting, Yufil shook his finger at me meaningfully.
I nodded in agreement, although deep down I didn't really believe it. In any case, the Duke definitely wouldn't have the nerve to send me to such a place. And it's not at all about his kindness or affection for me. Rather, it's all tied to the family's reputation again.
"Well, I hope the food there is good."
"Oh, you little...!" my brother didn't finish his curse and fell silent. It seems he had already guessed that this kind of trick didn't work on me.
After a childhood spent with an alcoholic father, did this guy really think he could scare me with anything? In the end, Yufil demonstratively turned around and walked away. I followed him with my gaze.
In the depths of my consciousness, not the most pleasant thoughts lurked. What if it doesn't work out? Actually, I was very worried that this engagement might really take place. Given how fearless the Baron himself turned out to be.
Closer to six in the evening, the carriage indeed pulled up. From the first-floor window, I saw the Baron and his son heading towards our mansion. The Duke was too proud to meet them personally. So the butler did it.
I, meanwhile, was forced to stand in the hall and greet them along with Yufil.
Creak.
The front door swung open noisily. The butler escorted the guests into the hall.
My father immediately went to shake their hands.
"Lord Seybel, thank you for finding the time to visit us," he said politely.
"Your Grace, it is a great honor that you invited us."
I saw Baron Rowen Seybel for the first time, about whom I had never heard anything before. He was a stocky middle-aged man with red hair and a mustache. The buttons on his jacket barely held on over his belly. In general, a serious and... portly man.
Behind him stood his son. I cast a quick glance at the contender for the position of my husband. Quite ordinary facial features, and unlike his father, a lean build. Red hair and a smattering of freckles. At first glance, a very ordinary guy.
Compared to the previous arrogant heir, he seemed very decent and even a little shy.
"My son, Jeremy," the Baron introduced him first, "and this, I presume...?"
"Camilla. My youngest daughter."
In the end, we were introduced without even our participation. It's clear who is more interested in this marriage.
"Nice to meet you, Your Grace!" the guy was noticeably nervous, shaking the Duke's hand.
"Ahem... Likewise," the Duke accepted his nervousness as a given, showing no particular interest.
After awkwardly shuffling in the living room, we finally proceeded to the dining hall, where we seated ourselves at a long table. Dishes were served. My brother silently threatened me: "If you dare pull anything again, you'll die right at this table!" Okay, I wasn't planning to.
As befits previously unfamiliar nobles, the heads of families began the conversation with an abstract topic, like discussing politics, art, and economics. And then smoothly transitioned to the topic of our possible engagement.
Since the decision about the marriage depended entirely on our parents, we didn't participate in this discussion at all. Why did they even make us come here? If your children's opinion doesn't matter anyway, you could have just arranged everything in private.
Such was my internal indignation.
Occasionally, Jeremy and I exchanged embarrassed glances. More precisely, I caught him looking at me. I got the impression that the guy wasn't thrilled about what was happening, just like me.
And, to my horror, so far everything was going smoothly.
I was afraid this deal might actually go through. And what would I do then? Father, I don't want to get married!
The same trick a second time, most likely, wouldn't work. Moreover, Yufil was still watching me closely. I definitely needed to come up with another way to ruin this evening.
Finally, after a lengthy brainstorming session, an idea came to me.
"Excuse me..." I suddenly stood up in the middle of the meal and cleared my throat: "May I go to the restroom?"
My sudden announcement confused everyone present. Of course, the Duke gave me permission. Although, I thought, even if I didn't come back at all, he wouldn't pay much attention.
I bowed to the guests and quickly left.
So, my plan was to faint in the restroom. I intended to fall into a lengthy coma until my father rescinded his decision regarding the marriage.
Well, what else was there to do? At least then, definitely no one would want to bother with me.
While I'm bedridden, the Duke won't be able to marry me off against my will. After all, I still had to say "yes" at the altar.
I ran into the restroom and quickly planned my next actions. Figuring out exactly where I would "pass out," I intended to leave the door slightly ajar. The first random maid to enter would find my body.
Of course, this would immediately be followed by screams and panic. And then everything would go according to my plan.
With complete confidence, I was about to immediately carry out my plan.
Only...
Suddenly, the door swung open prematurely, and it wasn't a servant at all on the threshold. I was surprised.
"Sorry... But you know what Wi-Fi is, right?"