"I met Ren, today" I said, my voice cutting through the ambient noise of the ball, full of dance, Music and Orchestra.
Did I just see some micro-expression change on the Duke's face ? Unexpected, If i must say.
The Lore said that the Duke did not care about her but, I guess You can't trust lore when you've been transmigrated, huh....
"...Did you ? That's Wonderful. It should be your first meeting with her, isn't it?" Aunt Said with a hint of intrigue.
"Yes, and it's about that. About Rem." I looked at the Grand Duke, at the corner of my sight, to find any other reaction on him. Unfortunately, I couldn't. He's sitting there quite like a stone statue.
I know that no parent wants to hear about parenting from another kid, But...
How should I say it exactly ? Ugh... Fuck it! forget the subtle approach. I'm just going to kick the door down!
"How's her tutoring going ?" I asked, getting to the matter directly.
"It's going well," Gilda answered, though her brow knit in slight confusion. "We've appointed the Head Maid to oversee her etiquette and basic studies. The reports say the results are excellent."
That's the fucking problem! That Damn Maid!
But, I can't just strait-up accuse the head maid of another household, right ? Even as a prince, that would still be too much. But...
Hmm... She doesn't seem to know what the head maid really does behind the doors.
I didn't want to rely on the game lore much but...
Her not know about these details do align with the lore.
"I think you should look into it a bit," I said, my voice carefully leveled. I was trying my absolute best not to sound like a nosy neighborhood grandpa lecturing a young couple on how to raise their own child.
"I mean... the specifics. How the Head Maid teaches Ren. Her... methods."
She squinted her eyes a little. The same action was mirrored by the Duke himself, although subtly.
"I see." aunt said, her voice regaining its melodic, saintly warmth. "I will keep that in mind, Ty."
And then, just like that, the conversation shifted and the usual trivial talk went on.
That's it ? No follow-up? No question about why i asked for such ? Is this trust or negligence ? Isn't it awfully convenient! What about all the excuses I prepared?! are they just gonna go to waste! ugh... My precious excuses, precious time, precious brainpower, precious creativity...
And after a little more talks on trivial matters with my mother, they left.
Me and my mother stood there as we bid them farewell. Still wondering if she really will look into it.
"Don't worry, Ty" My Mother said in a low voice.
I looked up at her. Her gaze was fixed on the doorway where the Volks had disappeared.
"Since she said she will look into it, she will. No need to worry. She does not make fake promises to you. You should be aware of it."
I know that.
"...I hope so." I muttered.
After a short silence Which was filled with the distant, rhythmic swell of the orchestra, she asked.
"You seem rather worried about Ren ?"
"Perhaps, I am."
"Is that so ?"
"She is technically my cousin, isn't she? Should I not be worried ?"
That's an acceptable excuse, right ?
"Is that all ?" she asked, a small, knowing smile tugging at the corner of her lips.
What's going on in her head now ?
"did you hope for something else?" I asked, looking up at Mother. "something more to it ?"
"Perhaps," she replied, her eyes sparkling with a mischief that made my stomach drop "I thought I had finally found a potential daughter-in-law."
I almost choked, even though i wasn't eating anything. If I had been drinking water at that moment, I would have spat a fine mist into the air and created a literal rainbow under the chandeliers.
Seriously woman ?! why are all my mothers so hellbent on marrying me off ?! At least, Nick's mom had the decency to not said such things until he was twenty. The current me is not even Ten!
"She is my cousin." I said, trying to throw a bucket of cold logic onto her burning matchmaking plan.
"Not blood related," Mother countered effortlessly. "And this was your first-ever meeting. at-most she will be like your childhood family friend. And I have met her. She is a kind, polite and cute child. I won't be surprised if you do take a liking to her."
Can't Deny that. She really is a kind, polite and cute girl. even if she was currently a walking ball of trauma.
"Your mother seem to be set on finding a partner for you," Aqua's voice chimed in, dripping with amusement. "Should I start finding a partner for you as well ? A water spirit maybe ? or any other element that you're interested in ?"
[Shut up] I snapped telepathically.
"What? I thought you had a spirit fetish ?"
She is never going to let that go, is she?
"And do you want to know a secret?" Mother asked, leaning down slightly.
"What ?"
She giggled as she said, "your aunt was actually happy when she was found Ren. Do you know why ?"
The reason why she accepted Rem ? Don't tell me there's a reason behind it that is even deeper than the calculations I did ?
"why ?" I asked curiously
She looked toward aunt's distant, golden-haired figure across the hall. "So that, she could fulfil a certain promise she once made."
"A promise ? with you ?"
"Yes, Back when I was still not involved with your father, Gilda had made a promise that if the two of us have children of different genders, we would have you two get married."
What did she say ?
"What ?"
"Yep, it was her suggestion and i jokingly agreed." She raised her index finger with a smile and continued "But of course. The final decision is up to you kids."
My brain stalled. It stopped functioning momentarily.
Are you telling me, My aunty, a Royal Princess, a Grand Duchess accepted a girl, who is like the living proof, a representation of one of the biggest disrespect a married Noble woman can ever receive, Just so she could become in-laws with her best friend ?!
You can't be serious. It must've been a side reason and not the main one, right ? Right ?! Tell me I am right!
I mean, what about all my conspiracy theories ?!
My conspiracy theories! The moral leverage! The reputation boost! Were those all just side effects of a childhood pinky-promise? Was all my effort to analyze her actions for naught! Was i just overthinking and overanalyzing!
There's no way she accepted Ren to groom her as her niece-in-law, right ?
Ugh... As I said, women are complex creatures. And this just proves it.
"Don't think too much," Mother said, ruffling my hair as if she sensed my internal crisis. "You have your whole life ahead of you. You might even meet someone during your adventures." Mother said
I'm not worried about that. I will have plenty of time to think about all these romance stuff, even after I enter the senior course.
No, actually, that would be the ideal time. I would be a teenager by then, the best time to fall in love. Of course, if i find the right person before that, I am okay with that too.