For the first time, the Marquis and his wife, along with Gerard, gathered for dinner in the dining room of the Blanchett residence.
Gerard was confused by the sudden family dinner. What kind of problem would they, who haven't eaten together even once, have with him?
Gerard gazed at the seafood on the table in front of him. No affectionate words were exchanged among them. He didn't like seafood, but he wondered if it would even manage to go down his throat in this suffocating atmosphere.
"...Your mother suggested something reasonable for the first time in a while, so I asked you to eat with us to talk about it."
Wiping his mouth with a napkin, Daniel Blanchett explained.
'Your mother.'
That was how Daniel Blanchett called Helena Blanchett, even though Helena had never acted properly as Gerard's mother.
"For the first time in a while?"
Helena responded sharply.
"What do you mean?"
Gerard tried to break the ice between them. He didn't care whether his parents fought or not, but he didn't want to watch it with his own eyes.
"Well, it's about this. We think you should get engaged."
Helena immediately changed her tone and spoke softly. She smiled, pushing a plate of red mullet to Gerard.
"Engaged...? Me?"
Gerard asked, looking into the eyes of the dead fish with distaste.
"Yes, you're older now, and I think you should have a spouse to inherit the Marquis title."
Helena had become more interested in Gerard's business recently. Perhaps, she realized her love for her son belatedly. Or, more likely, she wanted to look good to her son, whom she would need in her old age.
The reason wasn't clear, but Gerard didn't mind it much. Nothing changed for him.
Gerard used his fork to peel back the fish's scales and brought it to his mouth. The smell of fish was disgusting to him. His nose was more sensitive than others.
"So, your mother is picking between a few good young ladies. I'm also going to pick out some ladies from good families, so why don't you meet them?"
Helena was too ignorant of Gerard. She didn't know her son didn't like seafood, nor whether he had someone he liked.
"You don't have to."
"What?"
"I already have a woman in mind I want to marry."
"What? Who? ...No way."
Even so, Helena frowned as if she was uncertain about the rumors she heard related to Gerard.
"Do you mean Leila?"
"Yes, I'm going to marry Leila Stein."
"Of course, Leila is a very good choice, but her family and the fact that she's good at swordsmanship..."
It was when Helena tried to persuade Gerard by pointing out Leila's flaws.
"Ha, that's only possible if you are able to win over Leila Stein."
Daniel blatantly sneered at his son.
"Rumor has it that she's dating Archduke Anata these days."
"..."
"Tsk, you couldn't even win a girl's heart, so she will be taken away by another man soon."
Daniel clicked his tongue. Of course, to Daniel, Leila was a woman who fell short of his standards. However, when a huge gold mine was discovered in Viscount Stein's territory, he reconsidered.
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Regrets Of A Second Male Lead
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