7 — With My Parents

After emphasizing to nearly every single noble and knight present that I was his wife, Mr, Fisalis finally seemed satisfied. But, boy oh boy, was I embarrassed. Once we’d gotten through basic introductions, we returned again to the table where the other knights from the special ops division were sitting. And maybe this was to be expected from people who had just won a war, but Mr. Fisalis and Corydalis were then immediately whisked away somewhere.

Although the commander and lieutenant commander were now absent, knights and nobles continued to stream nonstop over to where the remaining division members were.

Everyone’s involved in a lively conversation, but I don’t understand a thing they’re talking about. Wehhh, I’m really out of my league here. I’ll only be an annoyance if I try to join in, I thought as I nonchalantly moved towards my usual position at parties—the wall—drink in hand. It was then that some hawk-eyed noble spotted me.

“I say, Duchess Fisalis! May I have this dance?”

Seriously? I guess when Mr. Fisalis showed me around the place earlier, it was less to introduce me to everyone and more like when they used to parade criminals around town before their punishment. And this would be the punishment part. That, or this man was sent by Satan, because asking me to dance now of all times could only be the work of pure evil.

Whoopsie. I regressed back to my old self for a minute there. But this guy has no way of knowing what I was just thinking. I can’t drop my socializing face in a place like this! Dahlia would have my hide if I did!

Remembering her usual severe scrutiny, I was able to focus myself and, once I handed off my plate and glass to a nearby servant, said, “It would be my pleasure!” with a smile, taking the man’s outstretched hand.

I’m going to try my best! Dahlia, Rohtas! Please praise me afterwards!

I clenched my fist as I pictured Dahlia and Rohtas’ faces as I walked under the shimmering light of a chandelier.

...Wait, what the heck am I doing? Once this one song is over, some other guy is bound to ask me to dance. Heck... There might not actually be an end in sight.

And so, while Mr. Fisalis was pulled away to talk and socialize, I was pulled away to dance.

Why did it have to turn out like this?

“I think I’m about done with dancing,” I said with a sigh. “I gave it my all, but I can’t take anymore.” At long last, I saw the chance to excuse myself, and you better believe that I took it.

I’m bushed... But I can’t let it show on my face. Only a little bit farther until I reach my sanctuary, the wall. Don’t give up!

Intending to find an inconspicuous spot to relax, I scanned the venue for the perfect spot.

Found one!

It was quiet and out of the way—in other words, perfect for me... not to mention my parents were also sitting there.

My parents have been grabbing up the best spots for themselves lately, haven’t they?

On that note, it was the first time I had seen them all day.

I wonder where they were hiding during the ceremony. I’ve been so busy since I got here that I haven’t had the time to really look around for them. They were probably somewhere hard for me to see, like way in the back.

My parents were hiding, ahem, sitting near a wall behind where the Fisalises were seated. Their disinterest in socializing hadn’t changed one bit! I discreetly slipped over to their table.

“I should have known you’d be hiding somewhere like this, Father, Mother. I was just now wondering if I’d ever find you.”

“Ah, Viola. These are wonderful seats! Hardly anyone comes this way! I’m sure Lobata and Angulata are intercepting them for us,” my dearly missed father nonchalantly replied.

Carefree as ever, aren’t you, Father? Using my in-laws as an anti-socializing barricade.

“It is a very nice spot, isn’t it? Nicely tucked away back here. What did you come over here for, anyway, Vi?” Mother inquired, ignoring Father.

“Mr. Fisalis was pulled away to socialize, so I thought I’d sit with you two.”

“Oh, I see. It must have been a lot for you, making your rounds and then dancing earlier. Tee hee.” Mother gave me a knowing little grin.

So you thought that it wasn’t your problem and didn’t do anything about it! That much is plain as day!

“It’s not funny, Mother! He dragged me around to meet so many people that I thought my face was going to cramp from smiling. And then to top it all off, just when I thought I was finally free, someone asked me to dance. I’m completely wiped out,” I complained as I plopped down next to her.

“I’m sure you are, dear,” she responded, still snickering.

“Now that you’re here, how long has it been since we’ve last seen you? When was it... I suppose the last time was when you were feeling sad and came home? You haven’t made any more careless mistakes since then, have you?”

By that, she must mean the incident with the expensive vase. Dang it, Mother, I had completely forgotten about that and you had to go and remind me. Don’t reopen old wounds, I beg you.

I see you still haven’t learned to forgive and forget, Mother. This is our first time talking since I came home that time, and that’s what you decide to bring up?

“No! Don’t make me remember thaaaat...” It still hurts a little to think about, so please just stop bringing it up, Mother.

“Glad to hear.” She smiled at me, but her smile didn’t seem to come naturally.

You knew what you were saying! So then not only did you reopen an old wound, you sprinkled salt in it!

“I haven’t touched a single pricey decoration since then! ...You could also say that the situation at the manor has changed to the point where that wouldn’t even be possible.”

“Your husband’s parents are at the palace fairly often now, aren’t they?” Father asked me in a low voice.

Oh, right, my in-laws are sitting right in front of us, even if they are a little ways away, so it would be awkward if they overheard us. We all lowered our volume.

“Yes. They were being called to war councils almost daily. They’ve been away from home so much I’m sure they’re exhausted,” I said with a little shrug.

“But they’ve been treating you well, right?”

“Yes, very.” I daresay they like me more than their actual son— they give me presents so pricey they make my hands shake. It really only drives home for me that I’m the only one who’s not used to that sort of thing.

“That makes us very happy. Relieved, really. At first I worried about how things would turn out for you.”

“What do you mean?” I cocked my head, unsure of what my mother was implying.

“The duke, Cercis, was well known for keeping a mistress. Despite the rumors and hearsay, however, I would not have turned down a marriage offer from his family. When you objected, though, I figured that was that and planned to tell the duke that you refused... so I was very surprised when you changed your mind. I was tormented, somewhat, with guilt because my precious daughter was forced to bear a marriage proposal from a man with such a reputation,” Father explained.

Oh, so they knew this whole time that he had a lover.

“We’re delighted that our fears were unfounded. I can’t express how grateful I am to Cercis for shouldering our debt, repairing the house, and all the other things he’s done to help us,” Mother followed up.

“I-I agree.” Looks like even though they know about him having a mistress, my parents don’t know about the contract, so I had better just smile, nod, and play along. As far as the money goes, that was in the contract. It was basically a down payment, actually, but he gave it to my parents under the guise of betrothal money.

“I heard that even the mistress we were worried about was sent away at some point. Have you been happy at the duke’s manor, Viola?” Mother asked.

When did Mother and Father’s expressions turn so serious? And why so suddenly?

“Huh?” I blinked repeatedly in confusion, unable to keep up with where my parents were taking the conversation.

“We never asked about your taste in men, did we? Granted, that Duke Fisalis certainly is handsome and boasts both status and fortune, so I wouldn’t complain, myself” Mother said with a nod.

Huh? They were worried about my taste in men!? Not the fact that I might be unhappily married to a guy with a mistress!? It’s just like my parents to think like that... It’s impressive in a weird way.

My tastes aside, Mr. Fisalis is certainly a fine specimen. He’s tall and slim, but not scrawny, just lean and toned. His looks are attractive in a way that everyone admires, man or woman, young or old; he’s high ranking in the military, and moreover, rich and powerful even by nobility’s standards. Am I leaving anything out?

“Y-Yes, for the most part. But this is a marriage of convenience, right? So I thought our preferences didn’t matter as much as what we stood to gain,” I replied, flustered for a reason I couldn’t explain.

Yeah, and there were definitely a lot of ulterior motives involved! In fact, only ulterior motives. I didn’t care if Mr. Fisalis had a girlfriend, so long as he got rid of my family’s debt. But I still don’t think I want my parents to know about the whole “show wife contract” thing. I’m personally a-okay with contracts, mistresses, and being nothing more than a side woman if it helps my family, but if my parents found that out, I’m positive they’d be upset!

Mother wiped the serious look from her face, though, and said with a smug smile, “But seeing you two today— Or rather, seeing the duke, was very reassuring! He really loves you, Viola!” She motioned with her head as if pointing, and when I looked to where she was indicating, there were Mr. Fisalis and Corydalis. It went without saying for Mr. Fisalis, but Corydalis was also such a stunningly handsome man that seeing the two of them standing together was almost otherworldly.

Unsurprisingly, the other young ladies here wouldn’t let such an opportunity pass them by, even if it is just two cool men standing around. The two of them are so surrounded by social butterflies, that it’s like... real butterflies swarming two flowers in a field.

As I was watching Mr. Fisalis, thinking about how popular he was with women, I noticed that his usual gentle smile had vanished and he appeared to be in a terrible mood now. He was frowning, even.

It’s rare to see him look so sour. And he was in a good mood just a few minutes ago, too! Not to mention, Corydalis’ smile looks pretty strained. Don’t they like the attention from all the beautiful ladies around them?

“I see the duke is still popular with women,” Mother commented, still smiling.

I’m just astonished by the sheer number of women flocking to the two of them, completely uncaring of their obvious discomfort. I guess they’re not taking “no” for an answer, these ladies. Despite the fact that Mr. Fisalis, at least, is a married man. I’m amazed they’d even bother, knowing that! But what is Mother trying to tell me by pointing that out?

When I looked at her, my confusion clear as day on my face, she just chuckled and said with a smirk, “He never looked so obviously displeased before when women mobbed him. He was very skilled at flattery, as I recall.”

Don’t look at me while you’re making that face, Mother. Surly as Mr. Fisalis was, however, seeing him surrounded by all those women actually makes me a little annoyed. Fine, then. I calmly turned my gaze elsewhere.

You stop staring at him, too, Mother!

“I’ve heard that he’s extremely good at his job, but he keeps dumping his responsibilities toward his territory onto his father and he’s absolutely clueless about what goes on in the manor,” I told her, sourly.

“Ah, sounds like a typical man, all right. You don’t know anything about keeping a house, either, do you, dear?” Mother said, shooting Father a glance.

“D-Do I not...?”

Father! I see you looking at the ground!

“You certainly don’t. You leave all the housework to Orchis and me.”

“...Yes, darling, you’re right,” Father relented, shrinking under Mother’s glare.

No one defies Mother.

“But Father is very responsible about managing our land, isn’t he?” I said, trying to support him.

“He is, I suppose. But he doesn’t do a thing when it comes to the actual house. An elite personage like the duke, though, has a lot of work for his public office, so perhaps he can’t juggle managing a private territory on top of that.”

“Okay, so maybe his hands are tied there, but men who can easily manage their jobs, their territories, and their homes are so amazing. They’re dependable and reliable.” Exactly—so I wonder why Mr. Fisalis is content with being ignorant.

“Don’t get hasty, Vi...” Father said with a strained look.

“I understand your frustration, Viola, but Cercis is still young. Sooner or later I’m sure he’ll catch on, and then he’ll be able to handle everything without a problem,” my mother said in Mr. Fisalis’ defense.

“I hope so.”

“I’m sure he will.”

As kind and gentle as Father is, he has no desire for money or status. Despite that, Mother still supported him even when it was difficult, so perhaps my life with Mr. Fisalis isn’t so bad.

When I turned to look where Mr. Fisalis had been standing moments before, only Corydalis was left, surrounded by women and (still? really?) smiling with difficulty. I looked around, wondering where Mr. Fisalis could have gone, but he was nowhere to be seen. Assuming he might have headed back to where the rest of the special ops members were sitting, I turned my head that way.

“Vi! I finally escaped the small talk! Sorry to have kept you waiting. Father Euphorbia, Mother Euphorbia, I’m sorry it’s been so long since I last spoke with you,” came Mr. Fisalis’ voice from above my head.

He was behind me this whole time!

After he and my parents had talked pleasantly for a while, he led me back to where the rest of the special ops knights were waiting. There, I once again had the exclusive attention of the Bombshell Trio and passed the rest of the event laughing at the subordinates’ antics. I think we all had a good time—Mr. Fisalis, the special ops members, and my parents included.

Perhaps it was because I was never alone that day that I didn’t have any problems or get in any arguments, and thanks to the buffet lunch, I avoided a public fancy food poisoning incident. I somehow made it through the ceremony to the luncheon.

Maybe it’s not so bad when an event is uneventful!