Chapter 39: Kishin’s Proposal
After that, during the walk, Merran stayed silent, only moving her hands while lost in thought.
Had she finally realized that she wasn’t in a safe position either? Or was she simply thinking about something else?
Even while packing later, Merran didn’t bother making any remarks that would get under Classie’s skin, and Classie was able to finish the preparations for the trip without trouble.
And the next day. The day to finally depart for home had arrived.
Worried about motion sickness, Classie had a light breakfast with just some soup, two pieces of bread, and a salad, then went over the luggage one last time.
She put on a thick fur coat and came down the stairs, where Anna asked in a worried voice,
“Are you sure I don’t need to come with you?”
It was a question she had already heard at least ten times just that day.
“I told you, it’s fine. The schedule’s too tight, Anna. I don’t want you overworking yourself.”
Though Classie comforted Anna again and again, inside, she lamented how cruel time could be.
Anna, who had been working for the Kalashi family since before Classie was even born, used to be a strong and energetic woman.
She was still full of energy even now, but with age, one had to take care of their body.
“But Karen is going with you.”
Instead of saying, Karen’s more than twenty years younger than you, Classie leaned in and whispered into Anna’s ear,
“I don’t care about Karen. I only worry about you.”
“Oh goodness. You’re a grown lady and still such a mischievous child.”
Anna waved her hand at the nonsense but smiled brightly. Just then, Merran passed by Classie in a cute winter coat.
Wrapped up tightly with a scarf, earmuffs, and gloves, Karen followed behind.
“We’ll be back. Take care of the house. I’m counting on you, Anna.”
After one more hug, Classie climbed into the carriage.
* * *
Classie leaned her temple against the carriage window and recalled the thrill and relief she had felt on the day she moved to the capital.
Back then, she had thought that as long as she came to the capital, everything would work out and all her worries would be solved. But reality was just that—harshly real.
The troublesome Merran had followed her, continued to interfere with her life, and the one man Merran hadn’t managed to sabotage had been ruined by Classie herself with her loose tongue.
“Aunt, remember what you said yesterday?”
At that moment, Merran broke her silence and spoke to Classie..When Classie looked at her, Merran lowered her voice and asked,
“If Father isn’t looking into marriage prospects for me because he doesn’t want to pass on his title, then… even if the Grand Duke of Siwol wants me, would Father still not approve the marriage?”
Classie widened her eyes, having completely forgotten about that topic since yesterday. Merran had her hands clasped together and was nervously shaking her leg.
Seeing that, a sudden wave of regret washed over Classie.
‘Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything…’
It was true that her eldest brother-in-law loved his second wife, Alice, more than her older sister, but whether he had truly decided to cast Merran aside—Classie had no way of knowing.
After all, he still cared enough to send Merran a generous allowance every month.
“Don’t take what I said yesterday too seriously. It was just a worst-case scenario.”
“If you didn’t want me to dwell on it, you shouldn’t have brought it up in the first place. I’ve already heard it—how can I not think about it?”
“You were the one who said, ‘I’m Father’s heir, so he’ll definitely consider my marriage seriously,’ and that made me think. Contrary to your belief, your father hasn’t considered your marriage at all…”
This mouth. This stupid mouth. Classie scolded herself and cut off her words midway. But Merran already looked like she’d been hit twice.
Classie forced a smile and tried to soothe her.
“No, Merran. If you’re going to become a Grand Duchess, your father wouldn’t stop you. He’s your father. Like I said, what I said was just the worst possibility.”
“What if Alice stops him? She hates me. And Father listens to everything she says.”
It was right then, while the two of them were whispering quietly about Marquis Omel, that the carriage gave a slight shake and then came to a sudden stop.
Classie bumped heads with Merran and knocked on the partition to the driver’s seat.
“What’s going on?”
The coachman slid the panel aside and shouted,
“Lady! A city guard is blocking the road!”
‘Sir Kishin?’
At the mention of a city guard, Classie immediately thought of the man who had left her.
‘No, it won’t be Sir Kishin. We’ve already broken up.’
Still, even while convincing herself it wasn’t him, Classie’s hand reached for the carriage door on its own. But just before she could fully open it, Merran pushed it shut from the other side.
When Classie looked at her in confusion, Merran replied bluntly,
“Don’t go out, Aunt. Even if you don’t go, Karen will find out what’s happening.”
“You think it might be Sir Kishin.”
“There’s no way it’s Sir Kishin.”
“Still, just in case, I want to go see.”
“What kind of noble lady rushes out over something like this? Wait until Karen checks the situation and comes back.”
Without responding, Classie opened the door again, and Merran tried to stop her. The two of them struggled in the carriage, each pulling at one side of the door.
Luckily, Classie was in good shape that day and overpowered Merran.
“Aunt! You’re just going to walk out in the middle of our conversation?!”
Defeated, Merran turned her frustration into blame, but Classie stepped out of the carriage anyway.
But Kishin really was nearby. He was on horseback, standing in front of the lead carriage, talking to Karen.
However, Kishin didn’t look happy. He was frowning as he spoke, as if the conversation wasn’t going well. Classie, who had been about to run over in joy, froze in fear when she saw that.
‘Did he come here on official business? Is something wrong?’
Worried, she crept closer. As she neared, she began to hear Karen’s voice.
“How could I possibly lie to you, sir? Lady Classie stayed behind at the estate—she’s not here.”
“She wasn’t at the house.”
“Then perhaps she went out for a visit. She often leaves the house without notice. Lady Classie truly isn’t here.”
Just then, Kishin spotted Classie.
“Then who is that lady?”
When he asked, Karen turned around—and her eyes went wide with shock when she saw Classie. Flustered, she was speechless for a moment, then quickly stammered out,
“Please don’t misunderstand, my lady. I only said that because I thought you might get dragged into something unnecessary.”
Kishin muttered,
“Perjury?”
Karen turned even paler than usual. Classie could guess why Karen had lied—and it made her angry.
‘I’m not even surprised. Karen always sides with Merran.’
Karen always insisted, “I’m part of the Marquis Omel household. My duty is only to serve Lady Merran.”
And that’s exactly what she did—despite living and eating under the Kalashi household’s roof. Instead of scolding or defending her, Classie waved her hand as if to say leave.
If she scolded Karen, Merran would just get upset and take her side, and the last thing Classie wanted was a family argument in front of Kishin.
Karen glanced sideways at Kishin and quietly stepped back. As Classie approached, Kishin dismounted, bowed politely, and spoke.
“Let’s get married.”
“!”
Classie, who had been nervously wondering why he came, felt her soul leave her body in shock.
She forgot to even close her mouth as she stared blankly up at him. He had told her they should break up—now he shows up out of nowhere and proposes?
Kishin took out a small box from inside his coat, opened it, and held it out to her. Inside was a ring—simple in design but with a pure, flawless color that made it beautiful in its own right.
“Please marry me, Lady Classie.”
Classie stared dumbfounded, looking back and forth between Kishin and the ring, before asking,
“Are you serious?”
“Yes. I’ve been thinking about it nonstop for the past few days.”
“But you said it was too soon. You said you didn’t want a marriage made out of calculation.”
“Yes. That’s why I thought about it for days before coming here.”
The soul that had flown away returned, and Classie’s dazed heart began to bloom with a rosy hue at the unexpected turn of events.
She glanced back and forth between Kishin and the ring, biting her lower lip. But even though her heart was fluttering, her hand hesitated to reach for the ring.
Still, Kishin calmly held it out, waiting patiently for her answer. Classie’s hand twitched in the air, as if she was about to take it, then stopped as she asked,
“You won’t regret this?”
“Even if I do, it’s my choice.”
“You really won’t regret it? This might not be the kind of marriage you want.”
As Classie continued to hesitate, perhaps growing impatient, Kishin quietly closed the box and pulled it back.
Startled, Classie was about to ask for it again—but instead, he took the ring out of the box himself.
“Lady Classie, you can calculate and approach marriage your way. But I’ll do it my way—by marrying the person I love.”
“!”
Kishin gently pressed the ring to her fourth finger, then looked at her with steady, sincere eyes—as if asking if she would accept it.
* * *