My Engagement Got Broken, But I Don’t Remember Getting Engaged in the First Place - Chapter 13

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That day, Elias and Allan were also eating at the restaurant.

Since his engagement with Nora Kranz was cancelled, they often dropped by the restaurant to eat and watch Nora’s performance.

Even though he’s always had an inferiority complex, because of everything that happened, he no longer felt jealous of Elias. Perhaps it was because he had come to understand and accept himself a little bit. And he realized that Elias wasn’t as perfect as he thought he was.

Elias had such tough luck in this whole ordeal and Allan couldn’t help but chuckle. Even though Elias could do a lot of things, he had such tough luck and wrong timing. Thinking so, he couldn’t help but feel sympathy towards him.

As a figure suddenly approached, Elias recognized it immediately and smiled as he waved his hands. Despite the uncomfortable gazes of women directed their way, the bluish black-haired girl sat between Elias and Allan.

This Nora was the reason why Elias couldn’t be his usual self.

“Today’s performance was fantastic as well.”

‘T-thank you very much.”

Elias praised her with a smile on his face, while Nora shyly thanked him.

Looking at them like this would make you think they were close friends or lovers but the situation thus far was more complicated than what it seemed.

Elias met Nora when they were young and has since been coming to the restaurant to see her perform. He remembered he used to keep retelling the story of his love at first sight.

No, rather, when they were young, he used to repeatedly say, “Nora’s a good singer” so often he felt like his ears would rot.

Elian then proposed an engagement to the Baron and submitted the necessary documents to the Royal Castle after receiving his consent. However, before he could formally introduce himself, he discovered that the name on the document was “Allan” and not his.

Then Allan, who was consumed by his inferiority complex, adamantly refused to cancel the engagement.

The Baron had already assumed that Allan was the fiance and Nora was kept in the dark about the whole engagement process. As Elias was frantically looking for a way to cancel the engagement, Allan decided to announce the cancellation in public.

Worried that Nora and the Baron would find the House of Marquis Callum untrustworthy and form another marriage agreement with another household, Elias proposed an engagement right away but was immediately denied.

But after all the fiasco, the two finally became “friends”.

As he was partly the reason for the whole ordeal, Allan continued to watch them with interest.

It wasn’t just because it was interesting. Probably.

“Um, regarding the compensation money, whom can I discuss it with? Should it be with Lord Allan since he was the one who cancelled the engagement?”

“No, I let Elias handle that.”

“After cancelling the engagement, you just dump it to your brother to handle the compensation money. How awful.”

Knowing it was a joke, Allan also laughed.

“That’s not it. It’s just that Elias has the authority for financial matters.”

“Oh, then it was really a blank paper?” Nora was probably talking about who will be the next successor to the Marquis.

“It’s just a simple blank paper. After all, this guy has always been in charge of managing that.”

When it comes to handling financial matters, Elias could probably handle it well.

Although it’s kept blank for now, I think Elias is the right person to succeed the Marquis Callum.

He was very smart but more than anything else, unlike Allan, he won’t be cruel and insensitive when the situation calls for it.

Plus, he’s got a lot of friends and a wide array of connections.

“Is there a problem, Nora?”

“A big problem.”

“It’s not enough?” Nora shook her head in response to Allan’s question. It looked like her neck was about to fall off with how hard she shook her head.

Such behavior was considered inappropriate for an upper class nobility but Allan found it endearing.

As he had been thoroughly trained with the proper etiquette befitting of a marquis, it seemed to him like it was symbolic of freedom.

Come to think of it, Sophia was also quite unrestrained with the way she spoke and acted. Somehow, Allan seemed to like that part of her. But with Sophia, it was highly likely she had investigated what he liked and acted accordingly.

And that’s why he was troubled when Nora refused to be his second wife.

He didn’t like being called twins but as twins, they might have the same preferences after all.

Looking at Elias who was smiling as he listened to Nora’s complaint, Allan gently sighed.

“That’s not it. It was a lot. Too much. I wanted to return it because it was too much.”

She had a serious experience on her face that instead of looking angry, she looked more troubled.

He didn’t know how much money Elias gave her but judging from her reaction, it’s probably a considerably huge amount.

“We can’t deny the fact that you were hurt by this whole ordeal. No amount could ever compensate for that but I want you to accept it at least as a token of my gratitude.”

“It’s heavy. Too heavy, you know. That ‘gratitude’.”

“If it’s for a princess of country or for a beautiful woman, I would understand. However, this amount is not something you would give a poor baron’s daughter.”

“Don’t worry. It’s because we want to pay for the debt of the Kranz family.”

“I appreciate the concern but my family matters is none of your business.”

“But the debt incurs interest payments as well and in fact, the debt of the previous generations was meant to help the people in your estate when there was a shortage of crop harvest. It’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

“I’m not ashamed of the debt… Huh? It was like that?”

“Yes, that’s why the people have so much trust in you.”

“S-so that’s how it was. I always thought we’ve just been poor for generations.”

It seemed like Nora was unaware of what the debt of her family was for.

“But how do you know that?”

“If you don’t want to take it as compensation money, then just consider it an investment from me.”

“Investment? You won’t get anything if you invest in us.”

“I wouldn’t say that.”

Seeing Elias smile, Nora thought of something.

“What you can get from the Kranz’ estate… Well, the grapes are indeed of good quality. And the juice made from it is certainly delicious.”

“Does Nora like grape juice?”

“Eh? Yes, well, I do like it.”

“I see. I’ll keep that in mind.”

“We shouldn’t be talking about that now.” Nora looked surprised as though she suddenly remembered something.

“I’m really thankful for giving us enough to repay the debts. Currently, the people have been requesting for the improvement of the roads. I wonder if it’s really alright…”

“Your estate management skills are not bad and you have a good reputation with your people. I think the investment is worth it.”

“Elias’ information gathering skills are quite like that of a stalker, isn’t it?”

Hearing the word “stalker” made Allan burst out laughing.

Indeed, you could say there were irregularities in Elias’ behavior. Like he’s overdoing it or something.

As long as Nora was involved, he seemed to be unable to control himself.

“I’ll take that as a compliment.” Elias said with a smile and Nora seemed at a loss for words.

“But even if we use it to repay the debts, there would still be a lot remaining. As I thought, I should return it.”

“It’s fine. If that’s just what’s bothering you, then feel free to use it as you deem fit.”

“But it’s too much. And even though it’s supposed to be compensation money, this feels like a loan. I can’t accept it like that.”

Nora thought for a while but Elias didn’t seem like he’d accept any returns or reduction in the amount. It seemed like Nora was aware of it too so she dropped her shoulders and sighed.

“…All right. I will donate the remaining amount to the church.”

“You can do that if it will give you peace of mind…”

“Then I shall visit the church first thing in the morning tomorrow.”

“Why are you in such a hurry?” As the confused Allan asked, he was told that her mother and brother would be returning soon.

“Once they learned about this, they will gratefully accept the whole amount.”

“Isn’t it good then?”

Even though the amount was a bit overkill, there was a sound reason for the compensation money.

Why can’t you just accept it all?

“It’s more than enough for the repayment of the debt, so I should return the excess.”

“Well, if that’s what you wish. But I think there’s a simpler way.”

“Simpler way?”

“It’s all right to accept what you can receive. And Elias wanted to pay-”

“I agree that it’s all right to accept what you can receive but there’s a limit. It’s like giving a mansion in exchange for a piece of candy. It doesn’t sit well with me and makes me feel restless.”

I see.

It wasn’t like she refused to accept charity because of her pride as a nobility. She simply didn’t want to accept more than what was due.

Because they were brought up in the House of Marquis, perhaps they have different values.

“…so she says.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Elias gave Nora a glass of citrus juice. He ordered it specifically for her because she doesn’t drink alcohol.

“Because he does thoughtful things like this, the female staff will be in uproar again.” Even though Nora says so, Elias only ever does those things for her.

If it were other noble daughters, he’d absolutely give them the cold shoulder. But because Nora rarely attends evening parties, of course she was unaware of it.

Nora thanked him as she took the glass in her hands and the three clinked their glasses in a toast.

Recently, this was also something they’ve been doing regularly.

Even though a lot of things have happened, Allan didn’t hate the time he spent relaxing there.