Please Marry My Son

Part 2

The Duke of Gloucester also managed to suppress his anger and sank into the sofa, bowing his head deeply.

Looking back, Eric was indeed a proud son.

Obtained at a late age after much difficulty, he never caused any major trouble or disappointed. 

During his time at the military academy, he excelled in both martial arts and academics, consistently ranking at the top.

Even after his commissioning, he walked a steady path and became the youngest knight commander.

However, as he reached maturity, he turned into quite the troublesome son.

Initially refusing every proposal brought before him, he later began engaging in inexplicable acts of rebellion, leading to frequent apologies to the families of those he quarreled with.

Just today, it took him a mere 15 minutes from sitting down for a family meeting, asking nonsensical questions, to storming out in a fit.

His unnecessary learning ability seemed to have become proficient in rejecting proposals as well, and the time it took for him to storm out was gradually decreasing. Today’s remarkable record of just 15 minutes was achieved. 

Next time, he might even finish in just 10 minutes.

Once, out of frustration, he even took the time to prepare himself and asked seriously.

 “Do you happen to like men?”

At that question, he immediately made a face as if he had just emerged from hell, inwardly heaved a sigh of relief, and wiped his chest.

He doesn’t even like men, so why isn’t he getting married, this rascal of a son? 

Why isn’t this healthy lad getting married? This damned son of mine. 

Even if that’s the case, should he really make such a face in front of his parents? This unfilial son.

Although he scolded his son countless times in his mind, fearing that things might get worse, he couldn’t bring himself to say it out loud.

Regardless of how the Duke and Duchess felt, the aged butler, who had served the Gloucester family for many years, had already prepared letters of apology and a large quantity of gifts to be sent to the other party’s household. 

He quietly awaited the Duke’s signature on the letter.

“Ehh.”

 As the Duke of Gloucester sobbed and signed the letter, the butler, seemingly accustomed to such situations, loaded the letter and gifts onto a carriage and departed for delivery.

“If we gathered the value of those gifts, we could probably buy another estate,” muttered the housekeeper, watching the carriage move away. 

Beside her, the butler silently nodded in agreement, casting a glance back at the still echoing sighs from the reception room.

“I wonder if pushing him like this goes against his temperament.” 

“Indeed. He’s not someone who would budge even if a sword was at his throat, so why rush things like this? Once the right lady appears, he’ll do whatever it takes to win her over.”

“Let’s try talking to him calmly.” 

“Didn’t I try? He wouldn’t even listen to a word I said. And what about you, sir?”

“It seems like anything I say doesn’t even go near his ears.”

 Finally, they sighed as they faced each other.

________________________________________

Whether his parents were bedridden or not, Eric returned to his mansion.

“Have you returned, sir?”

“Mm.” 

The butler greeted him politely.

As soon as he entered the mansion, Eric loosened the tie around his neck.

Ignoring the butler, who seemed to be scrutinizing him more closely than usual, he continued walking.

“Not today either.”

Though he had expected as much, the butler, disappointed inwardly, followed Eric without saying a word.

The footmen and maids who had come out to see also returned to their positions, nodding in understanding at the butler’s expression.

________________________________________

 Changing into comfortable clothes, Eric headed straight for the knights’ training grounds.

 “Have you arrived, Commander?”

 “We were just about to begin.” 

“Isn’t it a bit late?” 

“We’re not late. We’ll proceed as planned.” 

“Is that so?” 

As Eric picked up his sword and glanced at his watch, his subordinate and fellow graduate from

the military academy, Allen, approached him, stumbling over his words. 

“Commander, you arrived too early.” 

“What were you expecting?”

“Well, whatever.”  

He shrugged. 

He knew this was coming, but honestly, this time he arrived even earlier than expected. 

“How long did you manage to hold out today?” 

 “Well, about 15 minutes?” 

“Wow, a new record. Getting faster each time, huh?” 

He exclaimed in admiration, clapping his hands repeatedly. 

Some knights who had been listening from behind exchanged money with each other with mixed expressions of laughter and tears.

 It was clear to see, but now it was just too much effort to say anything, so he pretended not to notice. 

“Why do you keep refusing marriage proposals? You’ve hurt those poor girls a few times already. If you keep this up, you might get hurt badly someday.” 

“I’ll worry about that when the time comes. Besides, I made it clear from the beginning that I wasn’t interested. I didn’t even know it was a marriage proposal when I went out.”

“Ah, I see.” 

Allen was already aware that the Duke and Duchess’s skills in summoning their son to face potential suitors were improving day by day, knowing well his tendency to swiftly decline any talk of marriage.

“So, what was it today?”

 “Do you remember when they mentioned mocking the territory in the Vas region a while back?” 

“Yeah, that’s right. They wanted to know if you’d be interested in investing there, right?” 

“They said a venture capital firm interested in developing that area wanted me to check if it’s a scam or not.”

“Wow. They’re getting more professional, aren’t they?” 

“Yeah, and they even sent me some documents from the company beforehand. Turns out, it’s a company my father created.” 

“…With the amount of effort your parents put into this, you might as well just get married.” 

It felt burdensome on both sides. And seeing that, it was clear they were genuine parents and

children.  

“Still, isn’t 15 minutes a bit too much?”  

“We have no common interests, our thoughts are completely different, and we can’t even hold a conversation. How can I sit there for so long?” 

“Then think of it as a man.”

At that remark, Eric frowned deeply.

“Ah, cancel that. Even thinking about it makes me feel uncomfortable.”

Without responding to Allen’s chuckling, Eric gripped his sword. 

“So, what will you do if a woman you get along with appears?”

“There isn’t one.”

“Still, you never know. There might be someone in this vast Britannia Empire, right?” 

“Hmm. If there is—” 

 “If there is?” 

After a moment of contemplation, he replied promptly. 

“No, there probably isn’t.” 

“Don’t be so sure. How can you be certain?”

“Stop it. Enough of this banter. Now, get moving. Assembly!”