Chapter 4: An Old Promise.
Chapter 4: An Old Promise.
The walk from the barn to the manor was far quieter than Osborne had expected, because ever since Sir Roland had informed him that visitors had arrived, the old knight had remained unusually silent while leading him through the stone paths that cut across the estate, his expression never once relaxing as though whatever awaited them inside the manor was far more serious than he wished to admit.
Osborne glanced at the old knight walking a step ahead of him before quietly sighing to himself, because although he had only arrived in this world that very morning, he had already begun to notice that everyone around him seemed to carry some invisible weight on their shoulders, making the once respectable House Bismarck feel less like the home of nobles and more like a family desperately trying to keep itself from falling apart.
Eventually, the two arrived before a pair of large wooden doors.
Sir Roland straightened his posture before pushing them open.
The spacious dining hall immediately came into view.
A long dining table occupied the center of the room, its polished surface reflecting the warm glow of the chandeliers hanging overhead, while several expensive decorations that had clearly survived better days reminded everyone that this house had once belonged to a family of far greater standing.
Everyone was already seated.
At the head of the table sat Baron Gustav Von Bismarck, his broad shoulders and stern face making him appear every bit the noble lord despite the simple clothing he wore, while beside him sat his wife, a graceful woman with long blonde hair and gentle green eyes whose calm appearance did little to hide the concern lingering beneath her expression.
Across from them sat someone Osborne immediately recognized as the visitor.
A young woman with smooth silver hair rested elegantly upon her shoulders while a pair of slightly pointed ears peeked through it, quietly revealing her mixed heritage as a half-elf, and although her beautiful appearance would undoubtedly draw attention anywhere she went, it was the calm confidence in her crimson eyes and the composed manner in which she carried herself that truly made her stand out.
Standing directly behind her were two knights clad in polished silver armor, their hands resting upon the pommels of their swords as they silently watched the room without uttering a single word.
Sir Roland stepped forward.
"Young Master Osborne has arrived."
Every pair of eyes shifted toward him.
Osborne composed himself before offering a respectful bow toward the head of the table.
"Father."
He then turned slightly.
"Mother."
Finally, he nodded politely toward the unfamiliar half-elf woman.
She simply looked back at him with an unreadable expression before giving the faintest nod in return.
Without another word, Osborne walked toward the empty chair beside his mother before quietly taking his seat.
Silence lingered for several moments.
It was Osborne who finally broke it.
"You called for me, Father?" He asked.
Gustav slowly nodded.
"It would appear," he began calmly, though his expression remained unusually stiff, "that an emissary from House Roosevelt has come looking for you."
Osborne blinked. "...For me?" He asked.
"Indeed." His father said.
Gustav folded his hands together. " And I myself, would very much like to know why as well."
His gaze slowly shifted toward the half-elf woman.
The room’s attention followed.
The young woman gracefully rose from her seat before placing one hand over her chest.
"My name is Guinevere."
Her voice was calm and refined.
"I serve as Lady Roosevelt’s personal aide and have the honor of acting as her right hand."
She inclined her head toward Osborne.
"It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Young Master Osborne Von Bismarck."
Osborne returned the nod.
"The pleasure is mine."
Guinevere straightened.
"I have come today regarding an arrangement first proposed between our two families many years ago by my lady’s predecessor."
The instant those words left her lips...
Osborne stiffened.
’ That was today?’
His fingers unconsciously tightened beneath the table.
’...I thought...’
’...I thought I had more time.’ His heart slowly began beating faster. ’ You’re telling me I have to leave today? After just waking up? To go live with that ice queen?’ just thinking of his so called new wife left a chill in his heart.
Even from the very beginning, that woman never once bothered to give an ounce of attendance to the original Osborne in the novel, in a sense, the past Osborne was no different from a trophy wife.
After having so much fun this morning, Osborne didn’t want to be tossed into those vast mansion halls in her estate, he very much preferred to live a simple happy life hear, close to home...far away from that darned protagonist and whatever might follow.
At the head of the table, Gustav gestured politely.
"Please continue."
Guinevere nodded once.
"My lady has instructed me to remind House Bismarck of the agreement established between our two families many years ago regarding the union of our bloodlines through marriage."
The room fell silent.
Osborne’s mother looked visibly startled.
"...Marriage?"
Gustav slowly closed his eyes before releasing a weary sigh.
"I remember hearing Father mention such an agreement many years ago."
His voice carried a hint of nostalgia.
"It was made during the days when House Bismarck still held the title of Count."
He looked directly at Guinevere.
"The agreement was that our firstborn children would one day marry and unite our families."
His expression gradually darkened.
"...Surely you are aware of what became of my eldest son."
The hall became noticeably quieter.
Guinevere remained perfectly composed.
"I am."
Her answer came without hesitation.
"However..."
She looked directly at Gustav.
"My lady has no intention of abandoning the agreement."
A slight pause followed.
"House Bismarck promised House Roosevelt an in-law." Guinevere continued.
Gustav’s expression instantly hardened.
"What..."
His voice trembled ever so slightly.
"...Did you just say?"
"My lady merely wishes for House Bismarck to fulfill its promise."
A loud bang echoed throughout the hall.
Gustav’s fist slammed heavily against the dining table with enough force to rattle the dishes resting upon it.
"Enough!"
His furious voice echoed through the entire room.
"Are you asking me..." He said, His breathing becoming heavier.
"...to offer up my only remaining son as though he were some bargaining chip?"
No one answered.
Gustav slowly rose from his seat.
"Has House Roosevelt truly fallen so low that they would seek to wipe out the last of my family?"
His eyes burned with anger.
"Did your lady even stop for a single moment to consider the difference in their ages before making such an absurd request?"
The atmosphere inside the dining hall instantly became suffocating.
Guinevere’s calm expression finally shifted ever so slightly into a faint frown.
"...Lord Gustav."
Her voice remained steady.
"Are you slandering Lady Roosevelt?"
The two silver-armored knights behind her subtly straightened.
Sir Roland instinctively took a single step forward.
For several tense seconds...
No one moved.
"Father."
Osborne spoke first.
His mother quickly reached for Gustav’s arm.
"Please..."
She looked at him pleadingly.
"Calm yourself."
Gustav remained standing for another long moment before slowly lowering himself back into his chair, though the frustration on his face showed no signs of disappearing.
"...Hmph."
Silence returned once again.
Osborne slowly turned toward Guinevere.
"There is something I’d like to ask."
She nodded.
"Go ahead."
"...Was what you said true?"
He looked directly into her crimson eyes.
"Does the Marquess truly only wish for a spouse?"
"Yes." Guinevere answered without hesitation.
Osborne quietly lowered his gaze.
"...I see."
Several seconds passed.
Then...
"I’ll go." He said.
"...What?" His mother froze for a moment.
"Osborne!" Gustav immediately turned toward him.
"What are you saying?" His mother looked equally shocked.
Osborne on the other hand, had a calm look on his face even though it frustrated him inwardly to do this.
"If refusing their request risks bringing further trouble upon House Bismarck..." He slowly looked around the room.
"...then I would rather go."
He smiled faintly.
"Our family has already suffered enough." He said, before his gaze settled upon Gustav.
"I don’t want us to suffer even more because of me."
Gustav clenched both fists.
"...You..."
For once...The Baron found himself completely speechless.
Beside Osborne, his mother quietly lowered her head as tears slowly began rolling down her cheeks.
"My son..."
She could no longer hold them back.
Guinevere slowly rose from her seat.
"In that case, I shall inform my lady that—"
"Wait." Osborne spoke up.
She paused, staring at him waiting for answers.
Osborne looked at her calmly.
"There is one condition." He said.
Guinevere raised an eyebrow.
"...A condition?" She replied.
"Yes." He nodded.
"And might I ask what that may be?" She said.
Osborne folded his hands together.
"While I’ve accepted this proposition, I do not wish to marry into House Roosevelt."
Guinevere’s composure finally broke.
"...Impossible!"
Her voice echoed sharply through the hall.
"That cannot be accepted."
Osborne gently raised one hand.
"Please."
"Calm down."
Guinevere frowned but reluctantly remained silent.
"I believe you’ve misunderstood me."
Osborne smiled politely.
"I also have no intention of asking Lady Roosevelt to marry into House Bismarck."
Confusion appeared across everyone’s faces.
He continued.
"If Lady Roosevelt and I truly marry, then any children born from that union shall inherit House Roosevelt’s name rather than House Bismarck’s."
The room became completely silent.
Even Gustav looked stunned.
Osborne calmly met Guinevere’s gaze.
"Please relay my words exactly as they are."
He spoke without hesitation.
"If Lady Roosevelt refuses these terms, then I have no intention of accompanying you."
A brief pause followed.
"But..."
"If she accepts..." He smiled gently.
"...then I shall be prepared to leave for House Roosevelt in one week’s time."