If I Were Reborn, I Wouldn’t Marry You - Chapter 55

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 55

 

“When?”

 

No, rather than this.

 

“With whom?”

 

This is important too, but!

 

“Does Merlin want this engagement too?”

 

Yes, this is it!

 

After several attempts, I threw out the most important question and anxiously waited for Merlin’s answer.

 

‘Throughout the first round and now, Merlin is the only person Lionel has shown interest in… What if this is an engagement Merlin wants?’

 

Still, as siblings go, I was worried about Lionel who seemed destined to be heartbroken without even being able to confess.

 

Merlin tried to smile and give a positive answer but failed and shook her head.

 

“…No, but I have to do it.”

 

An answer came back that I wasn’t sure was fortunate or not.

 

‘I thought it would be like that, and it really is.’

 

She’s a high-level water spirit mage who appeared after hundreds of years.

 

There would be more than enough red-eyed humans surrounding this manor, trying to push her into their families by any means.

 

Among them, there would be quite a few who would use threats or coercive measures.

 

‘But I can’t let it happen like that!’

 

“How can that be!”

 

When I spoke angrily, Merlin made eye contact with me and spoke slowly.

 

“My parents liked him. He’s someone with a title to inherit and has connections with our family.”

 

Merlin listed the advantages of her engagement partner one by one.

 

It was meant to persuade me and also to persuade herself, but it had no effect on either side.

 

Having figured out the identity of her partner from Merlin’s explanation, I began to oppose even more vehemently.

 

“That person is nine years older than Merlin! And he’s someone who has broken off engagements twice, no, three times!”

 

Merlin’s engagement partner was famous for having parents who were trying to sell off their only son for the highest price possible.

 

He broke off engagements whenever a better partner appeared, making this the third time including the current one.

 

‘Even for a political marriage, there should be basic trust.’

 

This also bothered me, but what bothered me most was the age difference.

 

‘Merlin is only thirteen now, but he’s twenty-two?’

 

Of course, the marriage would happen after she becomes an adult, but I’m still against it.

 

Faced with my fierce opposition, Merlin’s spirits dampened.

 

“But…”

 

Merlin seemed hesitant about whether she should say such things to young me, but eventually continued carefully.

 

“My parents said he would be the best match for me.”

 

I could understand the intentions of Lord and Lady Ravis.

 

Rather than being forced to choose a worse partner due to pressure, they probably chose the relatively better option among families with the power to protect the Ravis family and Merlin.

 

“But still!”

 

No, no matter how you look at it, our Lionel is better!

 

I wanted to shout that, but confessions had to be made by oneself.

 

I held back the words that were about to burst out.

 

Then I began to calmly persuade Merlin.

 

“If Merlin doesn’t want it, you don’t have to go through with that engagement! There’s another way.”

 

“Another way?”

 

Merlin, who had been dejected, showed interest.

 

I looked straight into Merlin’s eyes and spoke.

 

“Yes, choose House of Duke Roderick. Roderick will become the backing for Merlin and the Ravis family.”

 

Among the families pressuring the Ravis family, none would be better than Roderick.

 

‘Even setting everything else aside, becoming the backing for a high-level water spirit mage and earning her favor isn’t a bad deal.’

 

This was a fair deal for both Roderick and Merlin.

 

And Merlin was wise enough to understand what kind of opportunity was being offered to her.

 

A moment of silence flowed between us.

 

‘This kind of thing needs careful consideration.’

 

I gave Merlin enough time to think carefully.

 

After a few minutes passed, Merlin cautiously opened her mouth.

 

“Am I someone worthy of that?”

 

Though I, a former empress, judged this to be a fair deal, Merlin seemed to think this deal was too advantageous for her.

 

‘Even excessive humility can be a problem.’

 

I answered her question with a question.

 

“Do you know how precious a high-level water spirit mage is?”

 

Even Windermere, who is just a low-level earth spirit mage, received a baronet title despite being the sixth son of a baron family.

 

“If Merlin is given the opportunity to achieve merit, you could at least earn a count title, right?”

 

“A count title…”

 

Only after I guaranteed it in the name of Lady Roderick did Merlin seem to understand about half of how amazing she was.

 

“But would the Duke allow it?”

 

Finally seeming inclined to take my hand, Merlin asked.

 

“Father will naturally say yes, but if by any chance he says no, I’ll provide personal sponsorship!”

 

When I spoke with the vigor of making a marriage proposal, a faint smile appeared on Merlin’s face.

 

“Thank you, Miela.”

 

Now what remained was to break off this ridiculous engagement before it progressed further.

 

“Merlin, where is Lord Ravis? Or at least Lady Ravis!”

 

When I spoke with determination as if I would rush there immediately, Merlin answered with difficulty.

 

“My parents went to a social gathering. They won’t return until late evening…”

 

“Ah!”

 

It was content from the reply I received when I sent a letter asking if I could visit the Ravis Marquis Mansion, but I momentarily forgot.

 

“Then there’s no choice! Let’s meet my parents first! Both Father and Mother should be home!”

 

I flexibly modified my strategy.

 

Merlin left a letter for Lord and Lady Ravis as I requested, then accompanied me to the Ducal Palace.

 

‘Lionel said he’d be home today too.’

 

It was a secret from Merlin, but my plan wasn’t just this.

 

As soon as I brought up sponsoring Merlin from House of Duke Roderick, my parents naturally agreed.

 

“Our daughter has brought a great gift to Roderick.”

 

Father patted my head and smiled.

 

Merlin’s tension seemed to ease at the favorable reaction.

 

While Merlin and Father discussed the sponsorship contract, I quietly slipped away and searched for Lionel.

 

“By now he should be reading in the sun room or studying in his study.”

 

I chose the relatively closer sun room as my first destination.

 

When I ran over and burst open the door, for some reason Lionel and Leonhardt were together.

 

‘Lionel even looks like he’s sleeping right now?’

 

While I was confused by the slightly different situation than expected, Leonhardt acknowledged me with a face like a cat drowsy from sunlight.

 

“I heard you went to the Ravis family.”

 

“I went and just came back.”

 

“Did you have a good meeting with Merlin?”

 

Lionel, who seemed to wake up at the mention of ‘Ravis family,’ pretended not to have been sleeping and asked.

 

“Yes, she came with me.”

 

As I answered the question, something bothered me.

 

‘Huh, when did they become close enough to call each other by name? He used to always call her Lady Ravis?’

 

Even dense Leonhardt seemed to notice this, as his gaze toward Lionel became strange.

 

Only Lionel, still drowsy, couldn’t properly grasp the situation.

 

This was an opportunity.

 

Because it’s a plan that only works if I shake up Lionel completely.

 

‘Having Leonhardt here is a bit concerning though.’

 

It’s all for Lionel’s sake!

 

“Ah! Merlin is getting engaged soon!”

 

I said this as if I had just remembered.

 

“What?”

 

Lionel, who had been half-leaning against his chair, straightened up and asked back.

 

His expression was full of confusion, as if questioning whether he had heard correctly.

 

“But the man is nine years older and has broken off three engagements, so she seems troubled about it.”

 

Lionel, who had been anxiously biting his lips since hearing about the engagement, muttered with a dazed expression.

 

“Why would Lord Ravis’ family choose such a person of all people…”

 

Perhaps Roderick’s characteristically pure-hearted nature hadn’t faded, as Lionel’s expression became deeply wistful.

 

“Merlin manifested as a water spirit mage, you know. So I guess they’re facing a lot of pressure from various sources.”

 

I answered in a secretive voice as if inciting Lionel.

 

Of course, I didn’t mention that Father and Merlin were currently discussing a sponsorship contract.

 

“I see…”

 

Lionel answered absent-mindedly out of habit with a dazed face, then shakily got up from his seat.

 

“I think I should head up first. I forgot about homework that’s due tomorrow.”

 

While telling a lie that even Lester wouldn’t believe.

 

“Okay, see you later!”

 

However, I put on an innocent face and waved my hand enthusiastically at Lionel.

 

“Leon! Let’s follow him!”

 

And after Lionel had gotten somewhat far away, I grabbed Leonhardt’s hand and stood up.

 

‘I can’t let this opportunity slip away!’

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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