Let’s Make Saving a Habit - Chapter 92

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

Chapter 92
Duke Tempus’s lips curved upward in a slant.
As if he had anticipated everything I was about to say.
“Please don’t worry, Miss Tania. I have no intention of having the Young Lady undergo the Evanesco Ceremony.”
“I… what?”
“I’m well aware of how precious a foresight ability is. I have no intention of forcing anything.”
“Then were you planning to undergo the ceremony yourself, Duke Tempus?”
For a moment, a crack appeared in the composed expression of the Tempus Family Head, who had maintained his ease until now.
But it was so fleeting I wondered if I’d imagined it. He quickly painted on a smile once more.
“Surely not. Although the abilities of our Tempus Family are kept strictly confidential according to family protocol….”
His gaze settled on the other family members, including me. As if recalling each person’s ability one by one.
“I would appreciate it if you understood that we keep them secret not because they’re unremarkable, but for other reasons.”
It was remarkable confidence.
Duplication, animal taming, foresight—what ability would one need to compare with these?
“I wasn’t trying to belittle the Tempus Duchy’s abilities. Nor did I reject your proposal because of the Evanesco Ceremony.”
“Then might you tell me what the other reason is?”
At that, Duchess Papiope, who had been listening to the conversation, finally spoke.
“My daughter Tania is only fourteen years old—far from coming of age.”
“Ah, of course. I can certainly wait until she reaches adulthood. The proposal was merely a foundation for having a serious conversation about engagement.”
“Wait for what—! Mmph!”
While Duchess Papiope swiftly subdued Grandfather, who sprang up like a coiled spring, Duke Tempus continued undeterred.
A smile played at his lips.
“After all, there are only four years left until she comes of age, are there not?”
Duchess Papiope furrowed her brow and countered Duke Tempus’s words.
“Duke Tempus, you seem to be under a considerable misunderstanding. The age difference between you and our daughter is eight years. Merely four years is hardly accurate.”
“Haha, it seems Duke Papiope is quite fond of her daughter. An age gap of that magnitude is hardly uncommon in political marriages.”
“That’s precisely the problem.”
At my sudden interjection, all eyes turned toward me.
“I have no intention of entering into a political marriage. And my mother is not the sort to force such a thing upon me. Isn’t that right, Mother?”
“That’s right. If you don’t meet the right person, living single for life isn’t a bad thing at all.”
At the united front of mother and daughter, the Tempus Family Head’s brows drooped with disappointment.
“I felt a certain draw from the moment I first met Miss Tania… but it seems the Young Lady doesn’t feel the same.”
His gaze shifted to Aiden, whose expression had hardened.
“Haven’t you also felt such a draw before, Aiden?”
“…No, I haven’t.”
“I see.”
The Tempus Family Head blinked slowly.
“What a pity. I had thought I might become family with Miss Tania.”
“Family? What do you mean by fam—! Mmph!”
This time, Lucian couldn’t restrain himself and started to rise, only to be stopped by Duchess Papiope.
How could Grandfather and he be so alike? I could almost believe they shared the same blood.
Watching them, I let out a soft laugh and turned my gaze toward Duke Tempus.
“Duke Tempus, may I ask you one thing?”
“By all means.”
“Why me, specifically?”
I mean, wasn’t I curious? The Tempus Duchy would surely welcome many other young ladies of my age with open arms.
The fact that he had thrust a proposal directly at me suggested there was another reason behind it.
“Is it because you covet my foresight ability? Or do you wish to strengthen the bond with the Papiope Ducal Family?”
“Well, to be honest, both are true. And there’s one more thing… what I mentioned earlier—this sense of attraction, I suppose.”
What in the world was this attraction he kept speaking of? I would have understood better if he’d simply said he fell for me at first sight.
His constant strange remarks only deepened my frustration.
Duke Tempus rose from his seat without hesitation, as if he had said all he came to say.
“Well, I came today merely to convey my intentions, so I shall take my leave here.”
Then he gazed at me with that characteristic, inscrutable smile of his.
“Now that I understand you’re aiming for a love match, I shall have to make an effort going forward.”
It meant he hadn’t given up on me yet.

✦ ✦ ✦
TO. My Dear Lady Tania
Hello, Tania.
I asked you to call me Rivera before, but I’m not sure if you remember my name.
How have you been all this time?
Actually, the reason I’m reaching out by letter today is to apologize.
There were several instances where I was rude to you before, and there’s another matter I need to apologize for as well.
I happened to hear some news recently—that Duke Tempus proposed to you…
I’m apologizing on behalf of my younger brother.
You can ignore Duke Tempus’s proposal. No, please reject it.
It’s not my place to say this about my own brother, but he’s simply not suited for you.
In every way.
Be careful of Duke Tempus.
Before my marriage, I was part of the Tempus Family, so I know things others don’t.
Just in case, please always keep an escort knight with you. Especially that knight with the bronze-toned skin.
If I’m being honest, I wish you would go to the Papiope Dukedom and stay there for a while, but I can’t force such a thing.
I know what I’m saying sounds strange.
But I still hope you’ll trust me.
I genuinely wish for your safety and happiness.
I’ll trust that my feelings have been conveyed well and end this letter here.
I wrote this in haste, so it’s disorganized, but I’ll write to you again next time.
Once more, I sincerely apologize.
From. Rivera
After reading through the entire letter, I furrowed my brow in confusion.
The handwriting appeared to have been written with trembling hands, and scattered throughout the letter were what seemed to be tearstains.
“So Duke Tempus is Rivera’s younger brother….”
It was surprising—a combination I never would have anticipated.
What could the Tempus Duchy be doing to warrant such a reaction?
Yet even from the perspective of the future, the Tempus Duchy remained quietly in its place.
It meant they hadn’t done anything noteworthy enough to be remembered.
Should I investigate through the Information Guild?
I was still pondering Duke Tempus when it happened.
Knock, knock, knock.
At the sound of someone rapping roughly against the window, I brightened and walked toward it, drawing back the curtain.
“Tania!”
Elysion was hovering in the air outside the window.
He always knocked on the window whenever he came to find me suddenly like this.
He could have teleported directly into my room….
But since he didn’t know what I might be doing inside, it seemed he was being considerate in his own way.
I opened the window to help him enter my room.
With a swift motion, he stepped inside and immediately grasped both my shoulders.
“You received a marriage proposal from Duke Tempus?! You obviously refused, right? When did you two even become close? No, wait—how old is that bastard? Is he insane?”
His rapid-fire barrage of words left me unable to collect my thoughts.
It seemed the news of Duke Tempus’s proposal had spread far and wide.
I couldn’t understand why everyone was making such a fuss over a mere proposal letter.
Just because I received a proposal didn’t mean I had to marry him.
When I didn’t answer, he began shaking my shoulders insistently, as if demanding a response.
“Well? Tania, say something.”
“Say what?”
“You’re really going to do it?”
I laughed softly and let my body sway with his gentle shaking.
Honestly, Elysion rushing over the moment he heard I’d received a proposal was adorable.
“Why are you laughing?”
“Because I like it when you’re jealous. That’s why I laughed.”
“…What?”
Spark.
As if electricity had coursed through him, he withdrew his hands from my shoulders and stared at me with his mouth agape.
Elysion’s face flushed crimson in an instant.
“When did I ever say I was jealous? I was just… worried you might be swept away by that strange old man…!”
I cupped both his cheeks in my hands and smiled broadly.
“Don’t worry. Who else would I marry but you?”

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