Gold Coin and Freesia

“I don’t understand why you say that, brother-in-law.”
Despite her calm tone, Hailey’s eyes gleamed aggressively at Edwin, as if she wanted to pounce on him.
“Oh. If Barton hadn’t married, marrying the princess would have been his chance, so maybe you made Barton lose his chance.”
“Edwin Tride!”
Edwin teased Hailey further and then turned away. Hearing her deep breathing as she tried to control her anger, he finally felt a sense of satisfaction.
“Have you returned, future Duke.”
Scott, Edwin’s secretary, greeted him with utmost politeness.
“Since when have we been so formal with each other?”
Edwin teased Scott with a friendly smile as he climbed the stairs. Scott, holding Edwin’s loosened tie, followed him.
“You’ll have to get used to it. Once you marry the princess, you’ll hear it every day.”
Edwin flopped onto a plush sofa in his study. Scott, accustomed to the routine, called a servant to bring brandy.
“Tying the rare princess to a widower. I don’t understand their thoughts.”
“It’s customary for a princess to leave the palace upon marriage.”
Scott’s point was valid, enough to swallow Edwin’s complaints.
“Besides, Edwin, everyone knows you’re handsome, but you’ve never used it to charm women, right?”
“Watch your words…”
Edwin frowned slightly. Scott didn’t seem to care about his boss’s displeasure.
“The brandy is here.”
A servant announced from the doorway. Scott placed Edwin’s tie at the end of the sofa and took the brandy glass from the servant.
“Life is too short to take it too seriously.”
“Only when you’re with someone who can handle your mouth.”
Edwin accepted the brandy from Scott with a half-smile. Scott always acted impudently, but Edwin never fired him for it. Scott had a sharp tongue but never crossed the final line.
“What about Barton?”
“Nothing special. His wife is always with him.”
Edwin nodded, sipping his brandy with ice.
“Not much progress in his art business, I see.”
“He’s not business-savvy to begin with.”
Scott bluntly said. He despised Barton’s indecisiveness and avoidance. Edwin didn’t ask why.
No matter how long they worked together, other people’s personal lives and thoughts were none of his concern. He often said it out of habit.
“Try to help out a little.”
“Are you trying to make the wives happy?”
Scott asked incredulously.
It was understandable. Lian, Aaron’s second wife, and Hailey, Barton’s wife, were opposed to Edwin. They were planning to make Barton the next head of the Tride family. So it was surprising for Edwin to help Barton’s business.
“I don’t care. It’s not just for those women.”
“Is this some kind of sympathy or affection for your half-brother?”
“I never said to do it properly.”
Edwin smiled, showing his teeth. Scott, who had been scowling, finally relaxed.
“You should’ve told me earlier. I’ll take care of it.”
Edwin chuckled quietly. His secretary was always on point with bad deeds.
***
The date for Edwin and Cordelia’s marriage ceremony was set. Late spring, about a month or two from now.
“Cordelia, my dear.”
After revealing the date, the king was restless at the dining table, fearing Cordelia’s reproach.
“Do you like the food?”
The usual food should taste fine. Laurenson and the queen looked at the king with exasperation.
“I ordered your favorite fruit for dessert.”
The king’s efforts to please his daughter seemed pitiable.
“Cordelia is fine, Your Majesty.”
Finally, the queen spoke soothingly, unable to bear the tension.
She signaled Cordelia to agree with her large eyes.
“……?”
Cordelia, not understanding, blinked. Laurenson nudged her again.
“Yes, I’m fine.”
Cordelia reluctantly echoed the queen’s words. The king’s face brightened.
“Really? You’re fine?”
Cordelia nodded affirmatively. The king, who had been anxious about upsetting his daughter, sighed in relief.
“Since the date is set, we can’t cancel it now.”
It sounded like a subtle jab at the king’s worries. The princess, who was usually oblivious, finished her meal and picked up her dessert.
“But Cordelia, if you don’t want to…”
“Your Majesty.”
The queen stopped the king as he hesitated. Cordelia marrying at adulthood should be celebrated.
If Cordelia were to be unhappy in her marriage, the queen would not hesitate to bring her back from the Tride family. But for now, they had to deal with immediate concerns.
“If you worry so much, won’t Cordelia feel scared?”
The queen’s words made the king nod sullenly.
The king, who once charmed all women in the kingdom, was completely subdued after meeting the queen. He was now almost laughably henpecked.
“Yes, maybe I was too anxious.”
The king reluctantly backed off. The queen decided to change the subject from Cordelia’s mood.
“Cordelia, I heard the designer for your wedding dress is coming today.”
“Yes, I heard that too.”
“If you have any design preferences, let them know. You can also buy any accessories you want.”
Even though the Rochester Royal Family needed the Tride family’s wealth, they couldn’t skimp on the princess’s wedding. After all, it was the only princess’s wedding. They wanted to do everything for her.
“It doesn’t matter.”
But Cordelia shook her head indifferently. Cordelia, who usually loved new dresses and accessories, didn’t care now. Everyone was surprised.
“What do you mean, Cordelia? Are you really feeling…”
The king, worried, started to speak. Despite saying she was fine, he thought she wasn’t feeling good.
“I want to know about Edwin Tride.”
The king was naturally speechless. It was unbelievable that Cordelia wanted to know about her future husband.
“It’s good to know something about him before marriage, even though we’ll have to meet often to call it a love marriage.”
Knowing about her future husband wasn’t wrong, but it was surprising. Not long ago, she cried about not wanting to marry Edwin.
“It’s natural to want to know about your future husband. Tell Mrs. Lament to give her the information.”
Laurenson, who had already investigated the Tride family, promised gently.
“But I’m curious why you suddenly changed your mind.”
Cordelia squirmed at the queen’s question. The queen could guess what Cordelia was thinking. She was just like her father.
“Alright. No need to explain.”
Being able to intervene in the future in-law’s family was fortunate. If not, the queen didn’t want to imagine what a naive daughter would do based on looks alone.
“I’ll order him to spend time with you in the palace whenever he can.”
The queen sighed softly.
“Yes. Don’t worry, Cordelia.”
The king patted Cordelia’s hand on the table. It seemed more to reassure himself than his daughter.
To the king, Cordelia still seemed like a child. He doubted she could capture Edwin’s heart immediately.
Of course, Cordelia was beautiful. But she was too naive and innocent to seduce a man. A more experienced man might find her charming, but…
“Uh…”
Edwin wasn’t known for being promiscuous. But the lack of rumors, except for the unofficial wife he lost, made the king suspicious.
With that face, he couldn’t have been alone all this time. The king, who had used his good looks to charm women, found the future son-in-law suspicious.
“If he ever…”
The king started to voice his concern, but the queen stepped on his foot, making him swallow his words.
‘If he has a mistress and makes Cordelia suffer, we can always get a divorce.’
The king only reminded himself that many would welcome his daughter for a second marriage.