Please Marry My Son

Chapter 4 – Part 1

“4. Aesthetics of 15 Minutes

2022.10.14.”

 “Eric Russell Gloucester.”

 “I’m Alicia Lancaster.” 

It was an ordinary meeting. They exchanged greetings and introductions as usual and took their seats. 

For Eric, the only thing different this time was the moment he saw Alicia’s face. It felt strangely familiar, but since he was sure they had never met before, he dismissed it as a trick of his mind.

 “I apologize for summoning you even to this humble place. It would have been better if it were more comfortable.” 

“It’s alright. It might even be better this way.”

“I hope so. Please feel comfortable.” 

It was the seat he disliked so much, but Eric was being unusually kind, knowing that this would be the last time. 

It’s quite strange how he managed to arrange such a meeting again, but when I first heard about it, I never thought I would agree to come. 

However, after considering his serious assurance that this would be the last time and that he would never bring it up again in the future, I accepted.

Of course, I didn’t entirely trust my parents’ words.

 Perhaps I thought I would be quiet for a few months, finish my military service within that time, and maybe even take a brief trip to the border area.

 It was a kind of calculation that if I did that, I would be able to spend some time in peace.

“Please, go ahead.” 

When I offered tea, Alicia lifted her teacup. 

“The aroma is lovely.’’  

 “It’s Orange Spice tea. Made from tea leaves harvested in the Spice Estates.’’ 

“It has a hint of fruity flavor, even though it’s black tea.”

 “Is that so?”

 “But it seems different from regular orange tea, both in taste and aroma.” 

Alicia generally enjoyed tea, but this was her first time trying this particular blend. 

Since it was said to come from the estate of a duke, it probably wasn’t distributed nationwide. 

“It’s been called that for a long time, but I don’t really know the reason either. I asked when I was young, but nobody gave me a proper answer.” 

“I see. It’s a pity I was curious.” 

Alicia set down her teacup. 

Seeing Alicia avoid eye contact and tuck her hair behind her ear as if she had something to say, Eric couldn’t help but think she seemed somewhat shy. 

“Even this praised Yeong-ae, as much as my mother praises her, is no different from the previous Yeong-ae.” 

As kind as she had been lately, Eric couldn’t afford to harbor any unnecessary expectations. It was time to start tidying things up.

Alicia had never planned to attend this gathering in the first place.

The Duchess of Gloucester, whom she couldn’t even remember meeting, had been kind to her, but it was the first time someone had arranged such a meeting and even visited her home out of the blue.

Perhaps that’s why Lady Lancaster, her mother, seemed particularly assertive and talkative. 

“‘It’s not like it’s kendo, why can’t a hammer be suitable?’ What on earth does that even mean?” Alicia muttered to herself.

 When her mother mentioned about “seeing the line,” Alicia was in the middle of repairing a shed where water was leaking. She was just hammering nails into a board when her mother suddenly said that, causing Alicia to choke up, telling her to see the line.

 She couldn’t understand how those two things were related, but just to appease her mother, she nodded her head in surprise and ended up sitting here.

 The only fortunate thing was that the man sitting in front of her, though looking rough, was polite and kind, making this gathering not too uncomfortable.

But that was all there was to it.

“I need to finish repairing the shed by today. I should tidy up quickly and leave.”

Tucking her hair behind her ear and mentally going over the tasks she needed to do, Alicia raised her head and spoke.

“I have no intention of getting married.”

 “Oh, I agree… Pardon?”

It was fortunate they shared the same sentiment. It made it easier to wrap up this final meeting smoothly.

However, whether it was because the subject was abruptly changed or because the usual pattern was disrupted, Eric felt oddly unsettled. 

Without noticing Eric’s mood, Alicia continued with a serious expression.

“I might be out of line for bringing this up in this setting, but I think it’s best to say it quickly since I’ve come all this way.”

“Yeah, I remember feeling the same way before and ending the meeting quickly.”

For the first time in dozens of times, a woman appeared whose thoughts aligned with his.

However, there was a strange feeling, somewhat bitter, somewhat bruising to his ego.

Then he corrected his thoughts. 

It was rather a fortunate turn of events. Yeong-ae brought up the topic first, so he wouldn’t have to endure any more nagging about behaving badly.

But still…

“I heard Viscount is a good person. So, I think there might be a better match for you.”

‘Hmm, so there are differences in our thoughts. …Thinking like this in the current situation doesn’t seem normal, does it? Why am I doing this, did I get flustered? No way.’

There was a moment of silence as Eric didn’t seem to utter a word, perhaps truly taken aback.

The silence felt awkward, and Alicia, feeling the need to break it, opened her mouth, thinking it would be best to leave this place soon. 

“Then, I’ll take my leave now.” 

“Yes? Oh, yes.”

Eric quickly stood up to see her off.

However, feeling uncomfortable, Alicia politely declined with an awkward smile.

“It’s okay, no need for escorting. Goodbye.”

“In that case, here.”

Equally awkward, Eric escorted Alicia to the door, then returned to his seat, feeling rude but relieved to have seen her off. 

“Then, when will he ever make a big move?”

Suddenly, Allen’s words came to mind, and Eric glanced at his watch, letting out a bitter laugh.

15 minutes. It ended in exactly 15 minutes.