Chapter 411: : Marriage?


    ?


    "Miss, we are already here in the residence."


    I was too engrossed thinking about what Leander told me earlier that I didn''t even realize the carriage had already stopped in front of the Lauretré residence.


    I look at the coachman and smile at him. "Thank you for bringing me home," I said before getting off the carriage.


    I could see the worried look in his eyes, but I just shrugged it off. I know he was only worried because I look bothered today.


    But who wouldn''t get bothered after what happened? Leander Smyth suddenly wants to court me! Who wouldn''t get bothered about that?


    I thought he had already forgotten those feelings he had for Csille, but I guess I was totally wrong. He didn''t forget. He just gave up because he knew he couldn''tpete with Prince Fraser before, but now that I am not engaged with Prince Fraser anymore, I didn''t expect this Leander would grab the chance to ask me out.


    I couldn''t believe him at all!


    If it''s other people, they would have second thoughts about courting Csille. After all, the Crown Prince of the Kingdom had already rejected her in front of everyone. Isn''t that a sign that there is something wrong with Csille?


    But this guy... He didn''t even stop or stutter when he asked me that question. In fact, he looks confident instead.


    I heave a sigh and open the door of our house. However, I hadn''t even stepped my foot inside when I heard someone speak.


    "How is your date with the well-known ''Godly Doctor'' of the Vrawyth Kingdom?"


    I immediately look up and find Brother Pascal smirking at me. He looks like he is enjoying what he is doing right now.


    Mother and Father are sitting beside him. And they look happy?


    Wait, I don''t understand why they would look at me like that. I just had a meal with Leander. It''s not as if we are already talking about the wedding preparation.


    What is with their expressions?


    I heave a sigh and shake my head. "It''s not a date, brother. That is just a simple meal. He helped me with a patient in the Foundation. That''s why we decided to have a meal. So, I can thank hi-"


    Brother Pascal raises his eyebrow at me and cuts me off. "That is not what I heard from Li. I have dropped by your Foundation a few minutes after you and Doctor Leander have left for lunch. She said Doctor Leander dropped by early morning to check on you. He then left and returned with a patient. She said that patient is the person Doctor Leander is helping. So, you don''t need to lie, Csille. We already know."


    I frown at them. What do they know? Do they know that Leander asks me if he could court me?


    I suddenly feel scared about that thought. No one knows how much my parents and Brother Pascal is worried about my marriage. So, I am sure these three are all happy because of this news. After all, Leander isn''t a bad choice too. Although he isn''t a noble, he is from a family of Royal physicians, and these kinds of doctors are considered on par with the nobles. Some nobles even need to show respect to them. So, I understand if they will be happy about this news.


    "Mother, Father, Brother, don''t even think about it. There is nothing going on with me and senior. It was just a casual meal of two old acquaintances and nothing more. So, stop putting meaning on it."


    I slump my exhausted body on the sofa. Although I didn''t have much work to do in the Foundation, I feel like my whole energy was sucked out of my body because of what Leander told me earlier.


    I already have a lot of problems to deal with, yet here he is, still adding to that long list. When will these problems end? I feel like I got older for a decade or two because of all these problems.


    I close my eyes and lean my head on the headrest. I''m actually tired, but I know they still have many things to ask, so I want to deal with it first. I don''t want to hear anyone say nonsense things like this anymore. That''s why I decided to make it clear to them.


    "My dear, are you okay? You look tired. Why don''t you rest first?" I heard Mother ask in a worried tone.


    I slowly open my eyes and stare at them. "I know you have a lot of questions and things you want to say to me. So say it all."


    Mother and Father stare at each other for a couple of seconds before Mother turns her head at me. "My dear, I know you already said that you only have a casual meal Doctor Leander. But we were thinking, isn''t it better if the two of you end up together? My dear, you are already neen. Isn''t it time for you to deal with your future?"


    I just stared at Mother for a few seconds. I don''t understand why does she sounds like I am already in my thirties, and if I don''t find anyone soon, I will end up being a maiden.


    I know the tradition and culture in this world are based on the medieval period but isn''t neen years old too young to get married? And what does Mother say again? That I should start to deal with my future? Aren''t I currently dealing with it already?


    "Mother, I understand your concern about me and appreciate that. However, it is really impossible for me and Doctor Leander. I only see him as my senior and nothing else. So, I hope you can stop matchmaking the two of us. And as for I should be dealing with my future statement, I am already doing that, Mother. Haven''t I been busy with my Foundation for months now?"


    Mother looks like she wants to say something to me, but she just turns her head at Father, who is sitting beside her. She then tugs Father''s long sleeve.


    I know what that means. She is asking Father to talk to me instead. She knew I would listen to what my Father said. However, she forgot that Csille doesn''t mind if her Father is already mad


    at her.


    "Csille, what we are only trying to say is. You should start to see anyone else. You are already neen years old. Most of thedies your age are already married. If not, they already have a fiancé. But look at you? You don''t have anyone with you. Isn''t it better if you will give Doctor Leander a chance? He is considered one of the best Doctors in town, and he is already a Royal Physician at such a young age. If you got married to someone like that, I''m sure he can protect you with his status. You know how the nobles see the Royal Physician, right? So, I think it isn''t a bad idea to give him a chance?"


    What chance are they talking about? Don''t they know that the Vrawyth Kingdom will be at war soon? Yet, they want me to give Leander a chance?n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Also, don''t they know what will happen if I do that? It will be detrimental to everyone. So, how can I do that?


    "Father, Mother, I already told you. Stop matchmaking me with Doctor Leander. It is impossible for us. As for your worries about my future, don''t worry. I got that handled. For now, I just want to enjoy life. I want to explore the world and my work first. I want to expand the Foundation so it can help other regions too. I also want to try a lot of things. So, I don''t see the immediate need for me to get married. Also, isn''t this the right time to talk about marriage? The Vrawyth Kingdom is still in a difficult situation. Any time now, the Aeerean Kingdom can attack the Vrawyth Kingdom. So, how can you expect me to focus on such a


    thing?"


    Mother shakes her head. "But my dear is-"


    I stare at Mother. "I am already decided. I don''t want to get married for now or soon. I just want to enjoy what life is bringing me. Isn''t that what you told me when I was young? That I should learn how to enjoy life."


    "But my dear, what you are nning affects your future. If you continue dying your marriage, all gentlemen will end up getting married, and by the time you want to face it, it will be difficult for you to find a good match. It''s the reason why it''s better it you- " Why can''t they understand that I don''t want to get married? Csille is only neen. So, I don''t understand the need for immediate marriage at this age.


    "I know you are concerned about me, but when will you start to listen to what I want? I already told you that I don''t want to get married or engaged with anyone else. Why can you respect that?" I snap at them. I even stand up to make them see my disagreement.


    I stare at them disappointedly. I know they only care about me, but this is really disappointing. How can they force Csille to get married to someone she doesn''t even love? Is


    her opinion not valid?


    "Is it because of him? It''s the reason why you don''t want to get engaged because of Prince Fraser? Because you are still hoping you will somehow end up as his wife in the end?" Brother Pascal then scoffs at me. He looks more disappointed than I do.


    I looked at him, and a tear fell from my eyes. I was too frustrated right now that I couldn''t


    help but cry.


    "Why do you always rte everything to him? He is already happy with his life. Can you leave him out of this! I am only doing this because I am tired. I am tired of constantly conforming to the norm. All these years, all I ever did is to follow what the societal norms were telling me. I should always act prim and proper. I have followed that. I have done everything just to be epted by Prince Fraser. I did everything just to be epted by people, and look where it got me. I end up losing him, and now people are criticizing me because my fiancée has canceled our engagement. I am tired already. You want me to get married just so I can be like those


    other nobles?"


    Iugh bitterly. I can feel my cheeks getting wet from crying, but I don''t care anymore. I don''t even know why the heck I am crying. Is it because of the frustration or because of the emotions I have kept inside of me all these years?


    I look at my family with tears in my eyes. "I just want to live a life I want to be. Is there something wrong with that? I don''t want to be the typical nobledy who will just end up raising her children in the house while my husband works all day. I am more than that, Mother. So, please don''t ask me to get married again because if you do, I''m afraid I might end


    up running away from home."


    Mother''s eyes widened when she heard what I said. She tried to reach my arms, but I


    immediately got away from her while shaking my head.


    Father stands up and tries to calm Mother. He didn''t say anything to me, but I could see the disappointment in his eyes.


    I disappointed them again and again. When will this end?


    I looked at my parents for thest time and decided to just go to my room. I didn''t expect things will end up like this. I only want to make it clear to them that I don''t want anything to do with any gentlemen for now. But it is never my attention to hurt them. However, I got frozen on the spot when I suddenly heard Brother Pascal say something. "When will you realize that we are only doing this for your own good, Csille?"


    I didn''t respond to what he said and continued to walk my way inside my room. The moment I close my door, I lean on the door and smile bitterly at myself.


    "I hope you can also realize that I am doing this for everyone''s safety. I''m sorry, Mother, Father, and Brother. I am only doing this to save everyone. Csille should be focusing on her mission and nothing else. So, I apologize for hurting all of you."