Chapter 8: Are you getting married?

The woman with glasses had said that there were three interviewers, but one of them had gone to the restroom.

‘Was Felix the one who went to the restroom?’

When he greeted us warmly, the professors looked flustered.

“Ah, do you know each other?”

“They are the saviors of my life.”

“S-Saviors of your life…?”

At the heavy word “savior,” the pig-like professor’s face twisted.

“But… the atmosphere seems tense. Was there some kind of conflict?”

Felix, gauging the mood, spoke.

I quickly replied.

“There was a conflict because they insulted our family.”

“You were the one who insulted me first, weren’t you?!”

“Who was the one acting all superior and telling my daughter to ‘know her place’?”

“Is that true?”

Felix looked at the pig professor and asked.

“T-To be honest, isn’t it strange?! The father didn’t even graduate from a proper school. His job is physical labor, so I doubt he has much money. And just because I offered a bit of advice, he—!”

“Enough. I don’t want to hear another word.”

Felix cut the professor off, frowning.

“Since when did our school judge students based on external circumstances, rather than the students themselves?”

I added lightly.

“I said a few strong words, and the lady professor started accusing me of defamation.”

“…Is that true, Professor Rebecca?”

She remained silent.

The atmosphere shifted in our favor.

I added one final remark.

“I can tolerate insults toward me, but I cannot forgive anyone who insults my daughter.”

“Mr. Valentine. I cannot tolerate anyone insulting you either. You saved my heir, and for that, you deserve the utmost respect.”

‘So that little boy we saved was the heir? He must’ve been truly precious. That’s why he had the same name.’

Felix bowed his head.

“I’m truly sorry. On behalf of the school, I sincerely apologize for the rudeness shown by the professors.”

Felix once again lowered his head and apologized.

“Please raise your head. You’re not the one who did anything wrong.”

Saying that, he turned his head toward the pig professor and the woman with glasses.

They flinched and trembled.

Slowly, they bowed their heads toward me.

“We’re truly sorry.”

“Was that directed at me?”

When I asked if they were apologizing to Elizabeth, they bowed again.

***

“…Miss Valentine, we are truly sorry.”

“I would also like to apologize, Miss Valentine. Our professors acted rudely. If it’s not too much to ask, may we continue with the interview?”

“The interview, you say.”

I responded flatly.

At first, I had been worried about how to do well in the interview.

But after seeing their attitudes, my mind had changed.

‘If people with such poor character held high positions, what kind of treatment would the people below them face?’

I was seriously considering applying to a different school—one known for its kindness.

“I mean this sincerely—Miss Valentine has tremendous potential. Growing up under such a strong and upright father, it’s only natural that she turned out so well.”

“Is that so.”

“Absolutely. And I can feel it—how much she was loved. It’s clear she grew up surrounded by warmth. I don’t want to lose such a promising young talent.”

Felix finished his words and gave the professors a cold glare.

“Of course, these two will not be conducting the interview. Professor Feswal, Professor Rebecca—you are both dismissed.”

“You can’t do this! Even if you’re the principal, you can’t just fire us like this!”

“……That’s right, Principal Felix. You’re firing us over something like this?”

Naturally, the professors immediately objected.

“You can’t?”

Felix calmly caught their words.

“Everyone, I hold this position by the authority of His Majesty. And more than a principal, I am the royal chamberlain.”

The Ladenburg family had served as royal chamberlains for generations.

Felix, the head of the family, held the chamberlain title.

He was also the principal of Lenz School.

Though he was certainly capable of handling both roles, the appointment was largely political.

Felix had served the king faithfully for a long time.

Unlike other nobles who sought to check the king’s power, Felix was a loyalist.

Wanting to strengthen royal authority, the king placed Felix as the head of Lenz School.

Of course, he couldn’t fully manage both jobs, so in practice, his role as principal was mostly symbolic.

Still, his official position remained royal chamberlain.

The chamberlain oversaw all matters of the royal household—a high and powerful office.

For someone in his position, firing two professors was nothing.

“E-Even so, if there’s no just cause—!”

“Just cause, you say…”

Felix stroked his beard as he continued.

The professor wasn’t wrong.

Being rude during an interview wasn’t normally grounds for dismissal.

However—

“Professor.”

“…Yes, Principal.”

“Did you take good care of the money you received from Count Chitoka?”

“…Pardon?”

“You must have. That would explain how Count Chitoka’s son, who ranked fifth from the bottom, suddenly rose to third place in just one semester.”

The pig professor’s face turned deathly pale.

“Professor Rebecca.”

This time, Felix turned to the woman with glasses.

But after hearing the previous exchange, her face had already gone ghost-white.

“Shall I say it out loud, or will you leave quietly on your own?”

“I-I’ll leave. Please don’t say it.”

Saying that, Professor Rebecca really did leave, placing her badge on the table.

Felix then turned back to the pig professor.

“I had more than enough cause to fire you both. It’s not that I couldn’t—it’s that I didn’t. Sometimes, just having the grounds is enough.”

“If you believe this dismissal is unjust, feel free to file a formal appeal. But then I will report you for bribery.”

“I’ll resign…”

“A wise decision. Now get out.”

The pig professor walked out, shoulders slumped.

“It feels like things escalated because of us,” I said.

“Not at all. I’m just glad I can repay the favor in some way. So, Mr. Valentine, would you reconsider the interview?”

It’s hard to turn her down when she’s going this far.

If someone like her is the principal, maybe it’s worth trusting the school again.

“Daughter, should we take the interview again?”

“Yes.”

Elizabeth nodded.

We changed our minds and took the interview again.

The only interviewer was Principal Felix.

Unlike before, the atmosphere was warm and pleasant.

After safely finishing the interview, Elizabeth spoke.

“I can’t believe that old man showed up there. And he’s the principal of this school too! I never would’ve imagined!”

“I was surprised too. I had a feeling he wasn’t an ordinary person. You did well today. Should we eat dinner out?”

“Sounds good!”

***

The next day.

“Dad, I’m heading out.”

“Be careful.”

Leo put on a loose shirt and headed to work.

It was 5:30 AM.

He arrived at the construction site on time.

Workers who had arrived before him were sitting on materials, drinking tea.

“Hey! Leo!”

A group of workers who spotted Leo waved warmly.

Leo walked over and greeted them.

“Good morning, William, Belty, Nodis. Did you all rest well yesterday?”

“Oh, of course. We had a blast at that new place. It’s called the Wine Valley Lounge. Ever heard of it?”

“No. How is it?”

“Heh, it’s heaven. Just 20,000 Hearts, and young ladies pour wine for you using their breasts… I’ve never seen such a view in my life. More beautiful than any natural valley.”

William grinned widely.

He was the eldest and most experienced among the workers.

“You should come with us next time!”

William’s ‘brother,’ Belty, chuckled.

They weren’t real brothers, just that close.

“Haha, I appreciate the offer, but with a daughter at home, I’m not sure it’s appropriate.”

“Eh, haven’t remarried yet? I bet there’s a whole wagon full of women who’d line up to marry someone like you.”

“I actually enjoy living with just my daughter.”

William spoke again.

“Maybe you’re fine, but your daughter might not be. I grew up without a mother, and it hurt. Everyone else had a mom, and I didn’t. Stuff like that.”

‘…Really?’

He had never thought about it that way.

There were times he even wished Elizabeth’s mother would just disappear.

“…Do you think not having a mother affects a child’s emotional growth?”

“Absolutely. A mother is like the world to a child. What I’ve realized with age is, no matter how much money you have, if you don’t have family, you can’t be happy.”

“You don’t even have money.”

“What are you talking about, big bro? I’m actually making a decent amount these days. That stock I invested in recently went up nicely.”

“What? Which stock?”

“I’m telling you, railroad stocks are all the rage right now. With all the tracks they’re laying down, it’s bound to go up.”

“Got anything else?”

As the conversation shifted to stocks, my thoughts drifted elsewhere.

‘Remarriage…’

‘It’s not like I never considered it.’

‘Sometimes, I’d test the waters with Elizabeth, but she always said she liked things the way they were.’

‘Thinking more deeply, maybe it’s because she’s never had a mom to begin with.’

‘If Elizabeth had a mother, maybe she’d live a happier life.’

‘Marriage.’

‘The union of two people in love, building a family.’

‘…Does that mean I need to fall in love first?’

‘Love, huh.’

I thought deeply.

Looking back on my life, I had never shared a deep, heartfelt love.

It’s not like I’d never been with a woman.

When desire built up, I went to the red-light district.

Some of the prostitutes even wanted something more serious, but I always turned them down.

‘Marry a prostitute?’

The thought of my biological mother makes my skin crawl.

‘If a woman like her became Elizabeth’s mother… that’d be hell.’

***

“Daughter.”

“What?”

On a day off.

Elizabeth was lying on my lap, giggling as she read a novel, answering without looking at me.

“Just wondering.”

“Yeah?”

I stroked her golden hair and spoke.

“Don’t you feel lonely sometimes?”

“I’m not sure?”

“You don’t really hang out with your friends much. I figured you might get bored when you’re home.”

“Not really.”

“Some days, you’re here alone without me.”

“That’s true, but why? What are you trying to say with all this?”

“Would it be weird… if I got remarried?”

Clearing my throat, I turned my head in embarrassment.

A quiet silence followed.

I turned to look at Elizabeth.

She was still staring at her book, but now her eyes shifted to me.

One thing I’ve always noticed—Elizabeth’s eyes are full of color.

Sometimes as clear as the sky, sometimes shining like sapphires.

Right now, they were deep, like the ocean, staring into me.

“What are you talking about?”

“…Marriage, I mean.”

I spoke without realizing how small my voice had become.

“Are you saying you’re getting married?”

Her voice was clear, almost innocent.

“Not that I am—”

“Are you seeing someone?”

Her words were quick and sharp.

Before I knew it, she had tossed the book aside and was staring straight at me.

“Do you hate the idea of me dating?”

“Yes. I don’t want someone else living with us. I don’t want some woman I don’t know becoming your wife.”

“…You hate it that much?”

“I do. Think about it, Dad. How would you feel if I started dating someone?”

Elizabeth turned the question around on me.

I thought for a moment, then answered.

“If he’s okay, then I’m fine with it.”

“As if. You should be against it, obviously.”

“…Really?”

Elizabeth ended the conversation.

“So, why bring this up all of a sudden? Is someone asking you to get married?”

“No.”

“Then, if someone comes along, will you marry her?”

“You said something like that—how could I?”

“No.”

Hearing my answer, Elizabeth smiled in satisfaction and shifted positions.

She sat up on my thigh, leaned her cheek against my chest, and continued reading.

Eventually, she fell asleep like that.