Chapter〈007〉
“Not really.”
It was a simple answer. And an awkward one, too.
“But still, don’t you have any expectations for what kind of wedding you’d like?”
“Not particularly.”
Even when I asked again, Lord Winchester’s answer remained the same. Honestly, I had kind of expected it. Given how expressionless he was when he proposed, it wasn’t surprising that he didn’t seem to care much about marriage.
“Then what kind of wedding ring would you like? Do you have any preferences?”
I carefully pulled out a catalog. I was ready to do whatever he wanted for the ring he would wear himself. My strategy was to skimp on everything else as much as possible.
“The head of House Winchester has always used the family heirloom ring as a wedding band. It signifies that they are both the head of the household and of the family.”
He held out the ring he was already wearing as he spoke. To be generous, it was a ring steeped in tradition. Honestly, it was kind of tacky—with a giant red gem stuck in the middle. It only suited Lord Winchester because of his large and rugged hands. If someone more delicate wore it, you’d worry their finger might break under the weight.
Anyway, knowing we didn’t need to buy a new ring made the corners of my lips twitch upward involuntarily.
“And actually, I already have a ring that I’d like you to wear, Miss Naeri.”
He opened a drawer and pulled out a small jewelry box. He had pulled out the engagement letter from that same drawer last time. Just how much stuff was in there?
“Is it a ring that’s been passed down to the Countess of Winchester?”
In novels, it was common for proposals to be made with a mother’s or grandmother’s ring. I used to think that was romantic—a proposal that tied generations together, making you feel like you were truly becoming part of a family.
‘The first hint of romance in this marriage…’
“There’s nothing like that.”
His cold response instantly snuffed out the tiny spark of romance that had just begun to flicker.
“My mother was quite greedy. She insisted all her jewelry be buried with her when she died.”
“…That’s a very unique form of burial.”
The jewelry might’ve been wasted, but at least it was a peaceful burial for inanimate objects.
“If they had actually buried her with them, that is.”
“You didn’t?”
“No.”
His answer left me momentarily confused. If the jewelry wasn’t buried with her and there was nothing passed down… where did all the former Countess’s valuables go?
“I made sure it was clear that we weren’t required to keep them for future generations—so I sold them.”
He seemed to catch my puzzled expression and answered before I could even ask. Should I call him an unfilial son, or a ruthless pragmatist?
“Then… did you buy a new ring?”
I swallowed the words “for me?” There was no need to be that blunt.
“It’s just something I already had.”
As if to say “enough questions,” he pushed the jewelry box toward me again. The gesture clearly meant “just open it already.” So I did, carefully lifting the lid.
“Oh my!”
The moment I saw the ring, I let out a small gasp. It had a relatively large, clear gemstone that at first glance seemed ordinary. But at the top was a crown-shaped design made from intricately set smaller stones—definitely not ordinary.
It was cute if you wanted it to be, elegant if you saw it that way. One thing was certain: it was unique and beautiful. I had never seen anything like it—not even in the catalog.
“Try it on. If it doesn’t fit, it’ll need to be adjusted.”
Leaning back in his chair, Lord Winchester spoke casually. I wasn’t sure what to point out first.
Should I mention how odd it was that I was putting the wedding ring on myself, even if we weren’t having the ceremony right now? Or that you don’t really say “adjust” when it comes to fine jewelry?
“…It fits perfectly.”
But I chose to say nothing. I just did as he said and slipped the ring onto my finger. It actually felt a bit tight, but it was so beautiful that I wanted to let it slide. I didn’t want to ruin the perfect mood by talking about resizing.
“So… what about the wedding dress? Have you picked out a tuxedo?”
I had been so mesmerized by the ring that I was just staring at my hand. Realizing this wasn’t the time for that, I snapped out of it and hurriedly moved on to the next topic.
“I don’t know anything about dresses. Please handle that yourself.”
It was a dismissive answer, but honestly, it was a relief. It was better than him choosing something expensive or totally not to my taste.
“Anything else?”
He sounded like he wanted to get this over with quickly. Well, he had said he was squeezing this into a tight schedule between his knightly duties.
“There’s… one thing left.”
I brought it up hesitantly. In truth, it was the most important matter.
“…”
But I couldn’t get the words out. Talking about money was always awkward. And asking for a discount on money I hadn’t even borrowed yet felt ridiculous and weird.
“…”
As I hesitated, Lord Winchester stared at me, clearly expecting me to speak. I knew I couldn’t keep dragging this out.
“Um…”
I licked my dry lips and finally opened my mouth.
“How much were you thinking for the bride’s dowry?”
Ah. I said it.
“Zero padd.”
Huh?
While I had struggled to bring myself to ask, Lord Winchester’s answer was immediate—and shockingly unconventional.
According to what my sister and mother told me, dowries for noble brides usually started at 30 million padd. It symbolized how precious the daughter was to her family, and how honored the groom’s family was to gain her. The higher the title, the higher the dowry.
Even commoners needed at least a few million padd, or if they were dirt poor, maybe some sacks of wheat or potatoes.
But a dowry of zero for the bride of the Count of Winchester?
“Is something wrong?”
Seeing me stunned into silence, he asked as if wondering what the issue was.
“Are you really okay with that?”
“As I said before, I have no intention of turning marriage into a business.”
Even when I asked again, his answer didn’t change. Honestly, I was a little touched by the fact that he wasn’t placing a monetary value on a person.
And a little confused. If Lord Winchester had such progressive views on marriage, why did he essentially sell off Daniel like a product in the novel?
From what I could tell today, he seemed like a principled and moral man. Not someone who would neglect or abuse a child.
“Well, then I think that wraps things up. I’ll be going now. Thank you for making time despite your busy schedule, Lord Winchester.”
“That’s it?”
“Yes.”
“There’s still something important left, isn’t there?”
“Something important?”
What was left? We’d settled the living arrangements—we’d be staying here. The wedding would be held here too. No need for new wedding bands. I’d pick my own dress. Guests could be handled separately. We’d just resolved the dowry—the most important issue. So what was left?
“When do you plan to hold the ceremony?”
“Ah!”
Only then did I realize what I had forgotten. I’d been so preoccupied with the dowry that I completely missed it.
“When would be convenient for you?”
I sat back down and asked him.
“Next week won’t work. The Batro Principality’s delegation is arriving in two weeks, so I need to prepare for the parade. Next month, I’ll be away for ten days inspecting the northeastern garrisons. The 5th of every month is out due to joint knight training. These days are also off-limits because I have to tutor His Highness the Crown Prince.”
He showed me a nearly full schedule as he spoke. Just hearing it made me tired.
“Then the only free slot is…”
I searched his schedule like I was playing a hidden object game.
“How about this day?”
I pointed to a tiny open space I found for next month.
“Let’s do that.”
He picked up a quill and neatly marked a “V” over the date I’d indicated.
“Then I’ll really be going now.”
I stood, bowed slightly, and bent my knees in a formal curtsy. He returned a small nod. It was a dry farewell. No one would guess we were about to be married soon.
‘Why is he marrying me?’
Neither the ceremony nor the ring seemed important to him. He simply chose a date that wouldn’t interfere with his routine. It wasn’t out of love or desire for marriage.
Of course, it was the same for me. But I did have a goal for this marriage.
“Oh, Lord Winchester?”
Just as I was about to leave the room, I turned around again.
‘My tiny, adorable little dumpling Daniel!’
For the sake of that goal.
