Looking outside the window, Lena turned her head and met eyes with Bellagé. Lady Melburn also explained about the Namis Marquisate.
‘A magician’s family, wasn’t it?’
The Namis family had produced many famous magicians in the past.
When she heard that story, she thought that the Namis family and she had a connection. But suddenly, one question crossed her mind.
“But why did such a prestigious family suddenly decline?”
“The Namis family originally relied solely on magic for power. Magic users in the empire hundreds of years ago were more free than they are now. So, they could build influence through magic alone. Just like the Namis family. But at some point, the empire began to gradually control magicians, and as a result, no one with magic power was born in the Namis family.”
Currently, Marquis de Namis often said. His ancestors believed too much in magic alone and were overly arrogant.
They thought the magical power flowing within them would last forever.
Because of that, they neither engaged in business like other families nor showed much interest in politics.
As Lena was pondering the past of Namis, the carriage gradually slowed down as it seemed to have reached its destination.
“We’ve arrived.”
As they disembarked from the carriage with Bellagé’s escort, the mansion standing before them, as if proving its former glory, exuded grandeur.
However, it looked worn out in places, possibly due to long-term neglect.
“Thank you for coming, Your Grace. I’m sure the Marquis will be pleased that you came all the way here.”
An elderly man, who seemed to be the steward of Namis, welcomed the two. His gray hair spoke volumes about the time spent together in this mansion.
“It’s been a while, Rector. I feel bad for coming so late.”
“No, not at all. We’re grateful that you took the time to come amidst your busy schedule. And, may I ask if this person is…”
Steward Rector, standing beside Bellagé, inquired while looking at Lena.
“My wife.”
“Nice to meet you. I am Fermannes Duke’s wife. Rector, the steward of Namis Marquisate.”
“Pleased to meet you for the first time. I’ve been working for the Namis family for over 40 years.”
“Nice to meet you, Rector. I apologize for coming so late.”
“Don’t say that. The Marquis is waiting. This way.”
Following the steward’s guidance, the two entered the mansion. However, Lena’s steps suddenly came to a halt.
Huh?
It was truly strange.
It was undoubtedly her first time here, but…
‘Why does it feel so familiar?’
A sense of déjà vu since entering the mansion.
Lena suppressed her heart, which was beating frantically, trying to display her presence.
“Lena?”
But no matter how much she tried to rethink, she couldn’t find the cause of this strange feeling.
“What’s wrong?”
“…Ah, no, it’s nothing.”
Responding to the Duke’s voice calling her again, Lena shook her head.
She thought it might be just her imagination.
Following the steward’s guidance into the room, an elderly man who seemed to be Namis Marquis was sitting leaning against the bed head.
“Marquis, Duke and Duchess Fermannes have arrived.”
“Oh, this…”
As the Marquis, who had been looking out the window, tried to rise upon hearing that the two had come, the Duke stopped him.
“Stay still. I heard it’s still too early for you to strain yourself.”
“I apologize. I should have gone out to greet you…”
He bowed his head as if embarrassed.
“No, I feel rather bad for coming so late. Still, as your son-in-law.”
“A son-in-law… After living alone for so long, that title feels awkward.”
Namis Marquis had been living alone since losing his wife and young daughter in an accident, without remarrying.
Moreover, with no successor to inherit the Namis Marquisate, he needed to find a heir as soon as possible for the family’s survival.
However, at the moment when Marquis, who hadn’t considered having offspring or raising successors, thought the family might disappear into history, the Duke requested Lena’s engagement.
“I’m even more grateful to Your Grace. Isn’t it the same as giving me a family?”
In truth, if it weren’t for the Duke’s request, he would have refused. However, facing Bellagé’s plea, which he had observed since birth, he couldn’t bring himself to refuse.
“So, are you in good health?”
“Yes, there’s no major issue. Just the usual signs of aging.”
As he aged, his stamina naturally declined. At the age of eighty, it was expected to have some health issues.
“Hello, nice to meet you. I’m Lena Fermannes.”
“Pleasure to meet you. I heard the news of your marriage, and I haven’t done anything…”
Wanting to convey his apologies for not doing anything as her stepfather, Marquis hesitated when he saw her face.
As if trying to gauge whether this was reality or a dream, a gaze that suddenly changed.
‘Why is he acting like this all of a sudden?’
Seeing the puzzled expression on Lena’s face as she observed the changed Marquis for a moment, she cautiously asked, “Is there anything uncomfortable? Your expression suddenly doesn’t look good…”
“If there’s any discomfort, call a doctor right away.”
“Oh, no. I was lost in thought for a moment…”
Only now did the Marquis seem to regain his composure.
“The doctor says you can go out to nearby places starting tomorrow. Let’s save any unfinished conversations for tomorrow. Rest for today. Or, you two might want to visit Pantecis Lake.”
“The lake?”
“We have a fairly large lake on this estate. I visited a few times with my parents when I was young.”
“Yes, especially around this time, the autumn leaves near the lake are very beautiful.”
If you go east from the Namis estate, there was a large lake, and the scenery was so beautiful that quite a few people visited the estate to see the lake.
“I’m really looking forward to it. Then, let’s go together with Marquis tomorrow.”
“That sounds good.”
Lena, who seemed excited about tomorrow, sparkled her eyes, and Bellagé smiled as he looked at her.
“Rector, please escort the two to their room. You must have had a hard time coming a long way.”
“Yes, Marquis.”
“Then, see you tomorrow.”
After bidding farewell to Marquis, Bellagé and Lena left the room.
Dash[End].
As soon as the two left the room, Marquis, once again stiffening his expression, muttered.
“…She looks like her.”
Continuously mulling over Lena’s face he had seen a while ago.
Male lead reborn without memories — but he still falls for her.
The person he finds displeasing in this life turns out to be his cherished wife-master in previous life…
Xie Zhi and Fang Xianxing who had known each other for less than three days through a blind date sat in the same car in front of the civil affairs bureau. They had a disagreement and failed to get married.
Xie Zhi immediately took out his phone, slid through his contacts, and randomly selected the next marriage candidate.
The woman snatched his phone and hung up. Looking at his phone wallpaper, she awkwardly changed the subject: “An ancient painting, eh? It looks pretty good, it’s just that the person in the painting looks a bit like me.”
When he heard this, he sarcastically mocked her for being so delusional, completely unaware that, the person in front of him was the reincarnation of Wen Ru, the famous prime minister of Yuan Shun whom he most admired…
The female CEO who doesn’t want to get married with a divorce agreement in hand × The male archaeological researcher who will only get married if he’s sure he can get divorced
