CH 43

[Hated Hero, Going to His Fiancée’s Home【Part 1】]

Before the school ball, I decided to visit the House of Ehrenberg.

Tayte and I were engaged.

Which meant this occasion to me was pretty much the same as visiting my parents-in-law.

“…………”

When put that way, it once again dawned on me the fact that I’d be marrying Tayte, and it set my heart aflutter. I mean, I was single in my previous life. I’d still got no idea what being a married couple was supposed to be like in this world… but seeing those around me, perhaps the concept of married couples in both worlds should more or less the same.

Well, in any case, my ideal was to live in harmony with Tayte.

In order to make that reality, I had to ensure that we had a happy married life… which, by extension, meant I must avoid the repeat of the original storyline.

“Ah, there it is, Barrett!” Tayte was pointing out the window, smiling at me. Honestly, I’d rather continue watching her smile, but it would surely make her embarrassed, so I chose to relent.

Looking out the window, I found a magnificent mansion.

The distance from the gate of the mansion to its entrance was about 100 meters, and vividly colored, beautiful flowers adorned along the sides of the road. It took my breath away.

“How… amazing.”

“It’s our prided garden♪,” said Tayte joyfully.

Speaking, she’d said before that she took care of her family’s garden with her servants. And that she’d recently grown flowers from seeds she’d received from her mother, Lady Lilia, and given them to her as a gift. This garden must be Tayte’s cherished treasure.

“…Tayte.”

“Yes?”

“Can you show me around the garden later? It’s truly beautiful, I want to take a look around.”

“! O-of course!” Tayte kindly agreed to my request with shining eyes.

Okay, now that’s decided, let’s hurry up so we can stroll around the garden ASAP, with that in mind, I got off the carriage and headed straight to the mansion—or so I tried to, but…

BAM!

The front door of the mansion was opened with great force, and out came a large number of servants.

They then lined up with perfect, uniform movements and…

“““““Welcome, Lord Barrett!”””””

…they shouted loudly, bowing deeply.

“……”

I froze.

I’d expected that something like this would happen to some degree… which was precisely why I’d asked Tayte to tell her family not to fuss about my coming as I wouldn’t want to trouble them, but that didn’t work, apparently—no, hang on. Perhaps, they did understand my message, and this was already a subdued version of their usual welcome for me.

At the end of the day, my and Tayte’s families were different in status.

Although both were of nobility, the House of Albers was a Ducal House that had a close relationship with the royal family for generations. House of Ehrenberg, on the other hand, was more like an unsung hero that had supported the kingdom since its founding. Although it wasn’t as powerful as the House of Albers, it received a lot of support from its people.

The engagement between me and Tayte, in a sense, had huge political implications.

At first glance, there may be nothing in it for the Alberses, however… knowing my father, we had something to gain from it, no doubt.

Well, the adults’ political game was of no concern to me.

Even if Tayte was a commoner, I would have fallen for her, anyway.

…I hoped the same went for Tayte.

Anyway, this was more than an adequate welcome, so I told the servants to get back to their work. All of them made “No way?!” faces and many even stood stock still on the spot—perhaps unable to believe what they had just heard… Looked like you’d caused troubles here as well, huh, (former)Barrett.

In the meantime, a man came out from the entrance of the mansion.

“Long time no see, Barrett.”

The man emitted a dignified air. He was Tayte’s father and the current head of the House of Ehrenberg…

“Long time no see—Lord Alonso.”

…Alonso Ehrenberg.