I've Tried Going Back to Life After Dying - Chapter 16

That night, her father called her in for confirmation.

Her mother had already taken Lauren to her room. Since Hildegard planned to visit Lauren afterward, she hoped her conversation with her father wouldn’t drag on.

“Are you truly certain about rejecting all of them?”

“Of course.”

“Once we refuse, you can’t later change your mind and accept an offer.”

“Naturally.”

“Even if the family has second or third sons.”

“Even if there’s a fourth.”

Her father let out a deep sigh as he looked at the stack of marriage proposals on the table.

These letters would be the last to be reviewed by Hildegard before rejection notices were sent out tomorrow.

“Wouldn’t you at least consider one? You might change your mind. Some of these are rare opportunities.”

“Looking or not looking won’t change anything. I’ve already said I won’t marry.”

Her father sighed deeply again.

No matter how many sighs he heaved, Hildegard had no intention of leaving the household.

But that also meant her father wasn’t pressuring her with the responsibilities expected of a nobleman’s daughter.

It went without saying that, by default, the head of the family decided a daughter’s marriage. Fathers like hers were rare even among nobility.

Her father must have been thinking of Lauren too. In case of the worst, he had to consider the future of the household. A responsibility separates from parental affection.

That was why his questions carried an unspoken suggestion: perhaps she should look for a family willing to take in a son-in-law.

“You must have thought the same, Father. What would it mean if I sought a husband now? How would we explain that to her? You’ve considered it, haven’t you? Mother too.”

Lauren’s days were not the same as Hildegard’s. Unlike her parents, or anyone who could vaguely foresee their future, Lauren’s life was different.

For her, simply being able to sleep at night and wake in the morning was something special and precious.

“There’s one thing I cannot compromise on.”

“…Yes?”

“When you become head of this family, you cannot remain unmarried. It’s not just my decision. Some things require the approval of the entire clan.”

As the wife of a marquis, she had long been expected to produce an heir. She knew that succession wasn’t just the concern of the main house, it involved the entire noble family and its vassals.

“I want you to be happy. But this isn’t about letting you do as you please. If you stand as head of this house, you must bear its responsibilities.”

Hildegard understood her father’s feelings perfectly. At the same time, she remembered how Clifford had stood at the forefront, defending her.

She didn’t know what words he had used to convince the family, but keeping a childless wife and even designating her bloodline as successors was unheard of among high nobility.

As a compromise, Clifford had arranged the engagement between his younger brother’s daughter and Austin.

If Austin became head of the marquisate, his niece would carry on the bloodline.

Thinking of that reminded her of Austin. Fortunately, his relationship with his niece was good, and they were expected to become a loving couple. On the night of the former head’s funeral, when even his wife had passed, he was likely now running about with the household and relatives, ensuring the family’s survival.

He’ll manage.

That unwavering trust in her heart had been a guiding light in Hildegard’s life.

He’ll take care of Helen too. And before that, my husband must have made some arrangements.

The steward probably knew something about it.

As for matters of her past life, she trusted the right people to handle them. What mattered most now was Hildegard in this life.

“What do you think of Atrey?”

“Eh?”

Lost in thought, Hildegard had been looking down, but her father’s question made her lift her head in surprise.

“If you were to take Atrey as your husband, it would be an acceptable arrangement.”

Atrey the man who had taken over her birth family after Lauren’s death in her past life. Though she had just seen him at the academy today, the image that came to mind was of the middle-aged Atrey who had come to pay his respects at Clifford’s funeral.

“At least keep it in mind. Lauren is still with us for now.”

Hildegard felt guilty for making her father voice words that acknowledged their child’s possible short life. But all she could say was:

“Understood.”

“My lady, shall I return the handkerchief?”

On her way back to her room, her maid Louise asked. She had borrowed a handkerchief from Atrey and accidentally brought it home.

After considering whether to wash and return it or gift a new one, Hildegard answered:

“Give him a new one.”

Louise pressed further.

“What color would you like? If you wish to embroider it, I’ll prepare white.”

Hildegard thought for a moment.

Then, finally:

“White, please.”

That was her answer.