I've Tried Going Back to Life After Dying - Chapter 31

After living for forty years, one experiences countless surprising things.

Things that are completely opposite to expectations. There have been many such moments.

Being proposed to by the heir of a higher-ranking marquisate, or being asked to become his wife.

Discovering that the one who claimed to love you most didn’t truly mean it, or learning he had a long-standing mistress.

Each time something like this happened, Hildegard came to believe the saying that reality is stranger than fiction.

But even so, could something like this really happen?

“We’re in the same grade, aren’t we? Miss Hildegard.”

Before her stood Clifford.

The very same Clifford from her memories, just as he was when they first met.

His hair, neither platinum nor gold but somewhere in between. She knew it was stiffer than it looked. Smooth and straight, yet prone to bedhead, always sticking up somewhere when he first woke.

She had swallowed many things, given up on many others, and with that, Hildegard had closed the book on her previous life only to now find herself facing her former husband.

This was the guest room of the count’s estate, and now she was standing opposite Clifford.

In this life, she had thought there would be no connection between her family’s earldom and Clifford’s marquisate.

Her parents were in the room, along with Lauren. Beside Clifford sat a man with a very familiar face.

Arthur?

Hildegard recalled the younger version of him from her memories.

Arthur, the marquisate’s butler. But she quickly realized it wasn’t him. He looked strikingly similar, but this wasn’t Arthur. He was much younger than Arthur had been back then.

In her previous life, she had first met Arthur shortly after becoming engaged to Clifford.

At the time, he had been a butler-in-training, and if her memory served, he was in his mid-thirties.

The man before her now couldn’t be older than his twenties.

“I heard your family was searching for a tutor specifically, someone well-versed in astronomy. I thought he might be a good fit.”

Clifford must have heard from somewhere that her father was looking for a tutor for Lauren.

He always seemed carefree, but Clifford was sharp-eyed like that.

Clifford was the long-awaited heir of the marquis couple, born late in their lives. After years of struggling to conceive and nearly resorting to adopting an heir, they were finally blessed with him. His birth spurred good fortune. Two years later, a second son was born.

The marquis couple, if she recalled correctly, should be at their estate around this time. Due to health concerns, they spent most of their days in the countryside where the air was cleaner.

In her past life, they had passed away within a few years of witnessing Clifford’s marriage to Hildegard perhaps finally at ease.

Even as a student, Clifford had taken on administrative duties in place of his parents, working alongside Arthur and his father, the head butler the longest-serving steward of the house.

The marquisate had many skilled clerks, likely because they had carefully selected and trained staff early on to support the young heir.

“Lord Longfall, your concern is greatly appreciated, but does the marquis know of this?”

“Of course, Count. He is the son of our family’s butler. I wouldn’t presume to make decisions regarding our staff without permission. Ah, his name is Vincent.”

Clifford answered her father’s question.

No wonder he looked so familiar. His features were nearly identical to Arthur’s.

Vincent bowed when introduced by Clifford, then stated his name and age. Arthur’s younger brother, Vincent, was twenty-five a full decade younger than Arthur.

Searching her memories, she recalled Arthur mentioning such a brother.

But in her past life, he hadn’t been in this country. He had studied at the Empire’s university and remained there as a researcher, never returning to his homeland.

So why was Vincent here now?

“I heard you were seeking exceptional talent. Finding a scholar in that field would be difficult in this kingdom. The Empire leads in astronomy.”

Clifford alternated his gaze between her father and Lauren as he spoke. Yet, at some point, his eyes met Hildegard’s.

She quickly averted her gaze—surely, it was only because she had been staring at him.

“It’s true we were searching for a scholar, but we had assumed someone from the capital’s vicinity would suffice. As you say, reputable scholars are scarce, but not entirely absent.”

“Count, I must ask you to indulge me here. Your son is the same age as my younger brother. I understand the desire to prioritize his health, my own parents are the same. And besides—”

Here, Clifford looked directly at Hildegard. Feeling his gaze, she instinctively raised her head.

“Both times I sent letters of courtship to Lady Hildegard; they were declined on the grounds of your son’s health.”

“…What?”

“Ah, my apologies for my rudeness at the time. You are correct. Our earldom had just replaced its heir due to health concerns. Your proposal for my daughter arrived right as we were dealing with that. I hope you understand why we couldn’t give you the answer you desired.”

Her father’s words slipped past Hildegard’s ears. Clifford had proposed marriage?

In this life, she hadn’t bothered reading any courtship letters addressed to her which had earned her more than a few scolding from her father.

Knowing her father wouldn’t force an engagement against her will like other families might, Hildegard who had no intention of marrying into another house in this life hadn’t even checked the senders.

Yet the marquisate had sought her hand even in this life?

“Father…”

When she looked at him, his brows furrowed slightly.

“I thought it was a rare opportunity.”

Yes, he had said that.

But to think that proposal had come from the marquisate of all families.

Clifford, perhaps amused by her shock, smiled magnanimously and continued.

“Lady Hildegard and I will likely interact frequently as heads of noble houses supporting the kingdom. It was a match I once desired. I simply wished to be of service. Vincent is exceptional. He studied astronomy at the Empire’s university and remained there as a researcher.”

Every word felt like it was tracing over her past. As if her previous life was relentlessly chasing her.

“This time, our marquisate has decided to support him. We want his expertise to benefit our homeland. Eventually, I intend to recommend him as a tutor for the crown prince. But first, I’d like him to gain experience by teaching your son.”

Clifford’s blue eyes moved from her father to Lauren, then finally to Hildegard.

“A fair exchange, don’t you think?”

He smiled lightly, the same youthful smile Hildegard remembered so well.