For My Birthday, I Was Gifted Five Husbands - Chapter 15
Having wrapped up the wedding in such a bold manner, it was time to decisively resolve the inheritance issue that had sparked all of this.
So, Eugenie and her five husbands headed to none other than the office and home of James Banker in a two-story building.
Even the seasoned lawyer was taken aback to see the lady he had known since childhood arrive with husbands trailing behind her like newly hatched chicks. And considering they were all some of the wealthiest and most prominent figures in the Empire, the shock was needless to say.
“I’m glad you’ve brought your husbands, but it seems you’ve brought quite a few more than I expected. How on earth did this happen?”
“It just turned out this way.”
“I see.”
However, having witnessed realities more bizarre than fiction in the legal world, James quickly composed himself.
“So, how should I address you? If all your husbands are to be treated equally, you might need a new surname.”
“Just call me Eugenie, Mr. Banker. Nothing externally will change.”
“Understood, Lady Eugenie. First, here’s the list of inheritance shares prepared for you.”
James handed over the documents he had prepared, anticipating Eugenie’s success in securing her husbands. As she reviewed the items listed, a wry smile crept onto her face.
Regardless of how strange the laws of Hermeland were, the satisfaction of this small victory was refreshing.
‘Serves him right.’
Her relationship with Peregrin Norton had always been awkward, and Eugenie didn’t particularly covet his wealth. After all, what good was money that came with a stain? It was like hesitating to pick up cash that was dirty.
She just wanted to seize something from the trash who had toyed with her mother’s hopes while frolicking with other women.
Ultimately, the most important thing was the remaining legacy of Theodora.
“…And I’ve confirmed that this small safe remains as part of Theodora Norton’s inheritance.”
“What about the clothing and jewelry?”
“Well, um. The late Viscount Norton…”
“Oh, I can guess.”
He probably sold it all before pulling a royal straight flush.
Eugenie shook her head and shifted her gaze to the small safe the lawyer had brought. It was a bit grand for a safe and was more akin to an enamel box that might hold letters.
The lid was secured with a lock, but it was easy to guess the combination.
‘Probably the wedding anniversary.’
Eugenie looked down with a detached expression. Even while resenting Peregrin Norton daily during her life, her mother had been unable to let go of her nostalgia for the beautiful times they had shared. In this way, she left traces of her defeat everywhere.
As Eugenie had suspected, the safe opened with a rusty sound at ‘0524’. Inside were old letters, with one on top sealed with the initials “T.F.”
Seeing Eugenie’s silence, her husbands, who had been waiting in comfortable positions, started to get up one by one. The first to speak was Alfred.
“Should I step aside, Eugenie?”
“No, you all make yourself comfortable.”
After all, the stories written inside were likely relevant to everyone.
Taking a deep breath, Eugenie tore open the seal of the letter. Her mother’s handwriting was still childlike and uneven, with a few spelling errors in slightly difficult words.
[To my beloved daughter, Eugenie.]
[By now, you’re probably busy taking exams at the Academy? I’m hesitant to write this letter, fearing it might interrupt your studies.]
Reflecting on it now, her mother had always been quite reluctant to write to her.
‘What if it reveals her lack of education?’
Theodora’s family had been so poor that they couldn’t afford to attend the Academy or hire a tutor….Moreover, during Eugenie’s academic years, her relationship with Theodora had been at its worst, and they had never exchanged letters even once during that time.
Perhaps that was why this letter also bore clear signs of being rewritten and reconsidered many times.
[I wish I could tell you in person, but I feel like I would lack the courage then. Not that I’m skilled at explaining things in writing.]
[So I’ll leave this for you to see with your own eyes instead.]
[The last page that will come later is empty for now, but once you have a husband, you’ll gradually be able to see it.]
To see it with her own eyes? Eugenie furrowed her brows and looked back at the letter. Upon closer inspection, the second sheet was completely blank. It drained her enthusiasm all over again.
‘What on earth is this?’
No matter how poor her writing skills were, she would have taken the time to write something legible by now.
Yet, she couldn’t help but suppress her dissatisfaction. Reflecting on why someone who was already dead would go to such obsessive lengths…
[Anyway, Eugenie, you will live differently from me.]
[You will have multiple husbands, unlike your mother, and live like a queen.]
[Safely and happily. For a long time.]
[With love, your mother, Theodora Norton.]
[P.S. The husbands that Mother chose might not suit you. The bed matters might not be great either. To prepare for that, the ‘contract’ includes a trial period of one year!]
“Wait…”
Eugenie rubbed her temples in exasperation. Why leave the most crucial point as a ‘P.S’ instead of writing it in the main text?
She truly loved her mother, but this was incomprehensible.
‘So, does that mean we’ll live together for a year, and if it doesn’t work out, I can break it off? Is that really allowed?’
