For My Birthday, I Was Gifted Five Husbands - Chapter 7
Eugenie had seen her older brother, who had witnessed her crying her heart out as a final farewell, return with a gleaming medal for his pirate-slaying feats. And now, out of the blue, he had proposed to her.
‘What is this?’
Was Alfred playing a prank on her? Despite his jovial and joking nature typical of Southerners, this didn’t seem like his style of humor. More importantly, his usually sun-bronzed face was unusually serious under the Southern sunlight.
“I heard you broke up with Peter Lamburg.”
“Ah… Oh… Yes.”
Her breakup news had even reached her brother’s ears? By tomorrow, would the remote village in Hermeland know that Eugenie Norton had bashed her ex-fiance’s head with a textbook?
Alfred offered a reassuring smile that exuded confidence.
“Given the inheritance issues you’re likely facing, wouldn’t having a husband like me be of help?”
Even Eugenie’s sharp mind was momentarily thrown off by such an absurd situation…
‘Wait a minute. A solution has just rolled right into my lap?’
Having a suitor come to propose before even placing a marriage ad—what a stroke of luck.
However, Eugenie decided to start with some practical questions.
“But Brither, doesn’t the Wilberforce family have a set fiance for you? Is it alright for the Marquisate to handle marriage proposals like this?”
“Oh, I couldn’t imagine marrying anyone but Eugenie.”
“Huh?”
It seemed she had just heard a subtly ambiguous reply.
But then, a light knock sounded. Could someone really be visiting at this moment?
‘Could it be Carter?’
Looking at the guest who had arrived first, Alfred nodded with his usual cheerful demeanor, as if it was perfectly fine to open the door. Almost as if he had known someone would come while he was proposing…
However, what was even more puzzling was the man who appeared when the door was opened.
A man with jet-black hair brushed back… standing in a dark formal outfit. He was as tall as Alfred, but his pale skin made him stand out sharply against the backdrop, almost blinding in contrast. His sharp jawline and deeply shadowed violet eyes, paired with a tightly shut mouth devoid of any smile, gave him a strikingly stark presence.
‘Am I seeing this correctly?’
Though not as frequently seen in high society as Apollin, Eugenie knew the faces of most key figures. Especially if the person was the head of one of the most prestigious families in the Empire, right after Empress Silvea’s family.
And even more so if that person had also recently filled the front page of the newspapers along with Alfred Wilberforce.
“D-Duke Troys?”
“Lady Eugenie Norton.”
Why was Percival Troys, the master of the North, here alone? And why did the large pink roses he held seem so out of place?
Percival and Alfred exchanged a knowing look.
“I seem to be a little late.”
“Good afternoon, Your Grace.”
Alfred replied smoothly.
“The time was as scheduled. You are indeed a bit late.”
“What are you two talking about?”
Before Eugenie could even ask, Percival Troys spoke up first.
“Lady Eugenie Norton.”
“Yes?”
“I have come to propose to you.”
“Pardon? Oh.”
In a daze, Eugenie accepted the bouquet. It would make a lovely bath additive… but first, a practical question.
“Your Grace, I’m sorry, but the Norton family has never been approached for a marriage proposal by the Troys family.”
“I know. This is a proposal I am making directly to you.”
“I’m sorry, but I have no connection to warrant a proposal from you.”
“No connection, you say.”
The Duke’s lips, which had been expressionless, twitched upwards slightly.
“You might not know, but this is a proposal based on a long-standing contract.”
“A contract?”
“You may not be aware, but if you have no suitor by one o’clock this afternoon, I will fulfill the duty of becoming your husband as per the contract.”
“Pardon, but who was this contract with?”
“Theodora Norton. It was a promise made with the late Viscountess Norton.”
…Why is her mother’s name coming up here?
Before Eugenie could fully process this, a third voice interrupted.
“What’s going on? The door’s open?”
A tall, slender man with immaculate silver hair brushed back and a displeased look was peering in. His pale green eyes, though haughty, complemented his clean and elegant features.
