The seasons passed, dyeing the trees of Triste beautiful autumn colors. Every time I went for a walk in the garden, I’d find plants I’d never seen in the royal capital and hear the calls of migratory birds. Life here was relaxing and enjoyable, and I spent my happy days in peace.
My pastry store, the Lakeside Duck Bakery, was doing swimmingly, and I’d recently hired more people. Not only had I passed on my baking techniques, I’d also left the accounting to employees I could trust. This way, the business could function even if I wasn’t available.
However, my moment of respite was cut short by my mother-in-law wanting to discuss the wedding. My marriage to Gabriel would’ve been approved either way, since Prince Axel had requested permission from the king on our behalf, but locating my missing father had made the process all the smoother. There were no longer any obstacles in our way, so we could begin the wedding preparations in earnest.
Normally, the bride’s mother was supposed to help, but in my case, my mother-in-law was willing to fulfill that role instead. I had contacted my mother in the Empire about it, of course, but I would’ve felt bad making her travel back and forth so many times, so I’d decided to accept my mother-in-law’s assistance.
“I was worried I might’ve stolen your mother’s job,” my mother-in-law said.
“She’s said before that preparing for my sister’s wedding was utterly exhausting, so you’re doing her a big favor,” I reassured her.
“Is that so? That’s good, then.”
My mother-in-law treated me with love and care even though we weren’t related by blood. I couldn’t thank her enough.
“That aside, are you sure you want to have the wedding ceremony in Triste?” she asked.
“Yes. No other choices exist in my mind.”
Gabriel had suggested getting married in the capital, since it was my birthplace and I’d grown up there. The city had several luxurious venues to choose from, and we’d be able to request the latest in glamorous wedding productions. However, my heart was already in Triste. I could proudly say that holding my wedding ceremony here, with the blessing of the locals I held dear, would be the greatest happiness I could ask for.
My mother-in-law seemed to be concerned about what my mother and sister in the Empire thought of our family’s deepening ties with the slime duke family. She would ask about it at every turn.
“They’re both grateful to you,” I said. “I am too, of course.”
At that, she finally seemed relieved. “Still, I was very surprised to hear that your sister was chosen to marry the Empire’s crown prince.”
“Yes...I didn’t know what was going to happen when Prince Mael broke off their engagement, but it all worked out for her.”
My mother-in-law’s expression suddenly became strained. “I’m sorry, Miss Francette. I heard about the incident from Gabriel, but...”
The “incident” was probably the situation surrounding my sister’s canceled engagement. To be honest, I’d never discussed my family with my mother-in-law until today. Perhaps we both thought it was a topic that was best avoided.
“I should’ve discussed it with you sooner,” she continued.
“No, it’s my fault for not sharing it with you,” I replied. “How much did Gabriel tell you?”
“After you got settled in here, he told me about your family, but only what the everyman would know. I don’t have a deep understanding of the situation,” she revealed.
“Didn’t you want to know more? I mean, weren’t you concerned about whether the person he wanted to marry had a suitable family background?”
“Not at all. Gabriel never shows interest in anyone, so the fact that he became unusually talkative when it came to you was more than enough to tell me that you were a wonderful young lady. He loves you so much, he even bowed his head and asked me to let him marry you. There’s no way I would’ve opposed simply because of your background. On the contrary, I was determined to look after you as if you were my very own daughter.”
My mother-in-law smiled warmly and gently took my hand in hers.
“When I met you in person, I thought you were a lovely lady, just like Gabriel said,” she continued. “No matter who you are or where you come from, I will treasure you as if you were my own child.”
Her words made tears well up in my eyes.
“O-Oh dear! What’s wrong? Did I say something to upset you?”
“No, I’m just so happy!”
My mother-in-law softly hugged me. Her kindness made me cry even more. The day my sister’s engagement was rescinded and my family fell into ruin, I’d lost everything, and everyone had treated me like a nobody. Since then, I’d harbored a fear of being hated like that again.
“Mother, may I tell you about what happened that day?” I asked.
“Isn’t it a painful memory?”
“Even so, I want you to hear it.”
My mother and sister would be attending the wedding, so it would be better for my mother-in-law to know what had happened. After regaining my composure, I told my story, beginning with Prince Mael breaking off his engagement with my sister. I explained how I had come to live in a one-story house in the old part of town, how I had made countless mistakes because I hadn’t been accustomed to doing housework, how my father had eloped with the wife of a wealthy merchant, and how Gabriel had saved me from a group of thugs.
“That’s the full story,” I concluded.