After a long time, Éléonore, limp and wordless, lay on the bed.
She glared hard at Hayashi Maki, waiting for his explanation.
Hayashi Maki wrapped an arm around her slim waist and delivered the classic scoundrel's line:
"Um… Miss Éléonore, I'll take responsibility."
Éléonore couldn't help rolling her eyes.
"You're about to get engaged to little Louise—how exactly are you going to 'take responsibility'?"
She was in a foul mood. One moment's weakness at his teasing, and she'd given herself to him. If little Louise found out, she'd definitely cry, then start questioning her, accusing her of bullying her again—of even stealing her man.
Knowing words wouldn't help, Hayashi Maki decided to prove it with actions.
Thus, at breakfast, he solemnly said to Lady Karin:
"My lady, please allow me to marry all three of your daughters. I will treat them well!"
"Huh?"
Karin was dumbfounded—she could hardly believe her ears. Éléonore also stared, face flushed, and was vaguely impressed by his nerve. Louise's eyes brimmed with tears—jealous, on the verge of crying. Cattleya, too, reddened; she instinctively looked to her little sister with concern, then cast a puzzled glance at big sister Éléonore.
What on earth was going on?
Lady Karin felt a splitting headache coming on. They had only just begun discussing little Louise's marriage—waiting for her husband, the Duke of Vallière, to return and decide. Now this man had the gall to demand all three daughters at once. Wasn't that a bit too greedy?
Under the duchess's appraising gaze, Hayashi Maki's expression didn't change; he continued looking deadly serious.
"Your reasons? You've barely met my eldest and second daughters. I can understand little Louise—after all, you've spent the most time together. But why suddenly demand to marry all three of my daughters? Are you toying with me?"
As she finished, Karin's face went cold; her fingers tightened around her wand.
"I wouldn't dare toy with my future mother-in-law. I'm serious!"
Hayashi Maki gathered his thoughts and spoke solemnly:
"It's like this—in treating Miss Cattleya, I signed a contract with her. Through this contract, I was able to restore her health. So from now on, she can't be without me. If she marries me, I can take care of her. Besides, Miss Cattleya is very gentle and beautiful—just as lovely as Louise. She's exactly my type."
Cattleya flushed even redder; she had no idea what to say. He'd just praised her straight to her mother's face—and proposed on top of that—far too bold!
Louise puffed up her cheeks and muttered, "Don't think I'll forgive you just because you flatter me! It's one thing with Sister Cattleya—but what about Sister Éléonore?"
Karin shared Louise's confusion and fixed Hayashi Maki with a look, waiting for the rest.
Hayashi Maki cleared his throat and continued:
"As for Miss Éléonore, the reason is simple. On the one hand, I can't bear the thought of Louise being separated from her sisters. On the other, I'm a man who takes responsibility. Last night, I went looking for Louise—but I accidentally went into the wrong room and… well… everything that should've happened did."
At that, the corners of Louise's and Cattleya's mouths twitched. They glanced at Éléonore, each thinking the same thing: Had big sister been so lonely after the broken engagement that she yielded?
Karin was speechless. Just listen to him—telling a mother to her face that he'd "night-raided" her daughter, and into the wrong room at that? And now, bold as brass, he wanted to bundle up all three daughters and take them away? Where in the world did such pleasant arrangements exist?
Expression icy, Karin spat out a single word:
"Out."
"Éléonore—see the guest out!"
Such a shameless man was not welcome in House Vallière.
And so Hayashi Maki was shown the door—trailing behind him was a smiling little maid, Siesta. Hayashi Maki shook his head helplessly; he'd clearly offended the future mother-in-law this time.
But it wasn't a big problem. He would prove himself with actions.
After kicking Hayashi Maki out, Lady Karin looked at her three daughters with a headache.
"Éléonore, what do you think?"
She had always assumed she wouldn't have to worry about her jilted eldest—excellent people would find a partner willing to accept them and build a good home. But now the big sister had "given herself" to the little sister's man. What was this?
Called out by her mother, Éléonore started, cheeks instantly crimson.
"Mother… I…"
"Why are you hemming and hawing? Since it's done, tell me your thoughts—are you willing to marry that shameless man?"
"I… I think he's actually… alright. At least he dares to take responsibility—he didn't take advantage and deny it."
At that, Louise and Cattleya both fixed her with intense looks; Éléonore wished the floor would swallow her. "Um, Mother, I suddenly feel unwell—I'll go rest!"
She threw out a random excuse and fled.
Karin sighed and turned to her other two daughters. "Looks like your big sister is willing. Cattleya—what about you?"
Put on the spot, Cattleya let out a deep sigh.
"Because of my health, I never thought about marriage. I didn't want to hold anyone back. Mr. Hayashi Maki gave me hope—restored my health. I'm very grateful to him. I'll do as you say, Mother. If you tell me to marry, I will marry."
Karin couldn't help rolling her eyes. In other words—she agreed. Great, the second daughter had been won over as well.
"And you, Louise? What do you think?"
Louise looked at her mother with teary eyes, then at Cattleya.
"I… I don't know. I already knew he was flirtatious, but I didn't expect he'd even… make a move on Sister Éléonore."
"Wait—what do you mean even me? Little runt—am I so subpar in your eyes?" Éléonore, supposedly off to "rest," burst back in and pinched her sister's cheeks in a flurry.
"Uu—ow, ow! Éléonore, you're bullying me!"
"Stop. All of you—quiet," Karin said, puffed with anger, putting an end to the scuffle. "Since you're all willing, we'll discuss it properly when your father returns. After you marry, keep that man in line—don't let him start something and then abandon you or take you for granted."