Chapter 162: The Proposal

Clark shook his head. “The Parliamentary Library has no women. How could I have met anyone there?”

Isolde raised an eyebrow. “I’m not talking about people from the library. What about elsewhere? Like the streets, taverns, or coffee shops? Or when you accompany the elders to someone’s house?”

Clark laughed. “I spend every day either at the library or at home. I’ve never been to any tavern or coffee shop. And Luka hasn’t taken me out either. Even tonight, I only had a small meal at the library.”

Isolde studied him for a moment. He didn’t seem to be lying. But then, she remembered—Prudence had hosted a banquet before. Perhaps Sadie had seen him there. But did Sadie speak to him that day?

She decided to test the waters. “Do you remember meeting Sadie?”

“Sadie?” Clark paused, thinking. “Is she Jonathan’s daughter? I think I’ve seen her, but I don’t really remember her.”

“Don’t remember her?” Isolde was slightly disappointed. Could Sadie have been lying?

“No, I don’t recall any conversation with her,” Clark said, curious. “Why are you asking about Sadie all of a sudden?”

Isolde shook her head. “Oh, nothing. I just admire Sadie and was wondering if you knew her.”

Clark smiled. “Even if I did meet her, Sadie is from such a prestigious family. How could she talk to someone like me?”

“Don’t sell yourself short. You’re a great guy,” Isolde teased.

Clark chuckled. “It’s not about selling myself short, just knowing my place.”

Isolde grinned, then jokingly asked, “Have you ever thought about what kind of wife you want to marry?”

Clark shook his head. “That’s not something I need to worry about. My grandmother and mother will handle that. Even if I have a preference, it might not come true, so why bother thinking about it?”

Isolde fell silent, pondering his words.

The next morning, as expected, Rosemary sent over a formal invitation, saying she would visit in the evening. An evening visit meant she was likely waiting for both Geoffrey and Clark to be at home. Rosemary didn’t visit others casually. The fact that she had attended Prudence’s banquet before had been a surprise in itself.

When Prudence learned that Rosemary was coming, she was both excited and uneasy. Perhaps she could ask Rosemary for help.

Rosemary arrived at dusk, accompanied by Jonathan. There was also a woman with dramatic makeup, wearing a brocade gown, and several maids in tow. Prudence and Priscilla recognized the woman—she was a well-known matchmaker from Argentum. They couldn’t fathom what kind of proposal she had arranged. Priscilla thought bitterly to herself.

Once seated, Geoffrey was about to ask about the purpose of the visit when Rosemary made a subtle gesture toward the matchmaker. The matchmaker smiled warmly and said, “Geoffrey, Prudence, Priscilla—today, Jonathan and Rosemary are here for a happy occasion. I’m wondering, has Clark already received a proposal?”

Priscilla blurted out, “Yes, he has.”

So, someone was indeed here to propose for Clark, though Priscilla didn’t know the family involved. But, with Jonathan and Rosemary present, the family’s background must be significant. Clark had joined the Parliamentary Library—if he were to marry an aristocratic young lady, wouldn’t it mirror the past? They couldn’t afford another tragedy. Priscilla quickly shut down any further inquiries about proposals.

The matchmaker’s face stiffened slightly. Surely, she had done her homework before coming here. What was Priscilla trying to pull?

Rosemary coolly asked, “Which family is the proposal from?”

Priscilla hesitated. “It was settled in Caelmont… the family is in business, and the daughter is gentle and refined. A good match.”

Rosemary’s eyes never left Priscilla as she asked calmly, “What’s her name? Where in Caelmont does she live? What business does her family run? Are they from Caelmont?”

Priscilla, caught in a lie, could barely find words to answer.

Prudence finally spoke, her voice deliberate. “Her name is Fiona Kaufman. She lives on Stone Street. Her father is in the coffee bean business.”

Geoffrey frowned. Clark had already received a proposal? Why hadn’t anyone told him? And if he had, why wasn’t the marriage being arranged?

Rosemary didn’t seem in a rush. She raised her hand, signaling a maid to bring something over. A young maid dressed in green entered, carrying several books. She placed them on the table before Rosemary, who opened one and began to skim through it. “Stone Street… Kaufman…”

Her finger paused on a particular name, and then she looked up at Prudence with a sharp gaze. “Is she the daughter of Bowen Kaufman?”

Prudence’s face paled slightly. She knew that Fiona could not possibly be registered in Caelmont’s official records. But despite the unease, she nodded. “Yes.”

“Bowen Kaufman’s daughter, Fiona, married three years ago,” Rosemary said, closing the book with a finality that sent a chill through the room.

Prudence forced a smile. “Are you sure you checked the proper records of Caelmont? Fiona was indeed promised to Clark. Could there have been some mistake?”

Rosemary’s eyes glittered coldly. “Whether it’s a mistake or not, we can find out easily. We’ll send someone to Caelmont to confirm. Bring Clark here.”

Geoffrey sensed the problem and raised his hand, signaling for Harlan to personally fetch Clark.

Prudence, managing a forced smile, said, “Why are you asking about Clark? Are you here for someone else’s proposal?”

Rosemary, unfazed, replied flatly, “I came for my daughter. Am I supposed to meddle in other people’s marriages as well?”

Priscilla and Prudence exchanged a glance, both sinking in realization. This was just like before. Years ago, Geoffrey had been promoted in the military and married the daughter of the Great Marshal Sharp. Now, Clark had entered the Parliamentary Library and was being eyed by Jonathan. How could the Langley family’s luck continue like this? What had Clark done to deserve this?

When Clark was finally summoned, he was just as surprised to hear that Jonathan and Rosemary wanted to see him.

From afar, Rosemary saw a young man in white walking toward them. His features were handsome, his face well-defined, but he exuded an air of gentleness and intellectual charm—nothing like a soldier. He had the quiet grace of a scholar. Rosemary was pleased.

Clark stepped forward and bowed respectfully. “Jonathan, Rosemary.”

Jonathan observed him carefully. Unlike Rosemary, he didn’t show immediate approval. His gaze was complex, tinged with a hint of hostility—though it wasn’t true animosity.

Rosemary gave a small nod. “Sit.”

Clark sat down, his clear eyes locked on Rosemary, waiting for her to speak.

“Your birth sign? Have you received a proposal yet?”

Clark was momentarily stunned. “Why are you asking these things?”

But he answered, nonetheless, “I’m a dragon. No, I haven’t received any proposal yet.”

Priscilla stood up sharply, her voice high-pitched. “You’ve already been promised to Fiona from Stone Street. Don’t you remember?”

Clark looked at her in confusion. “I don’t know anyone named Fiona. I’ve never met her.”

Priscilla insisted, “Well, the proposal is already agreed upon, and the marriage will happen next year.”