My New Love That Isn’t Fated - Episode 2

After her marriage, Lilia’s life became somewhat restrictive.

“Where are you going today, my husband?”
“Do I need to tell you every time? Do you not trust me, or do you want to control my actions?”
“No, it’s not that… It’s just that, well, I was wondering when you’ll be back. I want to prepare a warm meal for you when you return.”

The Kingdom of Rafal is an island nation located in the northern part of the continent.
The summers are short and the winters long. Even in summer, the temperature doesn’t rise much, and in winter, snow often falls. There are many rainy days, and it can be chilly enough during the spring that a coat is still necessary.

The camel-colored Chester coat that Elad wore made his slim figure appear more refined. His dark brown hair and gray eyes, combined with his fair skin and handsome face, made him look like a nobleman in formal attire.

The scarf-tied shirt Elad wore was a bit old-fashioned, as he preferred the more traditional noble style, and it suited him well.

The day after their wedding night, Elad slept until the afternoon in his room, skipped lunch, and then prepared himself to leave. Without a word, he told Lilia he was going out.
Having woken up Early to deal with the house and speak with the maids, Lilia saw him off at the entrance.

Outside the townhouse, there was a wide carriageway where the Griez family carriage was parked.
The sky beyond the open door was gray and overcast. Lilia thought it might rain again today.

“I won’t be back until night. I’ll eat out, so don’t worry about preparing dinner.”
“Please be careful, my husband.”
“…I’m leaving.”

Until now, Lilia had spent her mornings getting ready and heading to her classes. But now, her life would revolve around seeing Elad off. She tried to convince herself that marriage was probably supposed to be like this.

Her stepmother had also often seen her father off to work. But she would often leave with him, leaving the children at home. Her stepmother was not only her father’s beloved but also his business partner.

In that household, Lilia had no real place.
Her stepmother wasn’t a bad person. Perhaps feeling guilty for taking Lilia’s father away from her mother, she treated Lilia delicately, as though she were a fragile object.

Lilia’s presence may have been a reminder of her stepmother’s guilt. Of course, she was never loved. Lilia had known this all too well, even as a child.

That’s why she wanted at least to have a family of her own. A husband and children, with no one to threaten their life together. She dreamed of a normal, happy life, one she had always longed for.

“…If I try hard enough, I’m sure…”

Now that she was married, Elad was her lifelong partner. Lilia had made up her mind to live for him. Even though she felt lonely now, as if her heart had a hole in it, she tried to be strong.

Elad was often away from home, and when he returned, he was usually drunk. He would head straight to his room and fall into a deep sleep.
The maids said, “The young master has always lived like this. He’s busy socializing with his friends.”

While Elad was away, Lilia looked for work to do around the house. She found piles of untouched ledgers and receipts in Elad’s office, which revealed that the Griez family was in financial trouble.
The Griez family was an old noble house. Unlike her father, Elad didn’t work.

They sustained themselves by selling off parts of their land, and although they had tax income, their expenditures far exceeded their revenue.
It was easy to see why when observing Elad’s lifestyle.

He would buy drinks for his “friends,” indulge in horse racing, and smoke expensive cigars.
The Griez family’s warehouse was filled with expensive furnishings and jewelry that served no purpose, and whenever someone offered to sell them, Elad would always say yes.
For someone from the Griez family, there was no option but to buy.

In exchange, Lilia’s allowance was minuscule. With no money, this was inevitable.
Paying the servants and maids was considered more important than her living expenses.
Failing to pay them would hurt their pride, and they couldn’t allow that.

If money was running low, they borrowed from moneylenders. When tax revenue came in, they’d pay off the loans and borrow again.
It was like the elegant swan that, beneath the surface, was frantically paddling its feet—this was the situation the Griez family was in.

Elad didn’t entrust anyone with managing the family finances. Knowing his personality, it was clear he wouldn’t.
So, Lilia decided to sell off all her dresses. She went through the piles of unnecessary furniture and artwork in the warehouse, noting down each item and its value in the ledgers.

When she asked Elad about it, he simply said, “Do as you wish.” So, she sold off the things they didn’t need at fair prices and reassessed the family’s finances.
Since Elad rarely ate at home, she cut costs on food and fuel and, along with the maids and servants, began making embroidered items and woven goods. On Sundays, she would sell them at the open-air market in front of the church.

Elad never commented on any of it, but after a few months of this way of life, his return home became more frequent.

Sometimes, he would even have dinner at home.

To save on labor costs, Lilia discussed with the maids and servants and arranged for everyone to leave by evening.
As a result, she would prepare dinner just for herself. Since she was alone, she didn’t mind keeping it simple and made do with whatever food was left over.

Occasionally, when Elad returned early, he ate the dinner Lilia made without complaint.

Though he never praised her, he didn’t scold her either.