I Don't Know the Original, I'm Too Busy Trying to Make a Living-Chapter 157

"Someone as lowly as him, with only a good face and money to flaunt, would never be considered an acceptable candidate for your spouse. You can forget about gaining the family's approval."

"No..."

Penelope, who had been about to defend Ahwin, shut her mouth again.

'Now that I think about it, this kind of makes sense, doesn’t it?'

Setting aside his title as Tower Master, Ahwin was an orphan and a commoner. From the start, he wasn’t the type the Rencer family would approve of. No matter how much wealth he possessed, her father would never see him as suitable.

To Baron Rencer, a commoner wouldn't even pass the first round of evaluations. And an orphan? That was an immediate disqualification. He wouldn't even get an interview.

For Baron Rencer, the most important condition when selecting Penelope’s husband was honor. Second was honor, and third—still honor. That’s why he had chosen the Baron of Halo, even though his territory was on the brink of collapse. At least he was the lord of a domain.

'But isn't being the Tower Master a bit different? That’s a highly prestigious position, isn’t it? ...Or is it not?'

Penelope felt her judgment faltering. Sitting in front of her family made it hard to decide what standard she should adhere to.

"Still, I think it would be a good idea to meet Ahwin at least once... What do you think?"

Like it or not, they were still family. At least once, she wanted to introduce him to them.

She didn’t like how frustratingly conservative they were (truthfully, it was appalling), but what could she do? They had lived their entire lives that way. Honestly, it would be stranger for them to suddenly change without reason.

Despite her irritation, Penelope felt her heart softening.

'So they didn’t come just to leech off me after all.'

As expected of the proud Rencer family. With their pride and honor held as dearly as their lives, the idea of asking their daughter for financial support was unthinkable. She appreciated that.

'Of course, it’s not like I’m trying to get close to them or anything. I just want to show my parents my partner, that’s all.'

For her to willingly endure this embarrassment—blood was, indeed, thicker than water.

But contrary to Penelope’s softening mood, Baron Rencer’s expression hardened with icy resolve.

"Is he in this castle right now?"

"Yes."

"Then there's no need to see him. We will be leaving immediately."

Baron Rencer stood decisively, his tone brooking no argument. This sudden declaration left Penelope's brother and sister-in-law visibly flustered, but they soon followed suit, rising with resolute expressions of their own.

Florin alone looked regretful. But as someone who had obeyed Baron Rencer without question her entire life, she couldn’t muster the courage to oppose him now. Resigned, she silently stood as well.

"Are you really leaving just like that?"

"There’s no need to prepare a carriage. The family’s coach is already waiting outside the castle gates."

"But isn’t this too abrupt—"

Before Penelope could even finish her sentence, Baron Rencer strode across the drawing room. There was no room for further discussion. Panicked, Penelope raised her voice.

"Ahwin? Stop watching and come out already! Ahwin?"

"What kind of disgraceful behavior is this? It seems you need to relearn the basics of noble etiquette."

Abe glared down at her with scorn. Only a blood relative could look at his sister with such disdain.

Penelope felt a pang of frustration. Usually, Ahwin appeared even when she didn’t call for him, yet now, when it truly mattered, he was nowhere to be seen. He was definitely hiding on purpose.

"Stop hiding and come out!"

At that moment, the drawing room door burst open.

"...”

Ahwin stood in the doorway, clutching the doorknob and panting. He was dressed in a perfectly tailored, luxurious suit.

His hair was so immaculately styled that his strikingly handsome features seemed even more radiant than usual. His elegant and noble demeanor was enough to make anyone believe he was royalty. Even if there had been a vote in the fairy kingdom, he would have been crowned prince.

At that moment, Ahwin wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief. Every move exuded refinement. Compared to the wandering vagrant from a year ago, he was unrecognizable.

Placing his right hand over his chest, Ahwin bowed gracefully. His earlobes were noticeably flushed.

"It-it’s a pleasure to meet you. My name is Ilriel Ar Ahwin."

Ahwin stuttered!

Penelope nearly hiccupped. Ahwin, who never seemed fazed by anything, was visibly nervous.

In front of him, Baron Rencer stood frozen, his body stiff as he silently scrutinized Ahwin from head to toe. It almost seemed like he let out a low hum. The rest of the family couldn’t take their eyes off Ahwin’s strikingly beautiful face.

Finally, Baron Rencer spoke in a heavy voice.

“Ilriel Ar Ahwin, you say. That’s the same name as the Tower Master.”

Ahwin glanced at Penelope with a bewildered expression.

“Pepe, didn’t you introduce me properly? Then what did you say?”

Penelope couldn’t believe her ears.

“Weren’t you eavesdropping from outside?”

“What are you talking about? Why would I do something so petty? I just got here after getting my hair done.”

So he’d visited a barber in the territory. Whoever that barber was, Penelope felt they should be hired to work in the castle.

Judging by the timing, Ahwin had put in some effort to show up as quickly as he could.

The family seemed too stunned to process their conversation. Baron Rencer swallowed dryly before asking another question.

“So, you’re saying that you...”

“I’m the Tower Master.”

“...?!”

“...!”

“...”

“...”

Penelope froze, her mouth falling shut. Her entire family was glaring at her as if they were ready to devour her alive.

“So, you’re saying you’re officially courting my daughter?”

“I should have sought your permission earlier. I deeply apologize for the oversight.”

Penelope was shocked yet again. Ahwin—having such a proper, sensible side to him—who would’ve thought? But what surprised her even more was her family’s reaction.

The moment Baron Rencer confirmed Ahwin’s identity, he immediately sat back down. The rest of the family followed suit, each finding their place without hesitation. Penelope had never seen her family act with such synchronized precision.

“When did you begin seeing my daughter?”

“It has been one month now.”

“I see...”

“Has it really been that long?”

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Baron Rencer fixed Penelope with an intense gaze, lips pressed tightly together. Penelope felt like his eyes were boring holes into her.

Sure, the Tower Master might be an orphan and a commoner, but was it really necessary to make her feel this scrutinized? At this point, wasn’t it outright discrimination against commoners?

...Or was it?

Penelope was reminded once again that the Tower Master was an exceptional figure in this world.

‘When in doubt, just remember: Ahwin is someone even the Emperor can’t ignore.’

Though, to be fair, they both tended to ignore each other.

To the Empire, the Tower Master was a revered sage, an unparalleled force that no one dared to defy.

Penelope might take him lightly, but to the rest of the Empire, Ahwin was someone to be feared and revered in equal measure.

Her family was no exception. Florin looked like she was on the verge of fainting, while Abe and Clara sat pale-faced, their legs trembling. Of the three, Clara seemed to have the strongest nerves.

Baron Rencer, meanwhile, kept his posture straight, maintaining an air of dignity. But even he seemed to be exerting all his strength to keep his expression neutral.

Understanding their reaction, Ahwin spoke first, his tone considerate.

“I am seeing Penelope with the intention of marriage. If you would grant your permission...”

“Huh? When did I say that?”

Penelope blinked rapidly. Ahwin’s head whipped around to face her, his wide eyes filled with disbelief.

“Pepe, don’t tell me you’re not planning to marry me?”

“Well, no one knows for sure until the wedding day...”

“Hahaha! My sister has been under so much stress that she seems a little confused! Of course, when a man and woman are courting, it’s only natural for marriage to be the goal! Please disregard what she just said, Tower Master. Hahaha!”

“Mmff—?!”

Abe clamped his hand over Penelope’s mouth, leaving her utterly dumbfounded. Meanwhile, Ahwin forced his twitching lips into a neutral expression and muttered, “Of course, that must be the case.”

He then turned his gaze to Baron Rencer.

“But Baron, I heard you were about to leave. From what I overheard, it seems you were planning to depart the territory?”