Aldrich's POV:
It was ridiculous. It was one thing for the southern Duke to dote on his daughter, but why would her father agree to such an outrageous proposal?
"Don't get so worked up, Son. It's just a suggestion." My father said, "There's no harm in young people spending more time together. Don't you think so?"
"No matter what you say, I won't agree. I won't get engaged to Carolyn, and I won't see her. I don't think our family is so down and out that we must rely on marriage between nobles to survive."
After a long silence, my father suddenly put down the black tea in his hand and asked, "Why?"
"What?" I was confused." It's ridiculous to fall in love with an underage girl. Do you need other reasons?"
"It's not that," my father said firmly. "I know you, Son. So what's the real reason?"
"... This is it. I said, nothing else."
