He Opened A Matchmaking Agency In 18Th Century London [EN]: Chapter 174

174. Confession

Arriving at the princess’s residence with a worried heart.

Fortunately, Princess Maria was home and, contrary to concerns, looked healthy and peaceful.

However, in contrast to Tae-oh’s delight at seeing her after a long time, a cold wind seemed to blow from the princess’s expression.

He was relieved that there seemed to be nothing wrong, but the distance he felt from her expression and gestures made Tae-oh uncomfortable.

Tae-oh spoke first.

“I came because I haven’t heard from you. Is there anything wrong? Are you unwell?”

Princess Maria put down her teacup and shook her head silently.

The spacious living room was occupied only by Count Dominici, who was dozing in an armchair near the fireplace, and an awkward silence stretched out.

The princess was staring blankly at the winter scenery outside the window.

Tae-oh spoke again.

“Princess, is it because you didn’t like the gentlemen I sent you at the end of the year?”

He had sent the princess documents summarizing the portraits and personal information of potential matches a fortnight ago [two weeks prior].

‘…….’

Princess Maria remained silent, still looking out the window.

“I’ve now looked at most of the prominent families’ sons in London. If there are none among them, I’ll have to turn my eyes to those in the provinces [regions outside of London]. I have no idea what kind of person you want. If you don’t like the people I choose….”

The princess suddenly turned her head and looked straight at Tae-oh, then began to say something unexpected.

“I think my ideal type has changed.”

“Yes?”

“Recently, while watching an opera, I thought it would be nice to have a man who sings well.”

“……”

“I think life would be more enjoyable living with a man who sings and dances well, rather than someone who only spouts boring and tedious things.”

The princess continued to speak flippantly, as if she were a teenage girl.

Tae-oh was annoyed because she seemed to be venting her anger for no reason, even though he had been agonizing over her for days out of concern.

“I don’t know what I did wrong, but it seems you have no intention of marrying anyone I introduce you to.”

“Yes, I think I told you last time that I’m not very interested in marriage?”

Tae-oh couldn’t help but get angry at the princess’s confident attitude.

“Then don’t stay in London and go back to your kingdom quickly! I’m so stressed out by constantly worrying about you! I can’t even do my job properly. I’ll return all the money I received for the project! Let’s just stop here, shall we?”

It was the first time she had seen Tae-oh angry.

The princess, who had been staring at Tae-oh for a moment, opened her mouth in a deflated voice.

“…I didn’t know. I didn’t know you were so stressed out because of me.”

Seeing the princess’s face quickly become gloomy, Tae-oh’s heart softened again.

“I apologize for raising my voice. But it’s true that I’m very concerned about this matter because it’s a project I’m undertaking with a large sum of money from the Kingdom of Naples.”

“Yes… I understand. Actually, I’m more sorry. You’re really working hard, but I’m being uncooperative….”

Tae-oh asked in a soft voice, trying to soothe her.

“Princess, has there really not been a single person you liked since coming to London? I think you’re looking for too ideal a partner. Lower your expectations a little and take a look.

If you meet and marry one of the people I’ve introduced you to, there will be absolutely no problems. Among the people you’ve met, wasn’t there anyone who appealed to you even a little bit?”

“……”

“Then choose someone for the sake of the Kingdom of Naples. Until now, I’ve only introduced you to gentlemen who match your personality and temperament as much as possible, so you won’t regret marrying any of them.”

Princess Maria smiled bitterly and retorted.

“No regrets, you say? Well… I feel suffocated just sitting face to face with every single one of them.”

“Wasn’t there anyone among them who was even a little less suffocating?”

“Less… suffocating?”

“Yes! Wasn’t there anyone you could communicate with even a little better?”

“Um… well… there is one person….”

Tae-oh asked, greatly brightening.

“Ah! Really? Why are you telling me that now? Who is it? Choose that person who is even a little less suffocating and marry them. You will never regret it. I promise you!”

However, the princess’s face turned noticeably red at Tae-oh’s words that she should marry that person.

‘So, she has feelings for the man she’s thinking of now.’

Tae-oh blamed himself for not paying close attention to the princess’s feelings because of his personal emotions.

“Who is it that makes you feel less suffocated, Princess? In my experience, that’s a strong sign of liking someone. Let’s continue meeting that person right away. If you meet a few more times like that, your feelings will change. I really guarantee it.”

Tae-oh was upset and his heart ached, but he meant these words sincerely.

“Who is it? Perhaps the son of Earl Roussillon?”

“……”

“Ah! Is it Viscount Philip?”

Princess Maria shook her head.

“Then who is it? Um, it can’t be Marquis Douglas….”

The princess, glancing at Count Dominici who was dozing, quietly opened her mouth.

“Come a little closer.”

“Yes?”

“I said, come closer.”

The princess leaned back in her armchair and glanced once more at Count Dominici, who was snoring.

She seemed embarrassed that he might hear.

“Ah, yes! I understand, Princess. Now, tell me.”

Princess Maria whispered softly into Tae-oh’s ear as he approached.

“…Theo… Sanderson….”

Princess Maria’s hot breath brushed past Tae-oh’s ear and cheek.

“The only person who hasn’t made me feel suffocated since coming to London… is Lord Sanderson.”

“……!”

Tae-oh, who had frozen on the spot, slowly raised his head and looked at Princess Maria.

He examined her emotions, wondering if it was another mischievous prank.

But it wasn’t a prank.

The princess, with a face as red as a carrot, was staring intently at Tae-oh with a serious look and emotions he had never seen before.

◈ Theo Marriage Agency, 5th floor, CEO’s office.

He didn’t know how he had gotten to the company in Kensington.

He had left Princess Maria’s house in a daze and taken a carriage, but his mind was blank.

He was so intoxicated with emotion, as if walking on clouds, that he couldn’t think rationally.

Princess Maria said she had been very upset at the masquerade ball in Piccadilly at the end of last year.

And that night, she realized that she had completely lost her heart to Tae-oh, and her feelings had grown uncontrollably.

She wanted to meet him right away and confess her feelings, but she was also very worried because she thought Tae-oh would reject her.

As a result, she couldn’t contact him for more than two weeks, and her feelings changed hundreds of times a day, only building up resentment towards Tae-oh for no reason.

And now, the fact that she had to meet someone through Tae-oh’s introduction began to feel too uncomfortable and difficult.

‘Oh, what should I do….’

He felt strange.

Clearly, he was worried and tormented rationally, but he felt happy as if he could fly when he heard the person he had fallen in love with at first sight say that they liked him.

‘Ha… If I were just having a one-sided love, I could control my emotions in some way….’

Knowing that the other person also liked him, his heart wavered as if it had completely escaped the control of reason.

‘No. Still, this is absolutely not right! What’s not right is not right. I have to draw a clear line here!’

◈ One month later

However, all rational resolutions collapsed helplessly in the face of love.

Tae-oh’s determination to push her away, even if he had to force himself, evaporated like steam as soon as he faced the princess’s face, and the love between the two people who had confirmed each other’s feelings burned even more fiercely.

Although there was the inconvenience of having to avoid Count Dominici’s eyes, even that was only a factor that made the two people’s love more suspenseful.

If Count Dominici wasn’t there, the two people’s conversation would have been much freer because the other maids and servants didn’t understand English.

However, lovers who have just started their love affair want to spend as much time together as possible.

They couldn’t possibly quench their thirst for love by meeting only briefly during the day.

Princess Maria, after much deliberation, came up with a plan.

The princess pretended to go to bed early in the evening, claiming that she was tired.

And after firmly silencing the maid who lived with her, she secretly slipped out the back door.

Tae-oh, who had been waiting outside the building in advance, picked her up and took her to his house, where they enjoyed their own cozy time, and then took her back early in the morning.

Tae-oh had never been so happy since coming to the 18th century as he spent sweet time with Princess Maria.

He always had the thought of having to return to the modern era in his mind, but not since he met the princess.

Now it was the opposite.

He was worried that he might wake up and find himself back in the 21st century.

Still, the moment he spent with the princess was so happy that he wouldn’t trade it for anything.

In that way, the two people’s love continued day by day, unknown to anyone except the maid who was with the princess.

◈ Early May 1789. Theo School, Principal’s Office.

Tae-oh visited Theo School with Princess Maria, who wanted to visit the school.

However, he heard unexpected news from Principal Scipio Marshall.

The teacher of the Latin and Greek classes, which had been opened as a special course since last month, had fallen on the stairs and was seriously injured.

At Theo School, which was now almost a year old, there were several students who showed outstanding academic abilities, and Latin grammar and Greek classes, which were advanced education courses, were opened for these students.

At that time, Latin was one of the most important subjects in higher education in Europe for centuries.

At prestigious schools, students learned to study and translate Latin texts, and learning Greek to study the classics was considered the most important class.

At first, he thought of it as a vocational school, but when students who showed outstanding academic abilities began to appear one by one, Tae-oh made a decision to find a teacher with difficulty and proceed with the class.

However, the Latin teacher in charge was seriously injured today, so it seemed that he would not be able to teach for at least a few months.

“That’s a big problem. I had a hard time finding a Latin teacher… It will take quite a while to find one again, won’t it?”

Scipio nodded at Tae-oh’s words.

“Yes, it’s difficult to find someone who has the skills to teach Latin grammar or Greek, even if they know it, so I’m really worried. I have to find someone to teach temporarily for about 3-4 months.”

Princess Maria, seeing his worried expression, carefully opened her mouth.

“I… actually, I know a little Latin and Greek. Could I take over the class temporarily until the teacher comes back?”

Tae-oh asked, surprised.

“Yes? Maria, you know Latin grammar and Greek?”

“I learned it with English from a very young age. It was fun, so I’ve been doing it ever since, and I’ve even taught my younger siblings.”

Principal Scipio said with a bright smile.

“If you were good enough to teach your younger siblings, you seem to be qualified enough, haha. I would be very grateful if you could take over for the time being until the teacher comes back.”

Principal Scipio, looking at his watch, continued.

“Since you’ve come all this way, would you like to go to the classroom and meet the children? Actually, they’ll be there soon because it’s almost class time.”

“Oh, really? Okay, I will. Hoho.”

She seemed to know well the joy and reward of teaching someone and helping them.

* * *

There were only five students sitting in the spacious classroom, but Maria’s class was full of passion.

She just thought it would be nice to make the students feel familiar with Latin and Greek, but her skills far exceeded expectations.

Thanks to this, the students taking the class also responded well.

Principal Scipio Marshall, who was watching the class with surprised eyes, said to Tae-oh in a small voice.

“Haha, this is amazing. It seems she’s even better than Teacher Sullivan?”

“Really? Hehe.”

Even Tae-oh, who had Latin as a required subject in American university, thought the princess’s Latin skills were great.

While observing the princess’s Latin class, Scipio opened his mouth as if he had remembered something.

“Ah- right. About that naval officer named ‘Horatio Nelson’ that you mentioned back then.”

Tae-oh had asked Principal Scipio for information about Nelson, just in case.

Principal Scipio had quite a few acquaintances among soldiers, especially naval officers.

“An officer who was on the same ship as Nelson told me. He said that he is short, has a strong will, and has great leadership and pride in the navy.

However, he is decisive, but that is so excessive that he often clashed with other senior officers and merchants in the Caribbean Sea and was involved in legal lawsuits, so he is now completely out of the navy.”

This was consistent with what Admiral Bentham had said.

“Do you happen to know where he is and what he is doing now?”

“He met a woman on the island of Nevis in the Caribbean Sea, where the lawsuit took place a few years ago, and got married. He is now traveling to Italy for vacation, saying he is recovering his mind and body.”

It was absurd.

A trip during this important time when the French Revolution has occurred….

Tae-oh was frustrated as to whether this was the original history or because of the changed history.

‘This is ridiculous. It’s no different from saying that Admiral Yi Sun-sin [Korean Admiral, a national hero] went on a trip overseas when the Imjin War [Japanese invasions of Korea in the late 16th century] is about to break out?’

Just as the French Revolution did, if the times of other histories are also changing, the time of Nelson’s actual actions may be misaligned, and the future history may change.

No matter how talented a hero is, a great history will not be created unless luck and timing coincide.

“But he said he might be coming in at the end of this month because of some event. If he comes back, should I ask him to arrange a meeting with you?”

Tae-oh shook his head.

“No, there’s no need to ask him to meet me directly. However, just let me know what event he is attending if he comes to England.”

“Okay, CEO.”

First of all, it was necessary to meet him naturally.

If you approach with intention, the other person will be wary and less likely to open their heart.

It was difficult to meet him under the pretext of matchmaking since he was already married, and it seemed like it would be good to use his strong sense of honor in the military.

The first priority was to meet him and understand him.

If he shows the qualities of a historical hero, he intended to give him the opportunity to display his abilities in advance.