Chapter 16 - Felix’s Proposal

Two days after returning from Dingle, Wei Wei grew more anxious. Half of the time limit set by the system had already passed, and she still hadn't secured a place to settle down.

At this rate, she considered buying a house first and worrying about land ownership later.

Just as she was struggling with this decision, Felix finally returned after being away for a long time.

The moment he arrived, he sent someone to summon Wei Wei to his study for a discussion.

Felix's Inquiry

Felix had called Wei Wei to ask about her plans.

"I heard from the steward that you're planning to settle in Sardinson County?"

"Yes, that's correct."

Wei Wei had indeed considered leaving Sardinson but ultimately decided against it.

Firstly, time was against her. She had agreed with the system to settle things within half a month, after which it would leave. Since half the time had already passed, she needed to secure a place soon; otherwise, the remaining arrangements would become troublesome.

Secondly, she was unfamiliar with this world, and as a woman traveling alone, she wasn't sure if she could protect her wealth and safety in other places.

At least in Sardinson, Felix seemed relatively reliable.

Wei Wei wasn't oblivious—she could tell that Felix had some interest in her. That interest alone was enough to ensure a certain level of protection.

With Felix's support, her life in Sardinson would be much easier.

As for whether their relationship would develop further, Wei Wei—who had never placed much importance on romance—wasn't thinking that far ahead.

For now, she simply had no feelings for Felix.

Wei Wei's Concerns

"I do plan to settle in Sardinson," she admitted. "Ideally, I'd like to buy a house and some land. But I've found that land here is difficult to purchase, and the treatment of women is... not great."

She frowned as she spoke.

She wanted to subtly convey that Eastern women had a higher status and that her noble upbringing had taught her that owning property should be within her rights.

This way, Felix wouldn't lump her in with local noblewomen.

After all, in the West, women were essentially men's property. They had no inheritance rights, and in many cases, they couldn't even own their assets—everything belonged to their fathers or husbands.

Felix, however, wasn't surprised at all by her attitude.

From the moment he learned that she had escaped a crisis on her own, he knew that she was far stronger than she appeared.

He simply responded sincerely, "I can help you find a suitable house and even sell you some land—but I wouldn't recommend it."

Felix's Warning

As a free citizen, Wei Wei would have the right to own land as long as she became a resident of Sardinson.

"Why not?" Wei Wei narrowed her eyes. "Do you think I can't manage land properly?"

Felix did believe that.

He didn't think any noblewoman would have experience managing land, and even if she hired people, she would likely be scammed more often than not.

But seeing the unhappy look on her face, he wasn't foolish enough to say that out loud.

Instead, he explained, "That's not it. But as you said, women here don't have many rights. If you own property, it will be difficult to protect it."

Wei Wei knew this was true.

In an era where even knights sometimes acted as bandits, an unmarried woman with land and property was the perfect target for robbery.

Felix then added, "Besides, neither the towns nor villages in Sardinson are likely to suit your preferences."

He had learned from Steward Barton about everything Wei Wei had been doing lately.

Her obsessive cleanliness was well known by now. Given that she found the castle barely tolerable, moving elsewhere would only drive her mad.

Wei Wei had already been disturbed by Dingle's condition, so she didn't refute him.

She bit her lip, a troubled expression crossing her face.

"Then, Lord Felix, do you have a better suggestion?"

Felix's Unexpected Offer

Felix hesitated briefly before saying, "I wonder if you'd be willing to accept a job."

Wei Wei raised an eyebrow. "A job?"

Felix coughed awkwardly, his expression momentarily unnatural.

He straightened his posture as if trying to make himself look more convincing.

"You've been here for a while now, so you should have noticed—there is no mistress of Sardinson Castle. There are too many affairs to handle, and I'm too busy to manage them all myself. So, if possible, I'd like to hire you to oversee the castle's affairs."

…

Are you kidding me?

Wei Wei stared at Felix.

You're telling me you want to hire an unrelated, unmarried young woman to run your household?

Why not just get down on one knee and propose already?!

She stared at Felix's face—his skin wasn't pale, but it was noticeably redder than usual.

This man was doomed.

Here she was, trying to avoid suspicion, and he was practically handing over his entire household.

If she had any ill intentions, the Williams family would be doomed too.

Her mind overflowed with sarcastic remarks, but none of them made it past her lips.

For a moment, she was too stunned to react, and her expression grew strange.

Felix, who had been watching her closely, noticed her bewilderment and hurriedly explained.

"I would like to hire you as the castle's housekeeper. However, that title may not be fitting for someone of your status, so to the outside world, I will say that I am hiring you as Dolores' tutor."

It seemed he was nervous, as his explanation became somewhat disorganized.

But Wei Wei understood what he meant.

A noblewoman's tutor sounded far more respectable than a housekeeper. Tutors were usually ladies of noble status, well respected in aristocratic households. Housekeepers, on the other hand, were typically commoners and still considered servants.

But even if Wei Wei was unfamiliar with Western traditions, she knew that neither role was typically given to an unmarried young woman.

Moreover, she had never once claimed to be skilled at managing a household.

This man had just doubted her ability to manage land, yet now he wanted to entrust his entire castle to her.

Without hesitation, Wei Wei rejected the offer.

"I'm only a few years older than Dolores. I don't think I'm qualified for that job."

Felix's Shock

Felix, however, fixated on something else entirely.

"Miss Wei Wei, if you don't mind me asking—how old are you?"

Wei Wei blinked in confusion. "Sixteen, almost seventeen."

That was the age the system had assigned to her, which also matched her body's appearance.

Felix's eyes widened slightly. "Sixteen? I thought you were at most thirteen or fourteen."

…

Wait.

You thought I was thirteen or fourteen… and still had feelings for me?

Wei Wei's expression instantly turned to one of horror, as if she were staring at a predator.

The system quickly interjected:

[To be fair, in this era, girls marry quite young. In both the East and West, fourteen is a perfectly acceptable age for marriage. So, technically, his interest in you isn't inappropriate.]

That might be true, but in Wei Wei's mind, Felix was now forever branded as a creep.

Felix realized his mistake, quickly composing himself.

In a serious, formal tone, he said, "Miss Wei Wei, while I do have personal reasons for offering you this position, I have also genuinely considered your abilities."

Sure. Keep telling yourself that.

Felix's Justification

Before meeting Wei Wei, Felix had already planned to hire a female housekeeper—not a servant like Nancy, but a lady of noble status who could help manage the castle's affairs and educate his younger sister and niece.

Back when his father was still alive, the castle had such a housekeeper, an elderly noblewoman who was a distant relative of the Williams family. She was strict and well-disciplined, handling all matters requiring a female presence, including Dolores' early education.

However, as she grew older, her health declined, and she had to retire to her hometown a few years ago. Around the same time, Felix's sister-in-law married into the family, and their father, the former Earl, entrusted household management to her instead.

But after the tragic deaths of his father, brother, and sister-in-law, they had never found a replacement.

Felix's concern now was Dolores' future.

"Dolores is already twelve," he explained. "In two years, she will enter high society. Her education can't be delayed any longer."

Wei Wei frowned. "Then you definitely shouldn't be hiring me."

She continued, "As you know, I come from a foreign land. Our nations are far apart, and our customs and etiquette are completely different. I know nothing about your aristocratic traditions."

How could she possibly teach something she didn't even understand?

Felix cleared his throat. "You don't have to worry about that. Dolores already has an etiquette instructor. You can learn alongside her—it might even help you integrate into our society."

Wei Wei opened her mouth to protest, but before she could speak, Felix pressed on.

"I would like you to shape Dolores into a lady as elegant and confident as yourself."

"You've probably noticed—she's far too timid."

Timid?

That was an understatement.

Dolores was like a frightened rabbit, ready to bolt at the slightest disturbance.