Chapter 10 The Titan Family Without Money
Holden thought dismissively that with such a small amount, his family was nobility with a territory after all. Even if this year's harvest from the estate wasn't great, counting the taxes collected from commoners and merchants, plus those scattered tea gardens, farms, and wineries, as well as the income from renting out land, surely they could afford this much, right?
"That's it?" Anne sounded like she'd heard the biggest joke ever. She held back and held back, finally speaking slowly with suppressed amusement, "It's not much. If the Titan family saves up for another ten years, maybe you'll be able to afford a wife."
These words really hit a nerve. Everyone around had faces turning pale and flushed, but Holden felt Anne was clearly saying this because she didn't want his marriage to Candy to go smoothly - otherwise how could she be so bitter?
Holden said angrily, "Never mind ordinary things like jewelry and furniture - just talking about Candy's demand for three farms and two tea gardens, I clearly remember there's one on the east side..."
"The farm on the east side of the estate was sold off ages ago." Mrs. Merry impatiently cut him off, then gave a mocking laugh. "Our Captain Holden truly doesn't pay much attention to the family situation. Not only that farm, even the land has been registered under someone else's name."
She really couldn't stand the sight of Holden!
Although Holden had risen through the ranks to his current position as knight captain, seemingly bringing the King's praise and rewards to the Titan family, those meager rewards couldn't match the expenses of the entire household. Now finally, with victory in the southern campaign and the chance for promotion and titles within reach, what does Holden do? He actually wants to trade all this wealth for a woman!?
Unlike Titan Old Lady, she didn't believe that Candy would bring great benefits after entering the family. She could tell at a glance that woman was trouble. Even if she was the Empire's first female knight captain, so what? After pulling this shameless stunt with Holden, which noble family would want to associate with them?
Thinking this, Mrs. Merry's words became even more blunt. "You say don't mention jewelry and furniture? Why don't you ask Trion to give you the storeroom key - even rats wouldn't bother with that dump, and you're still planning to dig things out for your little mistress?"
Mrs. Merry's words made Holden's face turn from red to white. He gritted his teeth. "Impossible... When I came back, Nina showed me her new dress. If there's no money, how could she order new clothes!"
He looked around, his gaze lingering more on Anne and Mrs. Merry, not hiding his suspicious look at all.
Nina walked into the hall just as she heard her name. Her face went red - busted. She quickly hid behind Titan Old Lady, avoiding her second brother's eyes. "This was, this was a gift from Anne!"
Holden got even angrier hearing this. He knew that for the past three years, Anne had been handling family affairs. How could he not suspect that this woman had managed his family into this empty shell?
How could they let such a woman who clearly can't manage money ruin his family!
Anne met Holden's almost fire-breathing gaze and felt speechless. This person must be so clueless about his own family's situation to be staring at her like she was his enemy.
"Are you actually suspecting I caused this?"
Holden sneered. "You've been managing the household for the past three years. A pampered lady like you loves to waste money extravagantly. How can I not suspect you!"
Anne said nothing more, just stood there with a cold expression. She had long since lost faith in her husband. Now seeing him blame her first without knowing the facts, she even felt somewhat glad that His Majesty had granted her permission to divorce.
Trion on the side hesitated for a long while before speaking up. "You can't really blame Anne for this. The household accounts are indeed in the red. We have to maintain our status and dignity, which means spending money on all fronts. The family has been struggling like this for years. No matter how many rewards you get, they still..."
"If we can still hold on for three years until you return, it's thanks to Anne and her..."
"Enough!" How could Titan Old Lady allow her to credit Anne? She turned and glared at Trion angrily, then frowned and spoke to her son. "Mother supports you marrying Candy, but right now the family really can't come up with that much money."
Noticing Holden's expression beginning to soften slightly, she carefully chose her words and continued. "Mother was thinking, you and Candy have been through life and death together on the battlefield after all. With such deep feelings, as long as you explain it to her, she'll surely understand your difficulties. Besides, when two people are willing, why would you need such a large dowry?"
Holden hesitated. Since Mother was speaking up, the family's cash flow must really be in trouble. But he had already promised Candy he'd give her the best life. If he couldn't even provide a proper dowry, wouldn't he be breaking his promise to her?
Seeing his expression, Titan Old Lady figured he'd taken her words to heart. "It's just temporary difficulties. You have His Majesty's approval and your achievements. Are you afraid life won't be good in the future? But having said that, this is still a good marriage blessed by His Majesty. We can't give too little and let other nobles laugh at us."
She turned to look at Anne, smiling warmly. "The favor I mentioned to you earlier - this is it."
"Anne, Mother remembers your dowry was generous. All these years you've been keeping it to yourself and I haven't asked. Now we really need the money, so it's time to bring it out to help. Holden is your husband after all. If you're generous to him and fulfill your duty as a wife, he'll surely remember your kindness, right?"
Holden's feelings became complicated upon hearing this.
He actually didn't want to use Anne's dowry to marry Candy. It wasn't just that Candy might get angry if she found out - after all his years of hard campaigning and great achievements, to think he'd be reduced to accepting help from a woman with ulterior motives. If he really asked Anne, she might set difficult conditions to humiliate him.
But his marriage to Candy couldn't be delayed like this either...
Holden's eyes drifted to Anne's face. If she wasn't going to be difficult about handing over her dowry for the bride price, well, he wasn't ungrateful. Maybe he'd talk to Candy later about spending a few nights in Anne's room.
As for whether he'd be willing to stay there in the future, that wasn't something he could promise right now.