Chapter 82
“Of course.”
Reina examined the necklace using Ritchie’s power. Fortunately, no magic was felt.
“There’s no problem. You can use it like this.”
“Haa. That’s a relief.”
Aiden finally showed a relieved expression.
Reina felt like she could understand what kind of mindset he had while immersing himself in the production.
Fortunately, Dalia had a good father.
Seeing the affectionate father-daughter scene, Reina felt as if her own wounds were being healed.
He grabbed both of her hands and expressed his thanks.
“Thank you so much. I will repay this favor for the rest of my life.”
“You don’t have to do that. I also received it from the Saintess and just….”
Reina waved her hand but stopped abruptly. Aiden’s expression was different from usual.
A benevolent face as if he knew everything.
“I think there must be a reason you’re hiding it.”
“Yes?”
The following answer was enough to drive a wedge into her suspicion.
“……When did you notice?”
To Reina’s question, Aiden glanced at Dalia.
Before she knew it, the child was asleep on one side of the sofa.
Probably, the tension was released, and drowsiness came over her.
He said while looking at Dalia warmly.
“Didn’t you request it even before Dalia manifested the aura? As if you knew things would turn out this way.”
“Well, the Saintess….”
“Even if she’s the Saintess, I thought it wouldn’t be possible to see the situation in this distant north so clearly. And I became certain after knowing the reason for this request.”
“……”
“Why would the Saintess go to such lengths for Dalia?”
With a face without a shred of doubt, she could no longer deny it.
“……That’s right.”
She thought she hid it well, but it was the
result of her arm bending inward without realizing it.
Reina said while clasping her trembling hands.
“I hope you keep it a secret.”
Reading the noticeably anxious expression, Aiden showed a flustered expression.
“Of course! Did you think I would go around blabbing?”
When Reina blinked, Aiden frowned.
“If I did that, my brother wouldn’t leave me alone. Besides, aren’t we family? I’m hurt, sister-in-law.”
When Aiden mentioned ‘family’, Reina moved her lips.
She was newly surprised that he, who knew it was a contract marriage, called her family.
Even her blood-related father tried to use her as soon as he knew about her power.
Seeing Aiden purely feeling disappointed, Reina’s eyes reddened.
“Thank you.”
“What’s there to thank, I…. Huh! Are you crying now? Uwa, if brother finds out, it’ll be big trouble!”
Aiden flusteredly handed her a handkerchief. After wiping her eyes with it, she said.
“I should be by Dalia’s side….”
“We’re already grateful that you care this much. Of course, Dalia would be very bored without sister-in-law.”
Aiden gave a warm smile. Reina unintentionally received comfort from him.
Because seeing him, she felt like she understood what fatherly love is.
“Dalia will be happy because she has a dad.”
With words filled with sincerity, Aiden scratched the back of his head as if embarrassed.
“I hope so. Anyway, don’t worry about me and Dalia, and have a comfortable trip. I’ll guard the north well.”
Chapter 9. Social Circle
The capital of the Mernie Empire, Lunin, was more vibrant than usual.
As the grand nobles’ meeting approached, the social season began.
Nobles who had been managing their territories gathered one by one to their villas in the capital with their children.
Naturally, social gatherings and various events increased.
The parks were crowded with young people strolling, and the riversides with people enjoying boating.
One day when the social circle’s search for suitable matches continued.
A carriage with a familiar family crest appeared in the middle of Lunin city.
The shape of a dragon wrapped around a blue divine tree.
It was the crest of the Duke of Crensia, the guardian of the north.
Crensia, which was expected to be chaotic due to the appearance of mutants from last year and the 100-year cycle of magic, faced a new phase.
They excellently suppressed the successively opening gates to the demon realm.
It was a move that even those who hadn’t felt the prestige of being dragon’s descendants were amazed by.
As the prestige of the Duke of Crensia rose higher than ever, there were ladies who subtly came to the capital to see him.
Families who didn’t send marriage proposals because of the 100-year magic cycle subtly regretted it.
Especially after the Duke of Crensia married an unheard-of princess.
The place where the duke’s carriage stopped was a famous women’s clothing store.
When aide Ben opened the door, the Duke of Crensia got out of the carriage.
A noble lady passing by at that moment murmured.
“It seems the Duke of Crensia is also attending this meeting. The rumor that the situation in the north is not as bad as thought must be true.”
“Seeing him again, he’s a desirable figure. If only the 100-year magic cycle didn’t scare us.”
“Did the princess come too? I heard rumors that the princess is an ugly pockmarked face. And short and fat….”
“I heard she’s skinny and unattractive?”
Since her presence was so faint, few knew her appearance properly.
“How on earth did she marry the duke? If it was really because of the imperial order, it’s a bit pitiful.”
“Rumors say the princess pestered His Majesty to let her marry the Duke of Crensia. It’s a marriage done as if saving one person.”
When they were whispering the stories they heard behind their fans.
A woman got out of the carriage escorted by the duke.
The woman with platinum hair neatly braided and placed on one shoulder looked as beautiful as a flower just bloomed.
Her blue eyes seemed to sparkle every time she looked at the duke.
Seeing this, the noble ladies looked at each other awkwardly.
“Hmm, it seems it was false rumors spread by those jealous of the princess.”
“Indeed. How is that an ugly pockmarked face?”
Contrary to the vicious rumors, the princess looked like a very demure young lady.
Every gesture overflowed with elegance, and she seemed very intimate with the duke.
Decisively, the Duke of Crensia’s gaze towards the princess was very hot.
No matter how you look at it, they didn’t look like a couple married by force at all.
Meanwhile, upon arriving at the clothing store, Reina felt the hot gazes directed at her.
The first place Kaiden brought her to upon arriving in the capital was the clothing store.
Unlike Reina who made a tired expression seeing the lined up gorgeous dresses, Lily just looked ecstatic.
“Indeed, since the weather is different from the north, the materials and designs of the dresses are different from the start. This fluttering chiffon material would suit madam very well. It’s a shame because if worn in the north, you’d catch a cold easily.”
She, who has a lot of interest in clothes, had eyes shining as if she discovered a treasure island.
Today, Kaiden agreed with Lily.
“Since we’ll be in the capital for a while, you can order anything that Reina might wear.”
“Oh my, really?!”
When Lily examined the dress designs with an excited expression, Reina pulled Kaiden’s sleeve.
“Kaiden.”
“Why? Is there something you want?”
“No, it’s not that….”
Reina glanced at Lily running around here and there and whispered.
“Just two or three would be fine. I already have the clothes I wore before….”
She felt burdened to buy more since she already had enough dresses.
Especially since she didn’t come to play.
Even to that small voice, Lily perked up her ears and reacted.
“Oh no, that won’t do! The dresses from the north don’t match the season here from the start. The clothes you’re wearing now look hastily prepared, how upsetting!”
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By Anna 💓
