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Published at 4th of December 2022 08:18:23 PM


Chapter 31

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Chapter 31

As the Duke continued his explanation in a smooth tone, Zachary also now quietly listened to him.

“Behind it, there must be a hidden intention to directly see and understand the atmosphere of the family.”

“What kind of atmosphere are you talking about?”

“Well, there are many things. But, the most important thing to you is…”

The deep blue eyes unique to Hessenweitz, which was passed down to Zachary, contained a deep meaning inside.

“Iellie.”

He suddenly swallowed his breath at the name. The tip of the Duke’s lips rose slightly, and he opened his mouth again.

“Perhaps, if you show respect for Iellie, the Royal Family will respect her at least.”

Respect Iellie…

Zachary’s eyes grew cold. He knows very well how the Royal Family treated her. Marrying her instead of the princess, they tried to wield her recklessly, saying that she was the daughter of a Viscounty.

“Your role is most important if you want her to be the safest.”

At the Duke’s words, he quietly nodded his head. Zachary was often rebellious with most of the words from the Duke, but when it came to matters related to Iellie, he would listen to the duke’s advice.

The Duke waved his hand.

“Then, go. I am tired.”

“….”

Zachary, who was about to leave the room immediately, hesitated for a moment. He whispered as he glanced back.

“…Thank you for the advice.”

At the same time, the door closed with a click. The eyes of the Duke still focused at the closed door.

Iellie encountered the Duke while picking flowers in the greenhouse. Her eyes widened, and she asked a question.

“Duke, what are you doing here?”

“I came here because I have something to tell you.”

“For me…?”

Iellie was a little bewildered. If it were the usual Duke, he would have called her to the office if he had anything to say. Though since he comes to the greenhouse directly, does he have something important to say?

Just when he was thinking about it, his voice interrupted her train of thought.

“Iellie, I know this is going to be a little uncomfortable for you.”

“Yes?”

At that, she asked without realizing it. The Duke made a rather gloomy face and spoke in a low voice.

“About Countess Laurent.”

“Ah…”

Is the Duke asking for her understanding now? Iellie gently looked into the Duke’s eyes.

“I know your relationship with the Countess is not good, but… because there are circumstances.”

“It’s okay.”

She answered calmly.

Why the Duke behaved like that was already a little bit predictable.

“I think the Imperial Family probably put pressure on you, right?”

The Duke was momentarily surprised because he didn’t think she would expect that far.

“And, if not, Countess Laurent is Zachary’s aunt, so she’ll be hard to refuse.”

Iellie, who shook her head, gazed straight at him. The pale green eyes were filled with a warm light.

“More than that, you came all the way here because you cared about me. Thank you, Duke.”

“….”

“I will do my best to prepare for the hunting party and the banquet. I am so happy that you trusted me.”

With her head bowed, Iellie smiled brightly at him. Although Countess Laurent was involved, the Duke entrusted the banquets and hunting parties to her. It was proof that he believed and recognized her.

“…Yes.”

After hesitating for a while, he gave only a simple answer.

All of a sudden, Iellie had grown up beautifully, and she and Zachary were a pretty good pair.

Adele…

The Duke, glancing at the girl in front of him, called out the name of his lost wife in a small voice into his mouth. What would she think when she sees this child…?

“Oh, Iellie.”

“Yes?”

“Don’t let anyone call you ‘Lady Blanchett’ in the future.”

The Duke’s eyes stared intently at her. He had remembered that Countess Laurent called ‘Lady Blanchett’ to Iellie.

He then continued as he gave strength and narrowing his eyes.

“Because you are ‘Lady Hessenweitz’.”

“I will, Duke.”

For some reason, the corners of her eyes seemed to heat up, and Iellie nodded her head and lowered her gaze.

Lady Hessenweitz. This is a title that can only be used by the mistress of the Duke family. That’s what he’s saying…

‘It means that the Duke now recognizes me as the mistress of Hessenweitz.’

Her heart was pounding.

Finally, the Duke, who had a glimpse of Iellie went out of the greenhouse. Her heart was beating fast, and Iellie pressed her hands on top of it. She was so happy to be recognized.

“Iellie.”

Then, Zachary came into the greenhouse. She thought he probably came all the way here to meet her.

“I saw father left a while ago, did he say anything reckless to you?”

He asked worriedly. Even though he knows that the Duke cares for Iellie, he can’t help but worry about her. The Duke had a blunt temper, and he was not a person who spoke with consideration for his other person’s feelings.

“No, that can’t be true. Rather, he said something good.”

“Good words?”

“Hmm. good words.”

Iellie smiled brightly. Lady Hessenweitz… The Duke told her to use that title. Looking at her, Zachary took the basket of flowers from her hand.

“Well, I’m glad it was a good word.”

Iellie looked happy, so he’s fine with it. She asked as she walked by his side while singing a small hum.

“Oh, Zachary. It reminds me of the coming-of-age ceremony. Do you remember your sixteenth birthday?”

“Of course, I remember.”

At her words, he nodded his head slightly. Iellie smiled softly and clapped her hand, and she whispered.

“At that time, you didn’t even tell me it was your birthday.”

“That’s because I don’t want to trouble you…”

“I know. Still, how sad I was to hear about your birthday later from Mary.”

Iellie suddenly recalled the memories of then. At the time, he was completely unaware of the fact that his birthday was a day to be celebrated. Because he was ‘a damned monster,’ and no one rejoiced at Zachary’s birth. Needless to say, she was angry at that fact.

“I wanted to hear stories about you, and I chased after you and got so angry.”

She let out a sullen laugh.

At that moment, she was so angry that Iellie slammed Zachary’s door open and ran into it. A flustered Zachary was frozen in front of her, and she was furious.

‘Why didn’t you tell me it was my birthday?!’

‘It’s okay if you don’t take care of it. It just bothered me…’

‘What bothers you? It doesn’t bother me at all! It’s not all right for you not to tell me about such an important day!’

Iellie, who was furious, went down to the kitchen and brought back the pie she had eaten the day before. It was late at night, so all she had left was that. Declaring that it is a cake substitute, she lit a candle over the pie.

‘After blowing out the candles, make a wish.’

‘Wish…?’

‘Yes, wish. Basically, you make a wish while blowing out the birthday candles. ’

Zachary, who had blinked both eyes, blew out the candle with a slightly puzzled face.

Iellie applauded in front of the boy. Then, her eyes became full of curiosity, and she asked him.

‘What wish did you make?’

‘That…’

‘Um, no. You don’t have to tell me. Originally, you’re not supposed to talk about the wish on my birthday.’

She said while shaking her head, before removing the candle from the pie and smiled at Zachary.

How sweet was the raspberry pie they shared in half at that time?

‘Happy birthday, Zachary. ’

But, what was sweeter than the pie were the words she whispered in a small voice, “Happy Birthday” to him.

Gazing at Iellie, who is now beside him, Zachary once again recalled the wish he had made at that time.

‘I wish I could be with you forever.’

Zachary thanked the lovely lady who seemed to know everything in his heart.

“Since then, you’ve been taking care of my birthday every day.”

“It’s natural. Your birthday deserves to be celebrated.”

“Really?”

“Of course, you are my precious husband.”

‘Iellie’s husband.’ There was no other word that made Zachary as happy as that word. The girl next to him continued to smile brightly.

“I’m really glad that you seem to be getting along well with other people.”

It really was. Rumors of the monster that intimidated Zachary soon disappeared. He is now the Heir Apparent loved by the people of the territory, a monarch loyal to the knights, and the strongest warrior in the north.

“But, Ien…”

Hearing Iellie’s soft words, Zachary tilted his head. He caresses her cheek softly as he utters the following words.

“It’s all thanks to you.”

“No, it’s because you tried.”

Iellie, who smiled at the tickling touch, answered firmly.

Nonetheless, he didn’t back down.

“Still, it was all thanks to you that I was able to work hard.”

“Well…”

If Zachary said something like that, she would believe it was really thanks to her. Thinking so, she shrugged her shoulders.

‘Well, Zachary thinks so, what’s wrong?’

Iellie looked pleased.

Iellie started preparing for the banquet and hunting party in earnest.

In order to prepare for a large-scale event, she had to welcome unwelcome guests. Countess Laurent and Iellie, who had not seen each other in a long time, collided with each other.

“Countess Lauren is so mean.”

“Mary.”

She called Mary in a cautioning voice. Though as she combed Iellie’s hair thoroughly, Mary did not stop her mouth. Because most of the people were all on her side.

“The young lady is going to be the mistress of Hessenweitz soon, but she is so rude.”

“Still, it can’t be helped. The Countess came to the Duke’s Castle at the suggestion of the Crown Prince.”

“When I see her, it’s not the Lady, but the Countess who was demonstrating like the mistress of the Duke’s castle.”

Mary grunted as she loosely tied the shiny pink hair down. As she shaped and smoothed the ribbons that held her hair in place, Mary continued her complaint against the Countess.

“Honestly, what a thing to say. What the hell is the Countess so good at?”

“Mary, you should be careful of what you say.”

“She’s not doing anything properly.”

With a pout in her mouth, Mary brought an indoor dress and Iellie changed from her pajamas into a dress.

“She is always bluffing, and how many problems she causes.”

Saying so, she tapped the hem of Iellie’s dress to smooth out the wrinkles. Then, she straightened her back and exhaled a sigh.

“Why do you have to take care of Countess Laurent?”

“Because I am a member of Hessenweitz.”

“In that sense, Countess Laurent is not of the Duke’s lineage.”

Mary frowned.

Perhaps it was because she had left the castle almost as if she had been kicked out the last time, and when she returned to the castle, the Countess was behaving as if it were her world. At least, she was lucky that Iellie drew a line.

“The Countess is practically exercising her supremacy…”

Supremacy? In fact, there is a lot of room for it to appear that way in the eyes of others.

Iellie nodded her head slightly. Nevertheless, the Countess hadn’t yet crossed the line, and even if she did, she pretended to be wary of her actions in front of Iellie above all else.

She was not openly angry with Iellie, either, considering her imperial pride.

“Why don’t you tell the Young Lord instead? It will definitely solve the problem…”

“No, I don’t want that.”

At her words, she just cut it off and refused. Mary quickly looked dejected though Iellie shook her head and spoke to her.

“This is my problem. I don’t want to bother Zachary.”

She suddenly remembered what she had said to Zachary.

‘Can’t you just protect me whenever something unpleasant happens?’

At that time, Zachary immediately nodded his head with a serious face. But, this was a problem Iellie had to deal with.




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