IFLDMHF | Chapter 139

Episode 139

Euclid, who had looked gloomy the whole time as if worried about sick Dior, cleared his throat and turned red around the ears when he saw my smile.

I found that sight cute and was looking at him when Sionel made a sour expression.

He must have been displeased that instead of being moved by his heartfelt effort to show concern, I was showing off sweet newlywed vibes with Euclid.

Of course, I didn’t care in the slightest.

Sionel still made me feel subtly uncomfortable anyway.

‘I still haven’t forgotten how you made sure I couldn’t share a room with Euclid!’

He seemed just as petty as the Emperor, but it wasn’t something I could easily forgive.

‘If you’re jealous, go get married yourself.’

Mocking Sionel briefly in my head, I returned to the main point.

“Brother, you’re not upset, are you?”

At my words, Sionel made a puzzled expression.

I let out a small sigh.

Honestly, despite Damien biting at everything like a hunting dog—unlike a noble high priest—it was reassuring that he was on our side.

I understood the opposing view as well, since nothing brings more pain and sorrow than war.

But still, to tell those who had risked their lives fighting for the Empire to remember their wrongs was an excessively harsh act.

“Think about how Alexis, who must have been listening from behind the Crown Prince, and the other soldiers who fought, as well as their families, must have felt.”

As I subtly reproached him for only thinking of his sister’s wounds and ignoring his younger brother, Sionel was at a loss for words.

Then, after moving his lips for a while, he finally asked,

“Evgenia, did you… really worry about Alexis?”

Seriously? That’s what you have to say right now?

Granted, I knew I didn’t have the right to say much, given how I’d excluded Alexis and the rest of the family until now!

As I shot him a sharp glare, Sionel finally seemed to come to his senses and said,

“There’s no need to worry. Some were flustered and angry, but the Empire has more people with strong faith.”

He added that some knights and soldiers, upon hearing the High Priest’s words, bowed their heads in guilt—believing that even though they only followed the Emperor’s orders and struggled to survive, they could not escape from sin.

When Sionel said that the temple would be filled for a while with people coming for prayers of repentance, I let out a sigh of relief.

However, my worries weren’t completely gone.

That boastful Emperor might not demand his donations back, but he could try to pressure the temple in various ways.

Now that Damien was on my side, the temple was practically part of my allied forces, so I’d have to tell them to let me know if they needed help at any time.

But now wasn’t the time to be worrying about the temple.

Unable to get angry at Damien in front of everyone and having to leave with his frustration bottled up, the Emperor must be fuming.

And starting now, I was the one who had to deal with that Emperor.

Resolving myself, I looked up at Euclid.

“Duke.”

“Yes, my wife.”

Euclid responded as he extended his arm.

It seemed he now understood what I wanted to say just by looking at my face.

Ignoring Sionel, who looked utterly annoyed, I smiled contentedly and took Euclid’s arm.

Now it was time to head to the banquet hall—or rather, my battlefield.

“The Duke and Duchess of Rudion are entering!”

The Grand Hall of the imperial palace, unsurprisingly, was incredibly spacious and luxurious.

As we entered the dazzlingly decorated room, so bright it hurt the eyes, all the scattered gazes immediately turned toward us.

Perhaps uncomfortable with all the attention, Euclid’s body slightly stiffened.

I lightly tapped his arm to ease his nerves, but it wasn’t very effective—nobles were scattered around us like a pack of wolves, their eyes gleaming.

I needed to lay some groundwork before the Emperor arrived, but I hesitated, worried about Euclid.

“How is Dior?”

“Father.”

Duke Basilion approached without hesitation and asked.

“It seems like it was just a stomachache, so we sent him back to the duchy.”

“Good, well done.”

“But I heard you sent the children a ton of ice cream?”

“A-hem. I only did it because they liked it and looked so adorable eating it.”

I knew there was no malice, but I narrowed my eyes in frustration anyway. Seeing that, Euclid spoke gently.

“It wasn’t your fault, Your Grace. Even when Dior kept eating without restraint, I didn’t stop him because he looked so happy.”

“No, it’s my fault for not anticipating that and sending too much like a thoughtless adult.”

“Thank you for being so fond of my nephew and niece.”

“They’re so well-behaved and cute, it’s hard not to adore them. Rather, I should thank you for bringing them this time.”

As they shifted from blaming themselves to thanking each other, Duke Basilion and Euclid looked endlessly harmonious.

I was sulking alone and couldn’t join in on that warm atmosphere, but to those watching from afar, it must have looked different.

‘Well, normally I would keep my distance and barely acknowledge my family, so just being with them like this must seem like a change.’

And because of this change in me, people would probably start to reevaluate the Rudion Ducal House as well.

Even if they had tried to keep their distance due to its strained relationship with the Imperial Family, things would be different if it had a good relationship with the Basilian Ducal House.

No matter how I saw it, Duke Basilian didn’t seem like he had any intention of drawing a line with the Rudion Ducal House just to stay on the Emperor’s good side.

Thinking that I shouldn’t feel unnecessarily sorry about it, I asked,

“And Melissa?”

“She seemed nervous since it’s her first imperial banquet, so she said she’d rest a bit in the waiting room. More importantly, have you seen Sionel?”

“Yes. He said something urgent came up, so he stepped out briefly to take care of it. He already heard everything that happened after I left.”

Just as I actively joined the conversation to further confuse the nobles’ minds—

“Um, Duchess.”

Among the group who had been hesitating over who would approach first, some finally greeted me and came forward.

They were young ladies who looked to be about my age.

“It’s been a while. If it’s not too much trouble, could we spend a little time with you?”

It was surprising—and unexpected.

In the original story, Evgenia didn’t hesitate to slap or pour wine over any woman associated with the Crown Prince to disgrace them.

And these young ladies had either directly suffered Evgenia’s harassment in high society or had witnessed all her vile behavior.

So, even though I was now married, I thought they wouldn’t come anywhere near me…

“We won’t take up too much of your time.”

Maybe I had unknowingly made an uncomfortable expression because I couldn’t understand why they had come to me.

Thinking I might refuse, the young lady who seemed to be their representative spoke in a voice tinged with urgency.

I could feel her strong determination to speak with me no matter what.

“Alright.”

If I couldn’t avoid it, I’d have to enjoy it.

In the worst case, they might mock me for being so obsessed with the Crown Prince before, only to end up marrying another man in the end.

That much, I could handle.

No matter how they tried to attack me, I had no lingering feelings for the Crown Prince, and my marriage to Euclid was something that brought me joy every time I thought about it.

‘And if they cross the line, then I’ll show them my personality hasn’t gone soft.’

These young ladies, raised delicately seeing only pretty things, were likely more vulnerable to roughness than others.

‘So if I just glare a little… huh.’

Suddenly feeling a bit sad, I swallowed a sigh.

Then I looked up gloomily at Euclid.

Tilting his head, Euclid leaned down slightly and whispered,

“Go ahead, my wife.”

The gentle breath brushing my earlobe gave me pleasant chills.

While I stood frozen for a moment without realizing, Duke Basilian spoke.

“The capital’s social scene must feel unfamiliar. I’ll introduce you to the other nobles.”

“Thank you.”

Leaving behind the father- and his son-in-law who looked closer than actual family, I walked away with the young ladies.

I rubbed my ear, which still seemed to carry the remnants of Euclid’s breath, but when I sensed the young ladies’ gaze, I lowered my hand.

‘Do I look a bit smug?’

I recalled Duke Basilion and Sionel, who had both looked flustered whenever I showed affection with Euclid, and guessed.

‘No, maybe it’s the opposite…’

Thinking that could be a bit problematic, I finally took a seat beside a quiet window.

The young lady who had led me there clasped my hands tightly with both of hers and said,

“Lady, congratulations on escaping His Highness the Crown Prince’s clutches!”