Chapter 198
No way. This can’t be happening!
I couldn’t believe my ears when I heard Mom’s reply.
But the air around me was too tense to think I’d misheard it.
In the end, my lips moved wordlessly before I finally managed to ask,
“H-How did you find out…?”
“He brought you back when you were unconscious. And both your lips were swollen—how could we not know? Besides…”
Gulp.
I swallowed hard without realizing it, and Mom gave a bitter chuckle.
“He said it himself. That you collapsed from overexertion.”
“Aaaaagh!”
In that moment, panic completely overwhelmed me and I screamed.
This was truly unbelievable.
I didn’t even have time to gauge my family’s shocked reactions, I leapt out of my chair and bolted from Grandpa’s room.
Please, let this be a nightmare I had last night!
***
**** it…
As much as I wished otherwise, it wasn’t a dream.
After spending some time alone, I walked into the drawing room and snapped at Ascart as if nothing embarrassing had happened.
“So you’re saying you brought the entire Magic Sword Corps to the Empire just because of me? What about the Duchy?”
“What’s there to worry about? We’ve got the mages of the Magic Tower too. Worst case, I’ll just have a backlog of work waiting for me.”
Ascart shrugged, and I had no real comeback.
The truth was, Ascart—heir to the Grand Duchy—had stayed behind alone to learn the ropes. But Belus Duchy wasn’t a place that would crumble just because its lord was away for a while.
But that wasn’t the only point I had to make.
“And what about the Empire? Given how each of you is as strong as an army, the Empire might feel threatened and raise objections.”
“I don’t think that’ll be a problem. Didn’t you say monsters appeared in the Empire? If they complain, we’ll just say we came to help. Not that I think they’ll even complain.”
“That’s true, but…”
“If it really bothers you, you can just come back to the Duchy.”
He said that like it was what he’d been wanting to say all along.
“There’s no issue meeting with Diana now, right? You can always invite her to Belus Duchy. Or just come along now.”
“Do you really need to stay in the Empire?”
He added that line with a meaningful look, and my parents turned to me.
Just a few days ago, I told them I wouldn’t leave the Empire. That I had things to do here. That I would get my revenge.
But things had changed.
I delivered the holy relic to Diana, but the results weren’t what I’d hoped for.
And I confirmed that the Master is a demon…
Honestly, I didn’t have the courage to face Terencium right away.
The appearance of monsters still bothers me… but maybe I should return to the Grand Duchy and wait for Raizel there…
“Don’t tell me… you’re hesitating because of Lucio?”
As I was deep in thought, Ascart asked with a sharp voice.
I’d barely managed to ignore the name, and now it was back again!
I was flustered and just about to say something when…
“I told you, this old man is against it!”
Grandfather burst into the drawing room, throwing open the doors.
He was supposed to be resting in his room, but it looked like he couldn’t hold back anymore.
“There are plenty of young, fresh boys your age. Why’d you have to pick some old geezer?!”
He’d always told me age was just a number and bragged about his own vitality.
Now he was contradicting himself, and I was speechless.
Still, I swallowed my words—he seemed to be recovering, and that was more important.
But then, unexpectedly, Ascart jumped in.
“Grandfather, that’s a bit much. Lucio’s the same age as me, you know. I’m not that old. I’m in my prime!”
“Ahem!”
Grandfather cleared his throat, and Ascart quickly realized his mistake and stiffened his face.
“Of course, compared to Lia, he’s ancient. Lucio really has no shame!”
I gave Ascart a look of disbelief as he flipped his opinion like turning over a coin, without the slightest hint of shame.
“Lia, what’s with that look? Are you already taking Lucio’s side?”
“When did I ever say that?”
“Oh, oh! They say raising a younger sibling is pointless… Lia, how could you treat me like this…”
Ascart pretended to cry like he’d been terribly wronged, but when I just stared at him blankly, he quickly changed his expression.
“So it really is because of his looks? Allen once told me you really care about a guy’s appearance, and that the only reason you were nice to me was because I’m good-looking!”
What?! When did Allen even say that to Ascart?
Just then, Grandfather let out a long sigh.
“Ah, that boy takes after his father, good-looking and all, and that’s what made you fall for him?!”
“Adriana, a man should be upright and faithful to one woman. Looks are fleeting, and not that important,” Dad added with a serious face.
But saying that with a face that still sparkled, even well into middle age, made it all very unconvincing.
Apparently, Mom thought the same.
“Oh please, that’s not true at all. Looks are very important!”
Despite the glares from Grandfather, Dad, and Ascart, Mom just scoffed and turned to me.
“Adriana, it’s good you cared about looks. I can’t tell you how many times I calmed down just by looking at your dad’s face when he was being difficult.”
“D-Dear…”
“Still, your dad isn’t completely wrong. A man’s sincerity is important. For the record, he didn’t know a single woman before he met me. But that one… he didn’t exactly strike me as an innocent.”
Lucio’s image seemed to have taken a huge hit after we were caught kissing.
‘If I’m being honest, I’m the one who asked him to kiss me…’
Then Mom added, with a disapproving look.
“I heard some things about him and the First Princess. They even went to the Kingdom of Riven together.”
“That was for work! And she’s the only one making it into something more, he has no interest in her!”
I instinctively defended Lucio, and Ascart immediately groaned.
“Again! She’s taking Lucio’s side again!”
Mom sighed at me too.
“Silly girl. Did he tell you that himself? And you just believed it?”
“…It’s true.”
I wasn’t just defending him to be nice.
But hearing my soft murmur, Mom shook her head like I was already head over heels.
“Well, fine. Since Dominique was completely clean before meeting the Duchess, there’s a good chance his son is too. But what about his personality?”
“His personality?”
“I hate to speak ill of my only friend, but… Dominique’s personality? Do you have any idea how awful it was? Even worse when he was younger! He was cold, ruthless, totally inhuman! I practically rescued that man. And even after I fixed him up, he blamed me for messing up his personality. At least the second and youngest kids seem to take after the Duchess a bit, but the eldest? He’s just like his father. Lia, I know it might seem cool when you’re young, that stoic and cold look, but trust me—kind and sweet men are the ones who’ll treat you well.”
I was stunned by the overwhelming wave of criticism, but I barely managed to respond.
“Mom, you know how deeply loyal and compassionate the Duke really is.”
He was the one who willingly fell into the Emperor’s trap in Grandfather’s place.
He’d never once brought it up with Mom for decades.
She and Grandfather might not know the truth, but I did—and I couldn’t let even Mom badmouth the Duke.
Thankfully, she seemed to agree on at least that part.
“That’s true…” she nodded.
Encouraged by her response, I spoke more softly.
“Lucio may seem cold on the outside, but he’s warm inside. He’s secretly kind… and actually kind of cute sometimes…”
As soon as I muttered that last bit, Ascart’s face froze in horror.
“What?!”
Even I had to admit I sounded completely biased.
I scratched my cheek awkwardly, and Mom let out a deep sigh.
“I figured things were getting serious, but if he looks cute to you… it’s over.”
“If he looks cute to you, it’s already too late.”
The rest of the family looked utterly devastated at her words.
I turned my head away, pretending not to notice.
***
That evening.
After hearing every single family member remind me that while a light romance was fine, marriage was still way too early, I dragged my exhausted body up to my room.
They nagged so much during dinner I couldn’t even tell if I was eating or inhaling food.
Still, it went better than I expected.
Maybe it was thanks to Clara and the Countess, my family didn’t have the energy to overreact as they usually would.
Of course, if marriage becomes a serious topic later, things might change…
I sighed and flopped onto the bed, deciding to cross that bridge when I came to it.
“Oh?”
I noticed a blinking light on the communicator I’d left on the table beside my bed.
Come to think of it, I hadn’t checked it even once since morning as I’d been with my family all day.
I passed out at the imperial palace, so he must’ve been worried sick!
I jumped up and opened it, only to find message after message from Lucio.
Skimming quickly through his flood of concern, I saw a final message asking if it was okay to visit.
I sent back a quick reply telling him he could.
It wasn’t too late in the evening, and since he’d probably been waiting to hear from me all day, I figured it was only fair to show my face.
Not because I missed him or anything…
Brushing aside the embarrassment creeping in, I got up from bed.
I was just about to head to the vanity when…
Knock knock.
A knock came from the balcony.
“…?”
No way.
I pulled the curtain aside slightly—and locked eyes with Lucio standing just outside.
When he saw me, he beamed with a wide smile.
