Chapter 15
After finishing his conversation with Dante, Theophanes got on the sled and glanced at Daphne to check on her condition.
Luckily, he had some ointment in his emergency kit. He had already applied it, but a bruise was likely to form.
“……”
Daphne, who was sitting on a separate sled, looked a little better, which was a relief.
Theophanes quietly observed her.
Noticing his gaze, Daphne turned her head. That’s when she realized she had forgotten to thank him.
“Oh, thank you. I was wondering how I should contact you. How did you find me?”
“Well…”
Just as Theophanes was about to answer, something inside his coat wriggled.
Daphne’s eyes naturally followed the movement.
Chirp!
A small, fluffy white bird popped out from his coat.
“Oh my, is this the bird?”
“Is this the one you wanted to buy?”
“Oh, yes! That’s right. I remembered that Jacquette liked it, so I was worried it might feel unfamiliar in a new place. Besides, raising a small animal can teach children the importance of life and help their emotional development.”
Daphne spoke as if she had anticipated the question.
“And?”
“Well… to be honest, I just thought it was cute.”
Chirp!!
“It says it’s not cute.”
“Huh? You can understand it?”
At Daphne’s question, the bird visibly drooped.
Divine beasts had a special fondness for humans, especially those with transcendent abilities. Since transcendents received their power directly from the World Tree, they shared a natural connection.
They lived on the same land and resonated with each other. That’s why divine beasts often made pacts with transcendents.
“When you saw this bird, did you feel anything special?”
Theophanes asked.
Daphne thought for a moment.
“Oh, now that you mention it… I did. It felt like I was under some kind of spell.”
“That’s because it’s a divine beast from Himonas. Transcendents and divine beasts naturally resonate with each other.”
“So this little one is a divine beast…?”
“Yes. Though it’s still a newborn, so its powers are weak.”
Chirp…
The small bird flapped its wings weakly.
“Then we should return it to its mother.”
“It can find its way back on its own. It would be best to release it when we arrive at the Himonas estate.”
Hearing this, Daphne gently reached out to the bird.
“Sorry, I didn’t know you were separated from your mother.”
The bird rubbed its small body against her fingers as if it understood.
Its softness and warmth… were unbelievably cute.
‘It kind of reminds me of Jacquette.’
Before she knew it, the bird had completely left Theophanes and was now sitting on Daphne’s lap.
She quietly stroked it.
“Daphne, wait.”
Theophanes called her.
She looked up.
He naturally took her left hand—the one that had been petting the bird.
“A marriage isn’t official without this.”
In his hand was a ring.
“This has been passed down through my family for generations.”
“It’s perfect for a wedding ring.”
“I believe it will fit you well.”
Theophanes smiled and gently slipped the ring onto her finger.
Just as he said, it fit as if it had been made just for her.
“Now, please put mine on as well, wife.”
Daphne picked up the remaining ring and placed it on his left ring finger.
Theophanes stared at the ring on her hand.
Following his gaze, she looked down at it too.
It was a silver band with a soft pink gemstone set into it.
The bird on her lap hopped onto her hand and tapped the gemstone with its beak before retreating.
She was about to ask what kind of gemstone it was when it suddenly sparkled for a brief moment.
It was so quick that she blinked twice, wondering if she had imagined it.
She turned to Theophanes, wanting to ask if he had seen it too—but she hesitated.
His expression had darkened.
The chilling look in his eyes sent shivers down her spine.
Then, as if nothing had happened, Theophanes smiled again.
“It looks like we’ve arrived.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the sled came to a stop.
“We have arrived.”
The sled driver opened the door.
Theophanes got out first and extended his hand to Daphne.
She placed her hand in his.
“Shall we go in, wife?”
Theophanes kissed the ring on her finger.
“Let’s.”
As Daphne stepped down from the sled, the bird fluttered into the air.
Chirp—
“It says it’s leaving now.”
“Take care. Don’t get caught again—”
Daphne bid it farewell, and the bird disappeared into the sky.
Only after it was out of sight did the two of them begin walking toward the house.
Before they entered, Theophanes took her hand again.
“What is it?”
“I’m nervous about meeting my father-in-law properly.”
His playful words left Daphne with a complicated expression.
Did his thoughts ever stay in one place?
She wanted to point out that he had already met her father earlier, but she decided to let it go.
She had bigger things to focus on.
“Let’s just go.”
At her response, Theophanes simply smiled.
As they stepped into the lobby, the butler, Oliver, greeted them politely.
“The Marquis has asked me to escort you. This way, please.”
Theophanes watched the scene with a curious expression.
It was strange.
Daphne could have led him to the reception room herself, yet she was treating him like a guest.
It was as if she were separate from this house.
Oliver then gestured to a maid standing nearby.
“The gentleman in the back will be shown to a different reception room.”
“Huh?”
Dante looked confused at being separated from them.
“Do as he says.”
At Theophanes’s command, Dante bowed his head.
“…Understood.”
With that settled, Oliver turned and led the way.
“This way.”
Daphne followed without question.
There had been a time when she was not allowed to go anywhere in the mansion without permission.
That restriction had eased once she became an adult, but only within the mansion itself.
Theophanes walked beside her, glancing at her from the corner of his eye.
Her small, round head was within his sight.
Then, his gaze moved down to her small, pale hand.
He could feel a slight tremble.
Did she even realize she was shaking?
“You may wait here. I will have tea brought in.”
Oliver opened the reception room door for them.
As they stepped inside, the door closed behind them.
“Is there anything I should know?”
Theophanes asked as he sat on the sofa.
“First, we need to act like a deeply in-love couple.”
Daphne sat beside him and raised one finger.
“A passionate couple, then.”
“Second, when we submit our marriage certificate to the imperial court, please add Jacquette to the family registry.”
She watched his reaction carefully.
This condition might be difficult for him to accept.
If they had a biological child, the title would go to that child. But if Jacquette was legally adopted, he would become the official heir for now.
“…Alright. Anything else?”
To her surprise, Theophanes agreed without hesitation.
Thrown off, Daphne stammered, “F-for now, that’s all. We can discuss further details later and update the contract if needed.”
“I’ll take care of it as soon as we return to Anax.”
“…Thank you.”
A brief silence followed.
Just as Daphne was wondering how to break it, a knock came at the door.
“I have brought tea.”
“Come in.”
At her command, a maid entered and set the tea tray on the table.
“I will pour it myself. You may leave.”
“…Excuse me?”
She was likely there to spy on them, so there was no need to keep her.
“Go on.”
“…Yes, my lady.”
Once the maid left, Daphne reached for the teapot—
But Theophanes was faster.
“What does your father like?”
“Money, power, and prestige. He likes them all.”
“I see.”
Smiling, he poured tea into her cup with practiced precision.
“Drink. It’ll calm you down.”
Theophanes set the teapot down and picked up his cup.
Calm down?
Daphne frowned at the strange remark—
Then she realized.
Her hands were trembling.
It was the fear she had learned over the years.
“…Thank you.”
She muttered blankly.
Theophanes quietly watched her, then turned away.
“You’re welcome.”
The room fell silent again—
But this time, the silence felt comfortable.
