After publicly announcing our engagement, Serdin and I intentionally displayed our affection in public.
Every day, at the same time, we would take a walk or have tea together. Even now, we were strolling in the imperial garden, making sure that many people could see us, before sitting at an outdoor table to talk.
Lowering my voice just enough so that others wouldn’t hear, I spoke up.
“Serdin, why did you call him ‘Father-in-law’ today?”
It had been bothering me.
“You didn’t have to go that far. Just calling him ‘Your Majesty’ would have been enough.”
Of course, I appreciated the effort to make our marriage seem real, but…
“Something that minor wouldn’t make people suspicious. So don’t say things you don’t mean.”
Even if it was unavoidable in Ilnord, doing the same in Promian didn’t sit well with me.
Serdin gazed at me in silence before responding.
“I have never said anything I didn’t mean.”
“Huh?”
What was he talking about?
“Our marriage is fake.”
Besides, Serdin and Delight had never gotten along.
Although, sometimes, I had wondered if their childish bickering actually made them a good match.
But there was no way Serdin truly thought of Delight fondly.
“You can’t be serious. He’s always so harsh with you. Even today, he kept making you change outfits on purpose.”
“His Majesty wasn’t trying to torment me.”
“What?”
“He was genuinely choosing the outfit that suited me best.”
Did he really believe that?
I stared at him with a skeptical expression, but Serdin just chuckled and continued.
“Ollia, you changed into several dresses today too. Do you think they were trying to make things hard for you?”
I blinked slowly, caught off guard.
Now that I thought about it, I had indeed tried on numerous wedding dress samples to the point of exhaustion.
But that was obviously…
The realization struck me, and I found myself at a loss for words.
Finally, I spoke.
“Of course not.”
“Exactly.”
Serdin lightly tapped my head, as if explaining something to a younger sibling.
Who was teaching who here?!
Still, I had to admit—this time, Serdin seemed to understand Delight better than I did.
“So tell me the real reason. Why did you call him ‘Father-in-law’?”
Now, I was genuinely curious.
Serdin hesitated for a moment before speaking slowly.
“Because I wanted to.”
“Even though this marriage is fake?”
“Even if it is, the wedding itself should look real.”
“…Are you serious?”
“Yes. And when I actually called him that, it didn’t feel so bad.”
“…….”
Serdin really was hard to understand.
***
The Next Day.
Now, I think I finally understood why Serdin insisted on calling him ‘Father-in-law.’
“Good morning, Father-in-law.”
At the breakfast table, the moment Serdin saw Delight, he greeted him with a bright smile.
“Did you sleep well last night, Father-in-law?”
He made sure to emphasize the word Father-in-law every time he spoke.
“Stop calling me that!”
Finally, Delight, who had been holding back to the point that the knife in his hand was bending under pressure, snapped.
Seeing him react so strongly probably just made Serdin want to say it even more.
“I’ll tolerate you calling me that only three times a day!”
Delight warned that if Serdin exceeded that limit, there would be consequences.
“Really?”
“Yes! And I suggest you take my warning seriously!”
“Oh, of course. I actually thought you wouldn’t allow it at all. Thank you, Father-in-law!”
Serdin accepted it eagerly and looked genuinely happy.
“…What?”
Delight was dumbfounded by the unexpected response.
“Haha, that means I’ve already used it once. I still have two left! I’ll make sure to use them wisely!”
Serdin grinned mischievously, playing along effortlessly.
“…….”
In the end, Delight stormed off without even finishing his meal.
It seemed like he had sensed the danger of engaging with Serdin any further.
“Looks like Delight has finally met his match, huh?”
Blueny, who had been watching the interaction with amusement, commented beside me.
Honestly, it was quite an entertaining sight.
Blueny and I sipped our tea together, sharing a quiet laugh.
***
Meanwhile, the Emperor of Ilnord slowly descended the staircase.
After making his way deep underground, through a maze of winding passageways, he finally arrived at a hidden chamber.
Inside was Luciel.
No one would ever imagine that such a powerful being was imprisoned in a place like this.
The very thought of it pleased the Emperor, yet seeing Luciel remain unshaken still gnawed at him.
Despite the dark and desolate surroundings, Luciel appeared completely at ease.
“Are you uncomfortable in any way?”
Though he was the one who had imprisoned Luciel, the Emperor still addressed him with a respectful tone.
“Not really. But do you really think this is enough to make me obey you?”
“At the very least, you are trapped here, unable to move an inch.”
“…That’s true.”
Luciel admitted it without hesitation.
“This is why contracts must be made carefully. I made a mistake with the most crucial part.”
“You are a dragon. Upholding a contract is only natural for you.”
“No one can force me to do something I don’t want to do—even if it’s in a contract.”
“…There’s no choice, then. We’ll just have to wait until you change your mind.”
The Emperor of Ilnord’s gaze turned cold.
“Since you don’t find this place uncomfortable, you may as well stay here.”
Just as he was about to turn and leave, Luciel muttered under his breath.
“Before long, the contract with Ilnord will be broken.”
“………”
His words made the Emperor stop in his tracks.
“You already know that, don’t you? That’s why you’re resorting to such desperate measures.”
Luciel smirked, mocking him.
The Emperor’s brow furrowed.
Turning slightly, he spoke again.
“And yet, my so-called desperate measures have left the great dragon imprisoned here.”
“…..…”
“I will return.”
With that final remark, the Emperor walked away, as if reminding Luciel of his current helpless state.
His sharp, echoing footsteps as he ascended the stairs betrayed his growing irritation.
Once the Emperor’s figure disappeared completely, Luciel leaned back against the wall.
“What a pitiful sight for a dragon. All because of a single contract.”
He let out a sigh.
“Delight would love to see me like this.”
Luciel chuckled at the ridiculous thought.
They must have realized by now that he was missing.
Being captured by Ilnord didn’t particularly bother him.
But… he was supposed to help Sherina.
Now, that had become impossible.
That was the only thing that troubled him.
***
Meanwhile, preparations for the journey to Ilnord were progressing smoothly.
The wedding dress was completed that afternoon, and I had already finished the fitting.
It fit perfectly, as if the designer had poured their heart and soul into it within a short time.
Delight and Blueny insisted that Serdin couldn’t see me in the dress before the wedding, even if it was a fake marriage, and they kicked him out.
Honestly, it felt more like an excuse just so they could see it first.
“I expected it to be dazzling, but this is blinding!”
“Ordering three wedding dresses was definitely the right choice.”
Blueny and Delight were beyond pleased.
There were three dresses in total.
I wasn’t sure if I would have the chance to wear all of them in Ilnord.
But seeing how delighted they were, I didn’t mind.
And truthfully…
‘Wearing a wedding dress felt both strange and fascinating.’
In my past life, I never had a reason to wear something like this.
‘Even I have to admit, it suits me pretty well.’
A small smile escaped my lips.
At just sixteen years old, Violyana was already experiencing many things I had never gone through in my past life.
At first, everything felt strange and uncomfortable, and my initial reaction was to reject it. But now, all of these moments had become precious memories, and I found myself looking forward to what lay ahead.
‘So even if I return to Ilnord, this time will be different.’
After leaving everything behind as the Archmage Sherina, I had never once set foot in the capital of Ilnord.
So, this would be my first time going back since then.
Not that anyone there would recognize me, but…
‘It still feels strange.’
We were set to depart tomorrow.
I hadn’t felt anything until now, but as the day of departure approached, many thoughts filled my mind.
No matter how much I lay in bed, sleep wouldn’t come.
After tossing and turning for a while, I finally got up, stepping outside to take in the cool night air and gather my thoughts.
“Still awake?”
A voice suddenly came from behind me.
I turned around to see—
“Dad?”
Delight was standing there.
