Did the child run away out of fear? I wish they had received treatment first.
Reluctantly, we gave up searching for the child and entered the carriage. There, the Duchess continued her story.
“Gerard and I knew from early on that the Grand Duke was infatuated with you. He was the only one who didn’t realize it. Did you know? Even with countless women trying to seduce him at the ball, he always turned them down and went home, as if he were guarding a precious jewel. So, I had a vague idea that he was secretly hiding a lover at home.”
She shared stories I hadn’t known.
“I heard that after you left, he got completely drunk and called your name, asking you to come back. That’s how I learned your name.”
My mother looked incredulous.
“But he never drinks.”
My grandfather had gone to the Castoria palace and drank the wine offered by the king. He died of an unknown illness on the way back to the Grand Duchy.
For this reason, the Grand Duke never touched alcohol. Drinking was akin to reliving his father’s death.
It was understandable that my mother was shocked. I was surprised too.
“He must have been in so much pain after losing you. Enough to break a lifelong vow.”
“…I see.”
My mother’s voice grew softer. I held her trembling hand tightly. She gave me the happiest smile I had ever seen.
Today, she finally realized that my father had loved her for a long time and that this marriage was a result of that.
“By the way, you really are a brave child.”
The Duchess patted my head.
“Taking on a big dog all by yourself. That’s something even many boys can’t do.”
I was taken aback by her words, my eyes widening in surprise.
“How did you know I was a girl?”
“Huh? That’s obvious. No matter how much you’re dressed like a boy, you have such delicate and pretty features.”
The Duchess laughed out loud.
“I have twins around your age, so maybe that’s why I can tell more easily.”
As the Duchess said, raising twins of the same age probably made it easier for her to distinguish.
The Duke and Duchess’s twins didn’t play a significant role in the main story. They were only briefly mentioned in the side stories. The only information I had about her children was that the older twin brother was born with an immense amount of mana in his heart.
If Karim Iskas of the Grand Duchy was the shield of the North, the Acanthus Duchy was referred to as the heart of Castoria.
There were several reasons for the Duchy to hold such a title, one of which was that powerful magicians had been produced in the family for generations.
Here, being a magician is determined by birth. Only children born with mana in their hearts can become magicians.
Children with mana are born at a rare rate, but the Duchy always produced children with strong magical power.
While it was rare for a child to be born without magical power, the Acanthus direct lineage consistently produced magicians for an astonishing 300 years.
According to historical records, the first Duke of Acanthus met a dragon and received a blessing. That’s why his descendants were endowed with powerful mana.
The current Duke was also a skilled magician among his predecessors, but the twin brother’s innate magical power was more than twice that of the Duke’s.
So, it was only natural that the twin brother, born with extraordinary mana, would become a great magician.
In contrast, the younger sister was weak from a young age.
There was a saying that the twin brother’s overwhelming mana caused the younger sister’s body to weaken.
“Our daughter also had beautiful silver hair like yours. Now that I see you, you two resemble each other quite a bit.”
The Duchess’s bright smile momentarily faded.
“If only she had been as healthy as you…”
With a sigh-laden remark, my mother cautiously posed a question.
“Madam, what’s wrong with your daughter?”
“Actually, Ivette has not been healthy since birth.”
“Oh dear…”
Mom held the Duchess’s hand.
“Don’t worry too much. Surely, the day will come when she’ll be healthier than anyone and can run around freely.”
It seemed the Duchess noticed the sincerity in Mom’s words. She grasped Mom’s hand tightly with both of hers.
“Your Highness truly has a kind heart. Thank you.”
Mom blushed at the title “Your Highness” and didn’t know where to put herself.
“Please, just call me by my name. I find that more comfortable.”
“Then, since we’ve become friends, shall we call each other by our names?”
“Friends…”
At the mention of the word “friends,” Mom’s cheeks turned bright red. Thinking about it, she had never had anyone she could call a friend until now.
Since coming to the Grand Duke’s residence at a young age, she had hardly met anyone other than Dad. Even after escaping from him, she avoided deep relationships with neighbors for fear of being discovered.
This was the first time Mom had made a friend.
With a face full of excitement, she said, “Alright, Le, Leah.”
“Libby, you have no idea how much I’ve wanted to meet you.”
The Duchess burst into another storm of chatter. Mom listened intently, her eyes sparkling. It was a historic moment where the extremely extroverted E and the extremely introverted I became friends.
As I watched them with a satisfied smile like an old man in the back room, the Duchess suddenly spoke to me.
“By the way, Ar, what’s your ideal type?”
“Huh?”
Out of the blue, she asked about my ideal type. As I stared at her blankly, the Duchess’s eyes curved like a crescent moon, and she wore a meaningful smile.
“Well, it should obviously be someone handsome, really handsome, and even more handsome; on top of that, someone rich and with a good personality, right? It’s a bit embarrassing to say this, but our son is incredibly handsome.”
“…Ah, yes…”
“He’s really good-looking. I’m surprised every time I see him.”
“…I see.”
“Ar, your husband must be first and foremost handsome. That way, even if you get angry, just looking at his face will make you feel better.”
“…Yes.”
I nodded. Ah, so that’s why my mother hadn’t gotten angry until now.
“Before you go to the Grand Duchy, you must come visit our home. Ivette will really like you. She hasn’t been able to make friends because she’s been sick. I hope you both become good friends.”
“Yes, yes. I’ll definitely come.”
That day, I promised to meet children I hadn’t even seen once, while also having to listen to stories about the Duchess’s son, who was handsome, really handsome, and even more handsome, until my ears ached.
☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓
The next day, the three of us headed to the palace together. We were there to receive the marriage permit from the king and to greet him in person.
Mom looked visibly nervous. I worried she might faint.
It was not only because it was her first time at the palace, but also because she was anxious about her background.
Dad held Mom’s hand the entire time they walked through the palace, almost as if he wanted to show it off to others. It was quite rare for him, as he usually didn’t express affection in public.
Thanks to Dad’s efforts, Mom quickly regained her composure. By the time we were to meet the king, she was almost back to her usual self.
“Presenting the Grand Duke Iskas and his fiancée, along with their child.”
We walked together along the carpet laid in the audience room. Upon reaching the king and queen, we bowed as per protocol.
“We humbly greet Your Majesty and the Queen.”
A deep voice soon echoed.
“Welcome, my cousin and his family.”
I raised my head to look at the high chair.
There sat a middle-aged man with a warm appearance, contrary to my expectations.
The current king was the son of Marquis Nikolas, who had ousted his nephew to become king. Although he referred to us as cousins, in reality, he was a more distant relative to my father.
“I spoke with Karim yesterday, so that’s settled… Was it Olivia Hazel? Come forward.”
At his call, my mother stepped a few paces forward. I worried she might stumble from her nervousness, but fortunately, her expression was composed. It seemed there was no need for further concern.
“Indeed, you are remarkably beautiful. Now I understand why Karim has held off on marrying.”
The King chuckled heartily. In contrast, my father’s expression was not so pleasant. He looked as if he wanted to pluck out the king’s eyes for staring at my mother.
