IRDRSH Chapter 30

 

In the end, I made a promise with Mom and Dad. I would only study for a certain amount of time each day.

Hah, parents who won’t let me study even when I say I want to. Should I be happy about this or sad?

While I focused on my studies during the cold winter, Mom was busy preparing to become the Grand Duchess. First, she completely overhauled the staff at the Grand Duke’s residence. Nearly half of the employees were let go and replaced with new hires.

Mom didn’t just leave that task to the head maid. She personally reviewed recommendations and participated in the interviews. She told me not to overdo it, but the one suffering from overwork was actually Mom. On top of that, she had to prepare for the wedding ceremony happening in the spring.

Time flew by quickly, and soon it was the season when the snow and ice began to melt. Mom and Dad’s wedding ceremony was just around the corner.

As Jas had said, the wedding was indeed going to be a grand affair.

The number of nobles wishing to attend the wedding of the Northern Lord and his wife was as numerous as the stars in the sky. Even the king expressed his intention to attend, but my father outright refused, saying it would be difficult for him to come to such a humble place.

The Marquis of Skarsdale, who had insulted Mom, was naturally excluded from the guest list. Although Mom wanted to invite them because they were from a prestigious noble family, I secretly took the invitation and burned it.

Hmph, how dare she think she could come? She should be grateful that my residence is not in the capital but in the Northern Duchy. Otherwise, she would have been unable to show her face in society.

The person Mom most wanted to invite was the Duke and his wife, but unfortunately, they would not be able to attend the wedding this time. The health of the twin girl had rapidly deteriorated.

“…It seems like Yvette’s health is getting worse. Leah must be very worried.”

During this time, Mom and the Duchess had developed a friendship through letters. The letter that had just arrived contained an explanation for their inability to attend and a polite apology.

As she read the letter, my mother sighed. My father responded.

“That’s likely. Even if Gerard doesn’t show it, he must be quite troubled inside.”

“Do they still not know the cause?”

He nodded.

“Yes, the doctors don’t know what’s wrong with her. However, there is one theory…”

“A theory?”

I was eavesdropping on their conversation while doing the homework assigned by my tutor. My ears perked up.

“…There’s a saying. When twins are born, if one has strong magical powers, the other is inevitably weaker.”

“I’ve heard that too. But Hyperion isn’t a magician, right?”

“That’s true. However, the symptoms appearing in the girl seem similar to that case.”

“Then what on earth happened?”

That girl must still be very sick. I hoped she would recover soon.

Even though I had never met her, I felt a pang of sympathy. Was it because of the kindness shown to me by the Duchess and Hyperion, or was it because she was a girl my age?

While I was lost in such thoughts, Mom handed me an envelope.

“Oh, Hyperion wrote a letter to you as well.”

“…To me?”

“Yeah, go ahead and read it.”

Just as I was about to take the letter from Mom, the envelope suddenly vanished into thin air with a loud snap. I saw my dad’s face, filled with anger, holding the envelope.

“What’s that scoundrel doing sending a separate letter to Ar?”

“Well, they know each other, so he probably sent it to check in. Hand me that envelope.”

But instead of returning the letter, Dad looked like he wanted to tear it to shreds right away.

“He was already fawning over Ar last time. Why does that guy keep hanging around my daughter?”

Good grief, what is this? Is my dad seriously thinking that a 6-year-old boy is fawning over me?

Why is it always me who feels embarrassed? At least the readers weren’t subjected to this. If this were in the original story, everyone would be screaming about character derailment.

“Stop it already. We won’t be with Ar forever, and someday she’ll have to get married. What will you do then?”

“If she doesn’t want to get married, she doesn’t have to force it. She can live perfectly well without that.”

Dad, did you think before you spoke? What about my feelings? When did I ever say I didn’t want to get married?

Mom seemed to think that reasoning with Dad was pointless, so she snatched the envelope and handed it to me.

“Go to your room and read it. Your dad doesn’t seem to be in his right mind.”

I completely agreed and took the letter to my room. Was it just my imagination, or did Dad’s obsession extend even to me?

I sat on my bed, tore open the envelope, and pulled out the letter. The neat handwriting was hard to believe for a six-year-old.

My own handwriting looked like a worm crawling, so why was he writing so well? Is he living his second life or something?

[Dear Arcadia Iskas,

Were you surprised by this sudden letter? If so, I’ll start with an apology. I’m very sorry that my plans to visit the Grand Duchy have been canceled. There was something I really wanted to tell you when I met you.]

I couldn’t help but laugh. It was puzzling that such a polite kid was friends with that naughty prince.

[Yvette really liked the drawing you gave her last time. Since she had never played with friends her age before, I think she was even happier. Thank you for being so kind to my sister.]

Reading that made me feel a bit awkward. Kind? I had just drawn one picture for her.

[I heard that you will be staying in the Grand Duchy with your parents for a while. This must be the happiest time for you, right?]

Happiest time…

I pondered over that phrase. Just as Hyperion said, I was indeed experiencing the happiest time of my life right now. Sometimes, when I woke up, I was scared that this might all be a dream.

[Until we meet again, stay healthy. It seems that the flowers haven’t bloomed there yet, so I’m sending you a dried flower from the garden. I hope the early spring brings you joy.

From Hyperion Acanthus.]

That was the end of the letter. And just as Hyperion mentioned, there was a dried flower inside the envelope.

The flower, with a lot of pollen in the center and red petals layered around it, looked somewhat familiar.

What kind of flower could this be? It’s not a rose…

“Arcadia, did you finish reading the letter?”

At that moment, Mom walked into the room. When she saw the flower in my hand, her eyes widened.

“It’s an anemone flower. Did Hyperion give it to you?”

I nodded. Mom sat down beside me and gently touched the red petals.

“Hyperion has a romantic side. At that age, he knows how to send flowers. But why did he choose an anemone?”

“Why? Is it not a good gift?”

“It’s not that it’s a bad gift… Ar, do you know what the language of flowers for anemones is?”

I slightly shook my head. The language of flowers? I wouldn’t remember such useless information that doesn’t help in life.

Mom gazed at the flower with a wistful expression.

“Even if you don’t love me, I will love you forever.”

I looked at Mom in surprise. That was the confession she made to Dad just before she died in the original story.

Mom smiled a little bitterly and stroked my cheek.

“Actually, when I first heard the meaning of this flower, I thought it was similar to my situation. Back then, I thought your dad didn’t love me. I wondered if, someday, when I confessed my love to your dad, I would say something similar. That’s why I remembered it so well.”

“…Did Hyperion know the meaning of this flower when he sent it?”

“Hmm, I don’t think so. There are very few people who remember the meanings of flowers like this.”

It seemed that Mom was right. He probably just dried any flower from the garden and put it in the letter, just as he wrote.

After Mom left the room, I began to write a reply to Hyperion.

[To Hyperion Acanthus,

Thank you for your letter. I was a bit surprised, but I was happy to receive it. And thank you for the flower. I really feel like I met spring early all by myself.]

I also included a cautious inquiry about his younger sibling and mentioned that she should come visit once she gets better.

I don’t understand why I feel so concerned about a girl I’ve never met. Looking back now, that drawing gift felt impulsive. When did I become the type of person to care about strangers?

[For a while, I think I will be living here with my parents. Life here is so enjoyable and nice. Just as you said, I feel happy right now.]

I paused for a moment to think about life here. A smile naturally appeared on my face.

[Please send my regards to the Duchess. I was disappointed that our last meeting was too short.

Take care until we meet again.

Arcadia Iskas.]

After drying the ink, I folded the letter and placed it in the envelope. I wished that by the time this letter arrived, Yvette would have fully recovered.

However, reality unfolded differently than my hopes.

A month later, news arrived late at the Grand Duchy that the young daughter of Duke Acanthus had passed away.

 

TL’s note:

Hii. I’m sorry for the lack of new chapters. I’m a little busy with life but I’ll do a mass release next month. Stay tuned!