IFLDMHF | Chapter 129

Episode 129

That’s right. We were currently riding a magic carriage on our way to the capital.

Not long ago, the children had been excited just to take a short trip to the duchy, and now, we were heading beyond the North all the way to the capital.

— This is my first time going on a trip in my life!

— Yeah! I’ve never been this far before.

Naturally, Marianne and Dior could hardly contain their excitement from the moment we departed.

They huddled together by the window, staring at the passing scenery in awe, and later, they even giggled at the changing shapes of the clouds.

Even today, a full day after our departure, nothing had changed. When I pulled back the curtain, the children quickly closed their mouths.

Their faces made it obvious—they knew all too well that if they brought up my weak constitution one more time, something inconvenient for them would surely happen.

I couldn’t help but laugh at their transparent expressions.

As Euclid also smiled, the children, watching us carefully, grinned in return.

“My wife, please have some warm water.”

“I’m really fine…”

While the children clung to the window, enjoying the view, Euclid handed me a glass of water.

‘If he really wants to warm me up, instead of sitting across from me, he should sit beside me and stay close.’

Honestly, even just holding my hand would be nice.

That alone would warm me up.

Of course, since the children were in the carriage with us, such a thought had to remain just that—a thought.

‘Now that I think about it, this really is emotional.’

Back when I first traveled to the North, I couldn’t even ride in the same carriage as Euclid.

That was all thanks to Sionel’s consideration, thinking it would be uncomfortable for us both.

‘Looking back, it was completely unnecessary.’

I was grateful for the magic carriage she gifted us, but still.

Anyway, things were different now.

This time, it was only natural for me to ride in the same carriage as Euclid.

And not just that—I was traveling with his niece and nephew, the very children I had wanted to become family with!

‘This is what you truly call a triumphant return, isn’t it?’

Feeling pleased, I quietly observed Euclid as he handed out drinks and snacks to the children.

It was unexpected.

‘I thought for sure he’d leave the children at the duchy.’

At our wedding, Euclid had insisted that the children were too young and had never left the North before, so he didn’t bring them to the capital.

But I had a feeling I knew the real reason why.

No, I was almost certain.

He didn’t want to expose the children to the outside world—to the Imperial Family, to be exact.

I couldn’t say for sure whether he suspected something about the deaths of the late Duke Rudion and the young lord.

But since the Rudion Ducal House clearly held secrets in opposition to the Imperial Family, he must have been cautious about putting the children in danger.

And now, even though our schedule was more relaxed than during the wedding, the overall situation hadn’t changed much, so Euclid’s decision this time seemed surprising.

Of course, the children’s reaction to our trip had been quite intense.

Perhaps because the oppressive presence of Amy was gone and they were finally free of the guilt of deceiving their dear uncle.

The children had begun expressing their feelings much more openly than before. They even asked if they could come with us to the capital first.

— Honestly, not being able to attend the wedding made us really sad.

— Yeah! I wanted to see Uncle’s wedding, too…

— Can’t we go to the capital this time?

– We’ll behave, we promise!

Even though I hadn’t spent that much time with them, I found Marianne and Dior’s honesty both admirable and endearing.

So, for Euclid, it must have felt even more touching.

And that must have made it even harder for him to tell them they couldn’t go.

That’s why I planned to play the bad guy for him.

But then—

— Alright. Then let’s all go to the capital together.

Just as I was about to scare the children by telling them how terrifying the capital was compared to the North, Euclid’s answer caught me completely off guard.

Of course, it didn’t seem like he made the decision lightly.

I could sense a strange resolve in his expression.

At that moment, I realized—

Euclid had changed.

I didn’t know what that change meant.

But whatever he did, I would stand by his side, protect him with all my strength, and even pave the way for him if necessary.

‘That includes this trip to the capital, of course.’

With that in mind, I suddenly felt a sense of urgency.

Not just because I had more people to look after.

— Aunt! Are there really that many people in the capital? And huge buildings, too?

— …Well, it is the capital, so yes, I suppose so.

— And there are lots of fun things and delicious food, too, right? Is that true, Aunt?

— …Uh, yes, I guess.

I pretended to be a native of the capital, but the truth was, I knew almost nothing about the Empire’s capital, Elios.

I had spent my entire time at the Basilian Ducal Estate, only stepping outside for the first time on my wedding day.

In reality, I wasn’t much different from the children who had never been there before.

‘But I have my ace in the hole.’

Anne.

If I simply gave her a hint, she would guide us through the best routes without fail.

All I had to do was act like I knew what I was doing.

Just imagining walking through the capital streets with Euclid and the children brought a smile to my face.

“Aunt!”

“Yes?”

“You said we’d visit the house you used to live in when we get to the capital, right?”

Before we left, I had mentioned it briefly, and Dior was now bringing it up again.

I nodded.

While investigating the relationship between the Imperial Family and the Rudion Ducal House, I discovered that the Rudion mansion in the capital was essentially an observation post under Imperial supervision.

I couldn’t let Euclid and the children stay in such a place.

So, I had already gotten Euclid’s approval and reached out to the Basilian Duke, requesting to stay at their estate instead.

Naturally, Duke Basilian was overjoyed.

I did feel like I was giving the Imperial Family an excuse to meddle, but that was easy enough to explain away.

‘After all, I’m the infamous villainess, Evgenia.’

No matter how fancy the mansion given by the Imperial Family was, it couldn’t compare to the Basilian estate.

If I insisted it was my personal preference, no one would question it.

‘And if they do, I’ll make sure to teach them a lesson.’

No matter how I looked at it, I was lucky to have reincarnated as a villainess.

But unlike me, who was feeling relieved, the children’s expressions had stiffened.

With a nervous look, Marianne asked,

“Then… will your family be there, Aunt?”

“Hm? Well… yes, they will.”

I hesitated briefly at the word ‘family.’

Not because I didn’t consider the people of the Basilian Ducal House as my family anymore.

Rather, I was more concerned about how it would sound to the children, who had lost both parents and had only their uncle as their sole family.

I hadn’t considered their feelings when deciding to stay at the Basilian estate.

Meeting my former family was inevitable, but living under the same roof might feel awkward and uncomfortable for them.

“Who in your family will be there?”

“Hm… My father, my older brother, and my two younger siblings.”

Hearing the unexpectedly large number, Marianne and Dior’s eyes widened.

“You have younger siblings, too, Aunt?”

“Yes. A younger brother and a younger sister.”

Technically, my younger sister was a cousin, but since we lived together and were closer than most siblings, it didn’t matter.

I shrugged lightly, only for Dior to ask a piercing question.

“Are you close with them?”

“…No.”

Euclid’s gaze lingered on me, but I couldn’t lie.

“I’m not a good older sister like Marianne.”

I gently patted Marianne’s cheek, and she hesitated before asking softly,

“Do you ever miss your family?”

“Hm? Not at all.”

My honest answer made Marianne and Dior exchange glances.

Their expressions brightened, as if they had just been reassured.

Unable to hold back, I asked,

“Are you worried about meeting my family?”

“What? No!”

The children frantically shook their heads.

But their reactions were suspicious.

Narrowing my eyes, I stared at them until Marianne hesitantly confessed,

“We just didn’t want you to miss them too much, Aunt.”

“Oh…”

“And… honestly, we’re a little worried that your family won’t like us.”