IFLDMHF | Chapter 130

Episode 130

What did these little cuties just say?

I thought I had misheard, but Euclid, sitting across from me, was also blinking in surprise.

“Why did you think that? You’re not having those strange thoughts like before, are you?”

I recalled Marianne, who once said they were a burden to Euclid.

Worried that she might still be thinking that way, I asked sharply, and Marianne quickly shook her head.

“It’s not like that!”

“Then what is it?”

“Well… We just thought it would be nice if Aunt’s family liked us.”

“That’s right. Since they’re Aunt’s family, they’re our family too.”

Dior added, fidgeting with his hands.

I was momentarily speechless at their unexpected words.

“Is that strange?”

“No… I understand. I felt the same way.”

“Aunt, you did?”

I nodded.

“On the way to the North, I really wanted to become family with you all.”

I even bought gifts, hoping they wouldn’t be scared of me just because of my appearance.

Feeling a little embarrassed as I added that, the children’s cheeks flushed pink.

“We’re so happy to be family with you, Aunt.”

“Me too! Me too!”

The children threw themselves at me, overflowing with affection.

Even Euclid’s gaze, as he watched us, was incredibly warm.

Feeling bashful for no reason, I cleared my throat and said,

“Actually, it’s not just me. Alexis… and my younger brother as well.”

I mentioned how he regretted not being able to greet them properly since we were becoming one family.

That once the war was over, he promised to invite them to the Rudion Ducal estate.

Hearing that they weren’t the only ones accepting a stranger as family, the children’s already bright eyes sparkled even more.

Looking at their expectant faces, I realized something anew.

Marriage wasn’t just about Euclid and me—it was the union of two families.

And now that I had become Evgenia, my ties to the Basilian ducal house wouldn’t be as easily severed as I had thought.

‘Of course, if relations with the imperial family truly deteriorate, who knows what will happen.’

I resolved to deal with that when the time came and steadied my heart.

“Then… do you think Aunt’s family will like us?”

“Of course, they will.”

I scoffed and declared with certainty. And inwardly, I made a promise.

If anyone made these children feel unwanted, I wouldn’t stand for it.

***

“Melissa, are the preparations complete?”

The Duke of Basilian, who was already waiting in the lobby, asked as soon as Melissa stepped outside.

Caught off guard by his early appearance, Melissa hurriedly replied,

“Yes, Uncle! I’ve prepared the rooms for Sister and the Duke of Rudion, as well as the rooms for the Duke’s nephews. Everything is ready.”

“Well done.”

“It’s nothing. It’s for Sister, after all!”

Pleased with her cheerful response, the Duke nodded approvingly.

He and Sionel were busy with work, and Alexis was away at war.

It weighed on him that this was Evgenia’s first time returning home since her marriage, and they couldn’t take care of everything personally.

Of course, the steward had undoubtedly managed things well, but he was still grateful that Melissa took the initiative herself.

“I’m so nervous thinking about seeing Sister again.”

Despite having spent more time apart than together in the ducal estate, it seemed she had grown quite attached.

Now that she had grown accustomed to her new home and family, Melissa spoke more freely and openly expressed how much she missed Evgenia.

Watching his niece fondly, the Duke felt a surge of emotion.

Yet, not everything was pleasant.

Seeing both his son, who had gone off to war, and his daughter at once was something to be joyful about.

But the fact that Evgenia wasn’t coming to the capital of her own will dampened his mood.

‘What is His Majesty thinking?’

Evgenia had finally moved on from the Crown Prince, so he couldn’t be trying to stir up her emotions again.

Why forcibly bring her back to the capital when she was living peacefully in the North?

Of course, the Duke knew it wasn’t just that simple.

Long before rumors spread in the capital, he had already sensed the Emperor’s displeasure toward the Rudion ducal house.

He was merely pretending to complain lightly to avoid dwelling too much on the severity of the situation.

‘I just hope nothing dangerous happens.’

To be honest, when Evgenia wrote to Sionel for help and news of the North reached the capital, the Duke had felt a twinge of regret.

He had assumed that the harsh conditions of the North meant the Rudion ducal house was struggling.

So, he had thought financial aid and some support would be enough to ensure his daughter’s comfort.

But the revealed facts suggested the situation was far worse than he had imagined.

The Emperor’s hostility toward the Rudion ducal house had gone too far.

And the feelings were mutual.

Back when Evgenia left the capital, she had drawn a clear line, insisting she would stay at the Rudion ducal estate.

Yet, now she had asked to stay at the Basilian estate instead.

‘That must mean she finds the Rudion estate, controlled by the imperial family, uncomfortable.’

Had he known how strained the relationship between the Rudion ducal house and the imperial family truly was, he might not have even considered the marriage.

Had he been too hasty in rejecting the Crown Prince’s proposal and making his decision?

Had he made a mistake with his daughter’s life?

Considering the weight of imperial politics, it wasn’t wise to fall out of favor with the Emperor.

But the marriage had already taken place.

Unless he forced a divorce, Evgenia’s fate was now tied to the Rudion ducal house…

‘Hmm. But that’s not impossible either, is it?’

It wasn’t a marriage based on love.

Though it was a political marriage, the Basilian ducal house had practically showered Evgenia with dowry and wedding gifts.

If they were willing to take a minor loss, a divorce could be settled cleanly.

‘I wonder how Evgenia will react.’

Would she resist, saying it was absurd?

Or would she accept it quietly?

Of course, the Duke wasn’t keen on turning his daughter into a divorcée. Especially since he was satisfied with his son-in-law, Euclid.

‘If only it weren’t for the imperial family…’

It would have been perfect.

As he hoped things wouldn’t escalate too far, he decided to subtly bring up the idea while observing how Evgenia and Euclid were getting along.

Just then—

“Father.”

“Sionel?”

“It seems Evgenia hasn’t arrived yet.”

Sionel, slightly out of breath as if he had rushed over, looked around and adjusted his clothes.

The Duke let out a small chuckle at the sight.

Normally, Sionel was so busy that they barely saw him.

Hearing that he planned to attend dinner today had already been a surprise, yet now he had even arrived early.

“Did you finish your work properly before coming?”

“…Of course.”

Though it sounded like a reprimand, the Duke’s tone carried a teasing edge, and Sionel coughed awkwardly in response.

Melissa also turned her head and stifled a laugh.

Yet, ironically, the Duke couldn’t laugh at his son too much.

He, too, had rushed through his work over the past few days just to make time for Evgenia’s return.

As they all eagerly awaited their reunion—

Finally, news arrived that the Rudion ducal carriage had passed through the front gate.

The children, who had never ridden in a carriage for this long, fortunately didn’t seem too exhausted or restless.

Instead, they had been excited by the bustling scenery, so I thought they would be delighted upon reaching the capital.

But to my surprise—

…

…

Kids?

As soon as I told them we had arrived in the capital, both Marianne and Dior turned pale as if they were feeling sick, pressing their lips together and refusing to look outside.

I didn’t even need to ask why.

‘Are they worried about arriving at the Basilian estate?’

Even though Euclid and I had reassured them that everything would be fine, it seemed they couldn’t easily relax.

Seeing their tension made my own heart feel unsettled.

Or maybe… it had started the moment I decided to truly accept the Basilian ducal family as my own.

Just as I was trying to calm my emotions, the carriage came to a stop.

“Ah…”

As Euclid helped me step down, I involuntarily let out a sigh.

The Duke of Basilian and Sionel stood before us, their sharp gazes flashing as they exuded an overwhelming presence.

Panicked, I quickly turned around.

And sure enough—

The children, frozen in shock, stared at them with wide eyes.

Then, Dior exclaimed in astonishment,

“T-They look exactly like Aunt!”

…What?!