IFLDMHF | Chapter 131

Episode 131

Dior’s words shocked me quite a bit.

‘No, I know my face resembles Duke Basilian’s. I do know that…’

I hadn’t exactly forgotten about it, but I had heard quite often that my impression had changed a lot recently.

‘Anne, Gold from the merchant group, and even the former Black executives… Damn it.’

They’re all people who have witnessed Evgenia’s terrifying side, aren’t they?

From their perspective, no matter how similar our faces are, they must feel that I have softened considerably compared to before.

But I really thought my face had become less intimidating than before.

I guess I was deluded because the people I see every day are Euclid, who is like sunshine itself, and the incredibly gentle and soft Marianne and Dior.

“Dior, you should be more polite.”

While I was drowning in self-reproach, Euclid spoke to Dior gently but firmly.

Then, he gave Duke Basilian an awkward smile.

“I apologize. My nephew is still young.”

“No need. He didn’t say anything incorrect. Ahem.”

…Didn’t the corner of his mouth just twitch?

“It’s good to see you again.”

“Yes. Have you been well?”

“I’m always the same. Rather, I’ve heard you’ve been quite busy these days.”

Duke Basilian spoke in a meaningful tone.

It didn’t seem like he was merely referring to matters related to Count Biers or the rumors spreading in the capital, so I narrowed my eyes.

“I heard that the weather in the North is getting warmer by the day.”

“Ah… Yes.”

“It’s not surprising. The Basilian Merchant Group opened a branch in the North. Expecting the cold, we stocked up on winter goods, but none of them sold. It would be stranger if I didn’t know about it.”

Saying it was his first miscalculation as a merchant, Duke Basilian let out a hearty laugh.

However, he soon erased his smile and, this time, spoke as a lord.

“I heard the weather changed abruptly. Have you found the cause? Any accidents?”

“We haven’t found the cause, but there haven’t been any incidents.”

“That’s a relief.”

The duke nodded and lowered his voice.

“I haven’t bothered to inform others about the changes in the North.”

“…”

“The temple that recently visited the Rudion Duchy also hasn’t said anything, so you can rest easy.”

As he added that it seemed the High Priest had intervened, Euclid spoke slowly.

“Thank you for telling me in advance.”

Then, he turned his gaze to me, who had been listening closely to their conversation.

“In truth, all the recent changes in the North have been for the better. And it’s all thanks to my wife.”

Euclid never hesitated to express his gratitude to me.

I never doubted his sincerity.

But hearing him attribute all the credit to me outside the North—especially in front of my family—made my ears burn.

I had been relieved to hear that Duke Basilian hadn’t informed the emperor, so I had momentarily drifted into other thoughts, making it even more overwhelming.

Feeling awkward under everyone’s gaze, I spoke a little curtly.

“Your daughter has arrived, but you’re not even acknowledging her?”

“That’s not true!”

Duke Basilian, flustered, raised his voice. Then, for some reason, he spoke with an emotional expression.

“I was so happy to see my daughter after so long that I was at a loss for words. Evgenia, have you been well?”

“…Yes.”

I gave a small nod and carefully observed the duke.

In truth, I had changed the subject not just out of embarrassment.

‘He wouldn’t know about the discovery of the magic stone mine… would he?’

As soon as Euclid recovered, Delano had been so excited that I had to calm him down and ensure the news didn’t spread.

The fact that the North was no longer as harsh as before and was becoming a livable place would already be an irritation to the emperor.

‘And now a magic stone mine? He’d be furious.’

Not knowing what kind of interference an enraged emperor might attempt, I was carefully considering the timing of the announcement.

If I had skipped this banquet, I would have let the rumors spread, but since we had met in person, a different approach was better.

Since I already had a plan in mind, it would be troublesome if Duke Basilian knew about the mine… or would it?

He had kept quiet about the improved weather, so he likely wouldn’t have needlessly blabbed to the emperor about the magic stone mine either.

The most important thing was whether the emperor had heard about it, so I relaxed a little.

Then, I looked down at the children who were now clutching my waist from both sides.

Dior, seemingly regretful over his earlier mistake, had a dejected expression and was half-hidden behind me.

Feeling sorry that he seemed hesitant in this unfamiliar place, I quickly spoke up.

“Marianne, Dior, let’s greet him.”

I introduced them to Duke Basilian, who was looking at us with wide eyes.

“Father, these are Duke Rudion’s niece and nephew.”

When I gently patted their shoulders and sent them a warm gaze, the children gathered their courage and took a step forward.

“I am Marianne of Rudion. It is an honor to meet Duke Basilian.”

“I, I am Dior of Rudi… No! Dior of Rudion!”

Oh dear. Despite all the practice, Dior made another mistake.

But whether they were acting maturely or making mistakes, they were so adorable that I couldn’t help but smile.

“Aren’t they both just too cute?”

When I asked with a satisfied smile, Duke Basilian nodded with a shocked expression.

“Y-Yes. It’s truly… unbelievably cute.”

Seeing Duke Basilian, who always exuded an icy aura, utter the word ‘cute’ felt incredibly out of place.

But the children let out a sigh of relief at his words.

Perhaps because they were used to me, they didn’t seem scared even when looking at Duke Basilian’s face.

Noticing this, the duke slightly twitched an eyebrow before speaking.

“Lady and Lord of Rudion, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Thank you for your warm welcome.”

Marianne answered politely.

Perhaps finding her maturity admirable, Duke Basilian slightly curled his lips into a villainous smile.

At that, Dior flinched and whispered to me, unable to hold back.

“Aunt, he really looks like you!”

“He’s my father.”

“A-And the man next to him too.”

“That’s my brother.”

Understanding my words, Dior opened his mouth and nodded vigorously.

I couldn’t hold back my laughter.

Dior had tried to lower his voice, but since we were so close, everyone had surely heard our conversation.

‘Then they must have realized just how mature and adorable my kids are too.’

Feeling proud, I lifted my head.

‘Huh?’

Contrary to my expectations, Duke Basilian wasn’t smiling—he was looking at me as if he were about to cry.

Standing beside the duke, Sionel also seemed to be overwhelmed by some intense emotions.

‘Could it be that they’re still so deeply moved just because I called them Father and Brother?’

Even when I mentioned that we looked alike, it wasn’t meant to express familial closeness—just an acknowledgment of a fact.

Should I call them consistent, or say that they’ve become even more excessive than before?

I clicked my tongue and shook my head.

Sensing my cold gaze, Duke Basilian cleared his throat with a loud “Ahem!”

“Rather than standing here, let’s go inside.”

“Yes… I appreciate your hospitality this time.”

Although he had readily agreed when I suggested it, now that we were actually in the capital, it seemed awkward for Euclid to stay at Duke Basilian’s estate instead of at the Rudion estate, which was right there in plain sight.

Euclid slightly bowed his head as he spoke.

“There’s no need to talk about hospitality. We’re not strangers. Back then, it was before the wedding, but now, we are one family.”

Fortunately, Duke Basilian responded heartily.

“There are plenty of rooms available, so feel free to visit whenever you like.”

“Thank you.”

Euclid nodded, looking visibly relieved.

At that moment, Duke Basilian called out to Melissa, who had been standing at the very end.

“Melissa, you personally prepared all the rooms this time, didn’t you? You should be the one to guide them.”

Momentarily overshadowed by the imposing presence of the two men, Melissa still radiated her usual lovely charm when I saw her again after a long time.

“Melissa, did you? That must have been a lot of work.”

“It was nothing.”

Melissa’s eyes sparkled as she smiled brightly.

“I just cleaned your room thoroughly and only set up separate rooms for Duke Rudion and his nephews.”

“…Huh?”

A separate room for Euclid?

I had thought that once we arrived in the capital, we would finally be sharing a room…?

A sudden wave of unease washed over me, just like the moment on our wedding day when my first kiss had been stolen away so anticlimactically.

Melissa nodded firmly.

“Yes! I almost made a mistake, but Brother told me in time. He said that in the North, married couples use separate bedrooms.”

With eyes widened in shock, I turned to Sionel, who had been silent up until now.

‘You were the culprit!’