IFLDMHF | Chapter 133

Episode 133

If they had spoken honestly, the situation might have been different.

Marianne and Dior knew that Evgenia didn’t like anyone except Euclid.

However, since neither side could reveal the truth, Delano and the children all regarded the Crown Prince as a dangerous figure who might take away their ‘precious madam’ and ‘precious aunt’.

Thus, the three of them came to the capital with the grave mission of protecting Evgenia in their hearts.

Finally today, it was the day to face that terrifying Crown Prince.

“We need to be alert from the victory ceremony… Dior!”

While trying to seriously plan their strategy, Dior, who was deeply immersed in ice cream, was already moving his spoon again.

“You need to focus!”

“I-I am focusing.”

“Don’t lie.”

Marianne opened her eyes sharply.

“Do you think I don’t know that’s already your third bowl?”

“…It’s just so delicious. I want to eat a lot now since I won’t be able to eat it when we go home.”

Dior looked sheepish as he spoke honestly.

Such cold desserts weren’t developed in the North.

Moreover, this ice cream had a special taste that could only be enjoyed in the capital, and even here, it was said to be difficult to obtain as it was popular among enthusiasts.

If they had told Evgenia, a branch of the dessert shop would have immediately appeared in the North, but the children didn’t yet properly understand Evgenia’s scale.

While understanding her brother’s feelings, yet also not understanding, Marianne carefully asked.

“Don’t you get tired of eating so much?”

“It has a cool mint flavor? And it’s packed with chocolate! So I don’t get tired of it at all!”

“Ugh.”

In truth, Marianne had also tried it because of its fame, but it wasn’t to her taste at all.

She couldn’t openly say it tasted strange since Dior liked it so much.

Besides, it would have been impolite to Duke Basilian who had procured it for them, so Marianne swallowed her words.

Then suddenly, she narrowed her eyes and looked at Dior.

“Dior.”

“Yes?”

“I think you’ve gained weight.”

Clang!

Startled, Dior dropped the spoon he was holding onto the floor.

“Ah, ah….”

How nice it would be if he could refute that his sister was mistaken.

But Dior had also been feeling that his body had become heavier lately.

It was the result of Evgenia’s careful attention to Euclid and the children’s diet since they were at the ducal estate, but to Dior, who didn’t know this fact, Marianne’s remark came as a great shock.

The words “gained weight” sounded like he was no longer cute.

“Hng….”

Suddenly, as Dior pouted his lips and began to whimper, Marianne, who had no intention of making her brother cry, was greatly flustered.

Knock knock.

“Marianne, Dior. May I come in?”

A gentle voice was heard from outside the door.

“Uncle!”

Before Marianne could stop him, Dior ran straight to the door, opened it, and hugged Euclid’s legs.

“Dior?”

Noticing the tears in the child’s voice, Euclid was startled, bent down, and met his gaze.

“What’s wrong?”

“Well….”

Words wouldn’t come out well due to the sorrow that had risen to his throat.

As he whimpered, becoming even sadder for no reason, Euclid gently patted Dior’s back.

“It’s okay, take your time.”

And he also gave a gentle smile to Marianne, who was fidgeting behind.

Meanwhile, Dior, who had calmed down a bit, sniffled and tensed his baby belly that had become plump from eating snacks non-stop since morning.

However, unable to hide his chubby cheeks, he asked.

“Uncle, Aunt said that fat all goes to height later. So that will happen to me too, right?”

“Ah….”

Euclid, who finally realized why Dior was whimpering, quietly bit the inside of his mouth.

Along with relief that it wasn’t a big deal, he felt like laughing because his nephew was so cute.

But Dior’s face was so serious that if he laughed now, it was obvious the child would be deeply upset.

In fact, Dior didn’t know that Euclid was managing his expression for his sake, and was shocked once more seeing his uncle not answering immediately.

In his mind, he imagined himself getting fat, waddling around, and eventually becoming a round ball rolling around.

“I-I want to be tall and handsome like you, Uncle.”

The honest words that came out as tears welled up finally made the laughter Euclid had been holding back escape.

For the first time, Dior felt resentful towards his uncle.

“I hate Uncle….”

“Really?”

Even though he knew it wasn’t sincere, Euclid asked with a hurt expression.

Dior quickly shook his head.

“No, I don’t hate you.”

Euclid smiled with relief and wiped away Dior’s tears.

“That’s a relief. I was shocked thinking our cute and handsome Dior might hate me.”

“…I’m not cute or handsome.”

“How could that be? You are now, and in the future, you’ll be much taller and more handsome than your uncle.”

“Really?”

“Of course,” Euclid answered and then asked back.

“And when has your aunt ever lied?”

Evgenia, lie?

Dior shook his head so vigorously that his chubby cheeks wobbled.

“Then your aunt’s words will be right.”

Only after hearing those words did Dior’s face brighten.

There was also the belief that fat would indeed go to height as Evgenia had said.

‘I can eat a bit more!’

He was happy at the thought that he could eat more ice cream right away.

Dior hurriedly returned to his place. And after making a sad face looking at the spoon he had dropped earlier, he seemed to make a firm decision and picked up the ice cream bowl, bringing it directly to his mouth.

“Dior?”

A surprised Euclid called Dior’s name, but the child was unstoppable.

A look of ecstasy appeared on Dior’s face as he devoured the slightly melted ice cream as if drinking it.

Watching this, Euclid burst into laughter.

And he asked Marianne, who was clicking her tongue at Dior as if she couldn’t stop him.

“Marianne, are you all ready?”

“Yes!”

“Then let’s head outside now.”

“What about Aunt?”

“We’re supposed to meet her in the lobby.”

Marianne nodded, and then suddenly said with a flushed face.

“Uncle, you look really handsome today!”

She hadn’t noticed earlier because she was preoccupied with Dior, but today Euclid was somehow different.

Of course, he was always handsome, but his hairstyle and everything else seemed like he had taken special care.

Euclid’s earlobes reddened at his niece’s innocent compliment.

In fact, he had indeed put effort into his appearance due to Delano’s insistence.

— You absolutely must not be overshadowed! Even if today’s protagonist is His Highness the Crown Prince!

Euclid thought Delano’s words were disrespectful.

Also, he thought there was no way anyone would pay attention to him, who had been quietly living in the North and was attending an imperial banquet for the first time.

As if reading his inner thoughts, Delano spoke passionately in frustration.

— Master, please! Regardless, it’s a fact that Madam used to chase after His Highness the Crown Prince, isn’t it? Since you’ve married the Madam, people will inevitably compare the two of you!

Only then did Euclid newly realize his position.

He hadn’t considered it because he had tried not to set foot in the capital, but also what it meant to become Evgenia’s husband.

From that moment, Euclid’s heart began to beat rapidly.

In truth, just the thought of facing the Emperor at the imperial palace brought anxiety and fear.

A completely different tension was added to this.

So, even though he thought it was silly, Euclid accepted Delano’s suggestion to pay attention to his appearance.

Fortunately, Evgenia had sent new clothes tailored for him along with the children, so he accepted with a shy but happy heart.

Honestly, by Euclid’s standards, the formal attire Evgenia had sent was very elaborate.

It was a design he would never have chosen if he had picked it himself, but he couldn’t refuse clothes that Evgenia had gifted.

Fortunately, the result of his big decision was excellent.

Euclid had perfectly pulled off the elaborate formal attire.

Of course, Euclid, who couldn’t objectively judge his own appearance, only thought Delano’s excitement was excessive flattery.

But when even his niece complimented him, he felt a bit more confident, though still embarrassed.

He thought that at least he might not be embarrassed standing next to Evgenia.

But when he came out to the lobby with the children and faced Evgenia.

“Ah….”

Euclid realized he had been arrogant.

“What? Do I look strange?”

“Not at all… not strange.”

No, this statement was wrong.

Euclid resented himself for only being able to say this much, but at the same time, he was satisfied with having given at least this answer.

Because today, Evgenia was truly so beautiful that it left him speechless.