IFLDMHF | Chapter 155

Episode 155

It wasn’t that he was suddenly curious about what Evgenia had wished for so desperately from the imperial family, even at the cost of being misunderstood so many times.

Wasn’t it also a matter that the Duke of Basilian had glossed over without asking in detail?

Of course, it was because Evgenia had given off the impression that she didn’t want to talk about it…

Euclid had no intention of prying into it.

Because—

‘I have secrets of my own I can’t tell or hide.’

And it wasn’t just one.

Euclid’s eyes darkened as he thought not only of his health issues, but also the long-held secrets of the Duchy of Rudion, and the entanglements and grudges involving the imperial family.

He knew how hard and lonely it was to keep secrets alone.

Besides, his physical condition was known by the Tower Master, and just like his father had once done for him, he too would share the family secret with Marianne and Dior when the time came.

But Evgenia… even if the people around her knew that the relationship and rumors weren’t true, she probably hadn’t been able to reveal her true feelings to them.

That’s why Euclid had always wanted to ask Evgenia,

‘Haven’t you had a really hard time all this while?’

But he couldn’t bring himself to say it out loud.

A strange guilt kept tightening around his heart.

Back when Evgenia had suffered alone, they didn’t even know of each other’s existence.

And yet, Euclid felt an incomprehensible emotion, as if the hardships Evgenia had endured were somehow his fault.

Maybe it was because Evgenia had become so precious to him that even the time he hadn’t known her felt dear and sorrowful.

‘Really… is that it?’

Instead of answering the doubt rising from the corner of his heart, Euclid quietly lowered his gaze and looked at Evgenia’s spotless hand, free of any wounds.

Late at night, not long after he’d contacted the temple, the high priest had arrived quickly and had poured all his divine power into healing Evgenia, which Euclid had watched from the side.

And having recently experienced the high priest’s divine power himself, Euclid knew how powerful it was.

Even so, he couldn’t feel at ease.

Even though Evgenia said she was fine multiple times.

Perhaps because he knew that even if a wound heals completely, the memory of it doesn’t simply disappear.

‘The moment the crown prince drew his sword, I should’ve remembered and moved first…’

It was only after seeing Evgenia’s terrified face as she faced the sharp blade that he grasped the situation, and in the end, she had blocked the crown prince in front of him. That made him feel deeply ashamed and regretful.

Just thinking about how, even while bleeding and pale, she had asked about his well-being first—something hot welled up to his throat.

When Euclid thought of the crown prince, he clenched his fists tightly.

Along with the guilt, his anger toward the crown prince surged again.

‘Even after doing that…’

The crown prince, who had caused a truly shocking incident during the banquet, was not expected to receive any official punishment.

Though he had threatened with a sword, he hadn’t actually swung it, and it was difficult to argue that Evgenia’s bleeding was strictly his fault.

Above all, Evgenia wanted to let it pass quietly.

She didn’t want yesterday’s incident to escalate.

The imperial authority had already diminished, and even without intervention, everyone would be whispering about the crown prince. So it would be more advantageous for her to remain as the sole victim by doing nothing—this was what she argued.

Thus, persuaded by Evgenia, both the Duchy of Rudion and the Duchy of Basilian decided not to file a formal complaint about what had happened.

Euclid also knew that, politically, Evgenia’s opinion was sound.

But a strong sense of helplessness, unlike anything he’d ever felt, pressed down on him and made him restless.

A huge change was stirring within Euclid, who had once given up on even dreaming of avenging his father and brother.

To be exact, it had started when he talked with the Tower Master, believing his health had recovered…

“Auntie, where are we going today?”

“First, we’re going to Centerhoz Street. We’ll buy lots of new clothes and toys there. And there’s a famous restaurant nearby. We’ll have lunch there and then properly enjoy the festival…”

Just like she said—it was a happy moment.

Evgenia explained the day’s schedule to the children with a bright expression.

Although she was born and raised in the capital and this outing probably didn’t feel special to her, seeing her just as excited as the children made Euclid’s heart flutter again.

Before he knew it, Euclid forgot his embarrassment and stared blankly at Evgenia, who was chatting with the kids.

Still unaware that Alexis was watching him.

***

Centerhoz Street, the leading hub of the latest trends in the Elios Empire, was a wide, refreshing boulevard beautifully decorated with large street trees, fresh flowers, ornaments, and garlands, giving off a full festive vibe.

However, at a glance, the street must have felt too luxurious.

The children, looking around awkwardly and uncomfortably, hesitated to get off the carriage.

I spoke firmly.

“Come on out. Or shall we just ride back home?”

Gasp! At my thunderous words, the children inhaled sharply and hurriedly got off the carriage.

Then Alexis, who had been holding the children’s hands as if acting like a guard, mumbled with a confused expression,

“Is that what you call softening up? Sounds more like her threats just got better.”

Wouldn’t it be better if she just stayed cold and silent like before?

At his remark, which wasn’t even worth a scoff, I glared briefly at Alexis and declared solemnly, with both hands on my hips,

“Marianne, Dior. From this moment on, we’re going to conquer this street.”

“C-Conquer it?”

“Yes. Now, repeat after your aunt. ‘From here—’”

“From here—”

“‘To there, I want everything.’”

“To there, I want every— gasp!”

As they echoed my words in unison, moving their heads in the direction I gestured, the kids’ faces suddenly turned shocked.

“We’re not done yet. Say it again. ‘Except for this.’”

“E-Except for this…”

“Give me everything else.”

Unable to repeat after me, the kids covered their mouths with anxious eyes.

“Come on.”

But as I insisted more firmly, the children eventually followed, “Give me everything else.”

Hmm, at this rate, they’ve definitely learned it well.

Smiling in satisfaction, I said gently, as usual,

“Good job. That’s exactly how you do it.”

Then Marianne, looking a little more relaxed, cautiously asked,

“Auntie… you’re not really telling us to say that, right?”

“Why not?”

I responded reflexively, and Marianne’s eyes widened.

I chuckled and placed my hands on the children’s shoulders.

“Marianne, Dior. Today is a special day.”

“A special day?”

“Yes. It’s the day you get rewarded for listening well to your uncle and behaving nicely. So if there’s anything you want, just say it. Don’t ever hold back. Understand?”

The children’s pupils shook at an incredible speed.

Not even on their birthdays had this happened, so they clearly couldn’t believe it.

I added a bit more to ease their nervousness.

“Of course, if there’s nothing that really catches your eye, you don’t have to force it. But if you use the phrases I taught you, it’ll make me very happy.”

And at those words, their eyes changed.

“Really?”

“Of course.”

“W-Will you praise us too?”

“Absolutely.”

A life where you can get what you want and be praised for it—what’s better than that?

Just when I was stoking their shopping spirit with gusto—

“Um, wife…?”

Unlike Alexis, who nodded approvingly like the youngest son of the Duke of Basilion, Euclid called out to me in a trembling voice, seemingly flustered by the situation.

I tilted my head, briefly hesitating.

‘Is he worried I’m being too extravagant?’

Well, before coming to the capital, the initial budget estimate for urban development had turned out higher than expected.

But thanks to discovering a mana stone mine, money was no longer a concern.

Delano worried that the yield might be small, but with my luck for wealth, such petty concerns didn’t exist in my dictionary.

‘Still, I guess it’s more reassuring to get a proper report from the Tower Master.’

Not just the amount extracted—since mana stones apparently have grades from the lowest to the highest—we should check what grade they are as well.

Anyway, unlike me, Euclid had probably lived his whole life tight on money, so it made sense he might be feeling uneasy.

So I opened my mouth to speak.