SPECIAL CHAPTER 27
Part 149
The crown prince, who did not give in to all of Adrian’s abuse under the pretense of training and came to the duke’s residence to receive sword training, came to the duke’s residence every vacation and even after entering the academy, he cried out ‘Master!’ to leave the mansion and looked for Irene with his eyes. As more than 10 years passed, Irene and Prince Daryl grew into rivals and friends who bridged the gap between each other. Of course, it was obvious that the Crown Prince had feelings for her that were more than just friends, so Adrian’s training intensity was always reminiscent of actual combat. While he laughed off Adrian’s sword full of sincerity and survived, Daryl was able to grow into the strongest crown prince of all time.
At the time Damien was heading to the auditorium, mediating between her daughter’s dear friend and her husband, Irene and Leila were in the academy’s main building where the professors’ offices were located. Irene, who was very close to her younger sister Leila, did not want to leave her alone, so she postponed her admission to the academy until she was sixteen.
When Leila was ten, the minimum age for school admission, she held her sister’s hand and entered school together. She skipped grade after grade as expected, and in three years she became only the second student ever to graduate from the academy. Adol, who was designated as Irene’s advisor after Adrian, complained about whether it was the Bigor family’s tradition to leave the 6-year academy after 3 years, but persuaded the other professors to help Irene graduate safely. It gave strength.
And in Adol’s classroom, twelve-year-old Leila Bigor, now a third-year student, was stamping her feet and urging Adol on.
“Hurry up, Professor! It’s going to be late like this.”
Her sweet-looking light-brown hair was tied in two pigtails, and as she stamped her feet, her fine hair danced, just like her mother’s. Adol, who was checking Leila’s last report, said with a smile.
“You fixed it well. We solved the problem we were having together in a refreshing way. excellent.”
“Really? So now I have a perfect score, right?”
“I already gave me full marks on the last report.”
“You gave it a perfect score, but you said it wasn’t perfect.”
Leila pouted her pink lips and took her report from Adol. The original report, written by a third-year student in the common undergraduate school, was flawless and had been graded and presented with several points, but Leila had created an additional report that she did not ask for.
Adol was secretly satisfied as she read a report that was far beyond the level of the common department. If she is raised well like this, she will become an outstanding historian.
Adol, who was looking at Leila happily, became sullen after hearing Leila chattering as she put her report in her bag.
“My biggest regret is that if I go to the Department of Economics, I won’t be able to take the professor’s classes.”
Leila’s future hope was to follow in her mother’s footsteps and become her treasurer. She was a student who excels in economics as well as history, so as soon as she has her coming-of-age ceremony, she would try to take the civil service examination. Maybe she would follow in her father’s footsteps or her older sister’s footsteps and graduate early and leave the academy.
‘Ah, we can raise them to become historical scholars who will leave a lasting mark in history.’
As she watched Leila leave the professor’s office with a sweet smile, Adol nibbled on her.
As Leila hopped down her three-story stairs and ran into the foyer of her Academy’s main building, Irene, her long hair tied high and a sword strapped to her waist, looked at her younger brother running, smiling as she did so.
“And then I fell.”
Irene said sweetly, stroking the head of her sister who was held against her chest.
Leila grumbled when she saw Irene’s outfit.
“Are you wearing pants uniform today as well?”
Eighteen-year-old Irene, a sixth-year student in the tactical club, only wore a school uniform, a uniform that only students in the tactical club wore.
“My sister, who is beautiful even without any makeup, is really beautiful in her dress,” Leila grumbled quietly.
Irene laughed out loud because it was cute to see Leila patting her chest while imitating her Jenny.
“This is comfortable.”
“You’re not planning on wearing pants to mother’s retirement party, are you?”
Damien and Adrian have always respected Irene’s choices, but Jenny will be waiting this time too, with her dresses color-coded. Irene smiled and answered.
“I’ll wear a dress then.”
“Really? You promised?”
Leila was happy jumping up and down in front of Irene, who was much taller than her, and Irene laughed again because her younger sister was so cute. Irene says she will graduate from the academy today and she will be preparing for her command exams next summer. As soon as Adrian noticed that Irene had an interest in swordsmanship, he actively suggested it and opened the way for women to advance into the ranks of commanders. Irene, who grew up with the Duke of Bigor and his knights, said to be the strongest in the southern continent, carrying a sword rather than her cotton candy, was already unrivaled in the academy with her unique sharp and fast swordsmanship. The military department was already keeping a close eye on her after hearing that the heir to the Duke of Bigor was preparing for her command exam.
The sisters, holding each other’s hands, were walking across the garden toward the auditorium where the graduation ceremony was held. Leila noticed her familiar face and waved her hand.
“Mel!”
Melik Huger, who was looking around with his head craned at the entrance of the auditorium, laughed at Leila’s voice and jumped in front of the two.
“He’s so cute every time I see her, sis.”
“You sure are close.”
“What do you think, we’re close. Melik also calls me his older sister.”
The 11-year-old Duke of Melik Huge, who entered the academy this time, saw Leila and ran to her. He hesitated in front of Irene’s tall figure and greeted her.
“Duchess Irene, how have you been?” then greeted Leila “Aww, cute. Hello, how are you, sister? What should I do?”
“Duke Melik, it’s been a while. Thanks to you, I was fine. Are you on your way back to the mansion?”
“Yes, my lady. Leila, can I write a letter during vacation?”
Melik, who answered Irene politely, looked up at her and asked Leila. Leila, looking at his plump cheeks and gentle eyes, bit her fist and cackled. When the cute child sees her cute child and makes a fuss about how cute it is, Irene just laughs.
“Okay then. I’ll be sure to reply to you!”
Melik smiled brightly, nodded, then turned around and walked away. Melik, who had been waiting for a long time to greet Leila before returning from the closing ceremony in the morning, got on the Rapture Duke’s carriage with a red face, and Irene and Leila, who were walking to the auditorium, spotted Damian and Adrian.
* * *
Adrian, who was staring at the back of Prince Daryl’s head as if he were going to eat him, looked somewhere and his face suddenly relaxed. She followed along and saw her jewel-like daughters walking this way.
Leila spotted her and called loudly, and then came running too.
“Mother!”
Then she hugged her skirt and rubbed her face on her stomach. Wasn’t it? It’s not the stomach, it’s the solar plexus.
‘Our Leila, you have grown taller again. I was overtaken by Irene a few years ago, and if this continues, I will become the smallest in our family.’
On the one hand, it was disappointing to see children grow so quickly, but it was also something her mother was proud of, so she patted Leila’s head. And she smiled brightly and hugged Irene, who came over to her. After a season away, they celebrated the family reunion and attended Irene’s graduation ceremony. The graduation ceremony ended peacefully, except for Adrian muttering something under his breath at the unexpected performance of the crown prince who went up to the podium and handed Irene a bouquet of flowers. After a light banquet, they all returned to the duke’s residence and had a second family reunion with Jenny, Franz, Ethan, and the knights who were waiting impatiently in front of the entrance.
And a few days later, a small retirement party was held at Duke Bigor’s residence. They planned a light party with only family and friends, but as the party progressed, it got bigger and bigger.
She had no idea that this party would become so big until her father, brother, sister-in-law, and nephews, who had come all the way from the Etihart family, arrived first and congratulated her enthusiastically. Afterwards, the Rapture operatives came out in full force, but I thought it was worth it. Nelia was appointed to succeed her as Minister of Finance, and Melik and her younger sister were close to their daughters. Next, in place of Ailene, who had packed a gift and said she was sorry for not being able to be together, her younger sister, Lillian, came to represent the Duke of Donovan. The person who was most pleased with the red pepper paste that Ailene sent her was Jenny, who had entered the world of tteokbokki thanks to her. Homet, head of the royal inspection team ‘The King’s Eye’, also attended with his wife Princess Irina, and of course the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Marquis Laurel Madeira also came. The Minister of Home Affairs, who she had the most trouble with during work, came, and the commander of the Capital Army, Sir Cale, also attended, so all the ministers from each department attended her small party. Moreover, since Crown Prince Daryl was so close to their family, she thought he would come on behalf of the royal family, but King Remina and Master Guk also came. Everyone told her not to feel pressured because they were attending as her friend, but that was easier said than done.
As she was taking a breather from being the star of a small party and having to deal with a huge number of guests, Laurel sneakily approached her and spoke to her.
“Didn’t you say it was a small party?”
“I was too greedy after inviting the Minister of Foreign Affairs.”
“All the so-called Laurentine seniors were risking their lives to get your invitation, but you, the main character, seemed to be the only one who didn’t know.”
Laurel suppressed her laughter and said she knew this would happen, and she acknowledged her with a shrug.
“I’m sure only 30 invitations were distributed. I never thought your Majesty would come too.”
“I heard that you were most disappointed with your retirement.”
“He asked me to stop by the palace often. I was happy as an administrator because I was able to serve the wonderful king.”
“It was an honor for me to work with the wonderful Minister of Finance.”
“Oh? Rather, I owe a lot to the great Minister of Foreign Affairs.”
Laurel let out her laugh and patted her shoulder, and I smiled back at her. She was happy to be able to work with Laurel, who had been her most reliable ally, even though they were in different departments, since they took the administrator exam together 20 years ago. When she looked around the party, she saw that everyone was grateful. She was lucky to be around these great people.
‘Hehe’, Laurel smiled as she saw me smiling and asked about the trip she was going to take with Adrian.
“I heard she’s going on a trip out west this time. Are you planning to tour the northern part?”
“Now, how about we reveal the identity of the informant planted in our house?”
“Even if you didn’t plant something like that. There are already a lot of rumors in the West?
“Everyone is busy cracking down on the territory.”
“What is it? We’re just going on a second honeymoon.”
“Tell me again about the legend your first honeymoon left behind in the Southeast?”
“No. Do not do that.”
This time, she really should just travel calmly. No, the trip with Adrian and the Shadow Knights couldn’t be quiet. Pretending not to notice the notoriety of the Inspector Rabbit who appeared intermittently and surpassing the Commander-in-Chief’s honor, she toasted Laurel and she for a peaceful journey. She also toasted with many good people who comforted her for her hard work. It was a fun and happy night where you could laugh to your heart’s content.
The next day, while she was drinking Jenny’s special hangover reliever, Irene told her that she had arm-wrestled Adrian in the middle of the banquet hall last night, so she almost spewed out the medicine she was drinking, but oh well.
* * *
On a day in the middle of winter, Adrian and she boarded a carriage and were seen off by the ducal family. The carriage carrying the five suitcases that Jenny had packed was Ethan’s masterpiece, complete with a small bath, and once again Sir George took the reins. Jenny, who was looking for the empty space under the bed, was well held by Franz. She was sorry to leave her two daughters alone, but Irene and Leila smiled brightly and waved at her, telling her not to worry.
Adrian asked, smiling brightly when she saw her getting very excited as they left the dock.
“Would you like a ride?”
“Ah, did you bring a tea pot too?”
When she asked with wide eyes, Adrian opened a small chest of drawers next to the sofa and showed her. She was surprised that there was a sofa in the carriage, but the various tea bags sitting in a huddle in the dresser were laughing at her, asking her why she was so surprised.
“I would like Darjeeling, please.”
The Darjeeling given by Adrian, who skillfully brewed tea, tasted like a craftsman’s hand. Well, she had been choosing Darjeeling for herself for 20 years, and if you’re a craftsman, you’re a craftsman.
“Does it fit your mouth?”
“Sure. The tea Ad makes is always delicious since 20 years ago, from the capital military branch.”
She laughed out loud, remembering her days as a trainee when she went to receive training and had no idea that she would be drinking tea served by the commander. Adrian scratched his chin and confessed the agony of the past.
“Actually, the day I gave Damien my tea, I was nervous.”
“Why?”
“I thought I should do something for you, so I offered you tea, but I don’t have a good sense of taste… I was worried that you were forcing yourself to drink it.”
“Did you? I had no idea.”
“Yes. After that, I practiced how to make tea and coffee.”
She burst out laughing when Adrian said that he practiced how to make tea seriously. How long was he going to be cute? When she laughed, Adrian also laughed, his mouth twitching. After coming to this world and meeting Adrian, so many things happened. There were painful and upsetting times, but there were many more joyful and happy memories. And in those happy memories, Adrian was always with her. He would always be by her side with a smile on his face.
‘I will continue to make you happy.’
Today again, she had to tell her beautiful man that she loved him, and she was about to take his lips away from him, but Adrian was faster.
“I love you, Damien.”
“I love you more, Ad.”
“I love you more, more.”
No, she was going to tell Adrian that he had no idea how happy and grateful she was and that she really, really loved him, but Adrian, who never gave up on this part, covered her mouth. Feeling the warm texture of their lips touching, she smiled and closed her eyes.
The carriage steadily heads west, and this happy story between him and she was not over yet.
(The End)
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Translator Note:
With this ‘Supporting characters also need some love’ ends. It has been a loooong way, sometimes really difficult. I may say I was the workst translator for most of the parts of this sotry and I’m sorry for that. I hope have reached some… let’s call it facility to understand the author’s way of writing at the end and I hope you had enjoyed the story. I must say I liked the end quite a bit.
Let’s see around in another story soon!!
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