Chapter 91: The Uninvited Guest
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 91: The Uninvited Guest
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
“Back at the lakeshore. When you said you had to leave first—it was because the symptoms were starting, wasn’t it?”
“……I simply didn’t want to cause you unnecessary worry.”
“You told me it wouldn’t hurt if I shared your mana.”
At those words, Loik’s mouth clamped shut.
“Then instead of just leaving like that, you should have come straight to me and asked for help.”
“Were you really that loath to admit you needed me?”
“It wasn’t like that. I just……”
Loik awkwardly fidgeted with his hands.
“I didn’t want to be a burden to you……”
“A burden? If I were in pain and asked for your help, would you find me burdensome?”
“Absolutely not. In fact, I would be hurt if you hid it from me……”
Loik, speaking urgently, suddenly fell silent as if realizing something.
“Well, I was incredibly hurt, too.”
“At least while I’m here, let me help you.”
“It’s just holding hands; I can do that as much as you need.”
And if hands weren't enough, maybe a hug……
No, would a hug be too much?
My throat went dry the moment I recalled waking up this morning.
Seeing that solid chest right in front of my nose, my first thought had been, What is this? Even when I realized a heavy arm was draped over my shoulder, it didn't feel real.
And when I looked up, I saw his statue-like long eyelashes trembling slightly while those reddish lips were peacefully closed. I couldn't tell you how startled I was.
Even then, I couldn't bring myself to get up immediately, so I stayed nestled in his arms for a long time.
Thinking about how we slept curled up together like a real married couple made the heat I’d just managed to suppress flare up all over again.
‘I think I’m getting way too immersed in this life.’
Regardless of easing Loik’s pain, I needed to maintain some level of vigilance.
Feeling parched for no reason, I was gulping down my tea when Perel entered the drawing room.
“Her Highness is here as well.”
Upon seeing me, Perel offered a smile that was slightly more awkward than usual.
At Loik’s questioning look, the aide approached and whispered something in his ear.
Loik turned back to me with a troubled expression.
“What is it? Did something happen?”
After a moment’s hesitation, Loik spoke.
“I am told your mother has arrived.”
I repeated his words with a blank expression.
“My mother?”
Annette’s mother died giving birth to her, didn't she?
Could it be……?
“I mean Marchioness Frais. It seems her carriage is currently waiting outside the castle walls.”
Dammit.
I wondered why the Marquis had been so quiet lately.
Suddenly, I was faced with meeting a "mother" I’d never seen before.
*
“Oh, Annette! It’s been so long.”
The face of the mother I met for the first time was remarkably young.
They did say there was less than a ten-year age gap between her and Ferdin.
If she hadn't greeted me first, I wouldn't have even recognized her as the Marchioness.
‘But why is she acting so close?’
I awkwardly accepted her embrace.
Chestnut hair and jade-colored eyes.
There wasn't a single feature on her face that resembled Annette.
“Ah, I suppose I should call you ‘Your Highness the Grand Duchess’ now.”
The Marchioness pulled back and gave a beaming, eye-curving smile.
Instead of an answer, I offered a stiff smile of my own.
I had personally come out to the castle walls to receive the Marchioness.
‘Though "reconnaissance" would be a more fitting word than "reception."’
No matter how much she lacked an invitation, it would be unthinkable to turn away the Marchioness after she’d traveled all this way.
Loik had been quite conflicted.
It was obvious that the relationship between the Marchioness and me wouldn't be good, so he couldn't exactly welcome her with open arms. Yet, she was technically his mother-in-law, making it awkward to coldly reject her.
In truth, it was just as awkward for me.
While I was staying at the Marquis’s estate, the Marchioness had been living separately near the academy to look after the youngest, Raphael.
‘It didn't seem like she was particularly close with the Marquis, either.’
She likely didn't have a good relationship with Ferdin or Ladriel, let alone Annette.
It was only natural, considering she was the stepmother who had taken the place of their deceased biological mother.
And yet, despite that, her attitude toward me was as natural as if she were meeting a very dear acquaintance, if not her own daughter.
Perhaps she was putting on an act because the Grand Duke was present.
The Marchioness’s procession was nothing short of extravagant.
Considering the rented carriage I’d taken to the North, the scale of this was large enough to suggest she was the one coming here to get married.
‘She brought a whole trail of maids and knights.’
Standing behind the Marchioness was a maid whose face was all too familiar.
It was Janet, who had been with me even at my wedding.
‘Well, look at that. It’s actually almost nice to see a familiar face.’
Of course, the moment our eyes met, Janet whipped her head away before she could even acknowledge me.
But why were there two carriages?
Another carriage stood behind the Marchioness’s.
As I watched with curiosity, the carriage door clicked open, and a boy with dark chestnut hair peeked his head out.
‘Who is that?’
The boy, who I expected to step out, simply stayed there and glared at me.
He glared so hard I could see the whites of his eyes from here, but he had quite a cute face.
“Raphael!”
The Marchioness called out to the boy as if scolding him.
If it’s Raphael, then he’s the youngest son of the Frais family?
‘He came along too?’
“Ra……phael?”
When I awkwardly tried to acknowledge him, Raphael stared at me intently as if gauging my reaction.
His pale, freckled face looked soft and youthful.
“Raphael, come and greet Her Highness!”
The Marchioness spoke reprovingly, but Raphael, his lip pouting, didn't get out of the carriage. Instead, he ducked back inside and slammed the door shut.
“Oh, dear, that boy……”
The Marchioness looked at the carriage with a troubled face and gave an awkward smile.
“It’s been so long since he’s seen Your Highness, he must be feeling shy.”
To anyone watching, "shy" was hardly the word for it, but since I didn't have much to say either, I just nodded awkwardly.
Well, it would be weirder if half-siblings were affectionate with each other.
Still, he had a face that was far too cute to have come from the Marquis.
“His Lordship the Marquis was simply too impatient,” the Marchioness said, snapping her fan shut.
“He was so worried about whether his precious daughter was faring well in this harsh North that he insisted I come and check on you as soon as possible. He made such a fuss that I ended up coming here before we could even wait for an invitation.”
She gestured toward the line of luggage following the carriages.
“I thought there might be many things lacking in the North, so I packed this and that, and the scale just grew this large before I knew it.”
Her tone suggested that since she had brought a proper justification, I shouldn't even dream of kicking her out.
At the Marchioness’s words, the knights of the 1st Division standing guard nearby furrowed their brows.
This woman.
I let out a silent sigh.
‘Please, don't go ruining the reputation I worked so hard to build.’
“Oh, Mother. The North is actually a place overflowing with all sorts of wonders. I suppose Father has been in the capital for far too long.”
At those words, the chins of the 1st Division knights lifted slightly in pride.
Ho ho.
What is she even saying? The Marchioness gave an awkward laugh and looked around as if to conclude the conversation.
“Shall we finish the rest of our talk inside the castle? We mustn't keep Your Highness standing out here for so long.”
Oh, you think you’re just going to slide right in?
“Wait a moment, Mother.”
I stopped the Marchioness just as she was naturally about to get back into her carriage.
“It won't take long, so please wait a moment. The knights need to handle the handover.”
“The handover?”
“The knights will have to head back, so we must receive all the luggage you brought here.”
“The knights are heading back?” the Marchioness asked, her face souring.
“Did you not know? No other family’s knights are permitted to enter the Grand Duke’s castle without permission. Oh, and you’ll have to send back all the maids and servants as well.”
“What? Then you’re saying just the two of us should go in?”
“Sir Demich, will you ensure the luggage is accounted for thoroughly? I’m sure the Marquis sent many wonderful things, and it would be a shame if anything went missing.”
“Of course, Your Highness,” Demich replied in a booming voice.
The brows of the 1st Division, which had been knotted at the thought of letting the Frais knights into the castle, smoothed out instantly.
“You heard her? Make sure we receive everything, down to the last item.”
As the 1st Division moved in, the knights of the Frais family stood their ground in confusion.
“This is preposterous! We cannot send the Marchioness in alone.”
the senior knight who had accompanied the Marchioness shouted.
“We have a mission to escort the Marchioness and the Fourth Young Master.”
“Ho? Are you saying you don't trust us?”
Demich thrust his intimidating face toward the senior knight.
Though they were both knights, the physical build of the Blenheim Knights was overwhelming.
Furthermore, as if anticipating this situation, Demich had brought out all thirteen members of the 1st Division.
They were completely outmatched in numbers.
The senior knight puffed out his chest as if to hold his ground, but unfortunately, his slender frame was no match for Demich.
The accompanying knights, sensing their disadvantage, hesitated and stepped back.
“Annette, I mean, Your Highness,” the Marchioness said softly, as if trying to coax me.
“These are knights who have protected you for nearly twenty years. Isn't this a bit cold? To tell people who have been on horseback for an entire week to turn back without even entering the castle?”
“Mother, this is all for your sake,” I countered, my eyes curving into a gentle smile.
“In the first place, the only people allowed into the Grand Duke’s castle without an invitation are members of the Imperial Family. Wouldn't it be troublesome if rumors spread that members of the Frais family—and their knights, no less—were trying to be treated like royalty?”
The Marchioness fell silent, having no retort for that.
“In fact, wasn't it Father who proposed that very law?”
“But when the desire to see family comes first, surely there’s a way to handle such minor issues later?”
She was implying that the Grand Duke could just issue an invitation right now.
“Of course. How could I possibly just send you back after you’ve come all this way?”
I lightly brought a hand to my lips.
“That’s why I have to use a bit of a loophole, which makes it even harder to bring the knights along. If such a long procession moves together, it’s bound to attract attention.”
So, what will it be?
Do you want to all go back together and get a massive earful from the Marquis? Or will you at least go in yourself and avoid the embarrassment of being kicked out by your own daughter?