Chapter 52: Dantalion’s Confession
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 52: Dantalion’s Confession
Soon, the two were strolling through the well-manicured garden.
After a period of silence, Veronica was the first to speak.
“Do you happen to remember?”
“...?”
Veronica, who had been walking ahead, came to a sudden halt and asked. Her hand was pointing toward a certain flower.
“That flower. When I was little, I once asked Your Majesty what it was.”
“Ah, I see.”
Dantalion, momentarily flustered, nodded his head.
Now that she mentioned it, the memory began to surface. As a child, Veronica had been full of curiosity, often asking about the rare flowers in the Imperial Palace garden that she hadn't seen back at the Winston Ducal Family mansion.
“At first, Your Majesty couldn't answer me. But when I came back and asked again later, you gave me a perfect explanation.”
“...I did.”
Dantalion smiled as he, too, recalled the memory.
He hadn't been particularly interested in flowers back then, so he hadn't been able to answer her initial question.
Whether it was out of pride or a desire to score points with the girl he liked, the young Dantalion had been filled with determination. He had sought out the gardener and practically memorized every flower planted in the garden by heart.
“I thought it was amazing back then—how Your Majesty seemed to know everything about flowers.”
“That was only because I wanted to be of help to you.”
“Have you liked me since then?”
“...”
Dantalion found himself unable to answer the sudden question.
Veronica, who had been gazing down at the beautiful flowers, lifted her head.
She looked directly at the bewildered Dantalion.
“Berry, that’s...”
“I’d like you to be honest with me.”
“...”
The two had yet to have a serious conversation about their feelings for one another.
Veronica was still technically before her divorce, and even after it was finalized, she had no intention of remarrying immediately.
However, having accidentally overheard Dantalion’s feelings—which she had only vaguely sensed until then—in front of the Duke’s office, Veronica’s heart was in such a state of turmoil that she couldn't calm down.
It hadn't been long since she had resolved to return to her territory for the sake of her own wounds and for Dantalion, who had just ascended the throne.
Yet, the moment she heard Dantalion tell Duke Winston that he wanted her, her heart stirred so violently she couldn't bear it.
‘If there really were another woman by His Majesty’s side, would I be able to endure it?’
Her love for Cedric had long since crumbled into dust, like a rock weathered away by the wind.
To that broken heart, the kind Dantalion had approached like a warm spring rain.
The heart she thought had died was beginning to beat again. So slowly and subtly that even she hadn't realized it.
Veronica wanted to confirm her own feelings as well. If she heard his confession, she might make a decision she could never take back.
Even so, she had to hear it.
Reflected in Veronica’s eyes, Dantalion looked like he had returned to being an adolescent boy. With a flushed face, he finally spoke.
“I love you, Veronica. I’ve always loved you.”
“...”
“From then until now, you are the only one I have ever loved...”
“Ah.”
His trembling blue eyes gazed at her before dropping to the floor. At the same time, Veronica felt her heart skip a beat, and she unconsciously clenched her hands.
She couldn't find the words to respond to his earnest confession.
Dantalion, staring only at his own toes, felt a sense of despair. He didn't think for a moment that Veronica would accept him.
But then, Veronica took a step closer to him.
Dantalion slowly raised his head.
*
“Yawn.”
“Little Lady, are you awake?”
“Mmm... where’s Mommy?”
Pretending I had just woken up, I looked around.
However, Veronica, who I thought would be firmly guarding my side, was nowhere to be seen.
What gives? I rushed back here on purpose.
As I scowled slightly, Sophia spoke up, looking flustered.
“Lady Veronica went to get some snacks for a moment. She should have been back by now...”
“Mmm.”
Sophia also seemed puzzled by Veronica’s absence, tilting her head.
Pouting because I was disappointed for no reason, I slowly looked around Veronica’s room. This was my first time inside her room at the Winston townhouse in the Capital.
While doing so, my gaze landed on the cluttered table. Something felt out of place, so I stared intently at one spot.
I pointed my finger and asked Sophia.
“Nanny, what’s this?”
“Oh my, so this was here.”
Sophia let out a little giggle and picked up the object I was pointing at.
A pendant with a brilliant red gem embedded in the center swayed back and forth before my eyes.
“Young Master Vincent used to carry this around. Lady Veronica coveted it so much she ended up stealing it.”
“Huh? She stole it?”
“Yes, when they were children. But goodness, it seems the Lady forgot to return it even after all this time.”
Sophia chuckled and set the pendant back down. I couldn't take my eyes off the red gem.
‘I know what that is.’
The last of the five gems, and the third red gem.
It was the demon Luers, whose symbol was the Ruby.
‘So Vincent was the one who originally had Luers.’
And Veronica had Desmond. Since she stole it when they were kids, it seemed Vincent had simply forgotten about it too.
To think the direct lineage would treat the Demons of the Gems with such neglect. Even if the demons were considered nothing more than old fairy tales now because they no longer manifested, it was quite a pitiful state of affairs.
“Dia wants dis.”
“Oh? This pendant?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Then I’ll ask the Lady when she returns.”
“Mmm.”
Since it originally belonged to Vincent, it might take some time to ask, but knowing Veronica and Vincent, they would surely want to give it to me.
‘Anyway, that’s the last gem.’
There were two gems whose masters had yet to be decided.
Ilnes and the newly discovered Luers.
Two were already contracted to me, and Dollens had a proxy contract with Dantalion, so it would be best to arrange proxy contracts for the remaining two with members of the Winston direct lineage.
‘In the original story, Veronica was the one who contracted with the demon... so it might be good to have her enter a proxy contract with one of them.’
Although Veronica hadn't been able to fully utilize Desmond in the original story, things would be different now with five Demons of the Gems present.
Since she had left Cedric and resumed her swordsmanship training in earnest, any demon would surely be a great help to her.
‘Vincent is an excellent knight too...’
He hadn't become a Sword Master yet, but it wouldn't be a bad idea for him to have one.
Duke Winston was also a Sword Master, even if he wasn't in his prime, so he would be a good candidate as well...
‘This is actually a tough choice.’
If only there were one more gem, I wouldn't have to worry about this.
I pondered as I waited for Veronica with Sophia. It was a happy sort of dilemma.
“You’re back? The Little Lady is already awake.”
“...Ah, yes.”
Veronica, who returned with snacks a short while later, had a dazed look on her face.
Seeing her flushed face, I tilted my head to the side.
‘Did something happen?’
It was my first time seeing Veronica look this out of it, which was quite startling. Even when I was attacked, she hadn't faltered; she had been filled with nothing but venomous spite.
I had a bad feeling. It felt like I had missed something important.
‘Dollens?’
Now that I thought about it, Dollens was nowhere to be seen. It seemed Dantalion, who had been at the mansion, had returned to the Imperial Palace.
‘Hmm.’
Veronica handed the snacks to Sophia and approached me. I looked at her with suspicious eyes.
“Our Dia, are you awake?”
“Mmm.”
“Are you hungry? Shall we have some snacks with Mommy?”
“But guess what?”
“Yes?”
“Where’s His Majesty?”
“...”
At my question, Veronica’s body stiffened.
From that unnatural reaction, I could tell that something had happened between her and Dantalion.
‘I can’t believe I missed it!’
Judging by Veronica’s reaction, it must have been a very important scene. To have missed it... what a waste.
[Well, looking at them, it seems things went well. Isn't that a good thing for you, Master?]
‘Shut up! Do you have any idea how precious a romance scene is in a romance fantasy novel?!’
[...What is that?]
Desmond, unable to understand my words, tilted his head.
Simply frustrated, I let out a long internal lament. I shouldn't have gone to see Nathaniel!
‘Phew, let’s calm down.’
I almost failed to control my expression for a moment, so I took a slow, deep breath.
Then, I gave the flustered Veronica a bright smile.
“Dia wanna see His Majesty too!”
“Huh? His Majesty?”
“Uh-huh. His Majesty is nice.”
“Yes, he is a kind person.”
Veronica smiled, a wistful look crossing her face.
What is this? Did Dantalion actually confess in that short time? And did Veronica fall for it just like that?
Until recently, I had been frustrated by the stiflingly slow pace and the sluggish development of their relationship, but now that the frustration hadn't just been cleared but had turned into a sweet dessert so suddenly, it was quite bewildering.
[Master, does this mean you’ll become an Imperial Princess instead of a Little Lady?]
‘Hmm, I wonder?’
Now that I thought about it, if the two of them got married, my status would change as well.
An Imperial Princess. Such a grand title was a bit overwhelming.
“Shall we go see His Majesty together with Mommy next time?”
“Yeah!”
Still, seeing Veronica so happy, I guess it can't be helped.
I looked at the joyful Veronica and smiled brightly back at her.