Chapter 66: The Perfect Proposal
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 66: The Perfect Proposal
“I’ve prepared some flowers your mother likes. Would you like to give them to her with me?”
“…….”
Oho, look at this guy…
‘He’s planning to propose to Veronica.’
I instantly saw through Dantalion’s intentions and let out a silent chuckle.
In his haste, he had already sent a formal marriage proposal and received her consent, but it seemed Dantalion—who had harbored a one-sided love for Veronica for so long—had no intention of letting it end there.
It looked like the reason he had decorated the garden so extravagantly was for this very proposal.
‘Hehe, I knew I liked him.’
He was worlds apart from that bastard Cedric. In the first place, that guy had never even liked Veronica.
Veronica, who likely never received a single kind word before her previous marriage, let alone a proposal, would be incredibly moved by this.
‘In most noble arranged marriages, signing the papers is practically the end of it.’
The wedding ceremony is merely a formality; usually, they don't just stop at a marriage proposal but meticulously draft and sign a prenuptial agreement.
That’s how bleak marriages among nobles or royalty tend to be, yet here he was with this adorable proposal.
‘Approved!’
I had already picked Dantalion out to be my new dad a long time ago, and as expected, my eyes hadn't deceived me.
Feeling proud of myself, I looked up at Dantalion and answered.
“I wike flowers!”
“You do?”
“Yes, Dia likes flowers too!”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
Even though demons generally hate flowers, I was different. When I enthusiastically pumped my little fist, Dantalion looked down at me as if I were the cutest thing in the world.
“What are you two talking about so excitedly?”
Veronica, who had been briefly speaking with the head butler to discuss what I should eat because of my loose front tooth, asked curiously as she returned.
However, Dantalion and I shut our mouths simultaneously as if we had rehearsed it.
“Just… that the strawberries are delicious.”
“Is that so?”
“Wow, so yummy!”
I took another bite of cake and grinned.
Veronica still seemed concerned as she checked my front tooth. Fortunately, it was still hanging on.
“If you’re worried, why don't we have the imperial physician take a look?”
“Would that be alright?”
“Why wouldn't it be?”
Dantalion nodded and stroked my hair. My heart was racing, not because of my tooth, but because of the upcoming proposal.
‘What did he prepare? I doubt he only prepared flowers.’
The moment the thought crossed my mind, the demons vied to speak first.
[I can feel the presence of mana nearby.]
‘Mana?’
[Yes, it seems he’s prepared magic as well.]
‘Oho, magic too?’
Dantalion, you’re really going all out, aren't you?
Then again, in the original story, he was desperate enough to risk his life just to seek revenge for Veronica.
How thrilled must he be that his first love has finally come true? Yes, indeed.
I waited with bated breath. And soon, the moment arrived.
“Shall we take a walk?”
“Alright.”
After filling up on dessert, the two of them walked through the garden with me in the middle.
Dantalion naturally led the way. Since he was the master of the Imperial Palace, it wasn't an awkward sight.
“Dia.”
“……!”
While Veronica was distracted by a rare plant found only in the Imperial Palace, Dantalion handed me a bouquet. I don't know how he knew, but they were all flowers that Veronica particularly loved.
“Mommy!”
“Oh my.”
When I scurried over holding the bouquet, Veronica turned around, looking startled.
And it was right when I handed the flowers to her.
Pop! Bang!
Fireworks exploded in the sky. For a split second, the loud noise made me think of a terrorist attack on the capital, but this was clearly different.
‘These are fireworks!’
As time passed and the sky grew dark, beautiful, multicolored fireworks embroidered the sky like stars.
Even in Korea, fireworks required significant technology; there was no way they should be possible in this world.
Since the demons said they felt mana, it was definitely magic.
‘He prepared a magic firework display just for a proposal?’
The fireworks were undeniably flawless and beautiful, but I was floored. Dantalion was truly this sincere.
“What is all this…?”
A stunned Veronica couldn't even find the words to admire them as she stared at the fireworks. Her hands, holding the bouquet, trembled slightly.
“Mommy, look at this!”
“……!”
Before we knew it, the place where we were standing had transformed into a completely different setting.
Just a moment ago, it had been a mere corner of the garden with various plants, but now it had turned into a proposal set, decorated with candles and flower petals everywhere.
“Veronica.”
“Your, Your Majesty.”
Dantalion, holding a bouquet much larger and more extravagant than the one I had, stepped closer to Veronica.
Veronica was still dazed and bewildered.
“Actually, I wanted to be the one to propose to you first.”
“So, you prepared all of this?”
Only then did Veronica realize Dantalion’s intention, and her face flushed red. She looked as shy as a young girl receiving her first confession.
“I may be a very lacking man compared to you… but still, will you marry me?”
Dantalion’s hand shook slightly. Though he spoke as if he were bold, he seemed incredibly nervous.
If he was at the point of proposing, he should have been certain she would accept, yet Dantalion was frozen like a boy experiencing his first love. It was quite a sight.
“Lacking? If anything, I’m the one who…”
Veronica, having accepted the bouquet, couldn't finish her sentence. She seemed too moved for words to come out.
Sensing that the atmosphere was about to get very serious, I pattered over and clung to their legs.
“Wow! Is Mommy marrying the Emperor?”
“D-Dia.”
“I like it when His Majesty becomes my daddy!”
I shouted with a bright beam. Instantly, the atmosphere shifted.
“Dia, are you… really okay with that?”
“Yup!”
“…….”
When I answered once more with a big nod, Veronica hugged me with a face that looked like she was about to cry.
Unlike her usual scent, she smelled of flowers. I laughed and hugged her tight.
The unforgettable proposal ended on a warm and happy note.
*
“So, are we gonna live here now?”
“Not yet. We have to wait a little bit.”
“Hehe, okay!”
“Dia, are you really okay with living in the Imperial Palace?”
“Uh-huh, I like everything!”
It seemed Veronica had been constantly anxious that I might say no.
Even on the way back to the mansion, Veronica asked me several times if I was truly alright.
It’s understandable to worry since children can be fickle, but she didn't need to feel that way with me.
For the sake of Veronica and Winston, I was confident I could adapt anywhere.
As I walked along holding Veronica’s hand with an air of triumph, Desmond’s voice echoed in my head.
[It’s him!]
‘Huh?’
Him? Who?
As I furrowed my brows in confusion, Desmond immediately followed up.
[The bad Sword Master is here!]
‘What?’
Startled, my eyes went wide.
The "bad Sword Master" Desmond was referring to was Cedric. But shouldn't that guy be unable to move after being severely wounded by Dantalion?
‘Marianne.’
Then, Marianne suddenly flashed through my mind. As the one chosen as the Saintess, she would possess immense Divine Power. Perhaps even more than the High Priest.
With that much power, she would be able to heal Cedric’s wounds. I bit my lip, realizing I had been careless to overlook Marianne’s existence.
“Mommy.”
“Hmm? What is it?”
“Let’s go back to the Emperor, okay?”
“Why would we…”
I tried to pull Veronica’s hand in a hurry, but it was no use. The people approaching us were much faster.
“Oh my, if it isn't the Ducal Lady.”
“I… I greet Her Majesty the Empress Dowager.”
Seeing the sudden appearance of the Empress Dowager, Veronica flinched and bowed her head.
With her usual benevolent expression, the Empress Dowager swept her gaze over Veronica.
“Did you come to see Leon with the child?”
“……Yes, that is correct.”
Leon. Even though Dantalion had ascended as Emperor, calling him by a nickname in front of others was a blatant act of disrespect.
Veronica realized this too, and her complexion paled, but the woman before us was the Empress Dowager. Although her influence had waned somewhat after Cedric lost to Dantalion, she was still someone who could not be ignored.
“Thanks to you, I enjoyed the view from afar. It seems you had a lovely time.”
“I am humbled.”
Veronica’s eyelashes trembled as she kept her head bowed. Whether the Empress Dowager was a good person or not, given her relationship with Dantalion, she wasn't someone Veronica could deal with comfortably.
“Now that I think about it, we shall become quite close soon. I look forward to it.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The Empress Dowager spoke to Veronica in a tone that sounded kind at first listen.
Then, she glanced behind her.
“This is perfect timing. It’s been a while since you two have seen each other, hasn't it?”
“……!”
The person standing behind the Empress Dowager was, as expected, Cedric. Looking perfectly fine without a trace of illness, he stepped forward slightly.
“It just so happens that Cedric returned to duty this time. Since he’s been tasked with my protection for the time being, I expect the two of you will be running into each other quite often.”
“……!”
“Isn't that wonderful?”
The Empress Dowager smiled brightly as she handed Veronica a massive metaphorical middle finger. It was a total slap in the face.
‘Dammit.’
In that moment, I couldn't hide the look of utter devastation that crumpled my own face.