Chapter 207
Maybe it was my quickening breath, but my hands started to tremble a bit. But I had to hide that nervousness. I couldn’t be the host trembling in front of guests. I needed to remain as calm as possible, to show that I was unbothered.
Trying to calm my shaking hands, I grabbed the teacup. As it neared my lips, the faint aroma spread, somehow easing my mind just a tad.
Just a tiny bit.
‘Billy.’
My grip tightened unconsciously around the teacup. I felt a surge of resentment for Billy not being here at this moment.
No matter how much I held the title of Countess, it was Billy who possessed the title. He was more than enough to welcome a Duke with status; in fact, it was only right that he should be the one to greet him.
Although Duke Marcilio expressed a desire to see me, what difference did it make? Whether it was a future mother-in-law or father-in-law, it was still one and the same. I bet Duke Marcilio didn’t care that much.
‘Just you wait.’
I wouldn’t forget the cowardice of withdrawing when I heard that Duke Marcilio was coming. No meals together for a while when he returns, and no sharing rooms either.
… Assuming I had the mental capacity to hold such grudges.
“The scent is lovely.”
At the gentle voice coming right in front of me, I quickly raised my head.
Before my eyes was a woman with white hair and bright eyes. The lady, holding her teacup, had a warm smile that could carry the whole world. If someone else saw her, they might think she looked absolutely radiant.
“I’m glad you like it.”
As I smiled back and spoke, Duke Marcilio’s smile grew even warmer.
“Feel free to speak. I respect you greatly, and hearing formalities makes me feel shy.”
At those words, I froze. What did she mean by “feel free to speak”?
Hearing respect from someone like Duke Marcilio was already enough for me to be under pressure. I had heard she treated everyone beneath her throne, except for the Emperor and other Dukes.
With the age, experience, status—everything single factor makes her quite the absolute ruler.
“What an extravagant compliment. You respect me, yet how can I speak freely?”
I barely managed to move my frozen lips and provide a proper response.
Good. That was an acceptable answer. Since she respected me, I’d return that same respect. Where could I possibly argue against such a statement?
“Hmm, is that so? What a pity.”
Thankfully, Duke Marcilio let that go, but…
‘Is it just me?’
It felt like her gaze was saying, “This time, I will let you off the hook.”
Though I tried to convince myself that it was just my imagination, my instinct cried out. I could refuse her now, but sooner or later, I’d have to start speaking casually too.
‘Someone who speaks casually with the Duke.’
The dizziness that had settled down earlier crept back in.
I had even heard that the Emperor himself treated Duke Marcilio with respect during private gatherings—who would be brave enough to speak casually with her? Definitely not me. There was no way I could do that.
“Phew—! Now we’re family, so just speak freely! Should I call you ‘Lady’ too?”
Suddenly, memories of the past rushed back. My first encounter with a Duke—what an extravagant meeting it was. Even now, that joyful laughter seems to linger in my ears.
Is this how all Dukes are? I didn’t meet the other three, but they’re starting to feel a tad intimidating.
“Madam, your cup is empty.”
As I stared blankly at my teacup, the Duke reached for the teapot.
At that moment, I couldn’t comprehend the situation.
“Y-Your Grace. Let me do it.”
Only when Laura, who had been standing behind me, rushed over to stop the Duke did I come back to my senses.
Did the Duke seriously just try to pour tea into my cup? Even though I had a maid to do that, she was doing it herself?
‘Cal…’
Just like Billy, the absent firstborn crossed my mind.
I didn’t resent him. Unlike the coward who had backed away, this child had quietly fulfilled his role.
But still, what on earth had Kal done to elicit such behavior from the Duke? How had he bewitched her…?
“Thank you, Head Maid.”
As Laura poured tea into my cup and the Duke’s cup, she received a bright smile and a thank you from the Duke.
Of course, it was absolutely natural for Laura to be shaken by the Duke’s etiquette.
‘She’s serious about this.’
I almost broke into a wry smile at that scene. Seeing the Duke showing respect even to Laura, who had been Kal’s caretaker—her commitment was commendable.
It was clear she intended to win over everyone connected to Kal completely.
After about an hour, we moved from the reception room to the garden.
“This place looks beautiful and refreshing at a glance. I’m probably an Elf at heart, as seeing a well-kept garden lifts my spirits.”
“I’ll be sure to tell the gardener. He’ll be glad to hear your praise.”
Nodding with a smile that hadn’t left his face since our first meeting, Duke Marcilio looked around the garden as if trying to take it all in.
Unlike before, her pointed ears seemed to stand out a bit more, and her expression appeared slightly excited. Is it true that Elves have a special affinity for nature?
“This is the garden where my child used to play.”
I quietly turned my head upon hearing the softly spoken voice. No, it wasn’t just Elf blood; it was blood from unrequited love.
And Kal had spent his childhood not in the garden, but in the training grounds. Thanks to this awkward and unfit mother.
I opened my mouth a few times only to close it again. It felt burdensome to say something like “This isn’t the right place.”
“What about that tree?”
Duke Marcilio’s gaze landed on a solitary pair of trees.
Following her line of sight, I noticed those two trees standing apart from the others. Except for the small grave markers in front of them, there was nothing particularly special about them.
Yet the Duke seemed to have found something remarkable about those trees. She recognized the most precious things in this garden without even being told.
“These are commemorative trees. The tree on the left was planted when Kal was born, and the one next to it was planted when Erich was born.”
As I spoke, a slight smile graced my lips. The saplings I had planted alongside Billy were now towering trees, growing just as those little ones had.
“When those children find their partners, I plan to send them to the house where they will live.”
Since those trees commemorate their births, it made sense for them to be together with the children. Ideally, I’d want to plant the commemorative tree for my grandchildren right beside them.
Feeling my heart warm at that thought, I even let slip a comment that didn’t really need to be said.
*
There was something unusually captivating about the seemingly ordinary trees.
“These are commemorative trees. The tree on the left was planted when Kal was born, and the one next to it was planted when Erich was born.”
Nodding in response to her statement, I began to understand why my gaze was drawn there.
A tree commemorating a child’s birth is surely one of the most precious trees in existence.
A world tree that burned down 400 years ago had reborn on this land. From now on, that tree would be the world tree in my heart.
“When those children find their partners, I plan to send them to the house where they will live.”
At the continuation of her words, my heart raced.
Then the world tree would come to my castle. I should inform the attendants to prepare a spot for it in advance. Being such a precious tree, it deserves the best location possible.
If we plant the world tree, we should also plant flowers around it. As many as the little ones born between me and the child, as beautiful and splendid as could be.
“It’s truly beautiful.”
“It’s my treasure.”
At the words I muttered without thinking, the lady responded with a brighter smile than ever.
The genuine smile was filled with affection. You could tell just how much she cherished and loved that child.
‘To think that someone so radiant can exist.’
A bittersweet feeling washed over me. Here she was, smiling so brightly while I had troubled her with my reckless visit.
But there was no helping it—my child was hiding away at the Academy. If I went there recklessly, the child might run off to places unknown.
So, I had chosen this method. Focusing on building relationships with those around my darling instead.
‘Someday.’
Although it feels awkward now, with time it should become more familiar. From a relationship that requires careful observation to one that is comfortable.
Steadily, persistently. And if that’s the case, then it will definitely come to pass.
“Tricks. The awkwardness coming from the difference in our races is something unavoidable.”
A memory surfaced from the past—words my mother had once said.
“This mother also felt uncomfortable with my own mother-in-law.”
“Your mother-in-law?”
I distinctly recalled how shocked I was by that statement. My mother and grandmother had gotten along famously.
“Indeed. But the awkwardness fades with frequent meetings. Regardless of the differences in our races, we’re both rational beings. There’s nothing different from ordinary humans.”
And she had playfully poked my cheek, chuckling softly.
“To achieve that, it’s important to acknowledge that I am a human, not an Elf. Clinging to Elven thoughts in human society would be creating inconveniences, wouldn’t it? If that’s the case, then live in the Elven quarters.”
Honestly, I nodded my head repeatedly at my mother’s wise advice having successfully settled down in human society. That’s right—I may have Elven blood, but if I live like a human, then I am human.
“So, this mother has expired her Elven age.”
“…Huh?”
As a child, I was unable to grasp that statement, but I understand it now.
Having the age of hundreds as an Elf and switching it over to human society would only cause chaos. So, adjusting it to fit human norms is the solution.
My mother had chosen to keep only 10% of her age. That’s why she could easily become a younger daughter-in-law compared to Grandma.
‘I should too.’
Though I’m not a pure blood like my mother and might not hit that 10%, I should at least be around the 20%.
Right. My human age is 24—three years older than my child and much younger than the lady.
Thinking of approaching the lady with that in mind should help in dispelling the awkwardness and allow us to become closer.
‘… Mother.’
My heart felt warm. My mother always gave me such great insights.
Her dying wish had been for me to avoid feeling the kind of sorrow she once endured. That desire propelled me forward to find a partner to share my life with.
Her advice to shed my Elven age was what led me to discover ways to approach my child.
“Your Grace?”
Noticing my silence, the lady spoke to me with a puzzled expression.
“It’s nothing, my lady.”
I gently shook my head, smiling faintly.
Although I found it a bit embarrassing—my mind wandering in front of someone who could be my future mother-in-law.
‘Let’s reflect on this.’
I should think like a human. Distracting myself in front of elders is not the proper decorum.
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