Chapter 440
I felt a dampness on my face, so I slowly opened my eyes. Is water leaking from the ceiling? That would be a problem.
– Your Highness!
“It was you.”
But as soon as I opened my eyes, I found Titi, who was busily licking my face.
Sunlight was just starting to creep in through the curtains, which meant it was early morning. How did this little creature manage to break into my room and wake me up like my very own biological alarm clock?
“Alright, I’ll get up, so stop licking me.”
I pulled Titi close and glanced toward the door. The tightly shut door seemed way too large for Titi to open, so it was probably someone passing by who felt sorry for Titi’s little whines and let him in.
And it was highly likely that it was Yuris who let him in. It seems that being the youngest among the servants makes him particularly fond of Titi. Or it might’ve been Sophia.
‘Should I just raise him in my room?’
I pondered while still feeling Titi’s rough tongue on my cheek. He’s still too small to be left in the garden, so I kept him inside the mansion, but if I let him roam around in here, he often ends up whining at the door. I mean, I let him run free, but then I’m stuck with this dilemma.
On the other hand, keeping him inside seems like animal abuse, and I can’t leave the door open 24/7 without losing my privacy. That would be tough.
‘…I guess I need to make a little door or something.’
After a short contemplation, I reached that conclusion. If I made a little door like a milk hole at the front door, Titi could come and go without any issues.
Of course, it would be outrageous to do such makeshift work in a mansion with a history and tradition, but who cares? That’s the Epsilon family tradition, not mine.
– Knock, knock.
“Did you cough, Master?”
“Oh, I just woke up.”
Just then, I heard a knock along with the butler’s voice. I set Titi down, and he eagerly scurried to the door, scratching it.
When he’s outside, he wants to come in, and when he’s inside, he wants to go out… Such a mixed-up little guy.
“I’ve prepared breakfast as you requested.”
“Okay, thanks for your hard work.”
I nodded at the butler’s report. Breakfast is usually handled perfectly well by the staff, so I don’t really need to give any instructions. But today is different. Today, my mother is visiting the mansion.
“She’ll be here soon, so have everything ready right away.”
“Yes, understood.”
All of this right from the early morning.
‘This is unfamiliar.’
I absentmindedly rubbed my neck. It’s the first time I’m welcoming my mother, rather than the other way around.
But there’s no helping it. She said she wanted to see the venue before my wedding, and since the wedding venue is in Jido, she has no choice but to come personally. I can’t just move the St. Paronas Cathedral to the Taillglehen Count’s territory now, can I?
From the moment my mother’s visit was confirmed, I racked my brain trying to remember her preferences—like what foods she enjoys and which tea she likes to drink.
“Oh, my mother prefers seafood over meat. She enjoys herbal tea after meals.”
Surprisingly, Mar’s memories were more detailed than my own. The things I couldn’t remember, Mar seemed to have memorized perfectly.
Honestly, it made me feel a bit self-conscious, but I tried to think positively—Mar really values my mother.
I decided that’s how I’d view it. If it came down to choosing between a daughter-like daughter-in-law and a devoted son, naturally, I’d choose the former.
Before long, my mother, along with the head maid and a few handmaidens, arrived.
She brought only the necessary personnel, enough to make the guards flinch at the unexpected visitor count. Indeed, this is a rather modest and simple level of travel for the wife of a Count of the Empire.
Of course, no one would dare say anything against my mother, even if she travels modestly. As a former Countess of the Empire, and with a son like me, anyone who does would deserve some sort of praise for their courage.
“Why are you waiting outside in such chilly weather? You should have waited inside.”
Seeing me standing by the front door, my mother hurriedly approached and started fussing over my cheeks.
I almost burst out laughing. Isn’t this the same person who comes to meet me every time I visit the territory?
“I’m quite sturdy, you know. I can handle this kind of weather just fine.”
“That may be true, but…”
My mother hesitated for a moment, her gaze subtly shifting behind me.
Following her gaze, I turned my head to see couples standing in front of the staff.
‘Ah.’
I suddenly realized. This pattern—the concern for the delicate future daughters-in-law rather than me, the supposedly sturdy one.
“Let’s get inside before you catch a cold. It would be troublesome just before the wedding.”
“Ah, yes. Understood.”
I automatically nodded my head at my mother’s firm voice.
*
Lunch with my mother proceeded in a cozy, harmonious atmosphere.
“The chef’s skills are impressive.”
“Dad said the same thing.”
“Really? It seems that after living together for more than 20 years, your tastes have aligned.”
Seeing my mother smile softly while looking at Carl made me feel warm inside.
‘Thank goodness.’
Their relationship has evolved from awkwardness to something much more ordinary.
Two years ago, when I first met my mother, the atmosphere was utterly different. Carl had treated her rather gruffly while my mother could hardly hide her awkwardness.
It was evident how strained their mother-son bond was, so it’s a relief to see them closer now, especially as the future matriarch of the Krasius family.
“Oh, while the kitchen worked hard on this, Mar played a huge part as well. She picked out each dish according to your tastes.”
“Is that so?”
As I mentioned Mar’s name, I caught my mother’s gaze turning towards me. Her eyes sparkled as if touched with emotion, a mix of pride and embarrassment flooded over me.
“I-I remember what you like since it’s similar to my preferences. I also prefer seafood.”
“Still, it’s not an easy task to remember someone else’s tastes. Thank you.”
Feeling her straightforward compliment made my lips twitch with a big grin.
Hold it back, lips. What would Mother think if I grinned like a fool? I’ve been steadily getting good points, so it wouldn’t be great to mess it up at the last minute.
“Oh my, I’ve been only talking about Mar.”
Fortunately, my mother’s line of sight drifted elsewhere, allowing me to hide my embarrassed face.
“That’s alright. It’s only natural to take care of your future daughter-in-law. When it’s our turn, I believe you’ll take care of us too.”
“Ha ha, of course.”
As I eavesdropped on the conversation between Beatrix and my mother, I quickly adjusted my expression. I felt like I was about to burst out laughing from this timing.
‘…That was a close one.’
As I gather my composure and carefully sipped water, I unexpectedly locked eyes with Carl, who was giving me a thumbs-up.
My lips that had finally calmed down twitched again.
*
After finishing our meal with my mother, Carl and I escorted her to St. Paronas Cathedral.
We moved forward in a trio with only the necessary entourage left back at the mansion. This little action made my heart race, reinforcing the imminent nature of my wedding.
“I never thought I’d come back here.”
Upon arriving at the cathedral, my mother murmured softly.
“I certainly didn’t think I’d come for my son’s wedding.”
With those words, both Carl and I nodded in agreement. Who could have imagined that any noble would get married in this cathedral? Anyone thinking that would sound like a delusional traitor.
“From now on, your names will be recorded forever, as the first nobles to use the Emperor’s sanctuary.”
“That’s too grand of an honor. I’m nearly embarrassed.”
The genuine complaint from Carl made Mother smile gently.
“Minister of the Information Department, Your Grace?”
Suddenly, someone called out to Carl.
I quickly scanned the area but didn’t recognize the person. Of course, since they were calling Carl, they must be a colleague of his, but if they were important enough to approach the Minister, I should have remembered them.
“Your Grace of the Imperial Household?”
“Indeed, you are correct, Minister.”
My suspicions melted away thanks to Carl’s response. This must be the new Imperial Household Minister.
In that case, it’s understandable that he would be unfamiliar. After the previous minister was promoted to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, this new appointee filled the slot.
“What are you doing here? Surely you couldn’t have taken a vacation?”
“Ha ha, I wish it were a vacation, but I’m in the middle of work. I’m overseeing the preparations for the Minister’s wedding.”
“…Looks like His Majesty has placed an excessive responsibility on you, huh.”
Carl let out a tense smile directed at the minister.
‘What the heck.’
I was equally as surprised, having only just heard that the Imperial Minister was in charge of Carl’s nuptials, but it’s extraordinary that the overseeing official is at the actual venue.
“Oh, my manners! I forgot to greet the ladies. I’m Pijera Dobellen of Linneang, who has received undue honor from His Majesty. Please, feel free to call me Baron Linneang!”
“Ah, yes. Nice to meet you, Baron Linneang.”
His overly energetic greeting made me bob my head instinctively. He seemed surprisingly light-hearted for someone in his position…?
Of course, I couldn’t dismiss the Imperial Minister as someone lacking integrity. He clearly wouldn’t have reached such a high rank if he were just a lightweight.
“By the way, Minister. I actually wanted to hear the opinions of the wedding parties, so if you have a moment…”
“My opinion?”
At his words, Carl’s gaze shifted to my mother. After all, he had brought her along, so discussing work matters—
“I’m fine. I’ll be with Mar, so go ahead and talk.”
“Thank you for your consideration, Madam!”
With my mother’s swift approval, Carl and the Imperial Minister drifted toward a corner of the cathedral.
“Good, this works out as I just needed a little break.”
“Excuse me?”
I reflexively questioned my mother’s statement. Didn’t she come here to see the wedding venue along with Carl?
In response to my confusion, my mother offered another smile, this time pulling out a ring from her pocket to hand over to me.
“As the lady of the house, it can be awkward in front of the House Lord, you know. There are some things I’d prefer to handle with another lady.”
Although she spoke with the mixed tone of a weak joke, I could only blink at her, utterly taken aback.
Since this seemed related to House Krasius affairs, I was baffled that she was giving me a ring out of the blue.
“That ring was a gift from Billy when I officially became the Countess of Taillglehen.”
?
My mind momentarily went blank. The ring my mother received when she became a Countess? A gift from my father?
…
“Uh, Mother! This precious thing—”
“Don’t misunderstand. The wedding ring is separate.”
I recoiled in shock, and for a moment, I wanted to return the ring to her. But she shook her head firmly as if she anticipated my reaction.
Thank goodness… I thought it might be a wedding ring.
“Your grandfather, the Count of Taillglehen, had several wives. In contrast, Billy had only me, and he gifted me this ring to symbolize that. It’s a token for the Countess who has overseen the family, rather than a lover’s gift.”
I see; hearing that, it certainly sounds like an important ring, akin to a wedding ring.
My hands began to tremble. Why would she give me something so precious…?
“Unlike us, Carl will have six wives, and originally, I intended for him to have six rings made like this one— but I just wanted to pass on my ring to you.”
“M-Mother, that’s far too much—”
“Don’t say that. If the first wife is no different than the others, it wouldn’t hold any dignity. It’s important to have equal love, but the first wife’s authority also matters.”
With that, she took the ring that was still resting in my palm and slipped it onto my finger.
“Still, other children might feel left out, so this must be kept secret. Just say it’s a wedding gift and do not mention that it was mine. Understood?”
I dazedly nodded, unable to tear my gaze from the radiant smile on my mother’s face.
‘A ring that my mother wore.’
On top of that, it’s the only ring belonging to the Countess.
My dazed thoughts began to regain clarity. I could no longer hold back the grin stretching across my face.
“How beautiful your smile looks! Please keep smiling like that from now on.”
I received the best gift ever.
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