Chapter 46

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Chapter 46

Everyone in the room had already figured out the situation.

“Laria is so nice that she won’t get angry properly, and it’s hard for us to treat Laria’s relatives recklessly.”

“Th-that…”

Karen stuttered, her face pale.

Duke Icard said, stirring his hair in an irritated voice, “You can be taken to the dungeons, or you can quietly give us back the Tears of the Spring Leaf. Morand, take a look at it just in case.”

“Yes, sire.”

I didn’t know that Morand, the butler, was an expert in jewelry up until this incident.

Karen’s trembling hand untied the necklace that was, of course, the genuine ‘Tears of Spring Leaf,’ and was kicked out from the Duchy.

However, there was something Evan and Duke Icard didn’t notice. She went out without even finding out the fake Tears of Spring Leaf that she bought. Obviously, she couldn’t have said, ‘Then, give me back my necklace…’ or else because she would really be put in jail.

The Icards had never lived a deficient life, so they did not even think about the whereabouts of the ‘fake one.’

Nevertheless, for someone like Karen, that must have been almost all her wealth. Maybe, even her house was mortgaged. She came all the way here but was chased away without getting a single dime, thinking it was her turn to hit the jackpot.

‘Yet, here comes my peak…’

“Ah…”

I bowed my head looking devastated.

“I… I really thought she cared for me… because she was my relative.”

“I didn’t say anything because I knew you were glad.”

Evan spoke bluntly.

“In fact, it is quite common to meet swindlers even among blood relatives. Especially, when you never heard from them before, and they suddenly appear in front of you out of nowhere when you’re successful.”

It seemed that Duke Icard also had noticed Karen’s intention from the moment she appeared, although he didn’t say anything out of consideration for me.

“I’m… sigh…”

I said with a sigh.

“Father, I didn’t have any relatives who were nice to me even in times I was in need. From now on, I’ll disregard anyone who comes and says that they are my relatives and sends them back.”

“Laria.”

“I think I’ve been…a little hurt by this.”

There was silence in the drawing-room for a moment. Even Morand peered at me with a pitiful expression and murmured.

“That’s how you grow up, Princess…”

Now, I could say, “I don’t want to meet you because there was a case like this,” to any future relatives who would flock around like flies in the future. Duke Icard would kick them out without too much guilt, too, if I act like that.

“It’s all right.”

Then, Duke Icard put his hand on my head and continued.

“You told me. You are happier here than in County Rostry. So, don’t dwell too much on blood ties.”

“…Yes?”

“That’s right, Laria,” Evan joined in with a determined look.

“So, don’t be so melancholic.”

I was slightly surprised to see his red eyes filled with sincerity as he continued,

“I’ll be a much better family than all your relatives combined.”

Well… I didn’t expect this reaction.

“As much as they hurt you, I’ll do it even better.”

Frankly, I thought it was natural for Karen to be thrown out like that. In common sense, who was my true family? Everyone was just trying to use me.

The same goes for Duke Icard, of course.

“At least for me, you’re a much more precious family than blood ties. Don’t worry about this anymore.”

Nonetheless, I strangely felt something after hearing Evan’s words.

‘What the hell…’

A corner of my heart tickled at his unexpected warm words.

‘Did I feel touched…?’

While I was standing in a daze, Duke Icard sighed and opened his mouth again.

“You must be very upset. You don’t look well.”

“You even have to leave us to go to the Villa…”

Saying so, Evan held my hand with regret.

“On your way out, I’ll fill your carriage up so that you won’t feel lonely. Even though it can’t fill in your family’s place, it would still be comforting.”

“Thank you, Evan…”

It was a pretty good ending.

I will be given more gifts, Duke Icard had to look at my face and not be swept away by the truth of my relatives, and Lisa got to take five days off.

And…

“Oh, my God, it’s expensive even if it’s a fake! Scratches can be cleaned in just a few days. God, I love it!”

Karen’s fake necklace went back to Serena. It was a reward for acting very well according to the script I had written from beginning to end.

On the day I left, a few wagons filled with my luggage were attached to the procession.

Marcel also came from the temple that day to bless me before I left. All the staff of the Duchy exclaimed, seeing Marcel, who had sparkling silver hair and gentle black eyes.

“Goodness, I feel purified just by looking at him.”

“He looks so noble.”

As a matter of fact, he’s a fraud….

“Everyone, thank you. I still lack much.”

“Oh, you don’t speak the Imperial language?”

Marcel nodded at Serena’s naive question.

“I studied abroad for a long time, in Carovantes.”

His words stirred everyone up one more time.

“Oh… you are a great priest.”

I noticed the reason why Marcel was posing as a priest. He had such a proud look on his face, receiving such praises.

‘You fraudster who likes to be recognized…’

Anyway, Marcel blessed me, and once again, the prickly pain spread all over my body…

I frowned.

‘As expected, my body doesn’t fit the blessing.’

Marcel stepped back and smiled, and I bowed gracefully to him before asking, “Will you come to Borotna from time to time?”

“Uh… That’s a little… far…”

“You promised.”

At my words, he nodded immediately when I said that, handing over an envelope containing donations.

“Yes, of course, I will go there from time to time to bless you, Princess.”

‘Did he forget to pretend that he doesn’t speak the Imperial Language in front of the envelope?’

Half of his speech was supposed to be swallowed by Marcel.

“I’ll send you letters asking about theology. Please answer me back, too.”

‘I wonder why my body reacts this way to the blessings.’

“I understand.”

Marcel nodded with a pleased look. After claiming that his schedule was full, he went back to the temple right away without seeing my departure.

“Laria.”

As soon as he left, Evan, who was watching all this, spoke.

“A priest can’t get married.”

“Huh?”

“Of course, women shouldn’t be too close without reason.”

“I know, but why are you saying all this all of a sudden?”

“Just wanted you to know that.”

“…Right.”

I smirked and got ready to leave in earnest.

The carriage I rode was so luxurious that it was large, but it was designed so that only two people could ride it. That’s why Lisa and Serena fought for a long time for the last seat in the carriage.

Eventually, Serena won. Because as soon as she looked at the servants, after shooting tears, they all glanced at her sympathetically. Having seen it, Morand muttered, “I can’t increase the number of victims anymore…” and forced me to assign Serena to my carriage.

When she first came to the Duke’s mansion, Serena once asked Morand if she could date anyone, and the result was this much effect on other employees. He didn’t want any more issues to arise.

On the other hand, Evan grabbed me and kept telling me. “Laria, you are my wife. Even though we are young, okay?”

“Mnh, I know.”

“I’ll be there often.”

“How long does it take to go back and forth? It’s a waste of time, so please refrain from doing it so often.”

“You don’t have to be so considerate of me, Laria.”

I seriously thought for a moment that I should tell Sven to cut off the bridge on the road to Borotna.

Duke Icard, who stood silently with his arms crossed, said coolly.

“If someone tries to boss you around or has any tyrannical behavior in the social circles in Borotna, just write to me no matter what.”

“Pardon?”

“Innocent and soft-hearted people like you are a perfect target of society.”

‘If people from Borotna don’t want to play with me, will you send me friends…?’

“If you don’t get along, I’ll cut off all the local money income.”

Ah… as expected of the ultimate villain to be able to cut off the local economic flows at once!

“You can buy friendship with money.”

“….”

‘Is this what an adult really should say to a child? I guess Evan’s emotions were not unstable for nothing…’

“See you soon.”

Evan said, holding my hand tight until I went in the wagon.

“I’ll be there at your party.”

“Okay.”

“Stay healthy.”

“Okay, you… well, stay true to your duty.”

I added firmly, indirectly telling him not to visit for no reason.

“You’ve got a lot of succession classes, and you also need to train for swordsmanship.”

“Then, what will you do for me?”

“…Compliment you?”

I answered, even though it sounded like too little reward. Fortunately, Evan didn’t laugh at my words.

“I’ll do my best, Laria.”

Unexpectedly, Evan looked rather determined.

Serena, who was sitting leisurely in front of me as if she didn’t want to lose her seat to Lisa, glanced very worried at him.

In the end, we were able to set off only after Serena warned with a stern expression that if we delayed our departure even more, my fatigue would be very severe.

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