Chapter 44.2

“We, those who hate fighting, hid in the deep woods around the King’s castle. Master Lucis must have been willing to protect us, too, because the war didn’t reach that far. I don’t know what happened to the outside world, but eventually a ward was put up to cover the unnamed country centred on the castle where many of the demon tribe lived… I suppose some of the demons remained outside, but I don’t know what happened to them afterwards.”

Clive, who was protected by the Annemaria family, is doing well, but I don’t know about the rest of the demon tribe.

They may be living quietly in hiding in the kingdom, or they may have fled to other countries. It is also possible that they were eradicated in the hatred of the Great War.

I am not sure.

‘During the warding, there were some conflicts in this country afterwards, but I didn’t like it, so I covered my ears because I didn’t want to hear about it. Master Lucis  had a lot of demon Concubines, but I hate it because it led to a war between the races as well. When Master Heinzolde disappeared, everything went wrong. I miss Master Heinzolde.”

“Does that mean that Aria-sama admired Heinsolde-sama?”

“Well, I don’t know. I was born after Heinsolde-sama disappeared, so I don’t know, but for Aria, Heinsolde-sama will be a father, so I don’t know if she liked him.”

Iris said this and sighed deeply.

“Poor Yule. Master Lucis, who was sick of living, still couldn’t give up on the goddess, and everything was forced on him, along with his memories. He’s trapped in the memory of a goddess he’s never seen, and he’s fallen in love with the vessel of the goddess. It’s stupid. I wish goddesses were gone from this world.”

It seems that the last time Iris saw Aria was when she laughed tiredly after saying such a thing.

“Aria said that she was only there for him because she felt sorry for him, but she lived longer than Yule, so she must have had a lot of pride in that. I think she was just too proud to be vulnerable, so she let things build up.”

“After handing over all of her magical power to Gilbert-sama, she threw herself down.”

“So they say. I don’t know the details, but I know something about it because Mercuris was crying when she was talking about it.   Gilbert-sama doesn’t look like a bad person, but he has inherited the memories of Lucis-sama’s ridiculous obsession and Yule-sama’s suffering, and he has also received the magical power of Aria, who hated the goddess, so he’s in such a position that I’m surprised he’s alive normally. I don’t think a young girl like you should be forced to be with someone like that.”

Iris said, looking very worried.

Iris probably only heard about it from Mercuris and did not see it directly, but sometimes it was better to hear about it indirectly to understand the situation better.

It seemed that she was kindly concerned about my future. I’m grateful for that.

“Iris-san. Thank you very much. At first glance, I may look like a fragile, helpless and pretty girl, but I am Lydith Annemaria, born into the Duchess Annemaria family. It is my duty to be a good companion to Gilbert and to reunite the two countries that were separated due to the past war. I do not like conflict. It is futile to hate each other. Together with Gilbert, I can build an ideal country and set an example for other countries.”

I have missed Gilberto, but I don’t think my goal has changed. As I am living my second life, I need to do my best to make the world a better place.

I smiled at her and she blinked repeatedly.

“Liddy, I thought you were an elegant child, but you’re also an interesting child.”

“Iris-san, I’ve been asked many times if I’m afraid that the vessel of the goddess will steal Gilbert-sama.”

“I see. Well, then, I guess I was being extra nosy.”

“No, I appreciate your concern. I was not particularly concerned about that, because I always thought that love and romance that was not important, but the fulfilment of my duties. I am not sure about that now to be honest.”

I felt like I could tell Iris-san.

Maybe that was because she told me everything about the past without hiding anything. It would have been wrong for me to lie to her. It would be dishonest to go so far as to hide my feelings.

“You like Master Gilbert?”

“Yes… At first, I thought he was crude and lazy, a troubled man who didn’t know how to be a King but now I don’t.”

“Liddy-chan…”

Iris gripped my hand tightly. It hurt a little because it is quite strong.

I looked straight back into her eyes, which were mind-blowingly luminous.

“I may get upset. I may feel sad… But I will do what I can. I am as beautiful and intelligent as a goddess, a miraculous beauty brought by God.”

“Good, good Liddy!”

Iris-san, who was cheering and spinning around as she picked me up in her arms, reminded me of Clive, who used to pick me up in his arms and do a dance of respect for the lady in his arms.

Whatever Clive’s past was, will remain the funny and lovable chief butler to me.

If I am stuck in the past, I can never move forward.

Perhaps Cynthia, the vessel of the goddess, has stolen Rafael-sama from me before, but that doesn’t mean I need to be afraid. I am more beautiful than Cynthia, no matter what I think or how I look.

“Atashi, since I’m going to dress you in my dress, I want you to be happy, Liddy. But if you can’t, you can always come to me. You may be a fine duchess, but you are also still a young girl. Sometimes you just need to be a girl again.”

“Thank you.”

Iris said as she set me down after picking me up.

I felt as if I finally understood why I felt like I was no longer myself when I was being pampered by Master Gilbert. I was loved and everyone told me that Lydith would be fine. That was a sign of trust.

But only Lady Gilbert was different.

I’ve always been the proud Duchess Lydith, but I guess I sometimes forget that because Gilbert-sama always tried to protect me like a helpless girl.

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