Chapter 98

Chapter 98

When Zachary spoke firmly as if speaking the truth of the world, Iellie laughed awkwardly as she asked.

“Come to think of it, didn’t you not like Asha flowers very much?”

“It used to be. I like anything as long as you like it.”

He shrugged his shoulders.

Pink flowers resembling Iellie. In addition, Asha flowers were symbolic flowers in many ways. A flower that the Imperial Family and the Duke’s family used as their family crest at the same time and engaged in a war of nerves.

“Well, it’s just right to get on His Majesty’s nerves, but…”

As Iellie swallowed a sigh and murmured, Zachary, who was gazing at her, smiled brightly.

“Rather than that, Len, when are you going to fit your wedding dress? I heard that Mother-in-law is coming.”

“Ah, yes. Mother will arrive tomorrow or so… so we decided to do the final fitting together.”

The wedding preparations were often assisted by the mother of the bride. However, Iellie had so far taken care of her wedding preparations alone. Zachary had asked her parents to come early, but she refused.

“Even if it’s not the case, for my parents to receive a new territory in the north… In a way, it’s a privilege.”

“You are the Duchess of Hessenweiz. It’s only natural that my father-in-law and mother-in-law are treated like this.”

“Still, Zachary, the more family members we are, the stricter these issues should be.”

When Iellie shook her head in a big way, Zachary stared at her, who had a determined face.

“It’s true that I’m bringing my parents to the north for their safety, but I don’t want to receive any more special treatment than that.”

In addition, the word that the new Duchess of Hessenweitz would be swayed by her maternal kin was also a no-brainer.

“Besides, we’ve already experienced the uncomfortable example from Countess Laurent, right?”

“Len.”

“It’s enough just to give them a manor. So, I can go ahead with this wedding on my own.”

Thus, Iellie’s parents were only allowed to attend their daughter’s wedding as honored guests. Recalling what happened then, he suddenly looked down at Iellie’s face as she was smiling confidently.

“Don’t worry, the wedding will go without a hitch.”

“Yes, I trust you.”

With that kind reply, a corner of her chest tickled as if rubbed with a feather. Zachary asked a question.

“So, father-in-law and mother-in-law are coming tomorrow?”

“Yes. They said they would arrive early in the morning.”

Once the dress was fitted, all preparations for the wedding would be completed. Additionally, the preparations for the reception with the guests were all perfect.

Iellie glanced out of the window at a glance. The Asha tree, with branches full of buds just before bursting, was swaying in the spring breeze.

Looking at the scene, she smiled happily.

‘…I didn’t know I would become a spring bride.’

After a few days, the Asha flowers would bloom fully. Iellie asked, soaked in light feelings.

“Zachary, do you remember?”

“What?”

“When we went to the Asha festival together.”

Zachary nodded his head. It was when they had just met. He experienced a rampage at the festival with Iellie in front of him. Even so, his anger subsided in an instant at her voice.

“Even then, Asha flowers were in full bloom like this.”

He gazed at Iellie’s back, who was looking up at the window, resting her chin. Suddenly remembered his childhood, he couldn’t believe everything in the world and sharpened himself, yet she quickly closed the distance.

‘Still, I was able to change after meeting her.’

He smiled happily as he thought so. Meanwhile, Iellie glanced back at Zachary and whispered softly

“At that time, we decided to dance together at the Asha Festival when we became adults.”

“It was.”

He remembered it, too.

At that time, they were not yet of age. That was why they promised to dance when they came of age. Iellie, who was agonizing over her thoughts, gently closed her eyes and opened her mouth.

“This year’s Asha festival overlaps with the wedding, so it’s a bit different. Maybe next year?”

“Yes, then we will definitely dance together.”

The two of them intertwined their fingers and giggled like children. Warmth spread from the depths of their heart.

And the next day, Viscount Blanchett and his wife arrived at Duke Hessenweitz’s castle. Iellie was very excited.

“Mom…!”

“Len!”

When she ran like a child and burrowed into the Viscountess’ arm, the Viscount pouted.

“Did you not miss dad?”

“I missed dad, too!”

As she replied with a laugh, the Viscountess nagged at her as she pinched Iellie’s cheek.

“Do you come down to the Duke’s castle right away without stopping by your house?”

“I, I’m sorry. That’s because Zachary’s matter was so urgent…”

“It’s no use trying to raise a daughter that only sends a letter and comes down alone!”

Zachary hesitantly approached the family, who shared their joy. He licked his dry lips before slowly opening his mouth.

“I’m sorry, I gave Iellie a hard time…”

He politely bowed his head. As the Viscount couple, embracing Iellie, glanced at him with ferocious eyes, Zachary felt a cold sweat run down his back.

The Viscountess said sharply.

“If this happens again in the future.”

Saying so, Viscount Blanchett and his wife stared at him with a gaze that left no goodwill left before she finished her words.

“This time, we will divorce Iellie from the Duke.”

“…Yes, I am reflecting on myself.”

Even with ten mouths, he deserved to say nothing. Seeing Zachary chewed his lips, the Viscount eventually sighed.

“But well.”

“…Yes?”

“To think that the former Duke passed away… the Duke has suffered a lot as well.”

The worried voice stirred his heart. Why were these families so sweet and warm? Oddly enough, his eyes felt wet, so Zachary bit his lips.

The Viscountess uttered her words.

“You must have had a hard time?”

“No…no.”

“You lost your father, there’s no way it wouldn’t be difficult.”

The two couples nodded side by side. With their eyebrows slightly furrowed, the Viscountess affectionately opened her mouth.

“I can understand why our Len went to the Duke right away.”

When Zachary was silent, not knowing what to say, the Viscountess sternly followed her words.

“Still, in the future, you can’t make Len cry again.”

“…Mom.”

“I mean, because of how sad she was, she had lost weight. Do you know that?”

“Mom!”

Oh, she would die of shame! Iellie’s face flushed red, and she tugged at the Viscountess.

“We made up! It’s been a long time since we reconciled—!?”

“Why not! I still have something to say!”

“Ahh, moom…! Please!”

“Do you know how upset mom was because you stayed locked up in your room at that time!?”

The mother and daughter were arguing with a father, who wore a pathetic face. It was the ideal family Zachary had always hoped for. How could they be so cute?

He laughed without realizing it.

The wedding dress was fitted, and finally, the body measurements were adjusted. Zachary was curious about Iellie’s wedding dress, but it was usually polite for the husband to see the wife’s dress on the day of the wedding.

“You must never change your size, okay?”

Mrs. Transel opened her mouth sternly. That expression was so determined that she froze slightly.

“Yes, I will.”

“You must promise. No more snacking at night.”

“Yes.”

Iellie became a bit sullen. The cookies she ate at night were delicious. All of a sudden, the pleasures of her life were disappearing like this…

“Good.”

Mrs. Transel, who was carrying the tape measure and needle, nodded her head satisfyingly before she added softly.

“Perhaps the Duchess will be the most beautiful bride in the Empire on her wedding day.”

“Thank you.”

She smiled brightly.

Mrs. Transel, with a final smile, went out of the room. Iellie, who had changed her clothes, clung to her mother’s lap. Her pale green eyes were shining brightly.

“Mom, when I was wearing the wedding dress earlier… how was it? Was it pretty?”

“Well, it was worth looking at.”

When the Viscountess answered in a playful way, Iellie turned serious and asked again.

“Then, will Zachary think it is pretty, too?”

“Hmm…”

The Viscountess rolled her eyes. After that, she responded jokingly, pinching her daughter’s soft cheek.

“To be honest, I think the duke would say you look pretty even if you’re only wearing a jacket.”

“Ah, really. That’s not true.”

Even as she said that, a blush ran across her daughter’s cheeks. The Viscountess asked as she looked at her daughter blankly.

“Len. Do you like the Duke that much?”

“….”

Iellie, who rubbed her flushed cheek, couldn’t bear to answer the question. However, the Viscountess immediately recognized how sincere she was with Zachary. After all, she was dyed red all the way behind her ears.

“…Your face looks like a well-ripe tomato.”

Said her mother with a sigh as Iellie tried to avoid her gaze. The Viscountess hugged her daughter.

“Yes, if you like.”

“Mom?”

“Mom is most happy that you are happy.”

Iellie, who listened closely to the kind voice, nodded her head slightly. She whispered softly.

“…Thank you.”

The strength in the arms that hugged her was tense. The mother and daughter shared a deep embrace as they felt each other’s body heat.

And the day before the wedding. Iellie tossed and turned slightly as she lay on her bed. Strangely, she couldn’t sleep.

‘I don’t know why I’m so anxious…’

Iellie swallowed a sigh. It was a wedding. Her marriage to Zachary, though, had lasted a long time, strangely made her heart thump. It was also true that she abandoned the title of lady and took the title of Duchess.

‘…How does Zachary feel now?’

In the dark, she blinked her eyes. Even for the sake of her skincare, she has been told to go to bed early. Still, her heart beats so fast that she couldn’t sleep at all.

Iellie forced her eyes shut.

‘Stop thinking nonsense, Len. You really need to sleep now.’

But then.

Knock, knock.

A knock came. Surprised, Iellie pulled off the blanket and stood up from her seat.

“Mom?”

“You can’t sleep?”

Standing beyond the door was the Viscountess. Her mother shrugged her shoulders and opened her mouth.

“Well, that’s understandable.”

“Is it worth it?”

“It’s the day before the wedding. Isn’t it normal to be anxious?”

Having said that, the Viscountess. She patted her daughter’s hair gently and opened her mouth.

“Come to think of it, when did our daughter grow up so much that she was even having a wedding…”

Iellie, who was still looking at the Biscountess, made a sad face. She hurriedly opened the door.

“Ah, mom. Come inside first.”

“Yes.”

The two mother and daughter sat side by side on the bed. As if she had gone back to her childhood, her mother hugged her by the shoulder and patted her. Iellie let out a short breath as she leaned her head against her mother’s soft arms.

“Was there anything difficult while preparing for this wedding?”

“Yeah, it was fine. The budget was generous, and the people of the Duchy also helped a lot.”

“Still, it would have been better if mother could have helped. Wouldn’t it have been difficult for the Duke to help?”

As the Viscountess looked at her with a pitiful face, Iellie smiled as she lifted her gaze.

“I’m okay. Zachary was also busy in his own way.”

“Well, there is… although it hasn’t been long since the duke inherited the title.”

The Viscountess nodded slowly.

Even a small noble family had many things to take care of when the new head of the family succeeded. Moreover, he took the title not because of a stable succession but because of the death of his predecessor.

“Isn’t this an event that the Mistress should prepare for? So, I didn’t want to bother him.”

When she uttered in a clear voice, the Viscountess stared at her daughter with new eyes.

“Besides, I already received the estate from Zachary. This much help is enough.”

“I think it must have been difficult.”

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