Capitulo 159

Episode 159 – Special 1

Karin, what do you think of this?

My mother turned around in a white dress.

The extravagant hem of her skirt fluttered like flower petals and then plunged.

Do you think it looks good on me?

Her eyes full of anticipation sparkled.

It really does fit my mother perfectly!

I mustered all my sincerity and answered.

Then Lily, who was standing behind me, continued my words.

The one she tried on before was an off-white color, so her skin tone looked a little brighter, but this one looks much cleaner.

When Lily praised it wholeheartedly, even using professional terms, my mother’s expression softened.

Really?

Yes!

My mother turned around with a satisfied face. Then she pointed her finger at one of the hanging dresses.

I’ll try this one on.

Yes, Mistress Freya.

The maid hurried to take her clothes and entered the dressing room with my mother.

…Haa

My lady, you look tired.

hahaha.

I let out a hollow laugh at Lily’s words. My mother and father’s remarriage was just around the corner.

However, when the Grand Duke died and Marquis Liberty descended to the manor, the power structure of the empire changed drastically.

Thanks to that, my father and Aster were busy without a break.

‘Well, the wedding dress is being picked out by my mother.’

Still, it would have been nice if the two of them had come together.

Originally, isn’t it better for couples to prepare every little thing together?

Karin! What do you think of this one?

The curtains opened again and my mother appeared, dressed in another model of wedding dress.

Lily and I focused on my mother again.

* * *

Finally, the dress selection was over.

My mother chose a dress she was happy with and I was also very proud of her decision.

After the designers left, we had tea and talked about the upcoming wedding.

Invitations have been sent to all the necessary people, and the decoration of the wedding hall is almost finished.

The wedding was a great event.

I was helping out, but I couldn’t help it if my mother also had to be busy.

‘Originally, my father would have done it.’

Contrary to his blunt appearance, my father had an excellent eye for art.

But my father was going through the busiest time of his life.

Last year’s plan to work moderately and play moderately disappeared in an instant.

Ugh, he’s going to be late today.

Is he really?

When I looked out the window, the sun was setting.

Maybe he’ll be back at dawn today?

I also thought about Aster, who was working with my dad. I took some time to see him a few days ago, but he didn’t have a good complexion.

After seeing the shadows of tiredness on his handsome face, I was very worried.

What’s on your mind?

What are you thinking?

When I looked up, my mother’s face filled my eyes.

When I responded a little late, my mother looked at me suspiciously.

What are you worried about?

Oh, no. It’s not like that.

Really?

My mother looked worried.

Yes, I’m very well.

After Andrew’s death, my family worried about me more than before.

Even Aster was included.

However, contrary to the worries of the people around me, I was doing better than I thought I would.

Maybe because they were my loved ones, but it may be because I knew everything that went on behind.

Rather, there were people who pretended to care.

When I remembered, it was not easy to manage my expression.

In case my mother noticed, I quickly changed the subject.

What about my mother?

Mmm?

My father is not participating with the wedding preparations, will you be okay?

Normally, the situation would have been enough for a discussion by now.

But for some reason, my mother was preparing for the wedding alone with a broad mind.

Although she seems fine now, I felt anxious that she might blow up soon.

I’m a little sorry that I, her daughter, feel this way.

Ha… that’s it.

Freya’s face darkened.

She hesitated for a moment before opening her mouth.

You’re getting married soon, so you’d better let me know.

Somehow, even I was nervous about my mother’s attitude.

When we first got married, she was very busy. So I told your father to take care of it and I only attended the wedding day.

…

Of course the wedding was perfect. Your father prepared well for it. It suited my taste well, and it was so meticulously prepared.

After that, the tribute to my father continued for quite some time.

Anyway, there were times when we argued after that. But,

Ah.

I was very sad, saying that I really didn’t want to marry him. How many times did we quarrel with that?

Ah…

So this time I want to understand. Besides, your dad came in the wee hours of the morning and went through everything I prepared the day before and left.

My mother’s cheeks turned red when he said that.

Listening to him, it sounded like a subtle boast.

So, Karin. If you get married later and you have a problem, don’t hold back and tell me.

A light of concern shone in my mother’s eyes.

I opened my mouth to reassure her.

You don’t have to worry.

But it was undeniable.

Looking back on my rather painful love story, it seems I always kept my dissatisfaction in my heart.

You’re a bit like your father in those places.

Just as my mother was about to start scolding me, the butler knocked on the door and came in.

Mrs. Freya and Miss. The Duke has returned home.

Father?

Oh, really?

When my mother and I asked with surprised expressions, the butler smiled awkwardly.

My father had been coming at dawn for the past few weeks, so I couldn’t help but react that way.

His Majesty seems to have finally thought to send my husband back.

My mother winked mischievously at me and walked out.

* * *

Freya, Karin

After leaving work while the sun was still high, my father’s face looked paler than I expected.

Oh my god, are you okay, dad?

ha ha. Yes. Since the whole family is here, shall we have dinner together?

Mother let out a long sigh at those words with a forced smile on her dying face.

All right, go get some rest.

No but…

I’m saying this because I think you’ll collapse before the wedding, so listen to me.

I could see my father hesitated as if he was sorry.

Father, I think you really need to rest.

After I supported my mother, my father finally nodded. My mother took my father by the arm and began to drag him away.

It was strange to see the two of them always getting along so well.

It was embarrassing and also exciting.

Come to think of it…

It reminded me of the last time I saw Aster a few days ago.

A haggard looking face.

Would he be okay?

I couldn’t help but worry.

* * *

Aster swallowed saliva as he watched the Duke of Pioneer wither away day by day.

He was one of those who had been working for the past three months to quickly fill the vacant positions of the two leading nobles.

You can come back today.

No… It will be finished soon, so all I have to do is….

The Duke of Pioneer had an unnecessarily strong sense of responsibility.

Seeing this, he thought he knew who Karina looked like.

Then it will be your funeral, not your wedding.

At Aster’s words, the duke muttered, rubbing his neck with his hand.

Well, I’ll take a short rest and tomorrow morning….

No, rest for three days and come back.

Knowing how much work he would go through if he fell into this situation now, the duke realized and opened his mouth.

Can you really do that?

It’s time for someone to help with the work.

The duke nodded, noting who could help the emperor with what he was saying.

Then I’ll be on my way.

Seeing the duke turn away without regret, the emperor felt remorseful.

At the same time he was relieved, he hated to face a troublesome man.

But on the other hand, he was a good man at work.

He stuffed the chocolate cake with strawberries that Karina bought him a few days ago into his mouth and leafed through the remaining documents.

And time passed.

Before he knew it, the sunset was setting outside the window.

Aster sighed as he looked at the remaining paperwork like a mountain.

It was to the point where he wanted to postpone everything.

Your Majesty, Duke Malphyrion has arrived.

Ha. He’s finally here.

Daniel was a man optimized for this kind of paperwork.

He didn’t want to call him if possible, but he couldn’t help it.

If he kept it up, the Duke of Pioneer or he himself would fall first.

Send them in.

Soon the door opened and Daniel, sharper than before, stepped inside.

There was even a hint of hostility in his eyes that I had never seen before.

Welcome, Duke.

Aster rose from his seat.

It was time to put aside his personal feelings.