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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: An Over-the-Top Welcome
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Hanna smiled gently at my question.
"Yes. I barely managed to get him on board—he was dead set against going. From a quick glance, his grin was ear to ear."
"Hehehe. Good job."
I was pleased as punch that things were falling into place just as planned, so I directed the carriage back toward the main estate.
With this, I'd upheld my promise to Kobishtein.
I'd originally planned to bring it up once Grand Duke Delrus returned to the main estate, but his letter arrived right on cue, letting me kill two birds with one stone.
I'd been a bit worried he might say no, but his reply was enthusiastic. If anything, he seemed subtly fixated on something else.
Do as you please. Your reply was awfully quick, though. Almost like you'd been waiting for my letter.
Not really.
I stifled a chuckle at Grand Duke Delrus's absurd self-confidence.
But delusions were free real estate. Rather than correct him, I decided to let him keep on believing it.
As we arrived at the main estate and walked down the corridor, Hanna remarked,
"A vacation in Allang? I'm so jealous. The weather should be perfect for strolls by now."
She gazed off wistfully, reminiscing about the past.
"Before we came to Delrus territory, we used to go once a year. Remember?"
"Yeah..."
I gave a light response to Hanna, lost in her memories, and let my own thoughts drift.
Come to think of it, it was strange. The memories that surfaced when I met Diana and Kobishtein were clearly Loena's, but I had no idea why they were being implanted in me.
Does it trigger when I encounter certain people?
It had happened the moment our eyes met or we started talking with Diana, and again with Kobishtein.
An eerie sensation, nothing like what I'd read about in the book.
And once it hit, anecdotes related to them would settle naturally in my mind.
It was downright bizarre—like I was merging with Loena. I could even faintly feel the emotions she'd had back then.
But with just two instances, it was hard to pinpoint the trigger for these memory flashes.
"I wonder how the young masters are doing. Ilager might be a bit rough around the edges, but he absolutely adored you. And Kyle? He'd go on forever if you let him about how much he treasured you."
"Did he?"
"Of course. They're probably missing you like crazy right now."
Hanna's face softened at the thought of April's twins.
Truth be told, I'd been anxious when sending the telegram to April Castle about Kobishtein's stay.
It was our first contact since the wedding, after all.
So I'd cautiously let Hanna know I wanted to reach out, then sent a brief update along with a request to use a room at the Aile Hotel.
And they replied in less than a day.
April territory was quite a distance from Delrus. Replying that fast meant they'd shelled out for priority mana stone express delivery.
Their quick response made it feel like they'd been waiting with bated breath. It threw me for a loop.
Then again, the precious baby of the family hadn't sent so much as a peep since getting married. They must've been thrilled.
Loena had been downright cold about it. A single letter to her family wouldn't have hurt, but she'd cut them off completely.
Maybe I should start keeping in touch with the April family now.
They were people I'd inevitably cross paths with someday, assuming I didn't kick the bucket.
April's twins were Mabel's allies in the original story—one of the sub-male leads, alongside Akid.
Embrace Me wasn't just thrilling fantasy; the romantic tug-of-war among the male leads vying for the heroine was electric.
Mabel, the orphan, must've caught their eye because she shared Loena's age and birthday, of all things.
As I recalled the scene where Mabel first met April's twins in the original, Hanna asked,
"Don't you miss the young masters, Lady Loena?"
I stared blankly at her. Eh, not really. They weren't characters I'd been all that fond of, so no spark there.
In the original, House April and House Delrus were at odds.
Their young daughter had gone off to marry into a distant land and died young from a plague—it was natural they'd hold a grudge.
April's twins, in particular, would snarl at the mere sight of Akid, itching for a fight.
Akid, for his part, had put up with plenty from Loena, so he wasn't about to let House April's rudeness slide.
Encounters between them were powder kegs waiting to blow.
Still, they were pretty sweet to the heroine.
I might be Team Akid, but they'd built a solid fanbase throughout the serialization.
Being total jerks to everyone else but melting at Mabel's word? That was their charm point, apparently.
To me, it just looked like selective affection. They were always projecting a little sister vibe onto her whenever they got the chance.
Bottom line: they weren't all that appealing to me. No urge to see them.
They'd never reached out first anyway—why should I bother keeping the line open?
I shook off the nagging thought of whether I should stay in touch.
Frankly, with everything on my plate just trying to stay in Grand Duke Delrus and his wife's good graces, I had no bandwidth for the twins.
I shook my head casually.
"Eh. I'm sure they're doing fine on their own."
As the day of Grand Duke Delrus and his wife's return drew near, the main estate buzzed with preparations to welcome them home.
A sudden weather anomaly had delayed them by several days.
No one wanted to risk displeasing the master upon return, so preparations were in overdrive.
I watched the servants scrubbing harder than usual.
They seemed desperate not to give anyone a reason to complain—it was almost odd.
Looks spotless to me.
But Elena, with her impeccable standards, would see it differently.
Seeing everyone hustle made me think I should pitch in too.
This could be my chance to boost the Grand Duke couple's favor toward me, right?
From what I'd heard, welcoming the master home was usually a formality—servants lined up in two rows, that sort of thing.
But didn't that feel a bit stiff? It'd probably just amp up the tension.
Then, a brilliant idea struck me like lightning.
Now that's how you do a welcome.
I grinned at the inspired thought.
On a weekend afternoon, the carriage carrying Damian and Elena entered the grounds of Delrus main estate.
Hotel life had worn on them in subtle ways, and all they wanted was a hot bath and their comfy beds.
Moments later, the carriage halted, and they prepared to step out as usual.
But when the door swung open, Elena and Damian's eyes went wide as saucers.
"Father, Mother! Welcome home safe and sound!"
Loena's cheerful greeting rang out, and flower petals rained down around them.
And that was just the start—everyone was waving flower bouquets.
The scene evoked a wedding processional. Elena and Damian stood there, dumbfounded.
Then their eyes landed on the picket sign in Loena's hands.
It was slathered in vibrant crayons, each letter a riot of mismatched colors. Why on earth pair them like that?
Elena glanced casually at the text, then gaped.
Milky Elena!
Where've you been?
The angels are searching—the goddess is gone!
Exitless Damian.
Go in once, never come out.
Close the entrance already?
We've been waiting.
So glad you're back.
