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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: Picnic Proposal
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It's uncomfortable. Terribly uncomfortable.
At the frigid dinner table, I was so flustered I couldn't tell if the food was going in my mouth or up my nose.
Both of them were too stubborn to back down first, so they sat there stubbornly facing each other, eating while glaring daggers as if they wanted to kill one another.
This had been going on for three straight days. It was pure agony.
After the archery tournament, the imperial delegation had finished their final inspection and returned to the capital.
"The regular council meeting will be coming up soon. Come all together then. It'll be a good chance to make introductions."
When Duke Essel made it clear right up to the end that he intended to introduce me as the villainess, a chill had run down my spine.
And after he left, the atmosphere in our house had turned utterly toxic.
Leaving this icy tension in our family and then running off! A true villainess's father!
With the mood so hostile, I hadn't even been able to ask the Grand Duke for my diary back. It was incredibly frustrating.
"Cough!"
In the end, I choked on my food and started hacking. Akid quickly handed me some water.
"Are you all right?"
No, I'm dying here. Please stop those two.
Misreading my pleading gaze, Akid patted my back.
"Spit it out. Come on."
"Hack."
With Akid's patting, the carrot lodged in my throat finally came loose. Only then could I breathe again, and I rubbed my sore throat.
This can't go on. We'll end up back as a dysfunctional family.
We'd just mended things— I couldn't let it fall apart again. With resolve, I shot my hand up high.
"I have something to say!"
My booming voice made Elena and Demian, who had been glaring at each other, turn to me in unison.
Their sharp eyes gleamed like a wolf and a lion eyeing prey. Then their cold voices rang out one after another.
"What is it?"
"Speak up."
Stared at by both at once, cold sweat dripped down my back unbidden. It wasn't outright hostility toward me, but it still sent shivers through me.
For a moment, I nearly chickened out and lowered my hand, but I glanced at Akid and mustered my courage.
"I-I want to go on a picnic!"
I shouted with all my might, and the atmosphere froze for a beat. Moments later, Elena smirked.
"Fine. Have fun with Akid. Why ask permission for something like that?"
She'd completely misunderstood. I frantically shook my head and explained further.
"No! I want to go all four of us together— Father, Mother, and us."
"......"
"W-We’ve never gone anywhere as a family before, right?"
I clasped my hands together pleadingly, making my most pitiful face.
Operation: Reconcile the personality-wrecked in-laws and become a happy family.
Just playing with Petra dolls wouldn't be enough to defuse the bomb Duke Essel had lobbed our way.
Those two just need to talk more.
If misunderstandings pile up without being cleared, they harden into stubborn convictions against each other.
In the original story, Elena and Demian had seemed like an irreparable tangle of threads.
Their deep rift showed no sign of healing. But now, there was room for improvement.
At my bombshell declaration, Elena's face twisted. She clearly had zero interest in going.
It looked like a flat refusal was coming any second, so I cut in first.
"I heard the Pael River is so beautiful. We could go boating, play tag, eat a delicious picnic..."
My words dragged on, turning into empty chatter.
Elena, meanwhile, remained utterly unmoved. You could just tell she was thinking, What would I do with childish games like that?
As I floundered, Akid stepped in.
"Didn't we donate some of the festival profits to the local temple?"
"We did?"
"It might be good to make a casual visit under the guise of a picnic. Better than showing up openly for an inspection."
"Hmm, true enough."
Only then did Elena show some reaction. She'd ignored my plea entirely but perked up at work talk.
Business before a child's innocent request, huh?
It felt like all our bonding had gone up in smoke. On the other hand, I was impressed by Akid's clever intervention.
Stepping up for my sake...
I gazed at Akid dreamily. For my sake was pure delusion, of course.
But as a fan, a little fantasy like this is fine, right?
Then the Grand Duke, who had been silent throughout, spoke up.
"Very well. Let's go."
"Grand Duke."
Elena tried to object, but he replied,
"If the Duchess wants to rest, she can."
Oh no, that's not good! We all have to go together.
Before I could say anything, the Grand Duke smirked and prodded at her sore spot.
"Since you're not heartless enough to deny your daughter-in-law's wish."
"When did I say I wouldn't go?"
"I figured the one who always does as she pleases would say that. Or am I wrong?"
Sizzle—
Sparks seemed to crackle in the air. In the suffocating tension, I clutched my forehead inwardly.
This family is hopeless. Should I just run off with Akid?
It was a powder keg. If voices rose, my plan was to grab Akid and flee the dining room.
But it didn't come to that.
"We'll go."
To my surprise, Elena relented with a sigh, then looked at me.
"But on the way back, you'll ride with me in the carriage."
Mother! What about what I want? I want to ride with Akid!
I shook my head slightly, but it was no use. She'd paired us to force conversation, not separate us.
Demian jumped in eagerly.
"That's what I wanted too. Akid, you'll ride with me."
No, why? You two should ride together!
Before I could protest, both rose from their seats. Elena grabbed me, Demian took Akid.
And just like that, our family was split. I gazed wistfully at Akid's retreating figure.
This isn't what I wanted...
Something told me this picnic was doomed before it even started.
Clop-clop.
The carriage carrying Elena and me rattled along quietly.
Elena stared blankly out the window, silent. Her listless air was making me drowsy too.
As I nodded off...
"Seya."
"Yes?"
"Come here."
She patted the seat beside her. Her tone was so gentle that I just stared blankly, and she added primly,
"You'll crick your neck sleeping like that. Use my lap."
She patted insistently, half kindly, half commandingly. Reluctantly, I scooted over and laid my head on her lap.
She draped her shawl over my shoulders. The sudden kindness chased away my sleepiness, but then she spoke.
"Just so you know, I have nothing against you."
"......"
"We can go on picnics anytime. So no need to get all tense and beg like last time. If you want something, just say it without hesitation."
She must have been dwelling on how I'd acted at dinner that day. Fair enough— the Grand Duke and Duchess had been terrifying.
I shuddered, recalling their piercing gazes.
Her gruff words carried genuine apology. Grinning, I ventured,
"Got it. I'll do that. So, um..."
"?"
She met my eyes expectantly, so I glanced slyly and asked,
"Can I ride back with Akid?"
But Elena was firm.
"No."
Didn't you just say to ask for what I want?
Stunned by the instant refusal, I gaped. She murmured lowly,
"I didn't say I'd grant everything."
Yeah, yeah. As if.
Deflated, I puffed out my cheeks in protest. Elena just chuckled and looked out the window.
Fine. Time to sleep.
I failed to get my way with Elena and drifted into deep slumber.
The Pael River lay about an hour's carriage ride from Delus territory, in a nearby village.
We had mutual agreements with the local lord, so travel was unrestricted.
A short trip south from the north had already warmed the air noticeably. Not balmy, but the breeze was milder, less biting chill.
It really hit home how far north Delus was.
The carriage arrived at the riverside temple. Unable to enter, we followed the priest's guidance on foot.
Cinnamon-hued pillars and pristine marble floors gleamed as if polished daily.
Amazed, I looked around, and Elena said,
"Since we're here, we'll stay a bit longer. There's business to handle."
I'd thought it was a picnic, but she was all about work.
This would make reconciling the Grand Duke couple harder. Pouting, I mumbled,
"What about boating..."
"We'll do it. They say the Pael River is even prettier at night. Tour the nearby ruins during the day. By evening, both I and the Grand Duke can make time."
"Yes!"
I replied energetically, and Elena chuckled softly.
