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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: 대공가 시집살이 너무 쉬운데요 (53)화
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: Life as the Grand Duke's Daughter-in-Law is Too Easy
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Meanwhile, as soon as Edward returned to the lodging, Zerionis looked at him with a puzzled expression.
"Why are you back already?"
"I can't go to the lake anymore."
Edward plopped down on the sofa with a somewhat dazed look on his face.
Zeronis tilted his head in confusion at how the guy, who had been full of energy just moments ago, suddenly went limp.
"Did you run into a bear or something? What's wrong with you?"
"Zeronis, have you ever met Kyle's little sister?"
"No. Why do you ask?"
As Zerionis questioned him, Edward blushed again, recalling Roena.
"I just met her."
"What?"
"She's totally my type. What do I do?"
Zeronis was dumbfounded. He had no idea what the guy had been up to instead of going diving as planned.
"I told you to come and go quietly, so where did you poke your nose? You didn't tell her I'm here, did you?"
"I'm not an idiot; why would I say that? Anyway, Zerionis, I ran into her on the way to the lake. Isn't this fate?"
"Don't talk nonsense about fate. If she's the April lady, she got married last year. You're spouting something that'll get you in big trouble."
"No wonder Kyle kept his sister hidden away. Keeping such a pretty little sister under wraps."
"Well, if I were Kyle, I wouldn't want to introduce my sister to you either."
"What's that supposed to mean about me?"
"Take a good look at yourself."
Zeronis snapped curtly and was about to lose interest when there was a knock, knock. A familiar face entered.
"I had a hunch, and sure enough, Your Highness is here."
Zeronis recognized the visitor and stood up.
"Aunt?"
"It's been a while. You've grown so much since I last saw you."
Elena entered with a faint smile. Zerionis guided her to a chair and asked,
"How did you know I was here?"
"I happened to run into Alli."
Come to think of it, her attendant Alli was standing beside Elena. She would have realized he was here the moment she saw Alli.
"The tea is fine; you can go now, Alli."
"Yes, Your Highness."
As Alli bowed and left, Zerionis asked,
"What brings you to Prodium?"
"I had some business, so I stopped by with my son and daughter-in-law."
"Ah."
Zeronis's face stiffened at the mention of "son and daughter-in-law."
It reminded him of how Emperor Zachary, his father, had been in a foul mood last year when the Grand Duke had legitimized his illegitimate child.
Yet for some reason, the Emperor hadn't punished or scolded the Grand Duke for it. He'd just sighed deeply and muttered, "I'm the sinner here."
Even Zerionis could hardly believe the Grand Duke had fathered a bastard.
Back in the capital, the Grand Duke had been a man with not even a whiff of scandal. He'd worried that Elena might have been shocked.
"Are you all right?"
"Why wouldn't I be?"
"Still..."
"Don't worry about me, Your Highness."
Elena saw through his intentions and smiled as if it were nothing.
She probably didn't want to show any weakness to her nephew. Zerionis fell silent, his face darkening.
At that moment, Edward chimed in.
"Your Highness Grand Duchess, I'm here too."
"Yes, Edward. I figured you would be. Is Cash here as well, then?"
"No. Cash hurt his leg, so he couldn't come."
"Oh dear. He got into horse riding, and it seems he got injured already. No wonder the Duke hurried back—he must have been worried about Cash."
"It's even more so after the big incident this year."
As Edward joked around, Elena asked,
"You still haven't found the cause of that illness?"
"Yes. Father's been overprotective ever since. He won't even let me hang out with anyone."
"That's because you play too recklessly, Eddie."
Zeronis threw in a pointed remark, and Edward shot him a glare.
It was amusing how these two, whose personalities clashed so badly, still stuck together. Elena smiled with her eyes and said,
"How has your health been lately? Since you're in Prodium..."
Zeronis spoke up as Elena's face suddenly darkened.
"It's nothing to worry about. I came as a formality."
"You mustn't overdo it. If anything happens to your precious health, the empire's future is at risk."
"And how about you, Aunt? I'm worried the northern cold might harm your health."
Zeronis smoothly changed the subject, and Elena let out a soft sigh.
The young Crown Prince was far too composed. It would be nice if he whined a little sometimes.
They were deep in conversation when there was a commotion outside. May didn't dare enter but shouted from beyond the door.
"Ma'am! Sorry to interrupt."
"What's the commotion?"
"The Young Grand Duchess is urgently looking for you."
"Roena?"
"Yes. According to her maid, the Young Grand Duke is in critical condition."
"What?"
Elena jumped up in shock.
It was around the time they had circled halfway around the lake.
'Why is his hand so hot?'
The hand clasped with Akid's felt unusually warm, which puzzled me. Even through the gloves, the heat was seeping through.
I stopped walking and looked at Akid. Now that I noticed, his complexion seemed paler than before.
"Akid? Are you feeling unwell?"
"No... Ugh."
Akid started to reply but staggered.
"Akid!"
I grabbed him in alarm, only to flinch in surprise. His body was burning hot, just like his hand.
"You're feverish...!"
"I'm... fine."
"Fine? How can you be with your body this hot? Why didn't you tell me? We need to go to the infirmary right now...!"
Akid grabbed my arm and shook his head.
"I'm really okay..."
But before he could finish, he collapsed fully against me. Unable to bear his weight, I staggered as well.
"Guard!"
At my call, the escort knight who had been following in hiding revealed himself.
"Not the lodging—the infirmary, right now!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
At my command, the knight hoisted Akid onto his back and started running. Another guard scooped me up without a word of apology and followed suit.
I couldn't keep up with a trained knight's pace in this child's body.
My heart pounded wildly. Seeing Akid collapse right before my eyes made my fingertips go cold.
Then the spirit hovering nearby said something odd.
—Don't worry. He won't die.
"Won't die?"
I muttered softly enough that the knight wouldn't hear, and the spirit replied.
—This place used to be Zapharsia's lair. Especially this lake, where she swam often, so it's richer in mana than other spots.
—It seems his latent power reacted with Zapharsia's mana and triggered his awakening. He's got some seriously strong power.
—Yeah. Normal people don't react at all to Zapharsia's mana. Must be because of his black hair and gray eyes?
—It's too early for full awakening, so maybe it's just an onset seizure. It'll hurt a bit, but if he endures, he'll be fine. This doesn't seem like his first time, though.
—Whatever it is, it's good for the kid. Waking his power earlier than others. Of course, it'll come with immense pain...
I gnawed at my nails as the spirits chattered on.
Starting his awakening now, when adults only do it upon maturity.
And right outside the Grand Duchy territory, no less—leaving him exposed to danger.
I halted the knight heading to the infirmary.
"Not the infirmary—take him to Akid's lodging."
"Pardon? But..."
"We can't let outsiders find out. This isn't just a cold."
"Pardon?"
"Shuri, go inform Madam right now. I'll stay at Akid's lodging."
"Yes, Little Madam."
Shuri dashed off with the order. The knight placed Akid in the lodging as instructed, then sent a messenger to summon the chief physician Marsha.
From Hadellus Castle to Prodium on horseback, she could arrive by tonight.
Who knew not bringing the chief physician would lead to this mess, forcing an unscheduled overnight stay.
I paced anxiously, watching Akid sweat profusely in his fever.
'I'm not even a proper fan. Too excited on my own to notice Akid's condition.'
Calling myself a fan when I couldn't even spot my favorite's off state felt ridiculous.
Remembering how I'd grinned like an idiot on the walk made my heart ache.
And of all times, when the Grand Duke was away on business.
The only way to suppress pre-awakening seizures was magic of the same attribute. Or overwhelming it with superior mana.
Cases like this, mimicking the awakening period before adulthood, were exceedingly rare.
Even the male lead Zerionis had suffered greatly from seizures in his childhood, or so I'd heard.
As I fretted restlessly, Elena burst into the lodging.
"Roena!"
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