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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: 대공가 시집살이 너무 쉬운데요 (59)화
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: Lavish Gifts and a Racing Heart
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Our mother-in-law sure knows how to give extravagant congratulatory gifts.
Day by day, my fondness for Elena seemed to be growing. Gifts are always welcome, after all. I quickly accepted the bouquet and flashed a wide grin.
"Please convey my thanks!"
"Yes. And Her Highness the Grand Duchess had a special message when she sent the gift."
"A message?"
"Yes. She stressed that if any ideas for other ventures come to mind, to discuss them with her first, before telling His Highness the Grand Duke."
It looked like Mother-in-law had decided to take me on as a business partner.
Seeing how the Grand Duke was also trying to win me over, it seemed everyone had caught on to my true talents. Hehe.
I felt like I had become indispensable, and my shoulders lifted with pride.
I preferred Mother-in-law's crisp efficiency over Father's haphazard style, so her little bribe felt all the more delightful. I nodded eagerly.
"Yeah! Tell her I'll do that."
Father, you'll have to step up your game even more.
I struck a pose of condolence toward Father, who wasn't here.
"Yes, Young Madam."
Countess Aria bowed politely and took her leave. It was worlds apart from the subtle cold shoulder she'd given me when I first transmigrated.
This must be what they call riding the right connections to a smooth path.
Thrilled at how steadily I was solidifying my position in the Grand Duke's castle, I hummed a little tune as I stepped into the bedroom. But a moment later...
"Huh?"
What's that?
I tilted my head at the red bird occupying my table.
And the red bird tilted its head right back at me.
The bird in the cage had feathers so vividly red it reminded me of a phoenix.
Who are you?
And who might you be?
The bird and I locked eyes, sizing each other up without looking away.
What's with this cheeky bird? Won't even avert its gaze?
But no matter how fiercely I glared, the bird didn't flinch a bit.
Most creatures looked away when my face turned scary, but this one had real nerve.
We were locked in a staring contest for a good while when Hanna finally spotted me and spoke up.
"Oh, Young Madam, when did you get here?"
"Just now. Hey, Hanna."
I pointed at the bird sitting so primly in its cage.
"What's with the bird?"
Hanna looked like she'd completely forgotten about it, her face going blank before she clapped her hands.
"Ah, right! Archid sent it earlier. He said a messenger bird would be essential for business dealings."
"Archid sent it?!"
Hearing it was a gift from Archid, I tossed the jewel bouquet aside carelessly and hurried to the cage.
It had looked like a rude little punk a second ago, but now it struck me as a clever bird that knew its master.
"Hello, birdie?"
Caaw.
The bird let out a cry and flapped its wings, almost like it was welcoming me. Beaming with excitement, I read Archid's letter tucked in the cage.
"......"
I read the letter in silence. Then read it again. As I stared blankly at it, Hanna asked.
"What does it say?"
But I couldn't answer.
How could a corpse speak after suffering sudden cardiac arrest?
Archid had crushed my heart without warning.
At this rate, I might actually die.
To get my heart beating again, I needed to see Archid right now.
Face burning red, I grabbed Hanna's sleeve in a panic.
"How do I look right now?"
"Pardon? Look like what?"
"My hair, my outfit—is it okay?"
Hanna's eyes went wide at my urgent questioning, then she broke into a grin.
"You always look pretty."
Perfect!
It sounded a tad flattering, but I agreed my face was decent enough.
Imagining Archid in the middle of magic training right now, I bolted up from my seat.
I'll just sneak a quick peek.
This was all for the good of my heart. And if I lived longer, it'd benefit Archid too.
Rationalizing like a master, I skipped lightly toward the training room.
"Gather your power in your dantian, then contract it like squeezing your blood vessels—try tightening here."
Count Harrington, a mage of the Hadellus family, pressed gently on Archid's solar plexus as he instructed.
Archid followed his explanation, slowly gathering power in his dantian, but the mana kept scattering, leaving beads of sweat on his brow.
"It's tricky at first, but once you get it down, it'll come naturally. You're not in a full awakening state yet, so control is even harder."
Count Harrington knew how to guide his student with gentle encouragement.
The Grand Duke himself had trained under him, after all—a truly seasoned mage.
"With mana like this, you might even surpass His Highness the Grand Duke someday."
"Is my power really that strong?"
"Awakening signs at your young age already set you apart from the ordinary. Sure, the risks are high, but once you're awakened, few mages could match you, Young Master."
The count wasn't exaggerating.
Even in just a few days of lessons, he'd recognized Archid's talent. And his drive let them progress quickly.
If the Grand Duke were here to demonstrate dark-attribute power firsthand, it'd be smoother, but with him away, the count was doing his best to teach what he could.
"Especially a genius who works hard—no one can beat that."
"Count Harrington, I want to become much stronger than I am now."
Archid's eyes sparkled with sharp intelligence. As the count gazed at him questioningly, he continued.
"Because there's someone I want to protect."
"You mean the Young Grand Duchess, by any chance?"
"Pardon?"
Archid's face went blank, like he'd been nailed right on the head.
Adults might be hard to read, but he was still clumsy at hiding his expressions—the meaning was plain.
They said things were improving between them, and it looks true.
As an advisor to House Hadellus, Count Harrington rarely visited the main residence or the annex.
Last year, on a brief trip to the main estate, the young couple had been icy cold to each other. Yet in just half a year, the atmosphere had shifted dramatically.
Roena, the Young Grand Duchess, stood out especially—her whole demeanor had changed so much he half-wondered if she'd been swapped out.
Before, she'd been prickly, like she shouldered the world's every misfortune. Now, not a hint of it remained.
Taking over the Young Grand Duke's lessons meant more frequent visits, so he'd naturally crossed paths with her often.
Though it was mostly her barging in on classes one-sidedly.
The pair got along so harmoniously—a stark contrast to the Grand Duke couple's chill. It warmed the vassal's heart.
Finally, a proper married couple in House Hadellus.
"When you have something precious to protect, strength follows naturally. Excellent mindset. Keep pushing forward with that resolve."
"Yes."
It hadn't been long since the count resumed the lesson when he noticed Archid's focus visibly fading.
Forgetting his praise, the count's eyes sharpened. Just as he was about to call it out, Archid muttered.
"She's here......"
At the murmur, the count whipped his gaze to the window with swift precision.
Whoosh.
A red blur vanished below the window, leaving a faint afterimage.
The count's eyes narrowed knowingly, as if he'd pegged the peeper.
Moments later, the Young Grand Duchess poked her head out—and their eyes met. She flashed an awkward smile and waved.
"Heh, well now."
The count let out a dry chuckle at Roena's inevitable arrival.
It happened every single lesson—no shock anymore.
"Peeking again, I see. Whatever possesses her to do that?"
"Sorry."
Archid ducked his head, face flushed. As he bashfully scratched the back of his neck, a thunk echoed from outside.
Startled glances revealed the Young Grand Duchess had smacked her head against the window.
Her glare was so ferocious it felt like a wordless demand to end class.
"Ahem. Looks like today's lesson wraps here."
"Yes. Probably best."
Archid sprang into tidying up with brisk efficiency, like a man rushing to his eagerly awaiting rabbit of a wife.
In that instant, the count wondered if Archid secretly enjoyed her little spying sessions.
Maybe he even picked that spot by the window on purpose.
Nah, couldn't be. No way he'd go that far.
Dismissing it as his own overactive imagination from old age, the count shook his head.
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